Patent ID: 8042218

Claim:
A wiper assembly for use in connection with a wiper arm having an attachment member including a transversely extending pin and a bent tab, said wiper assembly comprising: a wiping element adapted to contact the surface to be wiped; a superstructure operatively attached to said wiping element having first and second longitudinal ends and defining a longitudinal axis; at least one airfoil operatively attached to said superstructure that is adapted generate downward force to reduce the likelihood of wind lift; and a coupler operatively attached to said superstructure at an intermediate position between said longitudinal ends, said coupler having first and second sidewalls, a deck that extends outwardly from said first sidewall and laterally relative to said longitudinal axis and a rail that extends vertically from said deck and laterally spaced from said longitudinal axis, said coupler further including a panel defined by said sidewall, said panel having a bore defined therein that is adapted to receive the pin of a wiper arm attachment member, and a pillar that extends generally vertically upward from said deck between said panel and said rail, said pillar and said panel cooperating to define a slot that is adapted to receive a portion of the wiper arm attachment member in a position laterally spaced from said longitudinal axis to reduce the likelihood of lateral movement of the wiper arm attachment member relative to said coupler; wherein said deck and said rail cooperate to define a laterally spaced side-saddle that is adapted to facilitate low-profile attachment to a wiper arm attachment member to reduce the likelihood of windlift and reduce lateral movement of a wiper arm attachment member relative to said coupler.