Abstract:
The invention relates to a connecting device for a blade on the wiper arm of a windshield wiper system, the wiper blade being formed by a springy support element that is provided with a wiper strip. The inventive connecting device comprises a holding mechanism that is fastened to the outer edges of the support element, and a connecting bolt which is disposed on the holding mechanism and runs transversal to the longitudinal extension of the wiper blade. The aim of the invention is to design such a connecting device in such a way that the parts which are subject to wear are placed on the wiper blade. The aim is achieved by the fact that an adapter bracket is hinged to the connecting bolt. The final piece of the wiper arm, which is adapted to the adapter bracket, can be joined in a fixed and detachable manner to the adapter bracket via a locking connection or latch and is connected thereto in a fixed manner in the assembled state of the wiper blade. Moreover, the adapter bracket us embodied such that the connecting bolt, and thus also the wiper blade, is able to perform a swinging movement relative thereto the swinging movement being due to and determined by a curvature of the vehicle window.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This is a continuing application, under 35 U.S.C. § 120, of copending international application PCT/EP2004/004447, filed Apr. 28, 2004, which designated the United States; this application also claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 119, of German patent application No. DE 103 20 930.1, filed May 9, 2003, and German patent application No. DE 103 20 932.8, filed May 9, 2003; the prior applications are herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The invention relates to a connecting device for a wiper blade on the wiper arm of a windshield wiper system for a vehicle, in particular for a wiper blade arranged next to the wiper arm in the projection on the windshield.  
         [0004]     Wiper blades are mounted to the wiper arm of a windshield wiper system through a connecting device, directly or via a complicated clip system. The direct mounting is associated with the advantage of a small construction height. Solutions with an arrangement of this type are described, for example, in German published patent applications DE 23 24 702, DE 34 24 729 A1, DE 197 29 864 A1, DE 197 29 865 A1, DE 199 35 861, in German utility model (Gebrauchsmuster) DE 296 11 722 U1 and in international publication WO 99/36300. A wiper blade for an configuration of this type generally has a curved, elastic support and a wiper strip with a wiping lip which, owing to a contact pressure applied to the wiper blade by the wiper arm, bears elastically against the particular window of the vehicle.  
         [0005]     The windshield wiper described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,191 B1 and German published patent application DE 197 29 864 A1 has a wiper blade with a resilient supporting element for the wiper strip, on the side of which supporting element which faces away from the window the connecting device, which can be connected to the driven wiper arm, is secured, the connecting device being assigned to a recess in the wiper strip. The supporting element, which is formed from two parallel spring rails, engages in two longitudinal grooves formed opposite each other on the wiper strip and is secured in the longitudinal grooves by a holder (holding device) fitting over the outer longitudinal edges of the spring rails. The holder has two flange-like extensions which extend in the longitudinal direction of the supporting element, are arranged perpendicularly to the window and extend away from the latter and to which a hinge bolt, which is arranged transversely to the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade and approximately in the wiping direction thereof and is intended for a bearing receptacle formed on the wiper arm, is fastened.  
         [0006]     Furthermore, German published patent application DE 100 03 589 A1 describes a connecting device for a wiper blade for arrangement on the wiper arm of a windshield wiper system for motor vehicle windows, which connecting device is formed from a hinge bolt (connecting bolt) arranged fixedly on the wiper blade and a hollow cylindrical latching receptacle, which is formed as a pivot bearing on the wiper arm and has a gap-shaped recess in the radial direction for the hinge bolt. The connecting bolt is flattened, with the thickness of the flattened region being identical to or greater than the width of the recess. In the predetermined working position of the wiper blade on the wiper arm, the radial direction wherein the recess is formed is provided transversely to the flattening and, in the installation position, is provided parallel to the flattening (latching position). In order to permit removal of a wiper blade from or installation of a wiper blade on the wiper arm, the latter has to be folded away from the motor vehicle window, and the wiper blade is to be pivoted into the installation or removal position or is to be assigned to the wiper arm and is to be brought with the connecting bolt out of and into engagement with the latching receptacle. The wiper blade is then to be pivoted into a parallel arrangement with the wiper arm and the latter is to be pivoted about essentially 90° into the working and bearing position on the motor vehicle window. In this position (latching position), the wiper blade is reliably secured on the wiper arm in a simple manner. However, the installation and removal of the wiper blade are relatively complicated.  
         [0007]     In the case of the previously described connecting devices, both the device elements arranged on the end piece of the wiper arm and those arranged on the wiper blade are subject to wear.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a connecting device for mounting a wiper blade to a wiper arm of a windshield wiper system which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and which is improved so that the elements that are subject to wear are disposed on the wiper blade or substantially on the wiper blade.  
         [0009]     With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a connecting device for a wiper blade on the wiper arm of a vehicle wiper system, the wiper blade being formed from a resilient supporting element with a wiper strip, the connecting device comprising: 
        a holding device fastened to outer edges of the supporting element;     a connecting bolt disposed on the holding device and extending transversely to a longitudinal extent of the wiper blade;     an adapter bracket articulated on the connecting bolt;     an end piece disposed on the wiper arm and matched to the adapter bracket for releasably connecting the end piece to the adapter bracket via a latching connection or locking means and fixedly connecting in an assembled state; and     the adapter bracket being configured to enable the connecting bolt, and the wiper blade, to execute a swinging movement relative to the adapter bracket, with the swinging movement being caused and defined by an arching of the windshield.        
 
         [0015]     In other words, the invention involves a connecting device for a wiper blade on the wiper arm of a windshield wiper system, which connecting device has (in a known manner) a holding device fixed on the wiper blade and a connecting bolt which is arranged on the holding device and extends transversely to the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade, wherein connecting device an adapter bracket is arranged between the holding device and the end piece of the wiper arm. The adapter bracket is coupled to the connecting bolt and guided on the holding device, corresponds with the end piece of the wiper arm and is arranged on the wiper arm by means of this matched end piece via a releasable connection, for example a latching connection or a locking means. In this case, the adapter bracket is designed in such a manner that the connecting bolt, and therefore also the wiper blade, can carry out a swinging movement in relation to the adapter bracket, and therefore also in relation to the wiper arm, which swinging movement is caused and determined by the arching of the vehicle window. The adapter bracket, which is arranged in a fixed position on the end piece of the wiper arm as a fixed component of the wiper blade, is therefore a means of imparting movement between the wiper blade and the wiper arm and at the same time is a securing element for the latter. The elements permitting a movement of the wiper blade in relation to the wiper arm and the guide between the adapter bracket and the holding device are therefore exclusively formed on the wiper blade. Hence, only the wiper blade is to be regarded as a wearing part of the windshield wiper. The installation of a wiper blade on and removal of a wiper blade from the wiper arm is possible in a simple and error-free manner. The connection produced between them is stable and robust and withstands in particular the loads at high driving speeds.  
         [0016]     The adapter bracket is preferably a cast part which is designed in the manner of a hood, is composed of dimensionally stable plastic or metal, in particular light metal, covers the holding device and bears at least partially against the longitudinal sides thereof, which are formed parallel to the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade, with bearings for the connecting bolt being formed on the cast part. The bearings can advantageously be designed as latching receptacles for the ends of the connecting bolt, the latching receptacles being provided in each case with an introductory slot which has an introductory opening on that side of the adapter bracket which faces the wiper blade. As a result, the adapter bracket, with the connecting bolt introduced into the two introductory slots, can be arranged in a simple manner on the connecting bolt and therefore also on the holding device by an exertion of pressure, by means of which the connecting bolt is brought into engagement with the latching receptacles. The adapter bracket is therefore secured in an articulated manner on the holding device and is guided in a tilt-free manner by partially bearing on the latter.  
         [0017]     The end piece of the wiper arm is expediently designed in such a manner that it fits over the adapter bracket in a form-fitting manner or substantially form-fitting manner when the wiper blade is arranged on the wiper arm, so that the wiper blade is thereby also secured in a stable and tilt-free manner in its position in relation to the vehicle window.  
         [0018]     The adapter bracket is arranged at a distance opposite the wiper blade in order to make it possible for the wiper blade to undergo a swinging movement about the connecting bolt, which swinging movement has to be made possible, due to the arching of the vehicle window, so that the wiper blade in every position on the vehicle window bears against the latter with the required contact pressure. In order to limit the movement, stop surfaces can be formed on both sides of the connecting bolt, on that side of the adapter bracket which faces the wiper blade.  
         [0019]     In a further group of embodiments, the end piece engages under the adapter bracket by means of two laterally arranged guide rails. The adapter bracket, on the side facing away from the wiper blade, has a resilient tongue with a latching knob for a latching opening formed on the end piece. In addition, retaining means are provided on the adapter bracket and/or on the holding device, with which retaining means stop means formed on the end piece are in engagement in the working position of the windshield wiper on the vehicle window. The embodiments basically designed in such a manner prevent an erroneous installation of the wiper blade on the wiper arm if the latching of the end piece to the adapter bracket fails. Mirror-inverted wiper blades, for example in the case of an opposed windshield wiper system, can be fitted only on the respectively designated wiper arm.  
         [0020]     With the above and other objects in view there is also provided, in accordance with the invention, a connecting device for a wiper blade on a wiper arm of a vehicle wiper system, the wiper blade being formed from a resilient supporting element with a wiper strip. The connecting device comprises: 
        a holding device fastened to the supporting element;     a connecting bolt rotatably disposed about an axis thereof and rotationally fixed on an adapter bracket, the connecting bolt extending transversely to a longitudinal extent of the wiper blade and the wiper arm, the connecting bolt having flattened connecting studs formed with flattened sides;     the wiper arm having an end piece formed with latching receptacles;     the flattened sides of the connecting studs, in an installation position, being arranged in a direction of radial recesses formed at the latching receptacles and, in a latching position, with the adapter bracket latched to the end piece, the connecting studs engaging the latching receptacles in a form fit and extending substantially transversely to the direction of the radial recesses.        
 
         [0025]     That is, the invention also involves an alternative connecting device. In the alternative embodiment of the invention, the connecting bolt is flattened at both ends and shaped to form connecting studs, or, as an alternative, is designed in the form of two flattened connecting studs for hollow cylindrical latching receptacles with a respective recess formed in the radial direction. In this case, the connecting bolt or the connecting studs is/are mounted rotatably about its/their axis on the holding device and is/are connected in a rotationally fixed manner to an adapter bracket, and the latching receptacles are arranged fixedly on the end piece of the wiper arm. As an alternative to this, the connecting bolt or the connecting studs may also be arranged fixedly on the wiper arm and the latching receptacles may be arranged pivotally on the holding device and are connected here in a rotationally fixed manner to the adapter bracket. In this case, the connecting studs, in an installation position, are oriented with their flattened sides in the direction of the recesses, either by rotation of the same, or, in the case of connecting studs arranged fixedly on the wiper blade, by pivoting of the entire wiper blade, and, in the operating position on the vehicle window, wherein the connecting studs, with the adapter bracket with the recesses latched to the end piece, are in form-fitting engagement with one another, are oriented essentially transversely to the direction of the recesses and are therefore latched therein.  
         [0026]     A connecting device of this type also permits simple installation of a wiper blade on the wiper arm and at the same constitutes a reliable connection between them in the operational position (at the same time latching position) on the vehicle window. Erroneous installations are avoided. The connecting device also ensures a swinging movement of the wiper blade on the wiper blade, which swinging movement is caused and determined by the arching of the vehicle window, since the connecting studs and the latching receptacles can execute a relative rotational movement with respect to one another. The connection produced is stable and robust and withstands in particular even the loads at high driving speeds.  
         [0027]     Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.  
         [0028]     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a connecting device for a wiper blade on the wiper arm of a windshield wiper system, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.  
         [0029]     The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the assembly according to the invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a slightly varied embodiment of the assembly;  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a further embodiment of the assembly;  
         [0033]      FIGS. 4-10  are partial perspective views of further embodiments of the assembly according to the invention;  
         [0034]      FIGS. 11A, 11B , and  11 C are three perspective views illustrating progressive assembly steps of a further embodiment of the invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;  
         [0036]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  show an alternative connecting device for a wiper blade on an end piece of a wiper arm, in the disassembled and in the assembled position, respectively;  
         [0037]      FIG. 14A  is an exploded perspective view of a further alternative embodiment;  
         [0038]      FIG. 14B  is an end view of an adapter bracket thereof;  
         [0039]      FIG. 14C  is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment in its assembled position; and  
         [0040]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention, with the device in a preassembly position. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0041]     Numerous embodiments are explained below with reference to drawings, FIGS.  1  to  15 . All of these embodiments permit a simple and therefore rapid removal and installation of the wiper blade, which is equipped with a connecting device of this type, from and on the associated wiper arm of a windshield wiper.  
         [0042]     Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to  FIG. 1  and its partial views A, B, and C, there is shown a connecting device for a wiper blade  1  on the wiper arm  2  of a windshield wiper system. The wiper blade  1  has a supporting element, which is formed from two spring rails  3 , for a wiper strip  4  with a wiping lip  5  and a holding device  7 , which is fastened in a clamping manner to the outer edges of the spring rails  3  by means of claw-like feet  6  and fit over the wiper strip  4  on that side of the spring rails  3  which faces away from the wiping lip  5  and has a connecting bolt  8  which is fastened transversely to the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade  1  in a passage hole. The holding device  7  is arranged in the region of an interrupted spoiler strip, which is likewise secured on the outer edges of the spring rails  3  and fits over the wiper strip  4  and of which one section of one part is illustrated. The connecting bolt  8  serves for the rotational arrangement of an adapter bracket  9 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , part B.  
         [0043]     This adapter bracket  9  is a hood-like aluminum cast part of cuboidal design which, in the fitted state, surrounds the holding device  7  and on the longitudinal side walls of which a respective bearing  10  for the connecting bolt  8  is formed. The bearings  10  are provided on that side of the adapter bracket  9  which faces the wiper blade  1  with an introductory slot  11  for the connecting bolt  8  and, on the side opposite the introductory gap  11 , have a slot  12  for the elastic expansion of the bearing  10 . On both of its end sides, the adapter bracket  9  is provided with a recess  13  which in each case forms two opposite guide surfaces  14  with which the adapter bracket  9  bears in a movable manner against the holding device  7  and by means of which it is guided. By means of the rotatable arrangement of the adapter bracket  9  on the connecting bolt  8  and the end-side guidance thereof on the holding device  7 , a swinging movement about the connecting bolt  8  is ensured.  
         [0044]     In order to ensure an unobstructed swinging movement, the adapter bracket  9 , on its side facing the wiper blade  1 , forms a gap in relation to the edges of the spring rails  3  and also has recesses  15 . 1  and  15 . 2  which permit an inclination of said adapter bracket about the connecting bolt  8  without obstruction, with the recesses  15 . 1  serving to receive the feet  6  during a corresponding inclination.  
         [0045]     Furthermore, the adapter bracket  9  is provided on its two longitudinal sides with a respective latching lug  16  which is formed on an elastically flexible tongue  17  on the wall of the adapter bracket  9 , which tongue is designed at its free end to form a slightly outwardly protruding operating handle  18 .  
         [0046]     The wiper arm  2  is designed at its free end to form an end piece  19  which is matched to the adapter bracket  9  and can essentially be arranged in a form-fitting manner on the adapter bracket  9  in such a manner that the wiper blade  1  can execute swinging movements without obstruction. In order to fix it on the adapter bracket  9 , the end piece  19  has latching recesses  20  which correspond with the latching lugs  16  and wherein the latching lugs  16  engage in the fitted state of the wiper blade  1 , for which purpose the latter can be pressed in a simple manner into the end piece  19 . In order to remove the wiper blade  1 , the operating handles  18  are compressed, as a result of which the latching lugs  16  come out of engagement with the latching recesses  20 , and the wiper blade  1  is pulled off from the end piece  19 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 2 , with its partial views A and B, shows the embodiment of a connecting device which differs from the previously described embodiment only by the fact that in each case two latching lugs  16  with operating handles  18  are integrally formed on the longitudinal sides of the adapter bracket  21 , which latching lugs can be brought into engagement with latching recesses  20  provided on the end piece  22  of the wiper arm  2 . The embodiment contributes to increasing the stability of the fastening arrangement.  FIG. 2 , part A, shows the adapter bracket  21  which is already fitted on the holding device  7  and via which the wiper blade  1  can be pressed in a simple manner into the end piece  22 .  
         [0048]     In the case of the embodiment according to  FIG. 3 , parts A and B, the one pair of latching lugs is replaced by two curved sliding blocks  23  which can be brought into engagement with gap openings  25  which are formed in the end piece  24  ( FIG. 3 , part B) and are curved in the same manner. In this case, the curvatures are slightly convex in relation to the latching lugs  16  formed on the other side of the connecting bolt  8 , and likewise serve to increase the stability of the fastening arrangement with the effect of providing an additional securing means. However, the installation of the wiper blade  1  on the end piece  24  is associated with an introduction of the sliding blocks  23  into the gap openings  25  and is therefore somewhat more difficult than in the embodiment according to  FIG. 2 . With increasing penetration of the sliding blocks  23  into the gap openings  25 , the angle of inclination of the wiper blade  1  in relation to the end piece  24  becomes ever smaller because of the curvature and, in the latching position, wherein the latching lugs have snapped into the latching recesses  20 , is zero.  
         [0049]      FIG. 4 , parts A and B, illustrates a further embodiment of a connecting device. In this embodiment, the adapter bracket  26 , on its side facing away from the wiper blade  1  and facing the end piece  27 , is provided with an elongate rotary knob  28  which is acted upon by spring force (not illustrated) in the direction of the adapter bracket  26  and can be brought into engagement with an opening  29  which is arranged in the end piece  27  and is matched to its design. In the fastening position, wherein the adapter bracket  26  is introduced into the end piece  27 , this rotary knob  28  protrudes through the opening  29  with the end piece  27  and beyond said opening and can be grasped, slightly pulled out and rotated, in particular through 90°, the pulling out of the rotary knob being made possible only to the extent that its lower side is level with the upper side of the end piece  27  and can be rotated. By means of the design of the rotary knob  28  and opening  29  and the rotation of the rotary knob  28 , the adapter bracket  26  is locked to the end piece  27 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 5 , parts A and B, illustrates a further embodiment of a connecting device with a latching device. A resilient tongue  31  with a latching knob  32  is arranged on the adapter bracket  30 , on the side facing away from the wiper blade  1 , and, on the side facing the wiper blade  1 , latching recesses  33  with stop surfaces for an end piece  36 , which is provided with latching projections  34  for said latching recesses and with an opening  35 , are arranged on the longitudinal walls of the adapter bracket  30 . For installation of the wiper blade  1 , the adapter bracket  30  is introduced into the end piece  36  until, with the latching knob  32  being pressed elastically down by the tongue  31 , said adapter bracket strikes against the upper wall of the end piece  36 . The wiper arm  1  is then displaced with respect to the end piece  36  in the longitudinal direction of the same until the latching projections  34  are completely in engagement with the latching recesses  33 . In this position, the latching knob  32  corresponds with the opening  35  and snaps into the latter, as a result of which the adapter bracket is connected fixedly to the end piece  36 . A removal of the wiper blade  1  takes place by the latching knob  32  being pressed down and by the wiper blade  1  subsequently being displaced out of the latching position.  
         [0051]     In the case of the embodiment of a connecting device according to  FIG. 6 , the cuboidal adapter block  37  is provided, on the side facing away from the wiper arm, with an end wall that projects over the side walls and forms a stop surface  38  for the end piece  39 . In addition, a latching lug  16 . 1  is integrally formed on the adapter bracket  37  on its two longitudinal sides. The end piece  36  has latching recesses  40  corresponding with the latching lugs  16 . 1  in the latching position with the adapter bracket  37  and, on the inside of its longitudinal side walls, inwardly pointing projections  41  for engaging under the adapter bracket  37 . By means of a sliding movement along the end piece  39 , the wiper blade  1  which is provided with the adapter bracket  37 , is pushed into the end piece  39  as far as the stop of the end side thereof on the stop surface  38 , with the projections  41  engaging under the adapter bracket  37 . In this end position, the latching lugs  16  enter into engagement with the latching recesses  40  and secure the adapter bracket  37  on the end piece.  
         [0052]     The embodiment of a connecting device according to  FIG. 7 , parts A and B, is formed from an adapter bracket  43 , which is secured in an articulated manner on a connecting bolt  42 , and a correspondingly matched end piece  44 . The ends of the connecting bolt  42  protrude on the longitudinal sides of the adapter bracket  43  and are flattened, the flattening D being formed essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade  1 . In addition, the adapter bracket  43  has two latching lugs  16 . The end piece  44  is provided on the end side with two latching receptacles  45  with a respective introductory opening  46  for the flattened ends and with latching recesses  47  for the latching lugs  16 , the thickness of the flattened region (D) being essentially identical to the width of the introductory opening  46  at its narrowest point. The wiper blade  1  is introduced perpendicularly to the end piece  44  with the ends of the connecting bolts  42  into the latching receptacles  45 , brought through 90° into a parallel position to the wiper arm  2  and thereby into the latching position of the latching lugs  16  with the latching recesses  47 . In their latching position, the introductory openings  46  are arranged parallel to the wiper blade  1  and perpendicular to the flattening D, so that the ends of the connecting bolt  42  are likewise fixed as a consequence of the latching in place of the latching lugs  16 , and the wiper blade  1  is secured on the wiper arm  2 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 8  shows a different design of a connecting device. Here, the adapter bracket  48  is a cast part with a cylindrical lateral surface and, as in the case of the previously described embodiments, is arranged in an articulated manner on the connecting bolt  8  of the holding device  7  and at a distance from the wiper blade  1 . On the end side facing away from the end of the wiper arm, the adapter bracket  48  is provided with an end wall  49  which protrudes over the lateral surface and at the same time forms an abutment for spring means  50  arranged on said end wall. Two guide grooves  51  with a respective  1800  bend at the end facing the end wall  49  are provided in the lateral surface, axially parallel and opposite the latter, i.e. offset through 180°. Two guide pins (not illustrated) for engagement with these guide grooves  51  are arranged in the interior of the end piece  52 , which is matched to the lateral surface. For installation, the wiper blade  1  is rotated about its longitudinal axis until the guide grooves  51  correspond with the guide pins and are subsequently pushed into the end piece  52  and rotated and latched on the stop, as in the case of a bayonet-type closure, the spring means  50  pressing the adapter bracket  48  into the latching position and holding it therein.  
         [0054]     The connecting device shown in  FIG. 9  has a connecting bolt  53  (part A) which is connected fixedly to the holding device  7  and whose ends protrude on both sides of an adapter bracket  54  and are flattened parallel to the wiper blade  1  and are slightly curved concavely in relation to the latter. In contrast to the previously described embodiments, the adapter bracket  54  is connected fixedly to the holding device  7 , of which only the feet  6  can be seen, and is arched concavely on the side facing away from the wiper blade  1 . In both its longitudinal walls, the end piece  55  has a respective elongate slotted guide  56  which corresponds to the respective protruding end of the connecting bolt  53  and the curvature thereof and has an introductory gap  57  on the side facing the wiper arm  1 . The introductory gap  57  is the same width as the length of the end of the connecting bolt  53 . Installation of the wiper blade  1  takes place in parallel orientation with the end piece  55 , by the connecting bolt  53  being pushed over the introductory gap  57  and then, by displacement of the wiper blade  1  in the direction of the wiper arm  2 , being pushed into the slotted guide  56 . The connecting bolt  53  is guided movably to and fro in said slotted guide and, because of the curvatures, can execute the swinging movements required during operation of the windshield wiper.  
         [0055]     The connecting device shown in partial views A, B, and C of  FIG. 10  has a U-shaped holding device  58 , which is fastened in a clamping manner to the outer edges of the spring rails  3  by claw-like feet  59 . The adapter bracket  60 , which is coupled to the connecting bolt  8  on the holding device  58 , is provided with a on the side facing away from the wiper blade  1  with a rectangular opening  61  in the region between the limbs of the holding device  58 , which opening corresponds with a rectangular, but wider opening  63  formed on the end piece  62 . These two openings  61 ,  63  are assigned a V-shaped, elastically compressible latching element  64  ( FIG. 10 , part C) which is provided with latching rails  65 , which are arranged on its outer sides, and, on its free limb ends, with outwardly pointing stop rails  66 , the distance between the latching rails  65  and the stop rails  66  corresponding to the sum of the thicknesses of the walls  67  and  68 , which face the wiper blade  1 , of the adapter bracket  60  and of the end piece  62 . In order to install the wiper blade  1  on the wiper arm  2 , the latter is placed into the end piece  62  as far as the stopping of the adapter bracket  60  against the wall  68  and, by introduction of the elastically compressed latching element  64 , is latched in place by subsequent expansion of the same.  
         [0056]      FIGS. 11A  to  11 C illustrate a connecting device, wherein the end piece  303  formed on the wiper arm  302  has two guide rails  304  for engagement with an adapter bracket  306 , which is secured pivotably on the wiper blade  305  by means of a connecting bolt, and with the holding device  307  for said adapter bracket, and also a latching opening  308  for a latching knob  309  arranged on the adapter bracket  306  on a resilient tongue  310 . Moreover, a respective wedge-shaped stop bracket  311 , which is directed counter to the end piece  303  and permits a pivoting movement of the adapter bracket  306 , is formed for the guide rails  304  on both outer sides of the adapter bracket  306 . For said guide rails, the holding device  307  also has a respective retaining bracket  312  on both sides at its wiper-arm end. The guide rails  304  serve by means of their two end sides as stop means for the stop brackets  311  and for the retaining brackets  312 .  
         [0057]      FIGS. 11B and 11C  show the installation of the wiper blade  305  on the end piece  303 . For this purpose, the adapter bracket  306  is pushed into the end piece  303  in such a manner that its lower edges  313  ( FIG. 11A ) are engaged from beneath by the guide rails  304 , and are pushed until that end side of the respective guide rail  304  which is in front in the push-in direction impacts against the stop bracket  311  directly counter thereto ( FIG. 11B ). In this position, the latching knob  309  then latches into the latching opening  308 , and the end piece  303  and the adapter  306  are latched to each other, so that the wiper blade  305  is fixed on the wiper arm  302 . Subsequently, the latter ( 302 ) is pivoted with the end piece  303  and with the adapter bracket  306  (not visible) into the working position shown in  FIG. 11C , with the guide rails  304  engaging behind the retaining brackets  312 . The end piece  303  is therefore fastened captively to the holding device  307 , even independently of the latching of the latching knob  309  into the latching opening  308 , but is able, during operation on the vehicle window (working position), to execute swinging movements about the connecting bolt in relation to said vehicle window, which swinging movements are caused by the curvature of the window.  
         [0058]      FIG. 12  shows a further embodiment which differs from the previously described embodiment by the configuration of the retaining and stop means. A guide groove  315  for a stop tab  317 , which is arranged on the end side of the end piece  316 , is placed on the adapter bracket  314 , on the side facing away from the wiper blade  305 . The holding device  318  has on both sides at the wiper-arm end a retaining bracket  319  for a respective guide rail  320 , which is integrally formed on the end piece, and, on the side facing away from the wiper arm, a hollow with a stop surface  321  for the stop tab  317 .  
         [0059]     The installation of a wiper blade  305  takes place in the same manner as in the case of the embodiment according to  FIGS. 11A  to  11 C, with the adapter bracket  314 , when it is engaged from beneath by the guide rails  320 , being pushed into the end piece until the stop tab  317  strikes against the stop surface  321 . In this position, the latching knob  309  engages in the latching opening  308 , so that the wiper blade  305  is fixed on the end piece  316  of the wiper arm  302 . During pivoting of the end piece  316  with the adapter bracket  314  into the working position (cf.  FIG. 11C ), the two guide rails  320  engage under the retaining brackets  319 . The wiper blade  305  is therefore fastened captively to the wiper arm  302  even if a latching of the latching knob  309  to the latching opening  308  has erroneously not taken place.  
         [0060]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  show an alternative connecting device for a wiper blade  201  on the end piece  206  of a wiper arm  202  of a windshield wiper of a windshield wiper system. The wiper blade  201  has a supporting element, which is formed from two spring rails  203 , for a wiper strip  204  with a wiping lip  205  and a holding device  207 . The latter fits with a base plate  208  over the wiper strip  204  on the side facing away from the wiper lip  205  and is fastened in a clamping manner to the outer edges of the spring rails  203  by means of claw-like feet  209 . Two fastening tabs  210  are formed on the base plate  208  parallel to the longitudinal extent of the wiper blade  201  and in a manner such that they are extended to the side facing away from the wiper strip  204 , on which fastening tabs an adapter bracket  211  of U-shaped cross section, which bracket is designed as a closure clip, is mounted pivotally by means of a bolt  212  which is shaped at its two free ends to form a respective flattened connecting stud  213 , the bolt  212  being secured rotatably on the fastening tabs  210 , and the closure clip  211  being connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the bolt  212  and the connecting studs  213 . A tongue  214  with two laterally formed lowering means  215  is integrally formed on the closure clip  211 .  
         [0061]     The end piece  206 , which is matched to the adapter bracket  211 , has a recess  217  on the side facing away from the wiper blade  210  and, on its two elongate side walls  218 , has a respective hollow cylindrical latching receptacle  219  with a recess  220  formed in the radial direction for the form-fitting reception of the adapter bracket  211 , with the clear width of the introductory opening formed for said adapter bracket corresponding to the thickness of the flattened connecting stud  213  and the diameter of the latching receptacle  219  corresponding to the diameter of the connecting stud  213 . On the end side of the end piece  206 , two latching projections  222  are formed at the upper end of a hollow  221 .  FIG. 13   a  shows the wiper blade  201  in the installation position with respect to the wiper arm  202 , wherein position the adapter bracket  211  is placed upright and the connecting studs  213  are arranged with their flattened sides essentially perpendicular to the wiper blade  201 .  
         [0062]     In order to install the wiper blade  201 , the adapter bracket  211 , which is designed as a closure clip, is pushed through the recess  217  until the two connecting bolts  213  engage in the latching receptacles  219 . The adapter bracket  211  is subsequently pivoted through 90° in the direction of the end piece  206 . In this case, the two limbs of the adapter bracket  211  bear in a form-fitting manner against the inner side of the latching tabs  210 , and the connecting studs  213  latch in a form-fitting manner to the latching receptacles  219 . In its end position, the closure clip  211  latches with the tongue  214 , which is integrally formed thereon, in the region of its lowering means  215  to the latching projections  222 . In this latching position ( FIG. 13B ), the connecting studs  213  situated in a parallel position to the wiper blade  201  and transversely to the radially arranged recesses  220  and the latter are likewise situated in the same positions with respect to the end piece  206  and to the wiper arm  202 , with so much clearance being provided between the lower edges of the end piece  206  and the wiper blade  201  that the wiper blade  201  can execute operationally induced swinging movements on the wiper arm  202 .  
         [0063]     In contrast to the previously described embodiment, in the case of the embodiment of a connecting device that is shown in  FIGS. 14A  to  14 C, actuating levers  225  are arranged in a rotationally fixed manner at the free ends of the flattened connecting studs  224 , which are connected in a rotationally fixed manner to an adapter bracket  223  designed as a closure clip, with a gap  226  being formed between said actuating levers and the respective limb of the adapter bracket  223  ( FIG. 14B ).  FIG. 14A  shows the wiper blade  227  in its installation position with respect to the wiper arm  228 , on the end piece of which latching receptacles  230  having recesses  231  are formed on the two side walls  229  and a recess  232  is provided on the side facing away from the wiper blade  227 . For installation, the adapter bracket  223 , which has been placed upright, is pushed into this recess  232 , the side walls  229  sliding into the respective gap  226  and the connecting studs  224  sliding into the latching receptacles  230 . The adapter bracket  223  is subsequently pivoted through 90°. In its end position, said adapter bracket latches with the fastening tabs  233  of the holding device. For this purpose, a latching receptacle  234  for a latching projection  235 , which is formed on the inner side of the respective limb of the adapter bracket  223 , is provided in each of the fastening tabs  233 .  FIG. 14C  shows the wiper blade  227  mounted to the wiper arm  228 .  
         [0064]     In the embodiment according to  FIG. 15 , the connecting studs  236  are arranged in each case on the inner side of the longitudinal side walls of the end piece  237 , and the latching receptacles  238  for them are arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on an adapter bracket  239 , which is designed as a closure clip and is mounted rotatably on the fastening tabs  241  via a hollow shaft  240  connected to it in a rotationally fixed manner. Latching elements  242 ,  243  for the mutual engagement in the latching position are arranged on the longitudinal side walls and the fastening tabs  241 .