With Material Applying Means Patents (Class 15/250.01)
  • Patent number: 7171716
    Abstract: Apparatus (20) for cleaning a window (24) of a vehicle (22), including a vessel (28) having an inlet (32) through which a washing fluid is received from a reservoir and an outlet (34) through which the fluid is discharged for cleaning the window. There is a heating (50) for heating the fluid in the vessel, which element preheats the vessel before the washing fluid is received therein, whereby at least an initial quantity of the fluid is rapidly heated and discharged from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Micro-Heat, Inc.
    Inventors: Shlomi Franco, Jossef Wodnik, Vyshislav Ivanov
  • Patent number: 7080872
    Abstract: A pneumatic windshield clearing system for enhancing the safety of operating a vehicle in difficult environmental circumstances without the distraction of wipers. The pneumatic windshield clearing system includes an air source assembly coupled vehicle, a blower assembly for directing high pressure airflow towards the windshield of the vehicle, and a suction assembly for removing rain, snow, and other debris for m the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventor: Menachem Simonowits
  • Patent number: 6986186
    Abstract: A window washing system for cleaning a window mounted in a dwelling wall having an inner surface and an outer surface includes a window squeegee assembly that is attached to the outer surface. The assembly includes a pair of supports that are each elongated and attached to the outer surface on either side of the window. An elongated elastomeric blade is attached to and extends between the supports. The blade has a contacting edge abutting an outer surface of the window. A driving assembly is mechanically coupled to the pair of supports for selectively moving the blade upwardly or downwardly. A liquid dispenser for selectively dispensing liquid on the window. A reservoir is fluidly coupled to the dispenser by a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Inventor: Stephane Dube
  • Patent number: 6922929
    Abstract: An apparatus that indicates the sports team affiliation of a vehicle operator includes a first part that moves conjointly with a windshield wiper and a non-moving second part mounted to the vehicle. The moving part is mounted to the wiper arm but not to the wiper blade. A first bracket is mounted to the first part near its radially inner end and a second bracket is mounted to the first part near its radially outer end. A first tie secures a radially inner end of the wiper arm to the first bracket and a second tie secures a radially outer end of the first part to the second bracket. The non-moving second part is secured to the vehicle with suction cups. In a second embodiment, the non-moving part is eliminated and only the moving part is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Robert J. Schramek
  • Patent number: 6892417
    Abstract: Apparatus (20) for cleaning a window (24) of a vehicle (22), including a vessel (28), having an inlet (32) through which a washing fluid is received from a reservoir and an outlet (34) through which the fluid is discharged for cleaning the window. There is a heating element (50) for heating the fluid in the vessel, which element preheats the vessel before the washing fluid is received therein, whereby at least an initial quantity of the fluid is rapidly heated and discharged from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Micro-Heat, Inc.
    Inventors: Shlomi Franco, Jossef Wodnik, Vyshislav Ivanov
  • Patent number: 6851156
    Abstract: An automatic window cleaning apparatus for use with windows on buildings is disclosed. The apparatus would be an electronic system for automatically cleaning the exterior side of windows in buildings, preferably skyscrapers, which would be operated through a control panel located inside a room within the building. Each system would be specifically designed for only one window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Cheryl Hairaton
  • Patent number: 6802102
    Abstract: A windshield wiper includes a drive shaft (10), to which shaft a crank (12) is fastened. A base body (14) of the drive shaft (10) is made from an extruded light metal profile and on its free end, in the region of a fastening part, carries a connection part (16, 22) of a harder material, which has a screw thread (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Merkel, Roger Daenen
  • Patent number: 6801006
    Abstract: The control device for a wiper device of a window wiper apparatus, especially of a motor vehicle, adapts set values of the wiping angle of the wiper arm to an actually measured operating point of the wiper arm during each wiper cycle. Because of that adaptation both over-wiping and also too little wiping of a wiped area by the wiper device is at least reduced so that the wiper accuracy particularly at the turning points of the wiper arm is improved. Furthermore a method for adjusting of a set value of the wiping angle of a wiper arm of a wiper device to actually existing operating conditions or to an actual operating point is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Moosmann, Hartmut Krueger
  • Publication number: 20040156991
    Abstract: A cylindrical dispenser (100) contains a hydrophobic or hydrophilic Surface Treatment Material (STM) (110). The dispenser is attached to a windshield or other wiper blade (500), or attached to a bracket (400), arm (700), or channel (415) associated with the blade. At rest, the dispenser is oriented such that holes (105), a slit (106), or slots (107) normally face downward, keeping the STM dry, even in rain. When the windshield wiper is energized, however, the arm rotates on a pivot (800) and the angle of rotation is sufficient to expose the bottom side of the dispenser to falling rain, thus dissolving a small portion of the STM. The dissolved STM falls onto a vehicle's windshield (900), for example, and is dispersed by the wiping action of the blade. Thus the STM is automatically dispensed only when the wiper blade is in use in wet conditions. The wiping edge of the blade is in contact with a surface (900), such as the vehicle's windshield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Brian A. Brown, Lloyd Douglas Clark
  • Patent number: 6772469
    Abstract: Mirror cleaning devices clean the external mirrors of large vehicles while they are being driven. During adverse weather conditions, the external mirrors of large vehicles can become occluded by rain, snow, or dirt. By keeping the mirror glass clean and moisture free, the driver is able to easily use the mirror without having to frequently pull to the roadside to clean moisture and dirt from the mirrors with a rag. The driver is able to maintain a full view to the rear sides at all times for safe passing, lane changing, merging, and reversing regardless of the weather conditions present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: James Pidgeon
  • Publication number: 20040117937
    Abstract: Washer equipment jets washings to each sweeping area of driver's side and passenger's side windshield of a vehicle, which are swept by driver's side and passenger's side wiper blades, respectively, in such a manner that they synchronize together and move to a same direction. The washer equipment includes a primary jet part and a secondary jet part. The primary jet part splashes the washings down to a first splashdown disposed in each sweeping area of the driver's side and passenger's side wiper blades. The secondary jet part splashes the washings down to a second splashdown disposed upper side of the sweeping area of the driver's side wiper blade and disposed outside an upper reverse position of the passenger's side wiper blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Akira Maruyama, Shuuichirou Itou, Akihisa Motono, Tetsuya Nakatsukasa
  • Patent number: 6732953
    Abstract: A windshield washer system for an automotive vehicle includes a washer fluid reservoir having washer fluid therein and a separator for receiving washer fluid from the reservoir and for adjusting the concentration of hydrocarbon additive within the fluid contained within the reservoir as a function of referenced temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward K. Krause, Michael L. Greenfield, Scott Alan Wojan, Timothy John Wallington
  • Patent number: 6615438
    Abstract: Apparatus (20) for cleaning a window (24) of a vehicle (22), including a vessel (28), having an inlet (32) through which a washing fluid is received from a reservoir and an outlet (34) through which the fluid is discharged for cleaning the window. There is a heating element (50) for heating the fluid in the vessel, which element preheats the vessel before the washing fluid is received therein, whereby at least an initial quantity of the fluid is rapidly heated and discharged from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Micro-Heat Inc.
    Inventors: Shlomi Franco, Jossef Wodnik, Vyshislav Ivanov
  • Publication number: 20030145410
    Abstract: The present invention consists of an automated washing apparatus for windowpanes, comprising two tracks (7) placed on the sides of a relative windowpane (2), at least one support frame (8) mounted and sliding onto said tracks (7), at least one windscreen wiper (9) supported by the frame (8) and touching the windowpane (2), and a device (10) for moving the frame (8) along the two tracks (7), causing also the windscreen wiper (9) slide against the windowpanes (2). Said moving device (10) is equipped with a sliding element (11) mounted inside each track (7), and a device (24) for actuating the same sliding elements (11). The tracks (7) and the moving device (10) may be either installed in a pre-existing frame (3) or completely included inside said frame (3), so that only the part of the apparatus delimited by the frame (3) is visible from the outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Salvatore Butindari
  • Patent number: 6561209
    Abstract: A washer system and a method are provided for purging the washer liquids contained within a washer system. A first reservoir 21 containing a freezable washer liquid 40, a second reservoir 23 containing a freeze-resistant washer liquid 48, and an exit circuit 28 are fluidically coupled to a fluid distribution circuit 26. A fluid purge apparatus 61 is also coupled to the fluid distribution circuit 26. An electronic control module (ECM) 20 is electrically coupled to the fluid distribution circuit 26, the fluid purge apparatus 61 and a temperature sensor 86. The ECM 20 controls the fluid purge apparatus 61 upon receiving a temperature signal from the temperature sensor 86. The fluid purging apparatus 61 purges freezable washer liquid 40 from a portion of the fluid distribution circuit 26, during temperatures at or below a predetermined temperature, to prevent the washer liquid from freezing within the fluid distribution circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Scott Wojan, Michael Lewis Greenfield, Timothy John Wallington, Edward Karl Krause
  • Patent number: 6546590
    Abstract: An automatic attachable side-view mirror cleaning device is provided for cleaning the side-view mirrors on tractor-trailer rigs. Utilizing a rubber squeegee blade, similar to that used on windshield wipers, the blade travels up and down the long, thin mirror of a tractor-trailer rig. The squeegee scraper blade utilizes two vertical tracks which reside on the two exterior sides of the mirror and is powered by a small electric motor located under the dashboard. Additionally, washer solvent is directed at the mirror using a small pump, through jets at the top of the mirror. The solvent system would be tapped into the main solvent system of the truck using small diameter plastic tubing. The controls for both the electric drive motor and the solvent pump would be located in a dash-mounted panel inside the cab. The invention would be made available as a factory option on new trucks as well as be made available as an after-market attachment accessory for do-it-yourself installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Inventor: Gary Waters
  • Publication number: 20030066909
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for cleaning headlamps on motor vehicles by means of cleaning fluid to be discharged through at least one spray nozzle (7), wherein the spray nozzle (7) in the rest position is arranged concealed or recessed in the bumper (2) or the bodywork of the motor vehicle and can be positioned by means of an actuator in a cleaning position. The cleaning device (1) according to the invention is distinguished in that the spray nozzle is arranged on a mounting which is secured pivotably to the bodywork and which in the rest position is pivoted into the bodywork and which can be pivoted out into the cleaning position by the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Martyn Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6527000
    Abstract: A non-contact wiper and washer assembly for surveillance camera domes having a semicircular perforated tube in close proximity to the dome surface. The tube is pivotable by a motorized mechanism so that either washer solution or compressed air may be dispensed over the entire surface of the dome thereby washing it and cleaning it from any water droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Vicon Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Randmae, Rein Randmae
  • Patent number: 6513185
    Abstract: A windshield wiper has a wiper arm (10), which is driven via a drive shaft and is made up of a fastening element (12) and a hinge element (14), pivotably connected to it via a swivel joint (18). The hinge element has a wiper rod (36) to which a wiper blade (42) is pivotably connected, and at least one spray nozzle (42) is disposed on a pivotable part (10, 22), the spray nozzle communicating with a water pump via a water line (48). An electric resistance heating line (50, 60) in wire form is guided through the water line (48) and has two insulated current-carrying leads (64, 66), which on one end are electrically connected to one another and on that end, with the spray nozzle (42, 54) of a heating-conducting material, form a contact point (62, 68) with good heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Zimmer, Norbert Wegner
  • Patent number: 6470527
    Abstract: A wiper assembly for cleaning a windshield while supplying cleaning fluid thereto, comprising the usual motor-driven reciprocating arm, and a wiper member in the form of an elongated hollow body having fluid passages therein extending from a inlet to an outlet. The hollow body has an inner side for contacting a windshield and which is open so that fluid within the passages can contact the windshield, while peripheral wiper blades restrict flow of fluid along the windshield and out of the body, beyond the blades. A supply conduit leads from a pumped supply of cleaning fluid to the hollow body inlet, and an outlet conduit leads from the outlet to a reservoir, so that fluid which has entered the hollow body through the inlet and has served to clean the windshield can pass through the outlet conduit back to the reservoir, without passing into the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: Ali Boncoglu
  • Patent number: 6453504
    Abstract: An exterior rear view mirror is wiped by a flexible blade supported by a pivotal arm mounted on a carriage supported for linear movement on a track mounted on a housing attached to the mirror. A shuttle is supported within the housing for reciprocating vertical movement by a motor driven reversing lead screw, and a magnetic coupling connects the shuttle to the carriage with the housing extending therebetween. A cam and follower lift and reset the arm and blade relative to the mirror in response to movement of the carriage at the top of the mirror, and the track and housing are each formed from a non-magnetic material so that the shuttle moves the carriage by a magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Rotron, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Richard Burkard, Gary R. Leeth
  • Patent number: 6450421
    Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining a vehicle screen (12) supported with respect to a vehicle by a gasket (16, 24), said screen (12) comprising first (22) and second (27) edge regions wherein said gasket (16, 24) has a first conduit (20) means having an opening (21) proximate to said first edge region (22) and second conduit (25) means having an opening (26) proximate to said second edge region (27) and wherein the apparatus further comprises supply apparatus coupled to said first conduit means (20) for supplying a liquid thereto and collection apparatus coupled to said second conduit (25) means for collecting said liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Textron Limited
    Inventor: Stephen John Burt
  • Publication number: 20020116779
    Abstract: In a window and lens glass cleaning system for a window/lens glass of a motor vehicle, a washer nozzle, a heating element and a nonreturn valve are in each case arranged on or in a retaining part. The retaining part is fastened on a wiper arm which can pivot over the window/lens glass. The invention largely prevents washer fluid in the washer nozzle from freezing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Gerhard Vogt
  • Patent number: 6438789
    Abstract: A windshield wiper blade cleaning system for a vehicle includes a plurality of wiper blades for movement across a windshield of a vehicle. The windshield wiper blade cleaning system includes a nozzle body adapted to be disposed in an air intake plenum of the vehicle and connected to a source of fluid. The nozzle body has a nozzle to extend above the wiper blades in response to fluid pressure from the source of fluid to spray the fluid through the nozzle and onto the wiper blades to clean the wiper blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Murawa, Thomas W. Cox
  • Patent number: 6400111
    Abstract: A system and method for using a relatively high voltage power source on a locomotive to power a windshield wiper system that is capable of operating at variable and interval delay speeds comprising a first DC electric motor, a second DC electric motor, a controller operatively connected for enabling operation thereof, and a convertor power supply connected to the relatively high voltage power source where the convertor has a dynamic response characteristic emulating the electric power characteristics of a conventional vehicle battery whereby the convertor can be rated for supplying nominal motor current but can supply relatively high currents to the first DC motor to allow the motor to overcome stalled conditions
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Gail Leroy Detar
  • Patent number: 6393652
    Abstract: In a window and lens glass cleaning system for a window/lens glass of a motor vehicle, a washer nozzle, a heating element and a nonreturn valve are in each case arranged on or in a retaining part. The retaining part is fastened on a wiper arm which can pivot over the window/lens glass. The invention largely prevents washer fluid in the washer nozzle from freezing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventor: Gerhard Vogt
  • Patent number: 6289549
    Abstract: A mirror wiper with washer for cleaning debris from a vehicle's side mirrors thereby maintaining an unobstructed view for the driver. The inventive device includes a motor attached to the rear of a mirror frame with the drive shaft extending through an aperture within the mirror glass, a wiper blade attached to the end of the drive shaft, a pump fluidly connected to a washer reservoir on the vehicle, a dispensing nozzle adjustably positioned upon the mirror frame and fluidly connected to the pump, a control unit electrically in communication with the pump and motor for allowing the user to manually control the operation while within the vehicle. The wiper blade includes a slip clutch which allows blade to be vertically aligned on each side of the mirror glass by engaging the opposing stopper members. The control unit preferably includes a pair of power switches and a pair of fluid switches for independently controlling the left and right sides of the mirrors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Arnold Rudningen
  • Patent number: 6286175
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an innovated windshield wiper protector for an automobile. It comprises a pressurized fluid container, in which a plunger, a solenoid operated device, a pressurized fluid chamber, a spring, and a push bar with an adjustable screw are provided. By energizing or de-energizing the solenoid operated device, the plunger may reciprocate in the pressurized fluid container so as to vary the fluid pressure in the pressurized fluid chamber that causes the push bar to retract into or extend out of the chamber with the result that the wiper is made closely in contact with windshield glass, or the wiper is separated from the windshield glass with a clearance therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: Yuan-Chiang Lee
  • Patent number: 6266842
    Abstract: A windshield cleaning device for a windshield of a motor vehicle has a reservoir containing a cleaning liquid for washing the windshield. A pump is connected to the reservoir for pumping the cleaning liquid onto the windshield. A collecting device is provided for collecting and returning excess sprayed cleaning liquid, spray water, and rain water into the reservoir. A heat exchanger is provided for heating the cleaning liquid pumped by the pump by heat energy derived from the cooling water cooling the motor of the motor vehicle. A control circuit measures at least one temperature that can be the ambient temperature or the temperature of the cleaning liquid and allows pumping of the cleaning liquid onto the windshield only above a set temperature limit. A metering device automatically introduces an alcohol mixture, and optionally surface-active agents, into the cleaning liquid based on the measured temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Inventor: Hermann-Frank Müller