Adaptor for assembling wiper blade, wiper blade assembly, and wiper device

Provided are an adaptor for assembling a wiper blade, a wiper blade assembly, and a wiper device. The adaptor for assembling a wiper blade, which is configured to couple the wiper blade to two or more types of wiper arms, includes a body portion coupled to the wiper blade and to which a first type wiper arm is coupled horizontally or to which a second type wiper arm is coupled vertically and a locking portion rotatable provided on the body portion to cover a front end of the wiper arm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0158549, filed on Dec. 2, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an adaptor for assembling a wiper blade, a wiper blade assembly, and a wiper device, and more particularly, to an adaptor for assembling a wiper blade, which is easily separated from a wiper arm while a great fastening force is secured, a wiper blade assembly, and a wiper device.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Generally, a wiper device is installed in a vehicle or the like to clean a surface of a windshield. The wiper device may include a wiper motor, a wiper arm, a wiper blade, and the like, and an adaptor may be used for a structural connection between the wiper arm and the wiper blade.

The wiper arm is connected to a rotational shaft of the wiper motor at a bottom end and reciprocates due to the wiper motor. One or more wiper arms are provided according to a size of the windshield. When a plurality of wiper arms are provided, they are provided not to interfere pith each other in rotation.

In addition, the wiper blade may be separably coupled to an end of the wiper arm through the adaptor. The wiper blade is provided in a linear shape, remains in a state of being pressed against the windshield, and slides against and wipes the surface of the windshield due to movement of the rotating wiper arm.

Since the wiper blade is rubbed continuously against the windshield while being installed in the vehicle, as time passes, the wiper blade may be worn, generate unnecessary noise, or decrease in performance of cleaning the surface.

Accordingly, it is necessary to continuously replace the wiper blade. Here, a user of the vehicle separates an existing wiper blade from the wiper arm and then fastens a new wiper blade using the adaptor.

However, since the wiper arm has a variety of shapes depending on a type thereof, an adaptor having a suitable shape for the wiper arm is necessary. Also, it is necessary for the adaptor to easily replace the wiper blade and to stably maintain the wiper blade fastened to the wiper arm in a state of being pressed against the windshield despite windage resistance.

Accordingly, in consideration of a shape of the wiper arm, a structure of the adaptor configured to effectively connect the wiper blade to the wiper arm has been developed greatly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is provided to providing an adaptor for assembling a wiper blade, which has a convenient structure configured to firmly fasten different types of wiper arms, a wiper blade assembly, and a wiper device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adaptor for assembling a wiper blade which is configured to couple the wiper blade to two or more types of wiper arms. The adaptor includes a body portion coupled to the wiper blade and to which a first type wiper arm is coupled laterally or to which a second type wiper arm is coupled vertically and a locking portion rotatably provided on the body portion to cover a front end of the wiper arm. Here, in the body portion, a restriction protrusion protruding to face a front end of the first type wiper arm fastened to the body portion is provided on a side surface, and a groove configured to guide and hold an internal protrusion provided inside the second type wiper arm fastened to the body portion is provided in the side surface. Also, the groove is provided to be biased in a direction farther from the restriction protrusion toward an outside portion into which the internal protrusion is inserted in comparison to an inside portion where the insertion of the internal protrusion is blocked.

The groove may include a guide path including the outside portion into which the internal protrusion is inserted and the inside portion where the insertion of the internal protrusion is blocked and a holding path bent from the guide path and extending horizontally.

The guide path may be provided to be tilted toward the locking portion from the outside portion toward the inside portion, and the holding path may be bent at the guide path at an acute angle and extend horizontally.

In the groove, a distance between the restriction protrusion and a front end most adjacent to the locking portion may be provided to be smaller than a distance between the internal protrusion of the second type wiper arm and a front end of the second type wiper arm.

In the body portion, a hinge portion may be provided in front so that the locking portion rotates and an elastic leg, which is elastically protruding and being held by a rear end of the first type wiper arm, may be provided in the rear.

The hinge portion may include a hinge shaft fastened to the locking portion and a holding key held by an uneven portion of the locking portion depending on a rotational angle of the locking portion to restrict rotation of the locking portion.

When the uneven portion elastically moves due to an external pressure, the uneven portion may be separated from the holding key so that the locking portion may be allowed to rotate in a direction in which the front end of the wiper arm is exposed.

In the body portion, an elastic arm, which comes into contact with inner surfaces of the wiper arms having different widths and coupled to the body portion and is elastically introduced inward, may be provided on the side surface.

In the elastic arm, the front end adjacent to the locking portion may be provided in a form of a free end, and the front end may have a shape protruding outward.

The adaptor may further include a spacer portion disposed to be overlapped with the side surface of the body portion to compensate for a gap between the side surface of the body portion and a third type wiper arm having a great width in comparison to the first type wiper arm or the second type wiper arm when the third type wiper arm is fastened, and wherein an incision portion provided to mount the spacer portion is provided on the top surface of the body portion.

In the body portion, a through hole, into which a pin of a third type wiper arm fastened widthwise is inserted, may be provided on the side surface.

The spacer portion may include a pair of layer portions overlapped with both side surfaces of the body portion and a leg portion configured to connect the pair of layer portions and introduced into the incision portion, and the layer portions each have a shape with a caved portion corresponding to a through hole.

The adaptor may further include a cover portion which is fastened to the body portion to cover both side surfaces and a top surface of the body portion, which is provided to have a width corresponding to that of the locking portion, and which includes an opening at a part corresponding to a through hole.

In the body portion, a curved portion may be provided between both side surfaces to hold a third type wiper arm having a ring-shaped front end.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wiper blade assembly including a wiper blade including a contact member, which is pressed against a surface of a target to be pressed against, and the adaptor according to any one of claims1to14which is fastened to the wiper blade. Here, the adaptor may further include a base portion fixed to the wiper blade, and the body portion may be fastened to the base portion to hinge-rotate.

The body portion may include a pair of hinge holes provided in both side surfaces, and the base portion may include a bar-shaped rotational shaft passing through the pair of hinge holes at once or a rotational shaft having a shape of a pair of protrusions which are fastened to the pair of hinge holes, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The aspects, particular advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. While reference numerals are given to components of each drawing, it should be noted that although shown in different drawings, like components will be referred to as like reference numerals if possible. Also, in a description of the embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of well-known components or functions of the related art will be omitted when it is deemed to obscure understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

Also, for reference, it should be noted that fine differences which may exist between the drawings included in the specification may be construed as forming different embodiments included in the present invention.

FIGS.1and2are perspective views of an adaptor according to one embodiment of the present invention,FIGS.3and4are exploded-perspective views of the adaptor according to ne embodiment of the present invention, andFIGS.5and6are partial perspective views of the adaptor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Also,FIG.7is a perspective view of the adaptor according to one embodiment of the present invention,FIG.8is an exploded-perspective view of the adaptor according to one embodiment of the present invention, andFIGS.9and10are partial perspective views of the adaptor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Also,FIGS.11to18are views illustrating a method of assembling a wiper blade assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

For reference, hereinafter, for convenience, it will be described that frontward/front end means a left side inFIG.1and rearward/rear end means a right side inFIG.1. An outside means a far side from a target to be pressed against (a windshield and the like of a vehicle) on the basis of an adaptor20(an upper side in the case ofFIG.1), and an inside means a close side to the target to be pressed against in the adaptor20(a lower side in the case ofFIG.1).

In addition, the terms having directivity may be construed as being on the basis of the drawings. However, since the terms are merely for convenience of description, it should be noted that the right of the present invention will not be unnecessarily construed restrictively due to the terms.

Before describing the adaptor20of the present invention, a wiper device1and the like according to the present invention will be described first with reference toFIG.1and the like.

The present invention includes the wiper device1. The wiper device1includes a wiper blade (not shown), a wiper arm10, and a wiper-blade-assembling adaptor20(hereinafter, referred to as the adaptor20).

For reference, in the specification, a wiper blade assembly may mean a combination between the wiper blade and the adaptor20.

The wiper blade included in the wiper device1of the present invention is pressed against a surface of a target to be pressed-against and cleans the surface of the target through movement. The target to be pressed-against may be a windshield of a vehicle but is not limited thereto, and all objects to be cleaned by sliding may become targets to be pressed-against.

Also, the surface against which the wiper blade is pressed may be a flat surface, a curved surface, or the like, and the wiper blade may have a shape corresponding to a shape of the surface of the target.

The wiper blade may include a contact member (not shown), which has a V-shaped cross section, includes an elastic material, and slides along a surface of a target to be pressed-against while being pressed against the target directly, an elastic member (not shown) configured to apply an elastic force to the contact member so as to deform a contact side of the contact member to coincide with the surface of the target, a cover member (not shown) provided on an opposite side to the contact member on the basis of the elastic member, and a coupling cover (not shown) configured to be coupled to the adaptor20.

However, in the specification, since the wiper blade may be a structure including conventionally well-known components, a detailed description will be omitted below.

Also, the adaptor20of the present invention which will be described below may be fastened to the wiper blade using an unlimited variety of methods, and there is no limitation in a structure as long as it is possible to fasten the wiper blade to be rotatable on the basis of the adaptor20.

The wiper arm10rotates about a base end and has an end, to which the wiper blade is connected, and transmits a rotational force to the wiper blade so as to implement cleaning of the target using the wiper blade.

The wiper arm10includes an arm portion and a connection portion. In the arm portion, a driving source (motor or the like) configured to rotate the wiper arm10is connected to the base end directly or indirectly so that an end of the arm portion rotates due to a rotational force of the driving source while drawing an arc.

The arm portion may have a bar shape extending between the base end and the end and may include a metal material for durability but a material thereof is not limited thereto. Also, any one of a variety of shapes will be available as long as the shape is capable of connecting the base end to the end and may include a part bent or twisted one time or more.

In the arm portion, the connection portion is coupled to the end. The connection portion is a component for connecting the wiper arm10to the adaptor20and may have a shape which differs according to a type of the wiper arm10.

The adaptor20of the present invention may be configured to couple two or more types of such wiper arms10selectively. That is, in the specification, the wiper arm10may include two or more types. Hereinafter, a first wiper arm10ato an eighth wiper arm10hwill be described with reference toFIGS.11to18.

Referring toFIG.11, the first wiper arm10aincludes an arm portion having a relatively small width in comparison to the adaptor20and includes a connection portion extending from the arm portion with the same width continuously. Here, the connection portion may form a ring shape which extends in a direction away from the arm portion while being parallel to the arm portion and is bent in a direction facing the arm portion.

That is, the connection portion of the first wiper arm10amay include an upper part and a lower part which have linear shapes parallel to each other and a convex part configured to connect the upper part to the lower part, and an uneven part for reinforcing a fastening force to the adaptor20may be applied therebelow.

The first wiper arm10amay be the wiper arm10which is fastened to the adaptor20vertically, and a detailed fastening method will be described below.

Referring toFIG.12, in a second wiper arm10b, an arm portion may have a staple-shaped cross section to have strength which braces for bending. Also, a connection portion of the second wiper arm10bmay extend continuously with the arm portion, have a cross section having the same shape as that of the arm portion, and include a protruding end101bprotruding from a base end.

The protruding end101bextends from a front end of a top surface of the connection portion to be curved or bent and has a width smaller than that of the top surface so as to be introduced into a locking portion22of the adaptor20, Which will be described below, and be mounted on the adaptor20.

Also, an opening103bmay be provided in a top surface of the second wiper arm10b, and an insertion piece104bmay be provided in the opening103b. When the second wiper arm10bis inserted into the adaptor20, the insertion piece104bis introduced into a bottom of an elastic piece2123and engaged with the elastic piece2123so as to suppress an upward separation of the second wiper arm10b.

A side surface of the connection portion may be provided to be higher than a side surface of the arm portion. That is, a bottom of the side surface of the connection portion extends to be located below a bottom end of the side surface of the arm portion. Here, a side from the bottom end of the side surface of the connection portion to a rear end may form a holding end102b.

The second wiper arm10bmay be the wiper arm10fastened to the adaptor20horizontally. The second wiper arm10bmay move horizontally until a front side of the side surface of the connection portion comes into contact with a restriction protrusion2111provided on the adaptor20and may be fastened thereto. When the second wiper arm10bis fastened to the adaptor20so that the front side of the second wiper arm10bcomes into contact with the restriction protrusion2111, the holding end102bof the second wiper arm10bpasses over an elastic leg214provided on the adaptor20and the elastic leg214restricts movement of the wiper arm10bin a direction of being separated.

It is sufficient that the holding end102bhas a shape which forms a step between the connection portion and the arm portion, a detailed shape or structure may be freely modified.

Referring toFIG.13, a third wiper arm10chas an arm portion similar to that of the first wiper arm10aand has a connection portion having a shape similar to that of the second wiper arm10b. Here, the connection portion of the third wiper arm10cmay include a protruding end101cand a holding end102c.

The connection portion of the third wiper arm10cmay have a front end of a side surface different from that of the second wiper arm10b. In the case of the second wiper arm10b, a chamfer may be formed on the front side of the side surface. However, in the third wiper arm10c, a front side of the side surface may be provided vertically. Nevertheless, an uppermost limit in horizontal movement of both of the second wiper arm10band the third wiper arm10cmay be set by the restriction protrusion2111.

That is, as described above, when the third wiper arm10cis fastened to the adaptor20horizontally, movement of the front side of the third wiper arm10cmay be restricted by the restriction protrusion2111provided on the adaptor20and the holding end102cof the third wiper arm10cis held by the elastic leg214.

Accordingly, like the second wiper arm10b, in the third wiper arm10c, the restriction protrusion2111and the front side face each other in a leftward direction so as to be restricted in movement of the third wiper arm10cand the holding end102cis held by the elastic leg214in a rightward direction to be restricted in movement of the third wiper arm10c.

Referring toFIG.14, a fourth wiper arm10dincludes an arm portion having a staple-shaped cross section with a bottom end of a side surface which is bent or curved inward and includes a connection portion extending to be biased toward one side in comparison to a longitudinal direction of the arm portion.

Here, an internal protrusion101dbent inward may be provided at the bottom end of the side surface in the connection portion. When the fourth wiper arm10dis fastened to the adaptor20horizontally, the internal protrusion101dmay be guided by a first guide path2112aof the adaptor20.

An opening102dmay be provided in a top surface in the connection portion of the fourth wiper arm10d, and an elastic protruding portion2122of the adaptor20may be mounted in the opening102d.

Also, in the fourth wiper arm10d, the connection portion may have an inner width that is relatively great in comparison to those of other types of wiper arms10. In this case, the adaptor20may prevent a fastening force from decreasing due to a gap formed between the fourth wiper arm10dand the adaptor20using a spacer portion24.

Referring toFIG.15, a fifth wiper arm10emay have a form similar to that of the fourth wiper arm10dbut has a width smaller than that of the fourth wiper arm10dso that the fifth wiper arm may be fastened to the adaptor20without the spacer portion24.

Referring toFIG.16, a sixth wiper arm10fmay be similar to the fourth wiper arm10dor the fifth wiper arm10e. However, an internal protrusion101fmay be provided at a certain point inward from a side surface of a connection portion.

Here, the internal protrusion101fmay move along a first guide path2112aof the adaptor20to allow the sixth wiper arm10fto be fastened. However, since the first guide path2112ahas a tilted shape, the sixth wiper arm10fmay be fastened in a direction different from that of the first wiper arm10awhile being fastened to the adaptor20in a vertical direction. This will be described below in detail.

Also, the sixth wiper arm10fmay have a recessed portion102fat a front side of the side surface of the connection portion and may be used for a part on which the restriction protrusion2111is provided on a side surface211of the adaptor20.

Referring toFIG.17, a seventh wiper arm10gmay have an arm portion having a shape with a height which is great in comparison to a width, and a connection portion extending from the arm portion may have a pin101gextending from one side in a width direction.

Here, when the seventh wiper am10gis fastened to the adaptor20in the width direction, the pin101gmay be inserted into a through hole2113provided in the adaptor20.

Also, in the connection portion of the seventh wiper arm10g, a lid portion102gon a top side may extend in the same direction as that of the pin101gand be provided at a position deviating from the pin101gin a front-rear direction. The lid portion102gmay be mounted on a top surface212of the adaptor20and be provided to have a shape bent at least one time to surround the adaptor20.

Referring toFIG.18, an eighth wiper arm10hhas differences in cross-sectional shapes of a connection portion and an arm portion in comparison to the seventh wiper arm10gbut is fastened to the adaptor20using a pin101hand a lid portion102hsimilarly to the seventh wiper arm10.

In the case of the eighth wiper arm10h, in comparison to the seventh wiper arm10g, since the lid portion102hhas a great width, when the eighth wiper arm10his fastened to the adaptor20, it may be necessary to use the spacer portion24or a cover portion23, unlike when the seventh wiper arm10gis fastened.

Hereinafter, the adaptor20of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG.1or the like.

As shown inFIGS.1to10, in the adaptor20according to one embodiment of the present invention, a wiper blade may be coupled to a lower side and two or more types of wiper arms10are selectively fastened to an upper side so as to be used for connecting the two or more types of wiper arms10to the wiper blade.

The adaptor20includes a body portion21, a locking portion22, the cover portion23, the spacer portion24, and a base portion25.

The body portion21may be connected to the wiper blade directly or indirectly through the base portion25which will be described below. A first type wiper arm10may be coupled horizontally or a second type wiper arm10may be coupled vertically.

Here, the first type wiper arm10may be the second wiper arm10bto the fifth wiper arm10eand the like, and the second type wiper arm10may be the first wiper arm10a, the sixth wiper arm10f, and the like. For reference, although expressed as an “nth type wiper arm10,” the wiper arm10may be construed as one wiper arm10and not a plurality of wiper arms10.

For reference, a third type wiper arm10may be fastened to the adaptor20widthwise. Here, the third type wiper arm10may include the seventh wiper arm10g, the eighth wiper arm10h, and the like.

The body portion21includes a pair of such side surfaces211, the top surface212, and the like. The pair of side surfaces211and the top surface212may be partially covered by the connection portion of the wiper arm10when the wiper arm10is fastened.

Also, components for implementing fastening and separation of the wiper arm10may be applied to each of the side surfaces211and the top surface212, which will be described below.

The restriction protrusion2111is provided on the side surface211of the body portion21at a position adjacent to the locking portion22. The restriction protrusion2111may protrude from the side surface211of the body portion21to face a front end of the side surface of the connection portion of the first type wiper arm10(particularly, the third wiper arm10cor the like) fastened to the body portion21horizontally.

Also, a first groove2112is provided on one side far from the locking portion22on the basis of the restriction protrusion2111on the side surface211of the body portion21. The first groove2112may be recessed from the side surface21of the body portion211so that the internal protrusion101fprovided inside the second type wiper arm10(particularly, the sixth wiper arm10for the like) fastened to the body portion21vertically is guide and held.

Also, the through hole2113passing through the side surface211may be provided in the body portion21, In the through hole2113, the pin101gor101hof the third type wiper arm10(the seventh wiper arm10g, the eighth wiper arm10h, or the like) is fastened to the body portion21widthwise is inserted.

Here, a size of the through hole2113is provided to correspond to a cross section of the pin101gor101h, and the pin101aor101hinserted in the through hole2113may be provided to be unable or able to rotate. The pin101aor101hmay have a cylindrical shape to be easily inserted into the through hole2113. However, separation of the pin101gmay be suppressed by the lid portion102gof the seventh wiper arm10gor the like.

Also, in the side surface211of the body portion21, a second groove2114configured to guide internal protrusions101dor101eprovided inside the first type wiper arm10(particularly, the fourth wiper arm10dor the fifth wiper arm10e) fastened to the body portion21horizontally may be formed, to be recessed, at a position (for example, a bottom or the like) which does not interfere with the restriction protrusion2111and the first groove2112.

The restriction protrusion2111provided on the body portion21may protrude from the side surface211at a certain height to suppress horizontal insertion of the first type wiper arm10fastened to the body portion21. However, in this case, a position of the second type wiper arm10being fastened to the body portion21vertically may be restricted by the restriction protrusion2111.

In detail, due to the restriction protrusion2111, in the second type wiper arm10(hereinafter, the sixth wiper arm10f), the connection portion is held by the restriction protrusion2111in a process of inserting the wiper arm10at a position at which a front end of the connection portion is parallel to the restriction protrusion2111vertically. Accordingly, in order to fasten the sixth wiper arm10fto the body portion21using the first groove2112, it is necessary to form an adequate gap between the first groove2112and the restriction protrusion2111.

However, the wiper arm10fastened to the body portion21is completely fastened by covering the front end using the locking portion22. When the first groove2112is at a position which recedes adequately from the restriction protrusion2111, the front end of the sixth wiper arm10fmay not be covered by the locking portion22.

Accordingly, in the present invention, in order to allow both of the first type wiper arm10or the second type wiper arm10to be fastened using one adaptor20, a shape of the first groove2112may be improved.

As an example, the first groove2112may be provided to be biased toward the locking portion22toward an inside portion which blocks insertion of the internal protrusion101fin comparison to an outside portion into which the internal protrusion101fof the sixth wiper arm10fis inserted.

In detail, the first groove2112may include the guide path2112ainto which the internal protrusion101fof the sixth wiper arm10fis inserted and a holding path2112bwhich is bent from the guide path2112aand extends horizontally. The guide path2112amay include the inside portion which blocks insertion of the internal protrusion101ffrom the outside portion into which the internal protrusion101fis inserted and may be provided to be tilted toward the locking portion22from the outside portion toward the inside portion.

In this case, an initial position of the sixth wiper arm10fat which the internal protrusion101fof the sixth wiper arm10fis introduced into the first groove2112may recede from a position of the sixth wiper arm10fat which the internal protrusion101fof the sixth wiper arm10fis located on the inside portion of the first groove2112.

Accordingly, in the embodiment, since the guide path2112ais provided not to be perpendicular but to be tilted (or bent), a function of restricting horizontal movement of the first type wiper arm10using the restriction protrusion2111of the body portion21may be provided while vertical fastening of the sixth wiper arm10fmay not interfere with the restriction protrusion2111.

That is, a distance between the restriction protrusion2111and the front end (the inside portion of the guide path2112a), at which the first groove2112is most adjacent to the locking portion22, is provided to be smaller than a distance between the internal protrusion101fof the sixth wiper arm10fand the front end.

The internal protrusion101fof the sixth wiper arm10fis inserted into the outside portion of the guide path2112aand moves along the guide path2112asuch that the sixth wiper arm10fmay deviate toward the locking portion22in comparison to an initial stage of fastening. In this case, the restriction protrusion2111provided on the adaptor20may be inserted into the recessed portion102fformed in the side surface of the connection portion of the sixth wiper arm10f.

The internal protrusion101fof the sixth wiper arm10fmay be located on the inside portion of the guide path2112aand then may recede in a direction farther away from the locking portion22such that the internal protrusion101fmay be inserted into the holding path2112b. Since the holding path2112bis bent from the guide path2112aat an acute angle and extends horizontally, vertical movement of the sixth wiper arm10fis restricted due to the internal protrusion101finserted into the holding path2112b.

Also, since the guide path2112aof the first groove2112is provided to be tilted toward the locking portion22in a direction from the outside portion (top end) to the inside portion (bottom end), a position of the holding path2112bmay be disposed to be adjacent to the locking portion22by as much as a degree at which the guide path2112ais tilted in comparison to a case in which the guide path2112ais vertical. Accordingly, the sixth wiper arm10fmay not be restricted in being fastened to the adaptor20due to the restriction protrusion2111and simultaneously maintain a fastening force since the front end is covered by the locking portion22after being fastened.

The restriction protrusion2111provided on the side surface211of the body portion21blocks horizontal movement of the first type wiper arm10fastened to the adaptor20horizontally. Also, the first groove2112provided on the side surface211of the body portion21blocks vertical movement of the second type wiper arm10fastened to the adaptor20vertically through the holding path2112bextending horizontally.

In addition, as described above, the second groove2114may be provided on the side surface211of the body portion21. Here, the second groove2114extends horizontally similarly to the holding path2112bof the first groove2112. However, the second groove2114may be provided to have a shape with an open rear end and be used for fastening the first type wiper arm10coupled to the body portion21horizontally.

As an example, in the case of the fourth wiper arm10dor the fifth wiper arm10eamong the first type wiper arms10fastened to the body portion21horizontally, the internal protrusion101dor101emay be provided on a bottom end of the side surface of the connection portion. Here, the internal protrusion101dor101eis located below the internal protrusion101fof the sixth wiper arm10f.

The fourth wiper arm10dor the like is fastened to the body portion21horizontally. Here, the internal protrusion101dof the fourth wiper arm10dor the like is inserted into the second groove2114and guided along the second groove2114.

The fourth wiper arm10dhorizontally moves to a position at which the inside portion of the second groove2114comes into contact with the internal protrusion101dor a position at which the second groove2114is adjacent to the internal protrusion101d. Also, vertical movement of the fourth wiper arm10dis restricted by the internal protrusion101dlocated inside the second groove2114.

Also, the locking portion22may cover a front end of the fourth wiper arm10dso as to add a fastening force of the fourth wiper arm10d. The horizontal movement of the fourth wiper arm10dmay be restricted by the elastic protruding portion2122provided on the top surface212of the body portion21, which will be described below.

As described above, the body portion21may have the side surface211including the restriction protrusion2111, the first groove2112, the second groove2114, and the like so as to prepare for fastening of the wiper arms10having a variety of shapes. Particularly, to allow the second type wiper arm10not to interfere in vertical fastening while the restriction protrusion2111is placed to horizontally fasten the first type wiper arm10, the first groove2112may be formed to be at least partially tilted.

An incision portion2121may be provided on the top surface212of the body portion21. The incision portion2121may be provided to mount the spacer portion24which is used for fastening the wiper arm10having a relatively great width. This will be described below.

However, the incision portion2121may be omitted. In this case, the spacer portion24may be fastened to the adaptor20using a variety of unlimited coupling methods so as to fasten the wiper arm10having a great width.

The elastic protruding portion2122and the elastic piece2123may be provided on the top surface212. The front end may be connected to the body portion21and a rear end may be provided as a free end so that the elastic protruding portion2122and the elastic piece2123have vertical elasticity.

The elastic protruding portion2122is a component which is inserted into the opening102dor102eprovided in the first type wiper arm10(the fourth wiper arm10d, the fifth wiper arm10e, or the like) fastened to the body portion21horizontally and has a cross section smaller than that of the opening102dor102e.

The elastic protruding portion2122is forcibly pressed by the connection portion of the fourth wiper arm10dwhen the fourth wiper arm10dor the like is inserted into the body portion21and then is disposed at a position corresponding to the opening102dof the fourth wiper arm10dand elastically moves upward to be inserted into the opening102dso as to prevent the fourth wiper arm10dfrom being separated horizontally.

The elastic piece2123may be provided to be adjacent to the elastic protruding portion2122, and the elastic protruding portion2122and the elastic piece2123may be provided to share the front end. Also, the elastic piece2123may be provided to have a shape surrounding a perimeter of the elastic protruding portion2122but is not limited thereto.

The elastic piece2123may be engaged with the insertion piece104bprovided on the first type wiper arm10(the second wiper arm10bor the like) fastened to the body portion21horizontally. When the second wiper arm lab is fastened to the body portion21, the insertion piece104bis introduced below the elastic piece2123such that the elastic piece2123is surrounded by the connection portion of the second wiper arm10band restricted in upward movement. Accordingly, the locking portion22, the second wiper arm10b, the elastic piece2123, and the insertion piece104bare sequentially placed vertically so that vertical movement of the second wiper arm10bmay be restricted.

A hinge portion213for providing the locking portion22may be provided in front of the body portion21. A pair of such hinge portions213, which are spaced apart from each other widthwise, are provided to allow the locking portion22to rotate and each include a hinge shaft2131and a holding key2132.

The hinge shaft2131is fastened to the locking portion22and forms a hinge center. The locking portion22may implement fastening of the wiper arm10while rotating clockwise on the basis of the drawing and may implement separation of the wiper arm10while rotating counterclockwise.

Here, the hinge portion213may use the holding key2132to suppress rotation of the locking portion22in a state in which the locking portion22implements fastening of the wiper arm10. The holding key2132is held by an uneven portion2211provided on a rotational surface221of the locking portion22according to a rotational angle of the locking portion22and restricts rotation of the locking portion22.

When the rotational surface221elastically moves inward due to an external pressure, the uneven portion2211may be released from the holding key2132so as to allow the locking portion22to rotate counterclockwise to expose the front end of the wiper arm10.

An elastic bar (not shown) configured to connect the pair of hinge portions213to each other may be provided between the hinge portions213. Engagement between the holding key2132and the uneven portion2211of the locking portion22may be firmly maintained by maintaining a state, in which the pair of hinge portions213are spaced apart, using the elastic bar. When an external pressure capable of resisting an elastic force of the elastic bar is applied to the locking portion22, the uneven portion2211deviates from the holding key2132so as to allow the locking portion22to rotate counterclockwise.

The elastic leg214may be provided in the rear of the body portion21opposite to the hinge portion213. The elastic leg214is provided to have an elastic force widthwise in the rear of the body portion21and protrudes elastically in comparison to the side surface211of the body portion21and may be held by a rear end of the first type wiper arm10.

The holding end102bor102cmay be provided on the first type wiper arm10(particularly, the second wiper aria10b, the third wiper arm10c, or the like). Here, when the second wiper arm10bor the like is fastened to the body portion21horizontally, the holding end102bor102cpasses over the elastic leg214and the elastic leg214protrudes elastically and restricts backward movement of the holding end102bor102c.

To this end, one surface (rear surface) of the elastic leg214to which the wiper arm10is fastened may be provided as a tilted surface or a curved surface to be naturally pressed inward by the connection portion of the wiper arm10and an opposite surface (front surface) thereof may be provided as a vertical surface, a tilted surface having an inclination greater than that of a front surface to prevent the wiper arm10or the like from being released from fastening.

A curved portion215may be formed between the pair of side surfaces211of the body portion21. The curved portion215may have a convex shape to face an inner surface of the locking portion22and is provided to fasten the first wiper arm10aamong the second type wiper arms10.

That is, the curved portion215may be provided to correspond to a curved shape of a ring-shaped connection portion of the first wiper arm10a, and the connection portion of the first wiper arm10ais coupled to surround top and bottom of the curved portion215when the first wiper arm10ais fastened to the body portion21.

Also, since the curved portion215of the body portion21may have a shape having a top or bottom blocked by the side surface211, as the first wiper arm10ais fastened to allow the connection portion to surround the curved portion215, upward movement of the curved portion215may be blocked while simultaneously widthwise movement may be suppressed by the side surfaces211of the body portion21.

A pair of hinge holes216provided on both the side surfaces211may be provided at the bottom side of the body portion21. The hinge holes216are components used for fastening the adaptor20to the wiper blade and may be coupled to a bar-shaped rotational shaft251provided on the base portion25.

Here, the hinge holes216may have a shape with an opened bottom as shown inFIG.4or the like but has a front-rear width of an opened bottom end smaller than a width of the rotational shaft251so that the rotational shaft251may be forcibly inserted into the hinge holes216and then be suppressed from being separated.

Also, the hinge holes216may have a shape with a closed bottom as shown inFIG.8. In this case, the rotational shaft251provided on the base portion25may have a shape cut to be introduced into the hinge holes216and form a pair of protrusions. However, a width of the cut part of the rotational shaft251is formed to be smaller than a gap between the pair of hinge holes216so that the rotational shaft251may be inserted into the hinge holes216and then be fixed to be relatively stable.

That is, in the case ofFIG.4, the rotational shaft251is a bar shape passing through the pair of hinge holes216at once. On the other hand, in the case ofFIG.8, the rotational shaft251may be formed in a shape of a pair of protrusions fastened to the hinge holes216.

As a structure of the hinge holes216and the rotational shaft251, any structures capable of preventing the body portion21from being separated even when the body portion21rotates on the basis of a partial part (base portion25) of the wiper blade may be used.

An elastic arm217may be provided on the body portion21. The elastic arm217may be provided on the side surface211or the like of the body portion21. The adaptor20according to the embodiment is provided to allow a variety of types of wiper arms10to be selectively couplable. Here, the wiper arms10may have different widths.

When a width of the body portion21is determined in preparation to couple the wiper arm10having a relatively small width, a gap is formed between the body portion21and the wiper arm10when the wiper arm10having a relatively great width is fastened so that a fastening force is decreased.

Accordingly, in the present invention, the elastic arm217configured to come into contact with an internal surface of the wiper arms10having different widths which are coupled to the body portion21may be provided to protrude from the side surface211of the body portion21.

Here, a degree at which the elastic arm217is elastically introduced inward by the wiper arm10when the wiper arm10having a relatively great width is fastened may be formed to be smaller than a degree at which the elastic arm217is elastically introduced inward by the wiper arm10when the wiper arm10having a relatively small width is fastened.

In detail, the elastic arm217is provided such that a front end adjacent to the locking portion22is formed as a free end and has a shape protruding outward. Here, a part protruding from the elastic arm217is in simple contact with the inner surface of the connection portion of the wiper arm10instead of being structurally engaged therewith so as to reduce widthwise shaking of the connection portion of the wiper arm10.

The elastic arm217may be provided as a cantilever arm shape which is a component elastically protruding from the body portion21toward the side surface211and pressed against the connection portion of the wiper arm10. Here, one end connected to the body portion21may not be limited to a rear end.

Also, the elastic arm217may be provided on each of the side surfaces211of the body portion21. A pair of such elastic arms217may have different shapes. As an example, the elastic arm217on one side may be provided so that a rear end is restricted and a front end is a free end. The elastic arm217on the other side may be provided so that a front end is restricted and a rear end is a free end or the like.

However, among a variety of types of wiper arms10described in the present invention, the elastic arm217may not come into contact with an inner surface of the wiper arm10(the fourth wiper arm10dor the like) fastened using the spacer portion24or the wiper arm10(the first wiper arm10a, the eighth wiper arm10h, or the like) fastened using the cover portion23.

The locking portion22may be provided rotatably on the body portion21. The locking portion22may be provided like a cap shape. In detail, the locking portion22has a pair of rotational surfaces221rotatably coupled to the hinge portions213. A cover surface (without a reference numeral) is provided between the pair of rotational surfaces221, and one end of the cover surface covers the wiper arm10fastened to the body portion21.

The rotational surface221of the locking portion22may be provided to be rotatable about the hinge portion213. As an example, the hinge shaft2131provided on the hinge portion213is inserted into a hole of a hinge element223extending from the rotational surface221such that the rotational surface221may rotate about the hinge shaft2131.

The uneven portion2211is provided on the rotational surface221. The uneven portion2211may be provided such that an uneven part and a recessed part are adjacent to each other along a rotational direction of the locking portion22. The uneven part may be provided, as described with the elastic leg214, so that one side is tilted and the other side is vertical.

Accordingly, when the locking portion22rotates clockwise, the holding key2132passes over a tilted part of the uneven part of the uneven portion2211and is mounted on the recessed part, and the holding key2132comes into contact with a vertical part of the uneven part of the uneven portion2211so that counterclockwise rotation of the locking portion22may be suppressed.

However, when an external pressure (particularly, an elastic force of the elastic bar or higher) is applied to the rotational surface221in an inward direction, the vertical part of the uneven part of the uneven portion2211deviates from the holding key2132so that the counterclockwise rotation of the locking portion22may be allowed.

Here, the rotational surface221of the locking portion22may be provided so that a part where the uneven portion2211is provided has a button-like shape so as to allow an external pressure to be effectively applied to the uneven portion2211.

A protruding element2212is provided on a surface of the rotational surface221. The protruding element2212is a component configured to allow a user to grip the locking portion22to easily rotate the locking portion22. Instead of having one protruding structure, coarseness may be imparted to the rotational surface221to allow the user to grip the locking portion22.

On the cover surface between the pair of rotational surfaces221, a cover element222configured to cover the front end of the connection portion of the wiper arm10and to prevent the wiper arm10from being separated may be provided. When the locking portion22is placed in a locked state, the cover element222may be placed at a position projected on the top surface of the wiper arm10coupled to the adaptor20so as to prevent the wiper arm10from deviating upward.

The cover element222may be provided to extend from the cover surface to the rear end and protrude more rearward than the rotational surface221so that steps are formed on both sides of the cover element222. Here, a step on a lower side of the cover element222may be engaged with a step of the cover portion23which will be described below.

A hinge element223may extend from the rotational surface221. The hinge element223may extend downward from the rotational surface221and include a hole formed therein. A hole is provided in the rotational surface221itself so that the hinge element223may be provided as a part of the rotational surface221.

Referring toFIG.9, the hinge shaft2131of the hinge portion213is inserted into the hole of the hinge element223provided below the rotational surface221. Here, similar to the part described above with reference toFIG.8in a description of the rotational shaft251of the base portion25, the hinge shaft2131having a pair of protrusions is provided to protrude from the pair of hinge portions213. Also, at least a part of the hinge shaft2131may be chamfered to be partially tilted to be smoothly insertable into the hinge element223.

On the other hand, referring toFIG.10, the hinge element223of the locking portion22may extend downward from the rotational surface221but be provided in a center widthwise and the hinge shaft2131of the hinge portion213may be provided in a bar shape between the pair of hinge portions213so as to be similar to a part described with reference toFIG.4in a description of the rotational shaft251of the base portion25. Here, the hinge element223has a shape incised widthwise to allow the bar-shaped hinge shaft2131to be insertable thereinto.

In the case ofFIG.9, the hinge shaft2131may be exposed outward. In the case ofFIG.10, the hinge shaft2131may not be exposed outward unless the locking portion22rotates counterclockwise. In the present invention, shapes or a coupling method of the hinge element223, the hinge shaft2313, and the like of the locking portion22are not limited to the above description and all structures in which the locking portion22is hinge-rotated about the hinge portion213of the body portion21may be applied.

The cover portion23is fastened to the body portion21to cover both the side surfaces211and the top surface212of the body portion21. The cover portion23may be provided to have a width corresponding to that of the locking portion22, and the opening231may be provided at a part corresponding to the through hole2113of the body portion21.

The cover portion23has a step on a front end. Here, as the cover element222protrudes from the locking portion22, the step of the cover portion23may be engaged with a step provided below the cover element222.

When a gap between the body portion21and the wiper arm10is not released by the spacer portion24which will be described below, that is, when a width of the connection portion of the wiper arm10is relatively great, the cover portion23may be used.

Otherwise, when a width of the wiper arm10is smaller than a width of the body portion21, the cover portion23may be used to allow the wiper arm10to be mounted and suppressed from widthwise movement.

As an example, although the first wiper arm10amay be fastened to the adaptor20while the cover portion23is not fastened to the body portion21, as shown inFIG.11, the first wiper arm10amay be fastened to the adaptor20while the cover portion23is coupled to the body portion21. Particularly, since both sides of the cover portion23protrude upward from the top surface widthwise, a furrow may be formed at a central part of the top surface. The first wiper arm10amay be mounted on the furrow of the cover portion23and widthwise movement thereof may be restricted.

Otherwise, in the case of the eighth wiper arm10h, when a width of the lid portion102his so great as to not be adequate to fix the body portion21, the lid portion102hof the eighth wiper arm10hmay be fastened to surround the cover portion23while the cover portion23is coupled to the body portion21.

The spacer portion24may be disposed while being overlapped with the side surface211of the body portion21to compensate for a gap between the wiper arm10and the side surface211of the body portion21when the wiper arm10having a relatively great width (for example, the fourth wiper arm10dor the like) in comparison to the wiper arm10(the third wiper arm10cor the like) having the front end facing the restriction protrusion2111or the wiper arm10(the sixth wiper arm10for the like) having the internal protrusion101fintroduced into the first groove2112is fastened.

The spacer portion24includes at least one layer portion241overlapped with at least one of both the side surfaces211of the body portion21. The layer portion241is provided as a plane shape having a certain thickness to increase a width of the body portion21and placed to be parallel to the side surface211of the body portion21so as to relieve a gap which may occur between the side surfaces211of the body portion21and the inner surface of the wiper arm10.

Here, the layer portion241may be provided on the side surface211of the body portion21to not interfere with structures used for coupling with the wiper arm10. As an example, the layer portion241may have a shape with a part corresponding to the through hole2113provided in the side surface211of the body portion21that recedes or passes through.

In the case of the eighth wiper arm10hfastened using the through hole2113, since the cover portion23is used due to the lid portion102hhaving a great width, it is possible to maintain a state in which the spacer portion24is fastened to the body portion21. However, in the case of the seventh wiper arm10gwhich uses the through hole2113but has the lid portion102hhaving a smaller width than that of the eighth wiper arm10h, since it is impossible to fasten the lid portion102gwhen the spacer portion24is maintained, the spacer portion24may be separated from the body portion21when the seventh wiper arm10gis fastened to the body portion21.

That is, in consideration of the wiper arm10which is fastenable while the spacer portion24is provided on the body portion21, the layer portion241may determine interference bet fastening elements of the wiper arm10provided on the side surface211of the body portion21.

Also, the layer portion241may expose the second groove2114configured to allow the internal protrusion101dor101eof the fourth wiper arm10dor the fifth wiper arm10eto be introduced. That is, a bottom end of the layer portion241is located above the second groove2114so that the layer portion241is provided not to cover the second groove2114.

Since the second groove2114is used for coupling the wiper arm10which requires the spacer portion24, the layer portion241exposes the second groove2114.

However, the fourth wiper arm10dwhich is coupled when the spacer portion24is used may not use the first groove2112. The spacer portion24may need to be eliminated from the body portion21when the sixth wiper arm10for the like using the first groove2112is fastened. Accordingly, it will be allowed that the layer portion241is provided to cover the first groove2112.

The spacer portion24may be detachably provided on the body portion21and may be detachably attached to the side surface211of the body portion21widthwise. In this case, a structure such as an unevenness or the like capable of implementing engagement may be applied between the spacer portion24and the side surface211of the body portion21.

When the wiper arm10is coupled while the spacer portion24is placed on the side surface211of the body portion21, since the spacer portion24is located between the side surface211of the body portion21and the inner surface of the wiper arm10, there is hardly any concern of separation. Accordingly, a coupling force between the spacer portion24and the body portion21may be adequate when the spacer portion24is not separated downward while the wiper arm10is coupled to the body portion21.

Otherwise, the spacer portion24may be coupled to the body portion21vertically. Here, the spacer portion24may include a pair of such layer portions241overlapped with both the side surfaces211of the body portion21and includes a leg portion242configured to connect the pair of layer portions241widthwise. Here, a width between the layer portions241connected by the leg portion242may correspond to the width of the body portion21.

The body portion21may include the incision portion2121for mounting the spacer portion24on the top surface212. That is, even when the spacer portion24including the leg portion242is fastened to the body portion21, the leg portion242of the spacer portion24may be introduced into the incision portion2121to prevent a vertical height from being increased by the spacer portion24.

In addition to a method of coupling the layer portion241to the side surface211of the body portion21directly or indirectly using the leg portion242, any structures of the spacer portion24may be used as long as a gap between the wiper arm10and the side surface211of the body portion21is filled up.

For reference, when the spacer portion24is used, the elastic arm217provided on the side surface211of the body portion21may not come into contact with the inner surface of the wiper arm10as described above.

The base portion25is fixed to the wiper blade. The base portion25may be fixed to a central part of the wiper blade and provided to be structurally fastened to a central part of the coupling cover or the cover portion23as described above.

The base portion25forms a hinge center f the body portion21. As stated above in a part describing the hinge hole216of the body portion21, the base portion25passes through the pair of hinge holes216at once and includes the bar-shaped rotational shaft251or the rotational shaft251having the pair of protrusions fastened to the hinge holes216of the body portion21. The body portion21may be rotatably fastened to the rotational shaft251of the base portion25and may be provided on the base portion25to be hinge-rotated.

Hereinafter, a method of selectively coupling a variety of types of wiper arms10to one adaptor20will be described with reference toFIGS.11to18.

Referring toFIG.11, when the first wiper arm10ahaving the ring shape is intended to be vertically fastened to the body portion21, the cover portion23may be coupled or not coupled to the body portion21. That is, the cover portion23may be used selectively in the first wiper arm10a.

The first wiper arm10amoves downward while an end of the connection portion is located in front of the curved portion215of the body portion21. The first wiper arm10amoves rightward on the basis of the drawing while a top of the connection portion comes into contact with or is adjacent to a top end of the curved portion215.

In this case, a ring part of the first wiper arm10ais engaged with the curved portion215of the body portion21. A curvature of the ring part of the first wiper arm10amay be provided corresponding to a curvature of the curved portion215of the body portion21. Otherwise, the curvature of the first wiper arm10ais formed to be smaller so that the first wiper arm10amay be fastened primarily due to forcible fitting between the curvatures.

The ring part of the first wiper arm10ais mounted on the curved portion215, and then the locking portion22is rotated clockwise. The uneven portion2211of the locking portion22is held by the holding key2132of the hinge portion213so that rotation of the locking portion22is blocked and the cover element222of the locking portion22covers the front end of the first wiper arm10a.

Accordingly, vertical and horizontal movement of the first wiper arm10amay be blocked by the locking portion22and engagement between the ring part and the curved portion215. Also, widthwise movement of the first wiper arm10amay be blocked by the furrow structure formed on the top surface of the cover portion23as described above. Even when the cover portion23is not used, the widthwise movement of the first wiper arm10amay be blocked by a structure of the body portion21itself.

Referring toFIG.12, the second wiper arm10bmay be fastened to the body portion21horizontally. When being fastened, the protruding end101bof the second wiper arm10bis provided at a position at which the locking portion22will be covered and the holding end102bof the second wiper arm10bis engaged with the elastic leg214and the front end faces the restriction protrusion2111.

Also, the insertion piece104bprovided in the opening103bof the second wiper arm10bis introduced below the elastic piece2123of the body portion21and engaged with the elastic piece2123. Here, engagement between the insertion piece104band the elastic piece2123may be seen with naked eyes through the opening103b.

Covering the front end of the second wiper arm10bby rotating the locking portion22clockwise is the same asFIG.11.

Accordingly, in the second wiper arm10b, vertical movement may be restricted by the locking portion22covering the front end and the engagement between the insertion piece104band the elastic piece2123, and horizontal movement may be restricted by the restriction protrusion2111and the engagement between the holding end102band the elastic leg214.

Referring toFIG.13, the third wiper arm10cis fastened similarly to the second wiper arm10b. The holding end102cof the third wiper arm10cis provided to be tilted so as to more firmly implement restriction of movement in comparison to the second wiper arm10b.

Accordingly, in the third wiper arm10c, vertical movement is restricted by the locking portion22covering the front end and horizontal movement is restricted by the restriction protrusion2111and engagement between the holding end102cand the elastic leg214.

Referring toFIG.14, the fourth wiper arm10dis inserted into the body portion21horizontally. Here, since a width of the fourth wiper arm10dis provided to be relatively greater than a width of the body portion21, a gap may be formed between the fourth wiper arm10dand the side surface211of the body portion21.

When the gap is formed, there is concern that the wiper arm10may shake widthwise and a fastening force may be decreased. Accordingly, in the embodiment, the spacer portion24may be fastened to the body portion21and then the fourth wiper arm10dmay be coupled to the body portion21.

Also, the opening102dis provided in the fourth wiper arm10d. The opening102dof the fourth wiper arm10dmay be engaged with the elastic protruding portion2122provided on the top surface212of the body portion21. That is, when the fourth wiper arm10dis fastened to the body portion21horizontally, the elastic protruding portion2122of the body portion21may be pushed by the connection portion of the fourth wiper arm10dand then be disposed and protrude at a position of the opening102dso as to be introduced into the opening102dand be engaged with the opening102d.

Particularly, the elastic protruding portion2122may be a shape having a strong suppressing force in a direction in which the fourth wiper arm10dis released from being fastened. On the other hand, the elastic protruding portion2122may have a structure of being elastically pressurized easily in a direction, in which the fourth wiper arm10dis fastened, so as to naturally allow the fourth wiper arm10dto be coupled.

The internal protrusion101dis provided on the connection portion of the fourth wiper arm10dand is guided along the second groove2114provided on the side surface211of the body portion21. Although the first groove2112is covered by the spacer portion24, the fourth wiper arm10dmay be fastened using the second groove2114.

Although the from end of the fourth wiper arm10dis covered by the cover element222of the locking portion22, the fourth wiper arm10dmay be introduced below the cover element222without interfering with the locking portion22when the fourth wiper arm10dis fastened.

Accordingly, the fourth wiper arm10dmay be coupled to the body portion21horizontally while the locking portion22is in a lock state. Also, since a width of the fourth wiper arm10dmay be greater than a width of the locking portion22, a rear end of the rotational surface221of the locking portion22may face the front end of the fourth wiper arm10d.

Through this fastening, horizontal movement of the fourth wiper arm10dmay be blocked by the locking portion22and engagement between the elastic protruding portion2122and the opening102dand vertical movement thereof may be blocked by the internal protrusion101dmounted on the second groove2114.

Referring toFIG.15, the same fastening method is used for the fifth wiper arm10eexcept a small width in comparison to that of the fourth wiper arm10d. Accordingly, unlike that shown inFIG.14, the fifth wiper arm10emay be fastened to the body portion21without the spacer portion24, and others are the same as in the above description of the fourth wiper arm10d.

Referring toFIG.16, the sixth wiper arm10fmay be fastened to the body portion21vertically. The sixth wiper arm10fincludes the internal protrusion101fprovided inside the connection portion. However, the internal protrusion101fof the sixth wiper arm10fmay be provided on the side surface of the connection portion above a bottom end and may be placed at a position not inserted into the second groove2114.

The internal protrusion101fmay be introduced into the first groove2112provided in the side surface211of the body portion21. However, when the first groove2112is provided to be vertical to fasten the sixth wiper arm10fto the body portion21vertically, the front end of the sixth wiper arm10fmay be held by the restriction protrusion2111provided on the body portion21.

Accordingly, since the first groove2112of the body portion21is provided to be tilted as described above, the first groove2112may deviate in a direction farther away from the restriction protrusion2111toward the outside portion into which the internal protrusion101fis inserted in comparison to the inside portion where the insertion of the internal protrusion101fis blocked.

Accordingly, although the internal protrusion101fof the sixth wiper arm10fis introduced into the outside portion of the first groove2112, the sixth wiper arm10fmay not interfere with the restriction protrusion2111in a fastening process. However, corresponding to the titled shape of the first groove2112, a direction in which the sixth wiper arm10fis fastened may be a tilted vertical direction not a perpendicular vertical direction.

When the internal protrusion101fof the sixth wiper arm10fis located on the inside portion of the first groove2112, the restriction protrusion2111may be located on the recessed portion102fprovided in the connection portion of the sixth wiper arm10f. Accordingly, when the sixth wiper arm10fis fastened, the restriction protrusion2111of the body portion21is mounted on the recessed portion102fof the sixth wiper arm10fwithout interfering with the internal protrusion101fof the sixth wiper arm10f.

Subsequently, as the sixth wiper arm10fmoves horizontally, the internal protrusion101fmoves into the holding path2112bof the first groove2112so that vertical movement of the sixth wiper arm10fmay be restricted by engagement between the internal protrusion101fand the holding path2112b.

As the locking portion22in a lock-released state rotates clockwise and changes to a lock state to cover the front end of the sixth wiper arm10f, upward movement may be restricted by the locking portion22.

Accordingly, vertical movement of the sixth wiper arm10fmay be restricted by the locking portion22and engagement between the internal protrusion101fand the holding path2112b, and horizontal movement thereof may be restricted as the front end of the sixth wiper arm10fcomes into contact with the locking portion22.

Referring toFIG.17, the seventh wiper arm10gmay include the pin101gand be fastened to the body portion21widthwise. Since the through hole2113is provided in the body portion21, the seventh wiper arm10gis fastened in a direction in which the pin101gis inserted into the through hole2113.

Subsequently, the lid portion102gprovided on the seventh wiper arm10gsurrounds the top surface212or the like of the body portion21. To this end, the seventh vesper arm10gmay rotate by a certain angle on the basis of the pin101gwhile the pin101gpasses through the through hole2113.

The lid portion102gmay have a shape extending widthwise to correspond to the width of the body portion21and having a bent end to surround the side surface211of the body portion21. The lid portion102gmay not be bent depending on a fastening force between the pin101gand the through hole2113.

The seventh wiper arm10gmay be provided not to be covered by the locking portion22. That is, the seventh wiper arm10gmay be coupled to the body portion21while the locking portion22is in a lock state. Here, all vertical and lateral movement of the seventh wiper arm101gmay be blocked by fastening between the pin10gand the through hole2113, and additionally, widthwise movement thereof may be blocked by the lid portion102g.

Referring toFIG.18, the eighth wiper arm10hmay be provided to include the pin101hand the lid portion102hsimilarly to the seventh wiper arm10g. However, although a slight different may be in a shape of the connection portion, a fastening method is similar to that of the seventh wiper arm10g.

The lid portion102hof the eighth wiper arm10hmay be provided to have a great width in comparison to the seventh wiper arm10g. In this case, the lid portion102hmay have the width greater than that of the body portion21. Accordingly, the adaptor20may couple the eighth wiper arm10hby fastening the spacer portion24to the body portion21.

Otherwise, the cover portion23is fastened to the body portion21to secure an adequate width and then the eighth wiper arm10his coupled thereto so that the lid portion102hof the eighth wiper arm10hmay be fastened to the adaptor20adequately.

Here, when a width of the lid portion102his great, since a strength of the lid portion102hitself may become a problem, the lid portion102hmay be prepared for deformation by applying a partial uneven structure.

Vertical and horizontal movement of the eighth wiper arm10hmay be restricted by engagement between the pin101hand the through hole2113(and the opening231of the cover portion23), and widthwise movement thereof may be additionally restricted by the lid portion102h.

As described above, in the embodiment, a structure and a shape of the adaptor20have been improved to couple two or more types of wiper arms10having a variety of forms. Particularly, the restriction protrusion2111facing the front end of the wiper arm10fastened horizontally may be included and a shape of the first groove2112may be limited to be tilted so as to smoothly couple the wiper arm10fastened vertically.

According to the present invention, an adaptor for assembling a wiper blade, a wiper blade assembly, and a wiper device are configured to easily fasten a plurality of wiper arms without a problem by limiting a shape of a groove or the like so that a component to be engaged with a wiper arm fastened horizontally is not to interfere with a wiper arm fastened vertically.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely for describing the present invention in detail and the present invention is not limited thereto. Also, it is apparent that a variety of modifications and improvements thereof may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the technical concept of the present invention.

All simple modifications and changes of the present invention are included within the scope of the present invention, and a detailed scope of the present invention will be defined by the following claims.