Patent US3851351A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3851351A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Windshield wiper drive
Assignee: Ferro Manufacturing Corp
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Filing: 1973-02-05
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Granted: 1974-12-03
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Expires: 1993-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A windshield wiper system in which an elongated well extends transversely of the vehicle forward of the windshield which receives a master windshield wiper unit including a motor and a slave unit, the master unit and slave unit being interconnected by a push-pull power transmission device, all components of the system being received in the well to provide access for repair.
Inventors
- 👤 J Pickles
- 👤 A Duckworth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:48
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60S; B60S1/00; B60S1/02; B60S1/04; B60S1/06; B60S1/16; B60S1/18; B60S1/0402; B60S1/166
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A windshield wiper system for an automobile having a transversely curved windshield, comprising an elongated upwardly open well forward of the windshield and curved laterally in conformity with the transverse curvature of the windshield, a motor and master drive unit assembly mounted in said well toward one end from the center thereof and accessible for repair or removal through the open top of said well, the master drive unit of said assembly having a wiper arm drive shaft extending generally perpendicular to the portion of the curved windshield thereabove, a slave drive unit mounted in said well toward the other end from the center thereof and accessible for repair or removal through the open top of said well, said slave drive unit having a wiper arm drive shaft extending generally perpendicular to the portion of said curved windshield thereabove and extending at an oblique angle to the drive shaft of said master drive unit, motion transmission means interconnecting said drive shafts, said motion transmission means comprising a push-pull flexible device curved longitudinally to conform to the lateral curvature of said well, and to accommodate the oblique angularity between said drive shafts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A windshield wiper system for an automobile having a transversely curved windshield, comprising an elongated upwardly open well forward of the windshield and curved laterally in conformity with the transverse curvature of the windshield, a motor and master drive unit assembly mounted in said well toward one end from the center thereof and accessible for repair or removal through the open top of said well, the master drive unit of said assembly having a wiper arm drive shaft extending generally perpendicular to the portion of the curved windshield thereabove, a slave drive unit mounted in said well toward the other end from the center thereof and accessible for repair or removal through the open top of said well, said slave drive unit having a wiper arm drive shaft extending generally perpendicular to the portion of said curved windshield thereabove and extending at an oblique angle to the drive shaft of said master drive unit, motion transmission means interconnecting said drive shafts, said motion transmission means comprising a push-pull flexible device curved longitudinally to conform to the lateral curvature of said well, and to accommodate the oblique angularity between said drive shafts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
A system as defined in claim 1 in which said motion transmission comprises like rigid arms fixed to said wiper arm drive shafts, said push-pull device including a longitudinally movable flexible push-pull element connected at its end to said arms, said push-pull device comprising a tubular housing having its ends anchored to said master and slave drive units through which said flexible push-pull element extends, said tubular housing being curved to conform to the transverse curvature of said well but being fixed in assembly, said tubular housing being dimensioned to have substantial clearance with said flexible push-pull element, and a continuous low friction tubular guide extending substantially throughout said tubular housing and having a guiding fit with said flexible push-pull element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as defined in claim 2 in which said housing is a metal tube and said guide is a plastic tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
A system as defined in claim 2 in which separate elongated connectors are secured to opposite ends of said core, said connectors having an intermediaTe portion having substantial lateral clearance in said tubular housing and having an annular bead of curved transverse cross-section at their ends fitting in guided relation in said housing, said connectors providing for angular displacement thereof upon movement longitudinally of said housing occasioned by their connection to said arms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
178 words
A system as defined in claim 2 in which said flexible push-pull element extends beyond the opposite open ends of said tubular housing, said low friction tubular guide terminating inwardly of the ends of said housing to leave annular clearance between said push-pull element and the inner surface of end portions of said housing, rigid elongated connectors fixed to opposite ends of said push-pull element pivotally connected to the rigid arms fixed to said wiper arm drive shafts, each of said connectors having a tubular end portion extending into the adjacent open end of said housing and receiving the adjacent end of said push-pull element in fixed position therein, said tubular end portion of said connector within said housing having substantial lateral clearance therewith except for an outwardly extending rounded bead at the inner end of said connector, said bead fitting in guided relation in said housing and constituting a pivot support for the inner end of said connector providing for angular displacement thereof upon movement longitudinally of said housing occasioned by rocking movement of said rigid arms.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-02 | 1978-06-03 | 1978-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-02 | 1982-06-03 | 1982-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-02 | 1986-06-03 | 1986-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |