De-icing windshield wipers

A method for directing air flow in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a dashboard with a forward edge, a windshield having an inner surface and an outer surface and extending upward from the forward edge of the dashboard, a windshield wiper at the base of the outer surface of the windshield adjacent the forward edge of the dashboard, and a defrost vent in the dashboard near the forward edge of the dashboard and near the bottom edge of the inside surface of the windshield, wherein the windshield wiper is movable between a resting position and wiping positions, the method comprising:

• providing an apparatus for directing some of the air flow from the defrost vent at the windshield wiper, wherein the apparatus comprises:
• a jointed arm comprising first and second links, wherein each of the first and second links has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end of the first link is movably connected to the first end of the second link;
• a deflector plate movably connected to the second end of the second link;
• a windshield fastener having first and second ends, wherein the first end is configured for attachment to the inner surface of the windshield of the vehicle and wherein the second end of the windshield fastener is attached to the second end of the first link of the jointed arm;
• attaching the windshield fastener to the inner surface of windshield of the vehicle an operative distance above the defrost vent;
• positioning the deflector plate horizontally over the defrost vent by adjusting the angle between the first and second links and the angle between the plate and the second link to direct air flow from the defrost vent toward the windshield wiper when the windshield wiper is in the resting position to de-ice the windshield wiper;
• and
• operating the vehicle's defroster system.