a2, United States Patent
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,523,218 B1
`Kotlarski
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Feb. 25, 2003
`
`
`US006523218B1
`
`(54) WIPER BLADE FOR WINDOW PANES OF
`MOTOR VEHICLES
`
`9/2002 De Block ............. 15/250.201
`6,449,797 BL *
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Thomas Kotlarski, Bad Neuenahr (DE)
`
`(73) Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart (DE)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`1028896
`DE
`* AIISQ eececcccseees 15/250.43
`14 30 589 A
`DE
`12/1968
`1 505 357
`DE
`5/1969
`15 05 397 A
`DE
`10/1969
`196 27 115 A
`DE
`1/1998
`0316114
`EP
`* 5/1989 ees 15/250.43
`
`1239780
`FR
`eee 15/250.44
`*
`F/1960
`
`2222855
`FR
`eee 15/250.43
`* 10/1974
`2222853
`FR
`09/601,747
`(21) Appl. No.:
`* 10/1994 eee 15/250.43
`
`GB 1429820 A—-3/1976
`(22) PCT Filed:
`Sep. 19, 1999
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT/DE99/03015
`
`§ 371 (c)(1),
`(2), (4) Date:
`
`Sep. 15, 2000
`
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: W0O00/34090
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Jun. 15, 2000
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Dec. 7, 1998
`
`(DE) woes eee ceeceeeeeceeeecnaeeene 198 56 300
`
`Int. C1?eee B60S 1/38; B6O0S 1/40
`(SL)
`(52) US. Ch. ce ceceeeceeneeeenenes 15/250.201; 15/250.43;
`15/250.32; 15/250.48
`(58) Field of Search... 15/250.201, 250.43,
`15/250.44, 250.32, 250.361, 250.453, 250.452,
`250.451, 250.48
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5/1967 Ludwig ........ 15/250.43
`3,317,945 A *
`8/2001 Kotlarski et al.
`...... 15/250.201
`6,279,191 B1 *
`6,295,690 B1 * 10/2001 Merkelet al.
`......... 15/250.201
`
`
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Gary K. Graham
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Michael J. Striker
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A wiper blade (10) for windows of motor vehicles is
`proposed, which is equipped with an elastic, elongated
`support element for an elongated wiper strip (22), which
`strip comprises a flexible material and can be placed against
`the window (28) to be wiped with a wiper lip (30) and which
`on its long sides has opposed longitudinal grooves (34), in
`which spaced-apart longitudinal rails (32) of the support
`element (12) are located, which rails are secured in the
`grooves(34) by at least one retainer (36,38,40) that spans the
`spacing on the side of the support element (12) remote from
`the wiper lip (30). A spoiler (23) extendsin the longitudinal
`direction of the support element, and for each retainer
`(36,38,40),
`the spoiler has a recess (46,48,50), which
`extends crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the wiper
`blade (10). The outer profile of the retainer is at
`least
`approximately adapted to the profile of the spoiler.
`
`10 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`38 if,
`
`B
`
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`2
`40
`
`
` 24
`
`aw
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 1
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 6,523,218 Bl
`
`Feb. 25, 2003
`
`‘Bi‘ze/ZBIgCELgg
`
`NEC:/cle
`ceCEE=SBiLEZgg
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`EE
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`LS9g
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 2
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 2
`
`

`

`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 6,523,218 Bl
`
`Feb. 25, 2003
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 3
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 25, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 6,523,218 B1
`
`
`
`Fig. 6
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 4
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 4
`
`

`

`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 6,523,218 Bl
`
`Feb. 25, 2003
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 5
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 6,523,218 Bl
`
`
`
`Feb. 25, 2003
`
`71
`
`GLBlyas
`1.i|0zy8%az
`aREZ
`
`S17
`
`8
`
`niBiy9
`
`§
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 6
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 6
`
`

`

`US 6,523,218 B1
`
`1
`WIPER BLADE FOR WINDOW PANES OF
`MOTOR VEHICLES
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`clasps a respective one of the two longitudinal rails on its
`longitudinal edges.
`To lend the retainer the stability required during operation
`of the wiper blade, the groovelike recess, in the spoiler is
`filled by a body of the retainer, which body has the exten-
`sion.
`
`In wiper blades, the support elementis intended to assure
`the most uniform possible distribution, over the entire field
`To achieve an attractive appearance of the wiper blade, in
`swept by the wiper blade, of the contact pressure of the
`terms of the length of the wiper blade, the length of the
`wiper blade on the window, whichpressure originates in the
`retainer is adapted to the length of the groovelike recess.
`wiper arm. Because of an appropriate curvature of the
`Since in the course of time the material comprising the
`unstressed support element —that is, when the wiper blade
`wiperstrip and the spoiler integrally joined to it ages, which
`is not resting on the window—the ends of the wiperstrip,
`is associated with a certain shrinkage, air gaps can arise
`which in wiper blade operation are placed fully against the
`between the retainers and the end faces, toward them,of the
`window, are urged by the then-tensed support element
`spoiler portions; these gaps can lead to the disadvantages
`toward the window,even if the radii of curvature of spheri-
`already mentioned in terms of appearance and noise rein-
`cally curved vehicle windows differ in each wiper blade
`forcement. In a refinement of the invention, this can be
`position. Accordingly, the curvature of the wiper blade has
`hindered by providing that the retainer is provided with a
`to be somewhatgreater than the greatest curvature measured
`wall, which extends longitudinally of the wiper blade and
`in the field to be swept of the window to be wiped. The
`which covers a peripheral region of the spoiler, adjacent to
`support element
`thus replaces the complicated support
`the recess, on the back wall on the spoiler, remote from the
`bracket construction with two spring rails, disposed in the
`leading-edge face.
`wiper strip, as they are used in conventional wiper blades
`Anotherpossible way of overcoming the above disadvan-
`(German patent disclosure DE-OS 15 05 357.)
`tages is obtained if the body of the retainer, on its face end
`The invention is based on a wiper blade as generically
`toward the recess wall of the spoiler, is provided with a
`defined by the preamble to claim 1. In a known wiperblade
`recess, into which the spoiler plunges with a respective end
`of this type (DE 196 27 115.0 A1) must be provided with a
`piece.
`separate wind repelling strip, or spoiler, if the tendencies of
`Expediently, the retainer is made fromaplastic.
`the wiper blade to lift away from the windowatrelatively
`high travel speeds are to be averted. If this spoiler is to be
`Further advantageous refinements and features of the
`disposed on the side of the support element remote from the
`invention are disclosed in the ensuing description of exem-
`window, difficulties can arise in replacing the used wiper
`plary embodiments, shown in the associated drawing.
`strip, at least whenever this replacement is done by the end
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`user of the wiper blade. That is, this process requires not
`only the replacement of the wiper strip but further installa-
`tion work with regard to the spoiler.
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`In the wiper blade according to the invention, as defined
`by the characteristics of the body of claim 1, it is possible for
`this spoiler to be formed integrally and economically onto
`the wiper strip;
`the recesses make an inconspicuous,
`problem-free placement of the retainers possible. Special
`installation steps for the spoiler are dispensed with. Because
`of the adaptation of the outer profile of the retainer to the
`profile of the spoiler, the spoiler remains operative over its
`full length, because no gaps that impair the contact pressure
`distribution remain. Even edges that occur at the recesses
`and can lead to an undesired reinforcementof the wind noise
`
`occurring in the wiper blade are covered bytheretainers.
`For attaching the wiper blade to a driven wiper arm,the
`retainer is disposed in the longitudinal middle portion of the
`support element and is provided with means for attaching a
`wiper arm of this kind.
`To avoid the risk of injury from the sharp-edged ends of
`the longitudinal rails when a person is manipulating the
`wiper blade, at least one retainer is disposed on one end of
`the support elementand is provided with meansfor covering
`the end edges of the longitudinal rails.
`In the case of especially long wiper blades, it has proved
`advantageous if a further retainer is disposed between the
`retainer disposed in the longitudinal center portion and the
`retainer disposed on the end of the support element, because
`this prevents a portion of a longitudinal rail from snapping
`out of its longitudinal groove, with the attendant loss of
`wiping quality.
`Simple securing of the longitudinalrails in their longitu-
`dinal groovesis attained if each retainer, with at least one kt,
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`In the drawing:
`FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a wiper
`blade embodied according to the invention and attached to
`a driven wiper arm;
`FIGS. 2-4 each show a plan view on variously embodied
`wiper blade support elements;
`FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of approximately
`half of the wiper blade of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 6 shows a cross section through the wiper blade of
`FIG. 5 along the line VI—VI;
`FIG. 7 showsthe arrangement of FIG. 5 after ageing of
`the wiper strip and of the spoiler belongingto it;
`FIG. 8, in a view corresponding to FIG. 5, shows another
`embodiment of the wiper blade of the invention;
`FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a retainer, belonging to the
`wiper blade of FIG. 8 and embodied as a connection device;
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a retainer, embodied for
`covering the longitudinal rail end edges, for the wiper blade
`of FIG. 8;
`FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a retainer, disposed
`between the connection device and the end edges of the
`longitudinal rails, for the wiper blade of FIG. 8;
`FIG. 12 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 of a further
`embodiment of the wiper blade of the invention;
`FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a retainer, embodied as
`a connection device and belonging to the wiper blade of
`FIG. 12;
`FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a retainer, embodied for
`covering the end edgesof the longitudinalrails, for the wiper
`blade of FIG. 12; and
`FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a retainer, disposed
`between the connection device and the end edges of the
`longitudinalrails, for the wiper blade of FIG. 12.
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 7
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 7
`
`

`

`3
`DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`US 6,523,218 B1
`
`4
`as the top side 14 of the support element 12 facing away
`from the window 28. This longitudinal extension 23, which
`extends longitudinally of the wiper strip 22 and adjoins the
`A wiper blade 10, shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, for motor
`longitudinalstrut 42 1s embodied as a spoiler; thatis, its side
`vehicle windowshas a multi-part elongated, spring-elastic
`that during wiping operation is predominantly encountered
`support element 12, which is shownseparately in FIG. 2. On
`by the relative wind (arrow 25 in FIG. 6) is equipped with
`the top side 14 of the support element 12 pointing away from
`a leading-edge throat 44. Forthe retainers 36, 38 and 40, the
`the window—whose surface to be wiped is identified by
`wiper strip 22, which also includes the spoiler 23,
`is
`reference numeral 28—is a connection device 16, with the
`provided, on its side of the support element 12 remote from
`aid of which the wiper blade can be connected separably to
`the wiper lip 30, with recesses 46, 48, 50 oriented trans-
`a wiper arm 18 guided along the body of a motor vehicle. An
`versely to the length of the wiper strip 22; of these, the first
`elongated, rubber-elastic wiper strip 22 is disposed,parallel
`recess 46 is associated with the first retainer 36, the second
`to the longitudinal axis of the support element 12, on the
`recess 48 with the second retainer 38, and the third recess 50
`underside 20 of the support element 12 oriented toward the
`with the third retainer 40. The retainers 36, 38 and 40 span
`window. The free end 24 of the wiper arm 18 is provided
`the spacing by which the two outer longitudinal edges 33 of
`with means knownperse for separably connecting the wiper
`the two longitudinal spring rails 32 are spaced apart by one
`blade to the wiper arm. Corresponding counterpart connec-
`another. FIG. 6 showsthis in particular in terms of a third
`tion means are provided on the connection device 16. The
`retainer 40, shown in cross section. In the region of the
`driven wiper arm 18, which can be moved between turning
`spoiler 23,
`the retainers 36-40 have a cross section that
`points, is urged in the direction of the arrow 26 toward the
`substantially coincides with the cross section of the spoiler
`window to be wiped, whose surface to be wiped is repre-
`23. Each retainer is accordingly also provided with a
`sented in FIG. 1 by a dot-dashed line 28. Since the dot-
`leading-edge throat 44 against which the relative wind 25
`dashed line 28 is intended to represent the greatest curvature
`blows. Seen in cross section, accordingly, each retainer
`of the window surface, it is clear that the curvature of the
`36—40 hasa profile, in the region of the spoiler,that is at least
`wiper blade 10, resting with both ends on the window but
`approximately adapted to the profile of the spoiler. The
`still unstressed,is greater than the maximum curvatureof the
`profile is shaped in such a waythat the spoiler, and thus the
`window. Under the contact pressure (arrow 26), the wiper
`retainers 36, 38 and 40 located in the recesses 46, 48 and 50,
`blade presses with its wiper lip 30, over the entire length
`meet the need of the spoiler for improving the performance
`thereof, against the window surface 28. In the process, a
`of the wiper blade 10 in terms of lifting away from the
`tension builds up in the bandlike, spring-elastic support
`window, even at high travel speeds. Accordingly each
`element 12 that assures a proper contact of the wiper strip
`retainer 36, 38, 40, with its body 41, formsafiller piece that
`22, or wiper lip 30, over its entire length with the motor
`fills the recess 46, 48 and 50, respectively, associated with
`vehicle window.
`the respective retainer. As FIGS. 1 and 5 showin particular,
`the retainer 36 disposed in the longitudinal middle portion of
`the support element 12 is provided with meansfor attaching
`the wiper arm 18. In the exemplary embodiment,
`these
`meansare formed bya transverse bore 52, into which a pivot
`bolt, for instance, can be placed, which is then engaged by
`the wiper arm with a counterpart pivot piece. The two
`retainers 40, each disposed on oneof the ends of the support
`element 12, have a closing wall 54, which serves to cover the
`end edges 56 of the respective support elements 12, 112 and
`212. All the retainers 36, 38, 40, on the side of the retaining
`body 41 oriented toward the support element 12, are pro-
`vided with opposed securing claws 58 (FIG. 6), each of
`which clasps one of the two longitudinal rails 32, trans-
`versely to their length, on their longitudinal edges 33 remote
`from one another. It is indispensable that in the exemplary
`embodiment, each of the longitudinalrails is also covered by
`a longitudinal band 59 of the wiper strip 22 and of the
`longitudinal extension 23, respectively. The sole decisive
`factor is that
`the securing claws 58 fit over the outer
`longitudinal edges 33 of the spring rails 32 and secure them
`in their longitudinal grooves 34 of the wiper strip 22.
`Furthermore,
`the securing claws 58 also assure proper
`securing of each retainer 34, 36, 38 on the wiperstrip 22 and
`thus also assure reliable positioning of each retainer on the
`wiper blade 10. In termsof the length of the wiper blade 10,
`the length 60 of the retainer 36 and the length 62 of the
`retainer 40 are adapted to the length of the associated
`groovelike recesses 46 and 50, respectively.
`However,it has been found that when certain materials or
`mixtures of materials are used to produce the wiperstrip 22
`and the spoiler 23 integrally joinedto it, a certain shrinkage
`ensues in the course of the ageing process, especially in the
`longitudinal direction of the wiperstrip 22, and this can lead
`to the forming of gaps between the spoiler portions formed
`
`As FIGS. 2 and 6 clearly show, in the wiper blade of
`FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the support element 12 is formed by two
`loose, spring-elastic longitudinal rails 32. However,it is also
`conceivable either to join these two longitudinal spring rails
`132 to one another on one end via a crosspiece 133 (FIG. 3),
`or to dispose one crosspiece 233, 234 on each of the two
`ends of the longitudinal spring rails 232 (FIG. 4). With
`regard to the invention, the only significant aspect here is
`that the support element 12 (FIG. 2) or 112 (FIG. 3)or the
`support element 212 of FIG. 4, made preferably from spring
`band steel has two spaced-apart longitudinal rails 32, 132,
`and 232, respectively, which belong to the support element
`or form the support element (FIG. 2).
`The special feature of a first embodiment of the wiper
`blade of the invention will now be described in further detail
`in conjunction with FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawing—which
`essentially corresponds to the embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG.
`6 is particular shows that
`the two longitudinal rails 32
`belonging to the support element 12 rest in longitudinal
`grooves 34 of the wiper strip 22, which are located in a
`commonplane located at a spacing distance from the surface
`to be wiped of the windshield 28. The longitudinal grooves
`34 and thus the longitudinal rails 32 received in them are
`spaced apart from one another. To prevent these longitudinal
`rails 32 from being able to shift transversely to their length
`out of their longitudinal grooves 34, they are secured by a
`plurality of retainers, of which the first retainer 36 is
`disposed in the longitudinal middle portion of the support
`element 12. A further, second retainer 38 is disposed on each
`of the two ends of the support element 12, and a third
`retainer 40 is provided in each case betweenthe first retainer
`and each second retainer 38 (FIGS. 1 and 5). As FIGS. 5-7
`clearly show, the wiper strip 22 extends via a longitudinal
`strut 42, located between the longitudinal grooves 34,as far
`
`10
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 8
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 8
`
`

`

`US 6,523,218 B1
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`5
`by the recesses 46, 48, 50 and the retainer bodies 41. Such
`a situation is shown in FIG. 7, taking as an example the
`exemplary embodimentof the invention shown in FIG. 5.
`The gaps between the spoiler portions and the retainer
`bodies 41 are identified by reference numeral 68. Aside from
`the unattractive appearance of such a wiper blade, these gaps
`68 lead to considerable undesired noise of the wiper blade,
`whichis highly irritating, especially at relatively high travel
`speeds.
`In order to cover these gaps 68, the body of the retainer
`136—in an exemplary embodimentof the invention shown
`in FIGS. 8-11—is provided onits face end toward the recess
`wall of the spoiler with a recess 137 (FIG. 9), into which the
`spoiler 23 plunges with an end piece 141 (FIG. 8). A
`corresponding arrangement
`is provided on the second
`retainer 138 as well, which is disposed on the ends of the
`wiper strip 22 or of the support element 12. The recess
`corresponding to the recess 137 is identified by reference
`numeral 139 in FIG. 10. FIG. 8 also illustrates the plunging
`of the end piece 142 into the recess 139. In this embodiment,
`the third retainer 140 is embodied in bandlike form. It wraps
`around the unsplit spoiler that extends between the two
`retainers 136 and 138. FIGS. 9-11 also show the securing
`claws 58, already mentioned, which clasp the two longitu-
`dinal rails 32 on their outer longitudinal edges 33.
`A further embodiment, shown in FIGS. 12-15, shows
`another possible way of covering the gaps 68, which is
`employed between the facing end faces ofthe first retainer
`236 and with the corresponding faces of the second retainer
`238 and the spoiler, or the facing end faces of the third
`retainer 240 and the end faces, toward it, of the spoiler 23.
`To that end, the back walls 45, located on the back side of
`the leading-edge throat 44, of the respective retainers 236,
`238, 240 are provided, on their peripheral regions adjacent
`to the respective recesses 46, 48, and 58 (FIG. 1), with a
`back wall 242 which extends far enough in the longitudinal
`direction of the wiper blade that a reliable covering of the
`gaps 68 is assured in every operating position of the wiper
`blade 10.
`
`6
`longitudinal rails (32) of the support element (12) are
`located, which rails are secured in the grooves (34) by at
`least one retainer (36, 38, 40) that spans a spacing between
`sides of the support element (12) remote from the wiper lip
`(30), characterized in that the wiper blade (10), on the side
`of the support element (12) opposite the wiper lip (30), is
`provided with a spoiler (23) having an outer profile, extend-
`ing in the longitudinal direction of the support element, and
`for eachretainer (34, 36, 38), the spoiler has a recess (46, 48,
`and 50, respectively) receiving said at least one retainer,
`whichrecess, extends crosswise to the longitudinal direction
`of the wiper blade (10), and in transverse cross section, an
`outer profile of the at least one retainer located in the region
`of the spoiler (23) is at least approximately adapted to the
`outer profile of the spoiler.
`2. The wiper blade of claim 1, characterized in that the at
`least one retainer (36, 136, 236, respectively) is disposed in
`a longitudinal center portion of the support element (12) and
`is provided with means (52)for attaching a driven wiper arm
`(18).
`3. The wiper blade of claim 2, characterized in that an
`additional retainer (38) is disposed on one end of the support
`element (12) and is provided with means (54) for covering
`end edges (56) of the longitudinal rails (32).
`4. The wiper blade of claim 3, characterized in that a
`further retainer (40) is disposed between the retainer (36)
`disposed in the longitudinal center portion and the additional
`retainer (38) disposed on the end of the support element
`(12).
`5. The wiper blade of claim 1, characterized in that each
`retainer (36, 38, and 40, respectively), with at least one claw
`(58), clasps a respective one of the two longitudinal rails
`(32) on a longitudinal edges (33).
`6. The wiper blade of claim 5, characterized in that the at
`least one recess (46, 48, 50, respectively), in the spoiler (23),
`is groove-shaped andis filled by a body (41)of the at least
`one retainer.
`7. The wiper blade of claim 6, characterized in that in
`terms of the length of the wiper blade (10), a length of the
`at least one retainer (60 w and 62) is adapted to a length of
`It is a commonfeature of all the exemplary embodiments
`the groove-shaped recess (46 and 50, respectively).
`that the wiper blade 10, on the top side of the support
`8. The wiper blade of claim 7, characterized in that the at
`element 12 opposite the wiper lip 30, is provided with a
`least one retainer (236, 238, 240) is provided with a wall
`spoiler 23, extending in the longitudinal direction of the
`(242), which extends longitudinally of the wiper blade (10)
`support element, and this spoiler has one recess 46, 48 and
`and which covers a peripheral region of the spoiler (23),
`50 for each respective retainer 36, 38, and 40, the retainers
`adjacent to the recess, on a back wall on the spoiler, remote
`preferably being madeofa plastic, which extends crosswise
`from a leading-edge face (44).
`to the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 10, and when
`9. The wiper blade of claim 8, characterized in that the
`seen in cross section,
`the outer profile of the respective
`body (41) of the at least one retainer (136 and 138), on its
`retainer, located in the region of the spoiler 23, is at least
`face end toward a recess wallof the spoiler (23), is provided
`approximately adapted to the profile of the spoiler.
`with a recess (137 and 139, respectively), into which the
`Whatis claimedis:
`spoiler (23) plunges with a respective end piece (141 and
`1. An elongated wiper blade (10) for windows of motor
`142).
`vehicles, having an elastic, elongated support elementfor an
`10. The wiper blade of claim 1, characterized in that the
`elongated wiper strip (22), which strip comprises a flexible
`at least one retainer (36, 38, 40; 136, 138, 140; 236, 238,
`material and can be placed against the window (28) to be
`240) is made fromaplastic.
`wiped with a wiperlip (30) and which onits long sides has
`*
`*
`*
`*
`*
`opposed longitudinal grooves (34), in which spaced-apart
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 9
`
`Costco Exhibit 1021, p. 9
`
`