Windshield wiper and washing liquid reservoir assembly

Claim 1

A windshield wiper apparatus comprising a drive mechanism, for at least one windshield wiper arm, and a reservoir, the drive mechanism comprising an elongated support structure forming a base plate which has a first and second longitudinal edge, motor means mounted on the support structure, a drive spindle rotatably carried by the support structure and coupled with the motor means so as to be rotatably driven thereby, at least one windshield wiper arm spindle rotatably carried by the support structure, and a linkage coupled between the drive spindle and said at least one windshield wiper arm spindle for transmitting said rotary motion of said drive spindle to said wiper arm spindle, said support structure including means for securing said support structure to the body of a vehicle, said drive mechanism configured to define a space envelope, the apparatus further comprising pumping means operatively connected to the reservoir to project washing liquid from the reservoir on to a glass surface during wiping of the glass surface, and means for rigidly attaching the reservoir to the support structure so as to form an assembly, the reservoir has an upper external wall forming a concavity which receives a portion of the motor means therein, the reservoir extending substantially below the support structure so as to fit substantially within the space envelope defined by the drive mechanism, the base plate further comprising a pair of first feet spaced from each other and projecting downwardly from the first longitudinal edge, and at least one second foot projecting from the second longitudinal edge, the reservoir having projecting elements and a support element, the first pair of feet having holes for engaging said projecting elements to secure them to the reservoir, and the at least one second foot being arranged to be secured to said support element.