With Means To Reciprocate Cleaning Element Patents (Class 15/250.29)
  • Patent number: 11661036
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for a wiper system for cleaning a surface of a sensor housing, such as a sensor housing positioned on top of a vehicle. The wiper system includes a plurality of windows spaced around a sensor housing, and a plurality of wipers positioned around the sensor housing, each of the wipers includes a wiper blade configured to clean a corresponding window of the plurality of windows. The wiper system further includes a drive system including a moveable part coupled to a motor. The motor is configured to drive the drive system to simultaneously rotate the plurality of wipers around the sensor housing such that the plurality of wipers remove debris from the plurality of windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Seth Gilbertson, Felix Jose Alvarez Rivera, Roger Best
  • Patent number: 11279324
    Abstract: The disclosure provides for a wiper system for cleaning a surface of a sensor housing, such as a sensor housing positioned on top of a vehicle. The wiper system includes a plurality of windows spaced around a sensor housing, and a plurality of wipers positioned around the sensor housing, each of the wipers includes a wiper blade configured to clean a corresponding window of the plurality of windows. The wiper system further includes a drive system including a movable part coupled to a motor. The motor is configured to drive the drive system to simultaneously rotate the plurality of wipers around the sensor housing such that the plurality of wipers remove debris from the plurality of windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Seth Gilbertson, Felix Jose Alvarez Rivera, Roger Best
  • Patent number: 10668898
    Abstract: A wiper system for a vehicle includes: a glass wiper disposed on a window glass of a vehicle; a motor providing driving power to the glass wiper; a camera capturing images of surroundings of the vehicle; and a camera wiper disposed on a camera lens of the camera and connected to the motor by a linkage to operate in association with the glass wiper such that the camera wiper swings back and forth over the camera lens while the glass wiper swings back and forth over the window glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Nak Kyoung Kong, Hyun Joong Pyun, Seung Hyeok Chang, Jong Min Park, Ki Hong Lee
  • Patent number: 10336301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (2) for wiping a window of a motor vehicle, comprising a wiper blade (4) rotated by a drive shaft (6) which is arranged at the output of a motor assembly (8) capable of creating an alternating rotational movement of said drive shaft. The wiping device also comprises means for translating the motor assembly, and some of said drive means are supported by the drive shaft. In this way, it is the rotation of the drive shaft that translates the motor assembly. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such a wiping device and to a structural element, in particular a boot door, to which the device is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Vincent Gaucher, Stéphane Houssat
  • Patent number: 10281717
    Abstract: For measuring the oscillation amplitude of a scanner mirror in a projection system of a motor vehicle headlight, a laser beam generated by a laser source is directed onto the scanner mirror and reflected by the latter so that the laser beam thus reflected is incident on a detector device (20) that has a plurality of photodetector elements (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4) and there describes a curve (P) based on the oscillation movement of the scanner mirror. The center point of the curve (P) is offset by an offset value (xoffset, yoffset) from the center of the detector device (20). The time period (tON,X, tON,Y) in which the curve passes through the specific detector region (RX, RY) that corresponds to a coordinate to be measured is determined; and the oscillation amplitude (xpp, ypp) in the direction of the specific coordinate is determined using the ratio of the time period (tON,X, tON,Y) determined in this manner to the total duration (T) of an oscillation period and the offsets (xoffset, yoffset).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: ZKW Group GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Mitterlehner, Christian Kalousek
  • Patent number: 10259431
    Abstract: A self-centering wiper system for an optical device having an optical device body defined by an outer surface with an annular-shaped cross-section disposed along an axis includes an annular-shaped bellows. The bellows is configured to fit externally and concentrically with respect to the outer surface of the optical device body. The bellows has at least one bladder configured to accept a pressurized fluid to thereby extend the annular-shaped bellows along the axis. The wiper system also includes an annular-shaped wiper element fixed to the annular-shaped bellows and configured to wipe contaminants off the outer surface of the optical device body as the at least one bladder accepts the pressurized fluid and the annular-shaped bellows expands along the axis. An optical device having such a self-centering wiper system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Armand J. Ybarra, Joel S. Hooton
  • Patent number: 10196042
    Abstract: A windshield wiper assembly for effectively cleaning all of the windshield from top to bottom and side to side. The windshield wiper assembly includes an elongated housing having an open bottom and adapted to extend a width of a windshield; a wiper actuating assembly securely disposed in the housing; and a wiper assembly movably supported upon the wiper actuating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Inventor: James W. Curtwright
  • Patent number: 10124771
    Abstract: A wiper system for wiping off deposits deposited on a surface of a wiped member comprising a pair of carriages attached to frame members holding the wiped member so as to face each other across the wiped member and moving back and forth over the frame members along two facing sides of the wiped member, a pair of wiper arms respectively attached to the pair of carriages and extending from the frame member sides to the wiped member sides, and a pair of wiper blades respectively attached to the pair of wiper arms, extending substantially parallel to the other two facing sides of the wiped member, and arranged at the surface of the wiped member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventor: Takao Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 8974564
    Abstract: A screen cleaning system cleans debris from a material catching screen surrounded by a frame. A hollow vacuum arm which moves over the screen. The arm has a slot in a side which is adjacent to the screen. The arm includes an inner arm pivotally coupled to a duct and an outer arm which movable with respect to the inner arm. The arm is moved by an actuator mechanism which includes a first pulley coupled to a drive shaft, a second pulley coupled to an end of the arm, a belt drivingly coupling the first pulley to the second pulley. The outer arm is slidably coupled to the inner arm and a spring is biased to urge the outer arm radially inwardly. A track is formed by the frame and a roller rides along the track and is rotatably coupled to an end of the outer arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: James M. Hershbarger, Nathan R. Vandike
  • Patent number: 8745809
    Abstract: A cleaning device includes a first expansion unit in which a first expansion member is received and the first expansion unit is connected to a cylinder which has a piston received therein and the piston defines a first room and a second room in the cylinder. The piston has a first magnetic member which magnetically drives a movable member with a second magnetic member connected thereto. The movable member moves along the cylinder. A cleaning unit is co-movably connected with the movable member. By expansion of the first expansion unit by the sun, the movable member is moved and the cleaning unit is moved along the glass surface. The action consumes no electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Kun Shan University
    Inventor: Song-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 8695152
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the touch or display touch or display surface of an electronic device such as a cell phone or computer tablet comprising a wiper coupled to cleaner bar. The cleaner bar moves longitudinally and/or laterally across the electronic device with the wiper in contact with the touch or display surface. The wiper comprises both a moist pad and a dry pad. The moist pad is fluidly communicated to a reservoir defined within the cleaner bar. On its “cleaning stroke”, cleaning fluid is released into the moist pad and then deposited onto the touch or display surface. The cleaner bar moves longitudinally across the touch or display surface by manual or motorized means. The cleaner bar may also be in communication with the electronic device to detect when a task has been completed on the electronic device. After detection, the cleaner bar automatically traverses the touch or display surface, thereby cleaning it after every use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Marc Lemchen
  • Patent number: 8615840
    Abstract: A wiper system for flat or nearly flat surfaces utilizing a track system whereby a substantially vertical blade is disposed across a primarily planar surface to remove obstructing matter in a non stop horizontal reciprocation that may be set to do so in a plurality of differentiating track configurations. Additionally the present invention may be utilized and best suited for windshields, residential windows, metal paneling or headlights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Eric Taneda
  • Publication number: 20130333141
    Abstract: A window wiper device (1), in particular for a rear window wiper of a motor vehicle, with a wiper motor which, via a gear arrangement (3) accommodated in a gear housing (2), drives an output shaft (4), which actuates a wiper lever, wherein, in order to transmit a rotary movement of the wiper motor into an oscillating rotational movement of the output shaft (4), the gear arrangement (3) has a conversion gear (5) which comprises a worm wheel (11), a connecting rod (6) which is connected in a hinged manner to the worm wheel (11), and a toothed segment (8) which is connected in an articulated manner to the connecting rod (6), is mounted rotatably about an axis of rotation in the gear housing (3) in a positionally fixed manner and meshes with a pinion (9) arranged on the output shaft (4), which window wiper device is characterized in that the toothed segment (8) is designed in such a manner that a central tooth axis (Z) formed by the arrangement of the teeth of the toothed segment (8), and the axis of rotation (D)
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Geubel, Mario Huesges, Orlando Sterns
  • Publication number: 20130180545
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for removing ice from a windshield. A windshield wiper includes a wiper assembly, a scrubber assembly, and an engaging assembly. The wiper assembly includes a wiper support structure and a wiper blade attached to the wiper support structure. The scrubber assembly includes a scrubber support structure, an elongated scrubber element and a motor. The scrubber element is movably attached to the scrubber support structure and extends between a first end and a spaced apart second end along a central longitudinal axis. The scrubber element can have a hardness value sufficient to remove ice from the windshield. The motor is mounted to the scrubber support structure and is engaged with the scrubber element to move the scrubber element to remove ice. An engaging assembly can be coupled with the wiper assembly and the scrubber assembly to raise and lower the scrubber assembly with respect to the wiper assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: NELSON AND NELSON ENTERPRISES, LLC,
    Inventor: James Q. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20130180074
    Abstract: A windshield wiper includes a wiper assembly, a scrubber assembly, and an engaging assembly. The wiper assembly includes a wiper support structure and a wiper blade attached to the wiper support structure. The scrubber assembly includes a scrubber support structure and an elongated scrubber element to the scrubber support structure. The engaging assembly is coupled with the wiper assembly and the scrubber assembly and is configured to raise and lower the scrubber assembly with respect to the wiper assembly. A plurality of adapters can be attached to the scrubber element to provide a force to push the scrubber element against a windshield. The force can be individually adjustable. Also, a windshield wiper includes a wiper support structure, a wiper blade attached to the wiper support structure, and a plurality of adapters positioned on the wiper support structure. The adapters are spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: NELSON AND NELSON ENTERPRISES, LLC,
    Inventor: James Q. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8468636
    Abstract: Debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris, such as snow, from a surface. An exemplary embodiment has a wiper blade configured to remove debris from a surface in response to a movement of the wiper blade; a spring coupled to the wiper blade, wherein the spring is configured to store potential energy as the spring is biased from a relaxed position to a biased position; and a motor coupled to the spring, wherein the motor is configured to convert received electrical power into mechanical power that biases the spring. The spring is released from the biased position to release the stored potential energy as the spring returns to the relaxed position. The released potential energy from the spring is converted to mechanical energy that moves the wiper blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Eldon Technology Limited
    Inventors: Geoffrey Thompson, Andy Stanford
  • Patent number: 8122559
    Abstract: A wiper motor has an output shaft, which is reciprocally pivoted forward and backward upon energization of the wiper motor and outputs a drive force for driving first and second wiper arms. A crank arm is integrally pivotably fixed to the output shaft. First and second connecting rods are pivotably connected to first and second connecting points, respectively, of the crank arm. A first lever arrangement is connected between the first connecting rod and the first wiper arm to reciprocally pivot the first wiper arm upon reciprocal movement of the first connecting rod. A second lever arrangement is connected between the second connecting rod and the second wiper arm to reciprocally pivot the second wiper arm upon reciprocal movement of the second connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7856693
    Abstract: A self-cleaning exterior mirror for trucks and like vehicles includes a rigid mounting bracket provided with axially opposed first and second ends respectively, and monolithically formed first, second, and third sections respectively. A plurality of coupling plates is integrally attached to the first and second ends of the bracket. The coupling plates are attached to the exterior of the existing vehicle for supporting the bracket above a ground surface. A substantially rectangular shaped frame is pivotally connected to the third section of the bracket, and a mirror is attached to the frame. A mechanism remotely cleans the mirror, and is attached to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Inventor: Archie Johnson
  • Patent number: 7797786
    Abstract: A wiper assembly for a vehicle having at least one vision block within an outer face, generally consisting of a guide cylinder supportable on the vehicle, disposed adjacent and substantially parallel to the face of the vision block; a piston disposed in the guide cylinder and displaceable along the length thereof, provided with a magnetic element; a follower mounted on the guide cylinder, displaceable along the length thereof, provided with a magnetic element magnetically coupled to the magnetic element of the piston for displacement therewith; a wiper carried by the follower, having a portion engaging the outer face of the vision block in wiping relation therewith; and means operatively connectable to a source of fluid under pressure for alternately supplying fluid under pressure to opposite ends of the guide cylinder for reciprocating the piston and correspondingly the wiper along the outer face of the vision block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: GPV, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James C. LeBlanc, Sr., James C. LeBlanc, Jr., Adam L. Hiltunen, William A. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7793380
    Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle has a mirror housing, a wiper motor, and a wiper arm which is driven by the wiper motor via a wiper mechanism and bears a wiper blade for cleaning a mirror surface. The wiper mechanism generates an essentially parallel reciprocating movement of the wiper blade. It is essential here to the invention that the wiper mechanism has a first L-shaped pivot arm and a second L-shaped pivot arm which are respectively mounted rotatably in a fixed position at their elbows and are mounted rotatably, at their limbs on the wiper side, on an inner parallel wiper arm. Furthermore, an outer parallel wiper arm which is connected to the inner parallel wiper arm and bears the wiper blade is arranged on the inner parallel wiper arm. The two pivot arms are driven by the wiper motor to which they are connected in terms of drive at their limbs on the drive side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Wolf Boll
  • Patent number: 7748077
    Abstract: A windscreen wiper with a link arm arrangement (4) including a first pair of arms (5) and a second pair of arms (6) to which the first pair of arms (5) is connected in such a way that they can pivot, the first pair of arms (5) being attached to a chassis in such a way that they can pivot and the second pair of arms (6) being attached to a windscreen wiper blade (7) in such way that they can pivot. The windscreen wiper further including an adjustment mechanism (8) for controlling the size of an angle between the first pair of arms (5) and the second pair of arms (6) in synchrony with the pivoting of the first pair of arms (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventor: Anders Lindkvist
  • Patent number: 7574769
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates a rearview mirror wiper system suitable for use on, for example, large tractor-trailer trucks, delivery trucks, vans, motor homes, cars and other motor vehicles. The rearview wiper system of the present invention has many advantages over prior art systems. It ensures an even and adjustable pressure over the entire wiping surface, has a minimum of parts exposed to the elements so that it is less susceptible to icing and is easy for the user to maintain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Inventor: Glenn Nemeth
  • Patent number: 7540060
    Abstract: A side mirror assembly for a truck has a housing retaining an upper mirror, a central mirror, and a lower mirror, each of which is motorized and independently adjustable. The assembly also includes a chain driven wiper blade that will wipe across all three mirrors, and a dispenser for dispensing washer fluid on the mirrors. Around the perimeter of the housing are one or more connectors to with electrical devices attachable to the mirror housing can be connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Inventor: Nathan Holmes
  • Publication number: 20090007362
    Abstract: A wiper motor has an output shaft, which is reciprocally pivoted forward and backward upon energization of the wiper motor and outputs a drive force for driving first and second wiper arms. A crank arm is integrally pivotably fixed to the output shaft. First and second connecting rods are pivotably connected to first and second connecting points, respectively, of the crank arm. A first lever arrangement is connected between the first connecting rod and the first wiper arm to reciprocally pivot the first wiper arm upon reciprocal movement of the first connecting rod. A second lever arrangement is connected between the second connecting rod and the second wiper arm to reciprocally pivot the second wiper arm upon reciprocal movement of the second connecting rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: ASMO CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7424765
    Abstract: This is a device that will allow an individual to remotely control the operation of a windshield wiper and/or a squeegee arm and blade independently of each other. It will be secured in a variety of methods to a window pane or window surface for the purpose of cleaning the window pane so that the individual may obtain maximum visibility. It will also be portable and light weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventor: Geoffrey Stevens
  • Publication number: 20080196191
    Abstract: This window wiping device (2) comprises a linearly displaceable window wiper arm (11) which is carried by a carriage (12) which is guided by a guide rail (13) which is connected to a transmission means (15) which is moved by a drive means (14), and is characterised in that the guide rail (13) comprises at least one longitudinal channel for retaining an element of the transmission means (15) and in that the transmission means is flexible and comprises an element which can slide in the longitudinal channel of the guide rail (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicants: PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA, EURAMAX INDUSTRIES SA
    Inventors: Gerard Jeuffe, Olivier Kugener, Yannick Hervot, Yannick Doucet, Olivier Dequirot
  • Publication number: 20070234500
    Abstract: A side mirror assembly for a truck has a housing retaining an upper mirror, a central mirror, and a lower mirror, each of which is motorized and independently adjustable. The assembly also includes a chain driven wiper blade that will wipe across all three mirrors, and a dispenser for dispensing washer fluid on the mirrors. Around the perimeter of the housing are one or more connectors to with electrical devices attachable to the mirror housing can be connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventor: Nathan Holmes
  • Patent number: 7257855
    Abstract: A side window washing device has a washing unit positioned on each side of the side window and coupled to an interior section of a door frame of the vehicle. The washing unit is capable of dispensing a liquid and moving to clean the side window. A driving unit is coupled to the washing unit. The driving unit is used for dispensing the liquid through the washing unit and for moving the washing unit. A drying unit is positioned above each washing unit and coupled to the interior section of a door frame. The drying unit is used for removing any liquid remaining on the side window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Inventor: Kevin R. Mayo
  • Patent number: 7231683
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for cleaning a window of a structure. The window cleaning apparatus includes a guide track mounted on one side of a window frame and a second guide track mounted on a side of the window frame opposite the first guide track wherein a cleaning assembly is retained and guided between and along a length of the first and second guide tracks. The apparatus further includes a means for selectively moving the cleaning assembly along the length of the guide track and over a surface of a window within the window frame thereby cleaning the surface of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventor: Luis Carlos Cruz
  • Patent number: 7069617
    Abstract: A wiper system for a truck mirror includes a pneumatic cylinder configured for attachment to a compressed air source. The pneumatic cylinder has an operating rod that is extendable and retractable. It also has a stroke of approximately the width of the mirror. The pneumatic cylinder is configured for front mounting. A low-profile mounting bracket attaches the pneumatic cylinder to the mirror. The mounting bracket is configured for attachment to the front of the pneumatic cylinder and for positioning the front of the pneumatic cylinder adjacent to or abutting a vertical side of the mirror. A wiper blade attaches to the threaded end of the operating rod of the pneumatic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Inventor: Wallace James
  • Patent number: 6986186
    Abstract: A window washing system for cleaning a window mounted in a dwelling wall having an inner surface and an outer surface includes a window squeegee assembly that is attached to the outer surface. The assembly includes a pair of supports that are each elongated and attached to the outer surface on either side of the window. An elongated elastomeric blade is attached to and extends between the supports. The blade has a contacting edge abutting an outer surface of the window. A driving assembly is mechanically coupled to the pair of supports for selectively moving the blade upwardly or downwardly. A liquid dispenser for selectively dispensing liquid on the window. A reservoir is fluidly coupled to the dispenser by a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Inventor: Stephane Dube
  • Patent number: 6966095
    Abstract: A system for wiping a windshield of a vehicle in a rectangular field, comprising a wiper arm, a wiper blade assembly operationally attached to the wiper arm, and means for rotating and translating the wiper arm to cause said wiper blade assembly to track in a linear path across the windshield. The system includes a three-gear train for moving a pivot point on the wiper arm along a circular path centered on a virtual pivot point. The system is especially suited for wiping low aspect ratio windshields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Cushman Brown
  • Patent number: 6869126
    Abstract: A windscreen wiping system for automobiles has a fixing device with at least three fixing mechanisms situated at a distance from each other. Two of these fixing mechanisms are situated on a connection line. The third fixing mechanism is situated at a distance from the connection line. The fixing device also includes at least three receiving devices which engage the fixing mechanisms. A damping element formed of a vibration-damping material is provided between the fixing mechanisms and the receiving devices. The damping elements are mounted on a part of the fixing device that is situated on the side of the wiping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Systèmes d'Essuyage
    Inventors: Eckhardt Schmid, Bruno Egner-Walter
  • Patent number: 6851156
    Abstract: An automatic window cleaning apparatus for use with windows on buildings is disclosed. The apparatus would be an electronic system for automatically cleaning the exterior side of windows in buildings, preferably skyscrapers, which would be operated through a control panel located inside a room within the building. Each system would be specifically designed for only one window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Cheryl Hairaton
  • Patent number: 6799482
    Abstract: The invention is based on a fastening for a wiper mount (36) at at least three fastening points (38, 40, 42) on a vehicle body (44) by means of elastic bearings (48), wherein the first and second fastening point (38, 40) are disposed in the vicinity of wiper bearings (30, 32, 34) and the third fastening point (42) is disposed near a wiper motor (10), and the third fastening point (42) is adjustable such that the wiper mount (36) can be tilted about an imaginary axis through the first and second fastening points (38, 40). It is proposed that in the vicinity of the third fastening point (42), contact faces (58, 68) of the wiper mount (36) that face another, on the one hand, and a retaining element (46) secured nondetachably to the vehicle body (44), on the other, form an angle (&dgr;), and between the contact faces (58, 68), a rubber-elastic element (48) whose end faces (56, 66) correspond to the contact faces (58, 68) is fastened by means of a screw (74).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Knauf, Richard Duesterhoeft
  • Patent number: 6772469
    Abstract: Mirror cleaning devices clean the external mirrors of large vehicles while they are being driven. During adverse weather conditions, the external mirrors of large vehicles can become occluded by rain, snow, or dirt. By keeping the mirror glass clean and moisture free, the driver is able to easily use the mirror without having to frequently pull to the roadside to clean moisture and dirt from the mirrors with a rag. The driver is able to maintain a full view to the rear sides at all times for safe passing, lane changing, merging, and reversing regardless of the weather conditions present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: James Pidgeon
  • Patent number: 6701568
    Abstract: A wiper driven by a motor-driven drive shaft which has a variably-oriented axis and a guiding section of the drive shaft is held between two surfaces of a slide. One of the slide surfaces is carried by a friction plate whose external surface cooperates with a deformable member interposed between the friction plate and a stationary wall of the slide to permit a displacement of the friction plate along a transverse direction perpendicular to the plane of the plate. The formable member acts on the plate, when the guiding section is held in the slide, such that the guiding section rests simultaneously against the two surfaces of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes d′Essuyage
    Inventor: Eric Hospital
  • Patent number: 6698032
    Abstract: A motorcycle helmet face shield is cleaned by a unit that is mounted on a visor that can be releasably attached to the helmet. The unit includes rollers that are slidably mounted on the visor in a groove defined in the visor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventor: Ulysses Paul Robertson
  • Patent number: 6694564
    Abstract: A reciprocating linear sweeping wiping mechanism includes a guide and drive carriage bearing at least a wiper element slidingly mounted inside at least a rigid longitudinal guide rail produced in the form of a hollow extruded profile. The transverse positioning of the frame plate relative to the extruded profile includes a longitudinally oriented rigid rib borne by the extruded profile or by a frame plate, which is received longitudinally sliding in a vertically open matching longitudinal groove borne by the frame plate or the extruded profile, respectively, and each stabilizing element is a stabilizing pad which is longitudinally slidingly received inside the corresponding C-shaped slide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes d'Essuyage
    Inventor: Eric Hospital
  • Patent number: 6691365
    Abstract: A mirror housing contains an electrical motor. A drive arm is mounted to the output shaft of a speed reducer mounted on the motor. A linkage arm rotatably couples the drive arm to a rocker disk which is rotatably mounted within the housing. Three hundred sixty degree rotation of the drive arm by operation of the electric motor imparts a back-and-forth arcuate rocking motion to the rocker disk which in turn imparts a linear back-and-forth motion to a wiper mounted over the mirror glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Eric C. Graf
  • Patent number: 6654982
    Abstract: A rearview truck mirror and wiper assembly for improving the rear view for truckers by keeping the mirror clean and lighted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: William Q. Cowan
  • Publication number: 20030145410
    Abstract: The present invention consists of an automated washing apparatus for windowpanes, comprising two tracks (7) placed on the sides of a relative windowpane (2), at least one support frame (8) mounted and sliding onto said tracks (7), at least one windscreen wiper (9) supported by the frame (8) and touching the windowpane (2), and a device (10) for moving the frame (8) along the two tracks (7), causing also the windscreen wiper (9) slide against the windowpanes (2). Said moving device (10) is equipped with a sliding element (11) mounted inside each track (7), and a device (24) for actuating the same sliding elements (11). The tracks (7) and the moving device (10) may be either installed in a pre-existing frame (3) or completely included inside said frame (3), so that only the part of the apparatus delimited by the frame (3) is visible from the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Salvatore Butindari
  • Patent number: 6546590
    Abstract: An automatic attachable side-view mirror cleaning device is provided for cleaning the side-view mirrors on tractor-trailer rigs. Utilizing a rubber squeegee blade, similar to that used on windshield wipers, the blade travels up and down the long, thin mirror of a tractor-trailer rig. The squeegee scraper blade utilizes two vertical tracks which reside on the two exterior sides of the mirror and is powered by a small electric motor located under the dashboard. Additionally, washer solvent is directed at the mirror using a small pump, through jets at the top of the mirror. The solvent system would be tapped into the main solvent system of the truck using small diameter plastic tubing. The controls for both the electric drive motor and the solvent pump would be located in a dash-mounted panel inside the cab. The invention would be made available as a factory option on new trucks as well as be made available as an after-market attachment accessory for do-it-yourself installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Gary Waters
  • Patent number: 6530110
    Abstract: A mirror cleaning system has a mirror with a mirror support assembly, a drive assembly including a drive shaft to effect rotation, a motor, a hollow cross piece including a supported wiper arm and at least one aperture spaced along the length thereof, and a length of hollow flexible tubing adapted to be coupled to the cross piece and a source of pressurized cleaning fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Inventors: Tony Breau, Michael Accommando
  • Publication number: 20030041405
    Abstract: A mirror housing contains an electrical motor. A drive arm is mounted to the output shaft of a speed reducer mounted on the motor. A linkage arm rotatably couples the drive arm to a rocker disk which is rotatably mounted within the housing. Three hundred sixty degree rotation of the drive arm by operation of the electric motor imparts a back-and-forth arcuate rocking motion to the rocker disk which in turn imparts a linear back-and-forth motion to a wiper mounted over the mirror glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Eric C. Graf
  • Publication number: 20030000040
    Abstract: A windshield wiper is moved across a windshield by a linear motor employing an induction effect. A stator is attached to a vehicle and a driver or truck attached to a wiper blade. Either the stator or driver has coils that are actuated to move the driver across the windshield carrying the blade with it. The blade is swept back and forth with the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Miroslav Trajkovic, Srinivas Gutta, David Knapp
  • Publication number: 20020189044
    Abstract: The invention concerns a reciprocating linear sweeping wiping mechanism (10) comprising a guide and drive carriage (14) bearing at least a wiper element (20) mounted sliding inside at least a rigid longitudinal guide rail produced in the form of a hollow extruded profile (12). The invention is characterized in that the transverse positioning means of the frame plate (16) relative to the extruded profile (12, 22) comprises a longitudinally oriented rigid rib (38) borne by the extruded profile (12, 22), or by the frame plate, which is received longitudinally sliding in a vertically open matching longitudinal groove (40) borne by the frame plate (16) or the extruded profile respectively, and each stabilizing element is a stabilizing pad (50) which is received longitudinally sliding inside the corresponding C-shaped slide rail (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Eric Hospital
  • Patent number: 6453504
    Abstract: An exterior rear view mirror is wiped by a flexible blade supported by a pivotal arm mounted on a carriage supported for linear movement on a track mounted on a housing attached to the mirror. A shuttle is supported within the housing for reciprocating vertical movement by a motor driven reversing lead screw, and a magnetic coupling connects the shuttle to the carriage with the housing extending therebetween. A cam and follower lift and reset the arm and blade relative to the mirror in response to movement of the carriage at the top of the mirror, and the track and housing are each formed from a non-magnetic material so that the shuttle moves the carriage by a magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Rotron, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Richard Burkard, Gary R. Leeth
  • Patent number: 6446301
    Abstract: A laterally movable wiper arm assembly cleans curved interior surfaces of automobile and truck windshields. The wiper blade is movable on two curved tracks; one at the top of the windshield and one at the bottom of the windshield, with a vertically oriented telescoping wiper blade movable laterally therebetween. The telescoping arm support permits the vertical blade to tilt into the corners at the bottom of the windshield, to cover a larger proportion of the area, since the bottom of a windshield is longer than the top. The blade or wiping pad is supported with a resilient foam layer attached to a flexible substrate, which is adjustably attached to a rigid support arm following the windshield contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: John Kemp
  • Publication number: 20020100136
    Abstract: An automatic attachable side-view mirror cleaning device is provided for cleaning the side-view mirrors on tractor-trailer rigs. Utilizing a rubber squeegee blade, similar to that used on windshield wipers, the blade travels up and down the long, thin mirror of a tractor-trailer rig. The squeegee scraper blade utilizes two vertical tracks which reside on the two exterior sides of the mirror and is powered by a small electric motor located under the dashboard. Additionally, washer solvent is directed at the mirror using a small pump, through jets at the top of the mirror. The solvent system would be tapped into the main solvent system of the truck using small diameter plastic tubing. The controls for both the electric drive motor and the solvent pump would be located in a dash-mounted panel inside the cab. The invention would be made available as a factory option on new trucks as well as be made available as an after-market attachment accessory for do-it-yourself installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventor: Gary Waters