Wiper-mounted type defrosting device

Abstract

To provide a device that can be easily attached to and detached from a wiper blade, easily remove frost or the like adhering to a window surface, and easily perform bothersome defrosting at the start of driving in winter.SOLUTION: A wiper-mounted type defrosting device 1 includes a tubular body 8 that can be detachably attached to the periphery of a wiper blade 4 and a holding part 5 of a T-shaped wiper 2 which includes the wiper blade 4, the holding part 5 that holds the wiper blade 4 and an arm part 7 that slides the wiper blade 4 along a window surface. The tubular body 8 is formed of a mesh-like tube made of plastic warp 11 and weft 12 and having irregularities on the surface of a side wall. An elliptical opening 9 is formed at one end of the tubular body 8, and a slit through which a connection part 6 can pass from the other end of the opening 9 is continuously formed over the predetermined length on the side wall of the tubular body 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wiper-mounted defrosting device that can be detachably attached to a wiper blade that wipes the window surface of an automobile or the like, and that removes frost and the like that has built up on the window surface in winter. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there have been proposed devices for removing frost and the like that has adhered to the windshield surface of an automobile or the like by operating a wiper, as well as tools for protecting the entire wiper from snow. For example, Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication 9-76881A) describes a wiper with an ice crushing roller in which an ice crushing roller (1) having multiple ridges (101) is attached to the wiper base (2), and the wiper arms (4) are made to perform a reciprocating wiping motion, so that on the outbound path, the multiple ridges (101) of the ice crushing roller (1) are pressed against the glass surface (7) while rolling and crushing thin ice, and on the return path, a rubber blade (3) wipes away the crushed ice (see particularly paragraphs 0009-0011 and Figures 1 and 2). In addition, Patent Document 2 (JP Patent Publication No. 10-59135A) discloses a blade cleaner that includes a holder (12) that holds a blade (11), a fin-shaped protective cover (13) attached to the holder (12), and an arm (14) to which the holder (12) can be attached so as to be rotatable and lockable. When the tip of the blade (11) is in contact with a glass surface (15) and the holder (12) is locked (FIG. 3(a)), the blade (11) The document describes a windshield wiper device in which, when the glass surface (15) is wiped and the protective cover (13) is in contact with the glass surface (15) and the holding portion (12) is locked (Figure 3(b)), the protective cover (13) is positioned above the blade (11), protecting the blade (11) from sunlight, wind, rain, etc., and also removing ice frozen on the glass surface (15) (see particularly paragraphs 0006-0007 and Figures 1-3). Furthermore, Patent Document 3 (JP Patent Publication No. 2002-187529) describes a protective cover for protecting the entire wiper from snow and for allowing the wiper to be driven without having to remove snow that has adhered to it when removed, the protective cover comprising a main body (1) for covering a --shaped or T-shaped wiper, the main body (1) for covering a --shaped wiper having a removable cap (2) at its tip and a fastener (3) at one end, and the main body (1) for covering a T-shaped wiper having caps (2) at both ends and a slit (4) in the longitudinal direction for storing the wiper (see in particular claims 1 and 2, paragraphs 004, 005, and figures 7 to 10).

[0003] However, the wiper with ice crushing roller in Patent Document 1 requires a special wiper base (2), The windshield wiper device of Patent Document 2 also requires a holding part (12) capable of holding the blade (11) and the protective cover (13), and an arm (14) to which the holding part (12) can be attached in a rotatable and lockable manner, and therefore both are expensive and not easily usable. Furthermore, the protective cover in Patent Document 3 is intended to protect the entire wiper from snow and to enable it to be removed for driving, but is not intended to remove frost and the like that has adhered to the windshield surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-76881 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-59135 [Patent Document 3] JP 2002-187529 A (Patent No. 3623163 A) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] To provide a device which can be easily attached to and detached from the wiper blade of a wiper that is standardly equipped on an automobile or the like and can easily remove frost and the like adhering to the windshield surface, thereby facilitating the troublesome defrosting work when starting to drive in winter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention according to claim 1 is a wiper-mounted defrosting device comprising a wiper blade for wiping a window surface, a holder for holding the wiper blade, and a cylindrical body that is detachable around the wiper blade and the holder, the cylindrical body having an arm portion connected to the holder and sliding the wiper blade along the window surface, The cylindrical body has a surface on a side wall thereof provided with projections and recesses having ridges parallel to a line parallel to a central axis or ridges intersecting obliquely therewith, The cylindrical body is characterized in that an opening is provided at one end or the other end.

[0007] The invention according to claim 2 is the wiper-mounted defroster according to claim 1, The side wall is characterized in that a slit through which the connecting portion between the holding portion and the arm portion can pass is provided continuously over a predetermined length from the opening.

[0008] The invention according to claim 3 is the wiper-mounted defroster according to claim 1 or 2, The cylindrical body is characterized in that it is a mesh-like tube made up of warp and weft threads.

[0009] The invention according to claim 4 is the wiper-mounted defroster according to claim 3, The mesh-like tube has a mesh formed of a plurality of warp threads arranged in a circular shape parallel to a central axis and weft threads intersecting the plurality of warp threads at an angle. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the invention of claim 1, the cylindrical body has a sidewall surface with unevenness having ridges parallel to a line parallel to the central axis or ridges intersecting obliquely, and an opening is provided at one end or the other end of the cylindrical body, so that the opening is positioned at the end of the wiper blade and holder of an I-type or T-type wiper and the cylindrical body is slid to cover the periphery of the wiper blade and holder. Then, by operating the arm, the unevenness on the sidewall surface of the cylindrical body is pressed against the window surface to wipe the window surface, so that frost and the like adhering to the outer surface of the window surface can be easily removed. In other words, the wiper-mounted defrosting device of the invention according to claim 1 can be easily attached and detached to the wipers that are standard equipment on automobiles, etc., and the cylindrical body covers the wiper blade and the holding part, and then the arm part is operated to remove frost and other substances that have adhered to the window surface, making it easy to perform the troublesome defrosting work that is usually required when starting to drive in winter. Furthermore, once the defrosting operation is completed, the vehicle can be driven immediately by simply pulling the cylindrical body out from the wiper blade and the holder.

[0011] According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effects of the invention of claim 1, a slit is provided continuously over a predetermined length from the opening on the side wall of the cylindrical body, through which the connecting part between the holding part and the arm part can pass. Therefore, when the cylindrical body is slid relative to an I-type or T-type wiper, the connecting part between the holding part and the arm part enters into the slit, so that almost the entire cylindrical body covers the wiper blade and holding part and the cylindrical body is fixed so that it cannot rotate around the wiper blade and holding part. Therefore, the cylindrical body can be easily attached to an I-type or T-type wiper, and when the arm portion is operated, the unevenness on the surface of the side wall opposite the notch is pressed against the window surface while wiping the window surface, so that frost and the like that has adhered thereto can be reliably removed.

[0012] According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the effects of the invention of claim 1 or 2, the cylindrical body is a mesh tube composed of warp and weft threads, and therefore can be easily and inexpensively manufactured using commercially available mesh pipes, etc.

[0013] According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to the effects of the invention of claim 3, the mesh-like tube has a mesh formed of multiple warp threads arranged in a ring shape and parallel to the central axis, and weft threads that cross the multiple warp threads diagonally. Therefore, when the cylindrical body is attached to the wiper, the multiple warp threads are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade, and when the arm portion is operated, the convex parts formed by the warp threads move in the same way as the ridges of the wiper blade, allowing the window surface to be smoothly wiped. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the wiper-mounted defrosting device according to the first embodiment is being used. [Diagram 2] 1A and 1B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a wiper-mounted defrosting device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state in which the cylindrical body of the first embodiment is attached to a T-shaped wiper. [Figure 4] 11A and 11B are a plan view and a front view of a wiper-mounted defrosting device according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a view showing the state in which the cylindrical body of the third embodiment is attached to an I-type wiper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples. EXAMPLES

[0016] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a wiper-mounted defrosting device 1 according to the first embodiment in use, and shows a state where the device is mounted on a T-type wiper 2 that is standard equipment on automobiles and the like. The T-shaped wiper 2 shown in Figure 1 has a wiper blade 4 that wipes a window surface 3, a holding part 5 that holds the wiper blade 4, and an arm part 7 that is connected to the middle of the holding part 5 via a connecting part 6 and slides the wiper blade 4 along the window surface 3. 2(A) and (B) are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of the wiper-mounted defroster 1. FIG. FIG. 2(B) shows the wiper-mounted defroster 1 cut along a plane perpendicular to the central axis, but the dimensions are enlarged to twice those of FIG. 2(A). 2(A), the wiper-mounted defroster 1 is made of a cylindrical body 8, which is a mesh-like tube made of plastic warp threads 11 and weft threads 12, and one end (the right end in the figure) of the cylindrical body 8 is cut obliquely to the central axis to form an elliptical opening 9, and the other end (the left end in the figure) of the cylindrical body 8 is cut perpendicular to the central axis to form a circular opening (not shown). Furthermore, in the side wall of the cylindrical body 8, a slit 10 having a width that allows the connecting part 6 to pass through is continuously formed over a predetermined length from the other end side of the elliptical opening 9. The inner diameter of the cylindrical body 8 is about 3 cm when applied to a T-type wiper that is standard equipment on small passenger cars, but needs to be adjusted according to the size of the wiper blade 4 and the holding part 5. Also, each of the warp threads 11 and the weft threads 12 may be composed of multiple threads, or may be composed of a single thread wound in a spiral shape. 2(B), the cylindrical body 8 has unevenness on the surface of the side wall caused by the steps of the warp threads 11 and weft threads 12. The plastic constituting the warp threads 11 and weft threads 12 can be freely selected from among thermoplastic resins that are resistant to impact, such as hard polyethylene, soft polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and EVA resin.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which the cylindrical body 8 of the first embodiment is attached to the T-shaped wiper 2. As shown in FIG. When using the wiper-mounted defroster 1 of Example 1, after the wiper blade 4 is separated from the window surface 3, the opening 9 is positioned at the other end side of the wiper blade 4 and the holding portion 5 (the left end side of Figure 3, the bottom end side of Figure 1), and the cylindrical body 8 is slid to one end side (the right side of Figure 3, the top side of Figure 1), so that the connecting portion 6 enters the slit 10 and can be slid until it reaches the tip of the slit 10 (the left end of Figure 3, the bottom end of Figure 1). As a result, almost the entire cylindrical body 8 covers the wiper blade 4 and the holding portion 5, the central portion of the cylindrical body 8 is held near the connecting portion 6, and is fixed so that it cannot rotate around the wiper blade 4 and the holding portion 5. Thereafter, the surface of the side wall of the cylindrical body 8 is brought into close contact with the window surface 3 and the arm portion 7 is operated, whereby the unevenness on the surface of the side wall of the cylindrical body 8 is pressed against the window surface 3 and wipes the window surface 3, so that frost and the like adhering to the surface of the window surface 3 can be removed while being crushed by the unevenness. Then, once frost and the like adhering to the surface of the window surface 3 has been removed, the cylindrical body 8 is separated from the window surface 3, and then the cylindrical body 8 is slid to the other end side (the left side in Figure 3, the bottom side in Figure 1) and pulled out from the wiper blade 4 and the holding portion 5, and then the wiper blade 4 is brought into close contact with the window surface 3, allowing the vehicle, etc., to be driven in the vehicle. Here, in Figure 3, the sum of the specified length of the notch 10 and the length of the major axis of the opening 9 is approximately the length from the connecting part 6 to one end of the wiper blade 4, but if the wiper-mounted defroster 1 is to be used as is, the most versatile will be if the above sum of lengths is adjusted to that of a typical T-shaped wiper which has the shortest length from the connecting part 6 to one end of the wiper blade 4, and if the wiper-mounted defroster 1 is to be cut by the user when it is too long, the most versatile will be if the above sum of lengths is adjusted to that of the longest length from the connecting part 6 to one end of the wiper blade 4. In addition, if they are to be sold commercially, it is advisable to prepare a number of different types, such as those with the shortest, intermediate and longest lengths from the connecting portion 6 to one end of the wiper blade 4. EXAMPLES

[0018] 4(A) and 4(B) are a plan view and a front view of the wiper-mounted defroster 13 according to the second embodiment. The wiper-mounted defroster 13 according to the second embodiment differs from the wiper-mounted defroster 1 according to the first embodiment only in that the tubular body 8, which is a mesh tube formed of the plastic warp threads 11 and weft threads 12 according to the first embodiment, is replaced with a tubular body 14, which is a mesh tube formed of a plurality of warp threads 17 arranged in an annular shape and parallel to the central axis, and a weft thread 18 that diagonally intersects with the plurality of warp threads 17. The weft thread 18 may be formed of a plurality of threads, or may be formed of a single thread wound in a spiral shape. The other configurations of the wiper-mounted defroster 13 of Example 2 are almost the same as those of Example 1, the plan view shown in Figure 4(A) is the same as the plan view of the wiper-mounted defroster 1 shown in Figure 2(A), the state in which the cylindrical body 14 of Example 2 is attached to the T-shaped wiper 2 is also almost the same as that shown in Figure 3, and the method of using the wiper-mounted defroster 13 and the materials of the warp threads 17 and weft threads 18 are also the same as those of Example 1, so detailed explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4(A), an elliptical opening 15 is formed at one end of the cylindrical body 14, a circular opening (not shown) is formed at the other end of the cylindrical body 14, and a slit 16 of a width allowing the connecting portion 6 to pass through is formed continuously over a predetermined length in the side wall of the cylindrical body 14 from the other end side of the opening 15. In addition, the cylindrical body 14 has unevenness on the surface of the side wall caused by the steps between the warp threads 17 and the weft threads 18, and when the cylindrical body 14 is attached to the T-shaped wiper 2, the multiple warp threads 17 that form the convex portions are arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade 4. Therefore, when the cylindrical body 14 is attached to the T-shaped wiper 2 and the arm portion 7 is operated, several warp threads 17 on the opposite side of the slit 16 move in the same manner as the ridges of the wiper blade 4, smoothly wiping the window surface 3, so that frost and the like adhering to the surface of the window surface 3 can be removed while being crushed by the unevenness. EXAMPLES

[0020] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the cylindrical body 25 of the third embodiment is attached to the I-type wiper 20. As shown in FIG. The I-type wiper 20 shown in Figure 5 has a wiper blade 21 that wipes the window surface 3, a holding portion 22 that holds the wiper blade 21, and an arm portion 24 that is connected to the other end of the holding portion 22 via a connecting portion 23 and slides the wiper blade 21 along the window surface 3. The wiper-mounted defroster 19 of Example 3 comprises a tubular body 25, which is a mesh tube composed of plastic warp threads 28 and weft threads 29, and the other end of the tubular body 25 (the left end in the figure) is cut perpendicular to the central axis to form a circular opening 26, and one end of the tubular body 25 (the right end in the figure) is also cut perpendicular to the central axis to form a circular opening 27. That is, the wiper-mounted defroster 19 of Example 3 differs from the wiper-mounted defroster 1 of Example 1 in that it is mounted on an I-type wiper 20, that a circular opening 27 is formed at one end of the cylindrical body 25, and that no notch is formed in the side wall of the cylindrical body 25. The arrangement and materials of the warp threads 28 and weft threads 29 are the same as those of the warp threads 17 and weft threads 18 in the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0021] When using the wiper-mounted defroster 19 of Example 3, after the wiper blade 21 is moved away from the window surface 3, the opening 26 is positioned at one end side (the right end side in Figure 5) of the wiper blade 21 and the holding portion 22, and the cylindrical body 25 is slid to the other end side (the left end side in Figure 5) until the opening 26 reaches the vicinity of the connecting portion 23. In this way, the wiper blade 21 and the holding portion 22 are covered by almost the entire cylindrical body 25, and the other end of the cylindrical body 25 abuts against the connecting portion 23 and is held there. Therefore, when the surface of the side wall of the cylindrical body 25 is brought into close contact with the window surface 3 and the arm portion 24 is operated, the unevenness on the surface of the side wall of the cylindrical body 25 is pressed against the window surface 3 while wiping the window surface 3, so that frost and the like adhering to the surface of the window surface 3 can be removed while being crushed by the unevenness. Then, once frost and the like adhering to the surface of the window surface 3 has been removed, the cylindrical body 25 is moved away from the window surface 3, and then the cylindrical body 25 is slid to the other end side (the right side in Figure 5) and pulled out from the wiper blade 21 and the holding portion 22, and then the wiper blade 21 is brought into close contact with the window surface 3, allowing the vehicle, etc., to be driven on. Here, in Figure 5, the length of the tubular body 25 is approximately the same as the length of the wiper blade 21, but if the wiper-mounted defroster 19 is to be used as is, the most versatile will be if the length of the tubular body 25 is adjusted to that of a typical I-type wiper with the shortest length of wiper blade 21, and if the wiper-mounted defroster 19 is to be cut by the user when it is too long, the most versatile will be if the length of the tubular body 25 is adjusted to that of the wiper blade 21 with the longest length. In addition, if the wiper blades 21 are to be sold commercially, it is advisable to prepare a number of different lengths, such as minimum, medium, and maximum.

[0022] Modifications of the wiper-mounted defrosting device according to the first to third embodiments will be listed below. (Variation 1) The cylindrical bodies 8, 14, 25 in Examples 1 to 3 were all mesh-like tubes made of plastic warp and weft threads, but any material can be used as long as the surface of the side wall is provided with irregularities having ridges that are parallel to a line parallel to the central axis or ridges that intersect diagonally, and the material is not limited to plastic but can also be metal, glass fiber, carbon fiber, etc. Furthermore, if the plate has not only projections and recesses but also a large number of holes, it is better because the frost and the like crushed by the projections and recesses can be expelled through the holes and will not get clogged in the recesses. (Variation 2) The cylindrical bodies 8, 14, 25 in Examples 1 to 3 are all mesh tubes made of plastic warp and weft threads, and there are no particular limitations on their hardness (flexibility) and any hardness will work, but it is better to have a hardness that is at least sufficient to maintain its shape when held in the hand, as this makes it easier to position the openings 9, 15, 26 on the other or one end side of the wiper blades 4, 21 and holding portions 5, 22 and also improves the ability to crush and remove frost, etc.

[0023] (Modification 3) Although the cylindrical bodies 8, 14, and 25 in the first to third embodiments all have openings on both ends, it is sufficient that an opening is provided on only one end. In addition, when no opening is provided at the other end in Examples 1 and 2 and at one end in Example 3, the total length of the tubular bodies 8, 14, 25 must be approximately the same as the length of the wiper blade 4, 21 to be attached, and the sum of the length of the notches 10, 16 in the tubular bodies 8, 14 and the length of the major axis of the openings 9, 15 must be approximately the same as the length from one end of the wiper blade 4 to be attached to the connecting portion 6. (Variation 4) In Examples 1 and 2, one end of the cylindrical body 8, 14 is formed with an elliptical opening 9, 15 cut diagonally relative to the central axis, and the other end of the cylindrical body 25 in Example 3 is formed with a circular opening 26 cut perpendicular to the central axis, but the cutting direction may be in either direction, and the cutting may be along a curve or a broken line rather than a straight line. Furthermore, the slit provided in the side wall of the cylindrical body needs to be formed continuously over a predetermined length from the closest part to the center of the opening.

[0024] (Modification 5) When the cylindrical bodies 8, 14 in the first and second embodiments are attached to the T-shaped wiper 2, the openings 9, 15 are positioned at the other end side (left end side in FIG. 3, bottom end side in FIG. 1) of the wiper blade 4 and the holding part 5, and the cylindrical bodies 8, 14 are slid to one end side (right side in FIG. 3, top side in FIG. 1), but conversely, the openings 9, 15 may be positioned at one end side (right end side in FIG. 3, top end side in FIG. 1) of the wiper blade 4 and the holding part 5, and the cylindrical bodies 8, 14 may be slid to the other end side (left side in FIG. 3, bottom side in FIG. 1). However, in this case, the sum of the predetermined length of the slits 10, 16 and the length of the major axis of the openings 9, 15 must be determined based on the length from the connecting part 6 to the other end of the wiper blade 4. (Modification 6) In the cylindrical bodies 8, 14 in the first and second embodiments, the elliptical openings 9, 15 are formed, and the slits 10, 16 having a width that allows the connecting part 6 to pass through are continuously formed over a predetermined length from the other end side of the openings 9, 15. However, instead of forming the elliptical openings 9, 15 and the slits 10, 16, two cylindrical bodies having circular openings and no slits may be used, with one cylindrical body covering the periphery of the wiper blade 4 from one end of the wiper blade 4 to the vicinity of the connecting part 6 and the holding part 5, and the other cylindrical body covering the periphery of the wiper blade 4 from the other end of the wiper blade 4 to the vicinity of the connecting part 6 and the holding part 5. In this case, it is better to connect the two cylindrical bodies near the connecting part 6 with a string, wire, or a connector provided on both sides. (Modification 7) Although no slit was formed in the cylindrical body 25 in the third embodiment, a slit may be formed from the opening 26 at the other end. Note that the slit only needs to accommodate the vicinity of the connecting portion 23, so the length of the slit may be 1 to 3 cm. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 1. Wiper-mounted defrosting device according to embodiment 1 2. T-type wiper 3 Window surface 4 Wiper blade 5 Retaining part 6 Connection part 7 Arm part 8 Cylindrical body 9 Opening 10 Slit 11 Warp 12 Weft 13 Wiper-mounted defrosting device according to embodiment 2 14 Cylindrical body 15 opening 16 slit 17 warp 18 weft 19 Wiper-mounted defrosting device according to embodiment 2 20 I-type wiper 21 wiper blade 22 holding portion 23 connecting portion 24 arm portion 25 tubular body 26, 27 opening 28 warp thread 29 weft thread

Claims

1. A wiper-mounted defrosting device comprising a wiper blade for wiping a window surface, a holder for holding the wiper blade, and a cylindrical body that is detachable around the wiper blade and the holder, the cylindrical body having an arm portion connected to the holder and sliding the wiper blade along the window surface, The cylindrical body has a surface on a side wall thereof provided with projections and recesses having ridges parallel to a line parallel to a central axis or ridges intersecting obliquely therewith, An opening is provided at one end or the other end of the cylindrical body. A wiper-mounted defrosting device.

2. The side wall is provided with a slit that allows the connection between the holding portion and the arm portion to pass through, the slit extending continuously from the opening over a predetermined length.

2. The wiper-mounted defrosting device according to claim 1.

3. The cylindrical body is a mesh-like tube made of warp and weft threads.

3. The wiper-mounted defrosting device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The mesh-like tube has a mesh formed of a plurality of warp threads arranged in a circular shape and parallel to a central axis, and weft threads that cross the plurality of warp threads obliquely.

4. The wiper-mounted defrosting device according to claim 3.

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