Wiper Saver

I came up with this several years ago. I hate streaks on my windshiled from worn wipers. So, I studied the problem. Even brand new wipers will begin to leave streaks after a short time. I found out the first culprit is sun...heat. The rubber tends to dry out and crack and deform as the glass gets hot and the pressure of the wipers on the glass deforms them. The second most damaging element is ice. Even tiny bits of frost will cause the fine edge of the wipers to adhere to the glass. When you turn on the wiper, some of the fine edge is ripped off leaving gaps for streaks. Third is sandy grit. The wipers form a small dam against the glass. Dirt and sand accumulate and when you turn on the wiper (usually because of wet weather) this dirt and sand turns to sticky mud and will grind not only the wiper, but the glass as well, eventually ruining the windshield. Here is my solution. I attached little blocks of wood to my wiper arms with split key rings. When the wipers are at rest, these blocks are stood up between the wiper arm and the glass, lifting the wiper rubber a quarter inch off the glass. When I turn on the wipers, the blocks flip out of the way and drop the wiper onto the glass. No ice, no deformation from heat, no grit to scratch my windshield. When the rain has stopped, and I park, I take a second or two and reposition the little blocks. I can use the same set of wipers, streak free, for over two years. This device is very inexpensive and actually fun to make. My blocks are 3/8" x 3/8" x 1-1/4" (exact size will vary for each model of car)...drilled a small hole in one end for the split ring and then slipped the ring over my wiper arm with the wiper removed...put the wiper back on and all ready for streak-free rainy weather driving.

Addenda post questions: For Ling; No, the little block of wood tends to just drift to the bottom of the wiper arm and swings harmlessly our of the way.

For DrCurry; The patent attorney I approached was very disinterested because wiper lifters have been on the market for decades. This is just an easy home concoted way of making one. "Like trying to patent a wooden, home built wheel barrow" is what he told me. I did copywright one design of it...but that was years ago.