Tridon Limited

Edward G Kimber

Peter C Norris

William Musgrave Blaiklock

George R McDonald

A windshield wiper comprises a pressure-applying superstructure and a squeegee assembly releasably mounted on the superstructure to permit replacement of the squeegee when worn. Releasable retaining means comprise a projection on one of the superstructure yokes adjacent to an endmost pair of the claws thereof that retain the squeegee assembly and a cooperating recess on the backing member of the squeegee assembly. The retaining means thus uses the flexibility of the backing member to provide the necessary retention. The projection may have a ramp shape to facilitate the latching action as the squeegee assembly is mounted. The invention is applied to a wiper structure for winter conditions in which the superstructure and backing member are completely enclosed by a thin flexible enclosure against the entry of ice and snow, the retaining means being surrounded by an integral shroud that serves as an end closure for the respective end of the flexible enclosure, such a construction requiring also a separate shrouded end clip of comparable structure to the retaining means to close the other end of the flexible enclosure.

Retaining systems for squeegee assemblies in windshield

A connector for windshield wipers of low silhouette type has a sideways-extending pin that is inserted into a cooperating transverse aperture in the wiper superstructure and is retained therein by a spring latch member engaging a circumferential groove. The latch member is of spring wire and has two spaced parallel arms joined at one end by a cross-member. Each arm consists of at least a connecting portion, a pin-engaging portion, a spring portion and a reaction or anchor portion in the order stated, the last two having a loop portion between them. The latch is inserted into a recess formed in the underside of the superstructure primary yoke, the loop portion passing between two columns until they can snap apart over the top of the columns. Each pin-engaging portion moves against two longitudinally-spaced side columns which control the engagement with the pin retaining shoulders, and both portions engage a transverse projection that controls the latch portion when the pin is absent. These columns facilitate the final proving required to match the wiper superstructure to the latch. The cross-member moves in a topside counter-recess connected to the main recess by a narrow aperture through which the connecting portions pass, so that the material of the spring latch cannot be over-stressed.

Connector for windshield wipers of low silhouette type

The invention provides a retainer clip for holding the backing member of a windshield wiper assembly against longitudinal movement in the claws of a superstructure in which it is mounted. In a first embodiment a claw-like body has a resilient tongue formed on its upper wall by two parallel slots, the tongue having on its underface a projection that cooperates with a recess in the backing member to retain them against relative movement. A longitudinally-extending transverse flexible integral arm has a hook portion at its end that can embrace a superstructure mounting claw, so that the claw is trapped between the clip body and the hook portion against longitudinal movement, and the backing member is thereby retained in the superstructure. A preferred backing member is provided with a number of the above-mentioned cooperating recesses spaced longitudinally from one another, each of which is designated to make the combination suitable for a replacement wiper blade assembly of a different size and/or a different manufacturer. In an alternative clip structure two opposed hook portions are provided for claw embracement by a thin metal U-shaped member that is interposed between the clip body and the backing member.

Retainer clip and retainer clip backing member combination for

A windshield wiper assembly for use with an elongated squeegee formed of a flexible material and having a backing element operatively connected thereto includes a primary superstructure element and a plurality of separate claw carrying levers pivotally mounted thereon for engaging and supporting the backing strip of the squeegee. The pivoted levers are spring biased towards the backing strip of the squeegee in order to apply a substantially uniform pressure along the length of the squeegee.

Growing community of inventors

Carlisle, Canada

Edward G Kimber