Automotive windshield wiper restorer

Abstract

An automobile windshield wiper restorer may take the form of a hand held device that offers a compound curvilinear rectangular three sided resurfacing channel and a flat bottom rectangular three sided resurfacing channel, with both channels coated with abrasive materials on all three sides. The flat bottom channel may have a coarse grit and the compound curvilinear channel may have a fine grit. Water or a wiper solution may be used while moving a wiper through the device. Drawing or swiping the entire length of a windshield wiper blade multiple times back and forth, while wet, through the appropriate support and honing channels removes surface contaminants and imperfections uniformly, thereby restoring the wiper blade to its original functionality.

Claims

1. An automotive windshield wiper restoration system, the system comprising: a first continuous curvilinear channel (200) defined by a continuous curvilinear back surface (210), a lower continuous curvilinear wall (220) and an upper continuous curvilinear wall (230) wherein: a) the continuous curvilinear back surface comprises a center area and two distal outer areas wherein the center area is relatively straight (214) and the two distal outer areas comprise inwardly arched outer edges (212); b) the lower continuous curvilinear wall comprises two outward distal areas with each distal area comprising a downward continuous curvilinear curve (225) and the lower continuous curvilinear wall comprises a center area having raised apex (227); c) the upper continuous curvilinear wall comprises two outward distal areas with each distal area comprising an upward continuous curvilinear curve (235) and the upper continuous curvilinear wall comprising a center area having a lowered apex (237).

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the continuous curvilinear back surface is defined by a center surfacing component (130) and the center surfacing component comprising a top side attached to a top piece (110) and the center surfacing component comprising a bottom side attached to a bottom piece (120).

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the top piece comprises a cambered edge (112) and the bottom piece comprises a cambered edge (122).

4. The system claim 2 wherein the three continuous curvilinear surfaces defining the first continuous curvilinear channel comprise a textured surface capable of honing an automotive windshield wiper.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein the three surfaces defining the first continuous curvilinear channel are comprised of compound continuous curvilinear surfaces.

6. The system of claim 2 further comprising a second channel (300), the second channel defined by a back wall (310), a lower wall (320) and an upper wall (330).

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the back wall of the second channel is defined by one side of the center surfacing component.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a plan view showing one embodiment of the invention in a partial sectional view

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of a first curvilinear channel

(3) FIG. 3 is side view of a second channel

(4) FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a disclosed embodiment

(5) FIG. 5 is an end view of a disclosed embodiment

(6) FIG. 6 is an expanded view of a section from FIG. 5

(7) FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a disclosed embodiment

(8) FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a disclosed embodiment

(9) FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a disclosed embodiment

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

(10) 100 a disclosed embodiment 110 top piece 112 cambered edge of top piece 120 bottom piece 122 cambered edge of bottom piece 130 center piece or center surfacing component 200 curvilinear or compound curvilinear channel 210 back surface of curvilinear channel 212 inwardly arched outer edge or outer distal areas of back surface 210 of curvilinear channel 200 214 straight medial edge of back surface 210 of curvilinear channel 200 21310 220 lower curvilinear wall of curvilinear channel 200 225 lower distal areas having a downward curvilinear curve of lower curvilinear wall 220 227 raised apex area of lower curvilinear wall 200 230 upper curvilinear wall of curvilinear channel 200 235 raised distal area of upper curvilinear wall 230 or upward curvilinear curves at distal areas of the upper curvilinear wall 237 lowered apex area of upper curvilinear wall 230 300 linear channel 310 back wall of linear channel 300 320 lower wall of linear channel 300 330 upper wall of linear channel 300

(11) These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the associated drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(12) The following detailed description is directed to certain specific embodiments of the invention. However, the invention can be embodied in a multitude of different ways as defined and covered by the claims and their equivalents. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.

(13) Unless otherwise noted in this specification or in the claims, all of the terms used in the specification and the claims will have the meanings normally ascribed to these terms by workers in the art.

(14) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words comprise, comprising and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of including, but not limited to. Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively. Additionally, the words herein, above, below, and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application.

(15) Automotive windshield wipers become impregnated with road and surface contaminants causing streaks and interruptions on the windshield during use. The disclosed embodiments solve this problem by removing these contaminates and restoring the blade's edges to a close approximation of factory specifications and original smooth operating condition as is practically possible.

(16) This invention is a dramatic and unobvious improvement from the prior art. The invention has three cutting surfaces incorporated into two elongated rectangular channels of particular dimension that support the blade during restoration process while maintaining the rigidity of the blade regardless of its dimensional profile. All sides of the blades are resurfaced simultaneously producing a uniform and superior result with less potential for damage and the possibility of partial and permanent deformation of the soft rubber blade. Should damage be sustained to the soft wiper blade during the fixed blade cutting and restoring process, or in a more traditional single or one sided process that restores only the lower edge of the blade, it could render the wiper blade useless or less effective at best.

(17) Prior art single cutting blade devices do not address issues that arise from nicks or cuts that may be present on the leading or lower narrow (short) edge of the blade. This will require removing significant amounts of materials from the entire blade that often produces undesired results. Uniform cutting properties of a disclosed device using a first curvilinear channel allows for concentration on a particular area without subjecting the entire wiper blade to further damage which can result from excessive resurfacing in one particular area of the blade. To restore the rubber wiper blades to a useable condition it is necessary that all three sides of the blade are honed and restored simultaneously. Uniformly is therefore guaranteed for proper operation and function of the blade without further damaging the original useful properties of the wiper blade.

(18) The flat channel or slot which is designed to cut and polish only one singular or narrow lower edge of the wiper blade with either and abrasive or single blade cutting methods are presently the only disclosed methods for accomplishing the objective of renewing and restoring wiper blades.

(19) Disclosed embodiments include:

(20) 1. One side of the wiper restorer has a coarse grit aluminum oxide or similar abrasive embedded into a slot of particular dimension and on the reverse side, it has a fine grit fused aluminum oxide or similar abrasive material embedded into a slot of particular dimension for the purpose of polishing and honing the wiper blade utilizing water to perform the function of the device.

(21) 2. The device has a dual function to aid in the restoration of all single blade automotive and truck windshield wiper blades utilizing a compound convex channel and flat channel incorporated into one device which serve two different functions or purposes.

(22) 3. The injection molded hand held polystyrene apparatus is a dual function device designed for easy use and maintenance of automotive wiper blades utilizing water or a similar windshield cleaning solution to achieve the desired effect leaving the blade in a like new reusable condition. Disclosed embodiments include the design, construction and use of an arched or curved channel and a flat channel which is impregnated with powdered abrasive materials on three sides in each channel.

(23) Disclosed functions include:

(24) The coarse (cutting) removal process involves a more aggressive abrasive medium and accomplishes the resurfacing necessary due to nicks and/or heavy buildup of contaminates. The fine (buffing) process involves a fine fused abrasive material designed for resurfacing or honing to establish a polished or fine edge on the wiper blade. This results in a streak-free and skip-free effect on the windshields' glass during use.

(25) Disclosed Methods of Manufacture Include:

(26) A disclosed embodiment may be made by hand in a similar fashion by creating two slots or channels of appropriate length and width and arc on any hard support material and then applying an aluminum oxide or similar grit material or similar abrasives which are highly durable and less subject to wear while utilizing water as to aid in sanding and honing. A resin bond or similar process may be used for adhering the abrasive powder materials to a hard backing and can be subjected to water with no appreciable effect on the sanding and honing properties involved.

(27) The dual sides are not required to be incorporated into one device. A disclosed embodiment may be made using two single devices independently with the same coarse or fine buffing properties achieving the same results.

(28) The polishing and cutting aspects of the device are interchangeable in terms of which side they are on with little or no effect to the end results. Abrasive materials are placed in a slightly arced or convex channel arrangement creating more surface contact with the wiper blade during the polishing process. The arc's dimensional degree and width is correspondent to the width of the subject device and the contact surface area that is achieved during use.

(29) Disclosed Methods of Use Include:

(30) Swiping or drawing a single auto wiper blade along its entire length through the appropriate slot(s) multiple times to achieve the desires results utilizing water or a windshield cleaning solution thereby cleaning and resurfacing the blade on all sides for a streak-free and skip-free results on the automotive windshield glass.

(31) Additionally, any rubber or silicone based single blade design devices, such as a window cleaning squeegee blade, can be restored to functioning as new with a disclosed embodiment.

(32) Further advantages over the prior art can be seen by review of the drawings and related descriptions of the drawings.

(33) Referring to FIG. 1, a disclosed embodiment 100 may comprise a top piece 110 fastened or attached to a center piece 130 or center surfacing component. The center piece 130 may define a back wall 310 or back surface for the second channel and the center piece 130 may define a back wall 210 or back surface for the first curvilinear channel. The top piece may have a cambered edge 112 which is helpful in handling the device.

(34) The use of the center surfacing component 130 provides a structural advantage in providing two back surfaces 210 and 310 in one stone or work piece and by providing a top and back surface that is easily attached to a top piece 110 and bottom piece 120 to create an effective form factor for use by hand. The cambered edges 112 and 122 of the top and bottom pieces provides a mechanical advantage in creating a form factor that is conducive to a human hand using the device.

(35) Referring to FIG. 2, a curvilinear or multi curvilinear channel 200 may be defined by a back wall 210, a lower curvilinear wall 220 and an upper curvilinear wall 230. The back wall may bow inwardly toward the center and the upper and lower walls may bow inwardly toward the center and outwardly toward the distal ends. As mentioned above, this configuration provides advantages over the prior art in more gently applying fine girt or fine surfaces in the wiper restoration process and by flexing a blade in positions consistent with an end use of being applied to a arched windshield.

(36) FIG. 3 depicts a second channel 300 defined by a back wall 310 or vertical wall, a lower wall 320 and an upper wall 330. A disclosed embodiment is shown having a top piece 110 having a cambered edge 112 and a bottom piece 120 having a cambered edge 122. A second channel 300 may be defined by a back wall 310 or vertical wall, a lower wall 320 and an upper wall 330.

(37) Advantages over the prior art are achieved by use of fine grit material upon the defining surfaces of the first curvilinear channel and more coarse surfaces defining the second channel 200.

(38) FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a disclosed embodiment with the first curvilinear channel in the foreground.

(39) FIG. 5 depicts an end view of a disclosed embodiment with a first curvilinear channel 200 on the left hand side.

(40) FIG. 6 depicts an expanded end view of a first curvilinear channel and further depicts an inwardly arched outer edge 212 of a back wall 210 or vertical wall; a lower distal area 225 of a lower curvilinear wall 220; and, a raised distal area 235 of an upper curvilinear wall.

(41) FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a disclosed embodiment with a first curvilinear channel in the foreground. FIG. 7 depicts an inwardly arched outer edge 212 of a back wall or back surface; a lower distal area 225 of lower curvilinear wall, a raised apex area 227 of a lower curvilinear wall and a lowered apex area 237 of an upper curvilinear wall.

(42) FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of a disclosed embodiment with a first curvilinear channel in the foreground.

(43) FIG. 9 depicts a sectional view of a disclosed embodiment.

(44) In general, the second channel may be used first with a wiper that has nicks and other signs of wear. The second channel may have a more coarse surfacing and be defined by three linear walls, so as to clean and recondition to top edge or side of a wiper as well as the two vertical sides of a wiper. The second channel overcomes short falls in the art by supporting and honing all three sides of a wiper at the same time, so as to avoid over honing of any one side and to promote even honing of all three sides of a wiper blade.

(45) The first channel overcomes shortfalls in the related art by allowing a wiper to be curved while honing and by supporting the curved wiper so as to avoid undue stress upon the wiper and to keep the wiper from being bound up or bent, which would interfere with the honing or reconditioning process. The artful compound curvilinear components that define the second channel allow a wiper to be honed in a curved position that emulates use upon a windshield, while supporting the curved wiper to avoid damage to the wiper.

(46) The above detailed description of embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while steps are presented in a given order, alternative embodiments may perform routines having steps in a different order. The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not only the systems described herein. The various embodiments described herein can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the detailed description.

(47) All the above references and U.S. patents and applications are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various patents and applications described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

(48) These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. In general, the terms used in the following claims, should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above detailed description explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses the disclosed embodiments and all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims.

(49) While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms.

(50) Lines or walls 230 and 220 as shown in FIG. 2 comprise a continuous curvature.