BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention are directed generally to windshield wiper blades usable with various wiper arms. More particularly, the embodiments of the invention are directed to wiper blades having segmented portions.

Description of the Related Art

Various types of wiper blades are available which utilize respective adapters for connection of wiper blades to various wiper arms of automobiles. Thus, a particular arm may be connectable to wiper blades using the adapters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention is directed to a wiper blade having multiple components, the wiper blade being used for removing water and other deposits from an automotive windshield.

According to an embodiment of the invention, a wiper blade includes a plurality of segmented portions, including a primary member with an interior space formed in the primary member, and two secondary members. Each secondary member has a first end and a second end, the first end of a first secondary member being connected to and received into the interior space of the primary member at a first end of the primary member, the first end of a second secondary member being connected to and received into the interior space of the primary member at a second end of the primary member opposite to the first end of the primary member. The secondary parts may be hingedly connected to the primary member to pivot, swivel and/or rotate relative to a longitudinal axis of the primary member to accommodate a changing curvature of a surface of a windshield based on pressure applied by the wiper arm against the windshield.

The wiper blade may further include two tertiary members, each tertiary member being connected to a secondary member at a first end thereof and may be hingedly connected to the respective secondary member to pivot, swivel and/or rotate relative to a longitudinal axis of the secondary member to accommodate a changing curvature of a surface of a windshield based on pressure by the wiper arm applied against the windshield.

The wiper blade further includes a first joint spring fixed to the interior of the primary member and fixed to an interior of the first secondary member. The first joint spring extends across the first secondary member and extends across the primary member and fixes the first secondary member and the primary member to one another. A second joint spring is fixed to the interior of the primary member and is fixed to an interior of the second secondary member. The second joint spring extends across the second secondary member and across the primary member and fixes the second secondary member and the primary member to one another.

The first and second joint springs are provided to the interior of the primary member and the respective secondary members and are kept in place by a plurality of wedge-shaped overhangs/tabs. The primary member and each secondary member may be provided with a plurality of wedge-shaped overhangs/tabs to hold a respective joint spring in place.

Further, the first and second joint springs may be press-fit into the respective interior portions of the primary member and the secondary members. In addition, the first and second joint springs may be placed/introduced into the respective interior portions of the primary member and the secondary members by sliding the springs along the length of a component to which it is being installed. For instance, the first joint spring is slid into the interior of the primary member along the length of the primary member and is slid into the interior of the corresponding secondary member along the length of the corresponding secondary member.

The wiper blade further includes a third joint spring fixed to the interior of the first secondary member and fixed to an interior of a first tertiary member. The third joint spring extends across the first tertiary member and the first secondary member to fix the first tertiary member to the first secondary member. A fourth joint spring is fixed to the interior of the second secondary member and fixed to an interior of a second tertiary member. The fourth joint spring extends across the second secondary member and second tertiary member and fixes the second secondary member to the second tertiary member. The third and fourth joint springs are provided to the interior of the respective secondary members and tertiary members and are kept in place by a plurality of wedge-shaped overhangs/tabs. The primary member and each secondary member and each tertiary member may be provided with a plurality of wedge-shaped overhangs/tabs to hold a respective joint spring in place.

The third and fourth joint springs may be press-fit into the respective interior portions of the secondary members and tertiary members. In addition, the third and fourth joint springs may be placed/introduced into the respective interior portions of the member and the tertiary members by sliding the springs along the length of the component to which it is being installed. For instance, the first joint spring is slid into the interior of the primary member along the length of the primary member and is slid into the interior of the corresponding tertiary member along the length of the corresponding tertiary member. The first, second, third and fourth joint springs strengthen the movable connection of the primary member to the secondary members, and the respective secondary members to the respective tertiary members in the lateral direction. Further, without the joint springs, the movable connections would not have enough joint strength.

Further scope of applicability of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

