Windshield Blade Locking Mechanism

Abstract

The invention provides an apparatus to hold one or more windshield wipers stationary against a vehicle window. The apparatus comprises a window placement module comprising a vacuum cup that has a vacuum zone and an attachment means that is located at a point on the cup other than within the vacuum zone. The attachment means is linked to a first point of each of one or more arms; a second point of each arm is linked to a clamping module optionally in a rotatable way. When in use the clamping module constrains movement of a windshield wiper.

1 ) A windshield blade locking mechanism comprising:
 a) a vacuum cup comprising a vacuum zone;   b) an attachment means that is linked to the vacuum cup at a position other than within the vacuum zone;   c) an arm that is linked to the attachment means of the vacuum cup at a first point of the arm;   d) a blade retaining assembly that is linked to a second point of the arm wherein the assembly comprises a top constraint member that, when in use, rides atop a windshield wiper, hinders lifting of the wiper and holds the wiper stationary against a vehicle window surface.   
     
     
         2 ) The windshield blade locking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the vacuum zone is circular and has a circumference selected from the range of 2 inches to 6 inches. 
     
     
         3 ) The windshield blade locking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the attachment means is selected from the group consisting of a screw, bolt, rivet, dowel, hinge, clip, ring, clamp, and cotter pin. 
     
     
         4 ) The windshield blade locking mechanism of  claim 3  wherein the attachment means is a screw, bolt, rivet or dowel which is linked at a first end to the vacuum cup and at a second end to a handle. 
     
     
         5 ) The windshield blade locking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the vacuum cup is equipped with a vacuum-breaking modality selected from: (a) a stopcock that can be opened to allow air to enter the vacuum zone or (b) a lever that can be pried to lift an edge of the vacuum cup to allow air to enter the vacuum zone. 
     
     
         6 ) The windshield blade locking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the mechanism has one or more arms and at least one may pivot about the vacuum cup's attachment means. 
     
     
         7 ) The windshield blade locking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the mechanism has one or more arms and at least one may not pivot about the vacuum cup's attachment means. 
     
     
         8 ) The windshield blade locking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the mechanism has one or more arms and at least one is extendible in length. 
     
     
         9 ) (canceled) 
     
     
         10 ) (canceled) 
     
     
         11 ) (canceled) 
     
     
         12 ) (canceled) 
     
     
         13 ) The windshield blade locking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the mechanism has at least one arm, and said arm is linked optionally rotatably to a hinge component. 
     
     
         14 ) The windshield blade locking mechanism of  claim 13  wherein the hinge component serves as the linkage to the blade retaining assembly. 
     
     
         15 ) The windshield blade locking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the top constraint member is contoured in a saddle shape and is located astride a windshield wiper when in use. 
     
     
         16 ) The windshield blade locking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein the top constraint member is linear and passes through a lock housing. 
     
     
         17 ) The windshield blade locking mechanism of  claim 16  wherein the top constraint member is attached to a first lateral constraint member. 
     
     
         18 ) (canceled) 
     
     
         19 ) (canceled) 
     
     
         20 ) (canceled)