Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Attachments – Optical-member-attachable cleaner
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-20
2001-12-11
Graham, Gary K. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Attachments
Optical-member-attachable cleaner
C015S257010, C150S154000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327738
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to windshield wipers such as used on motor vehicles and, more particularly, pertains to a protective boot which may be fittingly secured over the windshield wiper and most of the arm upon which the wiper is supported.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Windshield wipers tend to wear out quickly, as well as become embittered with age. These wear and embrittement problems usually result in wiper blades losing their effectiveness. Specifically, the wiper blades lose much of their flexibility so that only portions of the blades make contact with a windshield during a wiping operation. This results in streaks and dirt accumulation on the windshield which severely affects visibility.
In an attempt to overcome the problems of wear and embrittlement, a number of different types of windshield wipers have been designed. Many of these windshield wipers comprise spring-like flexural members attached to the wiper blades so that some of the wear and embrittlement may be offset through a biasing force provided by these flexural members. However, snow, dirt and other materials may accumulate about the flexural members and completely destroy their effectiveness. In this regard, accumulated snow often turns to ice which may cause the flexural members to temporarily warp out of shape, thereby pulling portions of a wiper blade completely away from a windshield. The use of these flexural members in snow climates has presented new problems associated with attempts to keep wiper blades in contact with the windshield at all times, while at the same time doing little to eliminate the problems of wear and embrittlement.
The general movement of the industry has been towards the design of windshield wipers which have quickly, removable, replaceable wiper blades. Basically, the industry's solution to the problems of wear, embrittlement and material accumulation in the flexural members has been simply to frequently replace the wiper blades. However, through the use of the present invention, the problems associated with wear, embrittlement and material accumulation are substantially reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a windshield wiper boot that eliminates many of the problems which interfere with the effectiveness of windshield wipers. To attain this, the present invention utilizes a vinyl boot positional over all of the structural components of a windshield wiper and arm, so as to protect the flexural members and attached wiper blades from the outside environment when the vehicle is not in use.
The boot prevents snow and other material from accumulating around the flexural member, so that once the boot is removed, a continual positioning of a wiper blade in a close conforming contact with a windshield is possible. Additionally, the boot substantially protects the blade itself from the environment so as to reduce problems associated with wear and aging resulting in embrittlement.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide protection means for a windshield wiper.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a cover for a windshield wiper and arm which is effective in preventing the accumulation of snow, ice and other material about the flexural member and blade portion of the windshield wiper and around that portion of the arm which overlaps with the windshield wiper.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cover for a windshield wiper and arm which is effective in reducing the wear on the flexural member of the windshield wiper.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cover for a windshield wiper which substantially reduces the aging and attendant embrittlement of a wiper blade.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cover for a windshield wiper which may be economically and easily manufactured.
These, together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2141023 (1938-12-01), Ryan
patent: 3199563 (1965-08-01), Forrest
patent: 4363317 (1982-12-01), Broucek
patent: 5403009 (1995-04-01), Gleason
patent: 5634841 (1997-06-01), Gold
patent: 5687773 (1997-11-01), Ryan et al.
patent: 6070287 (2000-06-01), Kornegay
patent: 6095214 (2000-08-01), Gaffney
patent: 588368 (1977-05-01), None
patent: 2517489 (1976-10-01), None
Graham Gary K.
McCormick Paulding & Huber LLP
LandOfFree
Windshield wiper boot does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Windshield wiper boot, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Windshield wiper boot will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2557172