Abstract: A cantilevered beam-blade windshield-wiper assembly includes a longitudinally extending backbone having first and second ends. A wiper element is mounted to and extends a substantial portion of the longitudinal extent of the backbone and is adapted for wiping engagement with a windshield. A wiper arm is connected to the first end of the backbone such that the backbone is supported in cantilevered fashion by the wiper arm at the first end and the second end is disposed distal the wiper arm. The wiper arm is adapted to be reciprocally driven with respect to the windshield, apply a biasing downward pressure to the backbone in the direction of the windshield, and move the backbone reciprocally across the windshield.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a discrete curved product from a feed stock includes a source of heat that is adapted to impose a focused beam of light on at least one surface of a work piece to cause the surface of the work piece to expand and thereby move in the general direction of the heat source so as to impart a predetermined radius of curvature to the work piece. The apparatus is described in connection with one example where it may be employed to manufacture a curved backbone for a beam blade windshield wiper assembly from feed stock. In addition, a method of manufacturing a discrete curved product from feed stock, generally, as well as a discrete curved backbone for a beam blade windshield wiper assembly from feed stock, specifically, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A beam blade windshield wiper assembly having an elongated backbone defining a longitudinal beam length which extends between first and second longitudinal ends so as to define a longitudinal axis with an intermediate portion therebetween. The backbone has an upper surface and an opposed mounting surface with first and second sides extending between the upper surface and the mounting surface. A wiper element is mounted to the mounting surface of the backbone and extends for a substantial portion of its longitudinal beam length. The assembly further includes a coupler which is adapted to interconnect the backbone to a wiper arm. The coupler includes a spring clip mounted to the backbone and a coupler housing adapted to be mounted to the wiper arm.

Abstract: This invention relates to the working of a metallic strip. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of working a length of metallic strip by heat treating under tensile force, to a length of metallic strip and to an apparatus for use in working a length of metallic strip.

Abstract: A windshield wiper blade including an elongated, flexible wiper element having a spine and a tip portion for wiping action against a windshield surface. The spine includes at least one elongated reinforcing and retaining vertebra for restraining the wiper element into a desired longitudinal orientation. The vertebra has an elongated body defining a thin, generally rectangular cross-section. The body is formed of a plurality of generally parallel fibers extending longitudinally internally of the body. The fibers are maintained in tension by cured resinous material which defines the exterior dimension of the body.

Abstract: A windshield wiper drive mechanism which interconnects a motor and a wiper assembly which is movable between an in-wipe position and an out-wipe position on a windshield. The drive mechanism includes an elliptical gear set having a pair of eccentric gears driven by the motor and mounted on first and second idler shafts which are rotatable about first and second axes, respectively. An elliptical output gear is mounted on an output shaft which, in turn, is rotatable about an output axis. The elliptical output gear is disposed between the pair of eccentric gears such that the first and second eccentric gears engage the elliptical gear at positions substantially 180.degree. opposite one another on the elliptical gear and so that the respective axes of the first and second idler shafts as well as the output axis of the output shaft lie in a single fixed plane.

Abstract: Two embodiments of a wiper blade attachment adapter are disclosed, each directed to different market areas. Both embodiments incorporate a partially hollow main body defined by side walls with opposed first and second ends, and joined to and spaced apart by a web extending from the end of the adapter to central pin receiving apertures in the side walls. A bar extends between the side walls at the second end, otherwise the space between the side walls is open between the bar at the second end and the web. The region of the web adjacent the pin apertures includes an extension of those apertures, forming a through open passage of generally keyhole configuration, open at its bottom, which can embrace a central retaining pin on the receptacle structure of the wiper's primary lever. A latch member is integrally attached to the first end of the adapter body by a flexible hinge member (e.g. a "living hinge") such that the latch member is a permanent movable part of the adapter.

Abstract: A bifurcated backing member (20) for use in a wiper blade assembly, the bifurcated backing member (20) being formed from an elongated strip (10) having a centrally thinned section (11) which is then laterally displaced such that the edge (14) of the thinned section (11) coincides with the adjacent edges (15a, 15b) of the remaining parts of the elongated strip (10), the elongated strip (10) then being bent around the thinned section 11 to form the bifurcated backing member with substantially parallel legs (13).

Abstract: A windshield wiper system incorporates a depressed park mechanism that stores a wiper blade in a depressed, park position. Actuation of the motor in one direction moves the blade out of its park position and into an operative position where it reciprocates through a predetermined wipe pattern. De-actuation of the wipe system then repositions the blade in its depressed park position by simply reversing rotation of the motor and altering the effective length of the drive link assembly.

Abstract: A windscreen wiper blade (1) comprises a harness (3, 5, 7) carrying a blade rubber (23) for wiping contact with the windscreen and having means (17) for connection with a wiper arm (11) for driving the blade (1) across the screen, in which the longitudinal central plane (.alpha.) through at least a part of the harness (3, 5, 7) lies at an angle (.theta.) to the longitudinal central plane (.beta.) of the blade rubber (23).

Abstract: This invention relates to a housing for a rotatable shaft, particularly one used in the drive mechanism of a windscreen wiper assembly. The housing comprises a body portion having first and second ends disposed oppositely to and axially remote from each other, the body portion being provided with an integrally formed retaining member adapted to maintain the axial positioning of the rotatable shaft. Another embodiment of the invention provides on the second end of housing means for biasingthe body portion in the axial direction.

Abstract: A pivot joint is disclosed for pivoting together first and second members. The first at least is of channel section at the joint and the second seats within the first. The pivot joint has a joint body intermediate the first and second members. The joint body has a pair of inwardly extending trunnions each provided with a coaxial bore. Each trunnion cooperates with apertures in the second member and the coaxial bores in the trunnions are aligned with apertures in the first member. A pivot pin extends through the apertures of the first and second members and through the bores of the trunnions of the joint body. The pin is retained in the bores by positive engagement of portions of the pin with inwardly directed resilient collars in the trunnions of the joint body. A joint body for use in the pivot joint is also disclosed.

Abstract: A windscreen wiper blade arrangement comprises a windscreen wiper blade and a connector (11) for connecting the windscreen wiper blade to a windscreen wiper drive arm whereby the blade is driven across a windscreen. The blade is so arranged that the connector (11) is connectable to the windscreen wiper blade in two opposite positions, enabling the blade to be reversed so as to be usable for both left-hand and right-hand drive cars. Indicating means (31,33) are provided on the blade for indicating the type of drive of car for which a particular orientation is intended, the location of the indicating means (31,33) being such that the connector (11) obscures the indication (31 or 33) of the indicating means (31,33) relating to the car for which the orientation is not intended while the indication (33 or 31) for the intended car is visible.

Abstract: A drive connection for the arm (2) of a windscreen wiper comprises a metallic wiper arm (2), a spindle (5) by which it is driven and means (7) for electrically insulating the wiper arm (2) from the spindle (5), thus electrically isolating the arm (2) and blade of the wiper from the rest of the vehicle.

Abstract: A pivot joint comprising a first member (1) of generally channel section at least in the region of the joint, a second member (2) to which the first member (1) is to be pivotally connected and which is adapted to lie at least partially within the first member (1) in the region of the joint and a joint body (4) adapted to lie around the second member (2) while being largely contained within the channel of the first member (1). The channel section of the first member (1) has at least one wall (7) at an obtuse angle to the base of the channel so that the channel has a wider mouth than the base, the cross section of the channel being trapezoidal. The joint body (4) is shaped exteriorly to complement the interior of the channel and is provided with a pair of external trunnions (54,56) aligned with corresponding apertures (12,13) in the first member (10) and with means (62,64) for attaching the joint body (4) to the second member (2).

Abstract: A washer arrangement is provided for a windscreen wiper which comprises a wind screen wiper blade B, a windscreen wiper arm (22) for driving the windscreen wiper blade and a connector element (1) for connecting the windscreen wiper arm (22) to the windscreen wiper blade. The arrangement comprises a connector element (1) carrying one or more washing nozzles (17, 18).

Abstract: A pivot joint (1) comprises a first member (2) of generally channel section with diverging walls (4) at least in the region of the joint (1), a second member (3) to which the first member (2) is to be pivotally connected and which is adapted to lie at least partially within the first member (2) in the region of the joint (1) and which has divergent sides (5) in the same sense as the first member (2), at least in the region of the joint (1) and a joint body (10) of channel shape with substantially parallel sides (14,15) prior to assembly. First attachment means (6) are provided on the first member (2) for cooperation with first attachment means (11) on the joint body (10) and second attachment means (7) are provided on the second member (3) for cooperation with second attachment means (12) on the joint body (10).

Abstract: A pivot joint (1) is provided for pivotting together a first member (2) and a second member (3), at least the first of which is of channel section at the joint and the second of which is adapted to seat within the first, the pivot joint (1) comprising a plastics joint body (4) of generally channel section adapted to sit within the first member (2) and to receive the second member (3) therewithin, the joint body (4) or first member (2) having a first pair of trunnion members (6) adapted to cooperate with apertures (8) in the first member (2) or the joint body (4) respectively and the joint body (4) having a second pair of trunnion members (9) extending inwardly and cooperating with a pair of aligned keyhole slots (12) provided in the outer surface of the second member (3).