Abstract: A refill unit for a windshield wiper blade having a resilient wiping element and a backing member with sidewardly extending flanges. A wiper blade superstructure has at least two articulated yokes or holders with claws on one of the yokes or holders engaging the flanges on said backing member. A clip is provided for holding the superstructure assembled with the refill and includes a tab engaging in one of at least two apertures in the backing member. Detents and lugs on the clip seat below the flanges for retaining the clip on the backing member. The clip has forwardly extending legs with hook-shaped parts extending outwardly for engaging the claws on the holder for holding the superstructure assembled on the refill.

Abstract: A claw retaining clip for a windshield wiper structure including a relatively rigid base with a locking post extending from one side thereof. A pair of relatively resilient fingers extend in generally parallel relation from the base and each terminates in a hook-like element receivable in grooves in a flexor of a blade. The fingers are provided with cam surfaces which may be engaged by a claw of a pressure applying superstructure to cam the fingers apart so as to allow the claw to enter a claw receiving recess formed intermediate the ends of the fingers in which movement of the claw is restrained. Projections carried by the fingers along with the hook-like elements and the post cooperate together to provide for positive retention of the retaining clip at a desired location on a flexor.

Abstract: A windshield wiper (10) is provided with parts for connecting a plastic windshield wiper blade assembly (11) to a wiper arm (14). The connecting parts include a side pin (30) carried by the wiper arm (14) having a keyway (75) at the end (71) thereof and a pin-receiving aperture (42) defined in a yoke (17) with a U-shaped spring (50) extending in chordal fashion through the aperture (42) and a key (66) projecting into the aperture (42). When the side pin (30) is fully inserted into the aperture (42), spring portions (57,58) will releasably seat in a reduced diameter constricted segment (69) of the side pin (30) to secure the yoke (17) on the wiper arm (14). If the side pin (30) is not fully inserted, engagement of the key (66) and the keyway (75) will lock the yoke (17) and the wiper arm (14) in skewed relation to prevent proper contact of a wiping element (27) carried by the yoke (17) with a windshield (16).

Abstract: A backing strip of a wiper blade refill unit is provided with a narrower element engaging slot to reduce wiper element disengagement from the backing strip, with a greater width to reduce backing strip disengagement from the claws of the superstructure and with a retaining tab for positive engagement with a flat U-shaped end clip to eliminate accidental end clip separation from the backing strip.

Abstract: A lock for maintaining the pivotal connection between two parts of a pressure-distributing superstructure in a windshield wiper blade assembly in which the pivotal connection is effected by providing a pair of outwardly projecting lugs on the resilient side walls of one of the parts which nest in a pair of aligned openings in the U-shaped end portion of the other of the parts. The parts are assembled by deflecting the side walls of the one part inwardly into an open space in the one part to permit the U-shaped end portions of the other part to be fitted over the lugs. Thereafter, the resiliency of the side walls urges the lugs outwardly into the openings to pivotally connect the two parts. In order to prevent disconnection of the two parts, the lock is inserted into the open space to prevent the side walls of the one part from collapsing into the open space. The lock has enlarged portions to retain the lock within the open space which has been adapted to receive the lock.

Abstract: A wiper assembly including a wiping element having a flexible support member and a resilient wiping member and a pressure-distributing superstructure connected to said flexible support member for transmitting pressure from a wiper arm to said wiping member. The pressure-distributing superstructure is held assembled to the flexible support member by means of an improved retaining clip carried by one side of said support member. The retaining clip is mounted in a slot in the support member and has an overhanging portion with an angled abutment which, during assembly of the superstructure to the support member, permits a claw on the end of the superstructure to pass the abutment whereupon the claw is trapped behind the abutment for retaining the superstructure on the support member.

Abstract: A washer jet assembly is provided with a housing adapted to be suspended on a wiper arm and having an inlet sleeve communicating into a distribution chamber. A plurality of grooves are formed in the open end wall of the distribution chamber of the housing to form passageways from the distribution chamber to the outside. A cover button with a head portion and a shank portion is secured to the housing with the head portion closing the distribution chamber and with the shank portion passing through the distribution chamber and the housing and being secured to the housing by upsetting the exposed end of the shank portion.