US4981637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of forming an improved wiper blade
Assignee: JMK International Inc
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Filing: 1989-11-09
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Granted: 1991-01-01
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Expires: 2009-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A method is shown for forming a wiper blade in which a continuous length of elastomer is extruded through a die having a die opening shaped to produce a pair of wiper blades joined in edge-to-edge relation. The elastomer is preformed to produce a weakened mid- section and then cured. The cured elastomer is then separated into two separate lengths of wiper blade by pulling the length of continuous elastomer along the weakened mid-section.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael L. Hyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:36
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/04; B29C35/06; B29C48/00; B29C48/001; B29C48/0022; B29C48/022; B29C48/03; B29C48/09; B29C48/12; B29C48/25; B29C48/36; B29C48/50; B29C48/695; B60; B60S; B60S1/00; B60S1/02; B60S1/04; B60S1/32; B60S1/38; B29C2793/00; B29C2793/0054; B29C2793/0063; B29K; B29K2021/00; B29K2083/00; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0037; B29K2995/0082; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/30; B29L2031/305; B60S2001/3827; B60S2001/3829; B60S2001/3836; B60S2001/3898
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of forming a wiper blade, comprising the steps of: extruding a continuous length of curable elastomer through a die having a die opening shaped to produce a pair of wiper blades joined at a mid-section thereof in edge-to-edge relation; preforming the mid section of the continuous length of extruded elastomer prior to curing to produce a weakened mid-section that facilitates the subsequent separation of the elastomer into a pair of wiper blades; then curing the continuous length of extruded elastomer; and then separating the length of continuous elastomer into two separate lengths of wiper blade by pulling apart the length of continuous elastomer along the score line.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of forming a wiper blade, comprising the steps of: extruding a continuous length of curable elastomer through a die having a die opening shaped to produce a pair of wiper blades joined at a mid-section thereof in edge-to-edge relation; preforming the mid section of the continuous length of extruded elastomer prior to curing to produce a weakened mid-section that facilitates the subsequent separation of the elastomer into a pair of wiper blades; then curing the continuous length of extruded elastomer; and then separating the length of continuous elastomer into two separate lengths of wiper blade by pulling apart the length of continuous elastomer along the score line.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of forming a wiper blade, comprising the steps of: extruding a continuous length of curable elastomer through a die having a die opening shaped to produce a pair of wiper blades joined at a mid-section thereof in edge-to-edge relation, said continuous length of curable elastomer having a top and bottom surfaces which define a thickness therebetween; preforming the mid section of the continuous length of extruded elastomer as it leaves the extruder die and prior to curing by passing the continuous length of elastomer through a preforming means for initially dividing the continuous length of extruded elastomer along the mid-section thereof into separate halves, the separate halves being united immediately thereafter, to thereby produce a weakened mid-section which facilitates the subsequent separation of the elastomer into a pair of wiper blades; thereafter, curing the continuous length of extruded elastomer; and then separating the length of continuous elastomer into two separate lengths of wiper blade by pulling the separate lengths apart along the weakened mid-section.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of forming a wiper blade, comprising the steps of: extruding a continuous length of curable elastomer through a die having a die opening shaped to produce a pair of wiper blades joined at a mid-section thereof in edge-to-edge relation, said continuous length of curable elastomer having a top and bottom surfaces which define a thickness therebetween; preforming the mid section of the continuous length of extruded elastomer as it leaves the extruder die and prior to curing by passing the continuous length of elastomer through a preforming means for initially dividing the continuous length of extruded elastomer along the mid-section thereof into separate halves, the separate halves being united immediately thereafter, to thereby produce a weakened mid-section which facilitates the subsequent separation of the elastomer into a pair of wiper blades; thereafter, curing the continuous length of extruded elastomer; and then separating the length of continuous elastomer into two separate lengths of wiper blade by pulling the separate lengths apart along the weakened mid-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the preforming means is a wire arranged in the die opening transverse to the direction of travel of the extruded elastomer which serves to initially divide the continuous length of elastomer along the mid-section thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the preforming means is a blade arranged in the die opening transverse to the direction of travel of the extruded elastomer which serves to initially divide the continuous length of elastomer along the mid-section thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-12-31 | 1994-07-02 | 1995-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-31 | 1998-07-02 | 1999-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-31 | 2002-07-02 | 2003-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |