Apparatus for cleaning windshields or the like

Claim 2

Apparatus for cleaning a transparent pane having an elongated curved edge portion especially for wiping windshields or rear windows in automotive vehicles, comprising a linear electric motor having elongated inductor means extending along the pane to be cleaned and having a curvature at least substantially corresponding to the curvature of said edge portion; armature means mounted for reciprocatory movement lengthwise of said inductor means; and pane-engaging wiper means mounted on and movable with said armature means.

Claim 3

Apparatus for cleaning transparent panes especially for wiping windshields or rear windows in automotive vehicles, comprising a linear electric motor having elongated inductor means extending along the pane to be cleaned and armature means mounted for reciprocatory movement lengthwise of said inductor means, said armature means being movable to and from a parking position and including a circuit; locking means arranged to automatically hold said armature means in said parking position in response to opening of said circuit of said armature means, said locking means comprising a locking member adjacent to the path of movement of said armature means and movable to and from an operative position in which said locking member engages and holds a portion of said armature means when the latter reaches said parking position; a control circuit for said armature means including normally open master switch means for completing said circuit, said circuit including electromagnet means arranged to maintain said locking member out of said operative position when said circuit is completed in response to closing of said master switch means; and pane-engaging wiper means mounted on and movable with said armature means.

Claim 4

Apparatus for cleaning transparent panes especially for wiping windshields or rear windows in automotive vehicles, comprising a linear electric motor having elongated inductor means extending along the pane to be cleaned and armature means mounted for reciprocatory movement lengthwise of said inductor means, said armature means being movable to and from a parking position and including a circuit; locking means arranged to automatically hold said armature means in said parking position in response to opening of said circuit of said armature means, said locking means comprising a locking member adjacent to the path of movement of said armature means and movable to and from an operative position in which said locking member engages and holds a portion of said armature means when the latter reaches said parking position; a control circuit for said armature means including normally open master switch means for completing said circuit, said circuit including electromagnet means arranged to maintain said locking member out of said operative position when said circuit is completed in response to closing of said master switch means; and pane-engaging wiper means mounted on and movable with said armature means.

Claim 5

Apparatus for cleaning transparent panes especially for wiping windshields or rear windows in automotive vehicles, comprising a linear electric motor having elongated inductor means extending along the pane to be cleaned, said inductor means comprising two end portions; armature means mounted for reciProcatory movement lengthwise of said inductor means; pane-engaging wiper means mounted on and movable with said armature means; electric control circuit for said armature means associated with said inductor means, said circuit including means for reversing the direction of movement of said armature means in the region of each end portion of said inductor means; and cushioning means provided in the path of movement of said armature means in each of said regions.

Claim 6

Apparatus for cleaning transparent panes especially for wiping windshields or rear windows in automotive vehicles, comprising a linear electric motor having elongated inductor means extending along the pane to be cleaned, said inductor means comprising two end portions; armature means mounted for reciProcatory movement lengthwise of said inductor means; pane-engaging wiper means mounted on and movable with said armature means; electric control circuit for said armature means associated with said inductor means, said circuit including means for reversing the direction of movement of said armature means in the region of each end portion of said inductor means; and cushioning means provided in the path of movement of said armature means in each of said regions.

Claim 7

Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said inductor means comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending sides and further comprising reinforcing means for at least one of said sides.

Claim 8

Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said reinforcing means comprises a rail and said armature means comprises follower means arranged to track said rail.

Claim 9

Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said cushioning means constitutes means for connecting said end portions of said inductor means to the frame of an automotive vehicle.

Claim 10

Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising an electric control circuit for said armature means and master switch means actuatable to complete said circuit, said circuit including a source of polyphase current.