GB2322069A

GB2322069A - Wiper drive arm connection adaptor

Info

Publication number: GB2322069A
Application number: GB9802863A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jim Samartgis
Original assignee: Trico Products Corp
Current assignee: Trico Products Corp
Priority date: 1997-02-12
Filing date: 1998-02-12
Publication date: 1998-08-19
Also published as: AUPO508097A0; GB9802863D0

Abstract

An adaptor (10) for connection of a wiper drive arm to a wiper blade assembly (14, Fig.2) which is capable of being used with one of any two of a hook end type drive arm (61), a bayonet type drive arm (63, Fig.10) or a fastener element connected drive arm (65), the adaptor (10) having a first connection means (15, 20) enabling connection of the adaptor (10) to a wiper blade assembly (14), and a second connection means enabling selective connection of any one of the aforementioned wiper drive arm types (61, 63, 65) to the adaptor (10), the second connection means including a first connection arrangement (26, 27) and a second connection arrangement (34), the first connection arrangement (26,27) having a first part (26) located in use outwardly of the second connection arrangement (34) and a second part (27) located inwardly of said second connection arrangement (34) with the second part (27) being adapted to engage a hooked free end (60) of a hook end type drive arm (61), and the second connection arrangement being adapted to receive and locate either a said bayonet type drive arm (63, Fig.10) or a said fastener element connected drive arm (65).

Description

WIPER DRIVE ARM CONNECTION ADAPTOR The present invention relates to improvements in adaptors enabling connection of a windscreen wiper blade assembly to a wiper drive arm.

Typically, wiper blade assemblies comprise a primary yoke, a pair of secondary yokes pivoted at central points to the ends of the primary yokes, a pair of tertiary yokes pivoted at central points to the ends of each secondary yoke and a rubber blade element normally with stiffening mem ber(s) attached to the ends of the tertiary yokes. The drive arm is normally connected to a mid point of the primary yoke via suitable connecting means, fittings or adaptors as aforesaid.

Wiper drive arms are generally original equipment and are typically of differing configurations depending on the initial manufacturer of the equipment. There are currently in use at least eight to ten different drive arm configurations which include hook type drive arms, bayonet type drive arms, drive arms with pins to connect to the wiper blade assembly, wiper blade assemblies with pins that connect to the drive arm, and fastener element connection between the drive arm and an adaptor and the wiper blade assembly. Moreover, the numbers of these configurations are multiplied by the fact that several basic types of drive arms also come in differing widths and thickness. The end result of this is that anyone wishing to supply replacement wiper blade assemblies in the marketplace must also supply numerous different fittings, parts, adaptors, pins and fastening devices with each replacement wiper blade assembly so that a customer can reasonably expect to have the necessary fittings to fit the assembly to his vehicle despite the fact that he will have to dispose of the numerous other parts and fittings supplied that he does not require. These current arrangements result in a great deal of wastage and moreover the necessary supply of a multitude of parts increases significantly the overall cost of the wiper blade assembly package.

The objective therefore of the present invention is to provide an adaptor enabling connection of a variety of differently configured drive arms to a wiper blade assembly.

More particularly, it is an objective of the present invention to permit hook, bayonet and screw connector type drive arms to be operationally connected to a wiper blade assembly utilising a single adaptor device.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an adaptor tor enabling connection of a wiper blade assembly to a wiper drive arm being any one of (i) a hook end type drive arm; (ii) a bayonet type drive arm; or (iii) a fastener element connected drive arm, said adaptor including first connection means enabling connect ion of said adaptor to a wiper blade assembly, and second connection means enabling selective separate connection of at least two of the aforesaid wiper drive arms (i), (ii) or (iii), with only one of said wiper drive arms being connected at any one time.

Conveniently, the present invention provides an adaptor as aforesaid enabling separate selective connection of all of (i), (ii) or (iii) to the adaptor. Preferably, the second connection means includes a first connection arrangement and a second connection arrangement located generally inwardly of said first connection arrangement, said first connection arrangement being adapted to receive and locate a hook end type drive arm and said second connection arrangement is adapted to receive and locate either a bayonet type drive arm or a fastener element connected drive arm. Conveniently, said first connection arrangement comprises a first part located outwardly of said second connection arrangement and a second part located inwardly of said second connection arrangement with said second part being adapted to engage the hooked free end of the hook end type drive arm.

The present invention also provides an adaptor for enabling connection of a wiper blade assembly to a wiper drive arm of a plurality of differing possible configurations, said adaptor including first connection means enabling connection of said adaptor to a wiper blade assembly, second connection means enabling connection of a said wiper drive arm to said adaptor, and at least one shim element being co-operable with the second connection means of the adaptor whereby the second connection means is modified to adjust for a differently configured wiper drive arm.

Preferably a plurality of said shim elements are provided. Conveniently, at least one of said shim elements is connected to said adaptor by hinge means whereby the hinged shim element is movable from an operative to an inoperative position. Preferably the or each said shim element is integrally joined with said adaptor.

A further preferred objective of the present invention is to provide an improved connecting joint arrangement between a wiper drive arm and a primary yoke of wiper blade assembly whereby the number of parts in the joint arrangement is reduced and separate pivot pins are not required.

According to this aspect, the present invention provides a connecting joint arrangement enabling connection of a primary yoke of a wiper blade assembly to a wiper drive arm while permitting rocking relative movement between the primary yoke and the wiper drive arm, said joint arrangement including an adaptor element including connection means enabling the adaptor element to be connected to a said wiper drive arm, said adaptor element having at least one abutment surface with at least part of said abutment surface or surfaces being urged, in use, against a portion of said primary yoke, said adaptor element and said primary yoke further including co-operable locating element means whereby, in use said adaptor element can move within predetermined limits in a transverse direction relative to said primary yoke while the abutment surface or surfaces remain at least partly engaged with said primary yoke.

In this manner the wiper blade assembly can rock relative to the drive arm with loads being carried by the abutment surface or surfaces rather than by a pivot pin. In consequence, it is possible to manufacture the adaptor element as an integral part and no separate pivot pins are required. The locating means can be integrally formed and do not need to act as a pivot pin and further do not carry any significant load that might result in premature failure.

In a preferred arrangement, a pair of abutment surfaces might be provided with each of these surfaces adapted to contact a respective axially formed edge or surface on the primary yoke. The edge may be an upper edge of one of the two opposed walls of the primary yoke. Conveniently, the abutment surface or surfaces are curved or include at least two sections angled relative to each other. Preferably the locating means on the adaptor element are formed as oval spigots adapted to engage within circular openings in the opposed walls of the primary yoke with the major axis of the oval spigots extending generally in the axial direction of the primary yoke.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the adaptor installed in a wiper blade assembly; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the adaptor shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is an underneath plan view of the adaptor shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 is a section view taken along line A-A of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1 with two adjusting parts separated from the adaptor; Figure 7 is a perspective view similar to Figure 6 but with a third adjusting part pivoted into an operative position; Figure 8 is a perspective view similar to Figure 7 showing a hook end of a hook end drive arm about to be connected to the adaptor; Figure 9 is a perspective view from an end of the adaptor opposite to that shown in Figure 6 with the third adjusting part separated from the adaptor and utilizing one of the first two adjusting parts to enable a screw connection drive arm to be connected to the adaptor; Figure 10 is a perspective view similar to Figure 9 showing the first adaptors used to enable connection of a bayonet type drive arm to the adaptor; and Figure 11 is a view showing a method of connecting this adaptor and drive arm to a wiper blade assembly.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, an adaptor 10 is provided, conveniently produced from plastics material as an integral piece via a moulding process. The adaptor 10 has a body section 11 having a width such that it might fit between two opposed side walls 12, 13 of a primary yoke 14 of wiper blade assembly, the remainder of which is not shown as it may be of any conventional format and forms no part of the present invention. The body section 11 has a pair of trunnions 15 extending transversely from side walls 16. Each trunnion 15 has an oval shape when viewed in the side direction with the major axis of the oval extending in the longitudinal (or axial) direction of the primary yoke 14.

The lower portion 17 of each trunnion 15 is chamfered towards the associated sidewall 16 to assist with installing the adaptor 10 in the primary yoke 14 as shown in Figure 2.

To achieve this, the adaptor 10 is pressed downwardly between the walls 12, 13 with the chamfer 17 enabling this to happen with the walls 12, 13 being sprung slightly outwardly as shown in Figure 11. The adaptor 10 is then moved so that the trunnions 15 engage in circular apertures 18 in the side walls 12, 13 of the primary yoke whereupon the side walls spring back to their normal position and the adaptor is thereby located in its final operating position.

The relative shape of the trunnions 15 and the apertures 18 is that minimal relative movement between the adaptor 10 and the primary yoke 14 in the longitudinal direction of the yoke 14 is permitted but a predetermined freedom of movement is possible transverse to this longitudinal direction.

The body section 11 of the adaptor 10 further includes upper widened wall sections 19 that create downwardly facing abutment surfaces 20 on either side of the adaptor. The abutment surfaces 20, when viewed from the side, comprise two surface portions 21 and 22 angled relative to one another and meeting at an angled corner 23, slightly offset relative to the trunnions 15. As shown in Figure 2, when the trunnions are engaged in the apertures 18, their relative location to the abutment surfaces 20 is such that the surfaces rest on the upper edge surfaces 24, 25 of the walls 12, 13 of the primary yoke 14. The relative movement of the trunnions 15 in the apertures 18 is such as to ensure in operation the abutment surfaces 20 always remain engaged against the edge surfaces 24, 25 so that bearing loads of the spring loaded drive arm on the adaptor 10 are carried by the abutment surfaces 20 rather than the trunnions 15.

To enable a hook wiper drive arm to be connected to the wiper blade assembly and adaptor as shown in Figure 2, the adaptor 10 is moved into the hook end 60 of the drive arm 61 (Figure 8) such that the drive arm overlies the top wall 26 and the hook end extends into the adaptor body section 11 through end opening 27. If required, the adjusting part or reducer element 49 can be pivoted inwardly and clipped in the position shown in Figure 8. As shown in the underneath view (Figure 4), there is provided an inner intermediate wall 28 which includes a tab section 29 connected only at a bridging section 30 to the remainder of the wall 28. The tab section 29 includes a downwardly extending protuberance 31 at its free end which can be engaged by inserting a screwdriver or the like through openings 32 in the body section 11. In this manner the tab section 29 can be selectively moved upwardly when it is desired to disengage the hook end 60 of a wiper drive arm 61 from the adaptor 10. The tab section 29 also includes a downwardly depending projection 33 shaped to engage in a similarly shaped slot 62 in the free end of the hook wiper drive arm 61. The projection 33 includes ramped surfaces that allow the drive arm hook end to be installed by pushing same into the adaptor through the end opening 27 but prevents the hook end being disengaged by simple pulling of same out of the opening 27. Disengagement is possible only by manipulating the protuberance 31 as discussed above.

To enable a bayonet wiper drive arm 63 to be connected to the adaptor 10 as shown in Figure 10, the end of the bayonet wiper drive arm is moved into an opening 34 in the end of the adaptor 10 opposite to opening 27. The opening 34 is located between the top wall 26 and the intermediate wall 28. Further, the top wall 26 includes a flexible tab portion 37 formed by longitudinal gaps 38 on either side. The drive arm 63 includes an upward projection 64 that is adapted to engage with opening 36 extending through the wall 26 in a snap in fashion. To release the bayonet end, the flexible tab portion 37 is urged upwardly. If required one or both the adjusting parts or shims 51,52 may be utilized to adjust for differing width and thickness of drive arms 63.

To enable a screw connection type wiper arm 65 to be connected to the adaptor 10 as shown in Figure 9, the end of the drive arm 65 is moved into the opening 34 in a similar way to the bayonet drive arm. Once in position one or more screws are passed through the openings 35, 36 in the top wall 26 to engage in appropriate threaded screw holes 66,67 in the drive arm 65. Referring now to Figure 1, it will be observed that the adaptor 10, may include a number of integrally formed adjusting parts or shim pieces that are adapted in use to vary the thickness, width or length of the spaces provided for the various drive arms currently generally in use.

The top wall 26 includes laterally disposed edge ledges 41, 42 that enable a hook end drive arm to sit between the ledges 41, 42, or on top of the ledges 41, 42 between the inner side walls 43, 44, depending on the width of the hook end of the drive arm. Further, the relative spacings might be also adjusted by pivoting the reducer element 45 via integral hinges 46, 47 into the zone above the top wall 26 and the inner side walls 43, 44. The reducer element 45 includes a bar element 48 having a projecting lip 49 at its end which fits into the space 50 in the top wall 26 with the lip 49 engaging under a retaining ledge so as to retain the element 45 in this position. This reducer element provides a further adjustment for differing width hook drive arms that can be fitted to the adaptor.

A pair of shim elements 51 and 52 are integrally formed with the adaptor body section 11 and can be cut therefrom when the adaptor is used. Each shim 51, 52 is adapted for insertion into the opening 34 with their nose ends 53, 54 respectively proceeding first. The bayonet or screw connection type drive arms sit on the shim 51 or 52 or within the recess 55 in shim 51 so as to vary the thickness or width of the spaces for accommodating the various drive arms. By these arrangements, most, if not all of commonly available hook, bayonet and screw fastener connection drive arms can be installed utilising the one adaptor element as described. Any of the shim elements 45, 51 or 52 may be cut from the body section 11 of the adaptor and disposed of when not required.

Claims

1. An adaptor for enabling connection of a wiper blade assembly to a wiper drive arm being any one of (i) a hook end type drive arm; (ii) a bayonet type drive arm; or (iii) a fastener element connected drive arm, said adaptor including first connection means enabling connection of said adaptor to a wiper blade assembly, and second connection means enabling selective separate connection of at least two of the aforesaid wiper drive arms (i) (ii) or (iii), with only one of said wiper drive arms being connected at any one time.

2. An adaptor according to claim 1 wherein the second connection means enables selective separate connection of any one of said drive arms (i), (ii) or (iii).

3. An adaptor according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the second connection means includes a first connection arrangement and a second connection arrangement, said first connection arrangement being adapted to receive and locate a said hook end type drive arm and said second connection arrangement being adapted to receive and locate either a said bayonet type drive arm or a said fastener element connected drive arm.

4. An adaptor according to claim 3 wherein said first connection arrangement comprises a first part located in use outwardly of said second connection arrangement and a second part located inwardly of said second connection arrangement with said second part being adapted to engage a hooked free end of the hook end type drive arm.

5. An adaptor according to any one of claims 1 to 4 further including at least one shim element being cooperable with the second connection means of the adaptor whereby the second connection means is modified to adjust for a differently configured or sized said wiper drive arm.

6. An adaptor according to claim 5 wherein a plurality of said shim elements are provided.

7. An adaptor according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the shim element or at least one said shim elements is connected to said adaptor by hinge means whereby the hinge shim element is movable from an inoperative position to an operative position.

8. An adaptor according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the or each said shim element is integrally formed with said adaptor.

9. An adaptor according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the first connection means includes at least one abutment surface with at least part of said abutment surface or surfaces being urged, in use, against a portion of a primary yoke of the wiper blade assembly, said first connection means further including locating element means for location of the adaptor relative to the primary yoke.

10. An adaptor according to claim 9 wherein the locating element means is capable of movement within predetermined limits in a transverse direction relative to the primary yoke of the wiper blade assembly while the abutment surface or surfaces remain at least partially engaged with said primary yoke.

11. A connecting joint arrangement enabling connection of a primary yoke of a wiper blade assembiy to a wiper drive arm while permitting rocking relative movement between the primary yoke and the wiper drive arm, said joint arrangement including an adaptor element including connection means enabling the adaptor element to be connected to a said wiper drive arm, said adaptor element having at least one abutment surface with at least part of said abutment surface or surfaces being urged, in use, against a portion of said primary yoke, said adaptor element and said primary yoke further including co-operable locating element means whereby, in use said adaptor element can move within predetermined limits in a transverse direction relative to said primary yoke while the abutment surface or surfaces remain at least partly engaged with said primary yoke.

12. A connecting joint arrangement according to claim 11 wherein the locating element means includes locating projection means positioned on one of said adaptor element or said primary yoke and location aperture means positioned on the other of said adaptor element or said primary yoke.

13. A connecting joint arrangement according to claim 12 wherein the locating projection means is provided on said adaptor element.

14. A connecting joint arrangement according to claim 13 wherein the locating projection means is integrally formed with said adaptor element.

15. A connecting joint arrangement according to any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein a pair of said abutment surfaces are provided with each said abutment surface being adapted to contact respectively an axially formed edge or surface on the primary yoke.

16. A connecting joint arrangement according to claim 15 wherein each said abutment surface is curved or include at least two sections angled relative to each other.

17. An adaptor or a connecting joint arrangement for a wiper blade assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.