Abstract:
A structure for an array combinational type of windshield wiper comprises an elastic curved strip, a supporting mount, and a plurality of lodging blocks and a plurality of counterweight blocks which are disposed on the elastic strip in an array. This arrangement provides flexibility in matching the length of the array of lodging blocks and counterweight blocks with the length of the elastic curved stripe such that various windshield wipers of different lengths and specifications can be easily produced.

Description:
FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a structure for array combinational type of windshield wiper, particularly for one that not only evenly distributes the pressing elastic pressure over the windshield of various curvature but also completely and closely attaches over the windshield of different length and specifications so as to increase the scraping and wiping effect of the windshield wiper by means of suitably changing the number and array of the lodging block and counterweight block together with the length of the elastic curved strip. Thus, the manufacturing cost of the windshield wiper can be considerably reduced other than the effective scraping and wiping function of the windshield wiper. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Following with the considerably increasing number of the various vehicles produced and marketed, the usage quantity of the windshield wiper is tremendously increased. To regularly replacing the windshield wiper for the safe purpose becomes one of the necessary routine jobs that also makes the consuming quantity of the windshield wiper relatively increase. However, different vehicle model has different superficial area of the windshield, so the length requirement of the windshield wiper is different from vehicle to vehicle. How to produce various windshield wipers in different lengths and specifications in effective and economical manufacturing process becomes the critical task and challenges to the businessmen of the windshield wiper. Accordingly, the structure of the windshield wiper is constantly changed and continuously improved. For examples, the USA issued patent number of U.S. Pat. No. 6,588,048, U.S. Pat. No. 7,150,066 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,254,862 as well as application published cases in numbers of US2006/0090282 and US2006/0179597 are the examples of prior arts in the related technical field. 
   However, it is generally well known that the superficial area of the windshield for sedan, recreational vehicle, van and truck is different from vehicle to vehicle. Therefore, the length and curvature of the windshield wiper must be different in accordance with the different requirement of each type of vehicle so as to have effective scraping and wiping function of the windshield wiper. In other words, the larger superficial area of the windshield is the longer of the windshield wiper needs. For certain length of the specific windshield wiper aforesaid, it may have effective scraping and wiping function for various windshield wipers of different curvatures but can not meet the requirement for various windshield wipers of the different lengths. Thus, for another length of the specific windshield wiper aforesaid, all the related components should be additionally re-produced accordingly. Therefore, the production for design of the windshield wiper aforesaid must prepare tremendously various relevant components in stock to meet the manufacturing requirements of various windshield wipers in different lengths and specifications, which will inevitably results in drawbacks of laborious inventory control and strenuous production management accordingly as well as lack of marketing competition. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The primary object of the present invention is to provide a structure for array combinational type of windshield wiper, which comprises an elastic curved strip, a supporting mount, plural lodging blocks, plural counterweight blocks, an elongate scraper and two terminal caps. By means of changing the number and array of the lodging block and counterweight block together with the length of the elastic curved strip, the various windshield wipers of different lengths and specifications can be easily and smoothly produced by flexible and versatile manufacturing process so that not only the total manufacturing cost can be greatly decreased with enhancement of marketing competition but also the environmental protection can be accomplished. 
   The other object of the present invention is to provide a structure for array combinational type of windshield wiper, which not only evenly distributes the pressing elastic pressure over the windshield but also completely and closely attaches over the windshield so as to increase the scraping and wiping effect of the windshield wiper by means of suitably changing the number and array of the lodging block and counterweight block together with the length of the elastic curved strip. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a exploded perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  are cross sectional views along lines  1   a - 1   a  and  1   b - 1   b , respectively. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the lodging block of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2   a  is a cross-sectional view along line  2   a - 2   a.    
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the counterweight block of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3   a  is a cross-sectional view along line  3   a - 3   a.    
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the elastic curved strip of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4   a  is a cross-sectional view along line  4   a - 4   a.    
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the first step of the assembly procedure according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 5   a  is a cross-sectional view along line  5   a - 5   a.    
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing the second step of the assembly procedure according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the third step of the assembly procedure according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the fourth step of the assembly procedure according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 8   a  is a cross-sectional view along line  8   a - 8   a.    
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing the fifth step of the assembly procedure according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 9   a  is a cross-sectional view along line  9   a - 9   a.    
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the sixth step of the assembly procedure according to the present invention. 
       FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  are cross-sectional view along line  10   a - 10   a  and  10   b - 10   b , respectively. 
       FIG. 11  is a sectional view for the lodging block in another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective schematic view showing the combination of the wiper adapter with the present invention. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing the combination of the wiper arm with the present invention. 
       FIG. 14  is a sectional view for the lodging block in further another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 14   a  is a cross-sectional view along line  14   a - 14   a.    
       FIG. 15  is a sectional view for the counterweight block in another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 15   a  is a cross-sectional view along line  15   a - 15   a.    
       FIG. 16  is a sectional view for the lodging block in the other embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 16   a  is a cross-sectional view along line  16   a - 16   a.    
       FIG. 17  is a sectional view for the counterweight block in the other embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 17   a  is a cross-sectional view along line  17   a - 17   a.    
       FIG. 18  is the array combinational view for the lodging block and counterweight block of the present invention. 
       FIG. 19  is a exploded perspective view for another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 20  is a exploded perspective view showing the elongate scraper for the other embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 20   a  is a cross-sectional view along line  20   a - 20   a.    
       FIG. 21  is a sectional view showing the elongate scraper inserted in the lodging blocks for the other embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a structure for array combinational type of windshield wiper of the present invention comprises an elastic curved strip  10 , a supporting mount  20 , plural lodging blocks  30 , plural counterweight blocks  40 , an elongate scraper  50  and two enclosing sheaths  60 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the elastic curved strip  10  which being made of metal flat strip in downwards curved slat, having a pair of rivet holes  11  punched in the middle and a fitting hole  12  penetrated near each of short lateral ends thereat. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 ,  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 , the supporting mount  20  which being pressed U-shaped metal, having a pair of perforated holes  21  punched in the middle of the internal sole for corresponding to the pair of rivet holes  11  in the elastic curved strip  10  and a fixing spindle  22  straddled over both upright flanks thereof for connection with a wiper adapter  70  (as shown in the  FIG. 12 ) such that it being securely fixed at the end of the wiper arm S (as shown in the  FIG. 13 ). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the plural lodging blocks  30  which being unitary extruding molded body of plastic material in hollow cuboid and set on the elastic curved strip  10  in array manner with a tapered ascending curved ridge  33  formed at the intersection of the top surface  31  and one flank  32 , having an insetting sleeve slit  36  penetrated from front surface  34  through back surface  35  in the middle section thereof so that the cross sectional shape of the insetting sleeve slit  36  being same as that of the elastic curved strip  10  with tolerance consistent with the transition fit or clearance fit after assembly; a pair of symmetrical and parallel suspending joists  37  with a terminal clipping jut  38  being downwards juxtaposed apart at inside of two flanks  32  for the insetting sleeve slit  36 ; wherein, an interval δ 1  being formed between the pair of the suspending joists  37  and an interval δ 2  being formed between the top surface of the clipping juts  38  and the internal sole  39  (as shown in the  FIG. 2 ). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the plural counterweight blocks  40  which being unitary extruding molded body of plastic and set on the elastic curved strip  10  in interlaying array manner between the lodging blocks  30  with same structure, shape and size as those of the lodging block  30  as well as a tapered ascending curved ridge  43  formed at the intersection of the top surface  41  and one flank  42 , having an insetting sleeve slit  46  penetrated from front surface  44  through back surface  45  in the middle section thereof so that the cross sectional shape of the insetting sleeve slit  46  being same as that of the elastic curved strip  10  with tolerance consistent with the transition fit or clearance fit after assembly; a pair of symmetrical and parallel suspending joists  47 , each of which with one metal splint counterweight  48  filled therein, being downwards juxtaposed apart at inside of two flanks  42  for the insetting sleeve slit  46 ; wherein, an interval  61  being formed between the pair of the suspending joists  47  (as shown in the  FIG. 3 ). 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the elongate scraper  50 , which being unitary extruding molded body of elastic material, having a pair of symmetrical and parallel elongate flutes  51  being juxtaposed apart on both sides and a scraper blade  53  is formed at the lower section in taper manner thereof; wherein, the height h between the elongate flute  51  and top surface  52  being slightly less than the interval δ 2  between the top surface of the clipping juts  38  and the internal sole  39  of the lodging block  30  (as shown in sectional view  1   a  of the  FIG. 1 ); and the upper section width w of the top surface  52  being slightly less than the interval δ 1  between the pair of the suspending joist  37  for being held therein and securely clamped by two clipping juts  38  respectively (as shown in the  FIG. 2 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the two terminal caps  60  each of which being a hollow cuboid used to cap each front surface  34  or back surface  35  of the lodging block  30 , having each rear closed end  62  and front opening end  61 , whose cross sectional shape being the same as that of each front surface  34  or back surface  35  of the lodging block  30  but with internal size being slightly larger than the outer size of the each front surface  34  or back surface  35  of the lodging block  30 ; besides, a clamping tenon  63  being horizontally configured on the internal central top side near the opening end  61  towards the closed end  62  therein (as shown in sectional view  1   b  of the  FIG. 1 ). 
   Further to referring the  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 10 , the assembly steps according to the present invention are as below: 
   a. Firstly put the supporting mount  20  in the middle of the elastic curved strip  10  and fix it thereon by two rivet holes  11  driving through the perforated holes  21  of the supporting mount  20  and rivet holes  11  of the elastic curved strip  10  (as shown in the  FIG. 5  and a sectional view taken along the direction indicated by a line  5   a - 5   a  in  FIG. 5 ). 
   b. Orderly put the lodging block  30  and counterweight block  40  in the arraying pad Y one by one to let them in cascaded array, then align and run any one end of one elastic curved strip  10  through the arrayed lodging blocks  30  and counterweight blocks  40  in the arraying pad Y (as shown in the  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ). 
   c. As the procedure in the step b, align and run any end of the other elastic curved strip  10  through the arrayed lodging blocks  30  and counterweight blocks  40  in the arraying pad Y so that the lodging blocks  30 , counterweight blocks  40  and elastic curved strip  10  are integrated together (as shown in the  FIG. 8  and a sectional view taken along the direction indicated by a line  8   a - 8   a  in  FIG. 8 ). 
   d. Align and set the pair of elongate flutes  51  of the elongate scraper  50  in the pair of suspending joists  47  and suspending joists  37  with terminal clipping jut  38  of each lodging block  30  and counterweight block  40  so that said elongate scraper  50  is firmly held by all lodging blocks  30  and counterweight blocks  40  (as shown in the  FIG. 9  and a sectional view taken along the direction indicated by a line  9   a - 9   a  in  FIG. 9 ). 
   e. Respectively align and set each opening end  61  of the two terminal cap  60  on each longitudinal end of the elastic curved strip  10  up to the bucking snap of the clamping tenon  63  with each fitting hole  12  of the elastic curved strip  10  so that two lodging blocks  30  and counterweight blocks  40  are completely confined by the two terminal cap  60  therein unable to drop off the elastic curved strip  10 ; Thus, the entire assembly is finished (as shown in the  FIG. 10  and two sectional views taken along the direction indicated by a line  10   a  and  10   b  in  FIG. 10 ). 
   Wherein, said counterweight block  40  which is depicted in the step b, is usually served as counterweight and set on the elastic curved strip  10  in interlaying array manner between the lodging blocks  30  in accordance with the pressure distribution and curvature of the windshield G so as to achieve the function of counterweight. However, the counterweight block  40  can also be array in combination with the lodging blocks  30  after having the two metal splint counterweights  48  removed off the suspending joists  47  if it is not to be served as counterweight (as shown in the  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 13 ). 
   As shown in the  FIGS. 11 ,  12  and  13 , when the present invention is to apply on the windshield G, just simply set the conventional wiper adapter  70  on the supporting mount  20  (as shown in the  FIG. 12 ), it will be securely connected with the wiper arm S mutually (as shown in the  FIG. 13 ). 
   As shown in the  FIG. 11 , in the upper portion of said lodging blocks  30  of the present invention near the curved ridge  33  and said two suspending joists  37  between the front surface  34  and back surface  35 , plural hollow tunnels  301  can be created therein so as to reduce the total weight and save material cost without affecting the scraping and wiping function of the windshield wiper against the windshield G. 
   As further shown in the  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 , wherein at each joint of the end of said two suspending joists  37  of said lodging blocks  30  further with the front surface  34  and back surface  35 , a pair of guiding slants  371  are respectively indented therein in pointing inwards the insetting sleeve slit  36 ;. Similarly, at each joint of the end of said two suspending joists  47  of said counterweight blocks  40  further with the front surface  44  and back surface  45 , a pair of guiding slants  471  are also respectively indented therein in pointing inwards the insetting sleeve slit  46 ; Thereby, these guiding slants  371 ,  471  are created to expedite the elastic curved strip  10  inserting operation for reducing both of the labor time and cost for the same purpose. 
   As furthermore shown in the  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 , wherein on each said front surface  34  and said back surface  35  of the lodging block  30 , a pair of opposite bulge face  341  and a recess face  351  having same corresponding bulged and recessed contour respectively but with size been slightly smaller than that of the corresponding outer rim thereof are further formed respectively thereon; Similarly, on each said front surface  44  and said back surface  45  of the counterweight block  40 , a pair of opposite bulge face  441  and a recess face  451  having same corresponding bulged and recessed contour respectively but with size been slightly smaller than that of the corresponding outer rim thereof are also further formed respectively thereon; Thereby, by means of mutual button of these mating bulge faces  341 ,  441  and a recess faces  351 ,  451  in tandem manner consecutively, the serial interlaid lodging blocks  30  and counterweight blocks  40  can be closely abutted successively with each adjacent other (as shown in the  FIG. 18 ). 
   As further shown in the  FIG. 19 , the number of said arrayed lodging blocks  30  and said counterweight blocks  40  can be accordingly increased together with the cutting length of the elongate scraper  50  during extruding mold if the length of the elastic curved strip  101  of the present invention is required to extend so that various windshield wipers of different length and specifications can be smoothly and easily produced without costing any extra expense to make new component for fitting in with the modified length and specifications. 
   As shown in the  FIG. 20  and  FIG. 21 , they are the schematic views showing elongate scraper  80  according to another embodiment of the present invention. The elongate scraper  80 , which being unitary extruding molded body of elastic material, having a pair of symmetrical and parallel elongate flutes  81  being juxtaposed apart on both sides thereof, a pair of elastic metal splints  83  being respectively embedded in a pair of symmetrical and parallel elongate flutes between the elongate flutes  81  and the top surface  82  and a scraper blade  84  formed at the lower section in taper manner, wherein, the height h between the elongate flute  81  and top surface  82  being slightly less than the interval  62  between the top surface of the clipping juts  38  and the internal sole  39  of the lodging block  30 ; and the upper section width w of the top surface  82  being slightly less than the interval  61  between the pair of the suspending joists  37  of the lodging block  30  for being held therein and securely clamped by two clipping juts  38  respectively. 
   In conclusion, because of the relatively less components required and the feature in flexibility for changing the number and array of the lodging block and counterweight block, the present invention can quickly manufactures various windshield wipers of different length and specifications without any extra new component due to variation of wiper length and specifications so that the optimal flexible and versatile manufacturing process can be logically achieved to have multiple benefits in cost-saving in inventory management and manufacturing cost as well as the enhancement of the marketing competition other than the environmental protection effect.