Abstract: A windshield wiper system has an articulating pivot for wiping a curved glass surface of a vehicle. The articulating pivot has a pivot shaft assembly (64) having a first pivot ball (160) separated by a distance from a second pivot ball (166). The pivot shaft assembly is encased in an outer housing (158) and each pivot ball is supported by a bearing. A pinion gear is integrated with one of the first pivot ball, the second pivot ball, and/or the pivot shaft. A rack gear is integrated into one of the bearings and/or the housing. Rotational movement of the pinion gear along the rack gear articulates the pivot shaft as the pivot shaft is rotated.

Abstract: A wiper system and, more specifically, wiper adapters are provided for wiper assemblies. The adapter engages retention features formed on the front end of the wiper arm, and the blade assembly is equipped with an adapter that mates with the arm geometry to secure itself together. The adapters mount to a common arm geometry and allow for ready, direct connection of the wiper arm to the adapter, which in turn connects to a wiper assembly.

Abstract: An adapter that connects with a coupler for a wiper element is configured to connect with a plurality of different wiper arms each having a different wiper arm style. The adapter can be a one-piece body or a multi-piece body having a cavity and openings for receiving distal ends or distal end features of each of the plurality of different wiper arms. The adapter can also include different tabs for engaging with openings, notches or other components on distal ends of each of the plurality of different wiper arms.

Abstract: An adapter is provided to attach a non-original wiper blade assembly to a wiper arm of a vehicle which is usable with an existing sliding latch and other aesthetic and functional components of the wiper arm to maintain the original aesthetics of the wiper system while allowing installation of non-original wiper blade assemblies.

Abstract: A windscreen wiper device includes an elongated wiper blade, a spoiler, and a connector assembly. The spoiler is coupled to and extends between opposite ends along the longitudinal length of the wiper blade. The connector assembly is operably attached to the spoiler and detachably connects the windscreen wiper device to an oscillating wiper arm adapted to oscillate the wiper blade along the surface of a curved windshield of a vehicle.

Abstract: The windscreen wiper device includes a wiper element and a least one carrier element. The wiper device also includes a connecting device, which includes a base and a joint part. The joint part has a top wall that extends in a lateral direction between a pair of side walls. The joint part also has a button configuration for lockingly attaching the connecting device with at least two different types of oscillating wiper arms. The button configuration includes first and second buttons, each of which is attached with the side walls via resilient strips. The resilient strips extend directly from the side walls to the buttons. The resilient strips bias the buttons into raised positions wherein the buttons project above the top walls. The resilient strips also allow the buttons to move to a pressed position wherein a top surface of the respective button is generally flush with the top wall.

Abstract: A refillable wiper blade (36) including a refill subassembly (38) and a coupler (48) adapted for releasable attachment thereto. The refill subassembly includes a wiping element (42), an elongated spline (44) supporting the element, and a retention clip (46) operatively attached to the spline. The clip has a body (58) and an upwardly-biased cantilevered finger (60) extending from the body. The coupler has a first end (62A) shaped to receive the body of the clip, and a relief (64) defined adjacent to the first end and shaped to accommodate the finger of the clip. The refill subassembly and the coupler cooperate such that predetermined movement of the coupler with respect to the refill subassembly brings the body into engagement with the first end of the coupler such that the finger deflects downwardly until subsequent movement of the coupler along the spline releases the finger upwardly and into the relief of the coupler thereby securing the refill subassembly to the coupler.

Abstract: An adapter (124) for attaching to an attachment member (138) of a wiper arm (114) extending to an terminal end (140) with an upper wall (142) and a pair of side walls (144) depending from the upper wall. The side walls each have an inward protrusion (146) and a U-shaped cutout (148) formed at the end defining upper (150) and lower cutout (152) edges. The upper wall has an aperture (156). The adapter has a body (158) with first (160) and second (162) ends. A stop (164) formed at the first end abuts the attachment member end. A slot (166) formed at the second end receives one of the protrusions. A resilient finger (168) attached to the body has a tooth (170) engaging the aperture to prevent longitudinal movement between the attachment member and adapter. A brace (172) formed at the first end is received in one of the cutouts when the tooth engages the aperture. The brace at least partially abuts the lower cutout edge and remains spaced from the upper cutout edge.

Abstract: The windscreen wiper device includes a wiper element and a carrier element. The windscreen wiper device also includes a connecting device which has a base and a joint part. The joint part has a top wall that extends in a lateral direction between a pair of side walls. The joint part also includes a button configuration for lockingly attaching the connecting device with at least two different types of oscillating wiper arms. The button configuration includes a first button and a second button. The button configuration also includes a pin that is spaced below the top wall and that extends in the lateral direction between the side walls. The first button is attached with the pin on one longitudinal side of the pin, and the second button is attached with the pin on an opposite longitudinal side of the pin.

Abstract: A wiper system and, more specifically, wiper adapters are provided for wiper assemblies. The adapter engages retention features formed on the front end of the wiper arm, and the blade assembly is equipped with an adapter that mates with the arm geometry to secure itself together. The adapters mount to a common arm geometry and allow for ready, direct connection of the wiper arm to the adapter, which in turn connects to a wiper assembly.

Abstract: The windscreen wiper device includes a wiper element and a carrier element. A base of a connecting device is fixedly attached with the carrier element, and a joint part is pivotably attached with the base. The joint part has a top wall and a pair of side walls and a button configuration for locking attachment with different types of oscillating arms. The button configuration includes a first button and a pair of resilient strips that extend from the side walls to the first button and bias the first button into a raised position. The resilient strips also allow the first button to move to a pressed position. A second button is attached with the first button, and the second button is pivotable about a living hinge from a first position, wherein the second button projects above the top wall, to a second position wherein the second button is recessed.

Abstract: A windscreen wiper device is provided including a longitudinally extending wiper strip of a flexible material. At least one carrier of a spring-like material operatively supports and biases the wiper strip into a predetermined configuration. The windscreen wiper device further includes a connecting device for connection with a wiper arm. At least a portion of the wiper strip has a microtextured surface formed directly into the flexible material. The microtextured surface may be on, for example, any one of or any combination of a wiping portion, a channel, a hinge portion and a spoiler portion of the wiper strip.

Abstract: An adapter for attaching to a wiper arm attachment member having a track defined by a base and walls depending therefrom, a bent tab extending outwardly from the base, and fins that extend from the walls. The adapter has a body with a first and second ends. A stop wall formed at the first end abuts the track. A pair of outer walls extend between the first and second ends. A strap connects the outer walls for engaging the base. A pair of inner walls are spaced laterally between the outer walls and are arranged at least partially under the strap. A cantilevered finger extends from each of the inner walls with a tab formed adjacent to the second end. The tabs extend away from each other and are arranged to engage respective fins to prevent movement between the adapter and the attachment member when the stop wall abuts the track.

Abstract: A windscreen wiper device for cleaning a windshield of a vehicle is provided. The windscreen wiper device includes a wiper strip for sealing against the windshield and at least one carrier element engaged with the wiper strip to bias the wiper strip into a predetermined configuration. A frame structure is coupled to the at least one carrier element and includes at least two components. One of the components presents an elongated member with a resilient tab, and another component includes a longitudinally extending opening. One of the walls of the opening has a recess shaped similarly to the resilient tab. The elongated member is inserted into the opening until the resilient tab snaps into the opening to interconnect the components.

Abstract: The windscreen wiper device includes an elastomeric wiper blade that extends in a longitudinal direction. At least one pre-curved longitudinal strip is operably attached with the wiper blade and biases the wiper blade into a curved shape. A connecting device is secured with the at least one strip. The at least one strip includes a pair of tabs that extend longitudinally towards one another and project vertically. The tabs cooperate with the connecting device to secure the connecting device with the at least one longitudinal strip.

Abstract: The windscreen wiper device includes a longitudinally extending wiper element that is made of an elastomeric material. A carrier element, which includes at least one pre-curved longitudinal strip, operably supports the wiper element. The wiper device also includes a connector device with a first piece and with a second piece. A joint part is also provided, and the joint part is connectable with the second piece of the connector device and is configured for attachment with an oscillating wiper arm. The second piece includes a pair of prongs which extend through aligned openings in the first piece and the at least one longitudinal strip. Ends of the prongs are plastically deformed to lock the first and second pieces of the connector device with the at least one pre-curved longitudinal strip.

Abstract: An end cap for a wiper assembly includes a body adapted to be disposed over a portion of a plurality of splines of the wiper assembly. The body includes a separator adapted to cooperate with the splines of the wiper assembly to separate and retain the splines laterally from movement for a wiping element of the wiper assembly disposed between the splines.