Abstract:
A replaceable squeegee assembly or refill unit for a windshield wiper blade incorporates a multi-use backing strip for supporting a rubber-like squeegee element. The backing strip may be integrally formed of molded or extruded plastic material. A pair of squeegee holders, each in the form of a channel-shaped body having inwardly extending opposed flanges at the outer ends of the legs of the channel, are arranged in back-to-back relationship and include a common web portion. A pair of elongate side rails extending longitudinally for the entire length of the channel bodies extending laterally outwardly are provided on the legs of the channel bodies. The side rails associated with each channel body are coplanar; the distance between the longitudinal edges of one pair of side rails is greater than the distance between the longitudinal edges of the other pair of side rails. The differences in the overall lateral width of the pairs of side rails permit use of the backing strip in different superstructures having pairs of opposed claws for slidably receiving the side rails which are spaced apart different distances. The squeegee element may be slidably received in either of the squeegee holders while the side rails on the unused squeegee holder are received between the claws of the superstructure. A clip which interlocks with the backing strip adjacent the end thereof serves to retain the squeegee element within the squeegee holder and also serves to limit the longitudinal displacement of the refill unit relative to the superstructure.