Grab handle arrangement and motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a grab handle arrangement (1) for fixing to a body (2) of a motor vehicle (3), wherein a locking device (4) is provided which has two locking elements (5, 6), at least one of which is adjustable between an extended position and a retracted position via a lever (7). The essential aspect of the invention is that the locking elements (5, 6) have a conical shape at their free ends (8, 9), by means of which it is possible to clamp and position the locking elements (5, 6) in associated body-side openings (10, 11) and above the grab handle arrangement (1) on the body (2). This makes it easier to mount the grab handle assembly (1) on the body (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a grab handle arrangement for attachment to a body of a motor vehicle, according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle with such a grab handle arrangement.

[0002] DE 42 24 148 A1 discloses a generic motor vehicle with a grab handle assembly arranged thereon, with a locking device comprising two locking elements, at least one of which is adjustable between an extended position and a retracted position via a lever. The locking elements have a wedge shape at their free ends, which allows the locking elements to be clamped and positioned in corresponding openings in the bodywork.

[0003] DE 10 2023 003 630 A1 discloses a grab handle assembly for a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle, comprising an L-shaped grab handle whose end sections are attached to retaining elements arranged on the vehicle. An unlocking device is integrated into the grab handle, which has a spring-loaded, linearly actuated unlocking pin for positioning the receiving unit in a removal position. The unlocking pin is coupled via a rotatably mounted connecting rod to a spring-loaded locking pin, which, when pressure is applied to the unlocking pin, releases an end section of the grab handle for removal from the retaining elements.

[0004] DE 10 2022 110 748 A1 discloses a handle assembly for a vehicle with a rail, wherein the rail has retaining flanges, each defining a channel. A handle is disposed within the channel and operatively coupled to the rail. The handle further includes a body defining a gripping portion and at least one attachment end. A locking component is operatively coupled to the at least one attachment end of the handle and includes a retaining element connected to a pivoting component.

[0005] From DE 20 2006 018 948 U1 a covering part with at least one attachment part is known, wherein the attachment part is pre-assembled and fastened or latched to the covering part and can be attached or fastened together with the covering part to the part to be covered.

[0006] A disadvantage of grab handle arrangements known from the prior art is their comparatively complex fixing or positioning on the body of a motor vehicle.

[0007] The present invention therefore addresses the problem of providing an improved or at least an alternative embodiment for a handle arrangement of the generic type, with which in particular a simplified and rapid and at the same time positionally accurate fixing of the same to a body of a motor vehicle is possible.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] The present invention is based on the general idea of ​​using locking elements with a wedge-shaped tip, i.e., one that tapers towards a free end, in a grab handle assembly for securing to a motor vehicle body. These locking elements provide self-centering and simultaneous fixation when inserted into body-side openings. The grab handle assembly according to the invention for securing the same to a motor vehicle body has a locking device that has two locking elements, at least one of which is adjustable between an extended position and a retracted position via a lever.According to the invention, the locking elements each have a wedge-shaped form at their free ends, which enables the locking elements to be clamped and simultaneously positioned in the corresponding body-side openings, and thereby enables the clamping and positioning of the grab handle assembly on the body. The wedge-shaped locking elements significantly simplify installation of the grab handle assembly in a corresponding motor vehicle, since the grab handle assembly only needs to be placed in the designated location, for example, a roof frame, and then the at least one locking element needs to be retracted into the corresponding body-side opening via the lever.If only one adjustable locking element is provided in the handle assembly according to the invention, the other control element must first be positioned in front of or in the corresponding body-side opening in order to assemble the handle assembly, wherein then by adjusting the adjustable locking element to its extended position both locking elements are introduced into the corresponding body-side openings and there lead to both positioning and alignment and clamping of the handle assembly.

[0010] According to the invention, the locking device has two locking elements, each of which can be adjusted between a retracted position and an extended position via the lever. In this case, the grab handle arrangement according to the invention therefore has two adjustable locking elements that can be moved via a common lever and retracted into corresponding openings in the body. This offers the great advantage that, compared to just one adjustable locking element, when assembling the grab handle arrangement according to the invention, there is no longer any need to thread the non-adjustable locking element into the corresponding opening in the body. In the embodiment with two adjustable locking elements, the grab handle arrangement can be easily put on from the outside and then secured in place by the lever. Pivoting orThis eliminates the need to pivot the handle assembly, as may be necessary, for example, with only one adjustable and one fixed locking element.

[0011] According to the invention, the two locking elements can be adjusted coaxially or parallel to each other. The two locking elements can be coupled to each other via corresponding rack and pinion connections, so that adjusting the lever adjusts both locking elements evenly.

[0012] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the grab handle assembly according to the invention, it has a movable handle bar. This movable handle bar can be made, for example, from plastic or metal, in particular from aluminum, and can also be covered, for example, by a coating, in particular leather. This non-exhaustive list alone gives an idea of ​​the diverse embodiments conceivable for such a movable handle bar. It is also conceivable for such a movable handle bar to be arranged on the grab handle assembly via spring elements, so that when grasped, it yields elastically until it reaches an end position in which further withdrawal is no longer possible.

[0013] The grab handle assembly expediently includes a lighting device. Such a lighting device, which may comprise, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED), makes it easier to locate the handle in the dark and thus increases comfort for vehicle occupants. Furthermore, such a lighting device can also be used to create indirect vehicle interior lighting, particularly as part of ambient lighting, which can create a particularly high level of comfort.

[0014] The present invention is further based on the general idea of ​​equipping a motor vehicle with a body and a grab handle assembly arranged thereon, as described in the preceding paragraphs. This allows the advantages described with regard to the grab handle assembly according to the invention, such as, in particular, easier assembly and disassembly, as well as easier fixing and positioning, to be transferred to the motor vehicle according to the invention.

[0015] In an advantageous development of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the body has two openings, particularly in the region of the support arms, into which the locking elements engage in the extended position and thereby align and fix the grab handle assembly to the body. Such openings can be arranged, for example, on support arms for the grab handle assembly or else form a simple undercut in a roof frame. The shape of the body-side openings only needs to be aligned with the position of the two locking elements of the grab handle assembly, so that adjusting the lever on the grab handle assembly side enables easy positioning and fixing, as well as easy removal of the grab handle assembly from the body.

[0016] The grab handle assembly is expediently arranged on a roof frame of the vehicle body. When arranged on such a roof frame, the grab handle assembly according to the invention can significantly simplify the overhead installation required in this area.

[0017] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0018] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Components mentioned above and those to be mentioned below of a higher-level unit, such as a device, apparatus, or arrangement, which are designated separately, may form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is shown differently in the drawings.

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0020] They show, schematically, Fig. 1 a partially sectioned view of a roof frame of a motor vehicle according to the invention with a grab handle arrangement according to the invention arranged thereon, Fig. 2 a sectional view AA from Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a view of a locking device of a handle arrangement according to the invention.

[0021] According to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, a handle assembly 1 according to the invention for fixing to a body 2 of a motor vehicle 3 has a locking device 4 (see Fig. 3) which has two locking elements 5, 6, of which at least one, here the locking element 5, can be moved via a lever 7 between a retracted position (compare Fig. 2 with solid line) and an extended position (compare Fig. 2 with a broken line and Fig. 3) is adjustable. According to the invention, the locking elements 5, 6 have a wedge shape at their respective free ends 8, 9, by means of which a clamping and positioning of the locking elements 5, 6 in the associated body-side openings 10, 11 (cf. Fig. 2) and above the grab handle arrangement 1 on the body 2 is possible.

[0022] If the handle assembly 1 according to the invention has only one adjustable locking element 5, as is shown in the Fig. 2, to mount the grab handle assembly 1 on the body 2 of the motor vehicle 3, the grab handle assembly 1 is first positioned or hooked with its second locking element 6 into a corresponding body-side opening 11. This is done, for example, by pivoting it in. Subsequently, the lever 7 extends the locking element 5, which is still in its retracted position, and moves it into the corresponding body-side opening 10. Due to the wedge-shaped form of the free ends 8, 9 of the locking elements 5, 6, when at least one locking element 5 is extended into the corresponding body-side opening 10, both the positioning and alignment of the grab handle assembly 1 relative to the body 2 of the motor vehicle 3 and the fixing of the grab handle assembly 1 to the body 2 can take place.

[0023] Alternatively, it is of course also conceivable for the locking device 4 to have two locking elements 5, 6, each of which can be adjusted between an extended position and a retracted position via the lever 7. In this case, both locking elements 5, 6 can be adjusted by means of the lever 7, which further simplifies the installation of the grab handle arrangement 1 according to the invention on the body 2 of the vehicle 3, since in this case the grab handle arrangement 1 can simply be placed from the outside onto the corresponding point on the body 2, for example a roof frame 12, without one of the locking elements 5, 6 first having to be threaded into a corresponding body-side opening 10, 11.If the handle assembly 1 is seated on the body 2, both locking elements 5, 6 can be adjusted into the corresponding body-side openings 10, 11 by actuating the lever 7, whereupon the handle assembly 1 is both aligned and fixed.

[0024] The two locking elements 5, 6 can be adjustable coaxially or parallel to each other, so that in this case the two body-side openings 10, 11 are essentially opposite each other.

[0025] The handle assembly 1 can further comprise a movable handle bar 13, which can be made of metal or plastic, for example, and covered with a covering, such as leather. This can create a particularly pleasant feel.

[0026] A lighting device 14, for example, an LED strip, can also be provided, by means of which a handle shell of the grab handle assembly 1 can be illuminated, making it easier for a user to locate it, especially in the dark. The lighting device 14 can also be used as part of ambient lighting, thereby creating a pleasant lighting ambience in the motor vehicle 3, thereby increasing comfort for the user.

[0027] Two retaining arms 15 can be arranged on the body 2, in particular on the roof frame 12, in which the corresponding openings 10, 11 are located. These retaining arms 15 can also form a guide for inserting the grab handle assembly 1 into a recess in the body.

[0028] Of course, the body-side openings 10, 11 can also be arranged directly on the roof frame 12 or on the body 2.

[0029] Furthermore, a plastic element 16, for example an anti-slip element or a damping element, can be arranged on at least one of the locking elements 5, 6, thereby enabling an improved and quiet fixing of the grab handle assembly 1 to the body 2 of the motor vehicle 3. The lever 7 can also be designed as a pivot lever and can be pivoted about an axis 17 (see Fig. 3) pivotable. In order to prevent accidental detachment of the grab handle assembly 1 from the body 2 of the motor vehicle 3, a cover element 18 pivotable about an axis 19 may be provided, which covers a free end of the lever 7 in a predefined position and thereby secures the lever 7 against accidental opening.

[0030] All in all, the grab handle assembly 1 according to the invention and the motor vehicle 3 according to the invention significantly simplify assembly and disassembly of a grab handle assembly 1 on the motor vehicle 3, in particular a body 2 thereof, since, for example, no additional tools or additional fixing means are required. Fixing and alignment of the grab handle assembly 1 according to the invention on the body 2 of the motor vehicle 3 is achieved by the self-centering and wedge-shaped free ends 8, 9 of the two locking elements 5, 6 of the locking device 4. The locking device 4 can be designed both kinematically and structurally simple and can therefore be manufactured cost-effectively.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (3) with a body (2) and a handle arrangement (1) arranged thereon with a locking device (4) which has two locking elements (5, 6), at least one of which is adjustable between an extended position and a retracted position via a lever (7), wherein the locking elements (5, 6) have a wedge shape at their free ends (8, 9), by means of which a clamping and positioning of the locking elements (5, 6) in associated body-side openings (10, 11) and above the handle arrangement (1) on the body (2) is possible, characterized by , that the locking device (4) has two locking elements (5, 6) which can each be adjusted between an extended position and a retracted position via the lever (7), that the two locking elements (5, 6) are adjustable coaxially or parallel to each other. [2] Motor vehicle (3) according to claim 1, characterized by that the handle arrangement (1) has a movable handle bar (13). [3] Motor vehicle (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the handle arrangement (1) has a lighting device (14). [4] Motor vehicle (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that two holding arms (15) with the openings (10, 11) are arranged on the body (2). [5] Motor vehicle (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the grab handle arrangement (1) is arranged on a roof frame (12) of the body (2).

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