A WINDSCREEN WIPER

Abstract: A windscreen wiper (14) assembly includes a wiper arm (12) and a windscreen wiper having a resiliently flexible elongate beam (18) which is curved in a plane. The assembly also includes a coupler (16) for coupling an end of the wiper arm (12) to the wiper (14) in such a manner that resilient bending movement of the beam in the plane of curvature along its full length is substantially allowed. The invention also relates to a coupler for a windscreen wiper assembly.

Description: A WINDSCREEN WIPER This invention relates to a windscreen wiper. More particularly, the invention relates to a windscreen wiper assembly and to a coupler for a windscreen wiper assembly. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a windscreen wiper assembly which includes a wiper arm; a windscreen wiper having a resiliently flexible elongate beam which is curved in a plane; and a coupler for coupling an end of the wiper arm to the wiper in such a manner that resilient bending movement of the beam in the plane of curvature along its full length is substantially allowed. The coupler may be mounted to the wiper such that longitudinal movement of the beam relative to a point on the coupler, rotation of the beam about its longitudinal axis and rotation of the longitudinal axis of the beam relative to the longitudinal axis of the arm (known as fish tailing) is substantially inhibited. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a windscreen wiper assembly which includes a wiper arm; a windscreen wiper having a resiliently flexible elongate beam which is curved in a plane; and a coupler for coupling an end of the wiper arm to the wiper, the coupler comprising a support structure with at least one fulcrum formation being defined by the support structure and a mounting means carried on the support structure for mounting the coupler to the beam at two spaced apart points so that the, or each, fulcrum formation abuts an upper surface of the beam and bending movement of the beam about the, or each, fulcrum formation in the plane of curvature is allowed. The support structure may have an elongate, substantially planar base, with a pair of spaced apart fulcrum formations being defined on a bottom surface of the base. Each fulcrum formation may be in the form of an elongate protrusion located transversely to the base and in use, transversely to the plane of curvature. Each protrusion may have rounded or sharpened edges to allow movement of the beam about it. The mounting means may be in the form of two pairs of spaced apart claws which extend from the base of the support structure. Each of the fulcrum formations may be located proximate or be aligned with one of the pairs of claws. The beam may be provided with a securing formation which is complementary to one of the pairs of claws, for securing the support structure to the beam at that point so that longitudinal movement of the beam relative to the coupler is inhibited at that point. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that relative longitudinal movement will be permitted between the beam and the support structure at the pair of claws spaced from the securing formation. The spacing between the claws of each pair may be substantially equal to the width of the beam at the position of connection in order to inhibit pivoting or twisting of the beam about its longitudinal axis and to impede relative lateral movement. The assembly may also include a connecting structure for pivotally connecting the end of the wiper arm to the wiper to allow pivotal movement of the wiper arm relative to the wiper in the plane of curvature. It will be appreciated that the connecting structure may form a part of the coupler or of the arm or a combination of both. It will be appreciated that the windscreen wiper assembly as described above, significantly reduces the height required between a windscreen and a vehicle bonnet in order to improve wind flow over the vehicle and allow the windscreen wiper assembly and arm to be hidden below the vehicle bonnet. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a windscreen wiper assembly which includes a wiper arm; a windscreen wiper having a resiliently flexible elongate beam which is curved in a plane; and a coupler for coupling an end of the wiper arm to the wiper, the coupler comprising a support structure, with at least one spacing formation carried by the support structure, and a mounting means for mounting the coupler to the beam at two spaced apart points, with the, or each spacing formation abutting an upper surface of the beam so that a bottom surface of the support structure is spaced a predetermined distance from the upper surface of the beam. The support structure may have an elongate, substantially planar base, with 85 a pair of spaced apart spacing formations in the form of fulcrum formations being defined on a bottom surface of the base. It will be appreciated that the invention has specific application to a low profile wiper and that the coupler is designed to minimise the distance or space 90 between the bottom surface of the support structure and the upper surface of the beam. It will also be appreciated that the distance or space is dependent on the distance between the points of contact and will accordingly be larger when the points of contact are further apart to allow for bending movement of the wiper between the points of contact. A height dimension from a bottom edge of a rubber which is 95 mounted to the beam of the wiper and the highest protrusion of the coupler may be less than 25 mm and preferably is less than 20 mm. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a coupler for a windscreen wiper assembly, for coupling an end of a wiper arm to a beam of the 100 wiper, which includes a support structure with at least one fulcrum formation being defined by the support structure; and a mounting means carried on the support structure for mounting the coupler to the beam at two spaced apart points so that the, or each, fulcrum formation abuts an upper surface of the beam and bending movement of the beam about the, or each, fulcrum formation in the plane of curvature is allowed. The support structure may have an elongate, substantially planar base, with a pair of spaced apart fulcrum formations being defined on a bottom surface of the base. Each fulcrum formation may be in the form of an elongate protrusion located transversely to the base and in use, transversely to the plane of curvature. The mounting means may be in the form of two pairs of spaced apart claws which extend from the base of the support structure. Each of the fulcrum formations may be aligned with one of the pairs of claws. The invention is now described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 shows a schematic isometric view of a windscreen wiper assembly, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, with the wiper shown in a straightened condition; Figure 2 shows a partially exploded view of the assembly of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of part of the assembly of Figure 1 ; Figure 4 shows a sectional end elevation of the assembly of Figure 3 taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 3. Figure 5 shows a detailed view of part of a windscreen wiper which forms part of the assembly shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 6 shows a schematic isometric view of a coupler for a windscreen wiper assembly, in accordance with another aspect of the invention; 130 Figure 7 shows a bottom view of the coupler of Figure 6; Figure 8 shows a sectional side elevation of the coupler of Figure 7 taken along the line VIII-VIII in Figure 7. In the drawings, a windscreen wiper assembly, in accordance with the 135 invention, is generally designated by the reference numeral 1 0. The assembly 10 includes a wiper arm 1 2, a windscreen wiper 1 4 and a coupler 1 6, generally indicated by reference numeral 1 6, for coupling an end of the wiper arm 1 2 to the wiper 14. The wiper 1 4 includes a resiliently flexible elongate 140 beam 1 8 which is curved in a plane perpendicular to axis Z (as shown in Figure 1 ) . A rubber wiping strip 20 is mounted to the beam 1 8. Referring specifically to Figures 6 to 8, the coupler 1 6 comprises a support structure 23, having an elongate, substantially rectangular, planar base 22. A height 145 dimension H between a bottom edge 21 of the rubber 20 and highest protrusion of the coupler 1 6, is preferably less than 25 mm. A mounting means in the form of two pairs of spaced apart claws 24. 1 and 24.2 extend from the base 22 of the support structure 23. A pair of fulcrum formations in the form of elongate impressions 26.1 and 26.2 are located transversely to the base 22, each aligned with a corresponding 150 pair of claws 24. 1 and 24.2. Each impression 26. 1 and 26.2 has a rounded bottom edge 28 as can be seen in Figures 7 and 8. The coupler 1 6 may be formed of a rigid synthetic plastics material or steel. A pair of support sides 30 extend substantially transversely to the base 22 155 of the support structure 23, with a pair of aligned openings 32 defined in the support sides 30. Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the assembly 1 0 also includes a connecting structure 34 for pivotally connecting an end 36 of the wiper arm 1 2 to the wiper 1 4. 160 The connecting structure 34 includes a substantially planar upper surface 38, with two substantially parallel sides 40 depending downwardly from the surface 38. The sides 40 are spaced a predetermined distance apart so that they fit snugly between the support sides 30 of the coupler 1 6, so as to prevent lateral movement and rotational movement about the Y axis between the longitudinal axis of the arm 1 2 and 165 the beam 1 8. An aperture 42 is defined in each side 40, the apertures 42 being aligned to the openings 32 for receiving a transverse pivot pin 44 for pivotally connecting the coupler 1 6 to the wiper arm 1 2. The assembly also includes a nose piece 46 which covers part of the coupler 170 1 6 and connecting structure 34. The beam 1 8 is provided with a pair of indents 48 (Figure 5), which is complementary to one of the pairs of claws, for securing the coupler 1 6 to the beam 1 8 at that point so that longitudinal movement of the beam 1 8 relative to the coupler 175 1 6 is inhibited at that point. In use, the connecting structure 34 is attached to the end 36 of the arm 1 2. The connecting structure 34 and the coupler 1 6 are connected to each other by means of the pivot pin 44. The coupler 1 6 is positioned on the beam 1 8 so that one 180 of the pairs of claws 24.1 is aligned with the indents 48 on the beam 1 8, and distal ends 50 of the claws 24 are folded over the beam 1 8, so that the rounded ends 28 of the fulcrum formations abut an upper surface 52 of the beam 1 8 as is shown in Figure 4. 185 The pair of claws 24.1 which is aligned with the indents 48, secures the beam 1 8 in position at that point so that longitudinal movement of the wiper 1 4 relative to the coupler 1 6 is restrained. The other pair of claws 24.2 are folded over edges of the beam 1 8 but allows longitudinal movement of the wiper 1 4 relative to the coupler 1 6 at that point. 190 In use, movement of the wiper assembly 1 0 relative to a windscreen causes the wiper 14 to move in the plane of curvature as it straightens and bends to accommodate various curvatures of the windscreen. Movement of the beam 1 4 in the plane of curvature is allowed by the fulcrum formations. 195 The applicant believes that the advantages of the wiper assembly 10 as described with reference to the drawings, are that it allows substantially unrestrained movement of the wiper 1 4 in its plane of curvature and provides a low profile coupler 1 6 with its associated advantages. It will be appreciated that unrestrained beam 200 bending movement is conductive to optimal force distribution performance. The wiper assembly also significantly reduces the height required between the windscreen and the vehicle bonnet, thereby improving wind flow over the vehicle and allow the windscreen wiper assembly and arm to be hidden below the vehicle bonnet.

Claims: CLAIMS: 05 1 . A windscreen wiper assembly which includes a wiper arm; a windscreen wiper having a resiliently flexible elongate beam which is curved in a plane; and a coupler for coupling an end of the wiper arm to the wiper in such a manner that 10 resilient bending movement of the beam in the plane of curvature along its full length is substantially allowed. 2. The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the coupler is mounted to the wiper such that longitudinal movement of the beam relative to a 215 point on the coupler, rotation of the beam about its longitudinal axis and rotation of the longitudinal axis of the beam relative to longitudinal axis of the arm is substantially inhibited. 3. A windscreen wiper assembly which includes 220 a wiper arm; a windscreen wiper having a resiliently flexible elongate beam which is curved in a plane; and a coupler for coupling an end of the wiper arm to the wiper, the coupler comprising a support structure with at least one fulcrum formation being defined by 225 the support structure and a mounting means carried on the support structure for mounting the coupler to the beam at two spaced apart points so that the, or each, fulcrum formation abuts an upper surface of the beam and bending movement of the beam about the, or each, fulcrum formation in the plane of curvature is allowed. 4. The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 3, in which the support 30 structure has an elongate, substantially planar base, with a pair of spaced apart fulcrum formations being defined on a bottom surface of the base. 5. The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 4, in which each fulcrum formation is in the form of an elongate protrusion located transversely to the base and 35 in use, transversely to the plane of curvature. 6. The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 5, in which the mounting means is in the form of two pairs of spaced apart claws which extend from the base of the support structure. 40 7. The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 6, in which each of the fulcrum formations is aligned with one of the pairs of claws. 8. The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 7, in which the beam 245 is provided with a securing formation which is complementary to one of the pairs of claws, for securing the support structure to the beam at that point so that longitudinal movement of the beam relative to the coupler is inhibited at that point. 9. The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 6, in which the spacing 250 between the claws of each pair is substantially equal to the width of the beam at the position of connection. 1 0. The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the assembly includes a connecting structure for pivotally connecting the end of the wiper arm to the wiper to allow pivotal movement of the wiper arm relative to the wiper in the plane of curvature. 1 1 . The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 1 0, in which a height dimension from a bottom edge of a rubber which is mounted to the beam of the wiper and the highest point of the coupler is less than 25 mm. 1 2. A windscreen wiper assembly which includes a wiper arm; a windscreen wiper having a resiliently flexible elongate beam which is curved in a plane; and a coupler for coupling an end of the wiper arm to the wiper, the coupler comprising a support structure, with at least one spacing formation carried by the support structure, and a mounting means for mounting the coupler to the beam at two spaced apart points, with the, or each spacing formation abutting an upper surface of the beam so that a bottom surface of the support structure is spaced a predetermined distance from the upper surface of the beam. 1 3. The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 1 2, in which the support structure has an elongate, substantially planar base, with a pair of spaced apart spacing formations in the form of fulcrum formations being defined on a bottom surface of the base. 1 4. The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 1 3, in which each fulcrum formation is in the form of an elongate protrusion located transversely to the base and in use, transversely to the plane of curvature. 1 5. The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 1 4, in which the mounting means is in the form of two pairs of spaced apart claws which extend from the base of the support structure. 1 6. The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 1 5, in which each of the fulcrum formations is aligned with one of the pairs of claws. 1 7. The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 1 6, in which the beam is provided with a securing formation which is complementary to one of the pairs of claws, for securing the support structure to the beam at that point so that longitudinal movement of the beam relative to the coupler is inhibited at that point. 1 8. The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 1 5, in which the spacing between the claws of each pair is substantially equal to the width of the beam at the position of connection. 1 9. The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 1 2, in which the assembly includes a connecting structure for pivotally connecting the end of the wiper arm to the wiper to allow pivotal movement of the wiper arm relative to the wiper in the plane of curvature. 20. The windscreen wiper assembly as claimed in Claim 1 2, in which a height dimension from a bottom edge of a rubber which is mounted to the beam of the wiper 05 and the highest point of the coupler is less than 25 mm. 21 . A coupler for a windscreen wiper assembly, for coupling an end of the wiper arm to a beam of the wiper, which includes a support structure with at least one fulcrum formation being defined by the 10 support structure; and a mounting means carried on the support structure for mounting the coupler to the beam at two spaced apart points so that the, or each, fulcrum formation abuts an upper surface of the beam and bending movement of the beam about the, or each, fulcrum formation in the plane of curvature is allowed. 15 22. The coupler as claimed in Claim 21 , in which the support structure has an elongate, substantially planar base, with a pair of spaced apart fulcrum formations being defined on a bottom surface of the base. 320 23. The coupler as claimed in Claim 22, in which each fulcrum formation is in the form of an elongate protrusion located transversely to the base and in use, transversely to the plane of curvature. 24. The coupler as claimed in Claim 23, in which the mounting means is in the 325 form of two pairs of spaced apart claws which extend from the base of the support structure. 25. The coupler as claimed in Claim 24, in which each of the fulcrum formations is aligned with one of the pairs of claws. 30 26. A windscreen wiper assembly, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 27. A coupler for a windscreen wiper assembly, substantially as herein described 35 with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: FEHRSEN JOHANNES HENDRIK, SWANEPOEL ADRIAAN RETIEF, FEHRSEN, JOHANNES, HENDRIK, SWANEPOEL, ADRIAAN, RETIEF
Applicants: FEHRSEN JOHANNES HENDRIK, SWANEPOEL ADRIAAN RETIEF, TRICO PRODUCTS CORP, FEHRSEN, JOHANNES, HENDRIK, SWANEPOEL, ADRIAAN, RETIEF, TRICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B60S1
IPC codes: B60S1