shake that wiper!

now THAT is a cool idea.

That is an extremely cool idea.

i need to think of something stupid like that but is pratical

Wasn't there a show called "why didn't I think of that?" which showed inventions, and they awarded the top voted invention some sort of money? Then recently disover channel started some show about inventions that already existed, and sort of did a re-enactment of how they came up with their idea and the steps they went through to get it to market. it's amazing how the simplest thing can make buko bucks.

yea i remeber seeing some show like that.. i remeber on full house when they invented the hair shield!! lol

shake that wiper!

http://www.canadiandriver.com/artic...wipershaker.htm

Wiper Shaker
by Paul Williams


Wipershaker; Click image to enlarge
Ever get ice stuck under your windshield wiper while driving in the winter? Ever have your wiper blades so loaded with ice that they slide right over your windshield? Of course you have. It's typical in cold climates, and dangerous, too.

Soon it may be a thing of the past.

Ottawa inventor and entrepreneur Mike Kelly has come up with one of the most innovative, if not THE most innovative developments for windshield wipers since their invention a century ago. He's patented a small (about the size of a coffee creamer) device that attaches to your windshield wiper arm. It's called The Shaker: Wiper De-icer. The "Made in Canada" Shaker is connected by wire to a discreet switch in your car. Flick the switch and the The Shaker vibrates the wiper arm, quickly shattering any ice stuck on or below the blade, or attached to arm.

Within seconds you've got a clear view of the road ahead. In many situations, it'll even unstick your blade from the windshield after freezing rain. You can put one on the passenger side, too, if you want.

It's so obvious, why didn't somebody think of it before? Well, somebody did. In fact, you probably did, when you rolled down the window while driving in a storm, stuck your arm out, reached around and tried to grab the windshield wiper to dislodge the ice.

You haven't done that? You're in the minority, because according to Mr. Kelly, about 60% of Canadians have. It must be some kind of Canadian rite-of-passage. Mike Kelly tried it, and the result was his car careening straight off the road and into a ditch.

"I was really lucky," says Mr. Kelly, "I could have killed myself, and others. I couldn't believe what I just did."

And that's where the idea took root. "Why isn't there a way to shake the ice off the wiper from inside the car?" he thought, and put the idea on his list of things to do.

That was 14 years ago, but unlike most of us, Mr. Kelly keeps his lists. Seven years later he started actively working on the Shaker project. These days, he sure knows a heck of a lot about windshield wipers.

In conversation with Mr. Kelly, industry terms like "conformance" (where the joints of the wiper blade become frozen, and the blade lifts off the windshield) and "A-pillar build-up" (where ice packs along the edge of the windshield) come tripping off his tongue.

He knows all the different types and sizes of wiper arms, their blades and their shortcomings. He knows about ice and how it bonds to various automotive surfaces.

The Shaker project has gone from idea to research, development, testing and patenting. He's exhaustively tested the Shaker technology on big trucks, SUVs and cars, and is currently finalizing arrangements with retailers and installers across the country to market the new device.

Most recently, Mr. Kelly quit his job as technology training account executive and went into the Shaker business full time, through his company, WiperShaker Technology Inc. Now he's on the brink of, well, he's not quite sure what he's on the brink of, but his fingers are firmly crossed.

The first limited run of production grade Shakers were shipped to the Canadian distributor, Automobility Distribution Inc. just prior to Christmas. It will be later this year that the The Shaker will be available in quantity.

"We'll be shipping on a much larger scale this June/July, to retailers of all sizes," says Mr. Kelly. "We'll make sure all inquiries are dealt with appropriately. A wait list will be created for those who miss the boat this year."

The Shaker has a suggested retail price of $49.95, and is not hard to install. However, most people will probably choose to have a technician do the job.

"The installers I've talked to say that this is the easiest item they've seen to install on a car. It's way easier than installing a car starter, or something like that," says Mr. Kelly.

Versions will also be available that plug into your car's 12V power point.

For more information check the website at www.wipershaker.com http://www.wipershaker.com.

Alternatively, you can email info@wipershaker.com info@wipershaker.com or write to:

Wiper Shaker Technology Inc.,
P.O.Box 305 Orleans Stn.
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1C1S8

Mr. Kelly is hoping for many snowy winters to come

now why didnt i think of that.. hes going to make all the money now

If you ever get a chance to look check out the single blade wiper on a Mercedes it actually saws back and forth as it wipes.

As for the wiper shaker I cant really see it having enough power to clear ice (but maybe) and then there is the issue with the wiring flexing back and forth and how to route it to the wipers as well.

CW

Hehe, heated wipers. Turn the switch on and the wipers set on fire. Quick way to take the snow off and heat the wiper.

I wonder what he'll think of next. Shaking your tires to take off the snow.

lol ok good one^^

it is sort of useful, specially if you live in cold places. personally, if i park outside (overnight) - i pull up my wipers so the ice/snow wont stick to the blade

it'd be nice if all living facilities came w/ a garage, i hate parking outside, but that ice shaker is a good idea for the unfortunate ppl who have to. it rarely gets that cold here though, if you warm up the car w/ the defroster on for abuot 5 minutes its all clear.

this guy is gonna get paid but it seems like heated wipers would be a better idea.

ummmmm....tehy already make heated wipers. i think i've even seen some cars come stock witht hem

mine shoot fireballs

Right????

I put Wal-Mart bags over the side mirrors in such a way that by rolling the window up, it keeps the bag on. I also will leave the wipers up in the middle of the glass and use them to pin down a large sheet of plastic. This allows me to take the ice/snow off the windshield really easily.

thats a good idea alaric

lmao. I gotta get yours.

No, but my heated wipers are special. They set on fire.

i remember the Acura TL concept they gonna use a air jet blower to the wind shield wiper.. wow.. dat is one crazy air jet..hahaha i hope it can clean some bird shit just by blowing air...