Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Attachments – Optical-member-attachable cleaner
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-22
2001-08-14
Graham, Gary K. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Attachments
Optical-member-attachable cleaner
C015S250410, C015S250230
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272717
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a windshield wiper attachment apparatus, and in particular, to a windshield wiper attachment member which provides improved wiping performance of a windshield by utilizing two parallel wiper blades spaced apart and pivotally connected to a windshield wiper driving arm.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The provision of two parallel windshield wiper blades secured on a single windshield wiper driving arm is well known in the art.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,158,254 discloses a windshield wiper provided with two or more wiping elements, each of which are separately mounted to the vehicle at two spaced pivot points proximate the windshield, and which are powered by separate motors integral with the vehicle's electrical system. The wiper elements move across approximately the same area of the windshield surface but move in different or intersecting paths so that streaks which may be left by the first wiping element will be wiped off by the second wiping element which follows closely behind the first but which moves along a different path. The two wiper elements are, however, connected to each other by a link which restricts their movement back and forth and which limits the area of the windshield over which the wipers pass.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,605,491 teaches a windshield wiper comprising two wiper elements spaced apart and arranged parallel one another on a cross-head bracket which is in turn connected with the free end of an operating arm having a pivotal center. The wipers are arranged on the cross-head bracket such that the overall length of arcuate sweep of the wiper elements is increased in an attempt to clear the maximum area on the windshield. The wiper elements are, however, attached to the cross head brackets by a swivel which does not limit the rotation of the wipers thereon. As such, the wiper elements are left to randomly shift on the swivel as the operating arm moves back and forth across the window. As a result of the swivel attachment and resulting random shifting of the wiper elements, large areas of the windshield are often neglected. Additionally, the swivel attachment is prone to becoming stuck, thereby fixing the wiper elements in a single position.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,607,944 discloses a combination windshield wiper for cleaning the surface of a windshield and which comprises a pivotally mounted reciprocating wiper arm with a wiper mounted in operative position on the outer end thereof, and a second wiper mounted opposite the first wiper and attached to the end of a telescoping rod wherein the outer end of the second wiper is provided with rollers adapted to travel within the groove of a track along the top edge of the windshield. The rollers may, however, become stuck within the groove of the track thereby preventing the wipers from moving across the windshield.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,019 teaches a windshield wiper driving arm having an adapter for mounting two parallel wipers on a single windshield wiper driving arm for providing improved cleaning of a windshield. The adapter being configured to allow total arm pressure to be divided substantially equal between the two wiper blades during wiping. This device, however, permits wiping in only a fixed area of the windshield.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,283, there is disclosed a windshield wiper adapter provided with two windshield wiper blades attached thereto, and which tilts the wiper blades in the sweep movement direction as the wiper blades are swept across the surface of a windshield. This device, however, permits wiping in only a fixed area ofthe windshield and requires complicated adjustments to the adapter to control the tilting of the wiper blades.
Thus, there is a need for a windshield wiper attachment apparatus which provides improved wiping ability over a large area of a windshield, which is inexpensive, as well as simple to attach and adjust. Additionally, there is a need for a windshield wiper attachment apparatus which is easily replaceable, which does not require any electrical wiring or additional connection to the vehicle, and which overcomes the problems inherent in the prior art.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus a general object of the present invention to provide a windshield wiper attachment apparatus capable of providing improved cleaning of and enhanced visibility through a vehicle's windshield.
Another object of the invention is to provide a windshield wiper attachment apparatus configured for securing two wiper elements and detachably mounting the attachment member on a wiper drive arm which is attached to the vehicle's windshield at a single pivot point.
A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a windshield wiper attachment member for mounting two wiper elements to a drive arm attachment member and detachably mounting the same upon a wiper drive arm such that the mounting of the wiper elements provides for improved wiping coverage of a windshield.
The present invention, in accordance with one embodiment, relates to a wiper apparatus employed in a windshield wiper system. Advantageously, the wiper apparatus is configured to support a pair of wiper elements via a wiper drive arm pivotably mounted proximate a vehicle windshield. The wiper apparatus comprises a drive arm attachment member adapted to be coupled with the wiper drive arm. In one embodiment, a pivot arm is pivotably secured to the drive arm attachment member about a pivot axis which intersects the windshield. The pivot arm is configured to carry the pair of wiper elements such that each of the wiper elements moves over a corresponding first arcuate path when the drive arm is rotated in a first direction and moves over a corresponding second arcuate path when the drive arm is rotated in an opposite direction. Each of the first and second paths of a first wiper element is different from each of the first and second paths of a second wiper element.
In one embodiment, each of the wiper elements moves between a corresponding upper position when the drive arm is rotated in the first direction, and a corresponding lower position when the drive arm is rotated in the opposite direction. In another embodiment, each of the wiper elements moves between a corresponding first angular position when the drive arm is rotated in the first direction, and a corresponding second angular position when the drive arm is rotated in the opposite direction.
The above description sets forth rather broadly the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be understood, and in order that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for the purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2587168 (1952-02-01), Kessler
patent: 2821735 (1958-02-01), Perkins et al.
patent: 3453679 (1969-07-01), Thorlahson
patent: 3466694 (1969-09-01), Feldstein
patent: 3874019 (1975-04-01), Speth
patent: 4208759 (1980-06-01), Nixon et al.
patent: 4553283 (1985-11-01), Speth
patent: 5946765 (1999-09-01), Saraydar
patent: 2305239 (1973-08-01), None
patent: 2415180 (1975-10-01), None
patent: 2305323 (1976-10-01), None
Graham Gary K.
Sofer & Haroun LLP
LandOfFree
Single pivot windshield wiper attachment apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Single pivot windshield wiper attachment apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Single pivot windshield wiper attachment apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2457960