MULTIFUNCTION WIPER BLADE CONNECTOR AND ASSEMBLY

摘要

A universal connector (100) is adapted to connect a wiper blade assembly (20, 102) with a variety of wiper arm ends (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316). In order to connect side pin type wiper arm ends (302, 304, 306), the connector includes a pin hole (216) having a figure "8" shape defined by larger and smaller overlapping lobes (218, 220). A flexible tongue (222) carried by the connector (100) includes a pair of scalloped pawls (224, 226) aligned with the respective larger and smaller lobes (218, 220) so as to engage either a 1/4" or 3/16" wiper arm side pin (302-306). In order to connect wiper arm ends having hook slots (310, 312, 314 316), the connector (100) includes a generally planar upper landing (204), a generally planar lower return (206), and a forward nose profile (208). Sides (210) include cantilevered extensions (212) projecting beyond the nose profile (208) and which carry a pair of 9x4 stops (214) set below the plane of the lower return (206) by a clearance gap. When assembling a 9x3 hook end (316), the 9x4 stop (214) is bypassed entirely due to the clearance gap. However, when a 9x4 hook arm (310, 312, 314) is used, the 9x4 stops (214) retain the hook arm (310, 312, 314) in position.