| 摘要 |
<p>A wiper assembly (90) for surface maintenance vehicles (20) has a non-destructive failure mode when impacting stationary objects, or otherwise becoming subject to instantaneous or rapidly increasing resistance to forward movement, due to an improved mechanical coupling. Portions (66) of each improved mechanical coupling may either become fully disconnected if the stress force reaches a threshold force value or recoils to the original mounting location after absorbing forces that are less that the threshold force value. The threshold value force is designed to avoid damage to the wiper assembly (90), the articulated mounting member (40)(if any), and the maintenance vehicle (20) itself. The improved mechanical coupling utilizes a resilient, deformable member (66) that adds a modicum of additional travel in response to stress forces imparted to a wiper assembly (90). Accordingly, the teaching of the present invention may be applied to previously manufactured surface maintenance equipment and vehicles in the form of retrofitted mechanical couplings, requiring modest engineering and re-installation efforts.</p> |
