WINDSCREEN WIPER DEVICE OF THE FLAT BLADE TYPE

Abstract

A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type having an elastic, elongated carrier element and an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, adapted to be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped. The wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal slit, in which at least one longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed. The windscreen wiper device comprises an oscillating arm having a rod-like extension, a connecting device and a nozzle for spraying a washing liquid onto the windscreen to be wiped. The connecting device includes a channel adapted to receive a free end of the rod-like extension and a second channel adapted to receive the nozzle upon insertion of the free end of the rod-like extension inside the first channel of the connecting device. The nozzle is adapted to be mounted onto the rod-like extension.

Claims

1. A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type having an elastic, elongated carrier element and an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, adapted to be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, wherein the wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal slit, in which at least one longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed, said windscreen wiper device comprising: an oscillating arm having a rod-like extension; a connecting device including a first channel adapted to receive a free end of said rod-like extension; a nozzle for spraying a washing liquid onto the windscreen to be wiped, said nozzle adapted to be mounted onto said rod-like extension, wherein said connecting device further comprises a second channel adapted to receive said nozzle upon insertion of said free end of said rod-like extension inside said first channel of said connecting device.

2. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle extends parallel to said rod-like extension, and wherein said nozzle is located entirely inside said second channel of said connecting device after insertion of said free end of said rod-like extension into said first channel of said connecting device.

3. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting device comprises a first part pivotally connected to a second part about a pivot axis, wherein said rod-like extension of said oscillating arm can be pivotally connected to said first part about said pivot axis, with the interposition of said second part, wherein said second part comprises said first channel and said second channel, wherein said first part is connected to the wiper blade and said second part is detachably connected to said first part, and wherein said nozzle is slid inside said second channel upon insertion of said free end of said rod-like extension inside said first channel of said connecting device.

4. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 3, wherein said first channel and said second channel extend parallel in a longitudinal direction of said rod-like extension.

5. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 4, wherein said nozzle and said second channel are elongated and extend parallel to said rod-like extension.

6. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 4, wherein said second channel extends from a side wall of said second part of said connecting device.

7. (canceled)

8. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said first channel includes a first chamber facing towards an entrance of said first channel, and a second chamber facing away from said entrance, said first chamber having a larger width than said second chamber, wherein said first chamber is adapted to receive a first part of said free end of said rod-like extension, and wherein said second chamber is adapted to receive a second part of said free end of said rod-like extension, wherein said first part of said rod-like extension has a larger width than said second part of said rod-like extension.

9. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said connecting device comprises a sidewardly and inwardly extending protrusion to engage into a first recess on a longitudinal exterior side of said rod-like extension, wherein said connecting device comprises a resilient tongue adapted to engage into a second recess on said longitudinal exterior side of said rod-like extension, and wherein said resilient tongue is hingeable along a hinge axis between an inward position retaining the wiper blade onto said rod-like extension and an outward position releasing the wiper blade from said rod-like extension.

10. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 9, wherein when said rod-like extension is pivoted into a working position, said protrusion engages into said first recess thus retaining the wiper blade onto said rod-like extension, and wherein when said rod-like extension is pivoted into a service position, said protrusion disengages from said first recess thus releasing the wiper blade from said rod-like extension.

11. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 9, wherein said first and second recesses have an open circumference and are spaced-apart in longitudinal direction.

12. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 9, wherein said resilient tongue is hingeable from said inward position into said outward position by a push button, wherein said push button forms a part of an outer wall of said connecting device.

13. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 12, wherein said push button is located near a free end of said connecting device facing towards said rod-like extension.

14. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 1, wherein said first channel has a length and a width, and wherein a plane extending in a direction of said width of said first channel and a plane extending through the longitudinal strip along a width thereof at the location of said connecting device enclose an angle α, wherein preferably 15.sup.0<α<60.sup.0.

15. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 9, wherein said first part and said second part are provided with mutually cooperating pivot means for pivotally connecting said second part to said first part.

16. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 15, wherein said second part is connected to said first part by pivotally engaging protuberances of said first part, at the location of said pivot axis, in recesses provided in said second part.

17. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 3, wherein said second part is detachably connected to said first part through a snapping/clipping operation.

18. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 16, wherein said first part comprises a flat base having legs integral therewith engaging around longitudinal sides of the wiper blade, at the location of the slit.

19. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 18, wherein said first part comprises two opposite side walls extending in upright direction from said base, and wherein one of said side walls comprises said sidewardly and inwardly extending protrusion.

20. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 19, wherein said pivotally engaging protuberances of said first part are provided outwardly on said opposite side walls, and wherein said recesses are provided inwardly in opposite walls of said second part.

21. (canceled)

22. The windscreen wiper device according to claim 3, wherein said first and said second parts each comprise one piece of plastic material.

23-24. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to figures illustrated in a drawing, wherein:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows in perspective view details of a windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type according to the invention, although without a second channel for a nozzle, where successive steps are shown for fitting an oscillating arm (“windscreen wiper arm”) to a connecting device (“connector”) of a wiper blade;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows in perspective view and partly in cross-section the windscreen wiper arm and the connector of FIG. 1 in an assembled position;

[0029] FIG. 3 shows details of the windscreen wiper arm of FIG. 2 in an upper view, partly in cross-section and partly cut open;

[0030] FIG. 4 shows details of the windscreen wiper arm of FIG. 2 in side views and in cross-section;

[0031] FIG. 5 on the top shows details of the windscreen wiper arm of FIG. 2 in an upper view, partly in cross-section, similar to FIG. 3 on the top, but designating other parts of the windscreen wiper arm, while FIG. 5 on the bottom shows in perspective view two types of rod-like extensions to be accommodated inside the connector;

[0032] FIG. 6 shows various bottom views of the connector of FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 7 shows several perspective views, as well as a cross-sectional view, of the connector and the windscreen wiper arm of FIGS. 1-6, but equipped with a second channel for a nozzle; and

[0034] FIG. 8 shows successive steps for fitting the windscreen wiper arm to the connector of FIG. 7, seen from below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type that includes a wiper blade. Opposing longitudinal grooves are formed in the longitudinal sides of the wiper blade, and longitudinal strips (“flexors”) made of spring band steel are fitted in the longitudinal grooves. The strips form a flexible carrier element for the rubber wiper blade, which is thus biased in a curved position (the curvature in operative position being that of a windscreen to be wiped). As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the windscreen wiper device also includes a connecting device 1, preferably formed from a plastic material, for a rod-like extension 2 of a windscreen wiper arm. The connecting device 1 comprises a first part 3 and a second part 4 acting as a joint part, where the rod-like extension 2 arm can be pivotally connected to the first part 3 about the pivot axis, with the interposition of the second part 4. The first part 3 comprises a flat base 5 having inwardly extending legs 6 integral therewith engaging around longitudinal sides of the wiper blade, at the location of the grooves, as a result of which the first part 3 is firmly attached to the unit consisting of the wiper blade and the strips. The first part 3 comprises two opposite side walls 7,8 extending in an upright direction from the flat base 5. On the opposite side walls 7,8 are formed cylindrical protuberances 9,10 extending outwardly. These protuberances 9,10 pivotally engage, at the location of the pivot axis, identically shaped recesses 11,12 provided in opposite walls 13,14 of the second part 4. Hence, the second part 4 is detachably connected to the first part 3 through a snapping/clipping operation. As shown in FIG. 2, the side walls 7,8 of the first part 3 are entirely located inside the second part 4 in a working position of the wiper blade.

[0036] With reference to FIGS. 1 through 6, the second part 4 comprises a channel 15 arranged to receive (in a linear movement) the rod-like extension 2 of the oscillating arm. As shown, the channel 15 has a length and a width. A plane extending in a direction of the width of the channel and a plane extending through the longitudinal strip along a width thereof at the location of the connecting device enclose an angle α, where preferably 15.sup.0<α<60.sup.0, and more preferably α=30.sup.0.

[0037] One of the side walls 8 of the first part 3 comprises a protrusion 16 extending sidewards and inwards, and is arranged to engage into a first recess 17 having an open circumference provided on a longitudinal exterior side 18 of the rod-like extension 19. For mounting or dismounting the connecting device 1 from the rod-like extension, the second part 4 (and thus the free end of the rod-like extension 2 connected thereto) is pivoted relative to the first part 3 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 middle and bottom. As far as dismounting is concerned, while carrying out the pivot movement, the protrusion or cam 16 is no longer in line with the first recess 17, so that the second part 4 and the first part 3 attached thereto can be released from the rod-like extension 2 (see service position seen in FIG. 2 middle and bottom). As far as mounting is concerned, while carrying out the pivot movement, the protrusion or cam 16 becomes in line with the first recess 17, so that the second part 4 and the first part 3 attached thereto is retained onto the rod-like extension 2 (working position seen in FIG. 2 top). The mutually cooperating protrusion 16 and recess 17 act as second retention means in case the first retention means, as explained below, would inadvertently fail.

[0038] The rod-like extension 2 is also provided with a second recess 19 also having an open circumference and also provided on the same longitudinal exterior side 18 of the rod-like extension 2. As shown, the first and second recesses 17,19 have an open circumference and are spaced-apart in the longitudinal direction. The second recess 19 cooperates with a resilient tongue 20 on the second part 4 arranged to engage into the second recess 19, together acting as first retention means in this case. The resilient tongue 20 is hingeable along a hinge axis between an inward position retaining the second part 4 (together with the first part 3 and the wiper blade attached thereon) onto the rod-like extension 2 and an outward position releasing the second part 4 (together with the first part 3 and the wiper blade attached thereon) from the rod-like extension 2. The resilient tongue is hingeable (i.e. activated and deactivated) from the inward position into the outward position by a push button 21. The push button 21 forms a part of an outer wall 22 of the second part 4 and is located near a free end of the second part 4 facing towards the rod-like extension 2.

[0039] As depicted in FIG. 5 on the top, the channel 15 comprises a first chamber 23 facing towards an entrance 24 of the channel 15, and a second chamber 25 facing away from the entrance 24. The first chamber 23 is wider than the second chamber 25. The first chamber 23 is arranged to receive a first part 26 of a free end of the rod-like extension 2, where the second chamber 25 is arranged to receive a second part 27 of the free end of the rod-like extension 2. The free end of the rod-like extension 2 has a cut-out in order to form the two parts 26,27 therein, where the first part 26 is wider than the second part 27. As indicated, the second part 27 forms a longitudinally extending finger, to be accommodated in the correspondingly shaped second chamber 25 of the channel 15. The wider first part 26 is to be accommodated in the correspondingly shaped first chamber 23 of the channel 15. The first part 26 of the rod-like extension 2 comprises the recesses 17,19 cooperating with the protrusion 16 and the resilient tongue 20 of the connecting device 1. As seen in FIG. 5 on the bottom, there are two types of rod-like extensions 2 to be accommodated in the chambers 23,25 of the channel 15: these types mutually differ in width A,B of the first and second parts 26,27 thereof.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows various bottom views of the second part 4 of the connecting device of FIG. 1 clearly showing how the resilient tongue 20 can be activated or deactivated with the help of the push button 21. By pushing in the push button 21 the resilient tongue 20 is removed from the recess 19, so that the wiper blade may be released from the rod-like extension 2.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 8, an elongated nozzle 28 for spraying a washing liquid onto a windscreen to be wiped is clamped onto the rod-like extension 2, where use is made of a clip 29 clamped around the rod-like extension 2. The nozzle 28 is connected to a washing liquid pipe 30 for transporting washing liquid from a source (not shown) via the pipe 30 to the nozzle 28, so that washing liquid may exit the nozzle 28 via the outlet 31. The nozzle 28 extends parallel to the rod-like extension 2, as seen in FIG. 7. Particularly, the outlet 31 acts as an outlet for washing liquid in the forward direction to form a so called “front spray.” In that case outlet 32 acts as an outlet for washing liquid in backward direction (“rear spray”).

[0042] As indicated, FIG. 7 shows several perspective views and a cross-sectional view of the connecting device 1 and the rod-like extension 2 of the earlier Figures, but is equipped with a channel 33 for the nozzle 28. The channel 33 extends from a side wall 34 of the second part 4 of the connecting device 1. FIG. 8 shows successive steps for fitting the rod-like extension 2 to the connecting device 1 of FIG. 7, seen from below. Corresponding parts have been designated with the same reference numerals. Thus, the channel 15 for the rod-like extension 2 is a first channel and the channel 33 for the nozzle 28 is a second channel. The first channel 15 and the second channel 33 extend parallel in the longitudinal direction of the rod-like extension 2. Hence, referring to FIG. 8, upon sliding the free end of the rod-like extension 2 inside the first channel by hand, the nozzle 28 is mounted in one go (i.e. in one linear movement) into the second channel 33 of the connecting device 1. As the nozzle 28, in the mounted position, is located entirely inside the second channel 33, any discoloration of the nozzle 28 (often a plastic material), due to aging or wear, for example, is not visible from the outside. The second channel 33 acts as a cover. Therefore, any difference in colour between the nozzle 28 and the connecting device 1 is not visible from the outside. This is particularly important, as the nozzle stays on the (rod-like extension 2 of the) oscillating arm during an entire life of a car, whereas the connecting device 1 is retained on the wiper blade and is thus replaced when replacing the wiper blade. The second part 4 of the connecting device 1 is made of one piece of material.

[0043] The invention is not restricted to the preferred embodiments shown in the figures, but extends also to other preferred variants within the scope of the appended claims.