Abstract:
A coupling mechanism for interfacing between a wiper and a wiper arm comprises an connector and at least one width-adjusting spacer member. The connector has a body, and the two sides of the body are defined as the outer side walls. The body has a stopping portion formed at one end thereof, and an engaging member is formed on the top surface of the body. The width-adjusting spacer member is selectively arranged on the outer side walls of the body. Thus, the width of the coupling mechanism can be adjusted according to the user&#39;s demands, and thereby, enabling the wiper to be coupled to wiper arms having different specifications.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INSTANT DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Instant Disclosure 
         [0002]    The instant disclosure relates to a coupling mechanism; in particular, to a coupling mechanism for interfacing between a wiper and a wiper arm. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,690,074 discloses a coupling mechanism for interfacing between a wiper and a wiper arm that can often be found on commercial vehicles made by automakers such as Volkswagen (VW), in which a front opening of the wiper arm is slid along one end of the connector in a favorable direction for assembly thereto, where this movement will depress an engaging member of the connector during the assembly. When the wiper arm has slid to a predetermined position, the engaging hole of the wiper arm will be in alignment with the engaging member, and the pressure exerted on the depressed engaging member will be released for the engaging member to return to the original position. Hence, the engaging member will clip-in into the engaging hole for the connector to assemble to the wiper arm. 
         [0005]    Nevertheless, wiper design has changed along with the rapid advancement of the wiper system. For example, the VW cars use only the standardized 19 mm wiper arm in the early days, but a structurally similar yet narrower wiper arm is later offered with a reduced width of 16 mm. This result in the earlier-sold wipers unable to be assembled to the now-sold 16 mm wiper arms because the accessories of the earlier-sold wipers can only support the 19 mm wiper arms but not the 16 mm wiper arms. 
         [0006]    To address the above issues, the inventors strive via industrial experience and academic research to present the instant disclosure, which can effectively improve the limitations described above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INSTANT DISCLOSURE 
       [0007]    The object of the instant disclosure is to provide a coupling mechanism for interfacing between a wiper and a wiper arm, where the width of the coupling mechanism is adjustable. Therefore, wiper arms having different widths can be easily coupled to the accessories and the wipers. 
         [0008]    In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, according to an embodiment of the instant disclosure, a coupling mechanism for interfacing between a wiper and a wiper arm is provided, comprising an connector having a body. The body has a pair of opposing outer side walls defined on the two sides thereof, a stopping portion formed on one end of the body, and an engaging member formed on a top surface of the body; at least one width-adjusting spacer member is selectively formed at the outer side walls of the body. 
         [0009]    The instant disclosure further comprises a wiper arm, where the wiper arm is connected to the connector and the outer side of the width-adjusting spacer member. The engaging member of the connector is engaged to an engaging hole of the wiper arm. The width-adjusting spacer member will be partially or entirely received between the inner walls of the wiper arm and the outer side wall of the body. 
         [0010]    The instant disclosure has the following advantages: 
         [0011]    When the width-adjusting spacer member of the instant disclosure is arranged on the outer side wall of the body, the total width of the coupling mechanism will be increased; otherwise, when the width-adjusting spacer member is removed from the body, the total width of the coupling mechanism will be reduced. Hence, the width of the coupling mechanism is adjustable according to the user&#39;s demands, and thereby, enabling the wiper to be coupled to wiper arms having different specifications. 
         [0012]    In order to further appreciate the characteristics and technical contents of the instant disclosure, references are hereunder made to the detailed descriptions and appended drawings in connection with the instant disclosure. However, the appended drawings are merely shown for exemplary purposes, rather than being used to restrict the scope of the instant disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a three-dimensional view of a coupling mechanism according to a first embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a three-dimensional view of the coupling mechanism observing from a different angle; according to the first embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a top view of the coupling mechanism according to the first embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the coupling mechanism under the first operational state according to the first embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  shows an assembled view of the coupling mechanism under the first operational state according to the first embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the coupling mechanism under a second operational state according to a second embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  shows an assembled view of the coupling mechanism under the second operational state according to the first embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  shows a three-dimensional view of the coupling mechanism according to the second embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  shows an exploded view of the coupling mechanism under the first operational state according to the second embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  shows an assembled view of the coupling mechanism under the first operational state according to the second embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  shows an exploded view of the coupling mechanism under the second operational state according to the second embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  shows an assembled view of the coupling mechanism under the second operational state according to the second embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  shows an exploded view of the coupling mechanism under the third operational state according to the first embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  shows a cross-sectional view of the coupling mechanism under the third operational state according to the first embodiment of the instant disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The First Embodiment  
       [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a coupling mechanism for interfacing between a wiper and a wiper arm is provided in the instant disclosure, comprising an connector  1  and at least one width-adjusting spacer member  2 , where the connector  1  includes a connecting mechanism (not shown) for connection to a wiper. Since the connective structure between the connector  1  and the wiper is known to those who are skilled in the instant field, therefore no further illustrations upon this shall be provided herein. For the instant disclosure, preferably, the connector  1  is made of plastic, Furthermore, the connector  1  has a body  11 , where the two side walls of the body  11  are defined as the outer side walls  111 . 
         [0028]    The body  11  has a stopping portion  12  formed at one end thereof, where the width and height of the stopping portion  12  are larger than that of the body  11  to prevent the wiper arm  3  from sliding into the body  11  in lengthways. 
         [0029]    The bottom surface of the body  11  has two protrusions  13  respectively formed thereon where the protrusions  13  protrude from the two sides of the body  11 . For the instant embodiment, the protrusion  13  is further connected to the stopping portion  12  for the structure to be strengthened. Specifically speaking, the protrusions  13  can support the bottom surface of the wiper arm  3 . 
         [0030]    To provide further explanations, the body  11  has an engaging member  14  formed at the top surface thereof. The engaging member  14  is partially connected to the body  11  by forming two troughs  141  respectively at the two sides thereof The engaging member  14  is an elastic arm which has flexibility to perform elastic movements. Preferably, the elastic engaging member  14  is formed at one end of the body  11 , away from the stopping portion  12 . 
         [0031]    For the instant embodiment, the amount of the width-adjusting spacer member  2  can be one, two, or many, where this is not restricted thereto, and the width-adjusting spacer member  2  can be connected either directly or indirectly to the connector  1 . For the instant embodiment, there are two width-adjusting spacer members  2  for example. The two width-adjusting spacer members  2  are connected respectively to the connector  1  by a pivotal portion  21  to form integrally as a single unit. Preferably, the width-adjusting spacer members  2  are connected to one end of the body  11 , away from the stopping portion  21 . For the instant embodiment, the width-adjusting spacer members  2  are connected directly to the body  11 , where the width-adjusting spacer members  2  can be selectively arranged on the outer side walls  111  of the body  11 . 
         [0032]    A folded line  22  can be further formed between the width-adjusting spacer member  2  and the connector  1 , where the folded line  22  is capable of separating the width-adjusting spacer member  2  from the connector  1  by tearing the folded line  22  when the width-adjusting spacer member  2  is no longer in use. Preferably, the folded line  22  is formed between the pivotal portion  21  and the width-adjusting spacer member  2 . 
         [0033]    The position of the width-adjusting spacer member  2  is adjustable by pivoting the width-adjusting spacer member  2  about the pivotal portion  21 . The width-adjusting spacer members  2  will be arranged adjacently to the outer side wall  111  of the body  11  when the width-adjusting spacer member  2  pivots forwardly to a predetermined position for the total width of the coupling mechanism to increase. On the contrary, when the width-adjusting spacer members  2  pivot backwardly to a predetermined position, the total width of the coupling mechanism will be reduced. To provide further explanations, by separating the width-adjusting spacer members  2  from the connector  1  can also reduce the total width of the coupling mechanism. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 to 5 , when the 19 mm wiper arm  3  is applied in the instant embodiment, the width-adjusting spacer member  2  have to be pivoted forwardly to a predetermined position. Hence, the width-adjusting spacer members  2  will be arranged adjacently to the outer side wall  111  of the body  11  for the total width of the coupling mechanism to increase. During assembly, a front opening of the wiper arm  3  is slid along one end of the connector  1  in a favorable direction for assembly thereto, such that the wiper arm  3  is connected to the connector  1  and the outer side of the width-adjusting spacer member  2 . Concurrently, the engaging member  14  of the connector  1  will be depressed. When the wiper arm  3  has slid to the predetermined position, the engaging member  14  will be in alignment with an engaging hole  31  of the wiper arm  3 , where the pressure exerted on the depressed engaging member  14  will be released for the engaging member  14  to return to the original position. Hence, the engaging member  14  will clip-in into the engaging hole  31  for the connector  1  to assemble to the wiper arm  3 . Furthermore, the wiper arm  3  has an inner wall  32 . After the width-adjusting spacer member  2  is arranged adjacently to the body  11 , the width-adjusting spacer member  2  will be received either partially or entirely within the inner wall  32  of the wiper arm and the outer side wall  31  of the body  11 . 
         [0035]    Please refer to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . When the 16 mm wiper arm is applied in the instant embodiment, the total width of the coupling mechanism can be reduced by separating the width-adjusting spacer members  2  therefrom. During assembly, a front opening of the wiper arm  3  is slid along one end of the connector  1  in a favorable direction for the wiper arm  3  to connect to the outer side of the assembly. Meanwhile, the engaging member  14  of the connector  1  will be depressed. When the wiper arm  3  has slid to a predetermined position, the engaging member  14  will be in alignment with an engaging hole  31  of the wiper arm  3 , where the pressure exerted on the depressed engaging member  14  will be released for the engaging member  14  to return to the original position. Hence, the engaging member  14  will clip-in into the engaging hole  31  for the connector  1  to assemble to the wiper arm  3 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the total width of the coupling mechanism can also be reduced by pivoting the width-adjusting spacer member  2  backwardly to a predetermined position. During assembly, a front opening of the wiper arm  3  is slid along one end of the connector  1  in a favorable direction for assembly thereto, where this movement will depress the engaging member  14  of the connector  1 . When the wiper arm  3  has slid to a predetermined position, the engaging hole  31  of the wiper arm  3  will be in alignment with the engaging member  14 , where the pressure exerted on the depressed engaging member  14  will be released for the engaging member  14  to return to the original position. Hence, the engaging member  14  will clip-in into the engaging hole  31  for the connector  1  to assemble to the wiper arm  3 , and where the width-adjusting spacer members  2  can be received in the wiper arm  3 . 
       The Second Embodiment  
       [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , according to another embodiment of the instant disclosure, the amount of the width-adjusting spacer member  2  is two for example. The two width-adjusting spacer members  2  are connected by a connecting portion  23 , where the two width-adjusting spacer members  2  are connected indirectly to the connector  1 . In other words, the two width-adjusting spacer members  2  and the connecting portion  23  cooperatively formed a substantially U-shaped structure, where the U-shaped structure can be arranged selectively on the outer side of the connector  1 . To provide further explanations, when the width-adjusting spacer members  2  are arranged on the outer side of the connector  1 , the total width of the coupling mechanism will be increased. Otherwise, when the width-adjusting spacer members  2  are removed from the connector  1 , the total width of the coupling mechanism will be reduced. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , when the 19 mm wiper arm  3  is applied in the instant embodiment, the two width-adjusting spacer members  2  will be arranged on the outer sides of the connector  1 , such that the width-adjusting spacer members  2  are arranged adjacently to the outer side wall  111  of the body  11  for the total width of the coupling mechanism to increase. During assembly, a front opening of the wiper arm  3  is slid along one end of the connector  1  in a favorable direction for assembly thereto, where this movement will depress the engaging member  14  of the connector  1 . When the wiper arm  3  has slid to a predetermined position, the engaging hole  31  of the wiper arm  3  will be in alignment with the engaging member  14 , where the pressure exerted on the depressed engaging member  14  will be released for the engaging member  14  to return to the original position. Hence, the engaging member  14  will clip-in into the engaging hole  31  for the connector  1  to assemble to the wiper arm  3 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , when the 16 mm wiper arm  3  is applied in the instant embodiment, the two width-adjusting spacer members  2  can be dismantled for the total width of the coupling mechanism to reduce. During assembly, a front opening of the wiper arm  3  is slid along one end of the connector  1  in a favorable direction to assemble thereto, where this movement will depress the engaging member  14  of the connector  1 . When the wiper arm  3  has slid to a predetermined position, the engaging hole  31  of the wiper arm  3  will be in alignment with the engaging member  14 , where the pressure exerted on the depressed engaging member  14  will be released for the engaging member  14  to return to the original position. Hence, the engaging member  14  will clip-in into the engaging hole  31  for the connector  1  to assemble to the wiper arm  3 . 
         [0040]    The descriptions illustrated supra set forth simply the preferred embodiments of the instant disclosure; however, the characteristics of the instant disclosure are by no means restricted thereto. All changes, alternations, or modifications conveniently considered by those skilled in the art are deemed to be encompassed within the scope of the instant disclosure delineated by the following claims.