HANDLE SYSTEMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

Abstract

A device may include a column assembly. A device may include a box rail assembly secured to the column assembly. A device may include a handle having a first end portion that interfaces with a rearward-facing surface of the column assembly and an opposite second end portion that interfaces with a top surface of the box rail assembly.

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGYThis disclosure relates generally to motor vehicles and, more particularly, to multi-purpose handle systems for motor vehicles.GENERAL STATE OF THE ARTMany motor vehicles include cargo holds for carrying various types of cargo. A pickup truck includes, for example, a load box that forms the cargo space of the truck. A tailgate is movable to an open position to provide access to the rear of the load box.SUMMARYIn some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly including: a pillar assembly; a box rail assembly secured to the pillar assembly; and a handle including a first end portion interfacing with a rearward facing surface of the pillar assembly and an opposing second end portion interfacing with an upper surface of the box rail assembly.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly, wherein the pillar assembly includes an inner panel, an inner reinforcement panel, an outer panel, and a pillar cover panel.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly, wherein the inner panel includes a first side and an opposing second side, the outer panel includes a first flange and a second flange, and the inner panel is secured to the first side of the inner reinforcement panel and to the second side between the first flange and the second flange.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly wherein the pillar cover plate interfaces with the first flange.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly, wherein the pillar cover plate includes a vertically extending portion providing the rearward facing surface of the pillar assembly and a longitudinally extending portion providing the top surface of the box rail assembly.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly, wherein the first end portion of the handle is received at the vertically extending portion and the second end portion of the handle is received at the longitudinally extending portion of the handle.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly, wherein the handle includes a handle member and a pair of arms extending at transverse angles from the handle member.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly wherein the second end portion of the handle extends at a transverse angle from one of the arms.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly, a first mounting bolt extends from the first end portion of the handle, and a second mounting bolt extends from the second end portion of the handle.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly, wherein the first mounting bolt is secured to the pillar assembly and the second mounting bolt is secured to a reinforcement bracket on the box rail assembly.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly, wherein the pillar assembly includes a first mounting nut for receiving the first mounting bolt and the reinforcement bracket includes a second mounting nut for receiving the second mounting bolt.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly including: a pillar assembly including an inner panel, an inner reinforcement panel, an outer panel, and a pillar cover panel; a box rail assembly secured to the pillar assembly and extending rearward from the pillar assembly; and a handle secured to the pillar assembly and including a first end portion and an opposing second end portion, the first end portion secured proximate an interface between the pillar cover panel and the outer panel, the second end portion secured proximate an interface between the pillar cover panel and the box rail assembly.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly, wherein the inner panel includes a first side and an opposing second side, the outer panel includes a first flange and a second flange, and the inner panel is secured to the first side of the inner reinforcement panel and to the second side between the first flange and the second flange.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly wherein the pillar cover plate interfaces with the first flange.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly, wherein the pillar cover panel includes a vertically extending portion that interfaces with the outer panel and a longitudinally extending portion that interfaces with the box rail assembly.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly, wherein the first end portion of the handle is received at the vertically extending portion and the second end portion of the handle is received at the longitudinally extending portion of the handle.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly, wherein a first mounting nut is connected to the inner panel and a second mounting nut is connected to a reinforcement bracket on the box rail assembly, wherein the outer panel and the pillar cover panel each include a first opening aligned with the first mounting nut, and the pillar cover panel includes a second opening aligned with the second mounting nut.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly wherein a first mounting bolt extends from the first end portion of the handle and a second mounting bolt extends from the second end portion of the handle.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly wherein the first fastening bolt extends through the first opening and is fastened to the first fastening nut and the second fastening bolt extends through the second opening and is fastened to the second fastening nut.In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a vehicle assembly, wherein the handle includes a handle member and a pair of arms extending at transverse angles from the handle member.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 schematically illustrates selected portions of an example vehicle. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the portions of the example vehicle of FIG. 1 illustrating a handle system of the example vehicle. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the handle system of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4- 4 of FIG. 2.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThis disclosure describes exemplary automotive handle systems in detail. An example handle system may include a pillar assembly, a box rail assembly, and a handle that facilitates access to a load box and provides an anchor point for securing load in the load box. These and other features are discussed in more detail in the following paragraphs of this detailed description.FIGS. 1-3 schematically illustrate selected portions of a vehicle 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 10 is shown as a pickup truck. However, the vehicle 10 could alternatively be a car, van, sport utility vehicle (SUV), or any other vehicle configuration. Although a specific relationship of the components is illustrated in the figures of this disclosure, the illustrations are not intended to limit this disclosure. The placement and orientation of the various components of the vehicle 10 are shown schematically and could vary within the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the various figures attached to this disclosure are not necessarily drawn to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to emphasize certain details of a particular component or system.The vehicle 10 may include a passenger cabin 14 and a load box 18 disposed behind the passenger cabin 14. The passenger cabin 14 may define an interior for housing one or more vehicle occupants. The passenger cabin 14 may include two or more pillar assemblies 22 located on both a driver side and a passenger side of the vehicle 10. In one embodiment, the vehicle 10 is an extended cabin pickup truck and thus includes first pillar assemblies 22A closest to the front of the vehicle 10, third pillar assemblies 22C closest to the load box 18 of the vehicle 10, and second pillar assemblies 22B that are intermediate pillars disposed between the first pillar assemblies 22A and the third pillar assemblies 22C. However, the teachings of this disclosure are also applicable to standard cab pickups that would include only the first and second pillar assemblies.The cargo box 18 forms a cargo space for storing and carrying cargo on the vehicle 10. The load box 18 may be formed by a cabin rear assembly 26, a pair of opposing and longitudinally extending load box panels 30, and a tailgate 34. The cabin rear assembly 26 extends laterally between the load box panels 30 and may separate the passenger cabin 14 from the load box 18. The tailgate 34 is located at the rear of the vehicle 10 and may be positioned laterally between the load box panels 30. The tailgate 34 is pivotable relative to the load box panels 30 between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the tailgate 34 provides a bulkhead between the exterior of the vehicle 10 and the load box 18. In the open position, the tailgate 34 allows users to access the load box 18.A pair of opposing and longitudinally extending box rail assemblies 38 may form the top rails of the load box 18. Each box rail assembly 38 may include a first box rail member 42, a second box rail member 46, and a box rail cover plate 50. In one embodiment, the first box rail member 42 interfaces with the third pillar assembly 22C and extends continuously to a fourth pillar assembly 22D located at the rear of the vehicle 10, and the second box rail member 46 extends between the fourth pillar assembly 22D and the cabin rear assembly 26 of the vehicle 10. In one embodiment, the first box rail member 42 and the second box rail member 46 are made of a metallic material.The box rail cover plate 50 may be configured to cover and protect the first box rail member 42 and the second box rail member 46 when cargo is loaded into and unloaded from the load box 18. In one embodiment, the box rail cover plate 50 extends longitudinally along the load box 18 and at least partially covers the fourth pillar 22D, the load box plates 30, the first box rail member 42 and the second box rail member 46. The box rail cover plate 50 may be secured (bolted, bonded, etc.) to the first box rail member 42 and the second box rail member 46. In one embodiment, the box rail cover plate 50 is made of a plastic material.A handle 54 may be provided on each side of the vehicle 10 at an interface between the third pillar assemblies 22C and the box rail assemblies 38. As discussed in more detail below, the handle 54 interfaces with a rearward facing surface of the third pillar assembly 22C and an upper surface of the box rail assembly 38.Referring now primarily to FIGS. 2 and 3, the handle 54 may be secured to the third pillar assembly 22C and the box rail assembly 38. In one embodiment, the handle 54 is generally U-shaped and includes a handle member 58 and a pair of arms 62 extending from the handle member 58, such as at oblique angles. The handle member 58 and the arms 62 may be configured to have any geometry capable of withstanding desired loads. In one embodiment, the handle member 58 and the arms 62 are generally circular in cross-section and have an appropriate length and overall diameter that define a handle or rod portion suitable for the intended application. However, other configurations are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure.The arms 62 of the handle 54 may have respective first and second end portions 66A / 66B from which respective first and second attachment bolts 70A / 70B may extend to secure the handle 54 to the third pillar assembly 22C and the box rail assembly 38. In one embodiment, the second end portion 66B extends at a transverse angle from the arms 62.The third pillar assembly 22C may include an inner panel 74, an outer panel 78, and a pillar covering panel 82. The inner panel 74 may be secured (bolted, welded, etc.) between the outer panel 78 and an inner reinforcement panel 84. The outer panel 78 may be secured (bolted, welded, etc.) between the inner panel 74 and the pillar cover panel 82. In one embodiment, the inner panel 74 is secured to the inner reinforcement panel 84 on a first side 86 and is secured between a first flange 94 of the outer panel 78 and a second flange 98 of the outer panel 78 on an opposing, second side 90. In one embodiment, the first flange 94 interfaces with the pillar cover plate 82. In one embodiment, the inner plate 74, the outer plate 78, and the inner reinforcement plate 84 are made of a metallic material and the pillar cover plate 82 is made of a plastic material.In one embodiment, the pillar cover plate 82 is generally L-shaped and includes a vertically extending portion 102 that interfaces with the outer plate 78 and a longitudinally extending portion 106 that interfaces with the box rail assembly 38. The vertically extending portion 102 may provide a rearward facing surface of the third pillar assembly 22C. The longitudinally extending portion 106 may provide an upper surface of the box rail assembly 38. In one embodiment, the vertically extending portion 102 interfaces with the first flange 94 of the exterior panel 78, an upper cover assembly 110 of the vehicle 10, and a window assembly 114 of the vehicle 10.The inner plate 74 of the third pillar assembly 22C may include a passage 118 for receiving a first mounting nut 122A. The first mounting nut 122A may be connected (e.g., welded, adhered, etc.) to the inner panel 74. The outer plate 78 and the pillar cover plate 82 may each include a first opening 126 aligned with an opening of the first fastening nut 122A. A second attachment nut 122B may be connected (e.g., welded, adhered, etc.) to a reinforcement bracket 128 positioned between the first box rail member 42 and the pillar cover plate 82 (see FIG. 4 ). In one embodiment, the second mounting nut 122B is connected to the reinforcement bracket 128 and the pillar cover plate 82 includes a second opening 130 aligned with an opening of the second mounting nut 122B. The reinforcement bracket 128 may be secured (welded, bonded, etc.) to the first box rail member 42 and the second box rail member 46. In one embodiment, the reinforcement bracket 128 is made of a metallic material. In an embodiment, the first mounting nut 122A may be configured to be a mirror image of the second mounting nut 122B. For example, the first mounting nut 122A may be connected to a reinforcement bracket on the inner panel 74 or the outer panel 78.The first and second attachment nuts 122A / 122B may be used to secure the handle 54 to the vehicle 10. In one embodiment, the first fastening bolt 70A of the handle 54 extends through the first opening 126 of the outer panel 78 and the pillar cover plate 82 and is fastened to the first fastening nut 122A, and the second fastening bolt 70B of the handle 54 extends through the second opening 130 of the pillar cover plate 82 and is fastened to the second fastening nut 122B. As a result, the first end portion 66A of the handle 54 is received on the vertically extending portion 102 of the pillar cover plate 82, thus interfacing with the third pillar assembly 22C, and the second end portion 66B of the handle 54 is received on the longitudinally extending portion 106 of the pillar cover plate 82, thus interfacing with the box rail assembly 38.Together, the fourth pillar assembly 22, the box rail assembly 38, and the handle 54 form a handle system 134 for facilitating access to the load box 18 and for providing one or more anchor points for securing cargo in the load space 18. For example, a user may bind one or more ropes, cables, and / or straps around the handle 54 and cargo to the vehicle 10 to secure cargo and prevent it from moving during transport. Accordingly, the handle 54 of the handle system 134 may be a multi-purpose handle.Although the various non-limiting embodiments are illustrated as having specific components or steps, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to these specific combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from any of the non-limiting embodiments in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting embodiments.It should be understood that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views. It should be understood that while a particular component arrangement is disclosed and illustrated in these example embodiments, other arrangements could also benefit from the teachings of this disclosure.The foregoing description is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that certain modifications could be covered by the scope of the present disclosure. For these reasons, the following claims should be read in detail to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.

Claims

A vehicle assembly, comprising: a pillar assembly; a box rail assembly secured to the pillar assembly; and a handle including a first end portion that interfaces with a rearward facing surface of the pillar assembly and an opposing second end portion that interfaces with an upper surface of the box rail assembly.The vehicle assembly of claim 1, wherein the pillar assembly includes an inner panel, an inner reinforcement panel, an outer panel, and a pillar covering panel.The vehicle assembly of claim 2, wherein the inner panel includes a first side and an opposing second side, the outer panel includes a first flange and a second flange, and the inner panel is secured to the first side of the inner reinforcement panel and to the second side between the first flange and the second flange.The vehicle assembly of claim 3, wherein the pillar cover plate interfaces with the first flange.The vehicle assembly of claim 2, wherein the pillar cover plate includes a vertically extending portion providing the rearward facing surface of the pillar assembly and a longitudinally extending portion providing the top surface of the box rail assembly.The vehicle assembly of claim 5, wherein the first end portion of the handle is received at the vertically extending portion and the second end portion of the handle is received at the longitudinally extending portion of the handle.The vehicle assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the handle includes a handle member and a pair of arms extending at transverse angles from the handle member, and optionally wherein the second end portion of the handle extends at a transverse angle from one of the arms.The vehicle assembly of any preceding claim, wherein a first mounting bolt extends from the first end portion of the handle and a second mounting bolt extends from the second end portion of the handle.The vehicle assembly of claim 8, wherein the first fastening bolt is secured to the pillar assembly and the second fastening bolt is secured to a reinforcing bracket on the box rail assembly, or optionally wherein the pillar assembly includes a first fastening nut for receiving the first fastening bolt and the reinforcing bracket includes a second fastening nut for receiving the second fastening bolt.A vehicle assembly, comprising: a pillar assembly including an inner panel, an inner reinforcement panel, an outer panel, and a pillar cover panel; a box rail assembly secured to the pillar assembly and extending rearward from the pillar assembly; and a handle secured to the pillar assembly and including a first end portion and an opposing second end portion, the first end portion secured proximate an interface between the pillar cover panel and the outer panel, the second end portion secured proximate an interface between the pillar cover panel and the box rail assembly.The vehicle assembly of claim 10, wherein the inner panel includes a first side and an opposing second side, the outer panel includes a first flange and a second flange, and the inner panel is secured to the first side of the inner reinforcement panel and to the second side between the first flange and the second flange, and optionally wherein the pillar covering panel interfaces with the first flange.The vehicle assembly of any of claims 10 to 11, wherein the pillar cover panel includes a vertically extending portion interfacing with the outer panel and a longitudinally extending portion interfacing with the box rail assembly, and optionally wherein the first end portion of the handle is received at the vertically extending portion and the second end portion of the handle is received at the longitudinally extending portion.The vehicle assembly of any of claims 10 to 12, wherein a first mounting nut is connected to the inner panel and a second mounting nut is connected to a reinforcement bracket on the box rail assembly, wherein the outer panel and the pillar cover plate each include a first opening aligned with the first mounting nut and the pillar cover plate includes a second opening aligned with the second mounting nut.The vehicle assembly of claim 13, wherein a first fastening bolt extends from the first end portion of the handle and a second fastening bolt extends from the second end portion of the handle, and optionally wherein the first fastening bolt extends through the first opening and is fastened to the first fastening nut and the second fastening bolt extends through the second opening and is fastened to the second fastening nut.The vehicle assembly of any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the handle includes a handle member and a pair of arms extending at transverse angles from the handle member.

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