Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 1
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 2
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 3
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 4
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 11
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 26
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`
`[emblem]
`
`PCT
`
`
`
`
`
`World International Patent Organization
`International office
`International application published according to the Patent Cooperation Treat (PCT)
`(51) International patent classification 6:
`A1
`(11) International publishing number: WO 99/02383
` B60S 1/38, 1/40
`
`
`(43) International publishing date:
`January 21, 1999
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(01/21/99)
`(21) International reference: PCT/DE98/01787
`
`(81) Designated states: BR, JP, KR, US, European patent
`
`
`
`
`
`
` (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT,
`(22) International filing date: June 30, 1998
`
` LU, MC, NL, PT, SE).
`
`
`
` (06/30/98)
`
`Published
`With international research report
`(30) Priority dates:
`
`
`
`
`197 29 864.8; July 11, 1997 (07/11/97) DE
`(71) Applicant (for all designated states except US):
` ROBERT BOSCH GMBH [DE/DE]; P.O. Box
` 30 02 20; D-70442 Stuttgart (DE)
` (72) Inventor; and
`(75) Inventor/Applicant (only for US): KOTLARSKI,
` Thomas [DE/DE]; Hauptstr. 58a,
` D-77830 Bühlertal (DE), LORENZ, Karlheinz
` [DE/DE]; Dalbergstr. 5, D-76534 Baden-Baden (DE).
`
`(54) Title: WIPER BLADE FOR CLEANING VEHICLE GLASS PANES
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 27
`
`

`
`WO 99/02383
`
`- 1 -
`
`PCT/DE98/01787
`
`
`
`For information purposes only
`Codes for identifying PCT-contractually designated states on the letterheads of publications publishing international applications according to
`PCT.
`AL
`AM
`AT
`AU
`AZ
`BA
`BB
`BE
`BF
`BG
`BJ
`BR
`BY
`CA
`CF
`CG
`CH
`CI
`CM
`CN
`CU
`CZ
`DE
`
`St. Lucia
`Liechtenstein
`Sri Lanka
`Liberia
`Lesotho
`Lithuania
`Luxemburg
`Latvia
`Monaco
`Republic of Moldovia
`Madagascar
`The former Yugoslavian
`Republic of Macedonia
`Mali
`Mongolia
`Mauretania
`Malawi
`Mexico
`Niger
`Netherlands
`Norway
`New Zealand
`Poland
`
`PT
`RO
`RU
`SD
`SE
`SG
`SI
`SK
`SN
`SZ
`TD
`TG
`TJ
`TM
`TR
`TT
`UA
`UG
`US
`UZ
`VN
`YU
`ZW
`
`Portugal
`Romania
`Russian Federation
`Sudan
`Sweden
`Singapore
`Slovenia
`Slovakia
`Senegal
`Swaziland
`Chad
`Togo
`Tadzhikistan
`Turkmenia
`Turkey
`Trinidad and Tobago
`Ukraine
`Uganda
`United States of America
`Uzbekistan
`Vietnam
`Yugoslavia
`Zimbabwe
`
`Albania
`Armenia
`Austria
`Australia
`Azerbaijan
`Bosnia-Herzegovina
`Barbados
`Belgium
`Burkina Faso
`Bulgaria
`Benin
`Brazil
`Belarus
`Canada
`Central African Republic
`Congo
`Switzerland
`Ivory Coast
`Cameroon
`China
`Cuba
`Czech Republic
`Germany
`
`DK
`EE
`ES
`FI
`FR
`GA
`GB
`GE
`GH
`GN
`GR
`HU
`IE
`IL
`IS
`IT
`JP
`KE
`KG
`KP
`
`KR
`KZ
`
`Denmark
`Estonia
`Spain
`Finland
`France
`Gabon
`United Kingdom
`Georgia
`Ghana
`Guinea
`Greece
`Hungary
`Ireland
`Israel
`Iceland
`Italy
`Japan
`Kenia
`Kyrgyzstan
`Democratic People’s Republic of
`Korea
`Republic of Korea
`Kazakhstan
`
`LC
`LI
`LK
`LR
`LS
`LT
`LU
`LV
`MC
`MD
`MG
`MK
`
`ML
`MN
`MR
`MW
`MX
`NE
`NL
`NO
`NZ
`PL
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 28
`
`

`
`WO 99/02383
`
`- 1 -
`
`PCT/DE98/01787
`
`
`
`Wiper blade for cleaning vehicle glass panes
`
`
`
`Prior art
`
`
`
`In wiper blades of the type described in the preamble of claim 1 the carrier element shall ensure the
`
`distribution of the wiper blade compression, originating in the wiper arm, to the glass pane as
`
`homogenously as possible over the entire wiped area covered by the wiper blade. By an appropriate
`
`curvature of the unstressed carrier element, thus when the wiper blade is not in contact with the glass
`
`pane, the ends of the wiper blade, which during operation completely contact the glass pane, are pressed
`
`by the carrier element, now stressed, against the glass pane, even when the radii of curvature of
`
`spherically curved vehicle panes change at every position of the wiper blade. The curvature of the wiper
`
`blade must therefore be slightly stronger than the strongest curvature measured at the wiped area of the
`
`glass pane to be wiped. The carrier element therefore replaces the expensive bracket construction with
`
`two spring rails, arranged in the wiper strip, as practiced in wiper blades of prior art (DE-OS 15 05 357).
`
`
`
`The invention is based on a wiper blade according to the preamble of claim 1. In a known wiper blade of
`
`this type (DE-PS 10 28 896) the two spring rails, called longitudinal springs, which are part of the carrier
`
`element, are secured by a one-piece spring clasp in longitudinal grooves called slots of the elastic wiper
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 29
`
`

`
`WO 99/02383
`
`- 2 -
`
`PCT/DE98/01787
`
`
`
`strip. The clasps must be pushed in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade onto the longitudinal
`
`springs, with them here surrounding their exterior edges with claws. A brace connecting the claws must
`
`be curved according to the thickness of the back of the wiper strip, which leads to disadvantageous
`
`assembly conditions. A central clasp arranged in the area of the connection device must even cross it in a
`
`penetration, which results in considerable assembly expenses, because at least one of the two claws can
`
`only be formed thereafter.
`
`
`
`Advantages of the invention
`
`
`
`In the wiper blade according to the invention with the characterizing features of claim 1 it is possible to
`
`approach the finished carrier parts perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the carrier element and
`
`thus also the wiper blade itself and then to connect them to each other. Such an assembly is particularly
`
`cost-effective, because it perhaps can be performed by assembly robots.
`
`
`
`In order to improve the wiping behavior and the wiping quality it is beneficial to arrange several fasteners
`
`distributed over the longitudinal extension of the carrier element and at a distance from each other.
`
`
`
`For this purpose, in relatively short wiper blades the arrangement of one fastener at each end section of
`
`the elongated carrier element may be sufficient.
`
`
`When the connection device is provided with fastening means engaging the two spring rails and the
`
`connection device is divided in the longitudinal direction of the carrier element, with the parts of the
`
`device in their final, assembled position being connected to each other, an economic assembly results here
`
`for the connection device at the carrier element as well.
`
`The embodiment of a wiper blade, very effective even at high driving speeds, is particularly advantageous
`
`when the area of the wiper blade located at the strip area facing away from the glass pane is embodied as
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 30
`
`

`
`WO 99/02383
`
`- 3 -
`
`PCT/DE98/01787
`
` a
`
` wind deflection strip essentially extending away from the glass pane and a recess in the wind deflection
`
`strip being allocated to every fastener.
`
`
`
`Here, with regards to the structural height of the wiper blade it may be beneficial when a recess in the
`
`wind deflection strip is allocated to the connection device.
`
`
`
`With a simple assembly, here a reliable securing of the spring rails is achieved in the longitudinal grooves
`
`of the wiper blade, when the fastening parts surround an exposed section of the external edges of the
`
`spring rail-like clasps.
`
`
`
`This embodiment is also advantageous with the same advantages in an arrangement of the connection
`
`device. Furthermore, the assembled connection device can also contribute that the spring rails are placed
`
`correctly with their central section in the longitudinal grooves.
`
` A
`
` particularly simple, stable, and easily assembled connection device results when the connection device
`
`shows two device parts, and each device part shows a flange-like projection extending in the longitudinal
`
`direction of the carrier element, arranged erect in reference to the glass pane and projecting away
`
`therefrom, at which connection means are located for the wiper arm.
`
`
`
`
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 31
`
`

`
`WO 99/02383
`
`- 4 -
`
`PCT/DE98/01787
`
`
`
`Additional simplifications for the assembly both at the fasteners as well as the connection device result
`
`when the fastening parts and/or also the device parts can latch with each other.
`
`
`
`Additional advantageous further developments and embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the
`
`following description of the exemplary embodiments shown in the corresponding drawing.
`
`
`
`Drawing
`
`
`
`In the drawing it shows: Fig. 1 a side view of a wiper blade according to the invention, Fig. 2 a
`
`perspective view of the wiper blade according to Fig. 1, not to scale, Fig. 3 a top view of the wiper blade
`
`according to Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a partial cross-section along the line IV-IV through the carrier element of the
`
`wiper blade according to Fig. 3 provided with a connection device, Fig. 5 a cross-section along the line V-
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`V through the arrangement according to Fig. 4, Fig. 6 a partial cross-section along the line VI-VI through
`
`the carrier element of the wiper blade according to Fig. 3, Fig. 7 a cross-section along the line VII-VII
`
`through the carrier element according to Fig. 3 rotated by 90°, Fig. 8 a partial cross-section along the line
`
`VIII-VIII through the carrier element of the wiper blade according to Fig. 3, Fig. 9 a cross-section along
`
`the line IX-IX through the carrier element according to Fig. 3 rotated by 90°, Fig. 10 a cross-section (like)
`
`Fig. 5 through a wiper blade equipped with a different connection device, with the parts of the wiper
`
`blade and the connection device being shown in a preassembled position, Fig. 11 an arrangement
`
`according to Fig. 10 with a differently embodied wiper blade, with the wiper blade and the parts of the
`
`connection device being in their operating position, Fig. 12 a cross-section according to Fig. 9 through a
`
`wiper blade in the area of the fastener for the spring rails, with both parts being latched to each other, in
`
`an enlarged illustration, and Fig. 13 a top view of a carrier element of the wiper blade according to Fig. 2.
`
`
`
`
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 32
`
`

`
`WO 99/02383
`
`- 5 -
`
`PCT/DE98/01787
`
`
`
`Description of the exemplary embodiments
`
` A
`
` wiper blade 10 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 comprises a multipart, elongated, resilient elastic carrier element
`
`12, which is shown separately in Fig. 13. At the top side of the carrier element, facing away from the
`
`glass pane to be wiped, a connection device 16 is arranged, by which the wiper blade 10 can be connected
`
`in a detachable fashion to a driven wiper arm 18, guided at the body of the motor vehicle. At the bottom
`
`of the carrier element 12, facing the glass pane, an elongated rubber-elastic wiper blade 14 is arranged
`
`parallel the longitudinal axis. At the free end 20 of the wiper arm 18, a hook is formed, serving as the
`
`counter connector, which surrounds a joint pin 22 allocated to the connection device 16 of the wiper blade
`
`10. The locking between the wiper arm 18 and the wiper blade 10 is performed by a locking means,
`
`embodied as an adapter and known per se, and thus not shown in greater detail. The wiper arm 18 and
`
`thus also the hook at the end of the arm 20 are stressed in the direction of the arrow 24 towards the glass
`
`pane to be wiped, with the surface to be wiped in Fig. 1 being indicated by a dot-dash line 26. Due to the
`
`fact that the dot-dash line 26 shall represent the strongest curvature of the surface of a glass pane it is
`
`clearly discernible that the curvature of the wiper blade 10, contacting the glass pane with its two ends, is
`
`stronger than the maximum curvature of the glass pane. Under the compression (arrow 24) the wiper
`
`blade with its wiper lip 28 contacts the surface of the glass pane 26 over its entire length. Here, a tension
`
`develops in the strip-like resilient elastic carrier element 12, which ensures the correct contacting of the
`
`wiper strip 14 and/or the wiper lip 28 over its entire length at the glass pane of the motor vehicle.
`
`
`
`
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 33
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`

`
`WO 99/02383
`
`- 6 -
`
`PCT/DE98/01787
`
`
`
`In the following, the particular embodiment of the wiper blade according to the invention shall be
`
`discussed in greater detail. Fig. 13 shows the carrier element 12 separately. Here it is clearly discernible
`
`that the carrier element 12 shows two spring rails 30 and 32, which are arranged at a distance from each
`
`other. In addition to the two spring rails 30 and 32, the carrier element 12 also comprises in the
`
`embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 3 and 13 fasteners 34 and 36, with their purpose being explained in
`
`the following. Further it is indicated in Fig. 13 that in the central section of the carrier element 12 the
`
`connection device 16 is located, which here is shown in dot-dash lines. The arrangement and the fastening
`
`of the connection device 16 at the carrier element 12 and/or at its spring rails 30 and 32 is best discernible
`
`from Figs. 4 and 5. In particular, Fig. 12 shows the arrangement of the parts of the carrier element (spring
`
`rails 30 and 32) in reference to the wiper strip 14. In connection with Figs. 2 and 3 it is discernible that the
`
`spring rails 30 and 32 are located in two opposite longitudinal grooves 38 and 40 of the wiper strip 14,
`
`which are located in a common level and between which a longitudinal slot 42 remains in the carrier
`
`element 12 (Fig. 13). A brace-like constriction 44 of the wiper strip 14 extends through this longitudinal
`
`slot 42. From Figs. 12 and 13 it is further discernible that the carrier element 12 shows two band areas,
`
`with one band area 46 facing the glass pane to be wiped, while the other band area 48 facing away from
`
`the glass pane. Further it is discernible that the two spring rails 30 and 32 at least sectionally project at
`
`their longitudinal edges 50 and 52, facing away from each other, from the longitudinal grooves 38, 40 of
`
`the wiper strip 14. In the exemplary embodiment, two fasteners serve for securing the two spring rails 30
`
`and 32 in their longitudinal grooves 38 and 40, one of which being respectively located at the end section
`
`of the spring rails 30 and 32. The two fasteners 38, 40 are therefore arranged at a distance from each
`
`other.
`
`
`
`
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 34
`
`

`
`WO 99/02383
`
`- 7 -
`
`PCT/DE98/01787
`
`
`
`The fasteners themselves extend perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the wiper blade 10 and
`
`surround the exterior longitudinal edges 50 and 52 of the two spring rails 30 and 32, distanced from each
`
`other, using claw-like projections 54. Further it is discernible that the fasteners 34 and 36 are divided in
`
`the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 10, which is indicated in Figs. 2, 3, and 13 by a longitudinal
`
`groove 56. In practice this longitudinal groove 56 is however not necessarily embodied as shown in Figs.
`
`2, 3, and 13. In order for the fasteners to perform their securing function in reference to the spring rails 30
`
`and 32 the fastener parts 33 and 35, formed by the separating groove 56, must be connected to each other
`
`in a fixed fashion after the assembly. This can occur for example by welding, gluing, or by similar
`
`fastening or assembly technologies, regardless if the fastener is made from plastic or metal.
`
`
`
`One of several practical solutions to connect the two fastener parts 33 and 35 to each other shall be
`
`explained based on Fig. 12. Here it is discernible that the fastener parts 33 and 35 of the fastener 36 sit
`
`with claw-like projections 54 on their spring rails 30 and/or 32. Their placement is made such that the
`
`projections 54 surround the exterior edges 50, 52 of the spring rails in an exposed section of the spring
`
`rails 30, 32. The fastener part 33 surrounds the wiper blade 14 with its projection 58, aligned
`
`perpendicular in reference to the longitudinal extension of the wiper blade. A U-shaped projection 60 of
`
`the fastener part 35 in turn surrounds the projection 58 of the fastener part 33. The free end section of the
`
`U-shaped projections 60, located at the side of the fastener part 33, engages with its appropriately
`
`embodied U-shaped leg 62 under an undercut 64 of the fastener part 33, so that any undesired separation
`
`of the fastener parts 33 and 35 from each other is impossible.
`
`
`
`
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 35
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`

`
`WO 99/02383
`
`- 8 -
`
`PCT/DE98/01787
`
`
`
`In order to assemble the two fastener parts, i.e. to bring them into the operating position indicated, they
`
`must be pressed towards each other in the direction of the two arrows 65 and 66, which is possible using
`
`the elasticity of the wiper strip 14. After successful latching according to Fig. 12, the two fastener parts 33
`
`and 35 are positioned with a residual tension of the wiper strip 14 at their correct position as shown in
`
`Fig. 12. The fasteners may be embodied according to Fig. 5, for example, where they cover with a cap-
`
`like end wall 68 the terminal edges of the spring rails 30 and 32. This way the reduced risk for injuries by
`
`the sharp terminal edges of the spring rails 30, 32 is achieved. Further, by these cap-like end fasteners 34,
`
`here the risk of damaging the enamel of the vehicle and/or the wiper blade itself can be reduced.
`
`However, it is also possible to embody the fasteners according to the illustration shown in Fig. 8, where
`
`this end wall is missing and the fastener 36 ends with the terminal edges of the spring rails 30, 32. An
`
`embodiment similar to the fasteners 34 and 36 shows the connection device 16. Figs. 2, 3, and 5 show that
`
`the connection device is also divided in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade. This is indicated by
`
`a seam 72. This seam 72 leads both through a plate part 74 (Fig. 5) contacting the carrier element 12,
`
`which surrounds with claws 70 the spring rails 30 and 32, as well as through the joint pin 22. The claws
`
`70 therefore form fastening means for holding the connection device 16 at the carrier element 12. In an
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`embodiment of the connection device shown in Figs. 2 to 5 it shows flange-like walls 75, arranged at the
`
`plate part 74 and being at a distance from each other, with half each of the also divided joint pin 22 being
`
`arranged respectively thereat.
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`
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`
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 36
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`

`
`WO 99/02383
`
`- 9 -
`
`PCT/DE98/01787
`
`
`
`The flange-like walls 75 are part of two at the device or base parts 73 that can be combined at the seam
`
`72, each of which showing a flange-like appendage (wall 75) extending in the longitudinal direction of
`
`the carrier element, arranged standing on the glass pane and pointing away therefrom, at which the
`
`connection means for the wiper arm 18 are located, formed by the joint pin 72. The two parts 73 of the
`
`connection device 16 surround with their claws 70 an exposed central section of the external edges of the
`
`spring rails in a clamp-like fashion. Similarly as explained for the fasteners 34 and 36, the two device
`
`parts 73 of the connection device 16 are potentially connected to each other by means not shown in
`
`greater detail. A latching of the two device parts with each other is also possible, such as welding or
`
`adhesion, for example.
`
`
`
`Another embodiment of a connection device 116 is discernible from Fig. 10. Here, at the two base parts
`
`174, also flange-like projections 175 are provided, extending in the longitudinal direction of the carrier
`
`element and arranged standing on the glass pane and projecting away therefrom, which however can be
`
`directly connected, abutting each other. For the rest, in this embodiment as well the base parts 174
`
`surround the exterior longitudinal edges of the spring rails 30 and 32 with claw-like projections 154, as
`
`already described in the previous exemplary embodiment of the connection device 16. The fastening of
`
`these two base parts 174 can be realized by a screwed connection. For this purpose the two projections
`
`175 each show a bore 176, which are aligned to each other in the installed state of the connection device
`
`116. A screw 177 penetrates the projections 175 in the bores 176 and cooperates with a nut part 178 of a
`
`joint pin 180, with here it being possible to connect the appropriately embodied free end of a wiper arm in
`
`a manner known per se.
`
`
`
`
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 37
`
`

`
`WO 99/02383
`
`- 10 -
`
`PCT/DE98/01787
`
`
`
`However it is also possible, in a manner know per se, to connect in a fixed fashion the joint pin to the
`
`wiper arm and to fasten the bolt allocated thereto at the projections 175. Here, simultaneously a fixed
`
`connection can be realized of the two base parts 174.
`
`
`
`Another embodiment is shown in Fig. 11, largely similar to the embodiment according to Fig. 10. The
`
`essential difference to the embodiment according to Fig. 10 is given here in that the two spring rails 230
`
`and 232 show different widths. Accordingly, the claw-like projections 254 of this additional connection
`
`device 216 also show a respective embodiment.
`
` A
`
` particular feature of the wiper blade according to the invention shall now be explained based on Figs. 1
`
`to 3 and 11. As discernible from these figures, the wiper strip 14 shows at the strip area 48 of the carrier
`
`element 12, facing away from the glass pane, a projection, which is embodied as a wind deflection strip
`
`200 extending essentially away from the glass pane. In order to allow a wiper blade embodied in this
`
`fashion to be placed beneficially on the fasteners 34, 36 as well as the connection device 16, recesses are
`
`allocated thereto in the wiper deflection strip 200.
`
`
`
`All exemplary embodiments of the fasteners 34, 36 have in common that in a generic wiper blade the
`
`fasteners are divided in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade and that the fastener parts 33, 35 are
`
`connected to each other.
`
`
`
`An appropriate embodiment is also provided for the various connection devices 16 and/or 116 and/or 216
`
`
`
`explained above.
`
`
`
`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 38
`
`

`
`WO 99/02383
`
`- 11 -
`
`PCT/DE98/01787
`
`
`
`Claims
`
`1.
`
`A wiper blade (10) for cleaning glass panes of motor vehicles with a resilient elastic carrier
`
`element (12), elongated like a band, with a connection device (16) being held at the band area (48), facing
`
`away from the glass pane, that can be connected to a driven wiper arm (18), and with an elongated,
`
`rubber-elastic wiper strip (14) being arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis at its other band area (46)
`
`facing the glass pane, with the multi-part carrier element (12) comprising two spring rails (30, 32)
`
`arranged in opposite longitudinal grooves (38, 40) of the wiper strip (14), which are secured in the
`
`longitudinal grooves by at least one fastener surrounding longitudinal edges facing away from each other,
`
`characterized in that the fastener (34 and/or 36) is divided in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade
`
`(10) into fastener parts (33, 35) and that the fastener parts (33, 35) are connected to each other.
`
`
`
`2.
`
`A wiper blade according to claim 1, characterized in that several fasteners (34, 36) are arranged
`
`distributed over the longitudinal extension of the carrier element (12) and at a distance from each other.
`
`
`
`3.
`
`A wiper blade according to claim 2, characterized in that a fastener (34 and/or 36) is arranged at
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`least at each end section of the elongated carrier element (12).
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 39
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`WO 99/02383
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`- 12 -
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`PCT/DE98/01787
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`A wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connection device (16)
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`4.
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`is provided with fastening means engaging at the two spring rails (30, 32), that the connection device is
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`divided in the longitudinal direction of the carrier element (12), and that the device parts (73) are
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`connected to each other.
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`5.
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`A wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the area of the wiper strip
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`(14) located at the band area (48) facing away from the glass pane, is embodied as a wind deflection strip
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`(200) essentially extending away from the glass pane, and that one recess in the wind deflection strip is
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`allocated to each fastener.
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`6.
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`A wiper blade according to claim 5, characterized in that a recess (202) in the wind deflection
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`strip (200) is allocated to the connection device (16).
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`7.
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`A wiper blade according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the fastener parts surround an
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`exposed section of the external edges (50, 52) of the spring rail-like clamps.
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`8.
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`A wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that parts of the connection
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`device (16) surround an exposed central section of the external edges (50, 52) of the spring rail-like
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`clamps.
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`9.
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`A wiper blade according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the connection device (16
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`and/or 116 and/or 216) shows two device parts, that each part shows a flange-like projection (75 and/or
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`175) extending in the longitudinal direction of the carrier element and arranged erect in reference to the
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`glass pane and extending away therefrom, at which connection means (22 and/or 180) are located for the
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`wiper arm (18).
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 40
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`

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`WO 99/02383
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`- 13 -
`
`PCT/DE98/01787
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`10.
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`A wiper blade according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the fastener parts (33, 35)
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`can be latched to each other.
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`11.
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`A wiper blade according to one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the device parts (174
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`and/or 175) can be latched to each other.
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 41
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 42
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 43
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 44
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 45
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 46
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 47
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`Costco Exhibit 1004, p. 48