This application claims priority from US Provisional Application No. 61/409,971, filed 4 November 2010, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the current invention are related to cleaning and wiping windows. More specifically, embodiments of the current invention relate to an advanced windshield wiper system and method for vehicles.

Conventional prior art windshield wiper assemblies typically comprise a bracket subassembly, which biases a wiper blade against a windshield. The bracket subassembly is usually mounted onto an arm which in turn is driven by a motor, thereby yielding a sweeping-reciprocating movement of the blade against a vehicle windshield.

The wiper blade is frequently fabricated from flexible material, such as but not limited to rubberized materials— which allow for good flexibility and substantially complete contact with the windshield, enabling effective windshield wiping. However the blade may become less flexible and/or brittle over time and lose its ability to completely contact and wipe the windshield. Examples of prior art are listed hereinbelow.

US Patent No. 3,636,582 to Wright, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a windshield wiper blade assembly having a porous sack extending parallel to and closely adjacent to the wiper blade. The sack contains a soluble cleansing agent which is dissolved and released from the sack and applied to the windshield to dissolve and/or remove road film, grime, mud and the like.

Steed, in US Patent No. 3,760,451, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a windshield wiper and washer assembly comprising a support bushing and including a fluid passageway with inlet and outlets, as stationary changer connected to water and detergent sources and communicating with the inlet by way of a rotating seal and having spray holes for squirting the liquid over the associated windshield area.

US Patent No. 3,969,783 to Wright, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a combination windshield wiper and wiper blade used in conjunction with a pump reservoir. The blade has a hollow center portion with openings to allow the flow of fluid therethrough. The hollow central portion is connected by a flexible tube to the reservoir so that when the wiper assembly is actuated the reservoir will pump fluid to the blade which will apply the fluid as a thin film to wash and wipe the windshield.

US Patent No. 4,060,872 to Bucklitzsch, whose disclosure is

incorporated herein by reference, describes a windshield wiper with at least one wiper blade having angularly disposed channels therein and with a hollow tube having openings communicating with these channels, the tube extending longitudinally along the wiper. Hollow feed tubing connected with the tube receives washer solvent under pressure with the solvent flowing out of the channels in the blade onto the windshield to enable the wiper to perform washing and wiping actions simultaneously.

Alley, in US Patent No. 4,567,621, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a wiper blade assembly for wiping and cleaning a windshield including a pair of spaced wiper blade elements. A scrubbing block occupies the entire space between the wiper blade elements, including a protrusion of the scrubbing block which extends past the wiping edges. The scrubbing material [sic] accumulates liquid for providing a reservoir which flushes out dirt during to and fro motion of the wiping action.

US Patent No. 4,649,593 to Gilliam et al., whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a combined windshield wiping and cleaning device having a scrubbing member with a reticular surface for removing solid matter along with a wiper member for squeegee removal of water. These are formed together with a supporting base as a single monolithic extrusion of an elastomeric material, fitting in the windshield wiper arm in the same way as current blade which only wipe.

US Patent No. 6,442,788 to Fleischer, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a wiper arm, which is constructed from a fastening element and a hinge part is pivotably connected to it via a swivel joint, with a wiper rod on which a wiper blade is pivotably connected. The hinge part has a spray nozzle, open toward a wiping field.

Squires, in US Patent No. 6,505,378 whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a wiper assembly for providing additional scrubbing surface area. The wiper assembly includes a wiper blade designed for coupling to a wiper arm of a vehicle and including an articulation, a blade and is positionable in a groove in the wiper blade, a scrubbing member for removing debris from the windshield.

Some windshield wiper assemblies are used in conjunction with spray nozzles, which may be used to spray water or any similar suitable cleaning fluid onto the windshield, with the wiper being swept over the windshield after spraying, to clean the windshield. The spray nozzles are typically mounted onto the vehicle frame and aimed at the windshield. Other prior art assemblies have means of applying a solvent directly onto the wiper. Windshield wiper assemblies such as those described hereinabove are employed in various land, sea, and air vehicles.

Among various shortcomings of the prior art assemblies are:

• Incomplete wiping/cleaning of the windshield in very dirty or dry conditions, and/or when insects are adhered to the windshield— even with or without additional spraying, and when the wiper blade is new and flexible. This situation can yield undesirable effects such as smearing and resultant impairment of a driver's view of the road; • Wear of the wiper blade— as described hereinabove— due additionally and primarily to excessive dryness (such as, but not limited to exposure to sunlight or excessively dry periods, etc.);

• Clogging of conventional spray nozzles due to prolonged periods of non-use and/or mechanical causes and/or misdirection of the nozzles over time;

• Uncontrolled liquid/solvent concentration or wear/depletion of solvent and solvent applier, if present; and

• Complexity of design and/or lack of retrofitability to an existing vehicle.

There is therefore a need for an alternative windshield wiper system that can effectively address the shortcomings noted hereinabove while allowing a cost-effective windshield wiping solution to be applied and/or retrofitted for vehicle use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided an advanced vehicle windshield wiper system adapted to be attached to a vehicle wiper movement arm, comprising: a multi-blade assembly adapted to position at least two wiper blades in a substantially parallel configuration with each wiper blade having a first and a second end, the first ends and second ends of respective wiper blades substantially aligned with one another, and with a space between the at least two blades; at least one sponge blade having a length substantially equal to the respective at least two wiper blades, an axis of elongation, an internal and an external lateral surface, the sponge blade adapted to be positioned in the multi-blade assembly and axially aligned within the space; a fluid delivery system adapted to deliver fluid to the internal surface of the sponge blade; and a cover adapted to cover the multi-blade assembly, wherein the sponge blade external surface and the at least two wiper blades are adapted to contact the windshield to clean it. Preferably, the fluid delivery system further comprises an inner fluid conduit aligned coaxially within the internal surface of the sponge blade; and a fitting connected to the inner fluid conduit and a fluid delivery elbow. Most preferably, the fluid delivery elbow is adapted to be connected to a flexible tube connected to a vehicle fluid reservoir.

Typically, the sponge blade is adapted to be replacebly retained by use of end retention clips. Most typically, the sponge blade is fabricated from at least one porous material chosen from the list including: abrasive-resistant sponge; and scotch-brite®. Preferably, the system further comprises a multi blade assembly bridge, covered by the cover, and mechanically connected to the multi blade assembly. Most preferably, the bridge is adapted to reinforce the multi blade assembly and to maintain the substantially parallel

configuration of the at least two wiper blades and the sponge blade against the windshield. Typically, an arm retention clip is mechanically attached to the bridge, the arm retention clip being pivotally attachable to the vehicle wiper movement arm.

According to the teachings of the present invention there is further provided a method of using an advanced vehicle windshield wiper system attached to a vehicle wiper movement arm, comprising the steps of: using a multi-blade assembly to position at least two wiper blades in a substantially parallel configuration with each wiper blade having a first and a second end, the first ends and second ends of respective wiper blades substantially aligned with one another, and with a space between the at least two blades; taking at least one sponge blade having a length substantially equal to the respective at least two wiper blades, an axis of elongation, an internal and an external lateral surface, the sponge blade positioned in the multi-blade assembly and axially aligned within the space; integrating a fluid delivery system to deliver fluid to the internal surface of the sponge blade; and covering the multi-blade assembly with a cover, whereby the sponge blade external surface and the at least two wiper blades contact the windshield to clean it. Preferably, integrating the fluid delivery system further comprises coaxially aligning an inner fluid conduit within the internal surface of the sponge blade and connecting a fitting to the fluid conduit and to a fluid delivery elbow. Most preferably, the fluid delivery elbow is connected to a flexible tube connected to a vehicle fluid reservoir. Typically, the sponge blade is replaceably retained by the use of end retention clips. Most typically, the sponge blade is fabricated from at least one porous material chosen from the list including: abrasive-resistant sponge; and scotch-brite®. Preferably, the system further comprises a multi blade assembly bridge, covered by the cover, and mechanically connected to the multi blade assembly. Most preferably, the bridge reinforces the multi blade assembly maintains the substantially parallel configuration of the at least two wiper blades and the sponge blade against the windshield.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND APPENDICES

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS1 and 2 are isometric view of an advanced vehicle windshield wiper system, with and without covers, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention;

FIGS 3A and 3B are isometric detailed views "A" of part of the advanced vehicle windshield wiper system shown in FIG 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention;

FIG 4 is an isometric detailed view "B" of part of the advanced vehicle windshield wiper system shown in FIG 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention;

FIG 5 is an exploded isometric view of the advanced vehicle windshield wiper system shown in FIGS 1 and 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention;

FIG 6 is an isometric view of the inner fluid conduit and the sponge blade and an enlarged isometric view of the fitting, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention; and

FIG 7 is an isometric view of the inner fluid conduit and detailed view thereof, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the current invention are related to cleaning and wiping windows. More specifically, embodiments of the current invention relate to an advanced windshield wiper system and method for vehicles.

Reference is currently made to FIGS 1 and 2, which are isometric views of an advanced vehicle windshield wiper system 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. Advanced vehicle wiper system 10 is connected to a vehicle wiper movement arm 1 1, most as known in the art. The advanced vehicle wiper system includes: a cover 12 (which may be formed as one piece or more interlocking pieces); a wiper movement arm retention clip 20; a multi-blade assembly bridge 22; a multi-blade assembly 26; at least two wiper blades 28; a sponge blade 34; and a fluid delivery elbow 33. Cover 12 serves to protect elements of the advanced vehicle wiper system from physical shocks and from dryness, especially in maintaining integrity of wiper blades 28 and sponge blade 34. Fluid delivery elbow 33 extends above cover 12 and is part of a fluid delivery system (not identified with a numeral in the figures) which is described further hereinbelow. In the specification and claims which follow, "fluid" is intended to mean any liquid typically used to clean

windshields and/or found in prior art vehicle windshield reservoirs, such as but not limited to: water; detergent; and mixtures of water and detergent.

Reference is additionally presently directed to FIGS 3A and 3B, which are isometric detailed views "A" of part of advanced vehicle windshield wiper system 10 of FIG 2; and to FIG 4, which is an isometric detailed view "B" of part of advanced vehicle windshield wiper system 10 of FIG 2; both figures in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. Apart from differences described hereinbelow, advanced vehicle windshield wiper system 10 is identical in notation, configuration, and functionality to that shown in FIGS 1 and 2, and elements indicated by the same reference numerals and/or letters are generally identical in configuration, operation, and functionality as described hereinabove.

Wiper movement arm retention clip 20 has a general "U" shape (or other suitable shape, as known in the art) and is pivotally fitted to multi-blade assembly bridge 22, serving to connect the advanced vehicle windshield wiper system to vehicle wiper movement arm 11. Wiper movement arm retention clip is similar in shape and function as other retention clips known in the art with prior art windshield wipers and other wiper movement arms— affording advanced vehicle windshield wiper system 10 full retro friability with prior art vehicle wiper movement arm 1 1 and prior art windshield wipers, as further described hereinbelow.

Multi-blade assembly bridge 22 has an overall two-railed shape including a central section 23, where retention clip 20 is pivotally attached, and a pair of two arms 24 extending from the central section, the two arms each having mechanically-pivoting connections 25 to multi-blade assembly 26.

Two wiper blades are maintained in a substantially parallel orientation, with the ends of respective blades substantially aligned, as shown in FIGS 3A and 3B. A space is defined between the wiper blades, having a width typically ranging from approximately 8mm to 20 mm.

Sponge blade 34 has an axis of elongation and two ends (not indicated in the figures) and has a length approximately equal to that of the wiper blades. Sponge blade 34 is positioned axially in the space, with the two ends of sponge blade 34 aligned substantially with the ends of the wiper blades, as shown in the figures.

The sponge blade typically has a square or rounded-square cross sectional shape, as shown in FIGS 3A and 3B— the exact cross sectional shape depending on the material and type of application addressed. Sponge blade 34 is fabricated from a porous material such as an abrasive-resistant sponge and scotch-brite® material. The sponge blade has coaxially defined internal and external lateral surfaces, meaning the sponge blade 34 is formed with a coaxial open internal space extending along the entire length of the sponge blade, and further described hereinbelow.

The sponge blade is maintained in position by means of end retention clips 36, which are removably attached to multi-blade assembly 26 at both ends of the sponge blade, allowing for easy replacement of sponge blade 34 in case of wear or according to cleaning application. Wiper blades 28 and sponge blade 34 are positioned in multi blade assembly 26 with the respective blades in contact with vehicle windshield (not shown in the figures) and to allow windshield cleaning, with fluid being applied to the internal surface of sponge blade 34, thus allowing the external surface of sponge blade 34 to wet the windshield, as described hereinbelow.

Reference is presently made to FIG 5, which is an exploded isometric view of parts included in the advanced vehicle windshield wiper system of FIGS 1 and 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. Apart from differences described hereinbelow, advanced vehicle windshield wiper system 10 is identical in notation, configuration, and functionality to that shown in figures above, and elements indicated by the same reference numerals and/or letters are generally identical in configuration, operation, and

functionality as described hereinabove.

An inner fluid conduit 40 is shown in the referenced figure having a fitting 42, which is connected to fluid delivery elbow 33, after inner fluid conduit 40 is slidingly inserted within sponge blade 34. After insertion into sponge blade 34 (as described further hereinbelow) fitting 42 protrudes through hole 46 in sponge blade 34 and the connection to fluid delivery elbow 33 is completed.

Reference is currently made to FIGS 6 and 7, which are isometric views of inner fluid conduit 40 and sponge blade 34 and inner fluid conduit 40 and detail, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the current invention. Apart from differences described hereinbelow inner fluid conduit 40 and sponge blade 34 are identical in notation, configuration, and functionality to that shown in previous figures, and elements indicated by the same reference numerals and/or letters are generally identical in configuration, operation, and functionality as described hereinabove.

As described hereinabove, inner fluid conduit is inserted into sponge blade 34. Fitting 42 is shown in exemplary fashion and can have barbed ends to allow strong connections at either end, as known in the art. Alternatively or optionally, fitting 42 may be permanently attached in hole 44 of the inner fluid conduit with assembly as described hereinbelow.

Inner fluid conduit 40 may be inserted into sponge blade 34 with the fitting in position in hole 44. In this case, the inner fluid conduit is inserted and the attached fitting protrudes from within sponge blade 34 through hole 46.

Alternatively, fitting 42 may be inserted into hole 44 through hole 46 after inner fluid conduit 40 is inserted into the sponge blade with respective holes 44 and 46 having been aligned to allow insertion of the fitting into the inner fluid conduit.

Referring to FIG 7, inner fluid conduit 40 is fabricated from typical tube material and is sealed at each of its two ends 52. A plurality of holes 50 in the inner fluid conduit allow fluid to exit the inner fluid conduit and to flow to the internal surface of sponge blade 34. Detail "C" shows a typical hole 50 and end 52.

The multi-blade assembly described in embodiments of the current invention is not limited to include two wiper blades and one sponge blade. Additional wiper blades (3, 4, etc.) and correspondingly additional sponge blades (2, 3, etc.) are part of embodiments of the current invention, mutatis mutandis.

It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.