WINDSHIELD WIPER REPAIRING DEVICE

Abstract

A windshield wiper repairing device comprises of a hollow frame (1) having both ends thereof attached to a cover (11) respectively and a set of repairing means (2) incorporated into said frame (1). Said wiper repairing device is characterized in that two pyramid-shape grooves (12) which facing each other are provided alongside two elongated surfaces of said frame (1), and said repairing means (2) consists of a first and second seats (21, 22), each having an abrasion element (211, 221) attached thereon fitted into said grooves (12), and a first and second springs (23, 24) provided vertically between said first and second seats (21, 22) for engaging both.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a windshield wiper repairing device for an automobile.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

A windshield wiper is very essential for visibility and safety. Defective windshield wipers can seriously compromise the driver's vision when road conditions are not favorable. A windshield wiper commonly composes of an arm, a frame and a rubber blade. Factors like sunlight contaminants, oil and dirt cause the wiper blade to age and deteriorate. It's therefore recommended that the wiper blade should be replaced every 6 to 12 months. The most commonly way is to replace the wiper assembly. The wiper assembly which includes a metal frame and the rubber blade can be found and purchased easily in any automotive parts store, however, the price is varied depending the quality thereof and not economical since the frame is usually in a good state. A more economic way is to replace the rubber blade by a blade refill. Although streaking and the inability to clear water from the windshield can be solved by above methods, the most efficient and economical method is to remove shallow slits or cracks occurred on the surface of the wiper blade. The present invention, therefore, is a wiper repairing device which has abrasive surface to scrap off aging layer of the rubber blade and prolong the service life thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve above-identified objective, a windshield wiper repairing device for an automobile is realized by having a hollow frame whose both ends engage with a cover respectively, and a repairing means is incorporated into said frame. A groove is provided respectively on two elongated surfaces which face each other for receiving the wiper blade. Said repairing means composes of two seats with an abrasion element attached respectively thereon. The two seats connected by two vertical springs and are inserted into said grooves. The abrasion element can be selected from either a rough or a fine abrasive surface to provide different treatments to the aging wiper blade. As for repairing, the wiper blade is placed in the groove, and the edge of the blade is pressed against said abrasive surface by the force of springs which connect the seats. The repairing device is later operated by the user to perform a unidirectional movement for removing or scraping off shallow slits and cracks of the blade which is pressed against the abrasion surface to restore proximately the wiper blade to its original state. Two springs ensure the abrading procedure being performed in balance, avoiding uneven surface being produced. Said wiper repairing device is economic and compact, ideally for placing in the trunk or glovebox of an automobile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the present invention.

FIGS. 4 to 6 are explanatory drawings to demonstrate the repairing procedures of the present invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment is described in detail according to the appended drawings hereinafter.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a windshield wiper repairing device comprises of a hollow frame (1), two covers (11) attached to both ends of said frame (1) and a set of repairing means (2) incorporated into said frame (1). Said wiper repairing device is characterized in that two pyramid-shape grooves (12) are provided at two elongated surfaces of said frame (1) that face each other, and said repairing means (2) consists of a first and second seats (21, 22), each having an abrasion element (211, 221) attached thereon fitted into said grooves (12), and a first and second springs (23, 24) provided vertically between said first and second seats (21, 22) for connecting the seats.

Each cover (11) has a U-shape guide way (111), thus when it couples with the frame (1), the wiper blade (100) can be led into the groove (12) guided without difficulty through the guide way (111). The width of the groove (12) is slightly wider than the wiper blade (100) to allow smooth insertion, and able to secure the blade (100) within the groove (12).

The abrasion elements (211, 221) can have a rough abrasive surface or a fine abrasive surface, or one element (211) has a rough surface and another (221) with a fine surface. The rough surface can be provided by sandpaper having coarse grit size and the fine surface can be provided by sandpaper having fine grit size. The worn wiper blade (100) is recommended to pass firstly the rough abrasive surface for removal of slits or cracks, generating a new surface and then pass the fine abrasive surface to rub and smooth the surface further.

By installing both first and second springs (23, 24) vertically, the first and second seats (21, 22) are connected and supported by an even force to avoid creating jagged surface to the wiper blade (100).

Said frame (1) incorporates a spacing wall (13) for separating the inner area thereof into two compartments from the center. The wall (13) increases the strength of the frame (1) for bearing external force. A notch (131) is sized at an end of the wall (13) to retain said first spring (23) and another notch (132) is sized at another end of the wall (13) to retain said second spring (24). The width of both notches (131, 132) matches the diameter of both first and second springs (23, 24), thus said springs (23, 24) are allowed to move properly without affected by said spacing wall (13).

Each of said first and second seats (21, 22) has two locating poles (25) for engaging respectively with an end of the springs (23, 24). The locating poles (25) facilitate procedure to assemble seats (21, 22) and springs (23, 24) and maintain the springs (23, 24) in vertical fashion to avoid disengagement as they receive uneven pressure.

Each of said grooves (12) consists essentially of an elongated slit (121) provided on the surface of the frame (1) for receiving a wiper blade (100), an elongated slot (122) disposed within the frame (1) for accommodating said first and second seats (21, 22), and a central groove (123) set between said slit (121) and slot (122) for receiving an elongated edge of the wiper blade. The cross section of the groove (12) shows a pyramid shape. The slot (122), which is the bottom, is the widest and the slit (121) has the narrowest width to secure the wiper blade (100). The central groove (123) has a size between the slot (122) and slit (121) to provide space for the edge of the wiper blade (100) able to be bent angledly for abrasive purpose.

Said frame (1) has four curved edges (14) whose extreme end couples with a curved portion (112) of the cover (11). The curve design allows the frame (1) being attached with covers (11) more easily than a sharp edge and meets ergonomic requirement as it won't cut user's palm when is hold.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the processes for repairing a windshield wiper are described hereinafter:

• • Step 1. Wiper blade (100) is inserted into the groove (12) of the wiper repairing device by passing through the guide way (111). The blade (100) is secured by the slit (121) and the edge thereof is accommodated within the central groove (123).
  • Step 2. Move the device in a unidirectional fashion along the wiper blade (100). Said first and second springs (23, 24) within the frame (1) apply a force to both first and second seat (21, 22), thus the edge of the blade (100) is pressed against the seat (21) which has an abrasion element (211) (e.g. rough abrasive surface).
  • Step 3. Repeat the steps 1 and 2 for 3 to 5 times consecutively to remove aging and deteriorating surface of the wiper blade (100).
  • Step 4. Extract the wiper blade (100) and insert it into the groove (12) at an opposite end of the frame (1).
  • Step 5. Move the device in a unidirectional fashion along the wiper blade (100). The edge of the blade (100) is now pressed against the seat (22) which has an abrasion element (221) (e.g. fine abrasive surface).
  • Step 6. Repeat the steps 4 and 5 for 3 to 5 times consecutively to finish the surface until it is smooth and plane.

Claims

1. A windshield wiper repairing device comprises of a hollow frame, two covers attached to both ends of said frame and a set of repairing means disposed within said frame; said wiper repairing device is characterized in that:

a pyramid-shape groove is provided respectively at two elongated surfaces of said frame which face each other;

said repairing means consists of a first and second seats having an abrasion element attached thereon respectively, and a first and second springs provided vertically between said first and second seats for joining both seats.

2. The windshield wiper repairing device of claim 1, wherein said two first and second abrasion elements include a rough or a fine abrasive surface.

3. The windshield wiper repairing device of claim 1, wherein the first abrasion element has a rough abrasive surface and the second abrasion element has a fine abrasive surface.

4. The windshield wiper repairing device of claim 2, wherein said rough abrasive surface is sandpaper with coarse grit size and said fine abrasive surface is sandpaper with fine grit size.

5. The windshield wiper repairing device of claim 3, wherein said rough abrasive surface is a sand paper with coarse grit size and said fine abrasive surface is sandpaper with fine grit size.

6. The windshield wiper repairing device of claim 1, wherein said frame incorporates a spacing wall for separating an inner area of the frame into two compartments; a notch is sized at and end of the wall to retain said first spring and a notch is sized at another end of the wall to retain said second spring.

7. The windshield wiper repairing device of claim 1, wherein said first and second seats are provided with a plurality of locating poles for supporting said first and second springs.

8. The windshield wiper repairing device of claim 1, wherein a U shaped guide way is provided respectively on two surfaces of each cover where connect said grooves.

9. The windshield wiper repairing device of claim 1, wherein each of said grooves consists essentially of:

an elongated slit provided on the surface of the frame for receiving a wiper blade;

an elongated slot disposed within the frame for accommodating said first and second abrasion elements, and

a central groove set between said slit and slot for receiving an elongated edge of the wiper blade.