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US 12,686,363 B2Granted
Windshield wiper arm adapter, coupler and assembly
AssigneePGI Northstar LLC
InventorsLindsey Tufts, David Boll, Nicholas E. Stanca, Robert Soreo, R. Kenneth Thorstenson, James Croston, Dan Ehde
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An adapter that connects with a coupler for a wiper element is configured to connect with a plurality of different wiper arms each having a different wiper arm style. The adapter can be a one-piece body or a multi-piece body having a cavity and openings for receiving distal ends or distal end features of each of the plurality of different wiper arms. The adapter can also include different tabs for engaging with openings, notches or other components on distal ends of each of the plurality of different wiper arms.
Claims17
A wiper assembly comprising:
- an adapter configured to selectively connect to wiper arms each having a different wiper arm style, the adapter comprising a cavity configured for receiving each of the wiper arms;
- a wiper element;
- and
- a coupler forming a base surface, the coupler configured to connect the wiper element with the adapter, the coupler comprising:
- a cavity defining a first adapter-facing surface on a first end of the coupler, and a second adapter-facing surface on a second end of the coupler, the first adapter-facing surface positioned opposite the second adapter-facing surface;
- a post configured for pivotally connecting the adapter facing surfaces of the coupler and the adapter together so as to define a pivot axis at the distal end of the adapter about which the adapter pivots, the post including a first post portion formed on the first adapter-facing surface extending to a first free terminal end and a second post portion formed on the second adapter-facing surface extending to a second free terminal end, the first post portion and the second post portion are laterally spaced from one another;
- a limiter disposed between the first post portion and the second post portion and spaced from each of the first post portion and the second post portion, the limiter extending from a base wall of the coupler to a height below the pivot axis and configured to engage the adapter to limit transverse movement of the adapter relative to the coupler during operation;
- and
- a limit ledge configured for limiting a rotational motion of the adapter about the pivot axis,
- wherein:
- in an operation mode, the adapter is limited to pivot or rotate along a first inclusive angle, between the base surface to the limit ledge to accommodate moving the wiper arms, and
- in an installation mode, the adapter is permitted to pivot or rotate beyond the first inclusive angle to a second inclusive angle, between the base surface and a line extending through, and orthogonal to, the pivot axis, enabling the adapter to slide engage with the coupler or slide disengage from the coupler.
9 more elements
A coupler that connects a wiper element with an adapter, the coupler comprising:
- a first adapter-facing surface on a first end of the coupler, and a second adapter facing surface on a second end of the coupler;
- a post pivotally connecting the adapter facing surfaces of the coupler and the adapter together so as to define a pivot axis at the distal end of the adapter about which the adapter pivots, wherein the post comprises a first post portion formed on the first adapter-facing surface extending to a first free terminal end and a second post portion formed on the second adapter-facing surface extending to a second free terminal end, the first post portion and the second post portion are laterally spaced from one another and each has an obround cross-section having a pair of curved surfaces separated by a pair of flat surfaces;
- a back wall that includes the first adapter-facing surface and the second adapter facing surface, the first adapter-facing surface and the second adapter-facing surface are generally orthogonal to the pivot axis of the post;
- and
- a stop structure on the coupler positioned to cooperate with a complementary stop member of the adapter to prevent disengagement of the adapter from the coupler during operation and to permit disengagement only after the adapter is pivoted beyond a rotational stop defined by the stop structure,
- wherein:
- the adapter is configured to pivot or rotate relative to the pair of curved surfaces of the first post portion and the second post portion to operate the wiper element, and
- the adapter is configured to slide relative to the pair of flat surfaces of the first post portion and the second post portion to disengage from the coupler.
5 more elements
A wiper set comprising:
- an adapter including an adapter attachment mount having an entry passage defined by generally parallel entry passage sidewalls;
- and
- a coupler that pivotally receives the adapter, the coupler including:
- a first adapter-facing surface on a first end of the coupler, and a second adapter-facing surface on a second end of the coupler, the first adapter-facing surface positioned opposite the second adapter-facing surface;
- a coupler cavity laterally separating the first adapter-facing surface and the second adapter-facing surface, the adapter being received within the coupler cavity between the first adapter-facing surface and the second adapter-facing surface;
- and
- a post that defines a pivot axis at a distal end of the adapter about which the adapter pivots, wherein the post comprises a first post portion formed on the first adapter-facing surface extending to a first free terminal end and a second post portion formed on the second adapter-facing surface extending to a second free terminal end, the first post portion and the second post portion are laterally spaced from one another, wherein:
- the adapter pivots relative to the coupler for operating the adapter attachment by pivoting the adapter, via the entry passage, relative to first post portion and the second post portion, and
- the adapter is installed or uninstalled to the coupler by axially sliding the adapter, via the entry passage, relative to first post portion and the second post portion.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.