several different configurations of the superstructure of a wiper blade are provided for use with a novel backing strip for a wiping element . the backing strip has two spaced apart backing elements which are joined at the ends and at at least one portion intermediate the ends . the joined intermediate portion or portions have reduced flexibility and are deformed toward or away from the surface to be wiped . when the deformation of the joined intermediate portion is away from the surface to be wiped , one end of one element of each superstructure applies pressure thereto to force the wiping element into wiping contact with the surface to be wiped . when the deformation of a joined intermediate portion is toward the surface to be wiped , the ends of one element of the superstructure contacts the backing strip at points equally spaced from said joined portion to force the wiping element into wiping contact with the surface to be wiped .