Windshield wiper connector and assembly

Novel connectors and wiper blade assemblies including same for securing windshield wiper blades and arms are described, including those that accommodate side-saddle wiper arms. A wiper blade connector may have a mounting portion comprising a wiper blade securing element, the wiper securing element being capable of securing a wiper blade, and a side-saddle portion comprising two side walls, a top wall and a bottom surface, defining a receiving cavity, said top wall having a cantilever with a locking tab.

FIELD AND RELATED ART

This invention relates in general to windshield wipers, and more particularly, to an improved connector for a windshield wiper that allows the windshield wiper to be attached to certain windshield wiper arm configurations in side saddle position. The invention is also directed to windshield wipers incorporating these novel connectors.

There are a variety of wiper arms on which wiper blades are provided as original equipment. These various wiper arms have hooks, pins, or other configurations which may connect to the wiper blade with or without connectors. These various configurations have created a problem in the replacement market because wiper blade providers are required to have multiple wiper blade configurations to accommodate all of the existing wiper arms. It is therefore advantageous to have attachment structures that can accommodate a host of arms to reduce the complexity and cost associated with plurality of wiper blade arm configuration.

The need to attach replacement windshield wiper blades to multiple arms has been addressed to some degree. For example, windshield wiper blades have been designed to work with various hook-type wiper arms having different sizes. Connectors may also be configured to receive either a pin-type arm, a hook-type arm and a variety of other arms, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,380, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Although these connectors may increase the usefulness of a given windshield wiper such that it can be used with different wiper arm types, the connectors are often expensive and have complicated structures that are difficult and time-consuming to manufacture.

Whereas many automobiles on the market have arms that attach to a wiper blade directly over the wiper strip (i.e., hooks that connect inside of, or pin arms where the pin enters into, a mounting base or other connecting device that is above the wiper strip), more recent automobiles contain wiper arms that are designed to attach to the side of a wiper blade. These wiper arms (sometimes referred to herein as “side-saddle wiper arms”) are generally provided on vehicles with a specially designed wiper blade that is designed to connect only to that specific type of arm and require special mounting bases or connectors designed to accommodate such an arm. When the wiper blade must be replaced, the replacement must generally be done at a car dealership and requires the purchase of an expensive replacement part. Moreover, there are several versions of these wiper arms, some of which have varying lengths, locking arms or spacers. Accordingly, an aftermarket provider that offers windshield wipers that are not directed to a specific car must evaluate whether to add a separate connector to accommodate each particular side saddle wiper arm. This leaves consumers with vehicles having the new wiper arms with fewer, usually more expensive, alternatives for replacement windshield wipers.

Thus, there is a need for an inexpensive connector that is capable of securing a windshield wiper blade to certain side-saddle wiper arms. In particular, it would be desirable to have a connector that can be attached to a wiper blade and that preferably can be used to connect that wiper blade to certain types of these side-saddle wiper arms. It would also be desirable to have a windshield wiper connector that can be fabricated or molded as a single piece (or with few pieces) at low-cost that can accommodate these types of side-saddle wiper arms.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. Rather than specifically identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention, its purpose, inter alia, is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The invention is generally directed to novel connectors for windshield wiper blades, including those that accommodate certain types of side-saddle wiper arms. More particularly, the invention relates, in part, to a single-piece (or few-piece) windshield wiper connector that can accommodate wiper arms having top-locking mechanisms. The invention is also directed to wiper blades incorporating the connectors described herein.

In certain embodiments a wiper blade connector may have a mounting portion and a side saddle portion. The mounting portion may have a wiper blade securing element that is capable of securing a wiper blade. The side-saddle portion may have two side walls, a top wall and a bottom surface, defining a receiving cavity therebetween. The top wall of the side saddle portion may further have a cantilever with a locking tab.

In certain embodiments, a wiper blade assembly may include a wiper blade, and a connector having a mounted portion and a side-saddle portion. The mounting portion may have a wiper securing element capable of securing the connector to wiper blade. The side-saddle portion may include two side walls, a top wall and a bottom surface, defining a receiving cavity. The top wall may have a cantilever with a locking tab.

In certain embodiments, a wiper blade connector may have a mounting portion having a wiper securing element capable of securing a wiper blade, and a side-saddle portion capable of securing a wiper arm, having a top wall with a cantilever that has a locking tab.

The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspects of the invention. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed and the present invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the subject matter disclosed herein may be practiced. These embodiments, which are also referred to herein as “examples,” are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the subject matter disclosed herein. It is to be understood that the embodiments may be combined or that other embodiments may be utilized, and that structural, logical, and electrical variations may be made without departing from the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

In the description that follows, like numerals or reference designators will be used to refer to like parts or elements throughout. In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.

In certain embodiments a wiper blade connector may have a mounting portion and a side saddle portion. The mounting portion may have a wiper blade securing element that is capable of securing a wiper blade. The side-saddle portion may have two side walls, a top wall and a bottom surface, defining a receiving cavity therebetween. The top wall of the side saddle portion may further have a cantilever with a locking tab.

In certain embodiments, the wiper securing element may have a rivet clip. In such embodiments, The mounting portion may also have a pair of mounting side walls, such that the rivet clip is embodied on each of the mounting side walls. In other embodiments, the wiper securing element may have a rivet capable of engaging a rivet clip on the wiper blade in order to secure the connector to the wiper blade.

In certain embodiments, the side saddle portion may also have at least one reinforcing member. In certain embodiments the cantilever may have an elevated tab. In certain embodiments, the bottom surface may have a front bar. In certain embodiments, the bottom surface may have a pair of bottom rails.

In certain embodiments, a wiper blade assembly may include a wiper blade, and a connector having a mounted portion and a side-saddle portion. The mounting portion may have a wiper securing element capable of securing the connector to wiper blade. The side-saddle portion may include two side walls, a top wall and a bottom surface, defining a receiving cavity. The top wall may have a cantilever with a locking tab.

In certain such embodiments, the wiper securing element may have a rivet clip. In such embodiments, the mounting portion further may comprise a pair of mounting side walls, and wherein the rivet clip is embodied on each of the mounting side walls. In other such embodiments, the wiper securing element may have a rivet capable of engaging a rivet clip on the wiper blade in order to secure the connector to the wiper blade.

In certain embodiments, the side saddle portion further may have at least one reinforcing member. In certain embodiments the cantilever may also have an elevated tab. In certain such embodiments, the top wall may have a depression in the vicinity of the elevated tab. In certain embodiments the bottom surface may have a front bar. In certain embodiments, the bottom surface comprises a pair of bottom rails.

In certain embodiments, a wiper blade connector may have a mounting portion having a wiper securing element capable of securing a wiper blade, and a side-saddle portion capable of securing a wiper arm, having a top wall with a cantilever that has a locking tab.

In certain embodiments the wiper securing element comprises a rivet clip. In certain such embodiments, the mounting portion further comprises a pair of mounting side walls, and wherein the rivet clip is embodied on each of the mounting side walls.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of an embodiment of the connector10attached to a wiper blade having a mounting base1with a rivet2, a cover3for the base of the mounting base1, and a wiper strip4. The connector10as shown is attached to the rivet2of mounting base1of the wiper blade. A wiper arm5is shown connected to the connector10. Examples of the types of wiper arms that can be engaged are shown inFIGS. 18 and 19.

FIGS. 2-9provide various views of an embodiment of a connector10of the present invention.FIGS. 2 and 3are perspective views of connector10from above and below, respectively.FIG. 2shows certain structures that may be present in the side-saddle, or second, portion30of the connector10.FIG. 3shows certain structures present in the mounting, or first, portion20of the connector10, as well some features on the bottom of the side saddle portion30.

The side-saddle, or second, portion30of the connector10is configured to receive a wiper arm5. Generally speaking, the side-saddle portion30includes a receiving cavity45, in which a wiper arm5can be secured. The receiving cavity may be defined by two spaced-apart side walls31,32, a top wall33, and a bottom surface which may include a front bar36and bottom rails38. The bottom surface may be contiguous or, as shown inFIGS. 2-9, may be made up from separate elements. The side-saddle portion30may also have an end wall37. The end wall37, if present, may serve to provide additional structural support for the side-saddle side walls31,32.

In certain embodiments, such as the example embodiment inFIGS. 2-9, the wiper arm may be secured to the connector by a locking projection35located on a cantilever beam34. When the wiper arm is secured to the connector the locking projection35may engage a locking recess or hole55on the wiper arm (shown for instance inFIGS. 18 and 19). The front of the locking projection35may be chamfered to allow the wiper arm to push the locking tab35up as the wiper arm5is inserted into the receiving cavity45. Alternatively, the locking tab35may be lifted to allow the wiper arm5to enter the receiving cavity, and lowered into the locking recess or hole55once the wiper arm5has been inserted. The cantilever34may include an elevated tab34ato facilitate lifting of the cantilever34to disengage the locking projection35from the locking recess or hole55in the wiper arm5. To further facilitate manipulation of the cantilever34, the top wall33of the side saddle portion30may be provided with a depression44in the vicinity of the elevated tab34a.

As shown inFIG. 3, in certain embodiments the bottom rails36of the side saddle portion30, may be provided with stops39. The stops may be positioned to accommodate a particular length of wiper arm5, and may act to limit the distance that the wiper arm5can enter the receiving cavity45by engaging bottom claws59on the wiper arm5. In other embodiments the end wall37may act as a stop, engaging the front end57of the wiper arm5(illustrated for instance inFIGS. 18 and 19), and setting the limit to which the wiper arm5, may enter the receiving cavity45of the connector10.

Generally speaking, the connector10may have various shapes and sizes depending upon the application in question. In certain embodiments, the connector is configured to accommodate the shape of the wiper blade, including the shape of the wiper blade's mounting base1, cover2, or both. In certain embodiments, the connector10may have a contoured edge42.

As shown inFIG. 3, the mounting, or second, portion20of the connector10is configured to connect the connector to a wiper blade, and has a wiper securing element which secures the connector to a wiper blade. As shown in the exemplary embodiment inFIG. 3, the mounting portion20may have spaced apart mounting side walls21,22, and the wiper securing element may be a rivet clip23in each of the mounting side walls21,22. In this embodiment, connection is made to a wiper blade via the rivet2of a wiper blade being positioned in the rivet passages24of the mounting side walls21,22of the mounting portion20of the connector10. The connector10may be pushed down onto the wiper such that the rivet2passes through the rivet passages24and into the rivet clip23.

Other methods for connecting a connector10to a wiper blade known in the art are contemplated within the scope of the present invention, including having pin passages and pin clips which connect to one or more pins in the wiper blade; having one or more detents in the connector10which engage shoulders in apertures or recesses in the wiper blade; having recesses in the peripheral wall of the connector that can accept and secure a rivet or pin; having deflectable or rigid pins or detents in the connector10, which engage corresponding recesses, apertures or shoulders in the wiper blade; and other form-fitting or friction fitting connections and the like.

The mounting portion20of the connector10may also have reinforcing walls25extending between the mounting side walls21,22for purposes of structural rigidity, reinforcement, or other purposes. Diagonal reinforcing walls may be added for further structural support and rigidity. Reinforcing ribs43, or other features may also be used to reinforce the mounting side walls21,22.

The connector10may optionally feature one or more interim walls40between the mounting portion20and the side-saddle portion30. The interim walls may feature reinforcing ribs43that can be used to provide structural support to the inner side-saddle side wall32. Additionally, the interim wall40may be joined to the inner mounting side wall22to provide additional structural support. Other reinforcing features may be used to further provide structural support.

FIG. 4shows a side view of an example embodiment of connector10, showing side-saddle side walls31,32, the front bar36, and end wall37, The elevated tab34ais also shown.

FIG. 5shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment of connector10showing the outer mounting wall21, having a rivet clip23and a rivet passage24. Through the rivet clip23, the interim wall40can be seen, together with the reinforcing ribs43. The contour edges42which may be adapted to the shape of the wiper blade are also shown.

FIG. 6shows a front end view of the exemplary embodiment of connector10, on the side where the wiper arm5may enter the connector. The end wall37and side walls31,32, top wall33, front bar36, elevated tab34a, locking tab35and stops39of the side-saddle portion30are shown. The contoured edge42and interim wall40, are also shown. The mounting portion20, with its mounting sidewalls21,22and reinforcing wall25are also shown.

FIG. 7shows the back end view of the exemplary embodiment of connector10opposite the entrance to the receiving cavity45of connector10. The features shown are similar to those depicted inFIG. 6, except thatFIG. 7shows that the end wall37, which obscures the front and internal features of the side saddle portion30.

FIG. 8shows a top view of the exemplary embodiment of connector10, showing side saddle portion30and its cantilever34, elevated tab34a, depression44, side-saddle side walls31,32, top wall33, end wall37, and front bar36. Also shown are the top surface41over the mounting portion20, and the outer mounting wall21.

FIG. 9shows a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment of connector10, which shows the side-saddle side walls31,32, top wall33(from underneath), end walls37, front bar36and bottom rails38of the side-saddle portion30. Also shown are mounting side walls21,22, reinforcing walls25, rivet clips23, and rivet passages24of mounting portion20. This embodiment features an interim wall40having reinforcing ribs43, that is combined with the inner side saddle wall32.

FIGS. 10-17show additional embodiment of a connector10contemplated within this disclosure.

As shown inFIGS. 10, 16 and 17, the cantilever34may be oriented from front to back, extending from an area in the vicinity of the front end of the top wall33towards the end wall37of the connector10. A cantilever so oriented may still have an elevated tab34aand a locking tab35, which may be chamfered to facilitate the insertion of a wipe arm. This may allow for a shorter and sturdier cantilever34that has a more natural motion as the wiper arm enters the cavity45.

FIGS. 10, 12, 14, 15 and 16also depict a horizontal reinforcing member46added to the front end of the top wall33in order to give it increased structural support. Other types of reinforcing members46may be added to the walls of the connector in horizontal, vertical or transverse orientations to give the connector additional structural support. Reinforcing members46may be added to the outer surfaces (21,31,33,41) or to the interior surfaces (21,22,31,32,33,36,40) of the connector10as desired.

As shown inFIGS. 10, 11 and 17, the bottom surface may include a front bar36and the bottom rails38that are part of an integrated, continuous surface. This increases the strength and structural stability of the bottom surface. Such a bottom surface may still have stops39. In other embodiments, the bottom surface may form a bottom wall, with or without holes or recesses therein. Likewise in other embodiments, the bottom surface may have bottom rails that are joined together by bridging members (not shown). Similarly, as depicted inFIGS. 1-17the top surface33of the side-saddle portion30may be provided additional holes or recesses. The side walls21,22,31,32, interim wall40or top surface41of the mounting portion20may also optionally be provided with holes or recesses as desired.

As discussed aboveFIGS. 18 and 19depict examples of the types of arms that the disclosed connectors can secure. Persons of skill in the art will recognize that other types of arms can also be secured by these connectors.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that while the invention will most likely be used in conjunction with automobiles, it is suitable for use with any vehicle. For example, in addition to automobiles, trucks, buses, locomotives, aircrafts, or any other vehicle type that uses a windshield wiper can benefit from the present invention.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the subject matter disclosed herein without departing from its scope. The description above of the exemplary embodiments is not intended to be limiting. While specific embodiments have been discussed herein to explain the invention, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the descriptions herein are intended as illustrative, and not as limiting, and that variations in the embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, the type of materials, the number, configuration or position of the various features can vary so long as they are capable of performing their intended function as described herein.