The present invention relates to automotive windshield wiper systems of a motor vehicle. Specifically to a flexible and versatile cover to sheath over a damaged or failed wiper frame assembly and/or wiper blade for emergency implementation to enable provisional operation of the usual reciprocating powered windshield wiper system and allow continued limited travel of a vehicle during periods of rain/precipitation.
The invention of Lenardo Nelson Sr. (U. S. Pat. No. 6,233,779 B1), (2001) discloses a multi-faceted windshield wiper blade in a receiving bracket of a windshield wiper frame assembly for normal operation of the windshield wiper system during inclement weather. This invention provides for wiper blade renewal by removing entirely the multi-faceted blade from the receiving bracket and rotating the blade axially to expose an unused facet of the blade to face the vehicle windshield and reinserting the blade back into the receiving bracket to continue use of the wiper system. This invention provides for adaptability of the wiper blade in the event of damage or failure of the in-use wiper blade facet but makes no provision for damage or failure of the wiper frame assembly.
The blade facet renewal of this invention also may not be suitable for those lacking in mechanical skill or knowledge. The invention of Liang-Yuan Chen (U. S. Pat. No. 6,038,730), (2000) discloses a wiper frame assembly comprising a flexor and at least two claw units wherein a replacement wiper blade can be stowed there-between in the event of wiper blade damage or failure. The in-use wiper blade can be replaced by fully removing it from the wiper frame assembly then extracting the stowed replacement wiper blade from the stow position and inserting the replacement wiper blade into the operative side of the wiper frame assembly. However this invention too makes no provision for a damaged or failed wiper frame assembly. The stowed replacement wiper blade also may not be operatively changeable by those lacking in mechanical skill or knowledge. In addition the stowed replacement blade is exposed to weather while in the stow position so accordingly may not be in satisfactory condition for use when needed.The invention of Albert Lee (U. S. Pat. No. 6,598,258 B2), (2003) discloses a winter windshield wiper frame assembly comprising a bridge member connected to a frame having an upper portion of the wiper frame assembly fully encased by a cover member therein creating an air flow channel there-between the covered frame assembly and the bridge member so as to operate with less than normal wind resistance and whereas the sheet member blocks ice particles from accumulating within the wiper frame assembly. This invention meets it's expected objectives, however there is no provision for a damaged or failed wiper frame assembly and/or wiper blade.
Heretofore none of the above patents provide for rapid wiper parts replacement or repair in a rain related driving situation by those lacking in mechanical knowledge or skill. Additionally the vehicle may be in a location and/or non-business hours time where specific type and size wiper replacement parts or services are not available.
Several objects and advantages of the present invention are to provide:
(a) an economical temporary solution to a damaged or failed windshield wiper frame assembly and/or wiper blade during travel in rain/precipitation if continued short term driving is desired or necessary regardless of inclement weather conditions.
(b) a widely versatile cover to slide over and contain most any type or size wiper frame assembly including the wiper blade to temporarily substitute a damaged or failed wiper member.
(c) a temporary wiper repair that can be provided for most any time and/or location due to a general availability of the present invention in local and remote 24 hour gas station/convenience stores and many other common retail outlets.
(d) a generic short term wiper repair that can be provided for by stowing the present invention within a vehicle as with any other emergency implements and with out regard to matching a particular type or size of wiper frame assembly or wiper blade.
(e) an extremely simplistic short term repair that can be accomplished in a stressful rain travel situation by most anyone, including those lacking in mechanical skill or knowledge.
(f) a temporarily extended driving range (generally 2-4 hours at up to 55 miles per hour) after unexpected wiper frame/assembly and/or wiper blade failure while driving in rain conditions and use of the present invention to avoid being stranded during rain due to lack of visibility at an unintended location and allowing for end destination travel or at least travel to a temporarily convenient location.
(g) furthermore, a means to prevent damage to the glass surface of a windshield when continued use of a damage or failed wiper frame assembly and/or wiper blade during rain driving without the present invention installed could result in metal or plastic wiper frame members making reciprocating motive contact with the windshield causing damage to the glass (driver and/or passenger side).
As illustrated and described by the drawings and other reference the present invention is a temporary repair jacket 2 shown in drawing (
In profile, the preferred embodiment of casing 4 beginning from a centrally open upper portion, is defined by an opposing arced convex sidewall 6 each side respectively. Wherein each sidewall 6 is tangent to and in transition with an opposing arced concave sidewall 8 respectively each side of the casing. Further defining casing 4 wherein sidewalls 8,8 converge together at a lower central portion of casing 4 to form a single linear fold crease 10 as shown in drawing (
From an upper center portion of casing 4 and communicating gap 12 linearly is a rectangular open mid gap 15 therein formed by a longitudinal recess cut out 14 to each respective sidewall 6. Each cut out 14 respectively includes a plurality of partial perimeter edges 22, 22 and a plurality of inner corners 24, 24, drawing (
Casing 4 comprises a through opening 18 with each opposing end of casing 4 terminating in an end edge 16 as shown in drawing (
Connected to casing 4 to the linear underside of crease 10 is an elongated substantially solid scrub base core 32. The preferred embodiment of core 32 in cross section is solid and round but core 32 can be a variable fluid overlay or other shapes and consistencies applied to crease 10 (overlay not shown). The preferred Core 32 comprises a linear through groove 34 for connecting core 32 to crease 10 of casing 4. Core 32 and crease 10 are adhesively joined (
From an upper mid portion of casing 4 into a portion of each inner surface of each sidewall 6 respectively adjacent each cut out 14 is an adhesive area 38 following the arced inside form of each sidewall 6, (
In an extrusion machine casing 4 of jacket 2 can be extruded from a preferred plastic material in bulk lengths with a machine die of the casing profile in the path of the plastic within the extruder, then cut to the preferred lengths with cut outs 14,14 machine stamped or manually cut out. Adhesive areas 38,38 can be accessed through cut outs 14,14 therein gap 15 to apply adhesive and removable seal and pull tab to each area 38 from a dispensing machine or manually (adhesive and pull tabbed seal not shown). Casing 4 can also be die cast from a mold or can be stamped out from a flat material then roll developed and folded into form. Either method of manufacture can be of a pigmented plastic for color, however the use of a pigment to color casing 4 will be of further labor and material than is necessary.
In an extrusion machine core 32 can be extruded in rope-like bulk form with groove 34 simultaneously formed using a notch in the path of the preferred rubber material within the extruder, then core 32 cut to preferred lengths and adhesively bonded (adhesive not shown) to casing 4 linearly to the underside of crease 10. Core 32 can alternatively be a variable fluid rubber overlay applied directly to the linear underside of crease 10 in either form core 32 is bonded to casing 4 in a linear manner to the underside of crease 10, drawing (
Now will be described key elements of a conventional type windshield wiper structure to facilitate later description in the use of the present invention. A conventional windshield wiper structure 40 shown in drawing (
Now will be described key elements of a low profile type windshield wiper structure to facilitate later description in the use of the present invention. A low profile windshield wiper structure 52 shown in drawing (
Now will be described the manner of use of the present invention (jacket 2),(
Place the now combined jacket 2 and structure 40 back down atop the vehicle's windshield with core 32 making full linear contact with the glass surface of the windshield (windshield not shown). The now combined jacket 2 and structure 40 are shown in drawing (
An already present down force exists within structure 40 from the vehicle's usual wiper system spring loaded power arm that is connected to structure 40. This existing down force automatically transmits through jacket 2 holding core 32 firmly against the glass surface of the windshield,(power arm, windshield and down force not shown). The now flexed sidewalls 6,6 and sidewalls 8,8 of the jacket create a bilateral clutch force linearly along structure 40, this together with the previously mentioned down force and the aforementioned adhesive all work together to hold jacket 2 in place for operation once reciprocal power motion is supplied normally to the usual powered wiper system. Gap 15 of the jacket is not necessary for use with a conventional type windshield wiper but does not interfere with this application. Gap 15 will be further described.
Preliminary positioning and alignment for operational use of jacket 2 (the present invention) with the previously described structure 40 (conventional type wiper structure), (
Following the previous preliminary steps begin slide action of jacket 2 toward and over one end of structure 52 through opening 18 wherein edge 16,corners 28,28 and edges 20,20 of jacket 2 will engage cap 58 ,blade 60 and body 56 of structure 52. Opening 18, edge 16 ,corners 28,28 ,edges 20,20 shown in drawing (
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention is a separate entity from the usual windshield wiper frame assembly and wiper blade of a motor vehicle but can substitute normal function of a damaged or failed wiper frame assembly and/or blade for short term operation of the wiper system to allow continued temporary travel of a vehicle during rain/precipitation. The present invention comprises an elongated, generally tubular plastic casing with flexible sides, a linearly open top portion and an elongated narrow rubber wiping strip connected to the casing underside. Several advantages of the present invention are:
(a) an economical substitute repair for temporary relief and continued windshield wiper system use for a damaged or failed wiper frame assembly and/or wiper blade.
(b) a temporary wiper repair that can be performed quickly and easily in a stressful rain related driving situation with minimal mechanical skill or knowledge.
(c) a generic short term repair jacket that can be stowed within the vehicle as with any other emergency implements without regard to size or type of replacement wiper parts.
(d) a temporary repair that will prevent a motorist from being stranded during rain in the event of wiper damage or failure in transit.
(e) a short term wiper repair jacket that can be widely distributed for most any location or time by being available in 24 hour convenience stores and many other similar outlets.
(f) a temporary repair jacket that can be installed from either end of the jacket to either end of the failed wiper frame assembly.
(g) a short term repair that will prevent damage to the glass surface of a vehicle windshield by containing damaged or failed wiper parts ,driver and/or passenger side while the wiper system remains in use.
Now having described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it's manufacture and use, this description should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as illustrations only of the preferred embodiment. Therefore the spirit and scope of the invention should be limited only by the appended claims and their legal limitations rather than by the illustrations and description given.