(12) UK Patent Application (19)GB (11) 2 106 775 A
`
`(51)
`
`(21) Application No 8227755
`(22) Date of filing 29 Sep 1982
`(30) Priority data
`(31) 3139445
`(32) 3 Oct 1981
`(33) Fed. Rep of Germany (DE)
`(43) Application published
`20Apr 1983
`INTCL3
`B60S 1/38
`(52) Domestic classification
`A4F40AG
`(56) Documents cited
`GB 1055006
`GB0942001
`GB0838316
`(58) Field of search
`A4F
`(71) Applicants
`SWF-Spezialfabrik fur
`Autozubehor Gustav Rau
`GmbH,
`(FR Germany),
`Stuttgarter-Strasse 119,
`712 Bietigheim Bissingen,
`Federal Republic of
`Germany.
`Inventors
`Hans Prohaska,
`Alfred Kohler.
`(74) Agents
`MCDennis,
`ITT UK,
`Patent Department,
`Maidstone Road,
`Footscray,
`Sidcup DA14 5HT.
`
`(72)
`
`(54) Wiper blade assembly comprising
`spoiler
`
`(57) A windscreen wiper blade assem(cid:173)
`bly comprises at least one yoke element
`40 for holding a wiper element 10 of
`rubber-elastic material, which is flexibly
`stiffened by means of a flexible strip 30
`provided with at least one spoiler 20
`which is either formed thereon or
`attached thereto.
`
`Fig.
`
`1
`
`20
`2f
`
`)>
`
`Costco Exhibit 1003, p. 1
`
`

`
`If~
`
`2106775
`
`Fig. 1
`
`Fig. 2
`
`22
`
`31
`
`22
`
`Fig. 3
`
`Costco Exhibit 1003, p. 2
`
`

`
`2106775
`
`Fig. 4
`
`34 28
`.36
`31 30
`/~ /
`
`Fig. 6
`
`31, 20
`
`18
`
`22
`
`~-30
`
`'~nt---l---_11
`
`~-... ~----17
`
`---..-10
`
`20---_.
`24
`
`21
`
`12a
`
`Fig. 5
`
`31
`
`...... .J-_ _..33
`
`11
`______,,,.--- __ 15
`
`.....___ 10
`
`Costco Exhibit 1003, p. 3
`
`

`
`SPECIFICATION
`
`Windscreen wiper installation
`
`5 This invention concerns a wiper blade for wind(cid:173)
`screen cleaning installations on vehicles, especially
`on motor vehicles.
`As is known the air stream striking the wiper blade
`laterally produces a lifting force at the supporting
`10 structure and at the wiper element which is effective
`in a direction away from the pane to be cleaned.
`Thus the contact pressure of the wiper element on
`the pane is diminished, so that the wiping pattern
`deteriorates and the wiper blade may be lifted at
`15 high vehicle speeds. This is not admissible on
`grounds of security.
`Many efforts to solve this problem have become
`known, although no entirely satisfactory solutions
`have been found. The practice shows that spoilers
`20 closely arranged to the windscreen are most effec(cid:173)
`tive against the attacking air stream. Such an
`arrangement is for example known from the German
`sopecification OS 2346100. However the embodi(cid:173)
`ments known from this specification include dis-
`25 advantages. Thus the spoilers to be attached to the
`yoke or to be inserted in it can only be secured
`thereon in a relatively complicated way and,
`moreover, the connecting points are subject to
`considerable wear and do not look very nice. The
`30 other embodiment known from this specification
`including a spoiler formed out of the wiper element
`might not be stable enough to act against the air
`stream in all cases, bcause of the rubber-elastic
`materials normally used for the production of wiper
`35 elements. Moreover, as far as technology is con(cid:173)
`cerned, the production of such a wiper element
`might be very difficult and therefore expensive.
`It is an object of the invention to create a wiper
`blade whose spoiler can be connected with the wiper
`40 element in a simple way and at any time ensures a
`reliable contact between the wiper element and the
`windscreen.
`According to the invention there is provided a
`wiper blade for windscreen cleaning installations on
`45 vehicles, especially on motor vehicles, comprising a
`supporting structure including at least one yoke
`element for holding a wiper element of rubber(cid:173)
`elastic material, which wiper element is flexibly
`stiffened by a flexible strip extending over almost its
`50 entire length, whereby the wiper element is provided
`with at least one spoiler, and wherein the spoiler is
`formed on or attached on the flexible strip.
`With such a spoiler arranged the lifting force
`created by the air stream is on the one hand
`55 deflected from the wiper blade and on the other
`hand transmitted to the wiper element via the
`flexible strip as a contact force. Because also the
`contact pressure created by the wiper arm is trans(cid:173)
`mitted to the wiper element via the supporting
`60 structure, it is hardly possible any more lift the wiper
`element from the pane unintendedly.
`When the spoiler and the flexible strip are
`moulded plastics parts a simple and economical
`production is possible, in particular, when the two
`65 parts form one piece. In this case the flexible strip
`
`GB 2106 775 A
`
`simultaneously serves to stiffen the wiper blade
`flexibly and is used as a spoiler.
`It is easily possible to retrofit a wiper blade by
`squeezing a spoiler against its flexible strip or
`70 clipping it on this flexible strip.
`If the flexible strip with its back laps over the head
`of the wiper element and engages thereon by means
`of downwardly directed elongations, it is possible to
`form the back of the flexible strip itself as a spoiler
`75 and/or form a spoiler on it or attach it onto it. In this
`case the flexible strip in addition serves to streng(cid:173)
`then the head ofthe wiper element.
`The spoiler can be fared onto one of the down(cid:173)
`wardly directed elongations of the flexible strip. The
`80 elongations can either uninterruptedly extend over
`the entire length of the flexible strip or can be
`formed as individual claws. On grounds of stability
`the first solution is to be preferred.
`If at least one projection extending along its back
`85 is formed on the flexible strip, the spoiler can be
`attached to this projection.
`It is particularly advantageous, when projections
`are formed on the flexible strip to both sides, which
`projections extend over the entire length of the back
`90 of the flexible strip. On the one hand then spoilers
`can be provided on both sides of the wiper element,
`and on the other hand the wiper element can be
`secured to the supporting structure by means of
`these projections. If desired the projections can be
`95 provided with locking points which serve as stops
`for the supporting structure.
`When the spoiler extends over the entire length of
`the wiper element, this results in a uniform contact
`pressure between wiper blade and pane when the
`100 laterally striking air stream is well used.
`As far as supporting structures are concerned
`which consist of an interlocking yoke system with
`several clawed yokes carrying the wiper element and
`one main yoke articulated to the clawed yokes, the
`105 contact pressure transmitted to the wiper element
`transmitted from the wiper arm via such a support(cid:173)
`ing structure is not the same in all places. As is
`known the pressure between the working points of
`the clawed yokes is slightly lower than at the
`110 working points of the clawed yokes on the wiper
`element. It can therefore be reasonable to arrange
`spoilers in these places of the wiper element.
`When the spoiler is formed on one of the down(cid:173)
`wardly directed elongations of the flexible strip and
`115 the wiper element is secured to the supporting
`structure via the lateral projections of the back of the
`flexible strip it is reasonable to curve in upward
`direction the area below the lateral projection ofthe
`spoiler and to make the spoiler surface plane. Then
`120 the supporting structure can be positioned in one
`plane with the spoiler surface on the side exposed to
`the wind, so that the air stream can especially well
`be carried away from the wiper blade. Due to the
`curvature of the spoiler directed towards the back of
`125 the flexible strip the spacing between the supporting
`structure and the spoiler is so small, so that a
`swirling of the air in the gap between supporting
`structure and spoiler is prevented to a far-reaching
`extent.
`A good effect can also be achieved by a spoiler
`
`130
`
`Costco Exhibit 1003, p. 4
`
`

`
`2
`
`GB2106775 A
`
`2
`
`5
`
`20
`
`which is equipped with a second wiper element
`arranged in parallel to a first wiper element. By this
`measure the first wiper element can be completely
`protected against the air stream appearing.
`It is of a particular advantage, when the second
`wiper element is lower than the first wiper element.
`In this case the second wiper element can be
`connected with the first wiper element through a
`spoiler, which is formed in one piece on the flexible
`10 strip ofthefirstwiper element and laps over the
`head of the second wiper element. In this case the
`flexible strip could be designated as a double or twin
`flexible strip, because it is connected with two wiper
`elements.
`15 However it would be also conceivable to secure
`such a spoiler to the flexible strip of the first wiper
`element by means of holding clips or similar fasten(cid:173)
`ing means and is formed in one piece only with the
`second wiper element.
`If the spoiler includes moreover a surface ascend-
`ing relative to the pane to be wiped, which surface is
`arranged above the head of the second wiper
`element, it is prevented to a far-reaching extent that
`the wiper blade can be lifted unintendedly by the air
`25 stream, not even at high vehicle speed.
`The drawings show diagrammatic sections not
`true to scale of embodiments according to the
`invention, in which
`Figure 1 is a wiper element including a spoiler
`30 which is formed on a flexible strip,
`Figure 2 is a wiper element whose spoiler is
`formed on both sides of a flexible strip,
`Figure 3 is a wiper element including a flexible
`strip whose back is formed as a spoiler,
`Figure 4 is a wiper element whose spoiler is
`clipped onto a flexible strip,
`Figure 5 is a wiper element including a double or
`twin flexible strip and
`Figure 6 is a further wiper element including a
`40 flexible strip, whose back is formed as a spoiler.
`All rubber wiper elements 10 shown in Figures 1
`to 5 include a head 11 having a rectangular cross(cid:173)
`section which head is equipped with a longitudinal
`groove 12, 13 each at approximately half of its
`45 height. To the head 11 follows a tilting web 14,
`through which a wiper lip 15 is connected with the
`head 11. It is provided that, during a wiper operation,
`the wiper element 10 touches a pane to be cleaned
`with the downwardly directed tip ofthe wiper lip 15.
`50 The recesses 16, 17 which are necessary for the
`tilting web 14 and the longitudinal grooves 12, 13
`have a rectangular cross-section. On the whole it can
`be seen from Figures 1 to 5 that the wiper element is
`developed in a manner known in itself, so that
`55 further explanations are not necessary.
`To maintain contact pressure in use the wiper
`elements are equipped with a spoiler 20, which is
`formed on or attached to a flexible strip 30. Thereby
`each flexible strip 30 shown in Figures 1 to 6 consists
`60 of a moulded plastics part which with its back 31 laps
`over the head 11 of a rubber wiper element 10. On
`both sides of the back 31 of the flexible strip 30 an
`elongation 32, 33 is formed, which is downwardly
`directed, bent towards the wiper element 10 and
`65 which engages into the longitudinal groove 12 and
`
`35
`
`13 respectively which is arranged in the head 11 of
`the wiper element 10. It is provided that the flexible
`strip and the elongations extend over the entire
`length of the rubber wiper element on grounds of
`70 stability.
`The spoiler 20 shown in Figures 1 to 3 and in
`Figures 5 to 6 forms an integral part with the flexible
`strip 30 so that the flexible strip 30 simultaneously
`strengthens the wiper element 10 and prevents that
`75 it is lifted from the pane.
`The spoiler 20 shown in Figures 1 includes a
`surface 21 which ascends relative to a pane to be
`cleaned not shown in the drawing, which surface is
`formed on the downwardly directed elongation 32 of
`80 the flexible strip 30. The back 31 ofthe flexible strip
`30 is laterally elongated beyond the head 11 of the
`wiper element 10 and forms two projections 34, 35,
`on which the wiper element 10 may be secured to a
`supporting structure of which a yoke element is
`85 shown here, which embraces the projections 34, 35
`by means of its claw-shaped ends 41, 42.
`The spoiler 20 is thereby substantially formed as a
`shovel, which below the lateral projection 34 is
`curved in upward direction towards this projection
`90 34. The plane part ofthe shovel forms the actual
`wind deflector surface 21, which extends approxi(cid:173)
`mately as far as to half of the height of the wiper lip
`15. The surface 21 is approximately positioned in a
`plane with the outer surface 41a of the claw 41,
`95 which during the wiper operation is exposed to the
`air stream, so that the laterally flowing air stream
`can be well deflected via the surface 21 and the
`supporting structure.
`The wiper element 10 shown in Figure 2 has a
`100 spoiler 20 which extends on both sides of its head
`11. Thereby the spoiler 20 includes a surface 21
`formed on the back 31 ofthe flexible strip and
`slightly curved forwards in the direction of the wiper
`element 10, which surface is to be exposed to the
`105 laterally flowing air stream. This air stream exerts a
`pressure on the spoiler 20 and thus on the flexible
`strip 30, which transmits the pressure to the wiper
`element 10 and thus prevents that it is lifted from the
`pane to be cleaned. As is known part of the air
`110 streams beyond the head 11 of the wiper element 10
`towards the pane and is swirled there, which could
`also result in an undesired lifting. In the wiper
`element 10 shown here this is cured by an upwardly
`directed wind deflector surface 22 which, in the
`115 mounted condition of the wiper blade, points away
`from the pane. By this measure an air stream
`appearing behind the wiper element 10 can be
`deflected.
`However it would also be conceivable to direct the
`120 elongation 22 in the downward direction perpendi(cid:173)
`cularly or at an acute angle and to conduct it as far as
`possible down the pane, so that the air stream
`appearing behind the wiper blade is carried away
`from the wiper element 10.
`A similar wiper element to that of Figure 2 is
`shown in Figure 3. Here in addition the back 31 of the
`flexible strip 30 is developed as a spoiler 20, so that
`an especially large wind deflector surface 21 is
`exposed to the air stream. The small amount of air
`130 streaming behind the wiper element is also in this
`
`125
`
`Costco Exhibit 1003, p. 5
`
`

`
`3
`
`GB2106775 A
`
`3
`
`case deflected by an upwardly directed wind deflec(cid:173)
`tor surface 22. Because the back 31 of the resilient
`strip is developed as a hollow member with about
`triangular cross-section, there is a hollow space
`5 between the surfaces 21 and 22 which possibly migh
`be disadvantageous.
`This disadvantage is avoided in a wiper element
`according to Figure 6 in that the head 11 includes an
`inclined surface 18 which closely rests against the
`10 back 31 of a flexible strip 30 and is lapped over by it.
`The back 31 of the flexible strip is on both sides
`elongated beyond the inclined surface 18 of the head
`11 of the wiper element 10 and forms the wind
`deflector surface 21. In this case the somewhat
`15 smaller, downwardly directed elongation 23 is to be
`exposed to the air stream. The pressure exerted by
`the air stream on the back 31 of the flexible strip 30
`can especially effectively be transmitted to the head
`11 of the wiper element due to the close fit of the
`20 parts, so that the tendency of their being lifted is
`dimished. The air behind the wiper element 10 can
`be carried away via the elongation 22.
`In a comparison to the previously shown rubber
`wiper elements a further difference of the wiper
`25 element according to Figure 6 is to be seen in the fact
`that the flexible strip 30 engages in the recesses 16
`and 17 which are necessary to form the tilting web
`15. It is provided that the wiper element 10 is to be
`secured to a supporting structure at this recesses 16,
`30 17. For this purpose a supporting structure including
`clawed yokes would be suitable, which preferably
`extend through recesses longitudinally arranged
`along the spoiler and which can embrace the head of
`the wiper element. The longitudinal grooves in the
`35 head of the wiper element, which in other cases
`serve to secure the wiper element, are saved in this
`version, so that the wiper element can be produced
`by a press tool of a simpler design. On principle the
`flexible strips of the previously described figures of
`40 the drawing can be secured on the head of the wiper
`element as described here, however the increased
`danger of breaking has to be taken into considera(cid:173)
`tion when the tilting web is designed.
`The flexible strip 30 including a spoiler 20 shown
`45 in Figure 5 is also produced as an integrally moulded
`plastics part, whereby the spoiler 20 is a solid part.
`Similar as in the version of Figure 1 the spoiler 20 is
`formed on a downwardly directed elongation of the
`flexible strip, however laps over the head 11 a of a
`50 lower wiper element 1 Oa, which otherwise is con(cid:173)
`structed identically to the first wiper element 10. The
`spoiler 20 is formed on the elongation 32 of the
`flexible strip 30 via a web 27 and includes two
`elongations 25 and 26 bent in the direction ofthe
`55 second wiper element 1 Oa, which elongations en(cid:173)
`gage in longitudinal grooves 12a and 13a respective(cid:173)
`ly on the head 11 a oft he wiper element 10. Because
`the spoiler 20 and the flexible strip 30 form an
`integral part carrying two wiper elements, this part
`60 could be designated as a double or twin flexible
`strip.
`Above the head 11 a of the smaller wiper element
`1 Oa in this case the spoiler 20 in its cross-section is
`formed like a double pitch roof with differently large
`65 surfaces, whereby its larger surface is arranged
`
`away from the first wiper element 10 and forms the
`wind deflector surface 21. The tip of the roof ends at
`the level ofthe back 31 of the flexible strip 30, so that
`the air streaming over the spoiler 21 is reliably
`70 conducted away from the wiper elements 10a and
`10. The back 31 of the flexible strip 30 has two lateral
`projections 34, 35 via which the entire device can be
`secured to a supporting structure.
`A particular advantage of this version is that due to
`75 the combination with an additional rubber wiper
`element the spoiler extends as far as to the pane to
`be cleaned. This is not possible in the other versions
`which show spoilers completely made from plastics
`material. Because, as is known, the wiper element
`80 and with it the spoiler is tilted during the wiper
`operation, a spoiler extending as far as to the pane
`could break it or scratch it. Because the end of the
`spoiler shown in Figure 5 consists of rubber, dis(cid:173)
`advantages of this kind are not to be feared. When
`85 the end is formed as wiper element or wiper lip the
`pane can be optimally cleaned.
`To the wiper element 10 shown in Figure 4 a
`spoiler 20 is clipped onto a flexible strip, which
`spoiler has a cross-section similar to a wing. The
`90 back 31 of the flexible strip 30 laps over the head 11
`of the wiper element 10 constructed in a usual
`manner. The projection 34, which extends laterally
`of the back 31 of the flexible strip, has at the top and
`at the bottom a recess 36 and 37 respectively, into
`95 which the spoiler 20 is clipped by means of detents
`28 and 29 respectively formed on it.
`Also in this case versions are conceivable in which
`the end of the lateral projection 34 resting against
`the spoiler 20 extends both over the entire length of
`100 the flexible strip and solely over partial sections. The
`end ofthe lateral projection 34 resting against the
`spoiler 20 could, for example, be also formed as a
`knob. Likewise it would be possible to rivet or screw
`the spoiler to the flexible strip. The version shown in
`105 Figure 4 is only a preferred embodiment of a wiper
`element including a spoiler attached to the flexible
`strip.
`When choosing the plastics material for integrally
`produced flexible strips with spoiler it has to be
`110 taken care that the plastics materials is flexible
`enough in order to enable an adaption of the rubber
`wiper element to different pane curvatures, and on
`the other hand it has enough stiffness not to be
`deformed by the attacking air stream. For instance
`115 polyurethane foam would be a suitable material in
`the present case of application.
`On principle a flexible strip produced from thin
`metal sheet could also be used, but involves a higher
`amount of production engineering that a plastics
`120 flexible strip which can be injection-moulded.
`All embodiments shown in the drawings show a
`wiper element which includes a spoiler closely
`arranged to the windscreen and wherein the spoiler
`is exposed to the air stream which strikes the wiper
`125 blade laterally. The spoiler can in all cases be
`connected with the wiper element in a simple
`manner. The wiper elements needs only to be put
`into one of the flexible strips which either has been
`already equipped with a spoiler or onto which it can
`130 be additionally attached.
`
`Costco Exhibit 1003, p. 6
`
`

`
`4
`
`GB 2106 775 A
`
`4
`
`All embodiments shown illustrate a flexible strip
`which laps over the head of at least one wiper
`element. However it would also be possible to insert
`individual flexible strips in the head of the wiper
`5 element, which flexible strips either consist of steel
`as usual or of plastics material, and to eqiup one of
`them with a spoiler or form it as a spoiler. In the
`versions shown due to the uniform load a moment
`oftilt exerted by the spoiler on the wiper element is
`10 effectively overcome. This prevents a premature
`wear of the wipe lip and ensures a longer service life,
`which is why this version has to be preferred.
`Due to the fact that in all cases conventional
`rubber wiper elements and supporting structure can
`15 be used, the invention provides a stable wiper blade
`with an advantageous flow pattern, which wiper
`blade can be produced in a simple manner.
`
`CLAIMS
`
`20
`
`30
`
`1. A wiper blade for windscreen cleaning instal(cid:173)
`lations on vehicles, especially on motor vehicles,
`comprising a supporting structure including at least
`one yoke element for holding a wiper element of
`25 rubber-elastic material, which wiper element is
`flexibly stiffened by a flexible strip extending over
`almost its entire length, whereby the wiper element
`is provided with at least one spoiler, and wherein the
`spoiler is formed on or attached on the flexible strip.
`2. A wiper blade according to claim 1, wherein
`the spoiler and the flexible strip are moulded plastics
`parts.
`3. A wiper blade according to claim 1 or 2,
`wherein the spoiler and the flexible strip are formed
`35 in one piece.
`4. A wiper blade according to claim 1 or 2,
`wherein that the spoiler is squeezed against or
`clipped onto the flexible strip.
`5. A wiper blade according to claim 3 or 4,
`40 wherein the flexible strip with its back overlaps the
`head of the wiper element and on both sides is
`provided with downwardly directed elongations
`bent towards the wiper element, which elongation
`engage into longitudinal grooves on the head ofthe
`45 wiper element.
`6. A wiper blade according to claim 5, wherein
`the back of the flexible strip is formed as a spoiler.
`7. A wiper blade according to claim 5 or 6,
`wherein at least one spoiler is formed or attached on
`50 the back of the flexible strip.
`8. A wiper blade according to claim 7, wherein
`the spoiler extends along the head of the wiper
`element laterally of the back ofthe flexible strip.
`9. A wiper blade according to claims 5 and 8,
`55 wherein the spoiler is formed on one of the down(cid:173)
`wardly directed elongations of the flexible strip.
`10. A wiper blade according to claim 8, wherein
`on the flexible strip at least one lateral projection is
`formed which extends along the back ofthe flexible
`60 strip, on which projection at least one spoiler is
`attached, in particular squeezed against it or clipped
`onto it.
`·
`11. Wiper blade according to claim 10, wherein
`on both sides of the flexible strip a projection is
`65 formed which extends over the entire length of the
`
`back of the flexible strip.
`12. A wiper blade according to claim 11, wherein
`the wiper element is secured to the supporting
`structure through the lateral projections ofthe
`70 flexible strip.
`13. A wiper blade according to claim 12, wherein
`the lateral projections are embraced by the claw(cid:173)
`shaped ends of at least one yoke element ofthe
`supporting structure.
`14. A wiper blade according to any one of the
`preceding claims, wherein the spoiler extends over
`the entire length of the wiper element.
`15. A wiper blade according to any one of claims
`1 to 13, wherein the spoiler is arranged only in those
`80 places of the wiper element, in which the contact
`pressure initiated through the supporting structure
`is low.
`16. A wiper blade according to claim 14 or 15,
`wherein the spoiler includes at least one surface
`85 ascending relative to the pane to be cleaned.
`17. A wiper blade according to claim 16, wherein
`the spoiler includes at last one surface which is
`advanced and curved towards the pane.
`18. A wiper blade according to claims 9,10 and
`90 16, wherein the spoiler is curved upwards in its area
`below the lateral projection and that to this area
`follows a plane surface.
`19. A wiper blade according to claims 8 and 14,
`wherein that the spoiler includes a second wiper
`95 element, which is arranged in parallel to the first
`wiper element.
`20. A wiper blade according to claim 19, wherein
`the second wiper element is lower than the first
`wiper element.
`21. A wiper blade according to claim 19 or 20,
`wherein in that the spoiler is formed on one of the
`downwardly directed elongations of the flexible strip
`and overlaps the head of the second wiper element.
`22. A wiper blade according to claim 21, wherein
`105 on both sides of the spoiler an elongation is formed
`which extends over its entire length and is bent
`towards the second wiper element, which elonga(cid:173)
`tion extends into a longitudinal groove on the head
`of this wiper element.
`23. A wiper blade according to claim 22, wherein
`the spoiler includes a surface which is arranged
`above the head of the second wiper element and
`ascends relative to the pane to be wiped.
`24. A wiper blade substantially as described
`115 herein with reference to any one of Figures 1 to 6 of
`the accompanying drawings.
`25. A vehicle provided with one or more wiper
`blades as claimed in any one of the preceding
`claims.
`
`100
`
`110
`
`75
`
`..
`
`,.
`
`Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, by Croydon Printing Company
`Limited, Croydon. Surrey, 1983.
`Published by The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London,
`WC2A 1AY, from which copies may be obtained.
`
`Costco Exhibit 1003, p. 7