US006279191B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`a2) United States Patent
`US 6,279,191 B1
`Kotlarski et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Aug. 28, 2001
`
`
`(54) WIPER BLADE FOR CLEANING VEHICLE
`GLASS PANES
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Thomas Kotlarski, Buchlertal;
`Karlheinz Lorenz, Baden-Baden, both
`of (DE)
`
`3,116,507 *
`1/1964 Scinta .
`3,192,551 *
`7/1965 Appel...
`. 15/250.43
`
`3,390,416 *
`7/1968 Scinta ...
`. 15/250.32
`3,408,678 * 11/1968 Linker oe eeeeeee 15/250.32
`3,430,285 *
`3/1969 Rickett .
`4,348,782 *
`9/1982 Fournier oo...eeeeeeeee 15/250.32
`
`(73) Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH,Stuttgart (DE)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`This patent issued on a continued pros-
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent
`term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2)
`,
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`US.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`4/1958 (DE).
`1028896 *
`10/1969 (DE) .
`1505 397
`5/1989 (EP) .
`316114 *
`7/1960 (ER) cesseessessssenstssesnee 15/250.453
`1239780 *
`2222853 * 10/1974 (FR).
`2222855 * 10/1974 (FR).
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`09/242,869
`:
`.
`30,
`(22) PCT Filed:
`Jun. 30, 1998
`(86) PCT No.:
`PCT/DE98/01787
`§ 371 Date:
`Feb. 25, 1999
`§ 102(e) Date: Feb. 25, 1999
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: WO99/02383
`PCT Pub. Date: Jan. 21, 1999
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`(30)
`Jul. 11, 1997
`(DE) weecenenseeneneenes 197 29 864
`(51) Unt. C0? ieceececcccccccceccceeeee B60S 1/38; B6OS 1/40
`(52) US. Che ecesssccccceesssssseeessseee 15/250.201; 15/250.43;
`15/250.32; 15/250.451
`....c.ccccccscse 15/250.43, 250.451,
`(58) Field of Search.
`15/250.452, 250.453, 250.454, 250.44,
`250.32, 250.201
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`Primary Examiner—Gary K. Graham
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Michael J. Striker
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A wiper blade (10) is proposed, which serves to clean
`vehicle windows. The wiper blade has an elongated, strip-
`like spring-elastic support element (12), against one band
`face (48) of which, facing away from the window,a con-
`nection device (16) that can be connected to a driven wiper
`arm (18) is held, and against whose other band face (46),
`facing toward the window, an elongated, rubber-elastic
`wiper strip (14) is disposed parallel to the longitudinalaxis,
`wherein the multi-part support element (12) has two spring
`rails (30, 32), disposed in longitudinal grooves (38, 40)
`facing one another of the wiper strip (14), whichrails are
`secured in the longitudinal grooves by at least one holder
`fitting over their longitudinal edges remote from one
`another. Simplified and thus economical assembly with
`improved wiping performanceis assured if the holder (34 or
`36) is divided in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade
`(10) into holder parts (33, 35), and if further the holder parts
`(33, 35) are joined together.
`
`3,093,856 *
`
`6/1963 Smithers .
`
`14 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 1
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 1
`
`

`

`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 6,279,191 Bl
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`Aug.28, 2001
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 2
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 2
`
`

`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug.28, 2001
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 6,279,191 Bl
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`NS062£_/95
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`£914
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 3
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 3
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 28, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 6,279,191 B1
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`175
`
`116
`
`FIG. 10
`
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 4
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug.28, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 6,279,191 Bl
`
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`99
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`Ge
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 5
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 5
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US 6,279,191 B1
`
`1
`WIPER BLADE FOR CLEANING VEHICLE
`GLASS PANES
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a wiper blade for cleaning
`vehicle windows.
`
`In wiper blades the support elementis intended to assure
`the most uniform possible distribution of the wiper blade
`contact pressure, originating in the wiper arm, on the win-
`dow overthe entire field swept by the wiper blade.
`By meansof a suitable curvature of the unstressed support
`element—that is, when the wiperbladeis not resting on the
`window—the ends of the wiper strip placed completely
`against the window while the wiper blade is in operation are
`stressed by the support element, which is then tensed toward
`the window even if the radii of curvature of spherically
`curved vehicle windows change for every wiper blade
`position. The curvature of the wiper blade must accordingly
`be somewhatgreater than the greatest curvature measured in
`the wiping field of the window to be wiped. The support
`element thus replaces the complicated support bracket con-
`struction with two spring rails disposed in the wiperstrip, of
`the kind employed in conventional wiper blades (German
`Published, Non-Examined Patent Application DE-OS 15 05
`397).
`In a knownwiperbladeof this type (German Patent 10 28
`896), the two spring rails, designated as longitudinal springs
`and belonging to the support element, are secured by one-
`piece spring clamps in the longitudinal grooves, designated
`as slits, in the rubber wiperstrip. The clamps must be thrust
`onto the longitudinal springs in the longitudinal direction of
`the wiper blade, embracing the outer edges of the springs
`with claws. A rib connecting the claws must be curvedto suit
`the thickness of the spine of the wiper strip, which leads to
`unfavorable assembly conditions. A middle clamp, disposed
`in the region of the connection device, must in fact cross this
`device in an aperture, which entails considerable expense for
`assembly, since at least one of the two claws cannot be
`formed until after that.
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with the present invention in a wiper blade
`a holder is divided in a longitudinal direction of the wiper
`blade into holder parts, and the holder parts are joined
`together.
`In the wiper blade of the invention, it is possible for the
`finished holder parts to be brought
`to the wiper blade
`crosswise to the longitudinal length of the support element
`and thus also of the wiper blade and then joined together.
`This kind of assembly is especially economical, because it
`can be performed as needed by assembly robots.
`To improve the wiping performance and quality, a plu-
`rality of holders are expediently distributed over the longi-
`tudinal length of the support element and spaced apart from
`one another.
`
`With relatively short wiper blades, it can suffice for that
`purpose to dispose one holder on each end portion of the
`elongated support element.
`If the connection device is provided with fastening means
`that engage the two spring rails; and the connection device
`is divided in the longitudinal direction of the support ele-
`ment; and the device parts are joined together in their final
`assembled position, then efficient assembly on the support
`element for the connection device is obtained as well.
`
`The design of a wiper blade that is highly effective, even
`at high vehicle speeds, is especially advantageous if the
`
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`2
`region of the wiper strip located on the band face remote
`from the window is embodied as a wind deflector strip
`extending essentially away from the window, and each
`holder is assigned one recess in the wind deflector strip.
`With regard to the structural height of the wiper blade,it
`may be favorable if the connection device is assigned a
`recess in the wind deflector strip. Along with simple
`assembly, reliable securing of the spring rails in the longi-
`tudinal grooves of the wiper strip is attained if the holder
`parts, in clamplike fashion, grip an exposed portion of the
`outer edges of the springrails.
`This embodiment
`is advantageous, with the same
`advantages, for the disposition of the connection device as
`well. Moreover, the installed connection device can contrib-
`ute to seating the springrails, as prescribed, in their middle
`portion in the longitudinal grooves.
`An especially simple, stable and easily installed connec-
`tion device is obtained if the connection device has two
`device parts, and each device part has a flangelike
`protrusion, extending into the longitudinal direction of the
`support element and standing upright on the window and
`extending away from it, on which protrusion connection
`means for the wiper arm are seated.
`Further simplifications in assembly both for the holders
`and for the connection device are obtained if the holder parts
`and/or the connection devices can be interlocked with one
`another.
`
`Further advantageous refinements and features of the
`invention are disclosed in the ensuing description of exem-
`plary embodiments shown in the associated drawing.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`
`Shownin the drawing are:
`FIG. 1, a side view of a wiper blade according to the
`invention;
`FIG. 2, a perspective view of the wiper blade of FIG. 1,
`not to scale;
`FIG. 3, a plan view on the wiper blade of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4, a fragmentary section taken along the line IV—IV
`through the support element, provided with a connection
`device, of the wiper blade of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 5, a section taken along the line V—V through the
`arrangement of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 6, a fragmentary section taken along the line VI—VI
`through the support element of the wiper blade of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 7, a section taken along the line VII—VII through
`the support element of FIG. 3, rotated by 90°;
`FIG. 8, a fragmentary section taken along the line VII—
`VIII through the support element of the wiper blade of FIG.
`3;
`
`FIG. 9, a section taken along the line IX—IX throughthe
`support element of FIG. 3, rotated by 90°;
`FIG. 10, a section through FIG. 5 through a wiper blade
`equipped with a different connection device, with the parts
`of the wiper blade and the connection device shown in the
`position prior to assembly;
`FIG. 11, an arrangement according to FIG. 10 for a
`differently embodied wiper blade, with the parts of the wiper
`blade and connection device shownin their operating posi-
`tion;
`FIG. 12, a section as in FIG. 9 through a wiper blade in
`the region of a holder for the spring rails, the two parts of
`which are interlocked with one another, on a larger scale;
`and
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 6
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 6
`
`

`

`US 6,279,191 B1
`
`3
`FIG. 13, a plan view on a support element of the wiper
`blade of FIG. 2.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`A wiper blade 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3 has a multipart,
`elongated, spring-elastic support element 12, which is
`shown separately in FIG. 13. On the top side of the support
`element, facing away from the window to be wiped, a
`connection device 16 is provided, with the aid of which the
`wiper blade 10 can be separably joined to a driven wiper arm
`18 guided in the body of a motor vehicle. On the underside
`of the support element 12, facing toward the window, an
`elongated, rubber-elastic wiper strip 14 is disposed,parallel
`to the longitudinal axis. On the free end 20 of the wiper arm
`18, a hook acting as a counterpart connection means is
`formed on;
`it grips a pivot pin 22 that belongs to the
`connection device 16 of the wiper blade 10. Securing
`between the wiper arm 18 and the wiper blade 10 is
`performed by securing means, not shown in further detail
`but knownper se and embodied as an adapter. The wiper arm
`18 and thus also the hook on the end 20 of the arm is urged
`in the direction of the arrow 24 toward the window to be
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`wiped, whose surface to be wiped is suggested in FIG. 1 by
`a dot-dashed line 26. Since the dot-dashed line 26 is
`
`25
`
`intended to represent the greatest curvature of the window
`surface, it is clear that the curvature of the wiper blade 10,
`which contacts the window with its two ends, is greater than
`the maximum curvature of the window. Under the contact
`pressure (arrow 24), the wiper blade presses with its wiper
`lip 28 overits entire length against the window surface 26.
`In the process, a tension builds up in the striplike spring-
`elastic support element 12, and this tension assures proper
`contact of the wiper strip 14 or wiper lip 28, overits entire
`length, with the motor vehicle window.
`The particular design of the wiper blade of the invention
`will now be described in further detail. In FIG. 13,
`the
`support element 12 is shownseparately. It is clear from this
`that the support element 12 has twospring rails 30 and 32,
`which are spaced apart from one another. Besides the two
`spring rails 30 and 32,
`the support element 12 in the
`embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 and 13 also includes holders 34
`
`and 36, whose purpose will be explained later. It is also
`suggested in FIG. 13 that the connection device 16, shown
`in dot-dashed lines there, is seated in the middle region of
`the support element 12. The disposition and fastening of the
`connection device 16 to the support element 12, or to its
`spring rails 30 and 32, can best be seen from FIGS. 4 and 6.
`FIG. 12 in particular shows the disposition of the support
`element parts (spring rails 30 and 32) with respect to the
`wiper strip 14. In conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be
`seen that the spring rails 30 and 32 rest in two opposed
`longitudinal grooves 38 and 40 of the wiperstrip 14, which
`are located in the same plane and between which a longi-
`tudinal slit 42 remains in the support element 12 (FIG. 13).
`Extending through this longitudinal slit 42 is a riblike
`constriction 44 of the wiperstrip 14. It can also be seen from
`FIGS. 12 and 13 that the support element 12 has two band
`faces, of which one band face 46 faces toward the window
`to be wiped, while the other band face 48 points away from
`window.It can also be seenthat at least in someportions, the
`two spring rails 30 and 32 protrude out of the longitudinal
`grooves 38, 40 of the wiper strip 14 with their longitudinal
`edges 50 and 52 pointing away from one another. To secure
`the two spring rails 30 and 32 in their longitudinal grooves
`38 and 40,
`two holders are used in this exemplary
`embodiment, of which oneis located on each end portion of
`
`30
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`4
`the spring rails 30 and 32. The two holders 38, 40 are thus
`spaced apart. The holders themselves extend crosswise to
`the longitudinal length of the wiper blade 10 and grip the
`outer longitudinal edges 50 and 52, which are remote from
`one another, of the two spring rails 30 and 32 with clawlike
`protrusions 54. It can also be seen that the holders 34 and 36
`are divided longitudinally of the wiper blade 10, which is
`suggested in FIGS. 2, 3 and 13 by a longitudinal seam 50.
`In actual practice, however, this longitudinal seam 56 will
`not necessarily be embodied as shown in FIGS. 2,3 and 13.
`In order for the holders to perform their securing function
`with regard to the spring rails 30 and 32, the holder parts 33
`and 35, formed by the parting seam 56, mustbe firmly joined
`together after assembly. This can be done for instance by
`welding, adhesive bonding, or some similar production or
`assembly technique, regardless of whether the holders are
`made from a plastic or from metal.
`Oneofa plurality of suitable ways in practice to join the
`two holder parts 33 and 35 to one another will now be
`explained in conjunction with FIG. 12. It can be seen there
`that the holder parts 33 and 35 of the holder 36 are seated
`with clawlike protrusions 54 on their spring rails 30 and 32,
`respectively. Their placement is made such that the protru-
`sions 54 grip the outer edges 50, 52 of the spring rails in an
`exposed portion ofthe spring rails 30, 32. The holder part 33
`grips the wiper strip 14 with a protrusion 58 oriented
`crosswise to the longitudinal length of the wiper blade. A
`U-shaped extension 60 of the holder part 35 in turn fits over
`the protrusion 58 of the holder part 33. The free end portion
`of the U-shaped extension 60 located on the side of the
`holder part 33 fits with its suitably embodied leg 62 of the
`U under an undercut 64 of the holder part 33, so that an
`unintended separation of the holder parts 33 and 35 from one
`anotheris not possible. To mount the two holderparts, that
`is, to put them in the designated operating position, they
`must be pressed against one another in the direction of the
`two arrows 65 and 66, which can be done by utilizing the
`elasticity of the wiper strip 14. Once the interlocking has
`been effected in accordance with FIG. 12, the two holder
`parts 33 and 35 are seated with a residual tension of the
`wiperstrip 14 in their prescribed position as shown in FIG.
`12. The holders may for instance be embodied according to
`FIG. 5, where with a caplike end wall 68 they cover the end
`edges of the spring rails 30 and 32. As a result, a lessening
`in the risk of injury from the sharp end edges of the spring
`rails 30, 32 is achieved. Moreover, by meansof these caplike
`end holders 34, the risk of damageto the vehicle paint or to
`the wiper blade itself can be reduced. However, it is also
`possible to embody the holders as shown in FIG. 8, where
`this end wall is missing and the holder 36 is flush with the
`end edgesof the spring rails 30, 32. The connection device
`16 has a design similar to the holders 34 and 36. As FIG. 2,
`3 and 5 show, the connection device is also divided in the
`longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. This is represented
`by a seam line 72. This seam line 72 extends through both
`a plate part 74 (FIG. 5), which contacts the support element
`12 andgripsthe spring rails 30 and 32 with its claws 70, and
`the pivot pin 22. The claws 70 thus form fastening meansfor
`retaining the connection device 16 on the support element
`12. In an embodiment of the connection device shown in
`FIGS. 2-5, this device has flangelike walls 75, which are
`disposed on the plate part 74 and are spaced apart from one
`another and on each of which half of the also divided pivot
`pin 22 is disposed. The flangelike walls 75 belong to two
`device or base parts 73, which can be joined together along
`the seam line 72 and of which each has a flangelike
`protrusion (wall 75), extending longitudinally of the support
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 7
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 7
`
`

`

`US 6,279,191 B1
`
`5
`element and standing upright from the window and extend-
`ing away from it, on which protrusion the connection means
`for the wiper arm 18, which are formed bythe pivot pin 22,
`are seated. The two parts 73 of the connection device 16,
`with their claws 70, grip an exposed middle portion of the
`outer edges of the spring rails in clamplike fashion. Just as
`has already been explained for the holders 34 and 36, the two
`device parts 73 of the connection device 16 can be joined
`together by means not shownin further detail. Interlocking
`of the two device parts with one another is just as conceiv-
`able as welding or adhesive bonding, for instance.
`Another design of a connection device 116 can be seen
`from FIG. 10. There, flangelike protrusions 175 are again
`provided on the two base parts 174, extending longitudinally
`of the support element and standing relative to the window
`and extending away from it, but these protrusions can be
`joined together in direct contact with one another.
`In
`addition, in this embodimentas well, the base parts 174 grip
`the outer longitudinal edges of the spring rails 30 and 32
`with clawlike protrusions 154, as has already been described
`for the preceding exemplary embodiment of the connection
`device 16. The fastening of these two base parts 174 can be
`achieved by a screw connection. To that end,
`the two
`protrusions 175 each have a bore 176, and in the installed
`state of the connection device 116 these bores are aligned
`with one another. A screw 177 passes through the protru-
`sions 175 through the bores 176 and cooperates with a nut
`part 178 of a pivot pin 180, on which in a manner known per
`se the suitably designed free end of a wiper arm can be
`connected. However, it is also conceivable—in a manner
`known per se—to join the pivot pin fixedly to the wiper arm
`and to secure the pin receptacle, belonging to it,
`to the
`protrusions 175. Then at the sametimea fixed connection of
`the two base parts 174 can berealized.
`A further embodiment, highly similar to the embodiment
`of FIG. 10, is shown in FIG. 11. The essential difference
`from the embodiment of FIG. 10 is that the two spring rails
`230 and 232 are of unequal width. A corresponding embodi-
`menttherefore also has the clawlike protrusions 254 of this
`further connection device 217.
`
`Aspecial feature of the wiper blade of the invention will
`now also be explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3 and 11.
`As can be seen from these drawings, the wiper strip 14, on
`the band face 48 of the support element 12 remote from the
`window, has an extension, which is embodied as a wind
`deflector strip 200 extending essentially away from the
`window. So that in a wiper blade embodied in this wayit is
`possible to place the holders 34, 36 and also the connection
`device 16 appropriately, recesses are assigned to these parts
`in the wind deflector strip 200.
`Acommonfeature of all the exemplary embodiments of
`the holders 34, 36 is that in a wiper blade of this type the
`holders are divided longitudinally of the wiper blade, and
`that the holder parts 33, 35 are joined to one another.
`A corresponding embodiment is also provided for the
`various connection devices 16, 116 and 216 described.
`Whatis claimedis:
`1. A wiper blade for cleaning vehicle windows, compris-
`ing an elongated, strip-shaped spring-elastic support ele-
`ment; a connection device connectable to a driven wiper arm
`and held against one band face of said support element; an
`elongated, rubber-elastic wiper strip disposed parallel to a
`longitudinal axis against another band face of said support
`element, said support element being formed as a multi-part
`support element and having two spring rails disposed in
`longitudinal grooves facing one another of the wiperstrip; at
`
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`6
`least one holder securing said rails in said longitudinal
`grooves and fittable over longitudinal edges of said rails
`remote from one another, said holder being divided in a
`longitudinal direction of the wiper blade into holder parts
`which are joined together defining a longitudinally extend-
`ing central seam line.
`2. A wiperblade as defined in claim 1, wherein a plurality
`of holders are distributed over a longitudinal length of said
`support element and spaced apart from one another.
`3. Awiper blade as defined in claim 2, wherein oneof the
`holders is disposed at least on each end portion on said
`support element.
`4. Awiperblade as defined in claim 1, wherein said holder
`parts grip in a clamping fashion an exposed portion of outer
`edges of said springrails.
`5. A wiper blade as defined in claim 1, wherein parts of
`said connection device grip in a clamping fashion an
`exposed middle portion of outer edges of said spring rails.
`6. Awiperblade as defined in claim 1, wherein said holder
`parts are interlockable with one another.
`7. A wiper blade as defined in claim 1, wherein said
`connection device is provided with fastening means which
`engage said spring rails.
`8. A wiper blade for cleaning vehicle windows, compris-
`ing an elongated, strip-shaped spring-elastic support ele-
`ment; a connection device connectable to a driven wiper arm
`and held against one band face of said support element; an
`elongated, rubber-elastic wiper strip disposed parallel to a
`longitudinal axis against another band face of said support
`element, said support element being formed as a multi-part
`support element and having twospring rails disposed in
`longitudinal grooves facing one anotherof the wiperstrip; at
`least one holder securing said rails in said longitudinal
`grooves and fittable over longitudinal edges of said rails
`remote from one another, said holder being divided in a
`longitudinal direction of the wiper blade into holder parts
`which are joined together defining a longitudinally extend-
`ing central seam line, said connection device being divided
`in a longitudinal direction of said support part into device
`parts, said device parts being joined together.
`9. Awiperblade as defined in claim 8, wherein said device
`parts are interlocked with one another.
`10. A wiper blade for cleaning vehicle windows, com-
`prising an elongated, strip-shaped spring-elastic support
`element; a connection device connectable to a driven wiper
`arm and held against one bandface of said support element;
`an elongated, rubber-elastic wiper strip disposable parallel
`to a longitudinal axis against another band face of said
`support element, said support element being formed as a
`multi-part support element and having two spring rails
`disposed in longitudinal grooves facing one another of the
`wiper strip; at least one holder securing said rails in the
`longitudinal grooves andfittable over longitudinal edges of
`said rails remote from one another, said holder being divided
`in a longitudinal direction of the wiper blade into holder
`parts which are joined together; and a wind deflector strip
`whichis located in a region of said wiper strip on said one
`band face, said wind deflector strip being provided with one
`recess assigned for each holder.
`11. A wiper blade as defined in claim 10, wherein said
`wind deflector strip has a recess assigned to said connection
`device.
`12. A wiper blade for cleaning vehicle windows, com-
`prising a driven wiper arm; an elongated, strip-shaped
`spring-elastic support element; a connection device con-
`nected to said driven wiper arm and held against one band
`face of said support element; an elongated, rubber-elastic
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 8
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 8
`
`

`

`US 6,279,191 B1
`
`7
`wiper strip disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis against
`another band face of said support element, said support
`element being formed as a multi-part support element and
`having two spring rails disposed in longitudinal grooves
`facing one another of said wiper strip; at least one holder
`securing said rails in said longitudinal grooves andfittable
`over longitudinal edges of said rails remote from one
`another, said holder being divided in a longitudinal direction
`of the wiper blade into holder parts which are joined together
`defining a longitudinally extending central seam line.
`13. A wiper blade for cleaning vehicle windows, com-
`prising a driven wiper arm; an elongated, strip-shaped
`spring-elastic support element; a connection device con-
`nected to said driven wiper arm and held against one band
`face of said support element; an elongated, rubber-elastic
`wiper strip disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis against
`another band face of said support element, said support
`element being formed as a multi-part support element and
`having two spring rails disposed in longitudinal grooves
`facing one another of said wiper strip; at least one holder
`securing said rails in said longitudinal grooves andfittable
`over longitudinal edges of said rails remote from one
`another, said holder being divided in a longitudinal direction
`of the wiper blade into holder parts which are joined together
`
`8
`defining a longitudinally extending central seam line, said
`connection device being divided in a longitudinal direction
`of said support part into device parts, said device parts being
`joined together.
`14. A wiper blade for cleaning vehicle windows, com-
`prising a driven wiper arm; an elongated, strip-shaped
`spring-elastic support element; a connection device con-
`nected to said driven wiper arm and held against one band
`face of said support element; an elongated, rubber-elastic
`wiper strip disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis against
`another band face of said support element, said support
`element being formed as a multi-part support element and
`having two spring rails disposed in longitudinal grooves
`facing one another of said wiper strip; at least one holder
`securing said rails in said longitudinal grooves andfittable
`over longitudinal edges of said rails remote from one
`another, said holder being divided in a longitudinal direction
`of the wiper blade into holder parts which are joined
`together; and a wind deflector strip which is located in a
`region of said wiper strip on said one band face, said wind
`deflector strip being provided with one recess assigned for
`each holder.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 9
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 9
`
`