Windshield wiper having a coupler with positive locking features

摘要

A windshield wiper assembly adapted to be mounted to the attachment portion of a wiper arm including a coupler assembly mounted to a wiper blade and serving to interconnect the wiper blade to the wiper arm. The coupler assembly includes a coupler having a body with a pair of sidewalls, a channel defined between the sidewalls and extending substantially parallel thereto. The channel is adapted to cooperatively receive the attachment portion of the wiper arm. A latching mechanism is operatively mounted to the body and movable between an open position spaced from the channel and a closed position disposed over the channel to secure the attachment portion of the wiper arm between the latching mechanism and the body thereby securing the coupler to the attachment portion of the wiper arm.

主权项

1. A windshield wiper assembly adapted to be mounted to the attachment portion of a wiper arm that imparts reciprocal motion to the windshield wiper assembly across a surface to be wiped, said windshield wiper assembly comprising:
a wiper blade adapted to contact the surface to be wiped; a coupler assembly operatively mounted to said wiper blade and serving to interconnect said wiper blade to the wiper arm; said coupler assembly including a coupler having a body including a pair of sidewalls, a channel defined between said sidewalls and extending substantially parallel thereto so as to define a longitudinal axis of said body, said channel adapted to cooperatively receive the attachment portion of the wiper arm, said channel further including a pair of lugs disposed in spaced relationship with respect to each other and extending upwardly from said channel, said lugs adapted to be received in corresponding holes defined in the attachment portion of the wiper arm so as to prevent the wiper arm from moving longitudinally relative to said body; and a latching mechanism operatively mounted to said body and moveable between an open position spaced from said channel and a closed position disposed over said channel to secure the attachment portion of the wiper arm between said latching mechanism and said body thereby securing said coupler to the attachment portion of the wiper arm; said latching mechanism including a locking member, said locking member serving to secure said latching mechanism in said closed position; said locking member including at least one flexible arm, said body defining a retainer, said at least one flexible arm adapted for releasable engagement with said retainer so that said latching mechanism is snap fit relative to said body when in said closed position; said latching mechanism defining a top wall and a pair of sidewalls depending therefrom, said at least one flexible arm having a first portion extending cantilevered from said top wall in a first direction, a second portion spaced from said first portion extending in a direction opposite said first portion and terminating in a distal end, a shoulder formed on said second portion spaced from said distal end, a hinge portion interconnecting said first and second portions such that said second portion flexes upon coming into contact with said retainer to move toward said first portion until said shoulder engages said retainer and locks said latching mechanism in said closed position.