Wiper for multiple and independent surfaces

Details Wiper for multiple and independent surfaces Wiper for multiple and independent surfaces

2002-02-04

2004-06-22

Graham, Gary K. (Department: 1744)

Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning

Attachments

Optical-member-attachable cleaner

C015S250001

Reexamination Certificate

active

06751825

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to wipers used in automotive applications for wiping glass surfaces, and more particularly to a singular wiper which is capable of wiping multiple and independent glass surfaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Motor vehicles having rear gate/door glass are frequently equipped with one or more wipers, a wiper being needed for each independent glass surface. As shown at
FIG. 1
, motor vehicles
10
having two side-hinged doors
12
L,
12
R also have two independent rear glasses
14
L,
14
R. Conventionally, for each rear glass
14
L,
14
R a separate wiper
16
L,
16
R must be respectively provided. The reason for this is the multiplicity and independence of the rear glasses
14
L,
14
R. A wiper
16
L which wipes the glass surface
18
L of one rear glass
14
L cannot wipe the glass surface
18
R of the other rear glass
14
R because they are separated by a discontinuity
20
in the form of elevated door skins
22
L,
22
R and the gap
24
between the doors.
A separate wiper for each multiple and independent glass surface requires a multiplicity of wipers, as well as the assembly costs for the necessary multiple installations on a single vehicle. Additionally each of the multiple installations involve added weight, wiring and servicing.
Accordingly, if a single wiper could somehow wipe multiple and independent surfaces, then a number of advantages would be realized as compared to the conventional practice of providing at least one wiper per glass surface, including: improvement of visibility, increased driver satisfaction, reduction of cost and weight, and better durability and dependability inherently emanating from a single wiper servicing multiple and independent surfaces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a singular wiper for wiping multiple and independent surfaces which obviates the conventional need for a wiper respectively for each of the surfaces.
The wiper for multiple and independent surfaces includes a wiper motor assembly, a wiper arm connected to the wiper motor assembly, a blade assembly connected to the wiper arm, and a cam having a cam profile. The wiper motor assembly reciprocates the wiper arm and thereby reciprocates the blade assembly over a predetermined range of reciprocation. The cam profile interacts with the wiper arm in a normal direction that is generally perpendicular to the plane of reciprocation of the wiper assembly so as to selectively regulate contact of the blade assembly with various surfaces disposed in the range of reciprocation of the blade assembly.
In an example of operation, a motor vehicle has left and right rear doors, each being provided with a rear glass that is independent of the other. The wiper motor assembly is mounted upon either the left or the right rear door, and the cam is also mounted thereto. The blade assembly reciprocates over a range of reciprocation which includes both rear glasses. In operation, during reciprocation of the wiper arm, the blade assembly wipes the surfaces of both of the rear glasses. The wiper arm is guidably moved in a normal direction by the cam profile, wherein the blade assembly translates away at portions of the drop glasses adjacent the discontinuity between the rear glasses so as to non-contactingly traverse the discontinuity. By way of example, the discontinuity may include rear door skin that is elevated in relation to the rear glass surfaces, which skin is non-contactingly traversed during reciprocation.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a singular wiper apparatus which is capable of wiping multiple and independent surfaces.
This and additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following specification of a preferred embodiment.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1274983 (1918-08-01), Bridgwood
patent: 3019468 (1962-02-01), Hatch
patent: 3110920 (1963-11-01), Dangler
patent: 4310943 (1982-01-01), Palma
patent: 5101531 (1992-04-01), Edwards et al.
patent: 5274875 (1994-01-01), Chou
patent: 5469595 (1995-11-01), Dara
patent: 5551116 (1996-09-01), DeKelaita
patent: 5720072 (1998-02-01), Boissac
patent: 5867858 (1999-02-01), Kelly
patent: 60-215453 (1985-10-01), None
patent: 2-164651 (1990-06-01), None
Photographs of wiper parking cam of 2002 Chevrolet Trail Blazer, General Motors Corp, Detroit, MI. Similar wiper parking systems on the market since at least Oct. 31, 2000.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Wiper for multiple and independent surfaces does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Wiper for multiple and independent surfaces, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Wiper for multiple and independent surfaces will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3313580