阅读说明：本技术 用于机动车辆雨刮片安装件的适配器 (Adapter for a motor vehicle wiper blade mount ) 是由 S.霍萨特 V.高彻 E.波顿 于 2019-12-13 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及用于雨刮片安装件(400)的适配器(300),适配器(300)包括：盖(200),其配置为容纳在中心开口(230)内；可移除的附接系统(100),当在雨刮片(500)上实施所述适配器(300)时,其允许所述适配器(300)与铰接式雨刮片臂的后续临时紧固。为此,可移除的附接系统(100)包括一个或多个安装构件(120),其采取U形夹的形式,且配置为可移除地插入中心开口(230)中并通过临时紧固装置(110)保持在该配置中。本发明还涉及雨刮片,其包括安装在雨刮片(500)安装件(400)上的这样的适配器(300)。(The invention relates to an adapter (300) for a wiper blade mount (400), the adapter (300) comprising: a cover (200) configured to be received within the central opening (230); a removable attachment system (100) that allows subsequent temporary fastening of the adapter (300) with an articulated wiper blade arm when the adapter (300) is implemented on a wiper blade (500). To this end, the removable attachment system (100) comprises one or more mounting members (120) in the form of U-shaped clips configured to be removably inserted into the central opening (230) and retained in this configuration by temporary fastening means (110). The invention also relates to a wiper blade comprising such an adapter (300) mounted on a wiper blade (500) mount (400).)

1. An adapter (300) for securing a wiper blade (500) mount (400) to an articulated wiper blade (500) arm, the adapter (300) comprising:

-a cover (200) configured to be removably fastened to a main cross bar (410) of the wiper blade (500) mount (400);

-a removable attachment system (100) for removably attaching the articulated wiper blade (500) arm to the adapter (300);

characterized in that the removable attachment system (100) comprises temporary fastening means (110) for temporarily fastening the removable attachment system (100) to the lid (200).

2. The adapter (300) of claim 1, wherein the cover (200) comprises a central opening (230) bounded by two lateral sides (210), the removable attachment system (100) comprising at least one mounting member (120) extending transversely through the central opening (230) between the two lateral sides of the cover (200), each mounting member (120) comprising the temporary fastening means (110) for temporarily fastening to the cover (200).

3. The adapter (300) of claim 2, wherein the at least one mounting member (120) includes a pivot connection bar (130) extending transversely through the central opening (230) between two lateral sides (210) of the cover (200), the pivot connection bar (130) being laterally bounded by two lateral wings (140).

4. The adapter (300) of claim 3, wherein each mounting member (120) comprises one or two lateral wings (140), each lateral wing extending at a lateral end of the pivot connection bar (130).

5. The adapter (300) of claim 4, wherein the one or more lateral wings (140) extend beyond the cylindrical surface (131) in a plane perpendicular to the pivot connection bar (130) of each mounting member (120) such that a tip (141) of the one or more lateral wings (140) is at a non-zero distance from the pivot connection bar (130).

6. The adapter (300) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the temporary fastening means (110) of each mounting member (120) are configured to allow assembly by a complementary shaped engagement between at least one of the lateral wings (140) of the mounting member (120) and a lateral side (210) of the cover (200).

7. The adapter (300) of any of claims 2 to 6, wherein at least one of the lateral sides (210) of the cover (200) comprises a groove (240) formed on one face of the one or more lateral sides (210) located on the side of the central opening (230), the groove (240) extending from a lower edge (201) to an upper edge (202) and/or from the upper edge (202) to the lower edge (201).

8. The adapter (300) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein at least one of the lateral sides (210) of the cover (200) comprises a notch (245) on the lower edge (201) intended to abut against the main crossbar (410), said notch being intended to allow the insertion of a support platform of the main crossbar (410).

9. The adaptor (300) of any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein at least one of the mounting members comprises means for securing to a main cross bar (410) of the wiper blade (500) mount (400).

10. The adaptor (300) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (200) comprises a first longitudinal locking member for locking the cover (200) on a main rail of the wiper blade (500) mount (400), the first longitudinal locking member (250) being configured to place the cover (200) longitudinally against the main rail (410).

11. The adapter (300) of claim 10, wherein the cover (200) includes a second longitudinal locking member (270) for locking the cover (200) to the primary cross bar (410) of the wiper blade (500) mount (400).

12. The adaptor (300) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (200) comprises a transverse centering member (260) for centering the cover (200) relative to a main cross bar (410) of the wiper blade (500) mount (400), the transverse centering member (260) being configured to laterally center the cover (200) on the main cross bar (410).

13. A wiper blade (500) for a motor vehicle, comprising:

-an adapter (300) according to any of the preceding claims;

-a wiper blade (500) mount (400), the mount (400) comprising:

a primary crossbar (410) to which the adapter (300) is removably secured;

two secondary cross bars (420) fastened to the main cross bar (410) and supporting a wiper blade rubber (430).

14. The wiper blade (500) of claim 13, in combination with the adapter (300) of any of claims 2 to 12, wherein the main cross bar (410) comprises:

-a central recess (414) laterally delimited by two lateral edges (413), the central recess (414) in the main crossbar (410) being positioned in line with the central opening (230) in the lid (200);

-a platform (415) extending transversely across the central recess (414) and between the two lateral edges (413), the platform (414) being positioned in line with a removable attachment system (100) of the adapter (300) such that the removable attachment system (100) abuts the platform (414).

15. The wiper blade (500) of claim 14, in combination with the adapter (300) of claim 8, wherein the platform (414) of the main rail (410) is configured to engage in the notch (245) formed in the lateral side (210) of the cover (200).

16. The wiper blade (500) of any of claims 13 to 15, in combination with the adaptor (300) of claim 10, wherein the main cross bar (410) includes a first housing (416) at a first longitudinal end of the central recess (414), the first housing configured to interact with a first longitudinal locking member (250) of the cover (200).

17. The wiper blade (500) of any one of claims 13 to 16, in combination with the adaptor (300) of claim 11, wherein the main cross bar (410) includes a second housing (412) at a second longitudinal end of the central recess (414) opposite the first end, the second housing configured to interact with a second longitudinal locking member (270) of the cover (200).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of wiper blades for motor vehicle windows, and more particularly to an adapter for securing a wiper blade mount to a wiper arm.

Background

In the field of motor vehicles, wiper blade systems are known which are able to wipe the glass panels of the motor vehicle. Typically, such wiper systems include one or more wiper blades that are hinged so that they may move against the glass panel. Each wiper blade includes a wiper rubber adapted to contact the glass panel such that it can remove moisture from the glass panel, and an articulated arm that can hold the wiper rubber in contact with the glass panel to create a pendulum motion against the glass panel.

More specifically, the wiper blade rubber is held by a mount attached to the hinge arm. To facilitate maintenance operations, the mount is removably secured to the articulated arm by an adapter rigidly connected to the mount and configured to be connected to the articulated arm by at least one pivotal connection.

There are, of course, many types of adapters available, depending on the motor vehicle involved, the shape and size of the different mounts and their wiper blade rubbers, and the type of articulated arm to which the mount is to be attached. The variety of mounts and articulated arms is numerous, resulting in a variety of different adapter designs so that each mount can be fitted to a different type of articulated arm, resulting in increased production costs due to multiple runs of different parts to be manufactured. Furthermore, this situation makes the replacement market more complicated for temporary maintenance personnel, since the wiper blade mount and adapter corresponding to the articulated arm mounted on the motor vehicle must be purchased.

Therefore, there is a need for a simplified and rationalized device to allow for the replacement of wiper rubber on a motor vehicle.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least a number of the above problems and to create other advantages by proposing a novel adapter for securing a wiper blade mount to an articulated wiper blade arm.

It is a further object of the present invention to facilitate the connection of such an adapter to several types of articulated wiper blade arms.

It is a further object of the invention to reduce the manufacturing costs of such adapters.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, at least one of the above objects is achieved by an adapter for fastening a wiper blade mount to an articulated wiper blade arm, the adapter comprising (i) a cover configured to be removably fastened to a main cross bar of the wiper blade mount, and (ii) a removable attachment system for removably attaching the articulated wiper blade arm to the adapter, the removable attachment system comprising temporary fastening means for temporarily fastening said removable attachment system to the cover.

Thus, the removable attachment system of the adapter may be removably attached to the lid. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to use a single type of cover to provide several removable attachment systems corresponding to several configurations to secure the articulated arms of the wiper blade to the cover. In particular, it is only necessary to replace a removable attachment system of a first type compatible with the articulated arm of the first type with a removable attachment system of a second type compatible with the articulated arm of the second type, without having to change the cover of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention. More specifically, the removable attachment system of the first type can be easily detached from the cover of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention by uncoupling the temporary fastening means of said removable attachment system of the first type. This makes it possible to make the adaptor compatible with several types of articulated arms, allowing the wiper blade to be coupled with more types of articulated arms.

The adapter according to the first aspect of the invention thus makes it possible to rationalize the replacement of the wiper blade by increasing the complementarity of the corresponding adapter.

The invention according to the first aspect of the invention is particularly intended for the replacement market for wiper systems and/or wiper blades and/or adapters for such wiper blades. The provision of multiple types of removable attachment systems for removably attaching an articulated wiper blade arm to the adapter is made by using the same adapter cover, thus making it easier to connect the same wiper blade comprising such an adapter according to the first aspect of the invention to several types of articulated wiper blade arms.

As a result, a greater number of units forming the cover of the adapter according to the first aspect of the present invention can be manufactured, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced simply by scaling factors.

In the context of the present invention, the following adjectives are defined with respect to the cover of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention:

the adjective "longitudinal" refers to the direction of extension of the cover along its maximum length. The longitudinal direction refers to an axis formed by wiper blade rubber when the adapter is assembled on the wiper blade. As an extension, the longitudinal direction refers to a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the maximum length of the wiper blade;

the adjective "transverse" or "lateral" means a direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, more particularly perpendicular to the two longitudinal extending lateral sides of the lid. When the adapter is coupled to the wiper blade mount, the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis of the cover together form a plane that is parallel to the bearing surface of the cover on the wiper blade mount;

the adjective "vertical" means a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. By way of example, the vertical direction refers specifically to the relative position of the cross bar of the wiper blade mount with respect to the cover according to the first aspect of the invention. As an extension, the adjectives "above" and "below" refer to relative positions along a vertical axis.

The adapter according to the first aspect of the invention may advantageously comprise at least one of the following improvements, and the technical features forming these improvements may be considered individually or in combination:

the cover comprises a central opening laterally delimited by two lateral sides, the removable attachment system comprising at least one mounting member extending transversely through the central opening between the two lateral sides of the cover, each mounting member comprising temporary fastening means for temporarily fastening to the cover. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to house the removable attachment system neatly in the central opening to limit the footprint of the lid. Furthermore, the central opening makes it possible to accommodate a plurality of different types of removable attachment systems and/or a variable number of mounting members forming such removable attachment systems, depending on the different types of coupling between the adapter and the articulated arm. Advantageously, the removable attachment system of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention comprises a single mounting member-to simplify its design and its implementation-or two mounting members-to hold the adapter on the articulated arm more firmly. In case the removable attachment system comprises two mounting members, the mounting members are preferably distributed along the longitudinal axis in the central opening of the cover;

the removable attachment system is configured to be assembled without play in the cover of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention. In particular, each mounting member is inserted between the lateral sides of the cover on either side of the central opening without lateral play. This play-free fitting of the removable attachment system in the cover allows the removable attachment system to be secured in the cover;

the at least one mounting member comprises a pivoting connecting rod extending transversely through the central opening between the two lateral sides of the cover, the pivoting connecting rod being laterally delimited by the two lateral wings. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to connect the adaptor to the articulated arm about a pivoting connection, which in turn makes it possible to improve the pressing of the wiper blade against the glass panel of the motor vehicle;

the pivot connection bar comprises a cylindrical surface extending transversely between two lateral sides of the cover;

according to a first alternative, the cylindrical surface of the pivot connection rod comprises at least one flat portion extending at least partially between the lateral sides of the cover. According to a second alternative, the cylindrical surface of the pivot connection rod comprises two flat portions extending at least partially between the lateral sides of the cover, said flat portions preferably being diametrically opposite each other with respect to the pivot connection rod. These two alternatives respectively make it possible to couple the articulated arm intended to interact with the adaptor according to the first aspect of the invention according to a predetermined configuration of the corresponding mounting member. These advantageous configurations also make it possible to reduce or even prevent the relative sliding of one end of the articulated arm interacting with the cylindrical surface of the pivoting connection of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention;

in order to couple the articulated arm to the mounting member forming the removable attachment system of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention, the cylindrical surface of the pivoting connecting rod comprises at least one channel extending at least partially between the lateral sides of the cover. Advantageously, the cylindrical surface of the pivot connection rod comprises a plurality of channels extending at least partially between the lateral sides of the cover, the channels being regularly distributed angularly around the cylindrical surface with respect to the pivot connection rod;

each mounting member comprises one or two lateral wings, each extending at a lateral end of the pivot connection rod. In a plane perpendicular to the pivot connection bar of each mounting member, the lateral wings or wings extend through the cylindrical surface such that the distal ends of one or more of the lateral wings are at a non-zero distance from the pivot connection bar. The mounting member thus has an L-shaped profile when it comprises only a single lateral wing at one of its lateral ends; when the mounting member comprises two lateral wings, each at a different lateral end of the pivotal connection bar, the mounting member then has a U-shaped profile. These different configurations make it possible to facilitate the assembly of the mounting member with the cover by increasing the facing surface between (on the one hand) the lateral wing or wings of the mounting member or members forming the removable attachment system and (on the other hand) the lateral side of the cover. These configurations advantageously make it possible to improve the mechanical coupling between the removable attachment system thus formed and the cover of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention;

the temporary fastening means of each mounting member are configured to allow assembly by means of a complementary-shaped engagement between at least one of the lateral wings of the mounting member and the lateral side of the cover. This advantageous configuration allows the user to achieve a simple and quick coupling, facilitating the interchangeability of the removable attachment system on the cover of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention;

to this end, at least one, and preferably both, of the lateral sides of the cover comprise a groove formed on one face of one or more lateral sides located on the side of the central opening, the groove extending from the lower edge to the upper edge and/or from the upper edge to the lower edge. In other words, the grooves are formed on the faces delimiting one or both lateral sides of the central opening in the lid, facing the central opening. This configuration advantageously allows the position of the removable attachment system to be predefined when the removable attachment system is mounted in the central opening in the cover. Furthermore, the one or more grooves allow for easy insertion of the removable attachment system into the cover. In case each lateral side of the cover comprises a groove, it is then advantageous that the two grooves are longitudinally aligned with each other and with respect to the central opening. For example, this configuration advantageously makes it possible to predetermine the mounting direction of the corresponding pivoting connecting rod perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cover;

the one or more grooves formed in the one or more lateral sides are preferably straight and vertically oriented;

according to a particular alternative embodiment, one or more grooves formed on one or more lateral sides of the lid extend from the lower edge and towards the upper edge of the corresponding lateral face of the lid, the one or more grooves being blocked at the upper end by the rim. This advantageous configuration allows the insertion of the corresponding mounting member from the lower edge of the cover, the mounting member being inserted until it abuts against the rim to define the vertical position of the mounting member relative to the cover. Furthermore, this advantageous configuration makes it possible to fix the mounting member in the groove with respect to a vertical upward movement, thus ensuring a better retention when the adapter interacts with the hinge arm with which it is to interact;

the dimensions of the grooves considered along the longitudinal axis of the cover are substantially equal to the dimensions of the lateral wings of the pivoting mounting member considered along the longitudinal axis, so as to be assembled without lateral play of the mounting member in each of the opposite grooves of the lateral sides of the cover. More generally, the shape and/or size of one or more grooves is substantially identical-within assembly tolerances-to the shape and/or size of the lateral wings of the corresponding mounting member, so as to allow coupling by engaging the complementary shape of said lateral wings in the facing grooves. Thus, each mounting member is configured to allow its insertion into a central opening in the cover, inside the groove, or between two grooves laterally facing each other and formed in the lateral sides of the cover;

at least one of the lateral sides of the cover, and preferably both lateral sides, comprises a notch on the lower edge intended to abut against the main crossbar, intended to allow the insertion of the support platform of the main crossbar. This advantageous configuration makes it possible in particular to predefine the relative position of the cover with respect to the main cross bar of the wiper blade mount with which it is intended to interact;

-a notch formed on at least one lateral side of the cover extends towards the upper edge, the notch being located in the extension of a corresponding groove in said corresponding lateral side;

the dimensions of the recess considered along the longitudinal axis of the lid are equal to or significantly greater than the dimensions of the groove considered along the longitudinal axis of the lid. In this case, "significantly greater" means that the dimension of the notch considered along the longitudinal axis of the lid is equal to the dimension of the corresponding groove considered along the same longitudinal axis, plus one tenth or one tenth of a millimetre;

at least one of the mounting members comprises means for securing to a main cross bar of the wiper blade mount. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to improve the mechanical coupling of the removable attachment system by mechanically coupling one or more mounting members to the main crossbar, thereby reducing the risk of the corresponding mounting member being pulled out from the cover of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention;

-the means for fixing at least some, preferably each, mounting member is a snap fastening means configured to snap into a complementary means formed on the main bar of the wiper blade mount;

in order to facilitate the assembly of the mounting member forming the removable attachment system of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention, the fixing means are located at the lower end of at least one lateral wing of the mounting member, preferably each lateral wing of the mounting member. In the case where the mounting member comprises a pivotal connection bar, the lower end of the lateral wing of the mounting member is the distal end of the lateral wing relative to the pivotal connection bar.

The cover of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention comprises a first longitudinal locking member for locking the cover on the main bar of the wiper blade mount, the first longitudinal locking member being configured to place the cover longitudinally against the main bar. This advantageous arrangement makes it easy to mount the adapter on the main rail of the wiper blade mount. Furthermore, by improving the mechanical coupling between the lid and the main crossbar, the risk of the lid being pulled off the main crossbar is reduced. Advantageously, the first longitudinal locking member takes the form of a rigid tongue projecting from the cover at a first longitudinal end thereof, the rigid tongue being configured to interact with a first complementary housing in the main crossbar.

The cover of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention comprises, in addition to the first locking member, a second longitudinal locking member for locking the cover on the main bar of the wiper blade mount. This advantageous arrangement makes it easy to mount the adapter on the main rail of the wiper blade mount. Furthermore, by improving the mechanical coupling between the lid and the main crossbar, the risk of the lid being pulled off the main crossbar is reduced. In particular, the second longitudinal locking member is advantageously located at a second longitudinal end of the cover, opposite the first end of the cover, the second longitudinal locking member taking the form of a flexible tongue configured to interact with a second complementary housing in the main crossbar by snap fastening. Thus, the flexible tongue acts as a press, so that the second longitudinal locking member can be snapped into/out of its second complementary housing;

the cover comprises a lateral centering member for centering the cover with respect to the primary cross bar of the wiper blade mount, the lateral centering member being configured to laterally center the cover on the primary cross bar. This advantageous arrangement makes it easy to place the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention in position on the wiper blade mount; furthermore, the lateral centering member reduces the risk of the cover being pulled off the main rail, in particular with respect to lateral forces generated when using the wiper blade on a motor vehicle;

the lateral centering member of the cover comprises at least one centering projection extending from a lower edge of the cover and in an extension of at least one lateral side of said cover, each centering projection being configured to interact with a corresponding lateral side of the main crossbar. Thus, each lateral side of the cover comprises one or more centering projections which together make it possible to laterally center the cover on the main crossbar with which it is intended to interact. In case the lateral sides of the lid comprise several centering projections, then each lateral side preferably comprises an equal number of centering projections distributed longitudinally along said lateral side. According to a first alternative, the centering projection or projections take the form of prismatic projections extending in extension of the lateral sides of the lid. In this first alternative, the lateral thickness of the centering projection or projections considered in the lateral direction of the cover may be smaller than the lateral dimension of the corresponding lateral side of said cover. In this case, the one or more centering projections are preferably located on the sides of the central opening in the transverse direction of the lid, so that the side walls of the one or more centering projections are coplanar with the walls on the corresponding lateral sides of the lid. According to a second alternative, the centering projection or projections take the form of anchoring hooks projecting below the lateral sides of the cover. In the transverse plane of the cover, the one or more hooks forming the one or more centering projections have an L-shaped profile. In this second alternative, the centering projection is optionally located on a platform of the cover, longitudinally located between the longitudinal end and a central opening in said cover, the platform connecting the two lateral sides of the cover and defining the longitudinal extent of the central opening;

advantageously, the cover has a median longitudinal plane, with respect to which the cover is symmetrical. In addition to or instead of the overall longitudinal symmetry of the cover, the one or more grooves present on each lateral side of the cover are advantageously symmetrical to each other with respect to a median longitudinal plane, and/or the first and/or second median longitudinal locking member, respectively, are symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane, and/or the lateral centering member of the cover is symmetrical with respect to a median longitudinal plane;

the adapter or cover and/or the removable attachment system according to the first aspect of the invention are made of plastic in order to reduce manufacturing costs. As a non-limiting example, the cover of the adapter and/or the removable attachment system are obtained by moulding.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a motor vehicle wiper blade comprising an adaptor according to the first aspect of the invention or according to any one of its improvements, and a wiper blade mount comprising (i) a main cross-bar to which the adaptor is removably secured, and (ii) two secondary cross-bars secured to the main cross-bar and supporting wiper blade rubber.

Thus, the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention is coupled to the mount on its main cross bar in order to allow subsequent coupling of the wiper blade with the articulated wiper system arm. Thus, as explained above, a single adapter may be used to select a removable attachment system corresponding to a corresponding articulated arm in order to make the wiper blade compatible with multiple wiper systems at low cost.

The wiper blade according to the second aspect of the present invention may advantageously comprise at least one of the following improvements, and the technical features forming these improvements may be considered individually or in combination:

the main crossbar comprises (i) a central recess laterally bounded by two lateral edges, the central recess in the main crossbar being positioned in line with the central opening in the cover, and (ii) a platform transversely passing through the central recess and extending between the two lateral edges, the platform being positioned in line with the removable attachment system of the adapter such that the removable attachment system abuts against the platform. More specifically, the lower edge of at least one lateral wing of each mounting member forming the removable attachment system of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention abuts against the platform of the main cross bar of the wiper blade mount according to the second aspect of the invention;

the dimensions considered of the platform in the longitudinal direction of the cover are greater than or equal to the dimensions considered of the one or more mounting members at their lateral wings. This advantageous configuration makes it easy to bring one or more mounting members forming the removable attachment system of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention against the platform of the main rail of the wiper blade mount according to the second aspect of the invention;

in the case where the cover of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention comprises a recess formed in a lateral side thereof, the platform of the main crossbar is configured to engage in the recess formed in the lateral side of the cover. In other words, the longitudinal position of the platform of the main crossbar, in particular at its lateral ends, with respect to the longitudinal position of the recess formed in the lateral side of the lid and/or the dimensions of the platform, is such as to allow the platform to fit, preferably with a longitudinal and/or vertical play of a fraction of a millimeter, in the recess when the lid is mounted on the main crossbar. As mentioned above, this advantageous arrangement makes it possible to predetermine the relative position of the cover with respect to the main crossbar. Moreover, this advantageous configuration also makes it possible to prevent errors, so that the cover is mounted on the main crossbar in only one possible configuration;

the main crossbar comprises, at a first longitudinal end of the central recess, a first housing configured to interact with a first longitudinal locking member of the cover. In particular, the first housing in the main crossbar is configured to receive a rigid tongue of the cover. As mentioned above, this arrangement advantageously makes it possible to fix the cover of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention longitudinally and/or vertically with respect to the main rail of the wiper blade mount;

the main crossbar comprises, at a second longitudinal end of the central recess opposite to the first end, a second housing configured to interact with a second longitudinal locking member of the cover. In particular, the second housing in the main crossbar is configured to interact with the flexible tongue of the cover by means of a snap fastening. As mentioned above, this arrangement advantageously makes it possible to fix the cover of the adapter according to the first aspect of the invention longitudinally and/or vertically with respect to the main rail of the wiper blade mount;

according to a first alternative, the main cross bar of the wiper blade mount is made of metal. According to a second alternative, the main cross bar of the wiper blade mount is made of plastic;

in one or other of the above alternatives, the secondary crossbars are advantageously made of plastic, so as to reduce their weight and/or their manufacturing costs.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wiper blade system comprising at least one articulated arm detachably fastened to an adaptor of a wiper blade according to the second aspect of the present invention or according to any one of its modifications, each articulated arm being rotatable about a rotation axis and according to a movement controlled by a motor.

More specifically, each articulated arm is connected to the adaptor of the wiper blade by means of a removable attachment system of said adaptor, preferably forming one or more pivoting connecting rods as described above. This advantageous configuration thus makes it possible to improve the contact of the wiper rubber on the glass panel, for example when implementing the wiper system on a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the wiper blade can thus be easily disassembled and, by adapting the removable attachment system, made compatible with a single wiper blade with a plurality of different articulated arms: by modifying the type of mounting member, the adapter and the articulating arm may be coupled.

Different embodiments of the invention are foreseen, which incorporate various optional features explained herein in all their possible combinations.

Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and several exemplary embodiments given as non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1A to 1E show perspective views of several exemplary embodiments of a removable attachment system for removably attaching an articulated wiper blade arm to an adapter according to a first aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate cross-sectional views along the transverse plane (ZX) of the removable attachment system shown in FIGS. 1B-1E, respectively;

fig. 3A and 3B show perspective views from above and below of a first exemplary embodiment of a cover of an adapter according to a first aspect of the present invention;

fig. 4A and 4B show perspective views from above and below of a second exemplary embodiment of a cover of an adapter according to the first aspect of the present invention;

fig. 5A and 5B show perspective views of a first exemplary embodiment of an adapter according to the first aspect of the invention, disassembled and assembled, respectively, the adapter being obtained by association of the removable attachment system shown in fig. 1A with the cover shown in fig. 3A and 3B;

fig. 6A and 6B show perspective views of a second exemplary embodiment of an adapter according to the first aspect of the invention, disassembled and assembled, respectively, the adapter being obtained by association of the removable attachment system shown in fig. 1B with the cover shown in fig. 4A and 4B;

fig. 7A and 7B show perspective views of a first exemplary embodiment of a wiper blade according to a second aspect of the present invention, disassembled and assembled, respectively, the wiper blade being obtained by the association of the adapter shown in fig. 5A and 5B with a wiper blade mount, the wiper blade rubber not being shown;

fig. 8A and 8B show perspective views of a second exemplary embodiment of a wiper blade according to a second aspect of the present invention, disassembled and assembled, respectively, the wiper blade being obtained by the association of the adapter with the wiper blade mount shown in fig. 6A and 6B.

Of course, the features, alternatives and different embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other in various combinations as long as they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, if the choice of a feature is sufficient to provide technical advantages or to distinguish the invention from the prior art, it is possible to envisage alternatives to the invention, which comprise only the choice of this feature described below in isolation from the other features described.

In particular, all alternatives and all described embodiments can be combined with each other if there are no technical reasons to prevent the combination.

In the drawings, elements common to multiple figures retain the same reference numeral.

Detailed Description

In the following description of the figures, the adjective "longitudinal" refers to the X axis and corresponds to the extension direction of the lid along its maximum length. Hereinafter, the adjectives "front" and "rear" refer to the left-hand side and the right-hand side of the illustrated figure, respectively. The adjective "transverse" or "lateral" refers to the Y axis and corresponds to a direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the adjective "vertical" refers to the Z axis and corresponds to a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. The adjectives "lower" and "upper" refer to the lower edge and the upper edge, respectively, of the figure.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the invention relates to an adapter 300 for fastening a wiper blade 500 mount 400 to an articulated wiper blade arm. Such an adapter 300 will be described in more detail with reference to fig. 5 and 6. The adaptor 300 according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a cover 200 configured to be removably fastened to the main cross bar 410 of the wiper blade mount 400, and a removable attachment system 100 for removably attaching the hinged arm of the wiper blade to the adaptor 300. According to the invention, the removable attachment system 100 comprises temporary fastening means 110 for temporarily fastening said removable attachment system 100 to the cover 200 of the adapter 300.

To facilitate an understanding of the present invention, several exemplary embodiments of a removable attachment system 100 will first be described with reference to fig. 1 and 2; several exemplary embodiments of the cover 200 will then be described with reference to fig. 3 and 4; finally, several exemplary embodiments of the adapter will be described with reference to fig. 5 and 6.

With reference to fig. 1 and 2, the removable attachment system 100 advantageously comprises at least one mounting member 120 intended to be mounted in the cover 200 of the adapter 300. As a non-limiting example, several alternative embodiments of such mounting members 120 are shown, each mounting member 120 being compatible with a particular type of articulated wiper blade arm. One advantage of the present invention is just the modularity of the removable attachment system 100 and the variety of possible shapes of the mounting member 120 intended to be assembled with the cap 200 of the adapter 300.

Generally, the mounting member 120 shown in fig. 1 and 2 takes the form of a clevis intended to extend through a central opening in the cover 200, as will be described with reference to fig. 5 and 6. Such mounting member 120 includes a pivotal connection bar 130 that extends along the transverse axis Y of the adapter 300. The pivot connecting bar 130 is intended to interact with one end of a hinged arm of a wiper blade to which the adaptor 300 is coupled by a pivotal connection-rotating about the pivot connecting bar 130 of the mounting member 120-in order to improve the efficiency of the wiper blade.

The pivot connection bar 130 of the mounting member 120 is laterally delimited by two lateral wings 140, each lateral wing 140 extending at a lateral end of the pivot connection bar 130. Each lateral wing takes the form of a planar wall extending in a plane formed by the longitudinal axis X and the vertical axis Z.

The pivot connection bar 130 is bounded by a cylindrical surface 131, the cylindrical surface 131 extending between two lateral ends of the pivot connection bar 130, more particularly between two lateral wings 140 of the mounting member 120. The cylindrical surface 131 is advantageously formed by a plurality of generatrices parallel to each other and to the transverse axis Y. As can be seen from fig. 1B to 1E and 2A to 2D, the cylindrical surface 131 may take several forms:

fig. 1B and 2A show a first alternative embodiment, in which the cylindrical surface 131 is formed by a quasi-curve C in the form of a semi-circle. In other words, the quasi-curve C is formed by taking: a circular portion C1, in the form of an arc of a circle, connected at each end by a quasi-curvilinear linear portion C2; the linear portion C2, which is the radius of the arc formed by the circular portion C1 of the quasi-curve C, is relative to the pivot connection bar 130 shown in fig. 2A. As a result, the cylindrical surface 131 of the pivot connecting bar 130 includes the flat portion 132, so that the coupling between the mounting member 120 and the hinge arm of the wiper blade may be improved. Thus, in this first alternative embodiment, the cylindrical surface 131 extends equally between the two lateral wings 140 of the mounting member 120;

figures 1C and 2B show a second alternative embodiment, in which the cylindrical surface 131 is formed by a quasi-curve C comprising two circular portions C1 diametrically opposite and symmetrical to each other with respect to the pivot connecting rod 130 shown in figure 2B, each circular portion being connected to each other by a quasi-curve linear portion C2. The two linear portions are diametrically opposed to each other with respect to the pivotal connection bar 130 shown in fig. 2B. As a result, the cylindrical surface 131 of the pivot connecting bar 130 comprises two flat portions 132 which are diametrically opposite each other with respect to the pivot connecting bar 130 and make it possible to improve the coupling between the mounting member 120 and the articulated arms of the wiper blade. Thus, in this second alternative embodiment, the cylindrical surface 131 extends equally between the two lateral wings 140 of the mounting member 120;

figures 1D and 2C show a third alternative embodiment, in which the cylindrical surface 131 is formed by a quasi-curved line C, which comprises (i) two circular portions C4, C8, diametrically opposite each other and symmetrical to each other with respect to the pivoting connecting bar 130 shown in figure 2B, and (ii) a plurality of linear segments C3, C5, C6, C7, forming an asymmetrical shape of the cylindrical surface 130 and making it possible to improve the coupling between the mounting member 120 and the articulated arms of the wiper blade. In particular, the first C5 and second C6 linear segments are perpendicular to each other to form a channel on the cylindrical surface 130 of the mounting member 120. This advantageous configuration also makes it possible to obtain an asymmetrical shape which allows only one configuration for assembling the articulated arms of the wiper blade on the mounting member 120. Thus, in this third alternative embodiment, the cylindrical surface 131 extends equally between the two lateral wings 140 of the mounting member 120;

fig. 1E and 2D show a fourth alternative embodiment, in which, in a central portion with respect to the transverse axis Y, the pivoting connecting rod 130 comprises a plurality of channels 134 delimited by two surfaces 1341, 1342 perpendicular to each other. In other words, in the central portion, the quasi-curve C defining the cylindrical surface 131 thus formed has a substantially cross-like shape, as can be seen in fig. 2D. In the lateral end portion, the cylindrical surface 131 takes the form of a circular sleeve 135, visible in fig. 1E. Thus, in this fourth alternative embodiment, the cylindrical surface 131 does not extend equally between the two lateral wings 140 of the mounting member 120: it comprises a central portion having a first quasi-curvilinear line C, in the form of a cross, flanked by two lateral end portions, each having a second quasi-curvilinear line C of circular shape.

In various alternative embodiments of the mounting member 120, the generatrices defining the cylindrical surface 131 are advantageously perpendicular to the lateral wings 140 of said mounting member 120.

The longitudinal dimension of the lateral wings, with respect to the longitudinal axis X, is at least equal to the longitudinal dimension of the cylindrical surface 131 forming the pivoting connecting rod 130. The pivoting connecting rod 130 is advantageously located in the upper half of the lateral wing 140 with respect to the vertical axis Z.

In the example shown in fig. 1B to 1E, the upper edge 142 of the lateral wing 140 of the mounting member 120 is advantageously located above the cylindrical surface 131 with respect to the axis Z. In contrast, in the example shown in fig. 1A, the upper edge 142 of the lateral wing 140 of the mounting member 120 is located at or below the cylindrical surface 131 with respect to the axis Z.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 1 and 2, the lower edge 141 of the lateral wing 140 of the mounting member 120, which forms the lower extremity 141, is at a distance from the cylindrical surface 131, lower than the latter. The lower edges 141 of the lateral wings 140 of the mounting member 120 are advantageously linear to facilitate abutment of said mounting member 120 against the main cross bar 410 of the wiper blade mount 400, as will be further described below.

Furthermore, as can be seen from the alternative embodiment of fig. 1A, the mounting member 120 may comprise fixing means 145 at the lower edge 141 of its lateral wings 140, the fixing means 145 being used for fixing said mounting member 120 to the main cross bar 410 of the wiper blade mount 400 when mounting the corresponding adapter 300 on said mount 400. In the example shown in fig. 1A, the securing device 145 takes the form of a snap-in fastening device configured to snap into a complementary device formed on the main cross bar 410 of the wiper blade mount 400.

In the context of the present invention, as will be explained in more detail with reference to fig. 5 and 6, the lateral wings 140 of the mounting member 120 form temporary fastening means 110 for temporarily fastening the removable attachment system 100 to the cover 200 of the adapter 300 according to the first aspect of the present invention. In particular, the lateral wings 140 of the mounting member 120 are configured to allow assembly by means of a complementary shaped engagement between said lateral wings 120 and the cover 200 of the adapter 300.

With reference to fig. 3 and 4, two exemplary embodiments of the cover 200 of the adapter 300 according to the first aspect of the present invention will now be described.

The cover 200 takes the form of a buttonhole module extending along the longitudinal axis X. The cover 200 has an elongated narrow shape: it extends longitudinally between a rear end 203 and a front end 204 and it is laterally delimited by two lateral sides 210. The cover 200 is delimited, with respect to the vertical axis, by a lower edge 201 and an upper edge 202.

The exemplary embodiment of the cover 200 shown in fig. 3 and 4 has a plane of symmetry formed by the longitudinal axis X and the vertical axis Z.

The lower edge 201 of the cover 200 forms a planar lower surface 205, the planar lower surface 205 being adapted to press against the main rail 410 of the wiper blade mount 400 when a corresponding adapter 300 is coupled to said mount 400. The upper edge 202 of the cover 200 forms a curved surface, which is required for aerodynamic considerations and allows for optimal coupling of the articulated wiper blade arm to the adapter 300.

Between its two lateral sides 210, the cover 200 comprises a central opening 230, through which central opening 230 the removable attachment system 100 is intended to be temporarily fitted and fastened to said cover 200 by means of temporary fastening means 110. In the example shown in fig. 3 and 4, the central opening 230 has an elliptical shape. The central opening 230 is a through opening: it opens at both the upper edge 202 and the lower edge 201 of the lid 200. The central opening 230 in the cover 200 is longitudinally bounded by two curved surfaces forming front and rear wings 231 and 232 of said central opening 230. Laterally, the central opening 230 in the lid 200 is delimited by the inner face 233 of the lateral side 210 of the lid 200.

Longitudinally, the cover 200 comprises a front nose 222 and a rear nose 221, which together flank the central opening 230 with respect to the longitudinal axis X. In other words, the rear nose 221 is located between the central opening 230 and the rear end 203 of the cap 200; and the front nose 222 is located between the central opening 230 and the front end 204 of the cap 200. As can be seen in fig. 3A and 4A, respectively, the front nose 222 and the rear nose 221 of the cap 200 form a solid surface on the upper edge 202 of said cap 200. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to improve the aerodynamic performance of the adapter when it is assembled to the mounting 400 of the wiper blade.

In order to interact with the removable attachment system 100, and more particularly with different types of mounting members 120, the cover 200 of the adapter 300 according to the first aspect of the invention comprises, on the side of the inner face 233 of said lateral side 210 delimiting the central opening 230, at least one groove 240 formed on at least one lateral side 210 of the cover. Along the transverse axis Y, each groove 240 opens into a central opening 230 in the cap 200.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 3 and 4, each lateral side of the cover 200 includes a single groove 240. Each recess 240 is advantageously located in a longitudinally centered region of the central opening 230 in the cap 200. Furthermore, the openings 240 on each lateral side 210 face each other with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the lid 200, the first recess 240 on the first lateral side 210 of the lid 200 being located at the same longitudinal distance as the second recess 240 on the second lateral side 210 of the lid 200 with respect to the rear end of the lid 200.

The grooves 240 in the covers 200 facing each other are advantageously of the same size and/or shape. In particular, in a transverse plane comprising a transverse axis Y and a vertical axis Z, each groove 240 has a U-shaped cross section, said groove 240 being delimited longitudinally by two linear vertical walls, while the groove 240 is delimited laterally by a plane wall parallel to the inner face 233 of the corresponding lateral side 210 of the cap 200. In other words, in the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 3 and 4, the groove 240 has a rectangular cross-section.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 3A and 3B, each groove 240 in the cover 200 extends from the lower edge 201 to the upper edge 202 of said cover 200, said groove opening on said lower edge 201 and on said upper edge 202 of the cover 200. This configuration advantageously allows for the insertion of a corresponding removable attachment system 100 from either the lower edge 201 or the upper edge 202 of the cover 200.

In the example shown in fig. 4A and 4B, each groove 240 in the cover 200 extends from the lower edge 201 towards the upper edge 202 of said cover 200. However, unlike the previous embodiment, the groove 240 does not open at the upper edge 202 of the lid 200: they are vertically delimited by a rim 241, said rim 241 forming the upper end of said groove 240. This configuration makes it possible to first define a single direction of insertion of the removable attachment system 100 in the cover 200 from the lower edge 201 to the upper edge 202 of the cover 200. Secondly, this configuration allows the removable attachment system 100 to abut vertically against the rim 241 of the groove 240, as will be described in more detail with reference to fig. 5 and 6.

In the example shown in fig. 4A and 4B, at the lower edge 201 of the main cross bar 410 intended to abut against the wiper blade mount 400, both lateral sides 210 of the cover 200 of the adapter 300 according to the first aspect of the invention comprise notches 245 intended to allow the insertion of the support platform of the main cross bar 410 into said notches 245, as will be described with reference to fig. 8A and 8B. Thus, notches 245 are formed on the lateral sides 210 of the lid 200 and extend toward the upper edge 202 of the lid. The notches 245 are located in the vertically extending portions of the corresponding grooves 240 on the corresponding lateral sides 210 of the cover 200. In particular, the dimensions of the notch 245 considered along the longitudinal axis X of the cap 200 are slightly greater than the dimensions of the corresponding groove 240 considered along the same longitudinal axis X. In the transverse direction Y, each notch 245 is a through notch and opens on each side of the corresponding lateral side 210 of the lid 200.

Advantageously, each notch 245 is located at the same longitudinal distance from the rear end 203 of the cap 200 with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the cap 200. In other words, the notches 245 on each lateral side 210 of the cover face each other. The recesses 245 in the covers 200 facing each other advantageously have the same size and/or the same shape.

In order to allow coupling of the cover 200 to the main cross bar 410 of the wiper blade mount 400 with which the adaptor 300 according to the first aspect of the present invention is intended to interact, the cover 200 comprises a first longitudinal locking member 250. The first longitudinal locking member 250 is configured to place the cover 200 longitudinally against the main crossbar 410. The interaction between the first longitudinal locking member 250 and the primary cross bar 410 of the wiper mount 400 will be described in more detail with reference to fig. 7 and 8.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the first longitudinal locking member 250 is located at the front end 204 of the cover 200. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 4A and 4B, the first longitudinal locking member 250 is located at the rear end 203 of the cover 200.

The first longitudinal locking member 250 takes the form of a rigid tongue configured to interact with a first complementary housing formed on the main beam 410 of the wiper mount 400 by a complementary shaped engagement, as will be described further below. In the example shown in fig. 3 and 4, the first longitudinal locking member 250 takes the form of a prismatic projection which extends in the following manner:

projecting below the lower planar surface 205 of the cover 200, with respect to the vertical axis Z;

projects beyond the front end 204 or the rear end 203 of the cover 200 with respect to the longitudinal axis X, that is to say in a direction away from the front end 204 or the rear end 203 with respect to the central opening 230 in the cover 200;

between the two lateral sides 210 of the cap with respect to the transverse axis Y.

In order to improve the coupling of the cover 200 with the main cross bar 410 of the wiper blade mount 400 with which the adaptor 300 according to the first aspect of the present invention is intended to interact, and as can be seen in fig. 4A and 4B, the cover 200 comprises a second longitudinal locking member 270. The second longitudinal locking member 270 is configured to place the cover 200 longitudinally against the main crossbar 410. The interaction between the second longitudinal locking member 270 and the primary cross bar 410 of the wiper mount 400 will be described in more detail with reference to fig. 8A and 8B.

The second longitudinal locking member 270 is positioned longitudinally opposite the first longitudinal locking member 250. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 4A and 4B, the second longitudinal locking member 270 is located at the front end 203 of the cover 200. The second longitudinal locking member 270 takes the form of a flexible tongue configured to interact with a second complementary housing formed on the primary cross bar 410 of the wiper blade mount 400 by snap fastening, as will be described in further detail below. The second longitudinal locking member 270 comprises a support cap 271 rigidly connected to a U-shaped tongue 272 extending below the lower planar surface 205 of the cover. The U-shaped tongue 272 is resiliently connected to the front nose 231 of the cap 200 by: the material is locally thinned to allow local elastic deformation of the flexible tongues forming the second elastic locking member 270.

To facilitate mounting of the cover 200 on the main cross bar 410 of the wiper blade mount 400 with which the adaptor 300 according to the first aspect of the invention is intended to interact, and to improve the mechanical connection therebetween against lateral pulling forces, e.g. generated when using a wiper arm on a motor vehicle that is in motion and subjected to aerodynamic air currents, the cover 200 comprises a lateral centering member 260 for centering said cover 200 with respect to the main cross bar 410 of the wiper blade mount 400. More specifically, the lateral centering member 260 is configured to laterally center the cover 200 on the main crossbar 410.

The lateral centering member 260 of the lid 200 comprises at least one centering projection which protrudes from the lower edge 201 of the lid 200, that is to say below the lower plane surface 205 with respect to the vertical axis Z.

According to a first alternative shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the lateral centering member 260 comprises two centering projections 261 in the form of anchoring hooks. Each anchoring hook extends vertically below the lower planar surface 205 of the cover 200. In the transverse plane of the cover 200, the anchoring hook forming the central projection 261 has an L-shaped profile, with one end 263 of the longitudinally extending support surface 262 of the anchoring hook being oriented towards the side of the central opening 230 in the cover 200. In a first alternative, the centering projection 261 is located longitudinally in the region of the rear nose 221 of the cap 200.

According to a second alternative shown in fig. 4A and 4B, the lateral centering member 260 comprises a plurality of centering projections 261a-261d distributed longitudinally and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis below each lateral side 210 of the cover 200. More specifically, the cover 200 comprises two sets of four central protrusions 261a-261d, distributed on each lateral side 210 of said cover 200. In this alternative embodiment, each central projection 261a-261d takes the form of a prismatic projection extending along the vertical axis Z and below the lower planar surface 205 of the lid 200 in the extension of the lateral side 210 of said lid 200. The longitudinal dimensions of each of the centering projections 261a-261d are different from each other. On the other hand, each central protrusion 261a-261d of the first set of central protrusions 261a-261d located on the first lateral side 210O of the cover 200 is identical-in shape and size-to a corresponding central protrusion 261a-261d of the second set of central protrusions 261a-261d located on the second lateral side 210 of the cover 200 and facing the corresponding central protrusion 261a-261d of the first set.

In this second alternative shown in fig. 4A and 4B, the lateral thickness of the centering projections 261a-261d, considered along the transversal axis Y of the cap 200, is smaller than the lateral dimension of the corresponding lateral side 210 of said cap 200. More specifically, the lateral thickness of the central projections 261a-261d is advantageously equal to half the lateral thickness of the corresponding lateral flanks 210f considered at said central projections 261a-261 d. Additionally, with respect to the transverse axis Y, the central projections 261a-261d are all located on the sides of the central opening 230 such that the sidewalls of the central projections are coplanar with the inner faces 233 of the lateral sides 210 of the cap 200.

In a second alternative embodiment, each of the central projections 261a-261d is configured to interact with a corresponding lateral side of the main cross bar 410 of the wiper blade mount 400 with which the adaptor 300 according to the first aspect of the present invention is intended to interact.

With reference to fig. 5 and 6, the removable attachment system 100 as described above is assembled on the cover 200 to form an adapter according to the first aspect of the invention. In particular, fig. 5A and 5B show a first exemplary embodiment of an adapter 300 according to the first aspect of the present invention, obtained by associating the removable attachment system 100 shown in fig. 1A with the lid 200 shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the adapter 300 being shown in exploded and assembled views, respectively. Similarly, fig. 6A and 6B show a second exemplary embodiment of an adapter 300 according to the first aspect of the invention, obtained by associating the removable attachment system 100 shown in fig. 1B with the lid 200 shown in fig. 4A and 4B, the adapter 300 being shown in exploded and assembled views, respectively.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 5A and 5B, the mounting member 120 forming the removable attachment system 100 is inserted into the cover 200 at the central opening 230 of the cover 200 by translational movement along the vertical axis Z from above (as shown in fig. 5A) or possibly from below. Since said grooves 240 extend linearly from the lower edge 201 to the upper edge 202 of the cover 200, a double possibility of inserting the mounting member into the corresponding groove 240 in the cover 200 is allowed.

To facilitate the insertion of the mounting member 120 into the groove 240 in the cover 200, the dimensions of the groove 240 considered along the longitudinal axis X are substantially equal to, or even slightly greater within assembly tolerances, than the dimensions of the corresponding lateral wings 140 of the mounting member 120 considered along the same longitudinal axis X.

Once inserted between the two lateral sides 210 of the cover 200, the mounting member 120 is thus fitted without play: it is held in place by the friction of the lateral wings 140 of the mounting member 120 against the facing grooves 240 in the cover 200. The lateral wings 140 of the mounting member 120 thus form temporary fastening means 110 for temporarily fastening said removable attachment system 100 on the cover 200, said temporary fastening means 110 interacting with facing grooves 240 in the cover 200 to assemble the mounting member 120 by means of a complementary shaped coupling and preferably without lateral play. This play-free fit neatly achieves retention of the mounting member 120 in the central opening 230 of the cover 20 between the lateral sides 210 thereof.

As can be seen from fig. 5B, when the mounting member 120 is assembled on the cover 200, the pivot connection bar 130 is located below the upper edge 202 of the cover 200, considered at the corresponding groove 240. Furthermore, when the mounting member 120 is assembled on the cover 200, the fixing means 145, in this case in the form of snap fastening means, is located below the lower edge 201 of the cover 200.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 6A and 6B, the mounting member 120 forming the removable attachment system 100 is inserted into the cover 200 at the central opening 230 of the cover 200 by a translational movement along the vertical axis Z from below (as shown in fig. 6A). In this case, the mounting member 120 may not be inserted into the corresponding groove 240 in the cover 200 from the top of the cover 200. In particular, as described above with reference to fig. 4A and 4B, the groove 240 in the lid 200 extends linearly from the lower edge 201 of the lid 200 and is delimited by a rim 241 forming the upper end of said groove 240.

In a comparable manner to the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 5, in order to facilitate the insertion of the mounting member 120 into the groove 240 in the cover 200, the dimensions of the groove 240 considered along the longitudinal axis X are substantially equal to, or even slightly greater within assembly tolerances than, the dimensions of the corresponding lateral wing 140 of the mounting member 120 considered along the same longitudinal axis X.

Once inserted between the two lateral sides 210 of the cover 200, the mounting member 120 is thus fitted without play: it is held in place by the friction of the lateral wings 140 of the mounting member 120 against the facing grooves 240 in the cover 200. The lateral wings 140 of the mounting member 120 thus form temporary fastening means 110 for temporarily fastening said removable attachment system 100 on the cover 200, said temporary fastening means 110 interacting with facing grooves 240 in the cover 200 to assemble the mounting member 120 by means of a complementary shaped coupling and preferably without lateral play. This play-free fit neatly achieves retention of the mounting member 120 in the central opening 230 of the cover 20 between the lateral sides 210 thereof.

Furthermore, the upper edges of the lateral wings 140 of the mounting member 120 abut against the rim 241 of the groove 240 in the cover 200. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to place the mounting member 120 in abutment vertically upwards with respect to the cover 200, thereby improving the reliability of the mechanical assembly of the removable attachment system 100 in the cover 200 of the adapter 300 according to the first aspect of the invention.

As can be seen from fig. 6B, when the mounting member 120 is assembled on the cover 200, the pivot connection bar 130 is located below the upper edge 202 of the cover 200, considered at the corresponding groove 240. In addition, when the mounting member 120 is assembled on the cover 200, the lower edges of the lateral wings 140 of the mounting member 120 are located above the notches 245 formed in the lateral sides 210 of the cover 200.

With reference to fig. 7 and 8, two exemplary embodiments of a wiper blade 500 according to a second aspect of the present invention will now be described. More specifically, fig. 7A and 7B show partial views of the wiper blade 500 with only the adapter 300 and the main cross bar 410 shown to better highlight their interaction. Fig. 8A and 8B show views of a wiper blade 500 according to a second aspect of the present invention.

Such a wiper blade 500 according to the second aspect of the present invention comprises an adapter 300 according to the first aspect of the present invention and as described before in one of its alternative embodiments or in other alternative embodiments, and a mount 400 comprising:

a main crossbar 410, the adapter 300 being removably attached to the lid main crossbar 410;

two secondary crossbars 420 rigidly connected to the main crossbar 410 and supporting wiper rubber 430, the wiper rubber 430 being adapted to wipe the glass panels of the motor vehicle in order to remove the water present on its surface.

The main cross bar 410 of the windshield wiper mount 400 takes an elongated form along the longitudinal axis X and a narrower form along the lateral axis Y and the vertical axis.

Relative to the longitudinal axis X, the main crossbar 410 includes a central region 409 longitudinally bounded by the front nose portion 408 and the rear nose portion 407. The central region 409 of the primary crossbar 410 is configured to interact with the adapter 300, and more particularly the cover 200. The front nose 408 and the rear nose 407 are configured to interact with the secondary crossbar 420 and comprise means for removably fastening said secondary crossbar 420 to the main crossbar 410.

The central region 409 of the main crossbar 410 has a lateral dimension equal to the lateral dimension of the cover 200 of the adapter 300. More specifically, the lateral edges 413 of the central zone 409 are advantageously located in the extension of the lateral sides 210 of the cover 200. As can be seen in fig. 7B, the lateral edges 413 of the central region 409 are coplanar with the lateral sides 210 of the cover 200.

The longitudinal dimension of the central region 409 is such that it allows the cover 200 to be inserted between the front nose 408 and the rear nose 407 of the main crossbar 410. More specifically, when the adapter 300 is mounted on the main crossbar 410 of the mount 400, the rear end 203 of the cover 200 abuts against the rear stop 419b of the main crossbar 410; and the front end 204 of the cover 200 abuts the front stop 419a of the main crossbar 410. In this manner, the cover 200, and by extension, the adapter 300, is longitudinally secured to the central region 409 of the main crossbar 410.

In the example shown in fig. 7A and 7B, the central region 409 is solid and takes the form of a support platform 415 for the cover 200 of the adapter 300. More specifically, the lower planar surface 205 of the cover 200 is vertically abutted against the support platform 415, thereby making it easy to position and retain it on the main crossbar 410.

To improve the temporary, i.e. removable, mechanical assembly of the adapter 300 on the main crossbar 410, the first longitudinal locking member 250 of the cover 200 interacts with a first housing 416 located at a first front longitudinal end of the support platform 415. More specifically, when assembling the cover 200 on the main crossbar 410, the first longitudinal locking members 250 of the cover 200 are inserted in sequence into the first housing 416 and then moved by rotation under the front nose 408 so that the front end 204 of the cover 200 abuts against the front stop 419a of the main crossbar 410. Next, the rear end 203 of the cover 200 is lifted to the rear stop 419b of the main crossbar 410 to longitudinally secure the cover 200 between the front and rear stops 419a, 419 b.

During this assembly operation, the lid's lateral centering members 260, which in the exemplary embodiment of the lid 200 shown in fig. 7A and 7B take the form of anchoring hooks, are inserted into corresponding openings 418 formed on the support platform 415 of the main crossbar 410 in order to prevent the lid 200 from being pulled down from the main crossbar 410.

To improve the assembly of the removable attachment system 100 of the adapter 300 on the main bar 410 of the wiper blade 500 mount 400, the fixing means 145 of the adapter 300 interact with corresponding openings 417 formed on the supporting platform 415 of the main bar 410, the openings 417 forming complementary means to allow said fixing means 145 to couple with said corresponding openings 417 by means of a complementary shaped engagement (in this case by means of a snap fastening).

In the example shown in fig. 8A and 8B, the central region 409 is hollow and forms a central recess 414 laterally bounded by lateral edges 413 of the main crossbar 410. The main crossbar 410 includes a platform 415 that extends laterally between two lateral edges 413. In this exemplary embodiment, when the adapter 300 is mounted on the mount 400 of the wiper blade 500, the lower planar surface 205 of the cover 200 vertically abuts against the upper end of the lateral edge 413.

To ensure retention of the cover 200 on the main crossbar 410, the lateral centering members 260 of the cover 200, in this case in the form of prismatic projections 261 in the extension of the lateral sides 210 of the cover 200, interact with the lateral edges 413 of the main crossbar 410. More specifically, when the cover 200 is mounted on the main crossbar 410, the prismatic projection 261 of the cover is located in the central recess 414 in the crossbar and, at the same time, abuts against the lateral edge 413 of the directly opposite main crossbar 410. In other words, the prismatic projection 261 is located internally and abuts the lateral edge 413 of the main crossbar 410. Since the cover 200 comprises such prismatic protrusions 261 on each of its lateral sides 210, the lateral centering members 260 and the lateral edges 413 of the main crossbar 410 together allow the cover 200 to be laterally centered with respect to said main crossbar 410.

When the cover 200 is assembled on the main crossbar 410, the support platform 415 is positioned in-line with the removable attachment system 100 of the adapter 300. More specifically, the support platform 415 is positioned in-line with the mounting member 120 of the adapter 300 when the cover 200 is assembled on the main crossbar 410. Still more specifically, when the cover 200 is assembled on the main crossbar 410, the support platform 415 is positioned in line with the lateral wings 140 of the mounting member 120, which are directly below it, such that the tips 141 of the lateral wings 140 abut vertically against the support platform 415 of the main crossbar 410. This advantageous configuration allows the mounting member 120 to be vertically secured between the rim 241 of the recess 240 of the cover and the support platform 415 of the main crossbar 410.

In this assembled configuration, as seen more particularly in fig. 8B, at the lower edge 201 of the cover 200, a notch 245 formed on the lateral side 210 of the cover 200 spans the support platform 415 of the primary crossbar 410. This advantageous configuration makes it possible to provide in particular a single direction of assembly, the supporting platform 415 and the recess 245 together forming a fail-safe means for assembling the adaptor 300 on the main rail 410 of the wiper blade 500 mount 400.

To improve the temporary, i.e. removable, mechanical assembly of the adapter 300 on the main crossbar 410, the first longitudinal locking member 250 of the cover 200 interacts with the first housing 416 at the first rear longitudinal end of the support platform 415, and the second longitudinal locking member 270 of the cover 200 interacts with the second housing 412 at the second front longitudinal end of the support platform 415. More specifically, when assembling the cover 200 on the main crossbar 410, the first longitudinal locking members 250 of the cover 200 are inserted in sequence in the first housings 416 and then moved by rotation under the rear noses 407 so that the rear end 203 of the cover 200 abuts against the rear stops 419b of the main crossbar 410. Next, the front end 204 of the cover 200 is lifted to the front stop 419a of the main crossbar 410 to longitudinally secure the cover 200 between the front stop 419a and the rear stop 419 b. During this rotational movement, the second locking member 270 interacts with the second housing 412 in the primary crossbar 410 by a snap-fit fastening.

In view of the above, the present invention is particularly directed to an adapter 300 for a wiper blade mount 400, the adapter 300 comprising: a cover 200 configured to be received within the central opening 230; a removable attachment system 100 that allows for subsequent temporary fastening of the adapter 300 with an articulated wiper blade arm when the adapter 300 is implemented on the wiper blade 500. To this end, the removable attachment system 100 includes one or more mounting members 120 in the form of a clevis and configured to be removably inserted into the central opening 230 and retained in that configuration by the temporary fastening device 110. The invention also relates to a wiper blade comprising such an adapter 300 mounted on a wiper blade 500 mount 400.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the examples just described, and various modifications may be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the various features, forms, alternatives and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations, as long as they are not mutually incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all alternatives and embodiments described above may be combined with each other.