Integrated holder assembly for vehicle door

Abstract

The invention provides an integrated retainer assembly for a vehicle door. A vehicle door includes: a trim panel on an inner side of the vehicle door; and a retainer assembly coupled to the vehicle door trim panel and including: a ring disposed on the trim panel; and a rotatable hook pivotally coupled to the ring and rotatable between a stowed position and an outwardly deployed position within the ring to support an object, such as a motion assist device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle doors, and more particularly to a retainer assembly for use with a vehicle door to retain an object, such as a mobility assist device. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles are often equipped with doors that open and close to allow passengers to enter and exit the vehicle. Passengers who require mobility aids (such as canes, crutches, or crutches) may set such devices aside when entering and exiting the vehicle. It is desirable to provide a convenient holder on the vehicle for temporarily holding such devices. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle door includes a trim panel located on an inner side of the vehicle door. A retainer assembly is coupled to the vehicle door trim panel and includes: a base disposed on the trim panel; and a rotatable hook pivotally coupled to the base and rotatable between a stowed position and an outwardly deployed position within the base to support an object.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0005] - the base comprises a ring;

[0006] - the retainer assembly further comprises a base support for supporting the lower end of the rotatable hook in the use position;

[0007] - The retainer assembly rotates between the stowed position and the use position within a range of 30 to 90 degrees;

[0008] - The holder rotates approximately 55 degrees between the stowed position and the use position;

[0009] - the retainer assembly further comprises an inner ring seat located within the ring and behind the rotatable hook;

[0010] - connected to the inner frame of the ring;

[0011] - an opening formed in the base of the inner ring;

[0012] - the hook pivots about a pivot axis;

[0013] - the pivot axis is provided by a pivot pin or a living hinge;

[0014] -The retainer assembly is integrated with the decorative panel;

[0015] - the retainer assembly is integrally formed with the trim panel; and

[0016] The hook comprises a C-shaped hook configured to support a mobility aid.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a retainer assembly for a vehicle door includes a ring configured to be coupled to a trim panel in the vehicle door, and a rotatable hook pivotally coupled to the ring and rotatable between a stowed position and an outwardly deployed position within the ring to support an object.

[0018] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0019] - the retainer assembly comprises a ring base support for supporting the lower end of the rotatable hook in the use position;

[0020] - the retainer assembly rotates between the stowed position and the use position within a range of 30 to 90 degrees; and

[0021] - The holder assembly comprises a C-shaped hook configured to support a mobility aid.

[0022] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes: a vehicle interior; a seat arrangement disposed in the vehicle interior; a vehicle door located adjacent to the seat arrangement; a trim panel located on an inner side of the vehicle door; and a retainer assembly integrated into the door trim panel. The retainer assembly includes: a ring disposed in the trim panel; and a rotatable hook pivotally coupled to the ring and rotatable between a stowed position and an outwardly deployed position within the ring to support an object.

[0023] Embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0024] - the retainer assembly comprises a ring base support for supporting the lower end of the rotatable hook in the use position; and

[0025] The retainer assembly rotates within a range of 30 to 90 degrees between the stowed position and the use position.

[0026] These and other features, advantages and objectives of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by referring to the following description, claims and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the attached picture:

[0028] Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a motor vehicle equipped with a door, the door shown in an open position and having a retainer assembly shown retaining a mobility aid in the form of a cane, according to one example;

[0029] Figure 1A yes Figure 1 An enlarged view of section IA further illustrating the retainer assembly in the use position and supporting the mobility assist device;

[0030] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of the retainer assembly shown in a use position configured to receive an object, such as a mobility assist device;

[0031] Figure 2A The through hole further illustrates the retainer assembly in the use position. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken along line IIA-IIA of ;

[0032] Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the retainer assembly shown in a stowed position;

[0033] Figure 3A The through-hole further illustrates the retainer assembly in the stowed position. Figure 3 a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIA-IIIA of ; and

[0034] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a retainer assembly shown in a use position for a mobility assist device in the form of a supporting crutch according to another example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not drawn to scale, and certain parts are enlarged relative to other parts for the purpose of emphasis and understanding.

[0036] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure, which may be implemented in various alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily designed in detail; some schematic diagrams may be enlarged or minimized to show functional overviews. Therefore, the specific structural details and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but only as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to adopt the present disclosure in different ways.

[0037] For the purpose of description herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and their derivatives shall refer to the following: Figure 1The concepts of orientation in the drawings are presented in detail. However, it should be understood that the concepts can assume various alternative orientations unless expressly indicated to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, unless the claims expressly state otherwise, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0038] The presently illustrated embodiments reside primarily in a combination of method steps and apparatus components associated with a vehicle door and retainer assembly. Accordingly, apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, and only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown so as not to obscure the present disclosure with details that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Additionally, like reference numerals in the specification and drawings represent like elements.

[0039] As used herein, the term "and / or" when used with a list of two or more items means that any one of the listed items may be employed alone, or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition may contain: A alone; B alone; C alone; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0040] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, etc. are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by "comprises ..." does not, in the absence of more constraints, preclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0041] As used herein, the term "about" means that quantities, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller as needed, thereby reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding, measurement errors, etc. and other factors known to those skilled in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe the value or endpoint of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or endpoint mentioned. Regardless of whether the endpoint of a numerical value or range in this specification is described as "about", the endpoint of the numerical value or range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "about" and one not modified by "about". It should also be understood that the endpoint of each in the range is significant in relation to and independently of the other endpoint.

[0042] As used herein, the terms "substantially," "substantially," and variations thereof are intended to indicate that the feature being described is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to indicate a planar or approximately planar surface. Additionally, "substantially" is intended to mean that two values ​​are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may indicate that values ​​are within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0043] Unless expressly indicated to the contrary, as used herein, the terms "the," "a," or "an" mean "at least one" and should not be limited to "only one." Thus, for example, reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0044] refer to Figure 1, according to one embodiment, a wheeled car or motor vehicle 10 is generally shown as being equipped with a deployable retainer assembly 30. The motor vehicle 10 has a body 12 that generally defines a cabin interior 14. The cabin interior 14 is configured with passenger seats, which include at least a vehicle seat assembly 16, such as a driver seat or a passenger seat, for transporting a user (e.g., a person) such as a driver or a passenger in the motor vehicle 10. The cabin interior 14 is enclosed by the body 12, which may include one or more door openings 18, which may be exposed when a door operatively coupled thereto is in an open position to allow one or more users to enter or exit the vehicle 10, and may be closed when the door 20 is in a closed position. The arrangement of seats may include a driver seat in a front row on one side and in front of the steering wheel assembly and a passenger seat on an opposite lateral side in the front row of the motor vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 may also include one or more rear seats defining additional rows of seats, which may include one or more seat assemblies. Each row of seats in the vehicle 10 may be generally aligned with or accessible from a door opening on each lateral side of the vehicle body 12 to allow ingress and egress to the vehicle interior 14. The motor vehicle 10 may have other numbers of rows of seats or seating assemblies and doors, such as may be present for a large SUV, van, bus, etc. It should be appreciated that the vehicle 10 may be, for example, a car, truck, SUV, van, or bus, or other vehicle capable of transporting one or more passengers.

[0045] The vehicle door 20 may include a pivoting door 20 shown having a pair of hinges 22 at its front end that allow the door 20 to be pivoted between the front and rear ends of the vehicle. Figure 1 The door 20 is swung between an open position shown and a closed position closing the door opening 18. For example, a mobility-impaired passenger may require the assistance of a mobility-assistance device 60, such as a cane, a crutch, or a walking stick. To assist a mobility-impaired passenger in entering and exiting the motor vehicle 10, the door 20 is advantageously equipped with a deployable retainer assembly 30, which is shown deployed in one example. Figure 1 The holder assembly 30 is used to hold a mobility aid 60 in the form of a cane or crutches in a use position. This allows a user to place the mobility aid 60 on the holder assembly 30 to stably support the mobility aid 60 and prevent the mobility aid 60 from tipping over or otherwise becoming inaccessible. It should also be understood that other objects may be held on the holder assembly, such as, for example, a wallet or bag.

[0046] The door 20 is shown with a trim panel 24 located on the inner side of the door 20 that generally faces the vehicle interior 14. For example, the trim panel 24 may include a single or multiple trim panels that may be integrated with or coupled to a door handle 26 and a latch assembly 28. According to one embodiment, the trim panel 24 may be an injection molded polymer material that is formed into the shape of the trim panel 24 and integrally includes a retainer assembly 30. Figure 1 As shown, the retainer assembly 30 may be formed as part of the trim panel 24 and may be assembled as a single unit to the inside of the vehicle door 20. Alternatively, the retainer assembly 30 may be formed as a separate unit that is assembled to the trim panel 24 on the inside of the vehicle door 20.

[0047] exist Figure 1 and Figure 1A In the illustrated example, the mobility aid 60 is shown as a cane configured with an upright support column and a handle 62 at a top end, which can be rested on the hook 40 of the deployed retainer assembly 30 when the retainer assembly 30 is in the use position. It should also be understood that the C-shaped hook 40 can not only vertically support the mobility aid 60, but also provide lateral sidewall support to hold the mobility aid 60 or other objects.

[0048] Retainer assembly 30 Figure 2 and Figure 2A is shown in the deployed use position and in Figure 3 and Figure 3A 3. The retainer assembly 30 includes a base in the form of a ring 32 that generally defines an outer perimeter of the retainer assembly 30. According to one embodiment, the ring 32 may be integrally formed with the trim panel 24 of the vehicle door 20. An inner ring base 34 is disposed within the ring 32, the inner ring base having an annular shape and defining a central opening 38. An inner frame 36 extends across an upper portion of the central opening 38.

[0049] The retainer assembly 30 includes a rotatable hook 40 that rotates relative to the inner ring base 34 between a use position and a stowed position. The hook 40 has a C-shaped shape with an end 44 of reduced thickness, as shown according to one example. According to another example, the hook 40 may have a U-shaped shape. The C-shaped hook 40 is coupled to a ring base support 46 on its bottom side. The ring base support 46 defines a support structure at an angle α that defines the extreme rotational position of the hook 40 in the deployed use position. Thus, the hook 40 can be rotated forward and downward by an angle α between the use position and the stowed position. According to one embodiment, the rotation angle α may be in the range of 30 degrees to 90 degrees, and more specifically in the range of 45 degrees to 75 degrees. According to one example, the angle α may be about 55 degrees. In the use position, the rotatable C-shaped hook 40 may support an object suspended from the hook 40, and the central opening 38 of the hook 40 may support an object laterally with the inner side wall of the C-shaped hook 40, such as, for example, a mobility aid 60 in the form of a cane or a crutch. Thus, with the C-shaped hook 40 extended outwardly in the use position, the central opening 38 of the hook 40 can temporarily hold an object in a position that allows a user to easily access the object, particularly when entering or exiting the motor vehicle 10 with the door 20 open.

[0050] The deployable C-shaped hook 40 is operably coupled to the inner ring base 34 via a pivot connection 42 defining a horizontal pivot axis. In one embodiment, the pivot connection 42 can be a living hinge, which is a portion of the hook 40 with reduced thickness at the interface with the base 34. Thus, the hook 40 can pivot between the stowed position and the use position about the living hinge. According to another embodiment, the hook 40 can be forced to pivot relative to the base via a pivot pin defining the pivot connection 42.

[0051] In operation, when the vehicle door 20 is in the open position, the user can pull the outer portion of the rotatable C-shaped hook 40 to disengage the frictional connection of the hook 40 with the inner ring base 34 and the ring 32 and rotate the hook 40 and extend it outward so that it rests on the ring base support 46 to reach the use position, such as Figures 2 to 2A In this use position, the user can place an object (such as a mobility aid or other object) on the hook 40 or in the opening formed in the hook 40 so that the hook 40 temporarily supports the object. Once the user has removed the object from the hook 40, the user can forcefully press or push the hook 40 inwardly into the inner ring base 34 until the peripheral portion of the hook 40 frictionally engages the inner ring base 34 to hold the hook 40 in the stowed position, as shown. Figure 3 and Figure 3A Shown in.

[0052] refer to Figure 4, a mobility aid in the form of a cane 70 is shown supported on the holder assembly 30 in the use position. In this example, the cane 70 may include a handle 72 that may be supported on the hook 40. It should also be understood that other portions of the cane 70, such as the vertical legs, may be supported at least laterally within the central opening 38 of the hook 40 so that weight is not applied downwardly, but the object is instead supported laterally by the inner wall of the C-shaped hook 40. It should also be understood that according to other examples, a user may place a wallet or one or more bags on the hook 40 in the use position.

[0053] The retainer assembly 30 may be advantageously integrated into the door trim panel 24 on the door 20 and may be easily manipulated by a user into a deployed position to help retain an object, such as a mobility aid, when entering or exiting the motor vehicle 10. It should be appreciated that the retainer assembly 30 may be used to support an object, such as a mobility aid, when the door 20 is open and the motor vehicle 10 is stopped and in park.

[0054] It should be understood that changes and modifications may be made to the aforementioned structures without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and it should be further understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the appended claims unless the claims explicitly state otherwise by their language.

[0055] According to the present invention, a vehicle door is provided, which has: a decorative panel, which is located on the inner side of the vehicle door; and a retainer assembly, which is connected to the vehicle door decorative panel and includes: a base, which is arranged on the decorative panel; and a rotatable hook, which is pivotally connected to the base and can be rotated between a stowed position and an outwardly deployed position within the base to support an object.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the base comprises a ring.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the holder assembly further comprises a base support for supporting the lower end of the rotatable hook in the use position.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the retainer assembly rotates within a range of 30 to 90 degrees between the stowed position and the use position.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the retainer rotates approximately 55 degrees between the stowed position and the use position.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the retainer assembly further comprises an inner ring seat located within the ring and behind the rotatable hook.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the invention also features an inner border coupled to the ring.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the invention also features openings formed in the inner ring seat.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the hook pivots about a pivot axis.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the pivot axis is provided by a pivot pin or a living hinge.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the retainer assembly is integrated with the trim panel.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the retainer assembly is integrally formed with the trim panel.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the hook comprises a C-shaped hook configured to support a mobility assist device.

[0068] According to the present invention, a retainer assembly for a vehicle door is provided, the retainer assembly having: a ring, the ring being configured to be coupled to a trim panel in the vehicle door; and a rotatable hook pivotally coupled to the ring and rotatable between a stowed position and an outwardly deployed position within the ring to support an object.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the retainer assembly further comprises a ring base support for supporting the lower end of the rotatable hook in the use position.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the retainer assembly rotates within a range of 30 to 90 degrees between the stowed position and the use position.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the retainer assembly includes a C-hook configured to support a mobility assist device.

[0072] According to the present invention, a vehicle is provided, which has: a vehicle interior; a seat arrangement arranged in the vehicle interior; a vehicle door, which is located near the seat arrangement; a decorative panel, which is located on the inner side of the vehicle door; and a retainer assembly, which is integrated into the vehicle door decorative panel and includes: a ring, which is arranged in the decorative panel; and a rotatable hook, which is pivotally connected to the ring and can be rotated between a stowed position and an outwardly deployed position within the ring to support an object.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the retainer assembly further comprises a ring base support for supporting the lower end of the rotatable hook in the use position.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the retainer assembly rotates within a range of 30 to 90 degrees between the stowed position and the use position.

Claims

1. A vehicle door, comprising: a decorative panel located on an inner side of the vehicle door; as well as A retainer assembly coupled to the door trim panel and comprising: A base, wherein the base is arranged on the decorative panel; as well as A rotatable hook is pivotally coupled to the base and is rotatable between a stowed position within the base and an outwardly deployed position to support an object.

2. The vehicle door of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a ring.

3. The vehicle door as claimed in claim 2, wherein the retainer assembly further comprises a base support for supporting a lower end of the rotatable hook in the use position. 4 . The vehicle door of claim 3 , wherein the retainer assembly rotates within a range of 30 to 90 degrees between the stowed position and the use position.

5. The vehicle door of claim 4, wherein the retainer rotates approximately 55 degrees between the stowed position and the use position.

6. The vehicle door of claim 2, wherein the retainer assembly further comprises an inner ring seat located within the ring and behind the rotatable hook.

7. The vehicle door of claim 6, further comprising an inner frame coupled to the ring.

8. The vehicle door of claim 7, further comprising an opening formed in the inner ring base.

9. The vehicle door of claim 1, wherein the hook pivots about a pivot axis.

10. A vehicle door as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pivot axis is provided by a pivot pin or a living hinge.

11. The vehicle door of claim 1, wherein the retainer assembly is integrated with the trim panel.

12. The vehicle door of claim 1, wherein the retainer assembly is integrally formed with the trim panel.

13. The vehicle door of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the hook comprises a C-shaped hook configured to support a mobility aid.

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