Field of the Invention

[I ] The present invention relates to wiper blades for vehicles. Background of the Invention

[2] Vehicle wiper assembles comprise a metal arm pivoting at one end and driven by a motor, and a long wiper blade attached to the other end. The wiper blade includes a metal structure which holds a long rubber wiper strip element. The wiper blade is moved laterally in an arc back and forth such that the wiper element is moved across the glass windscreen to push water away from the glass surface.

[3] The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[4] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

[5] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a wiper blade element comprising at least two edge strips for engaging a surface.

[6] In a preferred embodiment, the at least two edge strips are parallel to each other.

[7] In a preferred embodiment, the at least two edge strips are separated by a channel therebetween.

[8] In a preferred embodiment, the at least two edge strips are co-extensive.

[9] In a preferred embodiment, the at least two edge strips are of the same height.

[10] In another preferred embodiment, the at least two edge strips curve laterally outwardly in opposing directions.

[I I ] In a preferred embodiment, the at least two edge strips are at a distal point of the wiper blade element.

[12] The present invention also provides a wiper blade element comprising an enlarged distal engaging portion.

[13] In a preferred embodiment, the distal engaging portion comprises two laterally extending ridges on both sides thereof which extend in opposing directions.

[14] In a preferred embodiment, the distal engaging portion comprises a flat end face.

[15] In another preferred embodiment, the distal engaging portion comprises an end face with a pointed longitudinal ridge. [16] The present invention also provides a wiper beam blade comprising an elongate beam having a formation for attachment to a wiper arm and a wiper element, wherein at least the beam is formed from material which allows light to pass through.

[17] In a preferred embodiment, the beam and the wiper element are formed as a unitary structure.

[18] In a preferred embodiment, the wiper element is formed from material which allows light to pass through.

[19] In a preferred embodiment, the material is transparent or translucent.

[20] In a preferred embodiment, the wiper element is formed from silicone and the beam is formed from acrylic polymer.

[21 ] In a preferred embodiment, the wiper element is in accordance with any one of the above.

[22] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings

[23] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[24] Fig. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of an end portion of a wiper blade element in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[25] Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of an end portion of a wiper blade element in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

[26] Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of an end portion of a wiper blade element in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

[27] Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of an end portion of a wiper blade element in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[28] Fig. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a wiper beam blade in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

[29] Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of the wiper beam blade of Figure 5. Description of Embodiments

[30] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features. [31 ] Figures 1 to 4 show wiper blade elements according to preferred embodiments of the present invention. These wiper blade elements can be used in an installed wiper blade on a vehicle, in a replacement wiper blade or as a replacement wiper blade element.

[32] Figures 1 to 4 show the cross-sections of the wiper blade elements which remain substantially consistent along their lengths. The following description is primarily directed to the cross-sections.

[33] Fig. 1 shows a wiper blade element 10 in accordance with a first embodiment. The wiper blade element 10 comprises a mount portion 12 and an engaging portion 14 which are connected to each other via a narrow connector 16.

[34] The mount portion 12 comprises lateral grooves 18 and ridges 20 on both sides thereof for attachment to claws of a wiper blade structure (not shown).

[35] The connector 16 is narrow to allow the engaging portion 14 to pivot laterally relative to the mount portion 12 as the wiper blade element 10 is moved across the windscreen of a vehicle.

[36] The engaging portion 14 comprises a wide base portion 24 and a narrow engaging edge 26. Side portions 28 of the engaging portion 14 converge towards the engaging edge 26 at a distal portion thereof.

[37] The base portion 24 is wide such that alternating lateral edges thereof abut the mount portion 12 in use to limit how much the engaging portion 14 pivots relative to the mount portion 12.

[38] In the wiper blade element 10, the engaging edge 26 comprises individual first and second lateral edge strips 30a and 30b which are separated by a channel 32 therebetween. The first and second lateral edge strips 30a and 30b are parallel, co-extensive along the length of the wiper blade element 10 and have the same height from the base portion 24.

[39] In use, the first and second lateral strips 30a and 30b effectively function as side by side separate wiper blade element edges and thus increase the amount of water swept from the windscreen. The wiper blade element 10 thus effectively has two blade strips which present separate edges The twin blade strips operate effectively as two separate single blades.

[40] Each blade strip is used only in one direction of sweep as the contact angle changes - the blade length pivots at the narrow connector 16 due to the drag from the windscreen and pressure from the wiper arm. Thus, only the external lateral edge of each blade is subject to wear (as opposed to both lateral edges on a traditional single blade). This doubles the useful life of the wiper blade element 10 and results in less flexing of the blade as it is utilised in only one direction, reducing wear and increasing the efficiency of clearing water off the glass.

[41 ] Figures 2 to 4 show wiper blade elements which have the same general structure as the wiper blade element 10, but having different engaging edge 26 structures. The description of the wiper blade elements of Figures 2 to 5 will thus be directed to the engaging edge 26 only.

[42] In Figure 2, the wiper blade element 10b has an engaging edge 26 which comprises laterally extending ridges 34 on both sides thereof, thus forming an enlarged distal engaging portion. The ridges 34 extend in opposing directions from the side portions 28. The engaging edge 26 also has a generally flat end face 36.

[43] The ridges 34 define inwardly curved surfaces 38 between the respective ridge 34 and the side portion 28.

[44] In use, the wider end face 36 can engage the windscreen for improved wiping. Also, the curved surfaces 38 will assist water dispersion by scooping up and rolling off the water from the window glass similar to a barrelling wave.

[45] In Figure 3, the wiper blade element 10c has an engaging edge 26 which is similar to that shown for the wiper blade element 10 of Figure 1 . The engaging edge 26 comprises first and second lateral strips 30a and 30b which are separated by a channel 32 therebetween. However in this embodiment, the first and second lateral strips 30a and 30b are curved laterally outwardly and thus define lateral curved surfaces 38. Similar to the wiper blade element 10b, the curved surfaces 38 will assist water dispersion by scooping up and rolling off the water from the window glass similar to a barrelling wave. This embodiment also provides the twin blade strip advantages of the wiper blade element 10.

[46] In Figure 4, the wiper blade element 10d has an engaging edge 26 which is similar to that shown for the wiper blade element 10b of Figure 2. However in this embodiment, the end face 36 comprises a central apex 39 and side portions 40 which extend at an angle from the ridges 34. The central apex 39 thus forms a pointed ridge along the length of the wiper blade element. Similar to the wiper blade element 10b, the curved surfaces 38 will assist water dispersion by scooping up and rolling off the water from the window glass similar to a barrelling wave.

[47] The central apex 39 provides a leverage point for the smooth transition between the back and forward strokes of the wiper assembly in use. This occurs as the wiper blade 10d switches sides when it reverses direction. [48] Figures 5 and 6 show a wiper beam blade 50 in accordance with the present invention. The wiper beam blade 50 is a replacement wiper blade and is an alternative to the metal structure of typical wiper blades

[49] The wiper beam blade 50 is a unitary one piece design which comprises an elongate curved beam 52 having a formation 54 at a top mid-portion thereof for attachment to the wiper arm. A wiper element 60 is integrally formed and extends from a lower surface of the beam 52. The wiper element 60 in this embodiment is similar to that shown in Figure 2 and has lateral curved surfaces 38. The wiper element 60 can alternatively be configured similar to the other embodiments

[50] The wiper element 60 will be manufactured in one piece silicone with the beam being manufactured in acrylic polymer. Both these materials can be made to allow light to pass through (translucent or transparent) which aids driver visibility in use.

[51 ] Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiments described. For example, the engaging edge 26 can have three or more edges.

[52] The wiper blade elements can also be used for handheld squeegees.

[53] The beam blade 50 can also be made of other materials such as polycarbonate, copolyester and acrylic combined with an elastomer.