Packaging for windshield wiper assemblies and method for selling the same

Abstract

A method for selling windshield wiper blade assemblies for vehicles, comprises the steps of providing a windshield wiper blade assembly having a first length defining a physical size of the wiper blade assembly, and providing a label informing a customer of the physical size and a logical size of the wiper blade assembly. The wiper blade assembly is provided to fit a first vehicle and a second vehicle. The first vehicle requiring a wiper blade assembly having the first length and the second vehicle requiring a wiper blade assembly having a second length. Therefore, the label indicates that the windshield wiper blade assembly is provided to fit both the first vehicle and the second vehicle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to windshield wiper assemblies for vehicles in general, and more particularly to a windshield wiper packaging and method for selling windshield wiper assemblies.

2. Background of the Invention

Numerous types of designs for windshield wiper assemblies have been used in connection with removing snow, ice, rain and other material from windshields of automobile and truck vehicles. The most common type of design previously used is one in which a rubber wiper blade having a relatively small cross-section contacts the windshield along a line so as to scrape snow, ice or water that accumulates on the windshield of the vehicle.

Typically, a vehicle employs two windshield wiper blade assemblies each having the rubber blade adapted to scrape snow, ice, water and other material off the front windshield. These scraping blades are attached to a wiper arm on the vehicle and travel in a generally arcuate path. One blade will clean that portion of the window on the driver's side of the vehicle, and the other blade will clean that portion of the window on of the passengers side of the vehicle.

It is well known that the user of the vehicle has a duty to replace the whole windshield wiper due to aging and/or wear of the wiping blade thereof. Thus, the windshield wiper is one of the items that should be checked indispensably before driving in order to cope with unexpected sudden changes in weather that may happen in driving even though the windshield is not used always in driving. It is a common experience to an every vehicle user that even the wiping blade has not been used the whole year, it is preferred to replace a new pair windshield wipers for the coming rainy or snowy season to ensure good wiping effect for security reason.

Windshield wiper assemblies are typically provided in a variety of different lengths or physical sizes to fit various types and models of motor vehicles in operation. The physical size adapted to fit the particular vehicle is normally could be found in an Owners Manual of that vehicle. Therefore, manufacturers of the windshield wiper assemblies, whether from the motor vehicle original equipment industry or from the automotive aftermarket industry, have to produce a variety of the windshield wiper blade assemblies having a plurality of the physical sizes, usually in one inch (1″) increment, such as 15″, 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, etc. The physical size of the particular windshield wiper blade assembly is a sole important piece of information to a buyer that tells him whether the particular windshield wiper assembly would fit his particular motor vehicle. Although the provision of multiple sizes of wiper assemblies is convenient to the end consumer, retailers are forced to carry all of the sizes and must stock extensive sections of valuable shelf space with numerous lengths of this single item.

Typically, the windshield wiper assemblies are sold in an individual plastic packages. The physical size of the particular windshield wiper blade assembly is marked on the package so that the physical size of the particular windshield wiper blade assembly is readily visible to the buyer. So that he could choose the windshield wiper blade assembly of an appropriate size that would fit his vehicle. However, the above mentioned large variety of the sizes of the wiper assemblies puts strain to the retail industry (need to keep big inventory of many different sizes) and make buyers choice more difficult as he has no alternative but the size required by the Owner's Manual.

Thus, there is a need for an improved method for selling windshield wiper assemblies that overcomes shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a novel windshield wiper blade packaging and a method for selling wiper blade assemblies for vehicles. The windshield wiper blade packaging in accordance with the present invention comprises a windshield wiper blade assembly having a first length defining a physical size of the wiper blade assembly, and a package containing the windshield wiper blade assembly. The wiper blade assembly is provided to fit a first vehicle and a second vehicle, wherein the first vehicle requires a wiper blade assembly having the first length and the second vehicle requiring a wiper blade assembly having a second length.

The package containing the windshield wiper blade assembly is accompanied with at least one label informing a customer of the physical size and a logical size of the wiper blade assembly. The logical size of the wiper blade assembly corresponds to the second length required for the second motor vehicle. Thus, the label indicates that the windshield wiper blade assembly is provided to fit both the first vehicle and the second vehicle.

The method for selling windshield wiper blade assemblies for vehicles according to the present invention comprises the following steps: first, the windshield wiper blade assembly having the first length (the physical size) is provided. Then, at least one label accompanying said windshield wiper blade assembly is provided. The label informs a customer of the physical size and the logical size of the wiper blade assembly. Preferably, two labels are provided, wherein one of the labels is provided on a front side of the package containing the windshield wiper blade assembly, while the other of the labels is provided on a rear side thereof.

Therefore, the packaging and method for selling the windshield wiper assemblies according to the present inventions substantially reduces inventory requirements of replacement windshield wiper assemblies for stores selling them as the windshield wipers of particular physical size may fit vehicles requiring windshield wipers of two different physical sizes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a windshield wiper;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view the windshield wipers of different physical sizes;

FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of a package of the windshield wiper assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 4A-4C are front views of the packages in accordance with the present invention of the windshield wiper assemblies of three different sizes;

FIGS. 5A-5C are rear views of the packages in accordance with the present invention of the windshield wiper assemblies of three different sizes;

FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a windshield wiper blade package suspended for display from a hanger on a display wall inserted through a header which forms part of the package.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with the reference to accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a conventional windshield wiper assembly 10, generally used in motor vehicles. It will be appreciated that the windshield wiper assemblies having slightly different structural details are within the also scope of the present invention.

The windshield wiper assembly 10, as shown in FIG. 1, is attached to a distal end of a wiper arm 8 which is, in turn, coupled to a driving shaft (not shown) of a driving motor provided in an engine room of the motor vehicle. The windshield wiper assembly 10 comprises a frame member 12 and a flexible windshield wiper blade 20 secured to the frame member 12. The frame member 12 includes a primary lever 14 and a pair of substantially identical secondary levers 16 pivotally connected at their midportions to the primary lever 14 forming an articulated flexible pressure transmitting structure. Pivotally connected centrally to the primary lever 14 is a connector 18 for securing the wiper blade to the wiper arm 8. Claws 17 at the ends of the secondary levers 16 slide in an external grooves 22 of the wiper blade 20, thereby retaining the wiper in assembled condition.

Pivotally connected centrally to the lever 12 is a connector 18 for securing the wiper blade to the wiper arm 8. The levers 16 each have pairs of opposed blade straddling claws 17 at each end. The claws are substantially U-shaped in cross section.

The conventional windshield wiper assembly 10 is characterized by a length L of the wiper blade 20 that defines a physical size of the wiper blade assembly 10. As it was mentioned above, the windshield wiper blade assemblies come in a variety different physical sizes to fit various types and models of motor vehicles in operation usually in one inch (1″) increment, such as 18″, 19″, 20″, 21″, 22″, 23″, etc., as illustrated in FIG. 2. Each vehicle model requires a windshield wiper assembly of a particular physical size, as prescribed in the Owner's Manual of the particular vehicle model.

Typically, the windshield wiper assembly 10 is sold in an individual package 30, shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, the package 30 is made of a plastic material. It will be appreciated that the package 30 may be made of any appropriate material, such as paper or cardboard. A combination of the windshield wiper 10 disposed within the package 30 is defined herein as a windshield wiper blade packaging.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4A-4C and 5A-5C, each of the windshield wiper assemblies displayed in retail stores are marked with at least one label (or tag) indicating the physical size of the particular wiper blade assembly and its logical size so that the physical size of the particular windshield wiper blade assembly and its logical size are readily visible to the buyer. The logical size of the windshield wiper assembly indicates an implicit size of the windshield wiper assembly different from the actual (physical) size thereof that could fit a motor vehicle requiring a wiper assembly having a length corresponding to the logical size indicated on the wiper package.

For example, the windshield wiper having the physical size of 18″ (a first length) is provided to fit a first vehicle according to the Owner's Manual of the first vehicle, while the windshield wiper having the physical size of 19″ (a second length) is provided to fit a second vehicle according to the Owner's Manual of the second vehicle. At the same time, the windshield wiper having the first length (the physical size of 18″) would fit the second vehicle requiring the windshield wiper assembly having the second length (the physical size of 19″). Thus, the 19″ is the logical size of the windshield wiper assembly having the physical size of 18″.

Preferably, labels 32 indicating the physical size of the particular windshield wiper assembly and the labels 34 indicating the logical size thereof is printed or attached on both front and rear surfaces 30a and 30b, respectively, of the wiper package 30, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C and 5A-5C. It should be understood that alternatively, the labels 32 and 34 may be printed or attached only on one side (front of rear) of the wiper package 30.

Further alternatively, the labels 32 and 34 indicating the physical size and the logical size of the particular windshield wiper assembly 10 may be placed on a display wall 44 of a retail store adjacent the windshield wiper assembly 10 of that particular size. As illustrated in FIG. 6, customarily a plurality of elongate wiper blade packages 30 is suspended from a hanger 40 supported from a pegboard 42 of the display wall 44. The hanger 40 is inserted through a header 31 which forms part of the package 30. In the example shown, the packages 30 contain a first size of the wiper blade assembly 10 (e.g. 20″). The package 30 shown in FIG. 6 is exemplary and will of course vary in shape and size according to the product being contained. As further illustrated in FIG. 6, the display wall 44 is provided with a label, or tag, 46 describing the product (item) suspending from the hanger 40. According to the alternative embodiment of the present invention, the tag 46 indicates both the physical size (20″ in this particular example) and the logical size (21″ in this particular example) of the particular windshield wiper assembly 10.

Typically, the buyer chooses the windshield wiper assembly according to the physical size of the particular wiper blade assembly according to the Owner's Manual of the particular vehicle model. However, in the absence of the windshield wiper assembly of the particular physical size in the store, the buyer may choose the windshield wiper assembly according to the corresponding logical size.

A method for selling the windshield wiper assemblies according to the present inventions including the following steps. First, the windshield wiper 10 having a length defining a physical size thereof is provided. Then, the windshield wiper 10 is packed into the individual package 30. The package 30 is provided with the label indicating the physical size and the logical size of the windshield wiper 10 contained within the package 30. Preferably, the label indicating the physical size and the logical size of the particular windshield wiper assembly is printed or attached on both front and rear surfaces of the wiper package 30. Based on the information marked on the package 30 the buyer can choose the windshield wiper blade assembly of an appropriate size that would fit his vehicle.

Therefore, method for selling the windshield wiper assemblies according to the present inventions substantially reduces inventory requirements of replacement windshield wiper assemblies for stores selling them as the windshield wipers of particular physical size may fit vehicles requiring windshield wipers of two different physical sizes.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration in accordance with the provisions of the Patent Statutes. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments disclosed hereinabove were chosen in order to best illustrate the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated, as long as the principles described herein are followed. Thus, changes can be made in the above-described invention without departing from the intent and scope thereof. It is also intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the claims appended thereto.

Claims

1. A method for selling windshield wiper blade assemblies for vehicles, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a windshield wiper blade assembly having a first length defining a physical size of said wiper blade assembly, said wiper blade assembly provided to fit a first vehicle and a second vehicle, said first vehicle requiring a wiper blade assembly having said first length and said second vehicle requiring a wiper blade assembly having a second length; and

b) providing at least one label accompanying said windshield wiper blade assembly, said at least one label informing a customer of said physical size and a logical size of said wiper blade assembly, said logical size corresponding to said second length required for said second motor vehicle, wherein said label indicates that said windshield wiper blade assembly is provided to fit both said first vehicle and said second vehicle.

2. The method for selling wiper blade assemblies as defined in claim 1, further including the step of providing a package containing said windshield wiper blade assembly, wherein said at least one label is provided on said package.

3. The method for selling wiper blade assemblies as defined in claim 2, wherein said at least one label is provided on a front side of said package.

4. The method for selling wiper blade assemblies as defined in claim 2, wherein said at least one label is provided on a rear side of said package.

5. The method for selling wiper blade assemblies as defined in claim 2, wherein said step of providing at least one label includes the step of providing at least two labels, and wherein one of said at least two labels is provided on a front side of said package and the other of said at least two labels is provided on a rear side thereof.

6. The method for selling wiper blade assemblies as defined in claim 1, further including the step of providing a display wall for exhibiting said windshield wiper blade assembly, wherein said at least one label is provided on said display wall adjacent said windshield wiper assembly.

7. A windshield wiper blade packaging comprising:

a windshield wiper blade assembly having a first length defining a physical size of said wiper blade assembly, said wiper blade assembly provided to fit a first vehicle and a second vehicle, said first vehicle requiring a wiper blade assembly having said first length and said second vehicle requiring a wiper blade assembly having a second length; and

at least one label informing a customer of said physical size and a logical size of said wiper blade assembly, said logical size corresponding to said second length required for said second motor vehicle, wherein said label indicates that said windshield wiper blade assembly is provided to fit both said first vehicle and said second vehicle.

8. The windshield wiper blade packaging as defined in claim 7, further comprising a package containing said windshield wiper blade assembly, wherein said at least one label is provided on said package.

9. The windshield wiper blade packaging as defined in claim 8, wherein said at least one label is provided on a front side of said package.

10. The windshield wiper blade packaging as defined in claim 8, wherein said at least one label is provided on a rear side of said package.

11. The windshield wiper blade packaging as defined in claim 8, wherein at least one label includes at least two labels, and wherein one of said at least two labels is provided on a front side of said package and the other of said at least two labels is provided on a rear side thereof.

12. The windshield wiper blade packaging as defined in claim 7, wherein said windshield wiper blade packaging is exhibited on a display wall, and wherein said at least one label is provided on said display wall adjacent said windshield wiper assembly.