Streamlined flat windscreen wiper

Abstract

Streamlined flat windscreen wiper (1), in particular of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises: a longitudinal wiper blade (8), at least one longitudinal stiffening spine (6), a longitudinal member (7) for holding said wiper blade and said stiffening spine, a longitudinal fairing (2, 3) comprising two end caps (3) and a central mount (2) extending between the end caps and being linked thereto, the mount comprising means for fixing to said stiffening spine or to said member for holding this spine.

Claims

1. A streamlined flat windscreen wiper for a vehicle, comprising: a central mounting; at least two terminal caps, each of which is articulated to said central mounting at first and second lateral ends of said central mounting, the central mounting and the at least two terminal caps being arranged to extend over the entire length of the wiper, the at least two terminal caps comprising hooks; a stiffening spine curved to conform with a shape of a windscreen; and at least one end piece that has a substantially hollow parallelepipedal shape, comprising: at least one longitudinal stop, a first housing and a second housing oriented longitudinally, each of the first and second housing having one closed longitudinal end and one open longitudinal end to receive an end of the stiffening spine of the wiper and the wiper blade, and a third housing for introduction of the longitudinal end of a retaining member, longitudinal guiding and sliding means formed on an external face of the end piece and configured to cooperate with the at least two terminal caps, wherein the hooks are configured to cooperate with the at least one longitudinal stop, and wherein each of the first, second, and third housings are formed by walls inside the at least one end piece which reproduce, by extension of the at least one end piece, the shape of the stiffening spine and the wiper blade.

2. The streamlined flat windscreen wiper according to claim 1, wherein said guiding and sliding means comprise two parallel longitudinal lateral tracks each defining at least one sliding surface of the at least two terminal caps.

3. The streamlined flat windscreen wiper according to claim 2, wherein each of said tracks comprises a first sliding surface of which a longitudinal edge is linked to a longitudinal edge of a second sliding surface.

4. The streamlined flat windscreen wiper according to claim 3, wherein said first and second sliding surfaces are substantially at right angles.

5. The streamlined flat windscreen wiper according to claim 2, wherein each of said tracks is linked by one of longitudinal ends thereof to a transverse abutment face.

6. The streamlined flat windscreen wiper according to claim 1, wherein said guiding and sliding means are situated on a bottom face of said end piece.

7. The streamlined flat windscreen wiper according to claim 1, wherein the end piece comprises another housing for receiving an end of a wiper blade and a longitudinal groove which is formed on a bottom face of the end piece and which emerges in the another housing, said guiding and sliding means extending along and on either side of said groove.

8. The streamlined flat windscreen wiper according to claim 1, wherein the end piece further comprises elastic snap-fitting means configured to cooperate with the at least two terminal caps.

9. An assembly for a streamlined flat windscreen wiper, comprising: a central mounting having a streamlined shape; and first and second terminal caps that are articulated to the central mounting at first and second lateral ends of the central mounting, wherein the central mounting and the first and second terminal caps are arranged to extend over substantially an entire length of the flat windscreen wiper, wherein the central mounting is connected to the first terminal cap at a first lateral end and connected to the second terminal cap at a second lateral end such that the central mounting and the first and second terminal caps are articulated to each other, and wherein each of the first and second terminal caps comprises two substantially L-shaped lateral hooks, each of which is formed by a vertical wall and a horizontal portion protruding from the vertical wall, wherein the two horizontal hooks are configured to cooperate with an end piece that has a substantially hollow parallelepipedal shape, and wherein the end piece comprises: at least one longitudinal stop configured to prevent at least a stiffening spine from extending longitudinally, a first housing and a second housing oriented longitudinally, each of the first and second housing having one closed longitudinal end and one open longitudinal end to receive an end of the stiffening spine of the wiper and the wiper blade, and a third housing for introduction of the longitudinal end of a retaining member, and longitudinal guiding and sliding means formed on an external face of the end piece and configured to cooperate with the first and second terminal caps, and wherein each of the first, second, and third housings are formed by walls inside the end piece which reproduce, by extension of the end piece, the shape of the stiffening spine and the wiper blade.

10. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second terminal caps is articulated relative to the central mounting.

11. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein the two substantially L-shaped lateral hooks are configured to extend on each side of said end piece, and wherein a bottom end of each vertical wall is linked to a substantially horizontal part extending between the two substantially L-shaped lateral hooks.

12. The streamlined flat windscreen wiper according to claim 2, wherein said at least one surface of the at least two terminal caps cooperates with the end piece by sliding with said tracks of the end piece.

13. The streamlined flat windscreen wiper according to claim 1, the end piece further comprising: elastic snap-fitting means configured to cooperate with the at least two terminal caps wherein each of the first and second terminal caps comprises two substantially L-shaped lateral hooks configured to extend on each side of said end piece, wherein each of the two substantially L-shaped lateral hooks is formed by a vertical wall and a horizontal portion protruding from the vertical wall, a bottom end of the vertical wall being linked to a substantially horizontal part extending between the two substantially L-shaped lateral hooks, and wherein said snap-fitting means cooperate with the vertical walls.

14. The streamlined flat windscreen wiper according to claim 13, wherein the end piece further comprises abutment means configured to cooperate with said two substantially L-shaped lateral hooks after the elastic snap-fitting.

15. A streamlined flat windscreen wiper for a vehicle, the wiper comprising: a central mounting having a streamlined shape; first and second terminal caps that are articulated to the central mounting at first and second lateral ends of the central mounting, wherein the central mounting and first and second caps are arranged to extend over the entire length of the wiper; a stiffening spine curved to conform with a shape of a windscreen; and an end piece that has a substantially hollow parallelepipedal shape comprising: at least one longitudinal stop configured to prevent at least the stiffening spine from extending longitudinally, a first housing and a second housing oriented longitudinally, each of the first and second housing having one closed longitudinal end and one open longitudinal end to receive an end of the stiffening spine of the wiper and the wiper blade, and a third housing for introduction of the longitudinal end of a retaining member, longitudinal guiding and sliding means formed on an external face of the end piece and configured to cooperate with the first and second terminal caps, wherein the central mounting is connected to the first terminal cap at a first lateral end and connected to the second terminal cap at a second lateral end such that the central mounting and two end caps are articulated to each other, and wherein each of the first, second, and third housings are formed by walls inside the at least one end piece which reproduce, by extension of the at least one end piece, the shape of the stiffening spine and the wiper blade.

16. The streamlined flat windscreen wiper according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal guiding and sliding means comprise one or more shoulders formed on lateral sides of the end piece, offset from a lowest face of the end piece.

17. The streamlined flat windscreen wiper according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal guiding and sliding means comprise one or more shoulders formed on lateral sides of the end piece, offset from a lowest face of the end piece, and one or more horizontal surfaces, that are parallel to and offset vertically from the lowest face of the end piece, on which the at least two terminal caps slide.

18. The streamlined flat windscreen wiper according to claim 1, wherein the central mounting is configured to be connected to a drive arm.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The invention will be understood more clearly and further details, features and advantages of the invention will appear from reading the following description provided by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a streamlined flat windscreen wiper according to the invention, in the unstressed free state,

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the wiper of FIG. 1 when it bears against a window, in particular of a vehicle,

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the wiper of FIG. 1,

(5) FIGS. 4 and 5 are views in larger scale of the details 14 and 15 of FIG. 3 respectively,

(6) FIG. 6 is a view in cross section of the wiper of FIG. 1,

(7) FIG. 7 is a schematic view in larger scale of the means for fixing the mounting of the wiper of FIG. 1,

(8) FIGS. 8a to 8c show schematically variants of a part of a wiper according to the invention,

(9) FIGS. 9, 11 and 12 are schematic perspective views of means for connecting a mounting to terminal caps of a wiper according to the invention, and FIG. 10 is a view in longitudinal section of said means for connecting,

(10) FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a streamlined flat windscreen wiper according to the invention in the unstressed free state and shows terminal caps of this wiper in one of the extreme positions thereof,

(11) FIG. 14 is a view in longitudinal section of an embodiment of means for connecting a mounting to terminal caps of a wiper according to the invention,

(12) FIGS. 15 and 16 are schematic views in longitudinal section and in perspective, respectively, of a further embodiment of the means for connecting a mounting to terminal caps of a wiper according to the invention,

(13) FIGS. 17 and 18 are schematic perspective views of parts of a mounting and a terminal cap of a wiper according to the invention,

(14) FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a mounting of a wiper according to the invention, viewed from the side,

(15) FIGS. 20 and 21 are schematic partial perspective views of a wiper according to the invention which is partially dismantled in FIG. 20,

(16) FIGS. 22 and 23 are schematic partial perspective views of a wiper according to the invention which is partially dismantled in FIG. 22,

(17) FIGS. 24 to 27 are schematic partial perspective views of an end part of a wiper according to the invention,

(18) FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the end piece of the wiper of FIGS. 24 to 27,

(19) FIG. 29 is a partial perspective view of the terminal cap of the wiper of FIGS. 24 to 27,

(20) FIGS. 30a and 30b are schematic partial views of a central mounting of a wiper according to the invention, viewed from above, this part comprising an aperture for housing an adapter,

(21) FIG. 31 is a schematic view in longitudinal section of the central mounting and of the adapter of FIGS. 30a and 30b,

(22) FIG. 32 is a schematic perspective view of the adapter of FIGS. 30a, 30b and 31,

(23) FIG. 33 is a schematic perspective view of a mounting of a wiper according to the invention,

(24) FIG. 34 is a view in larger scale of a part of the mounting of FIG. 33 and shows the removable means for connecting and stiffening,

(25) FIG. 35 corresponds to FIG. 34 and shows a step for preparation of the mounting in which one of the means for connecting and stiffening has been removed,

(26) FIG. 36 is a schematic perspective view of a capped mounting of a wiper according to the invention,

(27) FIGS. 37 to 39, 41 and 42 are schematic partial views in perspective of the capped mounting of FIG. 36 and FIGS. 40 and 43 are schematic perspective views of cappings of said capped mounting,

(28) FIG. 44 is a schematic perspective view of a mounting of a wiper according to the invention, said wiper being connected to a drive arm,

(29) FIG. 45 is a schematic perspective view of a terminal cap of a wiper according to the invention, viewed from below,

(30) FIGS. 46 and 47 are schematic perspective views of two wipers according to the invention, respectively long and short, said two wipers comprising identical and interchangeable mountings,

(31) FIGS. 48 and 49 are schematic partial views of a streamlined flat wiper and an adapter for connecting said wiper to a rod-shaped drive arm in an exploded perspective view in FIG. 48 and in a non-exploded perspective view in FIG. 49,

(32) FIG. 50 is a schematic perspective view of the adapter and the rod-shaped arm of FIGS. 48 and 49,

(33) FIG. 51 is a schematic perspective view of the adapter of FIGS. 48 and 49,

(34) FIG. 52 is a schematic perspective view of the rod-shaped arm of FIGS. 48 and 49,

(35) FIGS. 53 and 54 are schematic views in perspective and in longitudinal section of the adapter and of the rod-shaped arm of FIGS. 48 and 49,

(36) FIGS. 55 to 57 are partial schematic views of a streamlined flat wiper and a member for the offset connection to an adapter for connecting the wiper to a drive arm, in a perspective view in FIGS. 55 and 56 and in an exploded perspective view in FIG. 57,

(37) FIGS. 58 and 59 are schematic perspective views of the connection member of FIGS. 55 to 57,

(38) FIG. 60 is a schematic perspective view of the adapter and of the arm of FIGS. 55 to 57,

(39) FIG. 61 is a schematic view of a streamlined flat wiper and adapters for connecting said wiper to a drive arm, in a partially exploded perspective view,

(40) FIG. 62 is a partial schematic view of a streamlined flat wiper and an adapter for connecting said wiper to a drive arm, in an exploded perspective view,

(41) FIG. 63 is a schematic partial perspective view of a central mounting of the streamlined flat wiper of FIG. 62,

(42) FIGS. 64 and 65 are schematic perspective views of the adapter of FIG. 62,

(43) FIGS. 66 to 68 are schematic perspective views of the means for connecting to a streamlined portion according to the invention,

(44) FIGS. 69 to 78 are schematic perspective views of the means for connecting a streamlined portion according to the invention, FIG. 73 being a sectional view along the line A-A of FIG. 72, FIG. 75 being a sectional view along the line B-B of FIG. 74, FIG. 77 being a sectional view along the line C-C of FIG. 76 and FIG. 78 being a sectional view along the line D-D of FIG. 71,

(45) FIGS. 79 to 81d are schematic perspective views of a free end of a streamlined portion or terminal cap of a streamlined portion according to the invention, FIG. 80 being a sectional view along the line E-E of FIG. 79, FIGS. 81a to 81d being sectional views along the lines F1-F1, F2-F2, F3-F3 and F4-F4 of FIG. 79,

(46) FIGS. 82 and 83 are schematic perspective views of a streamlined portion or central mounting according to the invention, the view of FIG. 83 also being in cross section,

(47) FIGS. 84 and 85 are schematic perspective views of a streamlined portion or central mounting according to the invention, the view of FIG. 85 showing a part in larger scale of the view of FIG. 84,

(48) FIG. 86 is a schematic perspective view of an end of a wiper according to the invention,

(49) FIG. 87 is a schematic perspective view of a member of the wiper of FIG. 86,

(50) FIGS. 88a and 88b are schematic perspective views of a free end of a wiper according to the invention,

(51) FIGS. 89 to 93 are schematic perspective views of a free end of a wiper according to the invention, FIGS. 92 and 93 also being views in partial longitudinal section,

(52) FIG. 94 is a schematic perspective view of a free end of a wiper according to the invention,

(53) FIGS. 95a and 95b are schematic perspective views of an end piece of the wiper of FIG. 94,

(54) FIGS. 96 to 98 are further schematic views of the free end of the wiper of FIG. 94, in longitudinal section in FIG. 98,

(55) FIGS. 99a and 99b are schematic perspective views of a free end of a wiper according to the invention and show the steps of dismantling a wiper blade from said wiper,

(56) FIG. 100a is a schematic perspective view of a free end of a wiper according to the invention, and shows a step of dismantling a wiper blade from said wiper,

(57) FIG. 100b is a schematic perspective view of the end piece visible in FIG. 100a,

(58) FIGS. 101 to 103 are schematic perspective views of means for connecting a streamlined portion according to the invention,

(59) FIGS. 104 and 105 are schematic perspective views of a free end of a wiper according to the invention,

(60) FIG. 106 is a schematic perspective view of a free end of a streamlined portion or terminal cap according to the invention,

(61) FIG. 107 is a schematic perspective view of a central mounting according to the invention,

(62) FIG. 108 is a schematic perspective view of an end of a streamlined portion or terminal cap according to the invention,

(63) FIGS. 109a to 109i are schematic perspective views of a wiper according to the invention and showing the steps for mounting this wiper,

(64) FIG. 110 is a schematic perspective view of a wiper according to the invention,

(65) FIG. 111 is a schematic perspective view of an end of a wiper according to the invention,

(66) FIG. 112 is a schematic perspective view of means of heating a wiper according to the invention,

(67) FIGS. 113 and 114 are schematic perspective views of a wiper according to the invention, provided with means for fluid distribution, and

(68) FIGS. 115 and 116 are schematic perspective views, respectively of one end of a wiper according to the invention and an end piece of said wiper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(69) It should be mentioned that the figures describe the invention in a detailed manner in order to implement the invention, said figures naturally being able to serve to define the invention more clearly if required.

(70) In the remainder of the description, the terms “longitudinal” or “lateral” refer to the orientation of the windscreen wiper according to the invention. The longitudinal direction corresponds to the principal axis of the wiper in which it extends, whilst the lateral orientations correspond to intersecting straight lines, i.e. lines which intersect the longitudinal direction, in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wiper in its rotational plane. For the longitudinal directions, the terms “outside” or “inside” are understood relative to the fixing point of the wiper on a wiper carrier arm, the term “inside” corresponding to the part where the arm and a half-wiper extend. Finally, the directions referenced as “upper” or “lower” correspond to orientations perpendicular to the rotational plane of the windscreen wiper, the term “lower” containing the plane of the windscreen.

(71) If relevant, the term “inside” or “internal” may refer to the inside of a part or to the inside/internal side of a part, compared to the outside of a part (which permits, for example, visible or external embodiments of the part to be qualified) or the outside/external side of the part.

(72) FIG. 1 shows a streamlined flat wiper 1 according to the invention, i.e. a flat wiper provided with a streamlined portion, the streamlined flat wiper 1 in this case being in the unstressed free position in space.

(73) The upper part of the wiper 1 is formed by the streamlined portion which comprises an aerodynamic shape which deflects upwardly the air which arrives on the windscreen. The streamlined portion thus forms an aerodynamic baffle. The deviation of the aforementioned air generates a bearing force of the wiper 1 on the windscreen which ensures, in association with a second bearing force generated by a pressure of the arm, a permanent contact on the windscreen and thus reliable wiping.

(74) This streamlined portion has substantially the shape of a dihedron formed from two longitudinal walls which are joined in the upper part in the region of a top edge, the front wall having a hollow aerodynamic shape whilst the rear wall is substantially planar in the example shown. The inside of the dihedron is hollow so as to allow space to house therein the elements which form a wiping unit of a flat wiper, which will be disclosed below in detail.

(75) The streamlined portion is produced in three parts which are articulated to one another. The central part, denoted hereinafter the central mounting 2, fulfils the functions of a connector of a non-streamlined flat wiper, i.e. the various elements which extend over the entire length of the wiper 1 are attached thereto. With the exception of its centre which has substantially parallel vertical walls to be able to house relative to one another an adapter, this central mounting 2 has the streamlined shape in the form of an aerodynamic baffle disclosed above. It thus comprises two longitudinal lateral walls 2a, 2b, the longitudinal upper edges thereof being connected to one another so that said walls substantially form a dihedron. Two parts in eccentric longitudinal positions, denoted hereinafter terminal caps 3, are attached to this central mounting. These two caps in turn have over their entire length the streamlined shape of an aerodynamic baffle. Each cap 3 thus comprises two longitudinal lateral walls 3a, 3b, the upper longitudinal edges thereof being connected together so that said walls substantially form a dihedron.

(76) A first terminal cap 3 extends to the inside whilst the second terminal cap extends to the outside. The connection between the central mounting 2 and each of the terminal caps 3 is an articulation which pivots about a pin orientated in a lateral or transverse direction, such that the two terminal caps 3 are displaced in a plane perpendicular to the rotational plane of the wiper. The fracture thus created between the central mounting 2 and the terminal caps 3 prevents the outside and inside ends of the wiper from being applied against the windscreen with a pressure which is less than that exerted in the region of the central mounting, due to a greater distance from their bearing point relative to the drive arm of the wiper.

(77) The central part of the central mounting 2 has a greater height than the remainder of the wiper, due to its function as a connector which permits the means for attaching the wiper to the drive arm to be housed therein and, in particular, an adapter.

(78) FIG. 2 shows the same wiper 1 in a position bearing against a window, shown here for reasons of simplification in the form of a planar surface. The articulations between the central mounting 2 and the two terminal caps 3 are closed, i.e. these caps are positioned in the axis of the central mounting, the upper surfaces of these three parts forming a continuous streamlined surface. An aperture 21 is cut out from the central part of the central mounting 2 through which passes the end of a drive arm and comprises a transverse pin on which the adapter is fixed (not shown) which ensures the attachment of the wiper to the arm.

(79) FIG. 3 shows the wiper 1 in an exploded view. The central mounting 2 comprises longitudinally, on both sides, two means for connecting or articulation which comprise fingers 4 which extend longitudinally from the body of the mounting. Said fingers 4 comprise an orifice, oriented laterally or transversely, designed to receive a pivot pin carried by the corresponding terminal cap 3. The cooperation of this pivot pin with the orifice of the finger 4 permits the rotation of the cap 3 relative to the central mounting 2 in a plane perpendicular to the rotational plane of the wiper 1.

(80) Below these elements are shown respectively a stiffening member 6, a member for retaining or retention 7 and a wiper blade 8, the assembly of these three elements forming what will be called hereinafter a wiping unit. The stiffening member 6 has the purpose of serving as a structure to the wiper by providing it with a curved shape which corresponds to the average shape of the windscreen on which the wiper is displaced. Its longitudinal rigidity permits, as in a conventional flat wiper, sufficient pressure to be maintained at the two ends of the wiper, such that the wiping is carried out uniformly over the entire surface to be wiped.

(81) The member for retaining 7 constitutes the carrier element, both of the stiffening member 6 and the wiper blade 8. It will be described in more detail, as well as its device for fixing to the central mounting 2, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

(82) The wiper blade 8 is a conventional blade made of elastomeric material, which is carried by the member for retaining 7 and which has the purpose of remaining in permanent contact with the windscreen.

(83) FIG. 3 shows, moreover, two end pieces 9 which have the function of combining the three preceding elements at the end thereof and blocking said elements longitudinally. Each end piece 9 has, moreover, a longitudinal stop 94 against which a bearing face borne by the corresponding terminal cap 3 bears. This cooperation of the longitudinal stop and the bearing face of the cap prevent the three elements of the wiping unit from extending longitudinally when the cap pivots relative to the central mounting 2 and in this manner it forces them to bend so that they follow the curvature of the windscreen. The device I.sub.4 for fixing these three elements is illustrated in detail in FIG. 4, whilst the device I.sub.5 for the cooperation of the end of these elements with the end piece 9 is illustrated in FIG. 5.

(84) In FIG. 4 is seen firstly the stiffening member 6 which has the shape of a thin metal strip of parallelepipedal shape and which has a notch 61 in the centre of each of its longitudinal edges.

(85) The member for retaining 7 is for instance in one piece and unitary, and it comprises, in turn, four cut-outs 71 which are positioned longitudinally side-by-side in the region of the centre thereof, and which are formed in pairs on the upper longitudinal edges of the member 7. They have the purpose of allowing hooks to pass, said hooks extending laterally in the lower part of the central mounting 2 in order to ensure, by means of the stiffening member 6, the fixing of the central mounting of the wiping unit, as will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 23.

(86) In FIG. 5, it may be seen that the longitudinal end of one of the terminal caps 3 and the end piece 9 are connected. One of the ends of the stiffening member 6, the member for retaining 7 and the wiper blade 8 are also seen. The end piece 9 externally has a substantially hollow parallelepipedal shape and it comprises internally two housings or cavities 92a, 92b (respectively upper and lower) oriented longitudinally and designed to receive the end of a part of the stiffening member 6 and, on the other hand, the wiper blade 8. A third housing 92c may also be provided for the introduction of the longitudinal end of the member for retaining 7. Each housing 92a, 92b comprises an open longitudinal end and a closed longitudinal end. The housings 92a, 92b are formed by walls inside the end piece 9 which reproduce, by extending it, the shape of the stiffening member 6 and the wiper blade 8. Thus a continuity is present in the retention of the stiffening member 6 and the wiper blade 8 when said stiffening member and wiper blade pass from the member for retaining 7 to the end piece 9. Vertical ribs (not visible in the figure) are also positioned longitudinally in the upper cavity 92a of the end piece 9, i.e. that which receives the stiffening member 6, to reduce the height of said cavity and to bear against the stiffening member once it has been inserted. Finally, the lateral walls of this cavity 92a are flexible so as to be able to be separated during the introduction of the stiffening member 6 whilst at the same time being resistant to this flexion in order to compress the stiffening member laterally and cause it to be clamped in the end piece. This permits the detachment of the end piece 9 to be prevented, once it is installed at the end of the wiper.

(87) The terminal cap 3 comprises at its free end, visible in FIG. 5, two lateral flanges 30 which are substantially parallel and define relative to one another a space which is configured to receive the end piece 9. The longitudinal ends of these flanges 30, located on the side of the free end of the cap 3, are connected together by a transverse flange 3c which is designed to cooperate with the aforementioned stop 94 of the end piece 9, as will be disclosed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 24.

(88) FIG. 6 illustrates the circulation of air in the vicinity of a wiper 1 according to the invention. The wiper 1 is shown in section along a plane transverse to its longitudinal direction in the region of the half-wiper located on the inside. The air arriving on the windscreen is diverted upwardly via the streamlined portion of the central mounting 2 (or that of the terminal cap 3) and passes between this streamlined portion and the arm 10 (since the section is formed on the inside).

(89) It is observed here that the lower longitudinal edges of the longitudinal lateral walls 2a, 2b of the mounting 2 are not located in the same position vertically or in the vertical direction (the horizontal direction being substantially parallel to the windscreen and thus the vertical direction being substantially parallel to the windscreen), the lower edge of the wall 2a being located lower than that of the wall 2b. In other words, the lower edge of the wall 2a is located substantially in a first substantially horizontal longitudinal plane P6 which is spaced apart therefrom and in this case below a second substantially horizontal longitudinal plane P7 passing substantially through the lower edge of the wall 2b. This applies similarly to the lower edges of each of the terminal caps 3.

(90) The wiping unit, i.e. the assembly of the three elements, stiffening member 6, member for retaining 7 and the wiper blade 8, appears below the streamlined portion of the central mounting 2 in the offset position relative to the top edge 2d of this streamlined portion, on the side of the front wall of the air baffle. This positioning corresponds more specifically to the centre of the lower ends of the walls of the streamlined portion since said walls are in the extension of the lateral faces of the central mounting in the region of its aperture 21, thus at its widest location. Also seen in this figure is the arrangement of the three elements of the wiping unit: the member for retaining 7, in cross section, has the shape of a closed parallelepipedal tube 72 from which extend downwardly two hooks 73 oriented toward one another, thus forming a parallelepipedal cavity which is open downwardly. The stiffening member 7 is slipped into the upper tube 72 which it fills, whilst maintaining the ability to slide longitudinally inside, whilst the wiper blade 8, most clearly visible in FIG. 8a, is carried by its upper part, or heel 81, which has a substantially rectangular shape, by the two hooks 73. The lower part 82 of the wiper blade 8 extends from the lower cavity of the member for retaining 7 in the direction of the windscreen and is terminated by a terminal part 83 which conventionally has the shape of an inverted fir tree.

(91) FIG. 7 shows in perspective, in a view from below, the central mounting 2, with means for fixing the wiping unit, which serves as a connector. The parts of the lateral walls 2a, 2b located on both sides of the aperture 21 extend downwardly until they pass the space allocated to the adapter 5 and each comprise two hooks 23 at their lower end. Each hook 23 of one lateral wall 2a is substantially opposite a hook 23 of the other lateral wall 2b and extends toward said other hook. The means for fixing comprise, therefore, two pairs of lateral hooks, the hooks of one pair being longitudinally spaced apart from the hooks of the other pair. Each hook 23 defines a longitudinal notch 23a which is configured to receive the stiffening member 6 by longitudinal sliding. In the example shown, the transverse plane P passing through the pin 25 passes substantially between the two pairs of hooks 23 and equidistant therefrom.

(92) The longitudinal extent of these hooks is slightly less than that of the cut-outs 71 which are formed in the member for retaining 7. As regards the lateral extent thereof, it is such that the spacing therebetween is greater than the depth of the cut-outs 71, such that these means may be inserted into the internal cavity of the central mounting by introducing them from the bottom. Finally, this spacing is less than the width of the member for retaining 7, such that said member for retaining is able to rest on the hooks 23 after the positioning of the wiping unit.

(93) Thus it is seen how the wiping unit is mounted on the central mounting 2, which acts here as a connector: the member for retaining 7, possibly provided with its wiper blade 8 but without the stiffening member 6, is introduced from the bottom into the internal cavity of the central mounting 2, by passing the hooks 23 into the cut-outs 71 thereof. At least one substantially horizontal longitudinal plate forming a vertical stop (not shown in FIG. 7) generally extends above the hooks 23 to serve as a limit to the introduction of the member for retaining 7 in the internal cavity in the lower part of the central mounting 2. In this position, the upper tube 72 of the member for retaining 7 is aligned with the upper face of the hooks 23 which creates a continuous groove for the passage of the stiffening member 6. The operator therefore slides this stiffening member into the upper tube 72 from one of the longitudinal ends of the member for retaining, causes it to pass through the central mounting 2 by sliding it on the hooks 23 in the region of the cut-outs 71 of the member for retaining, then pushes it to the other end of the member for retaining. The wiping unit is then immobilized vertically by the member for retaining which rests on the hooks 23 and longitudinally by the overlapping of these same hooks 23 in the cut-outs 71 of the member for retaining 7.

(94) FIG. 8 illustrates three variants of the member for retaining 7 in which the upper tube 72 consists of a parallelepiped, the rectangle thereof in cross section being either entirely closed (FIG. 8a) or open on its lower face (FIG. 8b), or open on its upper face (FIG. 8c). In the three cases, the tube remains sufficiently closed for the stiffening member 6 to be correctly retained in the tube 72. The three variants, however, preserve the same shape for the lower hooks 73 which serve for retaining the wiper blade 8.

(95) Observed in these variants are small ribs 74 which extend longitudinally over the internal surface of the tube 72 to apply compression onto the stiffening member 6 and to retain it longitudinally once it has been forcibly introduced into this tube. Similarly, the heel 81 of the wiper blade 8 which is inserted by longitudinal sliding between the hooks 73 of the member for retaining 7 comprises longitudinal protuberances which rub against said hooks during the introduction of the blade so as to ensure a certain longitudinal and lateral retention of this blade.

(96) FIG. 9 and thereafter disclose in more detail the articulation between the central mounting 2 and the terminal caps 3.

(97) In FIG. 9 are seen the longitudinal walls 2a at the front and 2b at the rear, which form the dihedron of the aerodynamic baffle of the central mounting 2 by being joined together on a top edge 2d, this dihedron being terminated longitudinally by a transverse wall 2c which closes the dihedron. From this transverse wall 2c extends a finger 4. It will therefore be appreciated that the finger 4 protrudes from the transverse wall 2c towards the outside of the mounting. This finger 4 is of substantially parallelepipedal shape which is traversed by an orifice 41 designed to serve as a support to the pin 31 which permits the pivoting of the corresponding cap 3.

(98) FIG. 10 shows in section said terminal cap 3 mounted on the central mounting 2 with a pivot pin of the cap 31 which extends from one of the lateral walls of the cap and traverses the orifice 41 of the finger 4.

(99) With reference to FIG. 11, the interior of the part of the cap 2 which cooperates with the central mounting 2 is seen. Inside the dihedron formed by the longitudinal walls 3a and 3b of the cap extend two reinforcements 32a and 32b which bear against said longitudinal walls and which extend to form two planar faces, both oriented in a vertical plane and facing one another. From these two planar faces extend two journals 31a and 31b which are aligned and together form the pin 31 on which the cap 3 rotates. The spacing left between the two journals 31a and 31b is sufficiently small and in any case less than the length of the orifice 41, so that said journals retain the finger 4 once mounted, and sufficiently wide for the finger to be able to be inserted therein by separating the two longitudinal walls 3a and 3b from one another due to the flexibility of the cap. The upper face 43 of the finger 4 may be chamfered to facilitate this insertion. The insertion takes place here in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the finger 4. The finger 4 comprises on its lateral faces two substantially vertical apertures 41a which extend substantially between the upper face 43 and the orifice 41. Said apertures 41a are designed for receiving and guiding the journals 31a, 31b during the mounting of the finger in the aforementioned direction.

(100) It is also observed in FIG. 11 that the upper longitudinal edges of the walls 3a, 3b are connected together to form an upper longitudinal edge 3d of the cap.

(101) FIG. 12 shows, in a view from below, the central mounting 2 and a terminal cap 3 assembled, the finger 4 being positioned between the two reinforcements 32a and 32b and, in a manner which is not visible, the two journals 31a and 31b being inserted into the orifice 41 of this finger.

(102) Alternatively, not shown, the finger 4 may carry two journals extending on both sides of its lateral faces and the reinforcements of the cap 3 comprise in this case holes into which said journals are inserted.

(103) With reference now to FIGS. 13 to 16, a device is seen which permits the angular amplitude of the articulation between the central mounting 2 and the terminal caps 3 to be limited. More specifically, an angle which is too great would be disadvantageous for correct wiping of the windscreen, in that the pressure of the wiper on the windscreen would not be uniformly distributed. The maximum acceptable angle for the fracture between the central mounting 2 and each of the terminal caps 3 is, as seen in FIG. 13, 165° for example. It is appropriate, therefore, to position stops on the two elements to prevent this value from being exceeded. The positioning of these stops, which is most advantageous to obtain this angular limitation, consists in positioning them as close as possible to the pin 31 for pivoting the cap 3.

(104) FIG. 14 shows a first embodiment for positioning these stops, in which the cap 3 comprises in the internal space defined by its longitudinal walls 3a, 3b a protruding stop 33 which extends above the finger 4. This stop 33 is configured to cooperate with the finger 4 in order to define an extreme pivoting position of the cap 3 relative to the mounting 2. The stop is formed by a rib 33 which extends transversely between the internal faces of the longitudinal walls 3a, 3b of the cap 3. The lower free end of the rib 33 is chamfered so as to define a bearing face. For improved cooperation with this stop, the finger 4 comprises a chamfer at its free end 43a forming a stop, the plane of said chamfer being aligned with the lower plane of the rib 33 when said rib is in abutment against the finger 4, i.e. when the cap 3 is at its maximum angular extension.

(105) FIGS. 15 and 16 disclose respectively in section and in perspective a further embodiment for the positioning of these stops. The cap 3 comprises here a protruding stop 33′ formed by a substantially longitudinal rib. This rib 33′ is oriented from top to bottom and extends from the top edge of the terminal cap 3. It thus extends in this case from the area for connecting the upper longitudinal edges of the longitudinal walls 3a, 3b of the cap. The lower free end of the rib 33′ is chamfered to define a bearing face. The finger 4 carries here an overthickness 43b on its upper face 43 which is brought opposite the rib 33′. This overthickness 43b of substantially parallelepipedal shape aligned with the longitudinal direction and with the direction of elongation of the finger comprises toward the outside, as above, a chamfered part, the plane thereof being aligned with the lower plane of the rib 33′, when said rib is in abutment with the finger 4.

(106) In the two cases shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the rib 33, 33′ forms a protruding stop. The free end 43a of the finger 4 carrying the chamfer forms a protruding stop and the overthickness 43b also forms a protruding stop. The mounting 2 and the caps 3 cooperate together, therefore, by means of the protruding stops.

(107) FIGS. 17 and 18 describe the manner in which the two ends of the central mounting 2 and the corresponding cap 3 cooperate. In FIG. 17 is seen the transverse wall 2c which closes the dihedron of the mounting 2 and from which the finger 4 extends. In this embodiment of a windscreen wiper, this wall 2c defines a peripheral edge 102c which reproduces the shape of the longitudinal walls 2a, 2b of the central mounting 2 by reducing it into a homothetic transformation having a ratio of slightly less than 1. This edge 102c is similar to a groove of the external periphery of the mounting 2. It extends longitudinally from the end of the longitudinal walls 2a, 2b over a relatively short length, ranging between 1 and 5 mm. The edge 102c extends over the entire transverse and vertical extent of the longitudinal walls 2a, 2b.

(108) Similarly, the longitudinal end of the terminal cap 3 has a hollow shape and in turn defines a peripheral edge 103c which may receive the peripheral edge 102c of the central mounting 2. The edge 102c thus forms a male edge engaged in the edge 103c which is a female edge. The edge 103c reproduces the shape of the longitudinal walls 3a, 3b of the cap 3.

(109) In this manner, and taking into account the selected length for the peripheral edge 102c, by engaging in the longitudinal end of the terminal cap 3, said peripheral edge is covered thereby, whether the articulation is in the position where the streamlined portions are aligned or in the maximum angular open position. This configuration provides an aerodynamic continuity to the streamlined portions of the central mounting 2 and the terminal caps 3, by preventing air circulating on the windscreen from escaping there between. As a result, it permits the aerodynamic efficiency of the wiper to be improved, by preventing the level of pressure which is applied thereto by the air from being reduced.

(110) FIG. 19 shows the central mounting 2 in a longitudinal direction. Upstream of the aperture 21 of the mounting, the dihedron which is formed by the longitudinal walls 2a and 2b and the top edge 2d where they are joined together is seen in this figure.

(111) It is observed in FIG. 19 that the finger 4 has an axis of elongation extending in a longitudinal plane P3 which is substantially perpendicular to said corresponding pivot pin 31 and which passes substantially through the top edge 2d of the dihedron. It is also observed that the plane P3 is parallel to, and spaced apart from, the central longitudinal plane P1 of the aperture 21. This plane P1 passes through the centre of the means for fixing to hooks 23. It may be noted that the edge 2d extends substantially parallel to, and remotely from, the plane P1. It is located in the plane P3.

(112) Also seen in FIG. 19 are the means for fixing the wiping unit. In particular, the hooks 23 for supporting the member for retaining 7 are seen, said hooks in this case forming part of a parallelepipedal assembly which extends longitudinally over the entire length of the hooks 23 and from which two notches 23a are hollowed out, positioned symmetrically on both sides of the lower edges of the dihedron formed by the lateral walls 2a and 2b. These notches 23a form a guide for the passage of the stiffening member 6 during the fixing of the member for retaining 7 on the central mounting 2. The upper wall of this parallelepiped in turn forms the longitudinal plate forming the vertical stop during the introduction of the member for retaining 7 in the internal cavity of the central mounting 2.

(113) For reasons of optimizing the aerodynamic performance of the streamlined portions of the central mounting 2 or the terminal caps 3, the top edge 2d is offset laterally downstream (in relation to the direction of circulation of the flow of air) relative to the central plane P1 of the wiping unit or the centre of the central mounting 2. For reasons of improved mechanical strength, the finger 4 is positioned substantially below the dihedron formed by the longitudinal walls 2a and 2b, i.e. at a position where the density of the material for this dihedron is at its greatest.

(114) With reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, a particular embodiment is seen of a wiper adapted to windscreen wipers of small size. In this embodiment, the length of the terminal caps 3 is small relative to that of the central mounting 2. This type of windscreen wiper is adapted to windows of small dimensions, and as a result of small curvature, such as for example a rear window of a motor vehicle. As a result, it is not necessary to use an articulation which offsets the axis of the terminal caps 3 from that of the central mounting 2. However, for reasons of saving costs in terms of logistics, it is important for the manufacturer to reduce the number of parts. To achieve this, the invention specifies retaining a single model of central mounting 2 and, as a result, the same adapter 5 for a plurality of models. As a result, it becomes possible to propose a terminal cap 3 which comprises a device for blocking the rotation thereof relative to this central mounting, whilst conserving the same means for fixing to the central mounting 2.

(115) Between the two reinforcements 32a and 32b of the lateral walls 3a and 3b and the journals 31a and 31b which usually serve as a pivot pin for the cap, a rib of the cap 34 which extends longitudinally on both sides of the pin formed by the two journals is seen in FIG. 20. It is positioned and extends vertically such that, in the position of the assembled cap, it is in contact with the upper face 43 of the finger 4 and forms a protruding stop preventing the rotation of the cap 3 about said finger 4.

(116) FIG. 21 shows a short cap 3 mounted on the central mounting 2. Its inside end bears against the outside end of the central mounting and, not visible in the figure, the rib of the cap 34 blocks any rotation of the cap in either direction. However, it may be noted that the rib 34 is only able to extend on one side relative to the journals 31a and 31b by preventing the rotation of the cap in the closing direction, the blockage during opening being provided by the cooperation of the combined longitudinal ends of the cap 3 and the central mounting 2.

(117) FIGS. 22 and 23 show, respectively in the disassembled version and in the assembled version, a variant of the streamlined portion of a wiper designed for a windscreen wiper of small size. In contrast to FIGS. 20 and 21, the streamlined portion of the two terminal caps 3 is produced here in one piece with that of the central mounting 2. The devices used for articulation such as the finger 4 or the journals 31a and 31b are therefore dispensed with. Thus the production of the caps is facilitated. Also, for reasons of uniformity of appearance of the range of the windscreen wiper products, grooves 2x are designed on the common cap, in the region where the articulations would be located between the central mounting 2 and the terminal caps 3.

(118) FIG. 22 also shows the internal part of the central mounting 2, whether it is formed in one piece with the terminal caps 3 or not. Taking account of the elongation of this central mounting 2, it may be necessary to place reinforcing or stiffening ribs 24 or strip 24′ inside the dihedron formed by the two longitudinal walls 2a and 2b. The invention specifies providing a crossbar 24 shape thereto, the common axis thereof being oriented vertically, i.e. it extends from the edge in the direction of the base of the dihedron or strip 24′. Due to the flaring of the dihedron toward the bottom, said reinforcing ribs 24 constitute ideal bearing points to ensure the ejection of the central mounting from the injection mould, said parts generally being made of polymer material and produced by a hot injection-moulding process.

(119) According to the invention it is also possible to provide at least one rib, preferably two, extending substantially transversely to the direction of extension of the central mounting 2.

(120) The ribs 24 may thus comprise at least one mark of a bearing point for the ejection of the mounting 2 from a manufacturing mould. This mark is generally located on the lower free edge of the rib 24. At least one mark may be located in the joining area of the intersecting ribs visible in FIG. 22.

(121) In FIG. 24 is illustrated the junction between the end piece 9 and a terminal cap 3, said terminal cap being shown in section along a central longitudinal plane. As indicated above, the end piece 9 has a substantially parallelepipedal shape, having an opening on its face which is oriented in the direction of the central mounting 2. It comprises, therefore, an upper face 91 and a lower face 92 which are connected by lateral faces 93, and a closed terminal face which is located on the side opposing the central mounting 2. As indicated with reference to FIG. 5, the inside of the end piece comprises two longitudinal internal housings 92a, 92b forming slides for the stiffening member 6 and for the wiper blade 8, respectively, in addition to a housing 92c for receiving part of the member 7.

(122) On the upper face 91 of the end piece 9 is positioned a protruding stop 94 having a ramp shape which rises from this upper face, moving away toward the outside of the wiper. The stop face, which is oriented transversely, is directed in the direction of the outside of the wiper, i.e. in a direction which is substantially parallel to the axis of elongation of the end piece 9. This stop 94 has the purpose of cooperating with the transverse flange 3c carried by the terminal cap 3 which is associated with the end piece 9. This stop 94 has the purpose of limiting the curvature of the member for retaining 7 when the curvature of the windscreen increases and, by reducing the angle between the central mounting 2 and the terminal cap 3, of controlling the radius of curvature of the member for retaining 7. It thus forces said member for retaining, which remains more rectilinear, to maintain a significant bearing on the windscreen in the centre of the wiper which achieves a more regular wiping action during the rotation of the windscreen wiper.

(123) As shown in the figure, the transverse flange 3c of the cap 3 which cooperates with the protruding stop 94 consists of the terminal wall of the terminal cap 3. In alternative versions, it consists of a rib extending transversely between the two lateral walls 3a, 3b of the terminal cap 3, upstream of the end face of the cap 3. This configuration makes it possible to obtain an alignment for the terminal faces, both of the cap and the end piece, which improves the aerodynamic performance of the wiper.

(124) FIGS. 25 and 26 show a variant of the arrangement of the respective stops of the end piece 9 and of the terminal cap 3. One protruding stop 94′ is positioned here on the internal side, on each lateral face 93 of the end piece, with a ramp shape and an orientation similar to the protruding stop 94 disclosed above: the ramp rises from the lateral face 93 in the external direction with a stop face oriented transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the wiper. The terminal cap 3 comprises, in this case, second protruding stops 35 capable of cooperating with the protruding stops 94′ of the end piece 9, in the region of its lateral flanges 30 which extend vertically at the lower end of the longitudinal walls 3a and 3b. The stops 35 protrude over the substantially parallel, internal faces of the lateral flanges 30. To this end, they have the shape of a ramp extending from the corresponding vertical wall but on this occasion in the internal direction. The stop faces thereof are in turn oriented transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the wiper.

(125) With reference to FIGS. 27 to 29, the end piece of a terminal cap 3 is seen, at a short distance from its outside end. A transverse guide wall 36 which bears against the entire height of the longitudinal walls extends transversely between the longitudinal walls 3a and 3b forming a dihedron. The wall 36 ensures the stiffening of the cap. It extends here between the lateral flanges 30 of the walls 3a, 3b.

(126) This transverse wall 36 is cut out in a substantially rectangular shape to serve as means for guiding the wiping unit, i.e. essentially for the member for retaining 7 which contains the stiffening member 6 and which carries the wiper blade 8. The rectangular shape is open, moreover, toward the bottom to permit the passage of the wiper blade 8. As a result, at the bottom, the transverse wall 36 is in the form of two lateral guide hooks 37 extending from its vertical parts in two horizontal parts which are positioned opposite one another and which are separated by a space corresponding substantially to the thickness of the member for retaining 7 in this region. At the top, the transverse wall 36 is shown as a wall connecting the vertical parts of the two hooks 37. Said two hooks 37 form means of supporting the member for retaining 7, and the rectangular cut-out in the transverse wall 36 serves as means for guiding this member, for the sliding thereof in the cap 3 when the cap 3 is articulated relative to the central mounting 2.

(127) FIG. 28 shows, in particular, the shape of the rectangular cut-out formed in the transverse guide wall 36. The three non-open sides of this rectangle comprise, substantially in the centre thereof, protuberances in the form of lugs 38 which protrude toward the inside of the rectangle. Said protuberances form bearing points approximately at regular intervals for the member for retaining 7 when it is introduced into said rectangular cut-out. Said bearing points at regular intervals serve to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and permit, due to their regular nature, improved guidance and easier sliding. The vertical part of each hook 37 comprises here, substantially in the centre thereof, a lug 38, the free end thereof being configured to cooperate with the member 7. The upper part of the wall 36 connecting the upper ends of the vertical parts of the hooks 37 also comprises, substantially in the centre thereof, a lug 38 for bearing at regular intervals against the member. The lugs 38 here have a generally rounded shape.

(128) The guide hooks 37 for supporting the member for retaining 7, the longitudinal thickness thereof being greater than that of the transverse wall 36, are seen in FIG. 29. This overthickness is positioned on the side of the central mounting 2 and has the shape of a ramp 39 thickening from the lower edge of the longitudinal wall 3a or 3b of the terminal cap 3 to join the transverse wall 36 in the region of the upper edge of the hook. The ramps 39 comprise substantially coplanar inclined guide faces. The ramps permit the end of the member for retaining 7 to be guided when it is introduced into the transverse wall and to facilitate its passage through said wall when put in position.

(129) FIGS. 30a and 30b show the central mounting 2 in a view from above, with its aperture 21 in which the adapter 5 is positioned, designed to be mounted on the arm 10 extending respectively to the right or to the left of each of the figures. It may be seen that the size and shape of the aperture 21 are adapted to a positioning in either direction of the adapter 5. In other words, the aperture 21 is configured to permit the mounting of the adapter 5 and the clipping thereof on the pin 25 in a first position in which a first longitudinal end of the adapter is oriented toward a first longitudinal end of the aperture, and in a second position in which the first longitudinal end of the adapter is oriented toward a second longitudinal end opposing the aperture.

(130) The opening of the aperture 21 located at its upper end is delimited by a peripheral edge of generally rectangular shape.

(131) The length of the aperture 21 leaves sufficient space for the arm 10, which exceeds the adapter 5 in length, to be able to rotate without interfering with the side of the aperture which opposes the direction of extension of the arm.

(132) Preferably, the aperture 21 has a dual symmetry, both longitudinal (relative to a central transverse plane P2), the adapter 5 generally also being subject to longitudinal symmetry, and transverse (relative to a central longitudinal plane P1) to facilitate the mounting of the wiper 1 on an arm 10 which rotates in either direction. This configuration of dual symmetry permits the same central mounting 2 to be used for the two wipers, such that the two wipers (left and right) for wiping the windscreen of a vehicle are displaced in a coordinated manner or they rotate in opposing directions.

(133) FIG. 31 shows, in section along the central longitudinal plane P1, an adapter 5 installed in a central mounting 2. The aperture 21 of the central mounting 2 is traversed laterally by the transverse pivot pin 25 which connects the two parallel vertical faces 22 of the centre of the central mounting 2 and which serves as a support for the adapter 5.

(134) The pivot pin 25 is solid with the central mounting 2. Said pivot pin 25 is formed as an integral part with the central mounting 2. The two lateral walls 2a and 2b of the central mounting 2 are connected by said pivot pin 25. In other words, the pivot pin 25 may be moulded as one with the mounting 2, from the same material and during the same injection-moulding step.

(135) The adapter comprises at its centre 5, as may be seen in FIG. 32, a cylindrical housing 51 to receive this transverse pin by resilient clipping. The adapter 5 substantially has an elongated parallelepipedal shape in the longitudinal direction with two lateral flanges 52 connected together by a central portion which defines the cylindrical housing 51. It also comprises, on each lateral flange 52, a longitudinal extension 52a, the object thereof being to serve as a stop for limiting the rotation of the adapter 5 in certain applications. However, to avoid rupture of one of the elements of the adapter when handled incorrectly in rotation, the invention proposes to raise the vertical position of the pin 25 on the parallel vertical faces 22 of the centre of the central mounting 2, such that it permits an angular rotation of the adapter in which the longitudinal extensions 52a do not interfere with the means for fixing the wiping unit, namely the hooks 23.

(136) To achieve this, the radius R1 of the adapter 5 in the region of the longitudinal extensions 52a which is located in the range of 15 mm, and more generally between 10 and 20 mm, is shorter by approximately 1 mm than the radius R2 at which the most central point of the hooks 23 is located for fixing the member for retaining 7 (see FIG. 31). The radius R1 is the maximum radius of a first circumference centred on the pin 25 and passing substantially through the extensions 52a of the adapter 5, and the radius R2 is a maximum radius of a second circumference centred on the pin 25 and passing substantially through the upper ends of the hooks 23.

(137) If the two longitudinal extensions 52a do not interfere with the hooks 23 and permit the adapter 5 to rotate without obstruction, it is nevertheless necessary to limit this rotation to avoid too great an angular deviation of the wiper, which could lead to the rupture of one of its elements. To achieve this, a lug 53 extends laterally from the upper edge of one of the lateral flanges 52 of the adapter 5, on the side opposing its other lateral flange, which enables it to come into abutment against a peripheral edge of the aperture 21, for example to limit the angular displacement of the adapter 5 about the pin 25. The internal faces 22 comprise notches 22a for receiving and displacing said lug 53.

(138) The interior of the aperture 21 of the central mounting 2 which extends longitudinally between the lateral walls 2a, 2b of this mounting is now seen with reference to FIGS. 33 to 35. On both sides of this central part extend the front 2a and rear 2b longitudinal parts, with reference to the direction of circulation of the air. As indicated above, the transverse pivot pin 25 connects the two parallel lateral walls 22 so as to support the adapter 5 which is fixed above by interlocking, engagement or resilient clipping.

(139) Due to the relatively large elongation of the aperture 21, the portions of lateral walls 2a, 2b located in the region of the aperture may have a certain fragility when handled and the invention specifies adding means 26 for connecting and stiffening between the internal lateral faces 22 of the aperture 21, in this case in the form of crossmembers 26 which each have the shape of an elongated bar. As shown, said crossmembers 26 extend parallel to the pivot pin 25 by being positioned substantially at the same height as this pin, and substantially in the centre of the distance existing between the pin 25 and the longitudinal end of the aperture 21. Said crossmembers 26 are formed by material bridges connecting the two lateral faces 22. They are of the removable type in this case, i.e. they may be taken off. They may be broken or cut off or dismantled and they may, in particular, be unclipped. In this case, they have sections to be broken, namely a fragile area or weakened portion at each of their ends, so as to be able to be ruptured in the region of the faces 22, without leaving a protuberance which might interfere with the rotation of the adapter 5. More specifically, the presence of two crossmembers 26 on the same central mounting 2, which corresponds to a configuration immediately after manufacture, is not suitable to the use of such a central mounting, as one of said crossmembers would consequently limit the rotation of the adapter 5. During the mounting of a windscreen wiper it is appropriate to select in which direction this mounting will be installed on the arm of the wiper. Depending on this selection, one of the crossmembers 26 is fractured, which provides the required freedom of rotation to the arm and its adapter 5 in the central mounting. As visible in FIG. 35, the second crossmember is preserved as it does not interfere with this rotation. The invention thus provides a simplification in the production of the central mountings 2 and in the logistics thereof, since this is a single model which is adapted to all directions of rotation of a windscreen wiper, by means of the prior rupture of one of the two crossmembers 26. The presence of two crossmembers and then one crossmember 26 provides the required rigidity to the parallel lateral walls 22, firstly during transport for its conveyance to the mounting location and then during use on a windscreen. The two crossmembers 26 in this case are arranged symmetrically relative to the transverse plane P2 passing substantially through the centre of the aperture 21.

(140) Moreover, the aperture 21 has at each of its longitudinal ends an essentially transverse cut-out 21a, which longitudinally extends the cut-out of the aperture 21. In this cut-out is positioned a pin 27 which is oriented transversely and which may be used as pivot pin or support pin to a closure cap as will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 36 to 43.

(141) A central mounting 2 in which the aperture 21 is partially sealed by two closure caps 28a and 28b is seen in FIG. 36. More specifically, whilst the aperture 21 has to be sufficiently long to be able to insert an adapter 5 therein and then the arm on which said adapter is fixed, its opening at the top proves to be disadvantageous after the positioning of these elements, both for aesthetic reasons and aerodynamic reasons, the hollow of the aperture being able to create turbulence in the air which circulates on the windscreen. The invention specifies, therefore, the installation of two closure caps 28a, 28b which cap the aperture 21 and which close the upper face of the central part of the central mounting 2 to form a capped central mounting. Taking account of the presence of the arm and the adapter 5 which are not symmetrical in a transverse plane, the two openings left open at the ends of the aperture 21 are not identical or symmetrical. Thus a front closure cap 28a is identified which is positioned toward the outside relative to the arm of the wiper and a rear closure cap 28b is identified which is positioned on the inside. Thus, a first capping 28a is configured to seal a longitudinal end piece of the aperture 21 and the second capping 28b is configured to seal an opposing longitudinal end piece of the aperture.

(142) The positioning of these caps may be implemented in two different ways. As shown in the figures, the front cap 28a is mounted so as to be mobile in rotation about the pin 27 of the front cut-out 21a whilst the rear cap 28b is fixedly mounted on the pin 27 which traverses the rear cut-out 28b.

(143) FIGS. 37 and 38 show, therefore, the capacity for rotation of the front cap 28a about its pin 27. In FIG. 37, the front cap is raised and permits the longitudinal space to appear, said longitudinal space being opened to permit the insertion of the arm 10 carrying the wiper into the aperture 21 and the passage thereof about the adapter 5. FIG. 38 shows the front cap closed and the continuity of the surfaces between the upper face of the central mounting 2, the front cap 28a and the arm 10 carrying the wiper. Finally, FIG. 39 shows, in a view from below, the front cap 28a in position in the aperture 21.

(144) FIG. 40 shows in more detail the shape of the front cap 28a. It comprises an upper face 281a, the shape thereof (in this case not planar) being formed so as to extend the shape of the upper face of the central mounting 2 and to provide an aerodynamic continuity between said two elements. The lower face 282a is formed by stiffeners which intersect one another so as to provide rigidity to the part and which extend vertically until they come into contact with the upper face 281a. At the front, i.e. toward the outside of the wiper, the upper face 281a is terminated by a transverse cylinder 283a which is open over a limited amplitude sector. This cylinder has an inside diameter which has a value slightly greater than that of the pin 27, such that the pin 27 may serve as a rotational axis for the front cap; the opening sector of this cylinder is such that the pin 27 may pass into this sector by resilient clipping and then it is retained therein after clipping. Finally, two vertically oriented tabs 284a which extend from the upper face 281a are seen on the sides of the front cap. At the rear of these two tabs 284a, two second tabs 285a also extend vertically. Moreover, a hook 286a which also runs vertically extends in the region of each side of the capping between the tabs 284a, 285a. The hooks 286a are resiliently deformable and are designed to cooperate by resilient clipping with a complementary means of the mounting 2.

(145) The two first tabs 284a which open into the aperture 21 and which are interlocked in guides or recesses 29 of the aperture 21 are seen in FIG. 39. These guides are formed, on the one hand, by the lateral faces 22 of the central part of the central mounting 2 and, on the other hand, by partitions 29a parallel to these faces, offset to the inside of the aperture 21, said parallel partitions 29a being attached by small transverse partitions 29b to the lateral faces 22 to close the recess forming a guide. The first tabs 284a serve to position the cap 28a in the aperture 21. The hooks 286a cooperate with the lower ends of the partitions 29b to ensure the locking of the cap in the mounted position thereof.

(146) Moreover, the longitudinal end of one of the stiffeners of the cap 28a, opposing the cylinder 283a, forms a means 282a′ for bearing and retaining the adapter 5 and/or the arm 10.

(147) FIGS. 41 to 43 show the rear cap 28b and its positioning in the aperture 21. As they have the same function as the similar elements of the front cap, the elements of the rear cap are denoted by the same reference numerals, the letter a being replaced by a letter b; and they are not described further.

(148) FIG. 42 shows the direction in which the positioning of this cap takes place. Whilst the front cap 28a was attached to a pin 27 and was mobile in rotation about said pin, the rear cap 28b is positioned by a vertical translation in order to be positioned therein by clipping in a fixed manner. As a result, as may be seen in FIG. 43, the cylinder 283b of the rear cap has an open sector, the opening thereof being oriented in the downward direction. The rotation about said pin 27 is prevented by the presence of the first tabs 284b, the side thereof opposing the cylinder 283b cooperating over its entire height with the small transverse wall and blocking any rotation. As a result, the presence of hooks is no longer required. Similarly, the end of the aperture 21, which is illustrated in FIG. 41, is simplified relative to that of FIG. 39, and only comprises one guide 29 for accommodating only the first plates.

(149) A central mounting 2 connected to a drive arm 10 of the windscreen wiper is now seen with reference to FIG. 44. This arm has, in the known manner, an end bent back in a circular-arc shape or in a U-shape, in which the adapter 5 is positioned, said adapter serving to permit the mounting of the same model of wiper on a plurality of types of arm and thus to enable it to be mounted on various vehicles. The arm 10 and the adapter 5 rotate, as indicated above, about a pivot pin 25 which extends between the two parallel lateral faces 22 of the central mounting 2 and onto which the adapter is clipped. The arm 10 has to be able to rotate about the pivot pin in the direction of removal by a large angle to permit the mounting of the wiper on the arm, but it is also advantageous to provide it with a certain degree of freedom in rotation in the direction of approach toward the wiper so that said wiper is perfectly adapted to the curvature of the windscreen. To this end, the invention specifies raising the pivot pin 25 vertically, said pivot pin in this case being located in a longitudinal plane P4 above a longitudinal parallel plane P5 passing substantially through the upper ends of the longitudinal end parts of the mounting, i.e. through the upper edge 2d (see also FIG. 31). The planes P4 and P5 are in this case substantially horizontal.

(150) As disclosed hereinafter, the upper longitudinal edges of the lateral walls 2a, 2b are separated from one another in the region of the aperture 21 so as to define the peripheral edges of this aperture. These peripheral edges each have a convex curved shape and have (C-shaped) upper ends located above the planes P4 and P5.

(151) In this manner, the arm 10 may be moved toward the wiper and form with its longitudinal direction a negative angle (with reference to the clearance for mounting the wiper which is regarded as the positive direction of rotation). This angle is preferably in the range of 3 to 4 degrees and, in any case, ranges between 0 and 5 degrees.

(152) FIG. 45 shows in a view from below a terminal cap 3 with, at one of its longitudinal ends, reinforcements 32a and 32b as explained with reference to FIG. 11, and at the other end a transverse guide wall 36 for the passage of the member for retaining 7. Taking into account the elongation of this part, which may be relatively large in the case of wipers of large dimensions, and as the length of the central mounting 2 is preferably the same for all of the wiper models, the invention specifies installing transverse stiffening ribs 310 at several locations of the terminal cap 3. These ribs 310 essentially have a triangular shape so as to be adapted to the dihedral shape formed by the two longitudinal walls 3a and 3b of the cap. They are positioned longitudinally in an equidistant manner, the majority being positioned between the reinforcements 32a and 32b and the guide wall 36, and an additional transverse rib being positioned beyond this transverse guide wall. Apart from their function of stiffening the terminal cap 3, said ribs 310 comprise a bearing point on their lower side which is configured to support the pressure which is exerted by the ejector of an injection-moulding machine when producing the cap. In one particular embodiment, not shown, the rib is a double rib formed by two intersecting ribs, the bearing point for the ejector thus being positioned at the junction of the two ribs.

(153) In FIG. 45 it is also observed that the central longitudinal plane P1 of the means for articulation 31a, 31b of the cap, which is substantially vertical, is substantially parallel and spaced apart from a second central longitudinal plane P9 of said means for guiding 36, 37.

(154) FIGS. 46 and 47 show two versions of a windscreen wiper with a central mounting 2 and with two terminal caps 3 which are attached to said central mounting. For reasons of simplicity of production and logistics, the invention specifies homogenizing the central mountings 2 which are the most complex parts, and only to vary the length of the terminal caps 3 to adjust the wiper 1 to the length which is appropriate for a specific application. Whichever wiper is to be provided to a given vehicle, the central mounting 2 is identical and thus interchangeable. Taking account of the average lengths observed on windscreen wipers of vehicles in use, the length selected for the central mounting is typically between 15 and 30 cm.

(155) Moreover, it is appropriate to respect the relative dimensions between the central mounting 2 and the terminal caps 3, so that the angle formed by these caps with the central mounting remains within relatively small values. Otherwise, the wiping carried out by the central mounting 2 and/or that carried out by the terminal caps 3 will not be of good quality as the contact is not made over the entire length of the relevant element or, if it takes place, the pressure on the windscreen will not be uniform. To avoid this drawback, the invention specifies maintaining a ratio between the length of the central mounting and the total length of the wiper within certain limits. After examining the results of various wiping tests, the invention specifies a value of between 20 and 70% for the ratio between the half-length L1 of the central mounting 2 (i.e. the distance between the transverse plane P2 passing through the transverse pivot pin 25 and a further transverse plane P8 passing through the pivot pin 31 of the terminal caps) and the half-length L2, L2′ of the wiper (i.e. the distance between the first plane passing through the transverse pivot pin 25 and the longitudinal end of the terminal cap 3). Preferably, this ratio is between 25 and 65% and, for example, between 27 and 59%.

(156) The invention further proposes a method for mounting streamlined portions for streamlined flat windscreen wipers, in particular for a vehicle, comprising a step of mounting a short streamlined portion 1′ and a step of mounting a long streamlined portion 1. The step of mounting a short streamlined portion 1′ comprises the assembly of a first central mounting part 2 with a first terminal cap part 3′ for the short streamlined portion, and the step of mounting a long streamlined portion 1 comprises the assembly of said first central mounting part 2 with a second terminal cap part 3 for a long streamlined portion 3.

(157) FIGS. 48 to 54 disclose an embodiment of the invention which is suitable for mounting on a windscreen wiper, called the rod-shaped arm, which does not have a terminal U-shape but the shape of a substantially rectilinear rod.

(158) FIGS. 48 and 49 show respectively in the assembled position and in the exploded position a central mounting 2 which is identical to that of the preceding embodiment, in which an adapter 5′ is inserted which is slightly modified relative to the previous adapter, so as to adapt to the mounting to a rod-shaped arm 10′.

(159) FIG. 50 shows the cooperation between the modified adapter 5′ and the rod-shaped arm 10′ whilst FIGS. 51 and 52 show respectively the modified adapter 5′ and the rod-shaped arm 10′.

(160) The modified adapter 5′ has, as disclosed above, substantially an elongated parallelepipedal shape in the longitudinal direction with two lateral flanges 52 connected together by a central portion which defines a cylindrical housing 51 for the resilient clipping of the transverse pivot pin 25 which passes through the aperture 21 of the central mounting 2. It also comprises on each lateral flange 52 a longitudinal extension 52a, the object thereof being to serve as a stop to limit the rotation of the adapter in certain applications and a lug 53 which comes into abutment against one of the parallel lateral faces 22 of the centre of the central mounting 2 when the adapter is in a maximum rotational position.

(161) The modified adapter 5′ comprises, moreover, a transverse plate 54 which connects the lateral flanges 52 at their upper region, thus forming a cover for the adapter and defining a longitudinal housing in which the distal end of the rod-shaped arm 10′ is inserted. Said longitudinal housing in this case is open at its two longitudinal ends. The upper transverse plate 54 is extended toward the inside, with reference to the rotation of the arm, by a longitudinal tab 55 of planar and elongated shape which comprises in the vicinity of its end opposing the plate 54 a retaining finger 56 which extends vertically downward, so as to be able to cooperate with a notch 101 formed in the arm 10′. The lower part of the transverse plate 54 and of the longitudinal tab 55 are such that they form a space in which the rod-shaped arm 10′ may slide and be housed. Taking account of its elongation, the longitudinal tab has a certain degree of flexibility and it is attached to the plate 54 by a resilient connection which naturally drives it downwardly, which tends to maintain its contact with the rod-shaped arm over its entire length. The tab 55 extends substantially in a plane P10 passing through an upper end of the adapter.

(162) The longitudinal housing of the adapter 5′ which receives a free end of the rod-shaped arm 10′ is located in the upper part of the adapter, notably above the cylindrical housing 51. This longitudinal housing is delimited at least by the plate 54, the longitudinal tab 55 extending from this plate 54. Such an arrangement of the longitudinal tab 55 makes it possible to prevent interference, which means to say physical contact, between the central mounting 2 and the rod-shaped arm 10′. The rod-shaped arm 10′ becomes inserted in the upper part of the adapter 5′ without the risk of touching the central mounting 2, notably a terminal part of the baffle-shape thereof, or a terminal part of a baffle that this central mounting 2 carries.

(163) Regarding the rod-shaped arm 10′, visible in FIG. 52, without this being imperative, it has a lowered portion on its terminal part so as to form a second planar part which is located at a lower height than the first part.

(164) This shape has the purpose of making it closer geometrically to the adapter used. It comprises a notch 101 which is remote from its end, such that the retaining finger 56 carried by the longitudinal tab 55 is longitudinally at the same level when the rod-shaped arm is inserted into the adapter.

(165) FIGS. 53 and 54 show the rod-shaped arm 10′ in its housing below the longitudinal tab 55 and the transverse plate 54, respectively in a view from above and from below and in longitudinal section. The retaining finger 56 is inserted into the notch 101 of the rod-shaped arm, which ensures the fixing of the rod-shaped arm 10′ and the adapter 5′, this configuration being reversible due to the longitudinal flexibility of the tab 55.

(166) A further embodiment will be disclosed now with reference to FIGS. 55 to 60, in the configuration of the mounting on a conventional arm, with a terminal U-shape part. This embodiment may also be implemented on a rod-shaped arm, in that the adapter put in place is adapted to this type of arm, as in the previous embodiment. In this embodiment, the wiper is offset laterally relative to the arm 10 and held in position by a connection member which is configured to this end. In contrast, the central mounting 2 and the adapter 5 or 5′ are identical to those of the embodiments described above.

(167) FIGS. 55 and 56 show, respectively in a view from the front and a view from the rear, a windscreen wiper mounted on a U-shaped arm in the assembled position, whilst FIG. 57 shows this wiper in the disassembled position.

(168) The arm 10 has a conventional shape terminated by a U-shape in which the adapter 5 described above is inserted, as appears in FIG. 60. The adapter 5 comprises, in particular, a cylindrical housing 51 in which a pivot pin may be clipped in the manner of that extending between the two parallel lateral faces 22 of a central mounting 2. Between the adapter 5 and the central mounting 2 extends an intermediate part or connection member 11 which receives the adapter 5 by clipping onto a second pivot pin 25′ and which is in turn clipped onto the transverse pin 25 of the central mounting. In this configuration, the connection member 11 is fixed relative to the wiper and the rotation of the arm and the adapter 5 is carried out about the second pivot pin 25′.

(169) The connection member 11 is described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 58 and 59. This member has the shape of two elements extending longitudinally and which are placed symmetrically relative to one another relative to a longitudinal direction. They are attached to one another by means of a planar central wall 111 oriented longitudinally, one being positioned at the top of this central wall, the other being positioned at the bottom. The first element 11a appears open at the top whilst the second element 11b appears closed when viewed from the top, since it opens downwardly.

(170) The second element 11b forms means for connecting the member 11 to the mounting, i.e. it cooperates with the mounting for the purpose of fixing the member to the wiper. In the example shown, the second element comprises means for fixing which are configured to cooperate by interlocking or resilient clipping with at least one pin of the mounting 2, as will be described hereinafter.

(171) A first central transverse plane P11 of the first element 11a passing through the pin 25′ is parallel to and spaced apart from a second central plane P12 parallel to the plane P11 and passing through the second element 11b.

(172) The first element has a U-shape in the transverse direction, being formed by three planar surfaces which are perpendicular to one another and which extend in a longitudinal direction. From the central wall 111 extends a bottom wall 112, the width thereof being approximately equal, by a lower value, to that of the aperture 21 of the central mounting 2. A third wall 113 which substantially reproduces the shape of the central wall 111, by being mirror symmetrical relative to the central plane of the bottom wall, also extends upwardly from this bottom wall. Moreover, the second pivot pin 25′ is seen in the figure, said pivot pin extending transversely between the first and third walls 111 and 113 and ensuring the function of the support of the adapter 5 which the pivot pin 25 provided in the first or preceding embodiments. Finally, the three walls of the first element 11a extend longitudinally and vertically so as to reproduce substantially the shape of the aperture 21 of the central mounting 2, so that the adapter 5 may be attached there, as it was in the aperture of the central mounting.

(173) The second element 11b in turn has the function of fixing the connection member 11 to the central mounting 2, whilst ensuring a closure of the aperture 21 of this central mounting to improve the aerodynamics of the assembly. To achieve this, said second element comprises a top wall forming a capping 114 which extends from the upper edge of the central wall 111, in the direction opposing the first element 11a. This capping 114 extends the upper surface of the central mounting 2 and ensures a continuity which is both attractive and aerodynamic. This capping 114 carries a rib 115 which extends longitudinally into the centre thereof, over its entire length and which extends in the downward direction until it reaches a height corresponding to that of the transverse pivot pin 25. A cylindrical housing 51′ is cut out from the centre of the length of this rib 115 which has the purpose of receiving the pivot pin 25 of the central mounting 2 by clipping and holding in place the connection member 11 in the aperture 21 of the central mounting 2.

(174) At each of its longitudinal ends, the capping 114 comprises a further cylindrical housing 51″ which has the purpose of receiving a pin 27 of the central mounting 2 by interlocking or resilient clipping.

(175) In a variant, not shown, the connection member 11 could be formed from a single part with the central mounting 2.

(176) With reference to FIGS. 61 to 65, a further embodiment of the invention will now be described. This embodiment has the purpose of adapting a streamlined flat wiper to an already existing adapter, which is adapted to a flat wiper. The invention consists in modifying the central mounting relative to those described above and inserting a second connection member between this modified central mounting and the existing adapter, as may be seen in FIG. 61.

(177) A central mounting 2′ which is similar to that of the preceding embodiments, except that it does not comprise a transverse pivot pin, is seen with reference to FIG. 62. The parallel lateral walls 2a, 2b are levelled off here to leave space for the existing adapters 50, 50′ 50″; the upper part of the central part of the central mounting 2′ thus forms a horizontal plane 22′ in which the aperture 21′ is cut out. The external contour in the lower part of the second connection member 200 reproduces the shape of the aperture 21′, such that after the positioning of this second connection member, the aperture is completely sealed. Moreover, this member 200 comprises in the lower part a capping 222′ which defines a horizontal plane and which is positioned in the extension of the horizontal plane 22′.

(178) FIG. 63 shows the central part of the central mounting 2′ with its horizontal plane 22′, the aperture 21′ being hollowed out therefrom. This aperture 21′ of rectangular shape, without said shape being imperative, does not take the form of an undercut in the vertical direction. It is pushed into the central mounting 2′ forming a cavity, as in the case of the central mountings of the previous embodiments, until it reaches the upper face of the longitudinal plate which extends above the hooks 23 supporting the member for retaining 7. Inside this cavity, the parallel lateral faces 22 comprise vertical ribs 211′ which together serve for guiding corresponding ribs 211 positioned on the second connection member 200.

(179) Means for hooking the second connection member 200 are located at the longitudinal ends of the aperture 21′. To achieve this, two female interlocking stops 212′ are located on one side, said female interlocking stops protruding to the inside of the aperture from each of the lateral faces 22 to form a retainer in the vertical direction for male means 212 positioned on the second connection member 200. Said male means 212 have the shape of longitudinal extensions which are positioned laterally so as to be located opposite female interlocking stops 212′ and which may be housed below said stops. These female stops 212′ and these male means 212 have cylindrical shapes, with laterally oriented generatrices, so that they permit a rotation of the second connection member 200 in a vertical plane for its positioning on the aperture 21′.

(180) At the other end of the aperture 21′ are located two female clipping means 213′ which protrude into the inside of the aperture from each of the lateral faces 22. These female clipping means 213′ have, in negative shape, a cylindrical shape with a circular base, which is open upwardly and the upper edges thereof being able to be separated from one another in a resilient manner. At the same time, the second connection member 200 comprises, at the end opposing its interlocking means, two male clipping means 213, the shape thereof being mirror symmetrical to the female clipping means 213′ of the aperture 21′. The introduction of the second connection member 200 in the aperture 21′ is carried out, therefore, in the following manner: the operator positions the second connection member 200 in the aperture 21′ by positioning it at an angle and passing the male interlocking means 212 below the female interlocking means 212′, then the operator rotates the second connection member 200 which drives it substantially horizontally and which moves the male clipping means 213 opposite the female clipping means 213′ and simultaneously the ribs 211 of the second connection member 200 between those 211′ of the aperture 21′. Then a vertical pressure fits the male clipping means 213 into the female clipping means 213′ which ensures the fixing of the two parts.

(181) Visible with reference to FIGS. 64 and 65 is the second connection member 200 which essentially comprises a central plate 222, the upper face thereof 222′ forming the desired continuity for the capping with the horizontal plane 22′ of the central mounting. Lateral means for guiding 214 extend downwardly from this central plate at the centre, said means for guiding bearing the guide ribs 211 and at the longitudinal ends, on the one hand, the male interlocking means 212 and, on the other hand, the male clipping means 213. A structure 230 for supporting an adapter extends upwardly from the central plate. This structure has substantially the shape of a parallelepiped, extending longitudinally in the centre of the plate over the entire length thereof. It bears on its upper part two aligned transverse journals 235 which form a pin, having the same features as the transverse pivot pin 25 of the apertures 21 of the central mountings of the preceding embodiments and which may, therefore, be integrated in the cylindrical housing 51 of the existing adapters 50, 50′, 50″. Preferably said journals 235 comprise a chamfered face 235a on their upper part, in order to facilitate their introduction into said cylindrical housing.

(182) Now reference will be made to FIGS. 66 to 68 which show a variant of the means for connecting, between a central mounting 2 and a terminal cap 3.

(183) In FIG. 66, longitudinal walls are seen at the front 2a and at the rear 2b, said walls forming the dihedron of the aerodynamic baffle of the central mounting 2 by being joined at a top edge 2d, said dihedron being terminated longitudinally by a transverse wall 2c which closes the dihedron. From this transverse wall 2c extends a finger 4a of substantially parallelepiped shape, which is traversed vertically by a recess 342 designed to receive a finger 4b of a terminal cap 3.

(184) The recess 342 has a generally parallelepipedal shape. It extends between two substantially parallel lateral walls 306 of the finger 4a. These walls 306 comprise opposing internal lateral faces, each comprising a substantially cylindrical blind hole 307 for receiving a pin 308 of the finger 4b. An upper part 309 of each wall 306 extending between the blind hole 307 and the upper longitudinal edge of the finger 4a may be chamfered internally to facilitate the insertion of the finger 4b and its pins 308 in the recess 342.

(185) The finger 4a has a substantially longitudinal and vertical plane of symmetry.

(186) FIG. 67 shows the finger 4b of a terminal cap 3, said finger having in this case a generally substantially trapezoidal shape. The large base 311 of the finger 4b is connected to the joining area between the walls 3a, 3b. The small base of the finger defines the free end of the finger. It thus extends toward the bottom from the inside of the top edge 3d of the cap 3. It has a flattened shape and substantially extends in a substantially vertical longitudinal plane. It comprises two external lateral faces on which the pins 308 protrude. The pins 308 are located in the vicinity of the free end of the finger 4b. Each pin 308 has a generally cylindrical shape and comprises an upper non-half-portion which is chamfered and a lower half-portion which is bevelled or chamfered so as to facilitate the insertion thereof in the recess 342 of the finger 4a.

(187) The finger 4b has a substantially longitudinal and vertical plane of symmetry.

(188) The lateral faces of the pin 308 are connected on the internal faces opposite the walls 3a, 3b by a reinforcing rib 310 which extends substantially transversely. A first portion of rib 310 extends between a lateral face of the finger 4b and the wall 3a and a second portion of rib (not visible) extends between the other lateral face of the finger 4b and the wall 3b.

(189) FIG. 68 shows the cooperation of the finger 4a of FIG. 66 with the finger 4b of FIG. 67. The finger 4b is engaged in the recess 342 of the finger 4a until interlocked by resilient clipping of the pins 308 in the blind holes 307 of the finger 4a. The engagement is facilitated by the bevelled portions of the pins 308 and the chamfered parts 309 of the finger 4a which may cooperate together by sliding.

(190) In the mounted position shown in FIG. 68, the fingers 4a, 4b are substantially perpendicular. They are capable of rotating relative to one another by the cooperation of the external cylindrical surfaces of the pins 308 with the internal cylindrical surfaces of the holes 307.

(191) The non-bevelled portions of the pins 308 cooperate with the blind holes 307 to prevent inadvertent release of the fingers and thus of the terminal cap 3 of the mounting.

(192) Advantageously, the streamlined portion is configured so that the force required for detaching the finger 4a of the central mounting of the finger 4b of the terminal cap, by releasing them from one another, is greater than the resistance to rupture of at least one part of the streamlined portion, as is disclosed in more detail hereinafter with reference to the variant of FIGS. 69 to 78.

(193) Visible with reference to FIG. 69, is an end part of a terminal cap 3 which differs from that described with reference to FIG. 67 essentially in that the finger 4b extends in this case between two reinforcements 32a, 32b of the type of those shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. The reinforcements 32a, 32b comprise intersecting walls, some of which are substantially longitudinal and parallel to the finger 4b. The reinforcements 32a, 32b are separated from one another in the transverse direction by a sufficient distance in order to be able to insert therebetween the finger 4a, as visible in FIG. 71. The reinforcements may contribute to the pivotable guidance of the finger 4a.

(194) Moreover, as visible more clearly in FIGS. 71 to 74, the walls 3a, 3b of the terminal cap comprise thinned parts 312, i.e. parts having a reduced thickness relative to the remainder of the walls. Each wall 3a, 3b comprises in this case a thinned part 312 which has a generally longitudinal shape and is located in the joining area between the wall 3a, 3b and the top edge 3d. The thinned parts 312 are joined and located in the vicinity of the end of the terminal cap 3 bearing the finger 4b.

(195) The thinned parts 312 are in this case formed by a recess or a raised portion of material on the lateral internal faces opposite the walls 3a, 3b.

(196) The thinned parts 312 permit the areas of the cap in which they are located to be weakened. They therefore define weakened areas in which a rupture of the cap is designed to be initiated when an attempt is made at detaching the cap from the central mounting.

(197) It is in this sense that the streamlined portion, i.e. at least one terminal cap and/or the central mounting, is configured so that the force required to disengage said means for connecting of said complementary means, by disuniting each other, is greater than the breaking strength of at least the thinned part 312 constituting the cap of the streamlined.

(198) The streamlined portion is thereby equipped with means arranged so that the cap and/or the central mounting break before separation of the finger 4b of the cap relative to the finger 4a of the central mounting.

(199) The finger 4b of the terminal cap, and/or the finger 4a of the central mounting is from the thinned part of the streamlined portion.

(200) In the example illustrated in FIGS. 72-75, the thinned part 312 is provided on the terminal cap 3, in the portion of the dihedron of the cap from which the finger is born 4b. In particular, 3d formed at the meeting edge of the front wall 3a with the bottom wall 3b, defining the cap 3 thinned relatively to the rest of the cover.

(201) Visible with reference to FIG. 70 is an end part of the central mounting 2 which differs from that described with reference to FIG. 66, in particular, in that the blind holes 307 in this case each have a generally trapezoidal shape. The small base of each blind hole 307 defines the upper end of the hole and has a generally concave curved shape. This small base is separated from the upper longitudinal edge of the corresponding wall by a chamfered part 309 of the aforementioned type. The large base of the hole 307 opens in this case on the lower longitudinal edge of the corresponding wall 306.

(202) FIG. 71 shows the cooperation of the finger 4a of FIG. 69 with the finger 4b of FIG. 70.

(203) A further difference relative to the finger 4a of the terminal cap 3 is visible in FIGS. 76 to 78.

(204) The lateral walls 306 of the finger 4a each comprise a notch 313 in the region of their upper longitudinal edges. Each notch 313 is delimited by three surfaces: a central guide surface 313a which is of substantially convex curved shape and two lateral stop surfaces 313b which are substantially planar.

(205) The guide surface 313a extends about the pivot pin defined by the cylindrical surface of the blind hole 307. It has in this case an angular extent which is similar to that of this cylindrical surface, which here ranges between 20 and 50° approximately.

(206) The guide surface 313a extends about the cylindrical surface of the blind hole and is thus located radially outside said cylindrical surface, relative to said pin.

(207) The stop surfaces 313b have a substantially radial orientation relative to this pin and form together an angle corresponding to the aforementioned angular extent. They are each connected to the longitudinal upper edge of the corresponding wall 306 by a convex curved portion.

(208) It may be noted in FIG. 77, in particular, that the aforementioned upper chamfered portions 309 of the walls 306 are located on the opposing portions of the internal faces of the walls 306, extending between the blind holes 307 and the notches 313.

(209) The guide surfaces 313a and the stop surfaces 313b of the walls 306 are designed to cooperate respectively with the lower free edges of the portions of the reinforcing rib 310, as visible in FIG. 78. The lower end of the rib 310 has a convex rounded shape (see FIGS. 75 and 78) which is configured to slide over the guide surface 313a in order to contribute to the pivoting guidance of the terminal cap 3 relative to the central mounting 2. Moreover, to the extent that it is permitted by the other elements of the wiper, the lower end of the rib 310 is capable of coming into abutment with the stop surfaces 313b in order to define the end of travel positions for the pivoting of the cap relative to the central mounting.

(210) Although the above description has been made relative to the central mounting 2 and a terminal cap 3, it naturally applies to the connection between the central mounting and the other terminal cap.

(211) Reference is now made to FIGS. 79 to 81d which show a further embodiment of the invention, according to which the streamlined flat wiper according to the invention is provided with a principal baffle and a secondary baffle. More specifically, each streamlined portion comprises a principal baffle and a secondary streamlined portion at each of its free ends.

(212) The principal baffle is of the type described above with reference to FIG. 1, in particular, and extends substantially over the entire longitudinal dimension of each terminal cap 3.

(213) To produce this baffle, the front wall 3a of the cap 3 may, for example, define a front surface 314a having a cross section of substantially concave curved shape, as is visible in the drawings.

(214) This surface 314a extends between the top edge 3d of the cap and the lower longitudinal edge 3e of the front wall 3a.

(215) According to the invention, each terminal cap 3 comprises a secondary baffle at its free end, which here extends substantially between a free longitudinal end of the principal baffle and the front edge 3e. In the example shown, the secondary baffle defines a concave curved surface 315a at the free end of the cap 3. This surface is substantially merged with the surface 314a of the principal baffle, in the region of the free end of the cap. The surface 315a extends substantially between a terminal edge 3f of the cap which has a substantially transverse orientation, a longitudinal end part of the top edge 3d connected to the upper end of the terminal edge 3f and a longitudinal end part of the front edge 3e connected to the lower end of the terminal edge 3f. The surface 315a comprises a hollow in the vicinity of the edge 3f. This edge 3f comprises a rectilinear central portion and two curved end portions, respectively for connecting to the edge 3d and to the longitudinal edge 3e.

(216) FIG. 80 enables it to be seen that the terminal edge 3f is located higher than the bottom of the hollowed portion of the surfaces 314a, 315a which permits the upward deflection of the airflow which flows during operation on the wall 3a of the cap, along the wiper.

(217) Visible in FIGS. 81a to 81d is the evolution of the angle α formed between the intersection of the surface 315a with the substantially vertical longitudinal planes (which are the cutting planes in these figures) and a substantially horizontal longitudinal plane. The angle α is substantially zero in the vicinity of the front edge 3e and is substantially at a maximum substantially mid-distance between the front edge 3e and the top edge 3d. It varies, for example, between 0 and 30° approximately.

(218) It is also seen in these figures that the edge 3f is at the intersection of the face 315a and a transverse face 315b of the end of the cap 3, said faces 315a, 315b forming with one another an angle β of less than 90°.

(219) FIGS. 82 and 83 show a further embodiment of the invention relating to the surface states of the external faces of the streamlined portion according to the invention.

(220) The example shown in the drawings applies to the central mounting 2 of the streamlined portion but could also apply to the terminal caps.

(221) The central mounting 2 comprises substantially in its centre two lower lateral faces 317 and two upper lateral faces 316.

(222) The upper lateral faces 316 extend between the lateral walls 2a and 2b of the mounting defining the aforementioned dihedron and thus ensure a continuity between the external faces of the walls 2a, 2b and, in particular, the front lateral wall 2a ensuring the deflection of the air during operation.

(223) As seen in the drawings, the faces 316 have a generally rounded shape, each face 316 extending above and around a face 317.

(224) The faces 317 are substantially parallel, whilst the faces 316 converge upwardly.

(225) According to the invention, the faces 316, on the one hand, and the faces 317, on the other hand, have different surface states and, in particular, different degrees of roughness. It will be understood by different surface finish, that the composition of the material used is the same, only the surface is concerned and has different roughness, for example rougher to the touch of a surface finish compared to the another.

(226) Preferably, the faces 316 have a greater degree of roughness than that of the faces 317, said faces thus being smoother. For example, the lower faces 317 have a surface state of the VDI15 type and the upper faces 316 have a surface state of the VDI30 type.

(227) The greater smoothness of the faces 317 may be desired to reveal a mark by stamping or engraving, or to bond any means thereto, such as for example an aging patch.

(228) To obtain these differences in surface states, it is conceivable, for example, to modify the surface state of the internal moulding faces of a mould in the case where the central mounting is produced by injection-moulding. The texturing of certain internal faces of the mould, such as for example those defining the faces 316 and the external faces of the walls 2a, 2b of the mounting, will permit a mounting having rougher faces 316 to be obtained, for example.

(229) FIGS. 84 and 85 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention in which the streamlined portion and, more particularly, the central mounting 2 comprise means for locking which are configured to cooperate with the stiffening member 6 in order to immobilize it in the longitudinal direction relative to the mounting.

(230) In the embodiment shown, the stiffening member 6, the member 7 and the blade 8 are as defined above with reference to FIG. 4, in particular, and the central mounting 2 is as defined above relative to FIG. 7, in particular.

(231) The central mounting 2 further comprises at its lower end means for locking, designed to be engaged and to cooperate with the aforementioned notches 61 of the stiffening member. The means for locking comprise in this case two elements 318 protruding over the internal lateral faces opposite the lateral walls of the mounting. Said elements 318 extend substantially toward one another and are substantially identical. They are substantially planar. They are coplanar in a substantially horizontal longitudinal plane which passes substantially through the notches 23a of the hooks 23 of the mounting in which the stiffening member 6 is inserted by sliding. They each have a generally trapezoidal shape, the large base thereof being connected to the lateral wall of the mounting and the large base thereof defining the free end of the element and being designed to be engaged in one of the notches 61.

(232) Each notch 61 is generally C-shaped or U-shaped, the lateral edges thereof being able to cooperate by abutment with the free end of the corresponding element 318 to limit the longitudinal displacements of the stiffening member relative to the mounting 2.

(233) Reference is now made to FIGS. 86 and 87, which illustrate a further embodiment of the invention in which the streamlined portion comprises means for slidable guiding which are configured to cooperate with the member 7.

(234) This embodiment of the invention may be considered as a variant of the embodiment described above in relation to FIGS. 27 to 29, in particular.

(235) The above description relative to FIGS. 27 to 29 therefore applies to FIGS. 86 and 87 to the extent that it does not contradict what follows.

(236) Whatever the embodiment considered, the member for retaining 7 is a support member which extends longitudinally along the streamlined flat wiper blade over at least a half-length thereof. In such a case, the streamlined flat wiper blade comprises at least two members for retaining 7. Alternatively, the member for retaining 7 may extend over the entire length of the wiper blade and thus formed a support of spline and of a single blade, made unitary or one-piece.

(237) The terminal cap 3 comprises two lateral guide hooks 37 extending from its vertical parts along two horizontal parts positioned opposite one another and which are separated by a space corresponding substantially to the thickness of the member for retaining 7 in this region. These two hooks 37 form means for supporting the member for retaining 7 and the rectangular cut-out in the transverse wall 36 serves as a means for guiding for this member for the sliding thereof in the cap 3 when the cap 3 is articulated relative to the central mounting 2. The hooks 37 are located on lateral flanges 30 of the cap, described above.

(238) The horizontal parts of the hooks 37 comprise in this case longitudinal grooves 319 which are open at the top and configured to receive longitudinal ribs 320 of the member 7.

(239) The above description relative to FIG. 8a applies to FIG. 87.

(240) The lateral longitudinal walls of the upper tube 72 of the member 7 extend in this case downwardly to form the aforementioned ribs 320 which thus extend downwardly from the tube. They are substantially parallel and extend over the entire longitudinal dimension of the member 7. They are substantially parallel to the upper vertical parts of the hooks 73 of the member 7.

(241) As visible in FIG. 86, each rib 320 of the member 7 is housed in a groove 319 of a hook 37 of the cap and may slide in the longitudinal direction in this groove. The ribs 320 may further cooperate with the lateral walls of the grooves 319 to prevent the transverse displacements of the member 7 relative to the streamlined portion.

(242) FIGS. 88a and 88b show a variant of the means of the streamlined portion for the slidable guiding of the flat wiper.

(243) The flat wiper in this case does not have a member 7 for retaining the blade 8 and the stiffening member 6. The wiper in this case comprises two stiffening members 6 which are coplanar and extend parallel and to the side of one another (FIG. 88b).

(244) The stiffening members 6 are separated from one another by a slight transverse clearance 333. The blade 8 comprises two longitudinal grooves 332 which are coplanar on their sides and which are designed to receive internal longitudinal end parts of the stiffening members. Although this is not visible, the grooves 332 define relative to one another a longitudinal strip of material of the blade 8 which is designed to be housed, in the mounted position, in the region of the aforementioned clearance 333 and to be clamped between the stiffening members 6.

(245) The stiffening members are held in position and slidably guided due to the hooks 37. Each stiffening member 6 has its longitudinal end part which opposes the aforementioned clearance 333 and which is in abutment with and may slide on the vertical and horizontal parts of the corresponding hook 37.

(246) The hooks 37 and, in particular, their vertical parts, hold in position the stiffening members 6 and the blade 8, preventing the stiffening members from being separated from one another. The horizontal parts of the hooks extend below the stiffening members and their vertical parts extend to the side of the stiffening members. The blade 8 may be configured to act transversely upon the stiffening members 6 so that they bear against the hooks 37. The hooks 37 may also comprise means, such as lugs 38, for bearing at regular intervals against the stiffening members.

(247) The streamlined portion 3 is similar to those disclosed above. The end piece 9 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 95a and 95b and may differ from the end piece of these figures essentially by the fact that it is configured to receive two stiffening members instead of one.

(248) This end piece 9 comprises means for locking the stiffening members such as resiliently deformable tabs designed to cooperate by resilient clipping with the notches 334 of the ends of the stiffening members 6.

(249) Reference is now made to FIGS. 89 to 93 which illustrate a further embodiment of the invention in which the streamlined portion comprises means for slidable guiding which are configured to cooperate with each end piece 9.

(250) In this variant, each terminal cap 3 comprises means for guiding which are similar to those described above, in particular in relation to FIGS. 27 to 29, but which are in this case configured to cooperate with the corresponding end piece 9.

(251) The above description relative to FIGS. 27 to 29 applies, therefore, to FIGS. 89 and 93 in that it does not contradict what follows.

(252) The means for guiding formed by the hooks 37 are in this case located closer to the free end of the terminal cap 3 so as to be able to cooperate with the end piece 9.

(253) The horizontal parts of the hooks 37 each comprise a first vertical guide edge 37a and a second horizontal guide edge 37b oriented upwardly (FIG. 90).

(254) Said edges 37a, 37b are designed to cooperate with lateral longitudinal tracks 321 of the end piece.

(255) The following description relative to FIG. 5, in particular, applies to the end piece of FIGS. 89 to 93 in that it does not contradict what follows.

(256) The end piece 9 comprises a means for guiding and for longitudinal displacement which cooperates with the streamlined portion, and in particular with the means for guiding of the cap 3 detailed above. These may be the hooks 37.

(257) It should be noted that means 321, 321a, 321b for guiding and for longitudinal displacement may be formed on the external face which delimits the end piece 9. By way of example, FIG. 91 shows two shoulders which extend longitudinally along the end piece 9 and in which the hooks 37 are able to slide.

(258) Alternatively, these guide and slide means may be provided on an inner wall delimiting the end piece 9. This wall is therefore internal, if it is within a perimeter defined by the outer wall of the end piece 9.

(259) The end piece comprises on its lower face a longitudinal groove 322 for sliding one end of the heel of the blade 8, said groove opening into the housing 92b of the end piece.

(260) The tracks 321 of the end piece extend on both sides of the groove and each define a first substantially horizontal longitudinal surface 321a and a second substantially vertical longitudinal surface 321b. Each surface 321a is connected by its lower longitudinal edge to the upper longitudinal edge of the corresponding surface 321b.

(261) Each track 321 is connected at a free end, located on the side of the openings of the housings 92b, 92c, to a substantially radial stop surface 323a. The stop surfaces are in this case located on an oversized end part 323 of the end piece 9, which is designed to cooperate by abutment with the hooks 37 of the terminal cap.

(262) As visible in FIG. 91, the end piece 9 also comprises on its sides resilient clipping means 324 which are configured to cooperate with the terminal cap 3 and, more particularly, with the hooks 37 of the cap.

(263) The resilient clipping means 324 are in this case two in number and respectively protrude over two external lateral faces of the end piece 9. They each comprise a ramp 324a having an inclined wall which is configured to cooperate by sliding with the hook 37 and, in particular, its vertical part, and a stop face 324b which is configured to cooperate with the hook after the clipping has taken place.

(264) The clipping means 324 are in this case substantially coplanar and located substantially in the centre of the end piece 9. The end piece in this case comprises a substantially vertical central longitudinal plane of symmetry.

(265) We understand here, that the cooperation between the end piece 9 and the streamlined portion 2, 3, implements a terminal cap 3 which extends longitudinally from the end piece 9 by covering thereof until the central mounting 2.

(266) Reference is now made to FIGS. 94 to 98 which illustrate a further embodiment of the invention in which each end piece 9 is in this case housed in a cage defined by the means of the streamlined portion and, more particularly, of the corresponding terminal cap.

(267) The invention may for example be recognizable by the fact that the streamlined portion, and in particular the cap 3, has an elongated shape and extends, for example between a longitudinal end of the streamlined flat wiper 1 and a central mounting 2. At one of its longitudinal ends, the cover includes a housing for mounting and a longitudinal displacement of the end piece 9 of said wiper. Such housing is a receiving area bounded in part by the longitudinal side walls 3a and 3b of the cap 3. When installed in housing, the end piece 9 is covered by a part of the cap 3, these two assembled elements form an assembly.

(268) According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the streamlined portion comprises two terminal caps 3, and a central mounting 2 which is localised between the two terminal caps and which comprises means 23 for attachment to a stiffening vertebra 6 of the wiper or to a member 7 for retaining of the vertebra. In such a case, each terminal cap 3 comprises a housing at its free longitudinal end, as described above.

(269) The above description relative to FIGS. 27 to 29 and to FIGS. 89 to 93 applies to FIGS. 94 and 97 in that it does not contradict what follows.

(270) The means for guiding comprising the hooks 37 form the first means of the cage 310c for retaining the end piece 9. The hooks 37 in this case are moved closer to the free end of the terminal cap 3. The hooks 37 extend in this case perpendicular to a first traverse wall or rib 36 in the vicinity of that disclosed with reference to FIGS. 27 to 29. This wall or rib 36 has a height or dimension in the vertical direction referenced H1 which has a maximum value in the region of the lug 38.

(271) The cage 310c for retaining the end piece 9 is for example delimited by the cap 3. Longitudinally, this cage 310c is closed by first and second longitudinal locking means of the end piece 9.

(272) Each of these locking means may be formed by a reinforcing rib formed in the dihedron delimited by the front and the bottom walls of the cap. Such a reinforcing rib extends transversely to the walls 3a and 3b, and consists to a one piece with these walls during the molding operation of the cap 3.

(273) According to another embodiment, a first transverse rib 310b includes a medial portion 310ba extending between the longitudinal lateral walls 3a, 3b of the cap 3. Advantageously, the first rib 310b continues with at least a lateral portion 310bb. In FIGS. 96-98, there are provided two lateral portions 310bb, respectively from the inner faces of the longitudinal lateral walls 3a, 3b which delimit the cap 3. According to an aspect of the invention, at least a portion of said lateral portions comprises 310bb a stop surface configured to cooperate with said end piece 9. This is an embodiment of second stop means against which the end piece 9 comes to lean.

(274) The first and second locking means 37, 310b, 310bb may take a hook shape, such as those described above in connection with the reference 37. Preferably, they comprise at least one pair of lateral hooks 37 in “L” shape and configured to extend from each side of said end piece, for example facing each other and being oriented towards one another. These hooks 37 also form an embodiment of the first stop means against which the end piece is typing to limit its longitudinal displacement relative to the cap 3.

(275) According to an embodiment, each hook 37 comprises a substantially vertical part at the end of which there is a substantially horizontal portion. Thus the hook forms an L.

(276) These horizontal portions extend toward one another. It is advantageous for the abutment function is exclusively performed by the one or more horizontal portions, but the invention also covers the case where the end piece comes to lean simultaneously on the one or more vertical and horizontal portions. It should be noted that each hook 37 can be attached to each other by a bridge, also called second transverse rib 36 connecting the longitudinal lateral walls 3a, 3b. Advantageously, this second rib 36 has a lower edge on which there are formed some means 38 of limited support on said end piece.

(277) The limited support terms means that the support is not achieved on a large transverse distance of the cap 3, but instead on a discrete portion between the end piece 9 and the means of limited support 38.

(278) As visible in FIG. 98, the cap 3 comprises in this case a longitudinal row of a plurality of reinforcing ribs 310a, 310b which are similar to those disclosed above with reference to FIG. 45, in particular.

(279) The cap 3 comprises in this case ribs of different heights, the ribs 310a having a height H2 which is lower than the height H1 of the rib 310b which in turn has a height which is close to that of the aforementioned rib or wall 36.

(280) As visible in FIG. 96, the rib 310b of greater height which is the rib closer to the wall 36 comprises a central portion 310ba which connects the internal lateral faces of the walls 3a, 3b of the cap and lateral portions 310bb which are at least partially located on the aforementioned internal faces of the walls 3a, 3b.

(281) The height of these ribs is measured along a line perpendicular to an edge or free edge of the respective rib, passing through the top 3c formed by the junction of the longitudinal lateral walls 3a, 3b.

(282) As visible in FIG. 97, one of the lateral portions 310bb of the rib 310b, in this case that connected to the wall 3b of the cap, extends substantially opposite the end piece 9 and forms an additional means defining said cage 310c.

(283) The end piece 9 may come into abutment on the transverse face of the portion 310bb oriented on the side of the free end of the cap and on the horizontal parts of the hooks 37 (see FIG. 94).

(284) The above description relative to FIG. 5 and to FIGS. 89 to 93, in particular, applies to the end piece of FIGS. 94 to 98 in that it does not contradict that which follows.

(285) The end piece 9 comprises the housing 92a which is configured to receive an end of the stiffening member 6, and the housing 92b is configured to receive an end of the blade 8 and a lower groove opening into the housing 92b.

(286) As visible in FIG. 95a, the housing 92a does not open onto the side of the lower face of the end piece (onto which the slot 322 opens). The housing 92a is thus closed on the side of the lower face of the end piece 9.

(287) The housing 92a is open on the side of the upper face of the end piece. The end piece 9 comprises on this upper face two openings 325 which are elongated and parallel and which communicate with the housing 92a.

(288) A protruding tab 326 for locking the stiffening member 6 is located in each opening 325. Each tab is resiliently deformable and is configured to cooperate by resilient clipping with a terminal notch of the stiffening member 6, visible in FIG. 6.

(289) The end piece 9 further comprises in each opening 325, protruding elements 327 for centering and guiding the stiffening member 6.

(290) The openings 325 extend in this case on both sides of a strip of material 328 which defines said upper face of the end piece 9 and which comprises at least one protruding element 329 for guiding the end piece.

(291) This element 329 is configured to cooperate by sliding with the lug 38 of the wall 36.

(292) The stop surface 323a of the end piece 9 disclosed above is configured to cooperate with the hooks 37, as visible in FIG. 94 and it is the free end of the end piece, the housings 92a, 92b opening in the region thereof, which is designed to cooperate with the aforementioned lateral portion 310bb of the rib 310b.

(293) It is conceivable to produce the end piece 9 of FIGS. 94 to 95b, or any other end piece disclosed in the present application, in a resilient material so that it is resiliently deformable. This feature may be desired so that the end piece may be mounted on the stiffening member 6, in particular by resilient deformation.

(294) With reference to FIG. 94, it is thus conceivable to provide a longitudinal groove 370, shown by dashed lines, in the transverse wall of the end piece which separates the housings 92a, 92b. The groove 370 would open into said housings and would permit a separation of the longitudinal end parts of the end piece, extending on both sides of the groove, by resilient deformation.

(295) In this case, after the mounting of the end piece 9, said end piece would be locked in the mounted position by means of the terminal cap 3 and, in particular, its hooks 37 which would prevent a deformation and inadvertent separation of the end piece during use.

(296) Reference is now made to FIGS. 99a to 100b which show variants in which the wiper is provided with means facilitating the dismantling of the blade 8 for the purpose of the replacement thereof in the case of wear, for example.

(297) The above description relative, in particular, to the terminal caps 3, the end pieces 9, the member 7 and the blade 8 apply to these variants.

(298) In the variant shown in FIGS. 99a and 99b, it is seen that the substantially horizontal parts opposite the lower hooks 73 of the member 7 delimit relative to one another a groove 330 in which a part of the blade 8 may slide and is mounted.

(299) According to the invention, the member 7 comprises an opening 331 which is connected to the groove 330 and which permits the passage of the heel 81 of the blade 8. In the example shown, the opening 331 is located at one longitudinal end of the member 7 and returns to an oversized portion in the transverse direction of the groove 330. The member 7 may comprise an opening 331 at each of its longitudinal ends, although this is not necessary. The opening 331 has a generally rectangular shape. The opening 331 and the groove 330 are substantially coplanar. The opening 331 in this case has a width or transverse dimension which is greater than that of the heel 81.

(300) In the other variant shown in FIGS. 100a and 100b, it is the end piece 9 which comprises an opening 331 which is connected to the groove 321 and which permits the passage of the heel 81 of the blade 8. In the example shown, the opening 331 is located at one longitudinal end of the end piece 9 and returns to an oversized portion in the transverse direction of the groove 221. The opening 331 in this case has a width or transverse dimension which is greater than that of the heel 81.

(301) As seen in FIG. 100b and disclosed hereinafter with relation to FIG. 94, the transverse wall for separating the housings 92a, 92b of the end piece is slotted. This wall comprises a longitudinal groove 370 which is substantially aligned in the vertical direction with the aforementioned groove 322 and which is configured to permit a resilient deformation of the end piece according to the arrows, by separation of the longitudinal end parts of the end piece 9, extending on both sides of the groove 370.

(302) As visible in FIGS. 99b and 100a a method for dismantling the wiper blade 8 of a wiper according to the invention may comprise the steps consisting in:

(303) a) sliding one longitudinal end of the heel 81 of the blade 8 in the housing 92a of the end piece 9 or in that defined by the hooks 73 of the member 7, until it is located in the region of the opening 331, at least one part of the blade thus being compressed in the longitudinal direction,

(304) b) removing this end of the heel 81 from the housing, via the opening 331, then

(305) c) completely removing the blade from said housing via the opening.

(306) Reference is now made to FIGS. 101 to 103 which show a variant and, in particular, a variant of the embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 9 to 19, the description thereof applying in this case in that it does not contradict what follows.

(307) The finger 4 is designed to be inserted between the reinforcements 32a, 32b in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the finger. The finger comprises on its lateral faces two apertures 41a which, in contrast to those of FIG. 9, are here substantially horizontal and extend substantially between the end free face 44 of the finger 4 and the orifice 41. These apertures 41a are designed to receive and guide the journals 31a, 31b during the mounting of the finger in the aforementioned direction. The face 44 is chamfered here to facilitate this mounting.

(308) The variant of the invention shown in FIGS. 104 and 105 may be used in combination with the variant of FIGS. 101 to 103, or separately.

(309) The streamlined portion and, in particular, each terminal cap 3 in this case is similar to that disclosed above, with reference to FIGS. 89 to 93, in particular, and comprises means for guiding designed to cooperate with the end piece 9.

(310) The above description relative to FIGS. 89 to 93 applies, therefore, in this case in that it does not contradict what follows.

(311) The end piece 9 differs from that disclosed above, in particular, in that its overthickness 323 in this case is axially remote from its longitudinal ends. The tracks 321 of the end piece extend in this case between the overthickness and the free end of the end piece, the housings for receiving the stiffening member and the blade 8 opening in the region thereof.

(312) The stop surfaces 323a of the overthickness, designed to cooperate with the hooks 37 of the terminal cap 3, are in this case oriented on the side of said free end of the end piece. This cooperation permits the path of the end piece to be limited in the longitudinal direction, on the side opposing the free end of the cap 3. When this variant is associated with that of FIGS. 101 to 103, it enables the journals 31a, 31b to be prevented from leaving the orifice 41 of the finger 4.

(313) As visible in FIG. 106, the hooks 37 of each terminal cap 3 are not necessarily perfectly symmetrical relative to a substantially vertical central longitudinal plane. In the example shown, the hook of the wall 3a has a longitudinal dimension which is greater than that of the hook of the wall 3b.

(314) The variant of FIG. 106 also shows a further embodiment of the invention which is also illustrated by the following FIGS. 107 and 108.

(315) According to this embodiment, at least one of the lower or internal faces of the walls 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b of the streamlined portion comprises a groove 340a and/or 340b which is configured to permit the mounting and/or the sliding of an element of the wiper or an element for supporting the wiper.

(316) When the groove is provided in the central mounting 2, it is called first groove 340a. Similarly, when the groove is formed in a or the terminal cap 3 it is called second groove 340b, without however be dependent of the firstly character of the first groove.

(317) In the case of FIGS. 106 and 108, at least a terminal cap 3 comprises a second groove 340b for receiving and sliding one part of the end piece 9 designed to be associated with the cap.

(318) Each second groove 340b has a substantially longitudinal orientation. It is located on the internal face of the wall 3a. In FIG. 106, it extends substantially between a hook 37 and the free end of the cap. In FIG. 107, it is shown schematically by a rectangle in dashed lines and extends from the rib 310b (described above) in the direction of the end of the cap designed to be connected to the mounting. The second groove 340b of FIG. 108 is located between the aforementioned parts 310ba, 310bb of the rib 310b.

(319) In the case of FIG. 107, the central mounting 2 comprises at least a first groove 340a at each of its longitudinal ends, on the internal face of its wall 2a. These first grooves 340a are designed to receive parts of an element 341 used to straighten the bend of the wiper which is schematically shown by the dashed lines.

(320) The element 341 is, for example, a straightedge which permits the wiper to be raised and to limit its curvature, in order to facilitate its assembly. It protects the rubber blade too. It may be kept in the storage and display packaging of the wiper but it is naturally removed before mounting on a vehicle.

(321) Each first groove 340a has a substantially longitudinal orientation. It extends substantially between a longitudinal end of the mounting 2 and a reinforcing rib 310. The first grooves 340a of the mounting 2 are substantially aligned. They extend in this case substantially in a substantially horizontal longitudinal plane passing through the lower free ends of the walls 2b of the mounting. This plane passes substantially through the lower free ends of the transverse walls 2c of the mounting.

(322) Reference is now made to FIGS. 109a to 109i which illustrate the steps of mounting a streamlined flat windscreen wiper according to the invention, the different parts thereof having been described above.

(323) According to a first step, noted d) the blade 8 is mounted on the member 7 by inserting and sliding its heel 81 between the hooks 73 of the member (FIG. 109a).

(324) According to a second step, noted c) the central mounting 2 is mounted on the member 7 so that its hooks 23 engage in the notches 71 of the tube 72 of the member and that its grooves 23a are coplanar to the internal housing of the tube 72 (sub-step c1—FIGS. 109 and 109c), then the stiffening member 6 is inserted by longitudinal sliding in the aforementioned housing of the tube 72 and into the grooves 23a of the hooks of the mounting 2, which ensures the retention of the mounting relative to the stiffening member and vice versa (sub-step c2—FIGS. 109d and 109e).

(325) According to a further step, noted a) the end pieces 9 are mounted on the stiffening member 6 (FIG. 109f). They may be mounted simultaneously in an automated manner.

(326) According to a further step noted b), the terminal caps 3 are mounted on the end pieces 9 and the central mounting 2 (FIGS. 109g to 109i). To achieve this, each terminal cap is shown as seen in FIGS. 109g and 109h so as to engage the corresponding end piece 9 in the free longitudinal end of the cap (sub-step b1). The cap 3 is then inclined relative to the stiffening member, in particular. The opposing longitudinal end of the cap 3 is then folded down toward the mounting 2 so that the fingers 4a, 4b or the means for connecting the cap to the mounting cooperate together and are assembled so as to form the articulation between the cap and the mounting. Said sub-steps are carried out for each cap 3.

(327) It is the cooperation of the means for connecting, such as the engagement and interlocking of the fingers 4a, 4b with one another, which ensures the locking of the assembly. The wiper is preferably of the undetachable type as explained above.

(328) The method of mounting may comprise a preliminary step consisting in subjecting the stiffening member to stress so that it has a substantially rectilinear shape during at least some of the aforementioned steps. This preliminary step may be implemented by means of the aforementioned support element 341 of FIG. 107.

(329) Reference is now made to FIGS. 110 to 114 which show several variants in which the streamlined flat wiper 1 is provided with means for heating and/or means for fluid distribution.

(330) FIGS. 110 and 111 show the means for the electrical supply 350 of the means for heating the wiper, which here comprise electrical wires which extend along the drive arm 10 of the wiper and are connected to the means for heating the wiper. These figures also show the means for the supply of fluid 360 to the means for fluid distribution of the wiper, which comprise in this case flexible tubes and/or channels which either extend along the drive arm 10 of the wiper (FIG. 110) or are integrated or mounted on one of the end pieces 9 of the wiper, said means 360 being connected to the means for fluid distribution of the wiper 1.

(331) FIG. 112 shows an embodiment of the means for heating 351 which comprise a track of an electrical conductor made of resistive material. The means for heating 351 in this case are carried by the stiffening member 6 and are located on the upper longitudinal face thereof. They may be connected to the aforementioned electrical wires by means of connectors located substantially in the centre of the wiper.

(332) Alternatively, an embodiment may consist in that the means for heating 351, comprising at least one track of an electrically conductive resistive material, are localised on the lower longitudinal side of the spline 6. The term lower longitudinal side corresponds to the side facing the back of the heel 81 of the wiping blade 8.

(333) FIGS. 113 and 114 show an embodiment of the means for fluid distribution 352 which here comprise two spray lines for spraying fluid such as windscreen washer fluid on the window of a vehicle (FIG. 114). The spray lines respectively extend from the two sides of the wiper and comprise orifices for spraying onto the window. The reference 353 denotes the area of impact of the liquid on the window.

(334) The spray lines in this case are carried by the member 7 and may be fixed to the member, such as on the sides of its tube, or formed in one piece with the member.

(335) FIGS. 115 and 116 show a variant of the embodiment of the invention disclosed above in relation to FIGS. 79 to 81d.

(336) The above description made with reference to FIGS. 79 to 81d, thus applies to this variant in that it does not contradict what follows.

(337) A second baffle is in this case carried by each end piece 9 which bears a streamlined element 360. This streamlined element 360 defines a free end part of the streamlined portion of the wiper and thus replaces the free end part of the corresponding terminal cap. The streamlined element 360 is thus identical to the free end part of the terminal cap 3 disclosed above, and comprises an end portion of the top edge 3d, an end portion of the lower longitudinal edge 3e of the wall 3a of the cap, in addition to the terminal edge 3f which connects the edge 3d to the edge 3e and which defines a second baffle.

(338) The streamlined element 360 may be connected and fixed to the end piece 9 or formed in one piece therewith. The end piece 9 is similar to that described above with reference to FIGS. 95a and 95b, in particular. The streamlined element 360 in this case is located on the longitudinal end of the end piece, opposing the openings of the housings of the end piece.

(339) The terminal cap 3 comprises guide hooks 37, similar to those described above, which cooperate with the tracks 321 of the end piece 9 and which extend here between the overthickness 323 and the streamlined element 360. The hooks 37 of the cap 3 may cooperate by abutment, on the one hand, with the aforementioned stop surfaces 323a and, on the other hand, with the transverse faces opposing the streamlined element 360.