Ceiling handle for vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a roof handle (1) for a vehicle, comprising at least one support seat (2) on which a handle body (3) is held and which can be fastened to an opening (5) on a vehicle roof (4), said opening being surrounded by an edge (6), the at least one support seat (2) having an insert (7), the invention relates to a clamping device (1) comprising an opening (5) through which at least one clamping body (8, 8 ', 8' ') can be inserted, said at least one clamping body being arranged to be engageable behind an edge (6) of the opening (5), in which a latch (10), by which an insert (7) can be inserted, is provided, by means of which the at least one clamping body (8, 8', 8 '') can be locked in a position engaging behind the edge (6). In this way, the ceiling handle (1) can be effectively mounted on the vehicle ceiling (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a roof handle for a vehicle, comprising at least one support seat on which a handle body is held and which can be fixed to an opening on the roof of the vehicle, the opening being surrounded by an edge, wherein the at least one support seat comprises an insert which can be inserted through the opening with at least one clamping body, and the at least one clamping body can be positioned behind the edge of the opening.

[0002] DE 10 2019 116 491 A1 discloses a roof handle for a vehicle, in which the handle body is held on two supports, each of which can be fixed to an opening on the vehicle roof by an insert. For latching, a protruding clip with a spring tab is provided on each support, which latches when inserted through the opening on the vehicle roof and behind the edge of the opening. By inserting a fixing element into the clip, the support can be fixed to prevent it from being pulled out. To ensure that the spring tab has sufficient holding force on the support, each spring tab is composed of a bendable metal plate and must be pushed through the opening on the vehicle roof with a certain force, which makes the installation of the roof handle more difficult, especially if the same person has to install a large number of roof handles in one day. Once the roof handle has to be replaced, it is also difficult to remove because the spring tab must be bent using a special tool.

[0003] WO 2008 / 055838 A1 discloses a holding device for a handle, wherein a separate spreading piece is fixed on a support piece, the support piece can be inserted into a hole and can be locked by a locking member. A spring tongue is formed on the spreading piece, which engages an edge around the opening to fix the support piece.

[0004] US 8,146,208 B2 discloses a handle that can be fixed to a vehicle body using a metal clip, wherein the metal clip includes a spring piece to extend behind a mounting opening.

[0005] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to create a roof handle for a vehicle that is easy to install and can absorb high holding forces.

[0006] This problem is solved by a roof handle having the features of claim 1 .

[0007] In the ceiling handle according to the invention, at least one retaining body is arranged on an insert that can be inserted into the opening, which retaining body can reach behind the edge of the opening after installation, wherein a latch that can be inserted into the insert is provided, by means of which the at least one retaining body can be locked in a position extending behind the edge. The insert can thus be inserted with very little force, since the retaining body can be brought into a position behind the edge of the opening by moving the latch, so that the at least one retaining body can be passed through the opening without any effort or resistance. This allows the installation force to be separated from the subsequent holding force. In addition, the ceiling handle can be easily disassembled by first pulling the latch at least partially out of the insert in a two-step process, and then pulling the support with the insert out of the opening.

[0008] In order to achieve a compact design, the latch can be inserted into a channel on the insert. Between a pre-installed position with at least one movable clamping body and a locked position with at least one locking clamping body, the latch can be slidably held on the bearing seat.

[0009] The insert with the channel is preferably formed in one piece with the support seat, which includes a support portion that is wider than the insert and can be supported on the vehicle roof. This means that the roof bracket handle can be manufactured in just a few parts. The clamping body is preferably made of a different material than the insert, in particular a stronger material.

[0010] A recess for receiving the at least one clamping body is preferably formed in at least one wall of the insert. This allows, in the locked position, a force to be transmitted from the wall to the clamping body and to the edge of the opening. The wall of the insert above the clamping body can be formed with a lower overall structural height, so that the installation volume is reduced compared to previously known fastening devices with latch plates. The recess can be formed as a cage, which loosely holds the clamping body on the insert and restricts the clamping body from being moved out of the insert. The clamping body can move with play in the cage before being clamped by the latch. If the insert is at least pre-installed with the clamping body, the clamping body can be held in the recess of the wall without being lost.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the latch comprises at least one pressing surface which is inclined to the insertion direction and by which the at least one clamping body can be moved outwardly from the insert. The pressing surface which is inclined to the insertion direction, for example by 1° to 10°, can be used to support the clamping body outwardly to ensure that the clamping body and the support seat are fixed to the edge of the opening without play.

[0012] For easier installation, the latch is preferably locked in the locking position on the support or the insert, whereby a bendable latching plate or other latching means can be formed on the latch and / or the insert, respectively. In addition to the bendable latching plate, a clip can also be used to fasten the latch, so that the latching action can be preferably felt by hearing and touch during installation.

[0013] The latch preferably comprises at least one flexible plate to which the at least one clamping body can be fixed in a pre-installed position, wherein the latch is at least partially inserted into the insert and the at least one clamping body is already located in a recess of the insert. From this pre-installed position, the latch can be moved relative to the insert and the clamping body held therein so as to remove the at least one clamping body from the receiving groove on the flexible plate and to arrange the flexible plate in a locked position spaced apart from the at least one clamping body. This enables the clamping body to move perpendicularly to the insertion direction in the pre-installed position by the flexible plate, and after flowing into the locked position, this movement is blocked by the latch because there is no flexible plate near the clamping body, only the latch, in particular a latch made of solid material, contacts the at least one clamping body. The at least one flexible plate of the latch can optionally include one or more slots at the end, into which a stabilizing plate can be inserted at the channel of the insert when the latch is pushed in.

[0014] The at least one clamping body is preferably formed as a substantially cylindrical shape. The at least one clamping body can be a cylindrical tube, a sleeve or made of a solid material, preferably a metal. Optionally, the at least one clamping body can be made of a winding wire, which increases the elasticity. The cross-section of the wire can be circular, but can also be square or polygonal. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one clamping body includes at least one cutting edge, which can be at least partially driven into the edge of the opening so that in the locked position, the bearing seat is also fixed to prevent axial flow along the clamping body. The outer diameter of the cylindrical clamping body is preferably less than 8mm, in particular between 4mm and 6mm. In addition, the clamping body can be formed as a sleeve and is preferably slotted axially to increase elasticity. In addition, the at least one clamping body can also include different geometric shapes, for example, formed as a sphere or a barrel.

[0015] Preferably, two clamping bodies are arranged on opposite sides of the insert, each supported on the edge of the opening. This centers the insert by the clamping bodies and increases the clamping force. Optionally, more than two clamping bodies, in particular three or four clamping bodies, can also be arranged on the insert. Each clamping body is preferably made of a different material than the insert and / or the latch.

[0016] The roof handle preferably comprises two bearing seats, on which the handle body is held pivotably, so that when the handle body is folded up, the bearing seats preferably engage in recesses in the handle body, so that the handle body can optimally adapt to the contour of the vehicle roof. The roof handle does not have to be fixed directly to the metal sheet of the vehicle roof, but can also be fixed indirectly to the vehicle roof through the intervention of one or more components.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the handle body comprises a push piece, by means of which the latch can be pushed into the insert. This allows an optimized leverage ratio on the handle body for effortless insertion of the latch. Preferably, the handle body comprises two push pieces, by means of which a rotational movement of the handle body simultaneously pushes a latch into one of the two bearing seats. This reduces the number of installation steps, since both latches can be moved into the locking position with one movement.

[0018] The present invention will be described in more detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0019] FIG1 is an exploded view of a ceiling handle according to the present invention;

[0020] FIG2 is a perspective view of the ceiling handle of FIG1 during installation;

[0021] FIG3 is a cross-sectional view of the ceiling handle of FIG1 in a pre-installed position;

[0022] FIG4 is a cross-sectional view of the ceiling handle of FIG1 in a locked position;

[0023] FIG5 is a perspective view of the roof handle in the installed position, overlooking the vehicle roof;

[0024] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of an installed support seat according to a modified embodiment;

[0025] 7A to 7E are various views of different clamping bodies, and

[0026] 8A to 8C are multiple views of a ceiling handle latch;

[0027] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the modified ceiling handle during installation;

[0028] FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the latch and support of the ceiling handle of FIG. 9 , and

[0029] 11A and 11B are two cross-sectional views of the ceiling handle of FIG. 9 in an installed position.

[0030] The roof handle 1 comprises two bearings 2, to which an arched handle body 3 is pivotably mounted or optionally rigidly fixed. Each bearing 2 is fixed to a vehicle roof 4 at an opening 5, which is surrounded by an edge 6. The schematically shown vehicle roof 4 can be made of sheet metal and directly provided with two openings 5, or other components can be fixed to the vehicle roof 4, which include openings to which the roof handle 1 is connected.

[0031] In Fig. 1, the rear bearing seat 2 is shown in the locked position, while the front bearing seat 2 is shown in the pre-installed position. Each bearing seat 2 comprises an insert 7 which can be inserted into an opening 5 on the vehicle roof 4. Recesses 9 are formed on two opposite walls of the insert 7 for receiving a clamping body 8, respectively.

[0032] A latch 10 can be inserted into each support 2 and can be pushed into the channel on the support 2 and the insert 7. The latch 10 comprises a handle portion 11, which can be mounted on the support 2 on the side facing the handle body 3 and can be locked by at least one latching plate 12. For this purpose, the flexible locking plate 12 is provided with a projection, which can be locked into a receiving groove on the support 2.

[0033] The latch 10 comprises two flexible plates 13, located on the side facing away from the handle portion 11, wherein on the side facing the clamping body 8, a concave, in particular curved, receiving groove 14 is formed on each plate 13, which in the pre-installed position abuts against the outer contour of the clamping body 8. A pressing surface 15 is formed adjacent to the receiving groove 14, which is oriented at an angle to the insertion direction and by which the clamping body 8 can be moved to the outside of the insert 7 to clamp it.

[0034] In FIG. 2 , the roof handle 1 is shown in the installed position, with the widened portion of the bearing seat resting against the underside of the vehicle roof 4 and the corresponding insert 7 inserted through the opening 5 in the vehicle roof 4. In one bearing seat 2, the latch 10 has been inserted into the locking position and the handle portion 11 is essentially flush with the surface of the bearing seat 2. The other latch 10 is still outside the bearing seat 2.

[0035] 3 shows a section through the roof handle 1 in the region of the bearing seat 2, with the latch 10 in the pre-installation position. The clamping body 8 is inserted into the receiving grooves 14 on the two flexible plates 13 of the latch 10, so that in this pre-installation position, the bearing seat 2 and the latch 10 can be pushed through the opening 5 without difficulty, because the clamping body 8 can press the flexible plates 13 inwards at the edge 6, so that the clamping body 8 locks on the edge 6 of the opening 5 after being pushed through. In this pre-installation position, the roof handle 1 can also be removed from the vehicle roof 4 again without difficulty by pulling the insert 7 out of the opening 5.

[0036] In order to lock the bearing 2 to the vehicle roof 4, the latch 10 is pushed into the channel 16 on the insert 7 so that the two clamping bodies 8 are respectively moved out of the receiving grooves 14 on the flexible plate 13. The clamping bodies 8 now abut against the pressing surfaces 15, which form an angle with the insertion direction and press the clamping bodies outwards until the position shown in Figure 4 is reached. In the locked position, the flexible plate 13 is kept at a distance from the clamping bodies, which are pressed outwards by the pressing surfaces 15, wherein the recesses 9 in the wall of the insert 7 have a size smaller than the outer diameter of the clamping bodies 8, so that the latter cannot be completely pressed out of the insert 7 by the pressing surfaces 15.

[0037] If the handle body 3 is pulled in this locked position, a force is exerted on the vehicle roof 4 by the insert 7 and the two clamping bodies 8 resting against the edge 6 of the opening 5. The clamping bodies 8 are prevented from moving relative to each other by the latch 10, which is formed to have dimensional stability between the clamping bodies 8 and is preferably made of solid material in this area. The insertion depth of the latch 10 can be limited by a stop 17, which protrudes and interacts with a contact area on the bearing seat 2. Alternatively, stops can also be provided at other locations to limit the insertion depth. In addition, the latch 10 is latched in the locked position by at least one latch plate 12.

[0038] In FIG5 , the roof handle 1 is shown in the installed position, wherein the two inserts 7 are guided through the vehicle roof 4. Compared to previously known solutions, the height of the inserts 7 is lower, for example less than 20 mm, in particular less than 15 mm, so that only a smaller volume above the vehicle roof 4 is required to install the roof handle 1. The clamping bodies 8 abut against opposite sides of the inserts 7 on the edge 6 of the opening 5, thereby centering the inserts 7.

[0039] 6 shows an enlarged view of a modified support seat 2, in which the substantially cylindrical clamping body 8 comprises radially protruding cutting edges 18 on opposite sides. Such protruding cutting edges 18, for example formed by bending the ends of a tubular material, can dig into the material of the edge 6 at the opening 5 when the insert 7 is loaded, thereby preventing the support seat 2 from flowing in the axial direction of the clamping body 8 after the insert 7 is fixed. The clamping body 8 also comprises an axial slot 19, which simplifies the manufacture of the clamping body 8.

[0040] 7A to 7E show various clamping bodies that can be mounted on the insert 7. The clamping body is preferably made of metal, but can also be made of other materials. FIG. 7A shows a cylindrical clamping body 8, which is formed as a sleeve or a tube, for example made of metal. The clamping body 8 can optionally be provided with an axial slot 19, as shown in FIG. 7B. In addition to the axial slot 19, radially protruding cutting edges 18 can also be formed at one end or the opposite end, respectively, to prevent the clamping body 8 from axial flow.

[0041] Fig. 7D shows a modified 8' holder body which is made of solid material instead of a sleeve. The outer wall may also be profiled or embossed instead of a smooth cylindrical outer wall to make the holder body 8' resistant to displacement.

[0042] FIG. 7E shows a clamping body 8″ made of a wound wire 20, the wire 20 being formed into a spiral shape and being insertable into a recess 9 on an insert 7. In addition to a circular cross-section of the wire 20, wires having different cross-sectional geometries may also be used, such as a square or polygonal shape with external corners, so that the wire shape ensures a reinforced prevention of the clamping body 8″ from flowing in the axial direction.

[0043] 8A to 8C show in detail the latch 10, which comprises a pin-shaped member having a substantially rectangular cross section, on which are formed plates 13 which can be bent at the ends. Each plate 13 comprises a rounded receiving groove 14 and a pressing surface 15. The pin of the latch 10 widens toward the handle portion 11 and can therefore be inserted into the bearing seat 2 and locked there by the latch plate 12.

[0044] The roof handle shown in FIG. 9 differs from the previous embodiment in that a stabilizing plate 25 connects two opposite walls on the channel 16 of the insert 7. The stabilizing plate 25 reinforces the insert 7 in the area above the vehicle roof 4. It is also shown that for ease of installation, the latch 10 does not have to be installed by hand, but can instead use the handle body 3. For this purpose, a pressing piece 22 in the form of a protruding plate is formed on the handle body 3, which presses the handle portion 11 of the latch 10 when the handle body 3 rotates about the axis 21, thereby pushing the latch 10 into the channel 16. The pressing piece 22 can slide along the handle portion 11. This makes installation smooth because the handle bar 23 on the handle body 3 is arranged at a greater distance L1 from the axis 21 than from the pressing piece 22, and the distance between the handle bar 23 and the pressing piece 22 is L2. When the latch 10 is pushed in, the effective lever length leads to an optimized transmission ratio. In addition, the two latches 10 can be pushed into the locking position at the same time by pivoting the handle body 3 from the pre-installed position.

[0045] In Fig. 10, the support 2 is shown together with the latch 10 of the ceiling handle of Fig. 9. It can be seen that the stabilizing plate 25 divides the channel 16 into two separate chambers. In order to be able to insert the latch 10 with the flexible plate 13 into the channel 16, the end of the plate 13 is provided with a slot 24, into which the stabilizing plate 25 can be inserted during the installation process.

[0046] 11A and 11B show the locked position, in which the latch 10 is fully inserted into the channel 16 by rotating the handle body 3 and the clamping bodies 8 are pressed outwards by the pressing surfaces 15. If a weight force is introduced downwards into the handle body 3, this results in a force on the insert 7 being exerted on the two clamping bodies 8, which are supported on one side of the latch and additionally on the edge 6 around the opening 5. Due to the symmetrical design, the introduced forces can be optimally transmitted to the vehicle roof 4.

[0047] In the embodiment shown, each support 2 is individually fixed to an opening in the vehicle roof 4. Of course, two support 2 can be connected together and installed as a unit. The support 2 can also be formed integrally with each other.

[0048] Mark list 1 Roof handle

[0049] 2 Support seat

[0050] 3 Handle body

[0051] 4 Vehicle roof

[0052] 5 Opening

[0053] 6 Edge

[0054] 7 Insert

[0055] 8,8',8" Clamping Body

[0056] 9 Notch

[0057] 10 Latch

[0058] 11. Handle

[0059] 12 Latch plate

[0060] 13 Plates

[0061] 14 receiving slot

[0062] 15 Pressing surface

[0063] 16 channels

[0064] 17 Stop

[0065] 18 Cutting Edge

[0066] 19 Slot

[0067] 20 lines

[0068] 21 Axis

[0069] 22 Press piece

[0070] 23 handlebar

[0071] 24 slot 25 stabilizing plate

Claims

1. A roof handle (1) for a vehicle, comprising at least one support (2) on which a handle body (3) is held and which can be fixed to an opening (5) on a vehicle roof (4), the opening being surrounded by an edge (6), wherein: The at least one bearing seat (2) comprises an insert (7) which can be inserted through the opening (5) together with at least one clamping body (8, 8', 8"), and the at least one clamping body (8, 8', 8") can be positioned behind the edge (6) of the opening (5), characterized in that a latch (10) is provided which can be inserted into the insert (7) and by which the at least one clamping body (8, 8', 8") can be locked in a position behind the edge (6).

2. The ceiling handle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The latch (10) can be pushed into a channel (16) on the insert (7).

3. The ceiling handle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A recess (9) for receiving the at least one clamping body (8, 8', 8") is formed on the wall of the insert (7).

4. The ceiling handle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The recess (9) is formed as a cage which loosely holds the clamping body (8, 8', 8") on the insert (7).

5. Roof handle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The latch (10) comprises at least one pressing surface (15) which forms an angle with the insertion direction and by which the at least one clamping body (8, 8', 8") can be moved outward from the insert (7).

6. Roof handle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The latch (10) is capable of latching onto the support (2) in a locked position.

7. Roof handle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The latch (10) comprises at least one flexible plate (13), to which at least one clamping body (8, 8', 8") can be fixed in a pre-installed position, and the latch (10) can be displaced relative to the clamping body (8, 8', 8") retained on the insert (7) so that the flexible plate (13) is positioned in a locked position away from the at least one clamping body (8, 8', 8") 8. Roof handle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one clamping body (8, 8', 8") has a substantially cylindrical shape.

9. Roof handle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one clamping body (8, 8', 8") comprises at least one cutting edge (18) which can be driven at least partially into the edge (6) in the opening (5).

10. Roof handle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one clamping body (8") is made of wound wire (20).

11. Roof handle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Two clamping bodies (8, 8', 8") are arranged on opposite sides of the insert (7), each of which is supported on an edge (6) of the opening (5).

12. Roof handle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The ceiling handle (1) comprises two supporting seats (2) on which a handle body (3) is pivotally held.

13. Roof handle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The handle body (3) comprises at least one pressing element (22), by means of which the latch (10) can be pushed into the insert (7).

14. The ceiling handle according to claim 13, characterized in that: The handle body (3) comprises two pressing pieces (22), and through each pressing piece (22), the pivoting movement of the handle body (3) can simultaneously push the latch (10) into one of the two bearing seats (2).

15. Vehicle having a vehicle roof (4), to which at least one roof handle (1) according to one of the preceding claims is fastened.

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