Abstract:
The present invention is a windshield wiper lifter that mounts to a standard vehicle windshield wiper arm. The windshield wiper lifter has an articulating arm affixed approximately perpendicular to the windshield wiper. A first block and a second block are affixed to the windshield in the arced path of the windshield wiper lifter. When the windshield wiper lifter strikes the first block it raises the wiper arm off of the windshield when the wiper arm strokes in a first direction. When the windshield wiper lifter strikes the second block it lowers the windshield wiper arm when stroking in a second direction.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to vehicle windshield wipers, and more particularly, to an improved windshield wiper suited for rapid removal of debris obstructing the occupants&#39; view through the windshield of a motor vehicle. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Several designs for windshield wipers have been designed in the past. None of them, however, include an elegant mechanism to lift the windshield wiper blade off of the windshield during the return stroke while providing an advantageous blade profile to remove debris efficiently from the windshield and yet remain easily attachable to a vehicle and removable without significant modifications. 
         [0005]    Applicant believes that the closest reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,116 issued to DeKalaita. However, it differs from the present invention because although DeKalaita has an assembly affixed to the windshield of a vehicle that interacts with a corresponding assembly on the wiper blade arm it fails to hold the arm off the windshield for the entire return stroke while allowing the blade to contact the windshield on the outboard stroke. DeKalaita in designed to knock debris from the wiper blade itself rather than providing a means to directly more effectively wipe the windshield. 
         [0006]    In contrast to DeKalaita, the present invention will, in addition to clearing a debris-covered blade by knocking it on the windshield, it also acts to push debris accumulated on the windshield only away towards the side of the vehicle thereby greatly increasing the performance of the windshield wiper. 
         [0007]    Further, the present invention includes variants that further distinguish it from the prior art by provided a complementary wiper blade profile, allow the device to be easily removable from the vehicle when not needed and has a fluid flushing capability, among other improvements and differences. 
         [0008]    Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Traditional, common art automotive type windshield wipers are most effective when used during liquid rain environmental conditions. Their effectiveness sharply declines when used to clear windshields of sleet, snow, mud and other viscous substances. 
         [0010]    The current windshield wiper art on most vehicles comprises a wiper arm and blade that contacts the windshield. The blade moves in short arcs back and forth across the windshield. This motion tends to smear viscous debris on the glass and thereby dangerously obscures the vision of the operator. 
         [0011]    Some vehicles are exposed to conditions that are not commonly experienced by vehicles used on paved roads. For example, off-road trucks, “bush” planes, farm equipment, construction equipment and other vehicles used in un-paved conditions. It is important to maintain an unobstructed clear line of sign through the windshield to maintain safe operations of the vehicle. 
         [0012]    It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a windshield wiper capable of effectively clearing a windshield of difficult to remove debris such as mud, heavy precipitation or other dangerous conditions. 
         [0013]    It is another object of this invention to provide a windshield wiper that greatly limits the possibility of scratching windshield glass and glass coatings thereby preserving the transparency of the windshield and safe operation of the vehicle. 
         [0014]    It is still another object of the present invention to provide a windshield wiper that greatly reduces smearing of any foreign substances, such as mud or sleet, on the surface of the windshield while clearing it with original equipment windshield wipers. 
         [0015]    Another important object of the invention is to provide a windshield wiper accessory that does not obstruct the view of the operator of a vehicle and further, can be easily removed when the device is not needed. 
         [0016]    It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness. 
         [0017]    Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  represents a perspective view of the invention as it might be affixed to a windshield wiper over a windshield. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a variation of the device. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross section elevation of a version of the device. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a representation of perspective view of a portion of the invention consisting of a version of a pair of blocks. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4   a  shows another version of a block. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is an elevation view of an example of the device in the ‘lifted’ configuration. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  demonstrates a partial perspective view emphasizing a version of the wiper blade profile. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a version of a wiper blade attached to a wiper blade assembly. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  represents a partial perspective view of an example of a wiper blade assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0028]    Referring now to the drawings, where the present invention (sometimes referred to as the device) is generally referred to with numeral  10 , it can be observed that it basically includes a blade assembly  15 , a lifter assembly  12 , a block  14  and a block  16 . A windshield  11  and wiper arm  13  are also shown. 
         [0029]    The lifter assembly  12  includes sub-elements comprised of a vice  18 , a jaw  20 , a fastener  22 , a fastener  24 , a bracket  26 , a hinge  28 , an arm  30 , a ski  32 , an adjuster  34 , a slot  36 , a tab  38 , a flange  40 , a flange  42 , a seat  44 , a receiver  46  and a receiver  48 . 
         [0030]    The blade assembly  15  includes sub-elements comprised of a wiper blade  54 , a tab  56 , a face  58 , an edge  60 , a flange  62 , a bracket  64 , a tube  66 , a nozzle  68 , a coupler  70 , a clip  72 , struts  74  and a bracket  76 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  shows a basic variation of the device that includes a lifter assembly  12  affixed to both standard equipment wiper arms  13 . Block  14  and block  16  are each independently affixed to the windshield  11  at specific predetermined locations. In this figure the wiper arms  13  are both shown ascending, moving from the right side of the windshield  11  to the left side. Note that in this configuration the blade assembly  15  on the left is in full contact with the windshield while the blade assembly  15  on the right is lifted off of the surface of the windshield. 
         [0032]    Now looking at  FIGS. 2 and 5  in combination, the lowered mode of the lifter assembly is demonstrated in  FIG. 2  as evidenced by the arm  30  extending away from under the wiper arm  13 . By contrast,  FIG. 5  shows the raised mode where the arm  30  has been rotated at hinge  28  to be positioned under the wiper arm  13  so that the ski  32  contacts the windshield  11  and lifts the wiper arm  13  and thereby necessarily the blade assembly  15  away from the surface of the windshield  11 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  shows in more detail the block  14  and block  16  that include an adhesive  50  and an adhesive  52 , respectively. The blocks  14  and  16  are adhered to the windshield  11  as demonstrated in  FIG. 1  by means of the adhesive  50  and  52 . The adhesive  50  and  52  provide for a semi-permanent mount of the blocks  50  and  52 . Due to the relatively small size of the blocks  14  and  16 , as well as their placement below the arced path of the blade assembly  15 , they can generally remain affixed to the windshield. When no longer needed the blocks  14  and  16  might be pried off the windshield  11  with a razor blade or other such tool without damage to the windshield  11  itself. 
         [0034]    Block  14  and block  16  may be configured in a form other than a block for some applications. For example, a sloped edge on one or more sides may be advantageous for allowing the ski  32  to be able to more easily traverse over the block such as demonstrated in  FIG. 4   a . Further, the height that the block  14  or  16  protrudes off of the windshield may be adjusted to affect the way that the ski  32  impacts the block. In yet another variation there may be more than one block  14  nearer the center of the windshield  11  to provide additional jarring effects as the lifted wiper arm  13  approaches the more center position. 
         [0035]    Blocks  14  and  16  are directly positioned in the path of the arc on which the lifter assembly  12  travels when the wiper arms  13  are in motion. Therefore, the ski  32  strikes both of the blocks  14  and  16  along its arced path of travel. When the ski  32  strikes the blocks  14  and  16  the lifter assembly  12  converts from raised mode to lowered mode and then back again for each cycle of the wiper arm  13 . 
         [0036]    It should be apparent that when in motion the wiper arm  13  repeatedly cycles between pushing outboard and returning to the center. When operating normally, the wiper arms  13  on both the driver&#39;s side and passengers side of the windshield  11  rest at the bottom of the windshield when off. It should be noted that when off and at rest the passenger side wiper arm  13  is fully outboard and the driver&#39;s side wiper arm  13  is fully center. 
         [0037]    Most windshield wiper arms  13  are held against the windshield  11  with a predetermined measure of force by means of a factory supplied spring (not shown in the figures). Often this spring is affixed between the wiper arm  13  and near where the wiper arm  13  intersects with the motor that powers the movement of the wiper arms  13 . For some variations of the invention it may be necessary to utilize a stronger or weaker means to bias the wiper arm  13  against the windshield. For example, using a wide wiper blade  54  or for use with viscous mud may perform better with a stronger spring holding the blade assembly  15  against the windshield. 
         [0038]    In many vehicles, each of the pair of standard wiper arms  13  move simultaneously in the same direction as the other, remaining substantially parallel. In other words, when the driver&#39;s side wiper arm  13  is moving outboard, toward the left then the passenger&#39;s side wiper arm is moving center, towards the left. Other vehicles use a single wiper arm  13  to clear the entire windshield  11  that oscillates between left and right. Yet other vehicles use a pair of wiper arms  13  that oscillate opposite each other in a pattern other than remaining parallel to each other. For example, when the driver&#39;s side wiper arm  13  is sweeping from center to outboard then the passenger side wiper arm  13  momentarily is near the most outboard position and when the driver&#39;s side wiper arm  13  is nearest the outboard edge of the windshield  11  then the passenger side sweeps toward the center of the windshield  11 . 
         [0039]    Then it can be appreciated that the pair of wiper arms  13  (one on the driver&#39;s side, the other in front of the passenger) can work in concert to clear the windshield  11 . When the invention is operating normally, the blade assemblies  15  are only in contact with the windshield  11  when moving from the center to the outboard position. While returning to the center each blade assembly  13  is slightly raised from the surface of the windshield  11  to avoid pushing any debris towards the center of the windshield  11  or smearing any debris on the windshield. 
         [0040]    The present invention is particularly adapted to use on vehicle windshield wipers that repetitively cycle through arcs centered about the axis of a wiper arm motor. In many applications one end of the wiper arm  13  is affixed to a wiper arm motor (or mechanically linked to a wiper arm motor) while the other end is affixed to a blade assembly  15 . As the wiper arm  13  moves in oscillating arcs, the lifter assembly  12  affixed to the wiper arm  13  is carried along in concentric arcs. Block  14  and block  16  are affixed to the windshield  11  in the path of the arc of the lifter assembly  12  so that the ski  32  strikes the block  14  and block  16  at predetermined points along the movement of the wiper arm  13 . 
         [0041]    When the wiper arm  13  is at the center most position of the windshield  11  the ski  32  is between the wiper arm  13  and the windshield  11  thereby holding the blade assembly  15  off of the windshield  11  at a predetermined distance. As the wiper arm  13  moves in its cycle from the center most position of the windshield  11  towards the outboard edge the ski  32  strikes the block  14  and the ski  32  briefly catches the block  14  while the blade assembly  15  continues moving toward the outboard edge of the windshield. The arm  30 , directly affixed to the ski  32 , is pulled out from under the wiper arm  13  about the hinge  28  and thereby no longer holds the blade assembly  15  off of the windshield. The blade assembly  15  is then in contact with the windshield  11  as it moves from the center of the windshield  11  towards the outboard edge, pushing any debris on the windshield  11  towards the outboard edge. Continuing movement towards the outboard edge, the ski  32  strikes and travels over block  16  by moving about hinge  28 . Because the ski  32  and arm  30  are not between the windshield  11  and wiper arm  13 , and the arm  30  can freely move about hinge  28 , the wiper arm  13  is not significantly lifted off of the windshield  11 . As the wiper arm  13  and blade assembly  15  reach the most outboard position in the cycle of movement any debris pushed by the blade assembly  13  is cast off the outboard edge of the windshield  11  and away from the vehicle. 
         [0042]    It is important that the blade assembly  15  is lifted slightly off of the windshield  11  during the blade assembly&#39;s  15  cyclic travel from the outboard edge of the windshield  11  towards the center so that any debris on the windshield  11  is not pushed toward the center of the windshield  11 . This aids in rapid removal of debris from the windshield  11  surface and also reduces smearing on the windshield  11 . This combination greatly increases visibility through the windshield  11 . 
         [0043]    When the wiper arm  13  is at the farthest position outboard the blade assembly  15  is in contact with the surface of the windshield. As it continues through it&#39;s cycle, moving from the outboard edge of the windshield  11  toward the center, the ski  32  strikes block  16  and momentarily catches on block  16  as the wiper arm  13  continues toward the center of the windshield  11  over the area of the windshield  11  that the vehicle occupants primarily view through. This forces the ski  32  and arm  30  to rotate about hinge  28  under the wiper arm  13  thereby lifting the blade assembly  15  off of the surface of the windshield  11 . Immediately after the ski  32  and arm  30  rotate under the wiper arm  13  the ski  32  is pulled over the block  16  and continues across the windshield  11  toward the center in its raised configuration. As the wiper arm  13  continues in its cycle toward the center of the windshield  11  the ski  32  strikes block  14  and is further jolted off of the windshield  11  about the same distance as the thickness of the block  14 . As the ski  32  passes over the block  14  the ski  32  and wiper arm  13  rapidly snap down against the windshield  11  thereby shaking off any debris from the blade assembly  15  shortly before the wiper arm  13  reaches its most center position. In it&#39;s cycle, the wiper arm  13  then reaches the most center position in its cycle and then reverses direction towards the outboard edge of the windshield  11  where the pattern repeats. 
         [0044]    In other words, when the blade assembly  15  traverses from the center of the windshield  11  the ski  32  bumps block  14  causing the ski  32  and necessarily the arm  30  to be pulled out from under the wiper arm  13  so that the wiper arm  13  contacts and clears the windshield  11 . As the ski  32  and arm  30  approach the lateral edge of the windshield  11  the ski  32  and arm  30  are pulled over block  16  and are rotated about hinge  28  without affecting the contact between the windshield  11  and the wiper arm  13 . As the wiper arm  13  reaches its most lateral point it reverses direction and the ski  32  briefly catches on block  16  where it is forced between the wiper arm  13  and the windshield  11  thereby lifting the wiper arm  13  and necessarily the blade assembly  15  away from contacting the windshield  11 . As the wiper arm  13  approaches the center most position in the cycle the ski  32  bumps over block  14  and shakes any debris from the blade assembly  15 . The wiper arm  13  then reached the centermost position in its arc and reverses course thereby repeating the cycle. 
         [0045]    In application where there is not an easily defined center of the windshield  11  the cycle along the arc of movement of the wiper arm  13  can be described as starting from a first extreme of arc path where the ski  32  and arm  30  are between the wiper arm  13  and windshield  11  thereby lifting the blade assembly  15  off of the windshield. As the wiper arm  13  moves toward an opposite, second extreme of the arc path the ski  32  strikes block  14  which kicks the ski  34  out from between the windshield  11  and wiper arm  13  allowing the blade assembly  15  to contact the windshield  11  and scrape debris towards the second extreme of the arc path. As the wiper arm  13  approaches the second extreme of the arc path the ski  32  bumps over block  16  not significantly affecting the contact between the windshield  11  and the blade assembly  15 . After reaching the second extreme of the arc path the wiper arm  13  reverses course back toward the first extreme of arc path when the ski  32  strikes the block  16 . The ski  32  and arm  30  are then forced between the wiper arm  13  and windshield  11  causing the blade assembly  15  to lift off of the windshield  11  a predetermined distance. The blade assembly  15  then remains from contacting the windshield  11  throughout its arced path towards the first extreme of the arc path. Shortly prior to arriving at the first extreme of the arc path the ski  32  contacts and bumps over block  14  thereby jarring loose any debris accumulated on the blade assembly  15 . The oscillating cycle then repeats indefinitely until the invention is turned off. 
         [0046]      FIG. 2  shows the lifter assembly  12  attached to a wiper arm  13  as it would be in use allowing the blade assembly  15  to contact the windshield. It should be noted that the ski  32  and arm  30  are away from under the wiper arm  13 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 3 , when read in conjunction with  FIG. 5 , show in more detail the sub-components of the lifter assembly  12  in more detail. Generally, the lifter assembly  12  is preferably easily installed and removed from the wiper arm  13  on a vehicle. 
         [0048]    During a typical installation jaw  20  and vice  18  are placed on either side of a wiper arm  13 . Jaw  20  and vice  18  are drawn together by tightening fastener  22  into receiver  48  so that jaw  20  and vice  18  grip the wiper arm  13  securely. In a preferred variation receiver  48  is tapped to match threads on fastener  22 . For ease of installation fastener  22  may have a commonly sized hex head, screw driver interface, wing-nut type handles, hex key receiver or other available type of driving means. Tab  38  is optionally provided to engage into slot  36  to aid in aligning the sub-components to facilitate easier assembly. Flange  40  and flange  42  are optionally provided to improve the grip of he lifter assembly  12  onto a wiper arm  13  by surrounding the wiper arm  13  on all sides thereby preventing the disengagement of the wiper arm  13  from the jaw  20  and vice  18  during demanding operation and extreme conditions. 
         [0049]    It should be appreciated that the lifter assembly  12  may be designed to accommodate a range of various sized wiper arms  13 . An alternate jaw  20  may also be provided that is dimensioned to engage into vice  18  for larger or smaller wiper arms  13 . 
         [0050]    In a preferred version the bracket  26  is affixed to vice  18  by means of a fastener  24  that when tightened holds firmly the bracket  26  to the vice  18  at seat  44 . Receiver  46  is tapped to match threads on fastener  24 . For ease of installation fastener  24  may have a commonly sized hex head, screw driver interface, wing-nut type handles, hex key receiver or other available type of driving means. 
         [0051]      FIG. 5  shows a similar embodiment of the device with fastener  22  and fastener  24  both firmly seated thereby rigidly affixed to the wiper arm  13 . This figure also shows the device as it is configured in its lifted mode where the ski  32  and arm  30  are between the wiper arm  32  and windshield  11  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) thereby lifting the wiper arm  13  off of the windshield  11 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  also demonstrates an optional adjuster  34 . In an important version the adjuster is threaded and engages into a tapped aperture in the bracket  26 . The adjuster  34  acts as a stop to limit the range that the arm  30  can rotate about hinge  28 . Adjuster  34  allows the angle between the arm  30  and bracket  26  to be specifically selected when the device is in its lifted mode. By adjusting this angle the distance that the wiper arm  13 , and thereby the blade assembly  15 , is held off of the windshield can be easily adjusted as needed for varying conditions. 
         [0053]    Various materials have been contemplated for the several components of the invention. These are provided only as enabling examples and should not be construed to be limiting. Generally, a rigid, durable and non-corrosive material is preferred. Materials could include, for example, metal, carbon fiber, medium or high density synthetics or other available materials. In an important version the ski  32  is made of a non-marring material that will not damage the glass of the windshield that may include rubber, plastic or other similar material. 
         [0054]    In yet another variation the ski  32  may take the form of a wheel (not shown in the drawings) that is rotatable about an axle at the end of the arm  30  opposite the hinge  28 . Other polygonal or multi-faceted profiles may also be more or less effective at avoiding damage to the windshield  11 , retaining sufficient durability and for proper functioning engagement of the ski  32  with the block  14  and block  16 . In another version the ski  32  may resemble the form of a roller or ball bearing. 
         [0055]      FIG. 6  shows a preferred profile of a wiper blade  54 . A typical vehicular wiper blade acts as a flexible edged squeegee and is somewhat effective in rain. However, for more viscous windshield debris such as mud, snow, sleet and others a more robust design is preferred. Additionally, as common windshield wipers are used bi-directionally, they lack the ability to fully realize the performance that can be achieved by the present invention that removes windshield debris in a single direction: outboard of the windshield. 
         [0056]    The tab  56  is provided to engage into the bracket  76 , shown in  FIG. 7 , to secure the wiper blade  54  to the balance of the blade assembly  15 . The tab  56  feature allows for easier installation and replacement of a worn out wiper blade  54 . A flange  62  is optionally provided along the length of the windshield-contacting edge  60  to act as a secondary means to clear the windshield  11  in a squeegee-like action. 
         [0057]    A primary distinguishing feature of the wiper blade  54  is the face  58 . The face  58  preferably has a concave face profile similar to that found on a bulldozer blade. The face  58  is directed to the outboard edge of the windshield so that when the blade assembly  15  is scraping the windshield in it&#39;s lowered position while moving from the center to the outboard edge, the face  58  is the leading edge. Any debris on the windshield  11  is collected on face  58  and pushed away from the area of the windshield  11  needed to be clear for improved visibility. 
         [0058]      FIG. 7  shows in more detail an example of a bracket  64  that is the interface between the wiper arm  13  and the blade assembly  15 . Generally, the bracket  64  allows a rapid and tool free means to install or remove the blade assembly  15  from the wiper arm  13 . Struts  74  aid in applying even pressure of the blade assembly  15  onto the surface of the windshield  11  by spreading out the force evenly. 
         [0059]    Many vehicles have a fluid reservoir and pump to squirt a cleaning fluid onto the windshield to aid in rinsing off debris.  FIGS. 7 and 8  demonstrate an optional accessory to aid in more precisely directing the flow of cleaning fluid onto the windshield  11 . A coupler  70  is provided to connect the existing washer fluid hose to a tube  66 . Fluid is transmitted via the tube  66  to a nozzle  68  where the fluid is dispensed on the face  58  of the wiper blade  54 . A clip  72  is provided to attach the tube  66  to the blade assembly  15 . The supplied nozzle  68  may have a predetermined spray pattern to apply the washing fluid in the most beneficial direction and with the proper amount of force. 
         [0060]    The invention can also be fairly characterized as a windshield wiper accessory comprising a lifter assembly, a first block and a second block. The lifter assembly has of a vice (with a jaw adapted to attach to the wiper arm) and a lifter arm. The windshield wiper arm has a windshield wiper blade held against a windshield with a spring type device as is common in many vehicles. The windshield wiper arm oscillates in an arced range of motion over said windshield when turned on to clear the windshield of debris. The motion of said windshield wiper arm has a first radial terminus and a second radial terminus. For the driver&#39;s side of the vehicle one of the radial termini is near the edge of the windshield (the outboard edge) and the other termini nearer the center of the windshield. While said windshield wiper arm is oscillating, the lifter assembly moves along substantially an arced path, typically below the line of vision of the vehicle occupants. The lifter arm is hinged on one end connected to the vice allowing substantially perpendicular articulation relative to the windshield wiper arm. The lifter arm adapted to have a first articulated position where the end of said lifter arm opposite the hinge is positioned away from between the windshield and the windshield wiper arm thereby effectively allowing the wiper arm to hold the wiper blade against the windshield and clear the windshield. The lifter arm is also adapted to have a second articulated position end of the lifter arm opposite the hinge is positioned between the windshield and the windshield wiper arm thereby effectively lifting the wiper blade off of the windshield at a predetermined distance, typically about anywhere in the range from a quarter to a full inch. The first and second blocks are affixed to the windshield along the path of travel of the lifter arm so that the lifter arm strikes the blocks when the wiper arm cycles through its oscillations while clearing the windshield. When the windshield wiper arm oscillates from one side of the windshield to the other the second end of the lifter arm (opposite the hinge) strikes the first block thereby forcing the lifter arm out from between the windshield and the vice allowing the wiper blade to clear the windshield and then continues in the same direction where it then strikes the second block and passes over it. Then the windshield wiper arm reaches the radial terminus and reverses direction and oscillates in the opposite direction. Then the end of the lifter arm strikes the second block thereby forcing the end lifter arm into the second articulated position between the windshield wiper and the windshield thereby lifting the blade off the windshield. When the lifter strikes the first block and passes over it, remaining in the second articulated position where the blade is lifted off of the windshield. The cycle of the windshield wiper oscillation repeats as long as the operator of the vehicle chooses and the wiper blade successively scrapes the debris off the windshield as it moves towards the edge of the vehicle and returns to center while the blade is elevated off of the windshield. 
         [0061]    An important variation includes that the windshield wiper blade has a concave face that leads said windshield wiper blade is in contact with said windshield. This creates a sort of bull dozer effect to push a greater amount of debris off the side of the vehicle. 
         [0062]    Another important variation can be characterized in that a washer fluid nozzle is provided that integrates with an existing fluid supply means to aid in flushing the debris off the windshield and wiper blade. 
         [0063]    The foregoing description conveys the best understanding of the objectives and advantages of the present invention. Different embodiments may be made of the inventive concept of this invention. It is to be understood that all matter disclosed herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.