Aerodynamic windshield wiper
AssigneeTridon Limited
InventorBrian A. Fisher
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention provides a windshield wiper superstructure which is shaped to interact with an oncoming air stream so as to divert a component of force of such an air stream downwardly and toward the windshield, thereby to counteract any tendency for the wiper to lift in adverse aerodynamic conditions. The spine of the superstructure is inclined and defines a varying angle of attack to air flowing over the superstructure. Preferably, the angle of attack is maximized at joints between a central primary yoke and a pair of depending secondary yokes connected to distribute pressure from a wiper arm to a squeegee.
Claims8
A windshield wiper superstructure comprising a first yoke having a centrally located attachment means for connection to a wiper arm and ends, the first yoke having a spine on the top surface of the yoke defining a varying angle of attack to air flowing over the first yoke, the angle of attack being a maximum at the ends of the first yoke and a minimum at the center of the first yoke.
In a windshield wiper having a longitudinal axis, a longitudinally extending squeegee for wiping a windshield, and a longitudinally extending pressure distributing superstructure comprising a first yoke having ends attached to secondary yokes and central attachment means for attaching the wiper to a wiper arm operatively connected to the squeegee and driven in use by the wiper arm to reciprocate the squeegee over the windshield, the improvement in which the first yoke has a cross-section formed by a spine on the top surface of the yoke and a leading flange lying substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, the spine being at a minimum angle of no less than a right angle to the flange adjacent the central attachment means and changing progressively towards the ends to define a maximum angle of attack with respect to air flow meeting the first yoke at substantially right angles to thereby provide a downward component of force caused by impact of the air with the first yoke to hold the wiper on the windshield.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.