The present subject matter described herein relates to a door grab handle assembly for a vehicle door. In particular, the present subject matter relates to maintaining a constant gap between the grab handle and the mating part in door trim assembly.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In general, a vehicle door assembly consists of a door trim to which an inner door grab handle, a lock mechanism, and a system for window regulators are connected. To open the door for exit and to close it during entry, the door grab handle is grasped by a vehicle occupant.
[0003] Vehicle inner door grab handle can be laterally or longitudinally designed to allow the hand of an occupant to wrap around the handle effortlessly while opening and closing the door. In order to get a sufficiently durable assembly capable of withstanding the forces exerted upon it when the grab handle (and, ultimately, the door) is pushed and pulled by the occupant of the vehicle, the grab handle is generally installed to the door trim panel at its opposite ends.
[0004] In a conventional door grab handle, as depicted in Fig. 1, the grab handle (102) is provided near a bezel of the side door. The grab handle (102) is designed in such a way that rectangular flanges (103) are created at both ends. Each of the rectangular flanges (103) has a hole to house a screw (104). The grab handle (102) is positioned longitudinally and is made to insert inside a rectangular slit formed on the front and rear sides of the mating part (101). Afterwards, the grab handle (102) is screwed to the vehicle door trim with the help of screws (104) that is made to be inserted inside the hole. The hole inside the mating part (101) and the hole on the rectangular flange (103) of the grab handle (102) have different size to reduce the chances of hole mismatch at the time of assembly of grab handle (102) and mating part (101). As a result, the handle is screwed at undesired location which may degrade aesthetic of door trim.
[0005] The problem with this conventional state of art is that usually one hole is bigger in respect to the other hole due to the reason as described above. Gap is required between screw and hole of grab handle for screw tightening between grab handle and mating part, however, during the assembly of grab handle with mating part there is increased possibility that grab handle shifts in either direction longitudinally. Due to this, an unintended gap (105) is created between the grab handle (102) side and the mating part (101) (marked as box in Fig. 1). This reduces the aesthetic appeal of the door trim.
[0006] Thus there is a need in the existing art to provide a solution to maintain a constant gap between the mating part and the grab handle so that the grab handle is intact and is not shifted from its intended position.
[0007] Several known techniques in the state of art have provided solutions related to improving the fitment of the grab handle in the door trim of the automobile.
[0008] It is thereby required to maintain a constant, desired gap between the grab handle with the mating part so as to enhance aesthetic appeal of the door trim.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0009] It is therefore the object of the present disclosure to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks in prior method/product/apparatus.
[0010] It is a primary object of the present disclosure is to maintain a constant desirable gap between the grab handle and the mating part.
[0011] It is an another object of the present disclosure to provide an integrated snap and two protruded ribs at one end of the grab handle to restrict the undesired movement of the grab handle.
[0012] It is an another object of the present disclosure to provide a housing structure having a bridge portion which connects two snap supporting walls for better supporting of grab handle.
[0013] It is an another object of the present disclosure to improve the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle door trim.
[0014] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description taken into consideration with accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.
SUMMARY
[0015] Solution to one or more drawbacks of existing technology and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be a part of the claimed disclosure.
[0016] The present disclosure offers a solution in the form of configuration with inventive components forming an assembly with a vehicle door with a grab handle fitment structure including a locking member forming a protruding structure at an end of the grab handle, at least a plurality of protrusive ribs positioned transversely adjacent and located at the same end of the grab handle away from the locking member. The grab handle fitment structure is disposed longitudinally within an enclosed housing structure formed on a mating part of a door trim having a bridge portion connecting a plurality of perpendicularly extending walls to receive the locking member.
[0017] In an aspect of the invention, the locking member is coupled to a first face of the bridge portion and the plurality of ribs are coupled to an opposite face of the bridge portion.
[0018] In an another aspect of the invention, the grab handle fitment structure is connected with a screw to the enclosed housing structure.
[0019] In an aspect of the invention, the perpendicularly extending walls provide base support to the disposed grab handle and restrict the movement of the grab handle in transverse direction of vehicle.
[0020] In an another aspect of the invention, the locking member is coupled to the first face of the bridge portion with a snap fitment.
[0021] In yet another aspect of the invention, the locking member is coupled to the first face of the bridge portion with a snap fitment providing opposing force preventing the movement of the grab handle in the longitudinal direction towards front end of the vehicle.
[0022] In yet another aspect of the invention, the ribs are coupled to the opposite face of the bridge portion provides opposing force preventing the movement of the grab handle in the longitudinal direction towards rear end of the vehicle.
[0023] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0025] Fig. 1 is an illustration of grab handle fitment technology in existing art;
[0026] Fig. 2 is a detailed view of the grab handle fitment structure with the door trim;
[0027] Fig. 3 is an illustration of grab handle fitment structure of the present invention;
[0028] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the grab handle fitment structure coupled with the enclosed housing structure; and
[0029] Fig.5 is an illustration of the grab handle fitment structure coupled with the enclosed housing structure, providing viewpoint from a rear end of the vehicle
[0030] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0032] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.
[0033] Referring to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, different views of the grab handle fitment structure including a locking member (13) forming a protruding structure above surface of a grab handle (12). The locking member (13) forms a slant structure in the longitudinal direction. Such a structure assist the grab handle (12) in forming an arm to hold the grab handle (12) at a constant place thus achieving the objective of the invention.
[0034] In the grab handle fitment structure, the grab handle (12) has a plurality of protrusive ribs (15) formed on the surface of the grab handle (13). The protrusive ribs (15) form an arm which hold the grab handle (12) at a constant place. The protrusive ribs (15) are positioned transversely adjacent and located on the same end of the grab handle (12) where the locking member (13) is present. The ribs are present at a distance from the locking member (13).
[0035] The grab handle (12) is attached or connected to an enclosed housing structure (14) by means of a screw (16). The screw (16) is inserted into a hole (17) and is fastened to the enclosed housing structure (14).
[0036] The enclosed housing structure (14) is injection molded with the mating part (11) and is a protruding extended component of the mating part (11). The enclosed housing structure acquires a shape of a doghouse. The enclosed housing structure (14) is shaped in a manner that it has plurality of perpendicularly extending walls, a bridge portion connecting the plurality of perpendicularly extending walls such that an opening is created between the bridge portion and the plurality of perpendicularly extending walls.
[0037] The grab handle fitment structure (30) is disposed longitudinally within an enclosed housing structure (14) into the opening created between the bridge portion (14a) and the plurality of perpendicularly extending walls.
[0038] The disposition of grab handle fitment structure (30) into the enclosed housing structure (14) denotes the connection between the grab handle (12) and the mating part (11) of a door trim.
[0039] The grab handle (12) acquires a fitment state when it is inserted or disposed in the enclosed housing structure (14) wherein, the locking member (13) is coupled to a first face (14b) of the bridge portion (14a). The arrangement is such that the bridge portion (14a) have two faces indicative of opposite sides along the length of the vehicle.
[0040] In the Fig. 2, the grab handle (12) is disposed in the enclosed housing structure (14). The disposition is arranged such that the locking member (13) snap fits with the enclosed housing structure (14). The snap fit is achieved because the locking member (13), which forms the protruding slanting structure, couples with the first face (14b) of the bridge portion (14a). As mentioned above, the locking member (13) acts as the extended arm of the grab handle (12) is coupled with the first face (14b) of the bridge portion (14a) such that an opposing force is acted in the grab handle fitment structure (30) thus preventing the movement of the grab handle (12) in the longitudinal direction (20).
[0041] Referring to Fig. 5, the locking member (13) is received in the opening (22) formed between the bridge portion (14a) and perpendicularly extending walls (14d). The locking member (13) is coupled or connected to the first face (14b) of the bridge portion (14a) such that counter acting forces are applied to prevent the movement of the grab handle in a specific longitudinal direction. It is important to ensure that while the longitudinal direction movement is restricted by the first face (14b) of the bridge portion (14a), the transverse movement is also restricted. The transverse movement is restricted by the means of providing a base support to the locking member (13) by perpendicularly extending walls (14d). The grab handle (12) rests on top of the perpendicularly extending walls (14d) and is in tight fitment between the bridge portion (14a) and the perpendicularly extending walls (14d).
[0042] Referring to Fig.4, the opposite face (14c) of the bridge portion (14a) is shown. The grab handle (12) is in a disposed state with the enclosed housing structure (14) and the locking member (13) is in a snap fit state with the first face (14b) of the bridge portion (14a). Further, the plurality of protrusive ribs (15) are coupled with the opposing face (14c) of the bridge portion (14a). The protrusive ribs (15) form the arm like structure extending from the base of the grab handle (12) to get coupled or connected with the opposite face (14c) of the bridge portion (14a). The opposite face (14c) is referred to as the face of the wall situated on the other side of snap fitment of the locking member (13) and the first face (14b) of the bridge portion (14a). As the ribs (15) form the arm like structure coupled with the opposite face (14c), a counteracting opposing force is applied thus preventing the movement of the grab handle (12) in the longitudinal direction (21).
[0043] The entire grab handle fitment structure is disposed in the enclosed housing structure. The snap fit arrangement and the opposing forces to counteract between the locking member, ribs and the bridge portion ensures that there is no undesired movement of the grab handle in longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The perpendicular walls of the enclosed housing structure forming the base support for the locking member is an another crucial component restricting the movement of the grab handle in transverse direction of vehicle. Therefore, the entire structure remains in a static steady state restricting any undesired movement in either direction. During assembly of grab handle in door trim, the grab handle is snap fitted to the enclosed housing structure such that the movement of the grab handle is restricted in all directions. As a result, the grab handle is screwed to the enclosed housing structure with proper alignment of holes formed in the grab handle and the enclosed housing structure thus providing rigid fitment of the grab handle with the door trim maintaining constant gap between the grab handle and the mating part of the door trim.
[0044] Therefore, an advantageous effect of the grab handle fitment structure of the vehicle door in the present invention, ensures that the desired gap is maintained between mating part and grab handle. Such factors add to the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle door trim assembly.
[0045] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to disclosures containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. Also, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
[0046] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present disclosure contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the disclosure, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Also, while a feature of the present disclosure may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present disclosure. The present disclosure also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.
[0047] Reference numerals used in the Figures are as follows:
11 Mating part
12 Grab Handle
13 Locking Member (Snap)
14 Enclosed housing structure
14a) Bridge portion
14b) First face of bridge portion
14c) Opposite face of bridge portion
15 Ribs
16 Screw
17 Hole
20 Longitudinal direction
21 Longitudinal direction
22 Opening
30 Grab Handle Fitment Structure

Claims:1. A vehicle door with a grab handle fitment structure (30), comprising:
a locking member (13) forming a protruding structure at one end of a grab handle (12); and
at least a plurality of protrusive ribs (15) positioned transversely adjacent and located at same end of the grab handle (12) away from the locking member (13),
wherein the grab handle fitment structure (30) is disposed longitudinally within an enclosed housing structure (14) formed on a mating part (11) of a door trim having a bridge portion (14a) connecting a plurality of perpendicularly extending walls (14d) to receive the locking member (13).
2. The vehicle door as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking member (13) is coupled to a first face (14b) of the bridge portion (14a) and the plurality of ribs (15) is coupled to an opposite face (14c) of the bridge portion (14a).
3. The vehicle door as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grab handle (12) is connected with a screw (16) to the enclosed housing structure (14).
4. The vehicle door as claimed in claim 1, wherein the perpendicularly extending walls (14d) provide base support to the grab handle fitment structure (30) and restrict the movement of the grab handle (12) in transverse direction of a vehicle.
5. The vehicle door as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locking member (13) is coupled to the first face (14b) of the bridge portion (14a) with a snap fitment.
6. The vehicle door as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locking member (13) coupled to the first face (14b) of the bridge portion (14a) with a snap fitment provides opposing force preventing the movement of the grab handle (12) in the longitudinal direction (20) towards front end of the vehicle.
7. The vehicle door as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of ribs (15) coupled to the opposite face (14c) of the bridge portion (14a) provides opposing force preventing the movement of the grab handle (12) in the longitudinal direction (21) towards rear end of the vehicle.
8. The vehicle door as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking member (13) is received in an opening (22) formed between the bridge portion (14a) and the perpendicularly extending walls (14d).