Abstract: A polymeric pivot body for a windshield wiper system includes a bracket portion adapted to attach a pivot shaft assembly of a windshield wiper system to a portion of a vehicle and a sleeve portion connected to the bracket portion for receiving and orientating a pivot shaft of the pivot shaft assembly. The pivot body also includes a tube receiving portion connected to and extending outwardly from the sleeve portion for receiving one end of a unitizing tube of a linkage assembly to interconnect the unitizing tube to the pivot shaft assembly. The pivot body further includes at least one I-beam portion interconnecting the sleeve portion and the tube receiving portion in a cost-effective manner while having a lighter weight and reduced stresses, and uses no tools for assembly of the windshield wiper system.

Abstract: A wiper assembly having a wiping element for contact with a windshield within a predetermined attack angle range of ±10° perpendicular relative to the surface to be wiped. The wiper assembly further includes two elongated beams that are engaged to the wiping element and apply a downward force thereto. The wiper assembly also includes a connecting member mounted to the elongated beams. The wiper assembly also includes an airfoil that has an attachment portion attached to the elongated beams and an upper portion that is attached to the attachment portion. The upper portion includes a wing having a facing surface and a trailing surface that extend outwardly from the upper portion at converging angles to improve wind lift resistance and reduce drag.

Abstract: A polymeric pivot body for a windshield wiper system includes a bracket portion adapted to attach a pivot shaft assembly of a windshield wiper system to a portion of a vehicle and a sleeve portion connected to the bracket portion for receiving and orientating a pivot shaft of the pivot shaft assembly. The pivot body also includes a tube receiving portion connected to and extending outwardly from the sleeve portion for receiving one end of a unitizing tube of a linkage assembly to interconnect the unitizing tube to the pivot shaft assembly. The pivot body further includes at least one I-beam portion interconnecting the sleeve portion and the tube receiving portion in a cost-effective manner while having a lighter weight and reduced stresses, and uses no tools for assembly of the windshield wiper system.

Abstract: A wiper assembly having a wiping element for contact with a windshield within a predetermined attack angle range of ±10° perpendicular relative to the surface to be wiped. The wiper assembly further includes two elongated beams that are engaged to the wiping element and apply a downward force thereto. The wiper assembly also includes a connecting member mounted to the elongated beams. The wiper assembly also includes an airfoil that has an attachment portion attached to the elongated beams and an upper portion that is attached to the attachment portion. The upper portion includes a wing having a facing surface and a trailing surface that extend outwardly from the upper portion at converging angles to improve wind lift resistance and reduce drag.

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: 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.