Wiper blade for glass surfaces and associated method of making

Abstract

A wiper blade having a rubber element for engaging glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross and a method of making the blade utilizes a brush element having a plurality of bristles having ends for engaging glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross. The brush element is joined alongside the rubber element to form a unitary structure therewith so that as the wiper blade is moved across the glass, the ends of the bristles and the rubber element move in engagement with the glass.

1 . In a wiper blade having a rubber element for engaging glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross, the improvement comprising: 
 a brush element having a plurality of bristles having ends for engaging glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross, the brush element being joined alongside the rubber element to form a unitary structure therewith so that as the wiper blade is moved across the glass, the ends of the bristles and the rubber element move in engagement with the glass.    
   
   
       2 . The improvement as defined in  claim 1  wherein the brush element is attached to the rubber element with a shanked fastener element.  
   
   
       3 . The improvement as defined in  claim 1  wherein the brush element is attached to the rubber element with an adhesive.  
   
   
       4 . The improvement as defined in  claim 1  wherein the brush element includes portions which are captured by the rubber element to thereby attach the brush element to the rubber element.  
   
   
       5 . The improvement as defined in  claim 1  wherein the brush element and rubber elements are shaped so as to interlock with one another when the wiper blade is assembled.  
   
   
       6 . An elongated wiper blade attachable to the arm of a wiper blade assembly for cleaning the surface of glass in a vehicle as the blade is passed back and forth across the glass, the blade comprising: 
 a spine portion which extends along the length of the blade and which is adapted to be connected to the arm of a wiper blade;    a rubber element which is attachably joined to the spine portion and has a distal end portion which extends from the spine portion for engaging the surface of glass when the wiper blade is moved thereacross; and    a brush element having a plurality of bristles having ends for engaging glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross, the brush element being joined to the remainder of the wiper blade and alongside the rubber element to form a unitary structure therewith and so that as the wiper blade is moved across the glass, the ends of the bristles move in engagement therewith.    
   
   
       7 . The wiper blade as defined in  claim 6  wherein the brush element is attached to the rubber element with a shanked fastener element.  
   
   
       8 . The wiper blade as defined in  claim 6  wherein the brush element is attached to the rubber element with an adhesive.  
   
   
       9 . The improvement as defined in  claim 6  wherein the brush element includes portions which are captured by the rubber element to thereby attach the brush element to the rubber element.  
   
   
       10 . The wiper blade as defined in  claim 6  wherein the brush element and rubber elements are shaped so as to interlock with one another when the wiper blade is assembled.  
   
   
       11 . The wiper blade as defined in  claim 6  wherein the brush element is constructed of a copolymer material.  
   
   
       12 . The wiper blade as defined in  claim 6  wherein the rubber element is a first rubber element, and the wiper blade further includes a second rubber element which is attachably joined to the spine portion and has a distal end portion which extends from the spine portion for engaging the surface of glass when the wiper blade is moved thereacross; and 
 the brush element is disposed between the first and second rubber elements and secured thereto to form a unitary structure.    
   
   
       13 . The wiper blade as defined in  claim 12  wherein the ends of the bristles of the brush element are disposed in such a positional relationship to the distal end portions of the rubber elements so that as the wiper blade is moved across the glass, the ends of the bristles and the distal end portions of the rubber elements engage the surface of the glass.  
   
   
       14 . A method for making a wiper blade for cleaning the surface of glass in a vehicle, the method comprising: 
 providing a wiper blade portion including a spine portion and at least one rubber element attached to the spine portion and a distal end portion which is adapted to engage the surface of glass as the blade is moved thereacross;    providing a brush portion including a body and a plurality of bristles which are joined to so as to extend from said body and wherein the extending bristles are adapted to engage the surface of glass as the wiper blade is moved thereacross; and    attaching the body of the brush portion to the wiper blade portion so that the brush portion and the wiper blade portion form a unitary structure.    
   
   
       15 . The method as defined in  claim 14  wherein the method of attaching is effected with a fastener element having a shank which extends through the body of the brush element and the rubber element.  
   
   
       16 . The method as defined in  claim 14  wherein the method of attaching is effected with an adhesive which adheres the body of the brush element to a surface of the rubber element.  
   
   
       17 . The method as defined in  claim 14  wherein the method of attaching involves the formation of the brush element with portions which are captured by the rubber element.