Wiper blade for glass surfaces and associated method of making

Abstract

A wiper blade having a rubber element for engaging glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross and a method of making the blade utilizes a brush element having a plurality of bristles having ends for engaging glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross. The brush element is joined alongside the rubber element to form a unitary structure therewith so that as the wiper blade is moved across the glass, the ends of the bristles and the rubber element move in engagement with the glass.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to vehicle parts and accessories and relates, more particularly, to wiper blades used for cleaning glass surfaces of vehicles and methods of making such blades.

Conventional wiper blades used for wiping glass surfaces of vehicles have heretofore been constructed of a smooth, flexible material, such as rubber, which is intended to clean the glass surface as the wiper blade passes repeatedly back and forth across the glass surface. However, some substances (such as bugs or bird dropping) which occasionally come into contact with the glass surfaces of a vehicle are difficult for common wiper blades to remove. It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved wiper blade which is capable of removing hard-to-remove substances from the glass surface of a vehicle—whether the glass is dry or wetted.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved wiper blade which is capable of removing hard-to-remove material from the glass surfaces of a vehicle more easily than does conventional wiper blades and a method of making the wiper blade. Exemplary applications for such a wiper blade include the windshield and other glass surfaces (such as headlamps) of commercial and private vehicles including, but not limited to, automobiles, trucks, aricraft, boats, construction and farm machinery, and motorcycles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a wiper blade which is capable of cleaning glass surfaces of a vehicle with fewer back and forth passes than would otherwise be required with a wiper blade of conventional construction and which is capaple of cleaning glass surfaces whether the glass surfaces are in a dry or wetted condition.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a wiper blade which embodies a material for brushing hard-to-remove material from the glass surface of a vehicle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a wiper blade which be used to clean the glass surfaces, such as windshield or lamp surfaces, on any of a number of vehicles.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a wiper blade which is uncomplicated in structure, yet effective in operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention resides in a wiper blade having a rubber element for engaging glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross and a method of making the blade.

The improvement of the wiper blade is characterized by a brush element having a plurality of bristles having ends for engaging glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross. In addition, the brush element is joined alongside the rubber element to form a unitary structure therewith so that as the wiper blade is moved across the glass, the ends of the bristles and the rubber element move in engagement with the glass.

The method of the invention includes the steps involved in assembling the wiper blade of the present invention. Initially, a wiper blade portion is provided which includes a spine portion and at least one rubber element attached to the spine portion and a distal end portion which is adapted to engage the surface of glass as the blade is moved thereacross. A brush portion is also provided which includes a body and a plurality of bristles which are joined to so as to extend from said body and wherein the extending bristles are adapted to engage the surface of glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross. The body of the brush portion is then attached to the wiper blade portion so that the brush portion and the wiper blade portion form a unitary structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle and a wiper blade assembly shown utilized for cleaning the windshield glass of the vehicle wherein the wiper blade assembly includes a wiper blade which embodies features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a major portion of the wiper blade assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of a transverse cross section of the wiper blade of FIG. 1 taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 illustrating another embodiment of a wiper blade.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 illustrating still another embodiment of a wiper blade, shown exploded.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 illustrating yet another embodiment of a wiper blade.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, but showing the blade of FIG. 3 being used to clean the surface of glass.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the drawings in greater detail and considering first FIG. 1, there is illustrated a vehicle 18 having a windshield 19 and a windshield wiper blade assembly 20 for cleaning, or wiping, the windshield 19 as the assembly 20 is passed back and forth across the glass surface of the windshield 19 in the directions indicated by the arrow 23. Embodied within the wiper blade assembly 20 is a wiper blade 22 which incorporates features of the present invention and which engages the surface of the windshield during use. As will be apparent herein, the wiper blade 22 includes cleaning elements, described herein, which clean the windshield surface as the assembly 20 is passed back and forth across the windshield 19.

With reference to FIG. 2, the windshield wiper blade assembly 20 includes an arm assembly 24 including a plurality of linkage members, described herein which are joined together in a manner known in the art to permit the linkage members to pivot relative to one another about the midpoints thereof. Such linkage members include a main member 26, two secondary members 28 are pivotally joined to the ends of the main member 26 and four tertiary members 30 which are pivotally joined to the ends of the secondary members 28. In addition, the wiper blade assembly 20 includes attachment means in the form of a clip 32 which accommodates the attachment to (and detachment from) the arm, indicated 21 in FIG. 1, of a windshield wiper of the vehicle windshield 19.

Associated with each end of the tertiary members 30 is a channel member 33 (best shown in FIG. 3) positionable about a portion (as shown in FIG. 3) of the wiper blade 22. Collectively, the channel members 33 provide a guide channel into a portion of the wiper blade 22 can be inserted endwise and subsequently secured for attaching the blade 22 to the remainder of the wiper blade assembly 22. In this connection, the wiper blade 22 includes a spine portion 34 (best shown in FIG. 3) which extends longitudinally of the blade 22 and has outwardly extending rib sections 36, 37 which are slidably positioned within the guide channel formed by the channel members 33 of the tertiary members 30. The spine portion 34 can be reinforced (against bending and compression forces) with a thin metal strip 38 which includes a central slit for accepting the mid-section of the spine portion 34 disposed between the rib sections 36, 37.

It is a feature of the depicted wiper blade 22 that it includes a brush element and at least one rubber element which are joined together in a unitary structure. For example and with reference to FIG. 2, the depicted wiper blade 22 includes a pair of rubber elements 40 between which is sandwiched a brush element 42. Each rubber element 40 includes a proximal end portion 44 which is joined to the spine portion 34 along the length thereof and a distal end portion 46 which extends away from the spine portion 34. Similarly, the brush element 42 includes a proximal end portion 48 which is joined to the spine portion 34 and a distal end portion 50 which extends away from the spine portion 34.

Associated with the proximal end portion 48 of the brush element 42 is a body 52, and there is associated with the distal end portion 50 of the brush element 42 a plurality of straight bristles 54 which are joined at one end to the body 52 and have opposite, or free, ends 56 which extend from the body 52.

The brush element 42 (comprised of both the body 52 and brush element 54) is constructed of Nylon or another copolymer material suitable for brushing (e.g. in a brushing or scrubbing action) the surface of glass when the brush element 42 is moved thereacross and which possesses a relatively high resistance to wear to thereby enhance the usable life of the brush element 42. Furthermore, the brush element 42 is incapable of absorbing water or other fluids to help prevent mold growth in or around the brush element 42.

With reference still to FIG. 3, the proximal end portion 44 of each rubber element 40 has a width which is slightly larger than the more-pointed distal end 46 to provide the transverse cross-sectional shape of each rubber element 40 with a tapered form. Each rubber element 40 is constructed of a soft rubber-like material (such as rubber or a synthetic rubber used in conventional wiper blade refills) which is resistant to wear yet suitable for wiping the surface of glass clean when wiped thereacross. Accordingly and as used herein, the term “rubber” used in the phrase “rubber element” is intended to encompass all rubber-like substances, and not just natural rubber.

Preferably and to facilitate construction of the wiper blade 22, both of the rubber elements 40 and the spine portion 34 are formed (e.g. molded) as a single piece so that the rubber-like material which comprises the rubber elements 40 is the same as the material which comprises the spine portion 34.

To join the brush element 42 to the remainder of the wiper blade 22 (comprised, in particular, a single piece including both of the rubber elements 40 and the spine portion 34, the body 52 of the brush portion 42 is directed between the rubber elements 40 so that the body 52 abuts the spine portion 34 and so that the free ends 56 of the brush portion 42 extend out from between the rubber elements 40, and the body 52 of the brush portion 42 is securely attached in place between the rubber elements 40. As exemplified by a wiper blade embodiment 70 of FIG. 4 (having many of the same components as the blade 22 of FIGS. 1-3), such an attachment can be effected by directing a shanked fastener element 60 through the rubber elements 40 and the body 52 adjacent the distal end 46 of the rubber elements 40 at spaced intervals along the length of the blade 22.

In the alternative and as exemplified by a wiper blade embodiment 72 of FIG. 5 (having many of the same components as the blade 22 of FIGS. 1-3), a suitable adhesive 62 can be applied along the inside surfaces of the rubber elements 40 adjacent the distal end 46 thereof so that when the body 52 of the brush portion 42 is directed between the rubber elements 40 into abutting relationship with the spine portion 34 and the rubber elements 40 are pressed against the surfaces of the body 52 of the brush portion 42, the brush portion 42 is adhesively secured in place between the rubber elements 40.

As a still further alternative and as exemplified by a wiper blade embodiment 74 of FIG. 6 (having many of the same components as the blade 22 of FIGS. 1-3), the brush portion 42 can be formed in conjunction with the formation of the remainder of the wiper blade 22 (comprising spine portion 34 and both rubber elements 40) in an injection or extruded molding process so that the relative shape of the elements places the elements interlocking relationship. In such an instance, the brush portion 42 is formed in a molding process and then directed between the rubber elements 40 as the remainder of the blade 22 is formed in a molding process. To facilitate the attachment of the brush portion 42 to the remainder of the blade 22, the body 52 of the brush portion 42 can be formed with outwardly-extending ribs, or wings 64 (FIG. 6), which are captured within the walls of the rubber elements 40 as the rubber elements 40 are formed along the opposite sides of the brush portion body 52. With the body 52 thereby captured between the rubber elements 40, the brush portion 42 is interlocked with the rubber elements 40 and resists any unintentional separation of the brush portion 62 from the remainder of the wiper blade 22.

During use and with reference to FIG. 7, the wiper blade 22 is passed sideways (e.g. in the direction of the arrow 66) across the window glass 68 of a vehicle to be cleaned so that the leading rubber element 40 engages the surface of the glass 40 and is followed by, in sequence, the free ends 56 of the brush element 42, and then the trailing rubber element 40 which also engage the surface of the glass. When the wiper blade 22 is reversed in direction across the surface of the glass 68, the leading rubber element 40 becomes the trailing rubber element 40, and vice versa. It has been found that the wiper blade 22, due to its inclusion of the brush portion 42, enhances the glass-cleaning capabilities of the blade 22 and cleans glass surfaces whether the glass surfaces are in a dry or wetted condition. Accordingly, the wiper blade 22 is advantageous in these respects.

The applications for the wiper blade 22 include those in which glass wiper blades are currently in use. Such examples include, but are not limited to, the windshield and other glass surfaces (such as headlamps) of commercial and private vehicles including automobiles, trucks, aircraft, boats, construction and farm machinery, and motorcycles.

It will be understood that numerous modifications and substitutions can be had to the aforedescribed embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although the aforedescribed embodiment 22 has been shown and described as including two rubber elements 40 which are positioned on opposite sides of the brush portion 42, a wiper blade constructed in accordance with the broader aspects of this invention can include only one rubber element.

Furthermore, the aforedescribed wiper blade 22 can be fitted within the channel members 33 (FIG. 3) in a manner which accommodates a movement (e.g. a longitudinal shifting movement) of the blade 22 relative to the wiper blade arm 24 as the blade 22 is passed back and forth across the vehicle glass 19 during use to effect a scrubbing of the glass by the brush element 42. Such a permitted movement of the blade 22 can be effected by providing a central slit within the thin metal strip 38 (about which the channel members 33 are positioned) which is long enough to accommodate the aforedescribed longitudinal shifting of the blade 22 relative to the wiper arm 24. Accordingly, the aforedescribed embodiment 22 is intended for the purpose of illustration and not as limitation.

Claims

1. In a wiper blade having a rubber element for engaging glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross, the improvement comprising:

a brush element having a plurality of bristles having ends for engaging glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross, the brush element being joined alongside the rubber element to form a unitary structure therewith so that as the wiper blade is moved across the glass, the ends of the bristles and the rubber element move in engagement with the glass.

2. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the brush element is attached to the rubber element with a shanked fastener element.

3. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the brush element is attached to the rubber element with an adhesive.

4. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the brush element includes portions which are captured by the rubber element to thereby attach the brush element to the rubber element.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein the brush element and rubber elements are shaped so as to interlock with one another when the wiper blade is assembled.

6. An elongated wiper blade attachable to the arm of a wiper blade assembly for cleaning the surface of glass in a vehicle as the blade is passed back and forth across the glass, the blade comprising:

a spine portion which extends along the length of the blade and which is adapted to be connected to the arm of a wiper blade;

a rubber element which is attachably joined to the spine portion and has a distal end portion which extends from the spine portion for engaging the surface of glass when the wiper blade is moved thereacross; and

a brush element having a plurality of bristles having ends for engaging glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross, the brush element being joined to the remainder of the wiper blade and alongside the rubber element to form a unitary structure therewith and so that as the wiper blade is moved across the glass, the ends of the bristles move in engagement therewith.

7. The wiper blade as defined in claim 6 wherein the brush element is attached to the rubber element with a shanked fastener element.

8. The wiper blade as defined in claim 6 wherein the brush element is attached to the rubber element with an adhesive.

9. The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein the brush element includes portions which are captured by the rubber element to thereby attach the brush element to the rubber element.

10. The wiper blade as defined in claim 6 wherein the brush element and rubber elements are shaped so as to interlock with one another when the wiper blade is assembled.

11. The wiper blade as defined in claim 6 wherein the brush element is constructed of a copolymer material.

12. The wiper blade as defined in claim 6 wherein the rubber element is a first rubber element, and the wiper blade further includes a second rubber element which is attachably joined to the spine portion and has a distal end portion which extends from the spine portion for engaging the surface of glass when the wiper blade is moved thereacross; and

the brush element is disposed between the first and second rubber elements and secured thereto to form a unitary structure.

13. The wiper blade as defined in claim 12 wherein the ends of the bristles of the brush element are disposed in such a positional relationship to the distal end portions of the rubber elements so that as the wiper blade is moved across the glass, the ends of the bristles and the distal end portions of the rubber elements engage the surface of the glass.

14. A method for making a wiper blade for cleaning the surface of glass in a vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a wiper blade portion including a spine portion and at least one rubber element attached to the spine portion and a distal end portion which is adapted to engage the surface of glass as the blade is moved thereacross;

providing a brush portion including a body and a plurality of bristles which are joined to so as to extend from said body and wherein the extending bristles are adapted to engage the surface of glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross; and

attaching the body of the brush portion to the wiper blade portion so that the brush portion and the wiper blade portion form a unitary structure.

15. The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the method of attaching is effected with a fastener element having a shank which extends through the body of the brush element and the rubber element.

16. The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the method of attaching is effected with an adhesive which adheres the body of the brush element to a surface of the rubber element.

17. The method as defined in claim 14 wherein the method of attaching involves the formation of the brush element with portions which are captured by the rubber element.