VEHICLE GRAB HANDLE WITH A REPLACEABLE COVER

Abstract

A grab handle assembly for a vehicle, the grab handle assembly comprising a body configured to be connected to a structural support on the vehicle and a removable cover configured to engage and cover the body, the removable cover configured to be removed from the body and replaced with another removable cover.

Description

AREA OF REVELATION

[0001] The present disclosure relates in general to grab handles and in particular to a vehicle-mounted grab handle assembly that can be individually adapted by a user. BACKGROUND OF THE REVELATION

[0002] Motorized vehicles are typically equipped with grip structures known as passenger grab handles, allowing passengers to grasp them when entering and exiting the vehicle and while maneuvering. Grab handles can be particularly useful for off-road vehicles when traveling on uneven road surfaces. Providing a user-adjustable arrangement of grab handles may be desirable. SUMMARY OF THE REVELATION

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a grab handle assembly for a vehicle, the grab handle assembly comprises a body configured to be connected to a structural support on the vehicle and a removable cover configured to engage and cover the body, wherein the removable cover is configured to be removed from the body and replaced by another removable cover.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features: - the body has a honeycomb structure; - the honeycomb structure includes a transverse honeycomb structure; - the body comprises a positioning pin configured to engage the structural support in the vehicle and at least one fastening element to attach the body to the support structure; - the cover is held to the body by one or more fastening elements; - the cover includes rubber; - the cover also includes a rigid inner polymer material; - the rubber can be molded onto the rigid inner polymer material; - The grab handle assembly is configured to be installed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; and - The grab handle assembly is configured to be installed on a support column inside the vehicle.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a grab handle assembly for use in the interior of a motor vehicle, the grab handle assembly comprises a rigid body configured to be connected to a structural support on the motor vehicle, a removable cover configured to engage and cover the rigid body, wherein the removable cover is configured to be removed from the rigid body and replaced by another removable cover, and one or more removable fasteners configured to hold the cover to the body.

[0006] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features: - the body has a honeycomb structure; - the honeycomb structure includes a transverse honeycomb structure; - the body includes a positioning pin configured to engage the structural support in the motor vehicle; - the cover includes rubber; - the cover also includes a rigid inner polymer material; - the rubber can be molded onto the rigid inner polymer material; - The grab handle assembly is configured to be installed in a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle; and - The grab handle assembly is configured to be installed on a support column inside the vehicle.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle comprising an interior cabin, a support structure within the interior cabin, and a grab handle assembly installed in the interior cabin of the vehicle, the grab handle assembly comprising a rigid body configured to be connected to a structural support on the vehicle, and a removable cover configured to engage and cover the body, the removable cover being configured to be removed from the rigid body and replaced by another removable cover.

[0008] These and other features, advantages and functions of the present disclosure are better understood and comprehended by the person skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claims and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The following applies to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle configured with a variety of grab handle assemblies; Fig. 2A is an enlarged view of a grab handle assembly shown connected to a support column in the motor vehicle; Fig. 2B is a perspective view of the grab handle assembly connected to the support column, with the replaceable cover removed; Fig. 2C is a perspective view of the grab handle assembly connected to the support column, with a replacement cover shown in exploded view; Fig. 2D is a perspective view of the grab handle assembly connected to the support column, with the replacement cover mounted on the rigid body of the grab handle; Fig. Figure 3 is an exploded view of the grab handle assembly, showing the cover in exploded view from the body, which has a soft outer cover layer and a rigid inner cover layer; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view through line IV-IV from Fig. 2A, which illustrates the connection of one end of the grab handle assembly to the support column; Fig. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view through line VV. Fig. 2A, which illustrates the connection of the other end of the grab handle assembly; Fig. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view through line VI-VI. Fig. 2A, which further illustrates the cover mounted on the rigid body; Fig. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view through line VII-VII from Fig. 2A, which further illustrates the cover mounted on the rigid body; and Fig. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through line VIII-VIII from Fig. 2A, which further illustrates the cover mounted on the rigid body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS

[0010] A detailed reference will now be made to the present preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings to denote identical or similar parts. In the drawings, the structural elements depicted are not to scale, and certain components have been enlarged in relation to the other components for the purpose of emphasis and clarity.

[0011] In accordance with the requirements, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which can be implemented in various and alternative forms. The figures do not necessarily represent a detailed embodiment; some schematic representations may be enlarged or reduced to show a functional overview. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis to teach the person skilled in the art the diverse applications of the present disclosure.

[0012] For the purposes of the description herein, the terms "above", "below", "right", "left", "back", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and derivatives thereof refer to the concepts in their orientation in Fig. 1. It is understood, however, that the concepts can assume various alternative orientations unless expressly stated otherwise. It is also understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following description are merely exemplary embodiments of the concepts according to the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. Thus, specific dimensions and other physical properties relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting unless expressly stated otherwise in the claims.

[0013] The illustrated embodiments presented here primarily consist of combinations of process steps and equipment components related to a vehicle grab handle assembly. Accordingly, the equipment components and process steps are, where appropriate, represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, showing only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of this disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that are readily apparent to the person skilled in the art from the description herein. Furthermore, identical reference numerals in the description and the drawings represent identical elements.

[0014] As used herein, the expression "and / or," when used in a list of two or more elements, means that each of the listed elements can be used individually, or any combination of two or more of the listed elements can be used. For example, if a composition is described as containing the components A, B, and / or C, the composition can contain only A; only B; only C; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0015] In this context, reference terms such as first and second, upper and lower, and the like are used merely to distinguish one unit or action from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual relationship or sequence of such units or actions. The terms "includes," "comprising," or any variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, procedure, article, or facility comprising a list of elements may include not only those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such process, procedure, article, or facility. An element to which "a / an / a..."“The fact that it precedes the exclusion of the existence of additional identical elements in the process, procedure, article or facility which includes the element does not, without further limitations, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, procedure, article or facility which includes the element.

[0016] In the sense used herein, the term "approximately" means that quantities, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantitative data and properties are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller if desired, and may reflect tolerances, conversion factors, rounding, measurement errors, and the like, and other factors known to the person skilled in the art. When the term "approximately" is used to describe a value or an endpoint of a range, the disclosure should be understood as including the specific value or endpoint to which reference is made. Regardless of whether a numerical value or an endpoint of a range contains "approximately" in the description, the numerical value or endpoint of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "approximately" and one not modified by "approximately".It is further understood that the endpoints of each of the areas are significant both with respect to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0017] The terms "essentially," "substantially," and variations thereof are used in this context to indicate that a described feature is equal to or nearly equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially flat" surface means that a surface is flat or nearly flat. Furthermore, "substantially" means that two values ​​are equal to or nearly equal to each other. In some embodiments, "substantially" may denote values ​​within approximately 10% of each other, such as within approximately 5% of each other or within approximately 2% of each other.

[0018] In the present context, the terms "the", "a", "a", or "a" mean "at least one" and are not intended to be limited to "just one" unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to "one component" includes embodiments that have two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0019] With reference to the Fig. Figure 1-8 illustrates a vehicle grab handle assembly 30 mounted on a motor vehicle 10, comprising an underlying rigid structural body and a removable cover that overlays the rigid structural body and can be easily replaced, thus allowing the grab handle assembly 30 to be customized by a user of the motor vehicle 10. The grab handle assembly 30 has a shape and size configured to be grasped by a user's hand and is configured to secure the grab handle assembly 30 to a structural trim component or other supporting structure in the interior of the motor vehicle 10.

[0020] With particular reference to Fig. Figure 1 illustrates the motor vehicle 10 in an exemplary embodiment equipped with a plurality of grab handle assemblies 30 mounted at various locations within the interior of the motor vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 is generally shown in an example as an off-road style wheeled vehicle capable of being driven on a roadway or off-road on various types of terrain. The motor vehicle 10 generally includes a plurality of road wheels 12 and a vehicle body 14, which generally defines a passenger compartment 18 within the interior with entry / exit openings 16 that can be closed by doors. The doors may include hinged door panels with windows or crossbars having exposed openings, which, according to various examples, may be fixed or removable.While a wheeled motor vehicle 10 is generally shown and described herein, it is understood that other vehicles, such as boats, trains, aircraft and other vehicles, may be equipped with the grab handle assembly 30.

[0021] The motor vehicle 10 is configured to include one or more seats 20 for holding passengers seated within the passenger compartment 18 of the motor vehicle 10. In a typical passenger car seating arrangement, a front row of bucket seats may include two seats 20 spaced apart, and the second row may have a bench seat or bucket seat configuration, which may include a row of three seats or two seats separated by a rear center console. The front-row seats 20 are generally located behind an instrument panel 22. A front center console 24 is shown to be located centrally within the front row of seats 20, between a driver's seat and a front passenger seat. The center console 24 may be configured with storage compartments, cup holders, and other features.

[0022] The motor vehicle 10 has support pillars, which are shown to include a pair of front support pillars 26A on opposite lateral sides, a pair of middle support pillars 26B on opposite lateral sides, and a pair of rear support pillars 26C on opposite lateral sides, generally extending from a lower frame to a roof 28 of the motor vehicle 10. The roof 28 may have a headliner 29 on its underside. Grab handle assemblies 30 may, according to one embodiment, be connected to the front support pillars 26A near the upper end, where the front support pillars approach or connect to the roof 28. Additional grab handle assemblies 30 may also be located on the middle support pillar 26B, on the center console 24, on the instrument panel 22, and near the door opening 16.

[0023] With reference to Fig. Figures 2A-2D show the grab handle assembly 30 mounted at the upper end of one of the front support pillars 26A near a section that curves near the roof 28, and positioned to allow a passenger seated in the seat 20, or entering or exiting the vehicle 10, to engage and grasp the grab handle assembly 30 with one hand for assistance when entering and while traveling in the vehicle 10. For example, when the vehicle 10 is traveling off-road on uneven terrain, a passenger seated in the front passenger seat 20 can grasp the grab handle assembly 30 to maintain balance and stability. While the grab handle assembly 30 is in Fig. As shown in the illustration 2A-2D, the grab handle assembly 30 is located on one side of the motor vehicle 10. It is understood that the grab handle assembly 30 may be located on the opposite lateral side of the motor vehicle 10, on a rear or middle support pillar 26B, on the roof 28, on a passenger seat, on a center console, on a dashboard, in the rear row of seats, such as on a rear center console, on a trim panel, or at other locations within the motor vehicle 10.

[0024] The grab handle assembly 30 comprises a rigid handle body 32 connected to a support structure, which may include the front support column 26A or a cover component on the front support column 26A. The handle body 32 may be connected directly or indirectly to the front support column 26A via a cover component, which in turn is connected to the front support column 26A. A grab handle cover 50 overlays the handle body 32 and is designed to receive and support a user's hand when gripping it. The handle body 32 is connected to the support column 26A by fasteners, as shown and described herein. The grab handle assembly 30 thus serves as a grab handle.

[0025] The rigid handle body 32 is connected at one end to a lower section of the front support column 26A and at the opposite end to an upper section of the front support column 26A by a bend forming a roof support 92. The handle body 32 is generally a rigid body comprising an elongated handle section with a first base support 38 at one end for connecting to the lower section of the front support column 26A and a second base support 36 at the opposite end for connecting to the front support column 26A that forms the roof support 92. The elongated handle section of the rigid handle body 32 can, for example, be made of a transverse honeycomb structure 34. The honeycomb structure 34 provides a configuration for reduced weight while maintaining sufficient strength and rigidity of the handle assembly 30.The rigid handle body 32 is configured to accommodate a cover 50 which can be replaced by a user and is therefore customizable, for example to provide a different pattern, color, shape, size, texture, etc.

[0026] The cover 50, as shown, generally has a shape configured to overlap and cover the rigid handle body 32. The cover 50, as shown in Fig. 2A and Fig. Figure 2B shows an example of a cover having a size, shape, pattern, texture, and grip structure on its outer surface sufficient to provide a suitable grip for the hand of a user of the motor vehicle 10. In a first embodiment, the cover 50 may be made of an outer flexible polymer material, such as a soft, flexible rubber. According to a second embodiment, the cover 50 may include a rigid inner section that is separate from the soft outer layer. In the second embodiment, the rigid inner section may be molded over the soft outer layer. It is understood that in some embodiments, the cover 50 may or may not include the rigid inner section and may only include a soft outer layer.

[0027] The cover 50 is configured with an elongated opening 52 accessible on its innermost side, generally extending over a substantial length of the handle cover. This opening allows the elongated handle body 32 to be received during the assembly of the cover 50 onto the rigid handle body 30. An inner section of the cover 50 can engage snap-fit ​​features 46 provided on the rigid handle body 32 to engage the cover 50 and snap it onto the handle body 32. The cover 50 can be fitted onto the handle body 32 and clamped in a fixed position by a pair of fasteners 56 and 58, which are generally located near opposite ends of the handle assembly 30, as shown in the illustration. The cover 50, which is in Fig. 2A and Fig. The part shown in 2B can be removed and replaced by cover 50, which is shown in Fig. 2C and Fig. 2D is shown, which may, for example, have a different pattern, color, shape, size or texture.

[0028] With reference to Fig. Figure 3 shows an example of the grab handle assembly 30, which has an outer soft, flexible cover 50 and an underlying rigid intermediate body 60. It is understood that in one embodiment, the rigid intermediate body 60 can be inserted and mounted as a separate component within the cover 50. In another embodiment, the rigid intermediate body 60 can be formed by overmolding the soft, flexible outer cover 50 onto the outer surface of the rigid intermediate body 60.

[0029] Both the cover 50 and the rigid intermediate body 60 have laterally extending openings 58B and 56B, as shown in the illustration. These openings are formed in the cover 50 and aligned with the openings 62 and 64 in the rigid intermediate body 60 to accommodate the fasteners 58 and 56. The fasteners 56 and 58 can be screws, each having, for example, a thread at one end configured to engage a nut. The fastener 58 can also include the nuts 58A and 56A on opposite sides of the cover 50, allowing the fastener 58 to be secured with the nuts 58A and 56A to clamp the cover 50 to the rigid handle body 32 or to release it, enabling a user to remove the cover 50 from the rigid handle body 30.

[0030] A user of the motor vehicle 10 can easily disassemble the grab handle assembly 30 to remove a first cover 50 from the rigid handle body 32 by loosening the fasteners 58 and 56 from the corresponding nuts 58A and 56A, thereby separating the retaining features and physically removing the first cover 50 from the rigid handle body 32. The user can then select a second cover 50 and install it on top of the rigid handle body 32, and can secure the second cover 50 to the rigid handle body 32 by reconnecting the retaining features, installing the fasteners 58 and 56 through the holes 62 and 64, and connecting the corresponding nuts 58A and 56A at the ends.Thus, the user can customize the grab handle assembly 30 by replacing the cover 50 with a different cover that has a desired color, pattern, texture, shape, size and other features that are desirable to a user in order to customize the motor vehicle 10.

[0031] The rigid handle body 32 is in Fig. 3 with connectors at opposite ends for connection to a structural component of the vehicle interior, such as the front support pillar. As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the upper end of the rigid handle body 32 has a fastening element 44 that extends through a hole in the first base end 36 and engages a tolerance compensation assembly 37 and a support structure. The second base end 38 of the rigid handle assembly 32 has a positioning pin 40 for alignment and accommodates a fastening element 42 that engages a metallic compression limiter assembly 37 and the underlying support structure to support the rigid handle assembly 32. Accordingly, the fastening elements 42 and 44 rigidly connect the rigid handle assembly 32 to a structural component, such as the front pillar assembly.

[0032] The cover 50 with the intermediate or inner rigid section 60 has, according to the illustration, an oval alignment pin 66 for engaging in an oval hole 68, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 shown. This allows the cover 50 to be easily aligned with the rigid handle body 32 during the assembly of the cover 50 on the rigid handle body 32.

[0033] The rigid handle body 32 incorporates a pair of snap features 46 configured to receive alignment and punching features of the cover 50 and the intermediate layer 60, as shown in Fig. Figure 7 shows that the cover 50 and the rigid intermediate layer 60 each have a pair of inwardly extending fingers 45 on opposite sides that engage within a space defined by the snap feature 46. Additionally, the cover 50 and the intermediate layer 60 each have a pair of retaining features in the form of lips 33 at opposite ends near the opening 52. Thus, a user can bend or deform the cover 50 and the intermediate layer 60 to move the retaining lips 33 and the fingers 45 outward in order to remove the cover 50 from or attach it to the rigid handle body 32. The cover 50 and the inner layer 60 have a memory effect that returns the retaining lips 33 and the fingers 45 inward to engage with the snap feature 46 and the corners of the rigid handle body 32.

[0034] Once the cover 50 and the inner layer 60 are held against the rigid handle body 32 by the fingers 45 and the retaining lips 33, the screws 56 and 58 can be fitted onto the corresponding nuts 58A and 58B, which, once tightened, engage the clamping surfaces 65, which are designed as lips, as shown in Fig.Figure 8 shows that when the fasteners engage the nuts and are tightened, they provide a clamping force on the clamping surfaces 65 to prevent the cover 50 from being removed from the rigid handle body 32. As a result, the cover 50 is rigidly clamped to the rigid handle body 32. A user can remove the fasteners 58 and 60 and disengage the retaining lips 33 and fingers 45 from the rigid handle body 32 to remove the cover 50, and can repeat the process to reattach a new cover 50, thus providing a customizable handle assembly.

[0035] It is understood that variations and modifications to the foregoing structure may be made without deviating from the concepts of the present disclosure, and it is further understood that such concepts shall be covered by the following patent claims, unless these patent claims expressly state otherwise by their wording.

[0036] According to the present invention, a grab handle assembly for a vehicle is provided, comprising: a body configured to be connected to a structural support on the vehicle; and a removable cover configured to engage and cover the body, wherein the removable cover is configured to be removed from the body and replaced by another removable cover.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the body comprises a honeycomb structure.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the honeycomb structure comprises a transverse honeycomb structure.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the body comprises a positioning pin configured to engage the structural support in the vehicle, and at least one fastening element to secure the body to the support structure.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the cover is held to the body by one or more fastening elements.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the cover comprises rubber.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the cover comprises a rigid inner polymer material.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the rubber can be molded onto the rigid inner polymer material.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the grab handle assembly is configured to be installed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the grab handle assembly is configured to be installed on a support column in the interior of the vehicle.

[0046] According to the present invention, a grab handle assembly for use in the interior of a motor vehicle is provided, comprising: a rigid body configured to be connected to a structural support on the motor vehicle; a removable cover configured to engage and cover the rigid body, wherein the removable cover is configured to be removed from the rigid body and replaced by another removable cover; and one or more removable fasteners configured to hold the cover to the body.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the body comprises a honeycomb structure.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the honeycomb structure comprises a transverse honeycomb structure.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the body includes a positioning pin configured to engage the structural support in the motor vehicle.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the cover comprises rubber.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the cover comprises a rigid inner polymer material.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the rubber can be molded onto the rigid inner polymer material.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the grab handle assembly is configured to be installed in a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the grab handle assembly is configured to be installed on a support column in the interior of the motor vehicle.

[0055] According to the present invention, a vehicle is provided comprising: an interior cabin; a support structure within the interior cabin; and a grab handle assembly installed in the interior cabin of the vehicle, wherein the grab handle assembly comprises: a rigid body configured to be connected to a structural support on the vehicle; and a removable cover configured to engage and cover the body, wherein the removable cover is configured to be removed from the rigid body and replaced by another removable cover.

Claims

[1] Grab handle assembly for a vehicle, the grab handle assembly comprising: a body configured to be connected to a structural support on the vehicle; and a removable cover configured to engage and cover the body, wherein the removable cover is configured to be removed from the body and replaced by another removable cover. [2] Handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a honeycomb structure. [3] Handle assembly according to claim 2, wherein the honeycomb structure comprises a transverse honeycomb structure. [4] Grab handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a positioning pin configured to engage the structural support in the vehicle and at least one fastening element to secure the body to the support structure. [5] Handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cover is held to the body by one or more fastening elements. [6] Handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cover comprises rubber. [7] Handle assembly according to claim 6, wherein the cover further comprises a rigid inner polymer material. [8] Handle assembly according to claim 7, wherein the rubber can be molded onto the rigid inner polymer material. [9] Grab handle assembly according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the grab handle assembly is configured to be installed in a passenger compartment of the vehicle. [10] Grab handle assembly according to claim 9, wherein the grab handle assembly is configured to be installed on a support column in the interior of the vehicle.

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