GB2163042A

GB2163042A - An element for connecting a windscreen wiper blade to wiper arms of different type

Info

Publication number: GB2163042A
Application number: GB08515134A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Palu Attilio Dal
Original assignee: Fister SpA
Current assignee: Fister SpA
Priority date: 1984-07-31
Filing date: 1985-06-14
Publication date: 1986-02-19
Also published as: FR2568529B3; IT8453683V0; GB2163042B; DE8518656U1; FR2568529A3; GB8515134D0

Abstract

A connector (1) for connecting a windscreen wiper blade to wiper arms of different type comprises a socket (15) for engagement with a pin on the blade, a socket (30) for the end (4) of a wiper arm (6) which can be disposed over the blade and a socket (21) for engagement with a pin associated with a wiper arm which can be disposed laterally of the blade. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An element for connecting a windscreen wiper blade to wiper arms of different type The present invention relates to a connection element for connecting a windscreen wiper blade to wiper arms of different types, in particular, obviously in an alternative manner, windscreen wiper arms which can be located above the blade and wiper arms which may be positioned laterally of the blade.

As is known, since the same windscreen wiper blade can be connected to a plurality of windscreen wiper arms with different configurations there are included a plurality of connection elements for the various types of arms in the same package and sold with the blade, and the user has to select the single connection element for the windscreen wiper arm mounted on his vehicle, discarding all the other elements. This currently involves the provision of numerous connection elements in the windscreen wiper blade package, with disadvantages of selection for the user and costs for the elements which have to be discarded etc.

The object of the present invention is that of providing a connection element which can be used for windscreen wiper arms of different types thereby reducing the number of such elements provided in the windscreen wiper blade package with advantages of reducing costs and greater simplicity of use for the user.

According to the present invention there is provided a connection element for connecting a windscreen wiper blade to wiper arms of different types, and including first attachment means for connection to the windscreen wiper blade, characterised by the fact that it includes second attachment means for connection to a wiper arm positionable above the said blade, and third attachment means for attachment to a wiper arm which may be positioned laterally of the said blade.

For a better understanding of the present invention a particular embodiment will now be described, purely by way of non limitative example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view from above of a connection element formed according to the present invention shown in possible alternative connection positions between a central portion of a windscreen wiper blade and two ends of wiper arms of different type; Figure 2 is a sectioned view, taken on the line Ill-Ill of Figure 1, of the connection element according to the present invention, with one end of a wiper arm shown in a separated position; Figure 3 is a view from below of the connection element of Figure 1; and Figures 4 and 5 are sectioned views taken on the lines lV-IV and V-V respectively, of the connection element of Figure 2.

With reference to Figure 1, the connection element formed according to the present invention is indicated with the reference numeral 1, and is able to connect a central-portion 2 of a windscreen wiper blade 3 (shown only partially) to one or the other of two ends 4 or 5 of two windscreen wiper arms 6 or 7 of different type, the first of which is positioned above the blade 3 whilst the second is positioned laterally thereof.

This connection element 1 (as is visible in Figures 2 and 3) is made in a single piece, conveniently of plastics material, and has an upper spine portion 9 with a shape curving towards the front zone, and two lateral walls 10 which extend perpendicularly downwardly at the sides of the upper portion 9.

These walls 10 have an external distance slightly less than the distance between two lateral walls 12 in the central portion 2 of the blade 3, which define an aperture 13 in which the lower portions of such lateral walls 10 of such connection element 1 can be inserted.

Between the lateral walls 12 of the blade 3 there is transversely fixed a pin 14 over which two coaxial cavities 15 formed towards the lower zone of the lateral walls 10 of the element 1 snap-engage; these cavities 15 have a circular form with a diameter slightly greater than that of the pin 14, and have an insertion aperture 16 of width less than the diameter of the cavity 15. In the two lateral walls 10 of the connection element 1 there are formed respective channels 17 for passage of the pin 14 towards the aperture 16 and the cavity 15, whilst the inner zones of the lateral walls 10, about the cavity 15, have reinforcement portions 18 the thickness of which is greater than that of the walls 10.

Still in the lower zone of the connection element 1, there is a portion 20 which has within its interior a cavity 21 of circular form and a diameter slightly greater than that of a central portion 22 of reduced section of a pin 23 of known type for connection of the blade 3 to the wiper arm 7 as will be described in further detail below. This cavity has an insertion aperture 25 of width less than the diameter of the cavity 21.

The side walls 10 adjacent the portions 20 having the cavity 21, have respective coaxial apertures 26 for the passage of the pin 23 when this is positioned through coaxial holes 27 in the lateral walls 12 of the central portion 2 of the windscreen wiper blade 3 (Figure 1).

The connection element 1 further has a rear portion 29 within which is a blind hole 30 of rectilinear form and the dimensions of which are slightly greater than those of the end portion 4 of the wiper arm 6. In the upper part of this portion 29, in communication with the hole 30, there is formed a through hole 31 of dimension slightly greater than those of an upper projection 32 existing on the end portion 4 of the arm 6.

In the outer terminal section of the hole 30 there are formed, in the portion 29, two outer lugs 34, and below these, two opposite slots 33 which are able to allow a certain variation in the height of the hole 30.

Perpendicularly extending between the lateral walls 10 there are reinforcing ribs 36.

The use of the connection element formed according to the present invention takes place in the following manner.

First of all the user snap-engages the element 1 to the windscreen wiper blade 3 by inserting the walls 10 into the aperture 13 until the pin 14 lodges in the cavity 15. Now, depending on the type of windscreen wiper arm present on the vehicle, the user snap-engages one or the other of the arms 6 or 7 onto the connection element 1. In fact, if the wiper arm 6 is of the type for upper connection to the blade 3, the end 4 of the arm 6 is introduced into the hole 30 until the projection 32 is inserted into the through hole 31 thus attaching the blade 3 to the wiper arm 6 with the possibility of rotation between the blade 3 and arm 6 about the axis of the pin 14.

On the other hand, if on the vehicle there is fitted a wiper arm 6 for lateral connection to the blade 3, the pin 23 is introduced into a hole 37 in the end 5 of the arm 7 and through the holes 27 in the lateral walls 12 of the central portion 2 of the blade 3 until the head 39 of the pin 23 abuts against the lateral surface of the arm 7 opposite the blade 3 (Figure 1), thereafter by rotating the element 1 downwardly this is connected to the pin 23 with snapengagement of the portion 22 of this pin 23 into the cavity 21 of the portion 20 thus securing the blade 3 to the wiper arm 7 with the possibility of relative rotation about the axis of the pin 23, which latter is prevented from displacing axially by the restraint provided by the portion 20 on the smaller diameter portion 22 of the pin 23 itself.

The advantages obtained with the connection element 1 formed according to the present invention are apparent from what has been described, particularly the advantage is obtained of reducing the number of connection elements which have to be provided in the packaging of the blades for sale since a single connection element 1 can be utilised for arms of different types, in particular wiper arms which are positioned above orto one side of the windscreen wiper blade.

Finally, itts clear that the described and illustrated embodiment of the connection element of the present invention can have modifications and variants of form introduced thereto without departing from the scope of the invention itself.

Claims

1. A connection element for connecting a windscreen wiper blade to wiper arms of different types, and including first attachment means for connection to the said blade, characterised by the fact that it includes second attachment means for connecting to a wiper arm positionable above the said blade, and third attachment means for connecting to a wiper arm positionable laterally of the said blade.

2. An element according to Claim 1, characterised by the fact that the said second and third means comprise snap-engagement means.

3. An element according to Claim 2, characterised by the fact that the said second means comprise a hole formed in the said element and able to receive one end of a wiper arm positionable above the said blade.

4. An element according to claim 3, characterised by the fact that the said hole has an aperture able to receive and snap-engage a projection in the said end of the said wiper arm.

5. An element according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, characterised by the fact thatthe said hole has a rectilinear form and is formed in an upper portion and towards one end of the said element.

6. An element according to any of Claims from 2 to 5, characterised by the fact that the said third means include a lower portion of the said element having an internal cavity which couples to a pin passing transversely through the said wiper arm positionable laterally of the said blade and through lateral walls and a central aperture of the said blade.

7. An element according to Claim 6, characterised by the fact that the said pin has a head for abutment on the said arm on the side opposite the said blade, and further has a groove in which the said lower portion of the said element couples, whereby to resist axial displacements of the said pin and allow a rotation of the said blade with respect to the wiper arm.

8. An element according to any preceding Claim, characterised by the fact that the said first means include at least one lower portion of the said element which is positioned in a central aperture of the said blade and having at least one internal cavity which connects to a pin disposed transversely between lateral walls of the said central aperture whereby to allow a rotation of the said blade with respect to the said element when it is secured to a wiper arm positionable above the said blade.

9. An element according to any preceding Claim, characterised by the fact that it is made of plastics material and in a single piece.

10. A connection element for connecting a windscreen wiper blade to wiper arms of different types, constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.