INTEGRATED BRACKET ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE DOOR

Abstract

A vehicle door comprising a trim panel located on an inside of the door and a support assembly coupled to the door trim panel, comprising a ring provided on the trim panel and a rotatable hook pivotably coupled to the ring and rotatable between a stowed position inside the ring and an outwardly extended position to support an object, such as a mobility support device.

Description

AREA OF REVELATION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle doors, and more particularly to a holder assembly for a vehicle door for holding an object, such as a mobility assistance device. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Motor vehicles are typically configured with vehicle doors that open and close to allow passengers to enter and exit the vehicle. Passengers requiring mobility assistance devices, such as a cane, crutches, or a cane, can set such devices aside while entering or exiting the vehicle. It would be desirable to provide a convenient holder on the vehicle to temporarily hold such devices. SUMMARY OF REVELATION

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle door includes a trim panel located on an interior side of the door. A retainer assembly is coupled to the door trim panel and includes a base provided on the trim panel and a rotatable hook pivotally coupled to the base and rotatable between a stowed position within the base and an outwardly deployed position 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: - The base includes a ring; - the holder assembly further comprises a base support for supporting a lower end of the rotatable hook in the use position; - the holder assembly rotates in a range of 30 to 90 degrees between the stowed and use positions; - the holder rotates approximately 55 degrees between the stowed and use positions; - the holder assembly further comprises an inner ring base located within the ring and behind the rotatable hook; - an inner bezel coupled to the ring; - an opening formed within the inner ring base; - the hook pivots around a pivot axis; - the pivot axis is provided by a pivot pin or a film hinge; - the holder assembly is integrated into the cladding panel; - the holder assembly is formed integrally with the trim panel; and - the hook comprises a C-shaped hook configured to support a mobility assistance device.

[0005] 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 within the ring and an outwardly deployed position to support an object.

[0006] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features: - The holder assembly includes a ring base support for supporting a lower end of the rotatable hook in the use position; - the holder assembly rotates in a range of 30 to 90 degrees between the stowed and use positions; and - the holder assembly includes a C-shaped hook configured to support a mobility assistance device.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes a cabin interior, a seating assembly provided within the cabin interior, a vehicle door located proximate the seating assembly, a trim panel located on an interior side of the door, and a retainer assembly integrated with the door trim panel. The retainer assembly includes a ring provided within the trim panel and a rotatable hook pivotally coupled to the ring and rotatable between a stowed position within the ring and an outwardly deployed position to support an object.

[0008] Embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features: - The holder assembly includes a ring base support for supporting a lower end of the rotatable hook in the use position; and - The holder assembly rotates in a range of 30 to 90 degrees between the stowed and use positions.

[0009] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be better understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The following applies in the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side perspective rear view of a motor vehicle equipped with a door shown in the open position and having a holder assembly shown holding a mobility assistance device in the form of a walking stick, according to one example; Fig. Figure 1A is an enlarged view of section IA of Fig. 1, further illustrating the holder assembly in a use position supporting the mobility assistance device; Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the holder assembly illustrated in the use position configured to receive an object, such as a mobility assistance device; Fig. Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view through line IIA-IIA in Fig. 2, which further illustrates the holder assembly in the use position; Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the holder assembly illustrated in a stowed position; Fig. Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view through line IIIA-IIIA in Fig. 3, which further illustrates the holder assembly in the stowed position; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the holder assembly illustrated in a use position supporting a mobility assistance device in the form of a crutch, according to another example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to designate the same or similar parts. In the drawings, the depicted structural elements are not to scale, and certain components are enlarged relative to other components for emphasis and clarity.

[0012] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily a detailed embodiment; some schematic representations may be exaggerated or reduced to show a functional overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

[0013] For the purposes of description in this document, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “right”, “left”, “back”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and derivatives thereof refer to the concepts in their orientation in Fig. 1. However, it is to be understood that the concepts may assume various alternative orientations unless expressly stated otherwise. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following description are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Thus, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics are not to be considered limiting of the embodiments disclosed herein unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0014] The presently illustrated embodiments primarily involve combinations of method steps and device components associated with a vehicle door and a holder assembly. Accordingly, the device components and method steps have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols where appropriate, showing only those specific details relevant to an understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present description. Furthermore, like reference numerals represent like elements in the description and the drawings.

[0015] As used herein, the term "and / or," when used in a list of two or more elements, means that any of the listed elements may be employed individually, or any combination of two or more of the listed elements may be employed. For example, if a composition is described as including components A, B, and / or C, the composition may include A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0016] In this specification, reference terms such as first and second, upper and lower, and the like are used merely to distinguish one entity or act from another entity or act, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or acts. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, procedure, article, or device comprising an enumeration of elements not only includes those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such a process, procedure, article, or device. An element that "comprises a...’ does not exclude, without further limitation, the presence of additional identical elements in the process, procedure, article or facility incorporating that element.

[0017] As used in this specification, the term "about" means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and / or greater or lesser as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement errors, and the like, and other factors known to those skilled in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe a value or an endpoint of a range, the disclosure is to be understood to include the specific value or endpoint referenced. Regardless of whether a numerical value or endpoint of a range includes "about" in the description, the numerical value or endpoint of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "about" and one not modified by "about."It is further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both relative to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0018] The terms "substantially," "substantially," and variations thereof, as used herein, are intended to indicate that a described characteristic is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to mean that a surface is flat or approximately flat. Furthermore, "substantially" is intended to mean that two values ​​are equal to or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may refer to values ​​within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0019] As used herein, the terms "the," "the," "a," or "a" or "an" mean "at least one" and are not intended to be limited to "only one" unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0020] In relation to Fig. 1, a wheeled automobile or motor vehicle 10 is generally illustrated as being equipped with a deployable support assembly 30 according to one embodiment. The motor vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 12 generally defining a cab interior 14. The cab interior 14 is configured with passenger seats including at least one vehicle seat assembly 16, such as a driver seat and a passenger seat for carrying a user (e.g., a person), such as a driver or passenger, in the motor vehicle 10.The cabin interior 14 is encapsulated by the vehicle body 12, which may include one or more door openings 18 that 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 closed when the door 20 is in the closed position. The seating arrangement may include a driver's seat in a front row on one side and forward 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 that may include one or more seat assemblies.Each row of seats in the vehicle 10 may generally align with or be accessed through a door opening on each lateral side of the body 12 to allow entry and exit from the vehicle cabin interior 14. The motor vehicle 10 may have other numbers of rows of seats or seating assemblies and doors, as may be the case for large SUVs, vans, buses, etc. It is understood that the vehicle 10 may be a motor vehicle, such as a wheeled / tired car, truck, SUV, van, or bus, or other vehicle capable of carrying one or more passengers.

[0021] The vehicle door 20 may include a pivoting door 20, which is shown having a pair of hinges 22 located at a front end thereof and allowing the door 20 to pivot between the open position shown in Fig. 1, and the closed position, which closes the door opening 18. Passengers whose mobility is impaired may require the assistance of a mobility assistance device 60, such as a walking stick, a cane, or crutches. To assist a passenger with limited mobility when entering and exiting the motor vehicle 10, the vehicle door 20 is advantageously equipped with a fold-out holder assembly 30, which according to an example in Fig. 1 unfolded into the use position and supporting a mobility assistance device 60 in the form of a cane or stick. This allows the user to place the mobility assistance device 60 on the holder assembly 30 to stably support the mobility assistance device 60 and prevent the mobility assistance device 60 from falling over or otherwise becoming inaccessible. It is further understood that other objects may be held on the holder, such as a purse or bag.

[0022] The vehicle door 20 is shown as including a trim panel 24 located on the inside of the vehicle door 20 and generally facing the cabin interior 14. The trim panel 24 may include a single or multiple trim panels that may be integrated with or coupled to, for example, a door handle 26 and a latch assembly 28. The trim panel 24 may, in one embodiment, be an injection-molded polymer material formed in the shape of the trim panel 24 and integrally incorporating the retainer assembly 30. As shown in Fig. 1, the retainer assembly 30 may be formed as part of the trim panel 24 and mounted as a single unit on the inside of the door 20. Alternatively, the retainer assembly 30 may be formed as a separate unit assembled with the trim panel 24 on the inside of the door 20.

[0023] In the example shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 1A, the mobility assistance device 60 is shown configured as a cane having an upright support post and a handle 62 at the upper end that can rest on a hook 40 of the deployed support assembly 30 when the support assembly 30 is in a use position. It should be further understood that the C-shaped hook 40 may not only vertically support the mobility assistance device 60, but may also provide lateral sidewall support for holding the mobility assistance device 60 or other objects.

[0024] The holder assembly 30 is in Fig. 2 and Fig. 2A in an unfolded use position and is further shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 3A in a stowed position. The retainer assembly 30 includes a base in the form of a ring 32 that generally defines the outer perimeter of the retainer assembly 30. The ring 32, according to one embodiment, may be formed integrally with the trim panel 24 of the vehicle door 20. Disposed within the ring 32 is an inner ring base 34 having a ring shape and defining a central opening 38. An inner bezel 36 extends over an upper portion of the central opening 38.

[0025] The holder assembly 30 includes a rotatable hook 40 that rotates relative to the inner ring base 34 between the use position and the stowed position. The hook 40 has a C-shape with reduced-thickness ends 44, as shown in one example. The hook 40 may have a U-shape, according to another example. The C-shaped hook 40 is coupled at a bottom thereof to a ring base support 46.

[0026] The ring base support 46 defines a support structure at an angle α that defines the extreme rotated position of the hook 40 in the deployed use position. Thus, the hook 40 can rotate forward and downward by an angle α between the use position and the stowed position. According to one embodiment, the rotation angle α can be in a range of 30 to 90 degrees, and more particularly, in a range of 45 to 75 degrees. According to one example, the angle α can be approximately 55 degrees. In the use position, the rotatable C-shaped hook 40 can support an object hanging from the hook 40, and the central opening 38 of the hook 40 can support an object lateral to the inner side walls of the C-shaped hook 40, such as a mobility assistance device 60, for example, in the form of a cane or a stick.Thus, when the C-shaped hook 40 extends outwardly in the use position, the central opening 38 of the hook 40 can temporarily hold an object in a position to allow a user to conveniently access the object, particularly when entering or exiting the motor vehicle 10 via the open door 20.

[0027] The extendable C-shaped hook 40 is operatively coupled to the inner ring base 34 via a pivot connection 42 defining a horizontal pivot axis. In one embodiment, the pivot connection 42 may be a living hinge, including a reduced portion of the hook 40 at the interface with the base 34. Thus, the hook 40 may pivot about the living hinge between the stowed position and the use position. According to another embodiment, the hook 40 may pivot with force relative to the base via a rocker pin defining the pivot connection 42.

[0028] In operation, when the vehicle door 20 is in an open position, a user can pull on an outer portion of the rotatable C-shaped hook 40 to release the frictional engagement of the hook 40 from the inner ring base 34 and the ring 32 and to rotate and extend the hook 40 outwardly into the use position to rest on the ring base support 46, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 2A. In this use position, a user can place an object, such as a mobility assistance device or other object, either on the hook 40 or within the opening formed in the hook 40 so that the hook 40 temporarily supports the object. Once a user has removed the object from the hook 40, the user can forcibly push or press the hook 40 inward into the inner ring base 34 until the peripheral portions of the hook 40 frictionally engage the inner ring base 34 to hold the hook 40 in the stowed position, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 3A.

[0029] With reference to Fig.4, a mobility assistance device in the form of a crutch 70 is shown supported on the holder assembly 30 in the use position. In this example, the crutch 70 may include a handle 72 that may be supported on the hook 40. It is otherwise understood that other portions of the crutch 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 instead the object is supported laterally by the inner wall of the C-shaped hook 40. It is further understood that, according to other examples, the user may place a purse or one or more bags on the hook 40 in the use position.

[0030] The holder assembly 30 may advantageously be integrated into the vehicle door trim panel 24 at the vehicle door 20 and can be easily actuated by a user into a deployed position to assist in holding an object, such as a mobility assistance device, upon entering or exiting the motor vehicle 10. It should be understood that the holder assembly 30 may be used to support an object, such as a mobility assistance device, when the vehicle door 20 is open and the motor vehicle 10 is stopped and in the park position.

[0031] It is to be understood that variations and modifications may be made to the foregoing structure without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and it is further understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims expressly state otherwise by their language.

[0032] According to the present invention, a vehicle door is provided, comprising: a trim panel located on an interior side of the door; and a bracket assembly coupled to the door trim panel and comprising: a base provided on the trim panel; and a rotatable hook pivotally coupled to the base and rotatable between a stowed position within the base and an outwardly deployed position to support an object.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the base comprises a ring.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the holder assembly further comprises a base support for supporting a lower end of the rotatable hook in the use position.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the holder assembly rotates in a range of 30 to 90 degrees between the stowed and use positions.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the holder assembly rotates approximately 55 degrees between the stowed and use positions.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the holder assembly further comprises an inner ring base located within the ring and behind the rotatable hook.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by an inner enclosure coupled to the ring.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by an opening formed within the inner ring base.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the hook pivots about a pivot axis.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the pivot axis is provided by a pivot pin or a film hinge.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the holder assembly is integrated into the cladding panel.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the holder assembly is formed integrally with the cladding plate.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the hook comprises a C-shaped hook configured to support a mobility assistance device.

[0045] According to the present invention, a retainer assembly for a vehicle door is provided, comprising: 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 within the ring and an outwardly deployed position to support an object.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the holder assembly further comprises a ring base support for supporting a lower end of the rotatable hook in the use position.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the holder assembly rotates in a range of 30 to 90 degrees between the stowed and use positions.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the holder assembly comprises a C-shaped hook configured to support a mobility assistance device.

[0049] According to the present invention, a vehicle is provided comprising: a cab interior; a seating assembly provided in the cab interior; a vehicle door located proximate the seating assembly; a trim panel located on an interior side of the door; and a bracket assembly integrated with the door trim panel and comprising: a ring provided in the trim panel; and a rotatable hook pivotally coupled to the ring and rotatable between a stowed position within the ring and an outwardly deployed position to support an object.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the holder assembly further comprises a ring base support for supporting a lower end of the rotatable hook in the use position.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the holder assembly rotates in a range of 30 to 90 degrees between the stowed and use positions.

Claims

[1] Vehicle door, comprising: a trim panel located on an inside of the door; and a bracket assembly coupled to the door trim panel and comprising: a base provided on the cladding panel; and a rotatable hook pivotally coupled to the base and 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 of claim 2, wherein the holder 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 in a range of 30 to 90 degrees between the stowed and use positions. [5] The vehicle door of claim 4, wherein the holder rotates approximately 55 degrees between the stowed and use positions. [6] The vehicle door of claim 2, wherein the retainer assembly further comprises an inner ring base located within the ring and behind the rotatable hook. [7] The vehicle door of claim 6, further comprising an inner bezel coupled to the ring. [8] The vehicle door of claim 7, further comprising an opening formed within the inner ring base. [9] A vehicle door according to claim 1, wherein the hook pivots about a pivot axis. [10] A vehicle door according to claim 9, wherein the pivot axis is provided by a pivot pin or a film hinge. [11] The vehicle door of claim 1, wherein the retainer assembly is integrated into the trim panel. [12] The vehicle door of claim 1, wherein the retainer assembly is formed integrally with the trim panel. [13] A vehicle door according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the hook comprises a C-shaped hook configured to support a mobility assistance device.

Images