Windshield Wiper Sleeve

Abstract

A windshield wiper sleeve of the present invention includes a body member having an elongate longitudinal configuration that defines an interior area, the body member having a closed end and an opposed generally open end in communication with the interior area. The open end is selectively movable between a completely open configuration so as to receive the windshield wiper arm into the interior area and a partially closed configuration so as to secure the body member to the windshield wiper arm when the windshield wiper arm is positioned in the interior area. A handle is attached to the body member closed end that is configured to be grasped by a person to slidably urge the body member away from the windshield wiper member when the open end is at the completely open configuration.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to automotive accessories and, more particularly, to a sleeve configured to receive a windshield wiper while mounted on an automobile so as to protect the wiper blade from ice buildup or from other weather conditions.

[0002] A very common yet frustrating occurrence in cold weather environments is clearing ice and snow from the windshield wipers of an automobile prior to driving in harsh winter weather conditions. Specifically, a driver may need to first dislodge windshield wipers that are frozen to a windshield, repeatedly strike the wipers against the windshield to break off ice and snow, and then scrape the windshield sufficiently to avoid the wiper blades from again collecting ice during use.

[0003] Various devices have been proposed in the art to shield windshield wipers from accumulating ice and snow. Although assumably effective for their intended purposes, the exist devices do not provide a sleeve that may be securely attached to windshield wipers during periods of non-use and that is user friendly to install, remove, and that may optionally provide a warming effect.

[0004] Therefore, it would be desirable to have a windshield wiper sleeve that is configured to receive a windshield wiper arm into an interior area while the windshield wiper arm remains attached to the automobile so as to shield the windshield wiper arm from ice, snow, or other harsh weather elements. Further, it would be desirable to have a windshield wiper sleeve that is easy to secure, easy to remove, and actually warms a windshield wiper arm when positioned therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A windshield wiper sleeve according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a body member having an elongate longitudinal configuration that defines an interior area, the body member having a closed end and an opposed generally open end in communication with the interior area. The open end is selectively movable between a completely open configuration so as to receive the windshield wiper arm into the interior area and a partially closed configuration so as to secure the body member to the windshield wiper arm when the windshield wiper arm is positioned in the interior area. A handle is attached to the body member closed end that is configured to be grasped by a person to slidably urge the body member away from the windshield wiper member when the open end is at the completely open configuration.

[0006] Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a windshield wiper sleeve or sleeves that may be selectively and removably positioned to receive a wiper arm and protect it from becoming covered with ice and snow.

[0007] Another object of this invention is to provide a windshield wiper sleeve, as aforesaid, that enables a user to drive an automobile in harsh winter weather conditions without having to first remove ice and snow from the wiper blades.

[0008] Still another object of this invention is to provide a windshield wiper sleeve, as aforesaid, that is easy to position around a wiper arm and easy to remove therefrom before driving.

[0009] Yet another object of this invention is to provide a windshield wiper sleeve, as aforesaid, that may proactively heat the wiper arms of an automobile.

[0010] A further object of this invention is to provide a windshield wiper sleeve, as aforesaid, that is cost effective to manufacture.

[0011] A still further object of this invention is to provide a windshield wiper sleeve, as aforesaid, that is durable to withstand harsh weather conditions.

[0012] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a windshield wiper sleeve according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 1b is a side view of the windshield wiper sleeve as in FIG. 1a;

[0015] FIG. 2a is a side view of a windshield wiper sleeve according to another embodiment of the present invention shown surrounding a windshield wiper arm and configured to use a battery power source;

[0016] FIG. 2b is another side view of the windshield wiper sleeve as in FIG. 2a configured to use with an AC power source;

[0017] FIG. 3a is an end view of the windshield wiper sleeve as in FIG. 2a;

[0018] FIG. 3b is a sectional view taken along line 3b-3b of FIG. 3a;

[0019] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the windshield wiper sleeve as in FIG. 2a;

[0020] FIG. 5a is a side view of the windshield wiper sleeve as in FIG. 2a; and

[0021] FIG. 5b is a sectional view taken along line 5b-5b of FIG. 5a.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] A windshield wiper sleeve for use in covering a windshield wiper arm that is operatively coupled to an automobile will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1a to 5b of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, the windshield wiper sleeve 10 includes a body member 20 having structures for receiving a windshield wiper arm 8, for being removably secured to the arm 8, and for being quickly removed therefrom, such as when driving.

[0023] The body member 20 includes a side wall(s) 22 having an elongate configuration that extends longitudinally between a closed end 24 and an opposed generally open end 26. More particularly, the side wall 22 may have a continuous surface, such as a generally cylindrical configuration although it is understood that other configurations would also be suitable. Preferably, the body member 20 is constructed of a durable material that can withstand repeated contact with rain, snow, ice, extreme cold and harsh winter conditions. Specifically, the body member 20 may be constructed of nylon, leather, waterproof fabrics or even plastic.

[0024] The body member 20 defines an open interior area having a geometric/mathematical area that is larger than a mathematical area of the windshield wiper arm 8. The body member 20--specifically the length of the side wall 22--is longer than a length of the windshield wiper arm 8. In other words, the windshield wiper arm 8 is completely receivable within the interior area of the body member 20.

[0025] The generally open end 26 may be configured to be selectively movable between a completely open configuration (FIG. 3b) and a partially closed configuration. More particularly, the windshield wiper arm 8 may be received into the body member interior area through the body member open end 26 when the open end 26 is at the completely open configuration. Once the windshield wiper arm 8 is completely situated inside the body member interior area, the open end 26 may be moved to its partially closed configuration so as to secure the body member 20 from becoming unintentionally dislodged or removed, such as by high winds or the like. In this regard, the body member 20 may include a fastener 28 adjacent the open end 26, such as a drawstring, clasp, hook and loop fastener, snap, or the like. The fastener 28 may be tightened or otherwise engaged to secure the body member 20 to the windshield wiper arm 8 or loosened for removal therefrom.

[0026] A handle 30 may be attached to the closed end 24 of the body member 20 or to the body member side wall 22 adjacent the closed end 24. The handle 30 is configured to be grasped by a person in order to pull or otherwise urge the body member 20 to slidably move longitudinally away from the windshield wiper arm 8. It is understood that the open end 26 should be moved to the completely open configuration before the body member 20 so that the body member 20 will slide off without binding up. For example, the wiper sleeve 10 may be removed from the windshield wiper arm 8 when the automobile is to be driven. Removal during driving, of course, is preferred in case rain or snow is experienced while driving although leaving the wiper sleeves 10 in place may be acceptable when driving on a clear day.

[0027] In some embodiments, the windshield wiper sleeve 10 may include a construction that maintains or preserves heat within the body member interior area. More particularly, the side wall 22 of the body member 20 may include an inner surface that includes a insulation material (not shown), such as felt, foam, polyester fill, or the like. In other embodiments, the wiper sleeve 10 may include at least one but preferably a plurality of heating elements 32 situated in the body member interior area (FIGS. 4 and 5). It is understood that the heating elements 32 are positioned so as not to interfere, block, or impede the windshield wiper arm 8 when received into the body member interior area. The elements 32 may be electrically connected to a battery (not shown) and are selectively energized thereby. Preferably, the battery may be situated in a battery housing 34 that may be secured to or positioned closely adjacent to the body member 20 (FIG. 2a). It is understood that the battery housing 34 and battery may in some embodiments be positioned inside the body member interior area. An input 36, such as a button, toggle switch, or the like, may be situated on the battery housing 34 and electrically connected to the battery and configured to actuate the battery to energize the plurality of heating elements 32. Accordingly, a user may activate the input 36 to energize the plurality of heating elements 32 with electricity from the battery in order to proactively warm the interior area of the body member 20. Alternatively, the heating elements 32 may receive electricity through an electric power cable 38 electrically connected to AC power in a residence, commercial building, or automobile (such as a cigarette lighter receptacle) (FIG. 2b).

[0028] In use, the windshield wiper sleeve 10 may be positioned to surround and cover a windshield wiper arm 8 that is operatively connected to an automobile. Preferably, two windshield wiper sleeves 10 are utilized to receive both of an automobile's wiper arms 8, respectively. To position a windshield wiper sleeve 10, the open end 26 of the body member 20 is moved to its completely open configuration and positioned adjacent the free end of a windshield wiper arm 8. Then, the windshield wiper arm 8 is lifted slightly so that the free end may be inserted into the open end 26 of the body member 20. The body member 20 may then be pulled toward the opposed end of the wiper arm 8 until the wiper arm 8 is completely received into the body member interior area. The body member open end 26 may then be moved to the partially closed configuration by operation of the fastener--such as, for example, pulling a drawstring. Removal of the wiper sleeve 10 may be achieved in substantially reverse order of the steps described above.

[0029] In embodiments having the plurality of heating elements 32, the heating elements 32 may be energized using the input 36 in electrical communication with the battery. Heating the interior of the body member 20 is helpful to melt ice or snow that may have built up before the wiper sleeve 10 was positioned to receive a wiper arm 8 or to inhibit ice or snow buildup after the sleeve 10 has to be removed while driving in harsh weather conditions.

[0030] Accordingly, it can be seen that the windshield wiper sleeve 10 as described herein provides a means for avoiding the inconvenience and undesirability of having to remove ice or snow from the windshield wipers of an automobile prior to driving in harsh winter weather conditions.

[0031] It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A windshield wiper sleeve for use in covering a windshield wiper arm operatively coupled to an automobile, said windshield wiper sleeve, comprising: a body member having an elongate longitudinal configuration that defines an interior area, said body member having a closed end and an opposed generally open end in communication with said interior area; wherein said open end is selectively movable between a completely open configuration so as to receive the windshield wiper arm into said interior area and a partially closed configuration so as to secure said body member to the windshield wiper arm when the windshield wiper arm is positioned in the interior area; and a handle attached to said body member closed end that is configured to be grasped by a person to slidably urge said body member away from the windshield wiper member when said open end is at said completely open configuration.

2. The windshield wiper sleeve as in claim 1, wherein said body member includes a continuous side wall that extends between said open and closed ends.

3. The windshield wiper sleeve as in claim 1, wherein said body member interior area defines a geometric area that is larger than a geometric area of the windshield wiper arm so that the windshield wiper arm is completely received in said body member interior area.

4. The windshield wiper sleeve as in claim 3, wherein said body member includes a longitudinal length that is longer than a length of the windshield wiper arm such that windshield wiper arm is completely received in said body member interior area.

5. The windshield wiper sleeve as in claim 1, wherein said body member includes an inner surface that includes an insulation material.

6. The windshield wiper sleeve as in claim 1, wherein said body member includes a fastener operatively coupled to said open end and configured to move said open end between said completely open and partially closed configurations.

7. The windshield wiper sleeve as in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of heating elements situated in said body member interior area so as to heat said body member interior area when energized.

8. The windshield wiper sleeve as in claim 7, wherein said plurality of heating elements are situated in said body member so as not to interfere with receiving the windshield wiper arm therein.

9. The windshield wiper sleeve as in claim 8, wherein said body member interior area defines a geometric area that is larger than a geometric area of the windshield wiper arm so that the windshield wiper arm is completely received in said body member interior area.

10. The windshield wiper sleeve as in claim 1, further comprising; a plurality of heating elements situated in said body member interior area so as to heat said body member interior area when energized; and a battery electrically connected to said heating elements and configured to selectively energize said heat elements.

11. The windshield wiper sleeve as in claim 10, wherein further comprising: a battery housing coupled to said body member; an input situated on said battery housing in electrical communication with said battery that is configured to selectively actuate said battery to energize said plurality of heating elements.