Patent Description:
The present invention in general relates to vehicle components and in particular, to a reusable wiper blade adapter system for attachment of disposable wiper blades for vehicle windshield wipers.

Aftermarket wiper blades are typically sold with one or more adapters to accommodate many of the various designs of wiper blade arms that form a vehicle windshield wiper. As shown in <FIG>, the typical types of wiper blade arms may illustratively include insert and lock (I&L) (<FIG>), J-hooks (<FIG>), pins (<FIG>), pinch tab button (PTB) variants (<FIG>). In order to install a wiper blade onto a vehicle, the consumer must identify the correct adapter that is compatible with the vehicle wiper arm. As there are many options of these adapters and the many unique mechanisms by which the adapters may fit these wiper arms - the process is not only confusing but could be extremely frustrating to many consumers. Thus, in general, it is desirable to avoid such a process, as part of regular replacements of wiper blades.

Due to the wear of the edge surface of the rubber squeegee that is in contact with the windshield of the vehicle, it is recommended that a wiper blade be replaced every <NUM> to <NUM> months. Currently, consumers replace the entire wiper blade which includes the adapter, thus requiring the consumer to go through the frustrating and confusing process of fitting the adapter again onto the complex wiper arm configurations. Furthermore, the adapters are usually made of some type of engineered plastic that does not wear as quickly as the rubber squeegee and does not need to be replaced as often as the wiper blade. <CIT> relates to a connection device for the articulated connection of a wiper blade with a wiper arm.

Thus, there exists a need for an improved system and method that enables wiper blades to be replaced without the complexity of removing and reattaching adapters to the wiper arms.

A wiper blade system includes a reusable adapter configured for a specific wiper blade arm of a vehicle. The system further includes a first connector attached to the adapter, and a second connector attached to a disposable wiper blade, where the second connector is configured to mate with the first connector.

A wiper blade system includes a reusable adapter configured for a specific wiper blade arm of a vehicle. The system further includes a first connector with a set of rails attached to the adapter, and a second connector attached to a disposable wiper blade, where the second connector has a set of opposing slots configured to mate, guide, and retain the set of rails of the first connector.

A method of using the wiper blade system described above includes selecting an adapter based on the type of windshield wiper arm, and attaching the adapter to the windshield wiper arm. The method further includes inserting the second connector into the first connecter, and securing the first connector to the second connector with a locking mechanism.

A method of installing a replacement wiper blade the wiper blade system described above includes removing a worn out wiper blade by moving the locking mechanism to an unlocked position and separating the first connector from the second connector, and inserting the replacement wiper blade by joining the first connector to the second connector. The method further includes securing the replacement blade by advancing the locking mechanism to a locked position.

The present invention has utility as a system and method that enables windshield wiper blades to be replaced without the complexity of removing and reattaching adapters to the wiper arms with every wiper blade replacement cycle. Embodiments of inventive wiper blade adapter are reusable and stay connected to the windshield wiper arm while providing a simple connecting system that enables the attachment of the wiper blade to the base of the adapters. Embodiments of the inventive adapter are based on the types of wiper blade arms found on a vehicle, and may illustratively include insert and lock (I&L), hooks, pins, pinch tab button (PTB), per <FIG>. Embodiments of the adapters are made of engineered plastic that does not wear as quickly as the rubber squeegee and does not need to be replaced as often as the wiper blade. Embodiments of the reusable wiper blade adapter employ a simple mating connector on the wiper blade that provides for an intuitive motion to attach and detach from the base of the adapter thus providing for a simpler blade replacement process.

In an inventive embodiment the reusable wiper blade attachment adapter system employs a mechanism similar to those found on a snap buckle. The reusable adapter system has two components: a male and female connector. The male connector has two prongs with protruding surfaces on the outward facing sides. When the prongs are fully inserted into the female connector, the protruding surfaces engage similarly shaped and sized holes or slots within the connector to secure the two components together. A locking mechanism slides over the exposed protrusions to prevent accidental release. Disengagement of the connector requires sliding the locking mechanism back to expose the protrusions. The protrusions would then need to be squeezed and the wiper blade pulled in the opposite direction. It is appreciated that the female connector portion of the adaptor may be joined to the windshield wiper arm and the male connector attached to the replaceable wiper blade, or the male connector may be joined to the windshield wiper arm and the female connector attached to the replaceable wiper blade.

In an inventive embodiment the reusable wiper blade attachment adapter system employs a track and shuttle mechanism. In this inventive embodiment a track is connected to the wiper blade, while a mating shuttle is connected to an adapter connected to the wiper arm. The shuttle has an internal rail that is used to guide and retain the shuttle to the track. The track has an internal slot which matches the shuttle rail to retain the shuttle connector. A sliding locking mechanism slides over to engage the shuttle connector. Once engaged, the two components capture a small protrusion on the track connector and prevents the shuttle connector from disengaging.

Referring now to the figures, <FIG> is a perspective view of a system <NUM> with reusable wiper blade adapter <NUM> joined to wiper blade arm <NUM> prior to connection to a mating windshield wiper blade <NUM> with an attached male connector <NUM>. The replaceable windshield wiper blade <NUM> has a squeegee <NUM> that contacts the vehicle windshield or in certain instances a rear facing window. The male connector <NUM> has squeezable prongs <NUM> with protruding surfaces <NUM>. The protruding surfaces <NUM> engage opposing holes or slots <NUM> in a female connector <NUM> that is pivotally joined to the adapter <NUM>. A locking mechanism <NUM> slides over and locks the engaged protruding surfaces <NUM> that are in the opposing holes or slots <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrate the successive steps for attaching the wiper blade arm <NUM> to the mating windshield wiper blade <NUM> using the reusable adapter <NUM>. The reusable adapter <NUM> is initially installed on each of the one or more wiper arms <NUM> of the vehicle, where the type of wiper arm determines the adapter to use. Subsequently, the prongs <NUM> of the male connector <NUM> are pinched inward and are inserted into the female connector <NUM> to engage the opposing holes or slots <NUM>. The locking mechanism <NUM> is slid forward to secure the female connector <NUM> to the male connector <NUM>. In order to uninstall a wiper blade <NUM> the locking mechanism <NUM> is slid back and the exposed prongs <NUM> are squeezed while the wiper blade <NUM> is pulled away from the female connector <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate the steps for attaching the female connector <NUM> to the mating wiper blade male connector <NUM> with the adaptor <NUM>, wiper blade arm <NUM>, and wiper blade <NUM> removed for visual clarity. In <FIG>, the male connector <NUM> and female connector <NUM> are aligned. In <FIG>, the prongs <NUM> of the male connector <NUM> are inserted into the opposing holes or slots <NUM> of the female connector <NUM>. In <FIG>, the secondary locking mechanism <NUM> is slid over the opposing holes or slots <NUM> to further secure the inserted prongs <NUM>. With the adapter <NUM> removed the pivot connectors <NUM> of the female connector <NUM> are visible. The pivoting connection between the female connector <NUM> and the adaptor <NUM> allow the wiper blade <NUM> to pivot relative to the wiper arm <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side perspective view of the reusable wiper blade adapter <NUM> and female connector <NUM> of <FIG> without a cover and prior to attachment to a wiper blade arm. <FIG> is a perspective view of a disposable wiper blade <NUM> with the male connector <NUM> attached. It is appreciated that wiper blades <NUM> may be sold with the male connector <NUM> pre-fitted to the wiper blade <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a system <NUM> with a reusable wiper blade adapter <NUM> joined to wiper blade arm (not shown) with a pivoting shuttle connector <NUM> with a set of internal rails <NUM> prior to connection to a mating windshield wiper blade <NUM>' that has an attached slide track connector <NUM>. An opposing set of slots <NUM> guide and retain the internal rails <NUM> of the shuttle connector <NUM>. A sliding locking mechanism <NUM> slides over to engage and lock the shuttle connector <NUM> to the slide track connector <NUM>. Locating holes <NUM> on the leading edge of the internal rails <NUM> engage with locating pins <NUM> on the slide track connector <NUM>. Once engaged, the sliding lock mechanism <NUM> captures a small protrusion <NUM> on the slide track connector <NUM> and prevents the shuttle connector <NUM> from disengaging. <FIG> is a close-up perspective view of the locking mechanism of the mating windshield wiper blade <NUM>' of <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrate the steps for attaching the wiper blade arm (not shown) to the mating wiper blade <NUM>' using the adapter <NUM> of <FIG>. The adapter is attached to a wiper arm (not shown). In <FIG> the shuttle connector <NUM> is aligned with the slide track connector <NUM> and the rails <NUM> are inserted into the slots <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the sliding and locking action of the locking mechanism <NUM>. <FIG> shows the adapter <NUM> connected and locked to the windshield wiper <NUM>'. In order to uninstall a wiper blade <NUM>' the locking mechanism <NUM> is slid back and the shuttle connector <NUM> is pulled from the slide track connector <NUM> while the wiper blade <NUM>' is pulled away. It is appreciated that wiper blades <NUM>' may be sold with the slide track connector <NUM> pre-fitted to the wiper blade <NUM>'.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a system <NUM> with a reusable wiper blade adapter <NUM> joined to wiper blade arm (not shown) with a pivoting shuttle connector <NUM> with a set of internal rails <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) prior to connection to a mating windshield wiper blade <NUM>'' that has an attached slide track connector <NUM>. An opposing set of slots <NUM> guide and retain the internal rails <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>) of the shuttle connector <NUM>. A sliding locking mechanism <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>; <FIG>) slides over to engage and lock the shuttle connector <NUM> to the slide track connector <NUM>. Once engaged, a sliding lock mechanism <NUM> captures the shuttle connector <NUM> and prevents the shuttle connector <NUM> from disengaging.

<FIG> illustrate the steps for attaching the wiper blade adapter <NUM> of <FIG> to the mating slide track connector <NUM>. In <FIG> the pivoting shuttle connector <NUM> with the set of internal rails <NUM> is aligned with the set of slots <NUM> of the slide track connector <NUM>. In <FIG> the slide track connector <NUM> is inserted into the shuttle connector <NUM>. In <FIG> the sliding lock mechanism <NUM> captures the shuttle connector <NUM> and prevents the shuttle connector <NUM> from disengaging.

A business method is also provided in which a point of sale retail display of a wiper refill system as described above in the previous embodiments offers an innovative wiper blade solution, different than anything currently in the automotive aftermarket. The connector system is designed to facilitate easy replacement of the wiper blade without re-installation of the wiper blade adapter to the wiper arm. Retail packaging for a reusable J-Hook adapter is offered for sale. A consumer makes a one-time purchase of a set of adapters based on the type of windshield wiper blade arms on their vehicle. The consumer then selects the size and type of windshield wiper blade to use with the adapter. It is appreciated that the wiper blade has a compatible connector to join to the adapter. A retail packaging for a mating windshield wiper blade for use with the reusable adapter is thus provided. A retail display is also contemplated that offers for sale various windshield wiper arm adapters and packages of various sized windshield wiper blades.

Claim 1:
A wiper blade system (<NUM>) comprising:
a reusable adapter (<NUM>) configured for a specific wiper blade arm (<NUM>) of a vehicle;
a first connector (<NUM>) attached to said adapter (<NUM>); and
a second connector (<NUM>) attached to a disposable wiper blade (<NUM>), said second connector (<NUM>) configured to mate with said first connector (<NUM>), wherein said first connector (<NUM>) is female and said second connector (<NUM>) is male, and
wherein said male connector (<NUM>) has a set of squeezable prongs (<NUM>) with protruding surfaces (<NUM>), said protruding surfaces (<NUM>) configured to engage opposing holes or slots (<NUM>) in said female connector (<NUM>),
characterised in that the system further comprises a locking mechanism (<NUM>) configured to slide over the opposing holes or slots (<NUM>) of the first connector (<NUM>) and lock said protruding surfaces (<NUM>) when said protruding surfaces (<NUM>) are engaged with said opposing holes or slots in said first connector (<NUM>).