Grab handle assembly for a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10737604-B2
Application number	US-201816117301-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 30, 2018
Priority date	Aug 30, 2018
Publication date	Aug 11, 2020
Grant date	Aug 11, 2020

Abstract

A grab handle assembly for a vehicle includes a sleeve for attaching to the vehicle, an insert receivable in the sleeve, and a grab handle positioned on an end of the insert. A locking member is provided to adjustably fix a position of the grab handle with respect to the sleeve. The locking member includes a locking pin and a cam lock mechanism to hold the insert with respect to the sleeve. A rotation prevention surface may be provided on the locking pin to prevent the locking pin from rotating with respect to the sleeve and the insert. A locking force provided by the locking member may be preset.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A grab handle assembly for a vehicle comprising:
a sleeve for attaching to the vehicle;
an insert receivable in the sleeve;
a handle disposed on the insert; and
a locking member for fixing the insert with respect to the sleeve, the locking member having a locking pin receivable within the sleeve, the locking pin having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, a lock handle disposed on the proximal end portion, the lock handle rotatable with respect to the locking pin to lock the locking member, an adjustment mechanism disposed on the distal end portion of the locking pin, the adjustment mechanism configured for adjusting a locking force of the locking member, and a cover on the distal end portion of the locking pin for covering the adjustment mechanism, the cover defining an interior space for removably receiving the distal end portion of the locking pin and the adjustment mechanism therein;
wherein the proximal end portion of the locking pin has an opening, and wherein the lock handle comprises a cam that is disposed in the opening for moving the locking pin when the lock handle is rotated to fix the insert with respect to the sleeve.

2. The grab handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a slot that is elongated in a longitudinal direction of the insert for receiving the locking pin therethrough.

3. The grab handle assembly of claim 2 , wherein the locking pin comprises a flat surface between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, the flat surface contacting the insert within the slot to thereby prevent the locking pin from rotating with respect to the insert.

4. The grab handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises an opening for receiving the locking pin, and a recess surrounding the opening for positioning the locking member.

5. The grab handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a first nut and a second nut.

6. The grab handle assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a cap disposed on the proximal end portion, the lock handle rotatable with respect to the locking pin and the cap to lock the locking member.

7. The grab handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the handle and the insert together form a substantial “T” shape.

8. The grab handle assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a rotation prevention surface that holds the locking pin such that the opening in the locking pin extends in a direction substantially parallel to the sleeve so that when the locking member is in a locked position a portion of the lock handle is positioned over an upper surface of the sleeve so as to be visible to a passenger of the vehicle to indicate that the locking member is in the locked position.

9. A grab handle assembly for a vehicle comprising:
a sleeve for attaching to the vehicle;
an insert receivable in the sleeve;
a handle disposed on the insert; and
a locking member for fixing the insert with respect to the sleeve, the locking member having a locking pin receivable within the sleeve, the locking pin having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and a rotation prevention surface disposed between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion for preventing the locking pin from rotating with respect to at least one of the insert and the sleeve;
wherein the proximal end portion of the locking pin has an opening, and the locking member comprises a lock handle having a cam portion, and wherein the cam portion is disposed in the opening in the locking pin.

10. The grab handle assembly of claim 9 , wherein the insert comprises a slot that is elongated in a longitudinal direction of the insert for receiving the locking pin therethrough.

11. The grab handle assembly of claim 10 , wherein the rotation prevention surface comprises a flat surface that contacts a sidewall of the insert within the slot to thereby prevent the locking pin from rotating with respect to the insert.

12. The grab handle assembly of claim 9 , wherein the locking member comprises a cover over the distal end portion of the pin.

13. The grab handle assembly of claim 9 wherein when the locking member is in a locked position, a portion of the lock handle is positioned over an upper surface of the sleeve so as to be visible to a passenger of the vehicle to indicate that the locking member is in the locked position.

14. A grab handle assembly for a vehicle comprising:
a sleeve for attaching to the vehicle;
an insert receivable in the sleeve;
a handle disposed on the insert; and
a locking member for fixing the insert with respect to the sleeve;
wherein the locking member is adjustable to provide a pre-determined locking force to maintain the handle in a fixed position with respect to the sleeve until a release force is applied that exceeds the pre-determined locking force;
wherein the locking member comprises a locking pin receivable within the sleeve, the locking pin having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, a cap and a lock handle disposed on the proximal end portion, the lock handle rotatable with respect to the locking pin and the cap to lock the locking member, and an adjustment mechanism disposed on the distal end portion of the locking pin;
wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured for adjusting the locking member to provide the pre-determined locking force, and wherein the proximal end portion of the locking pin has an opening, and the lock handle has a cam portion, and wherein the cam portion is disposed in the opening in the locking pin.

15. The grab handle assembly of claim 14 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a nut threadably engageable on the distal end portion of the locking pin.

16. The grab handle assembly of claim 14 , wherein the locking member further comprises a cover on the distal end portion of the locking pin for covering the adjustment mechanism.

17. The grab handle assembly of claim 14 , wherein the predetermined locking force is between 1,500 and 2,500 N.

18. The grab handle assembly of claim 13 , wherein the rotation prevention surface holds the locking pin such that the opening in the locking pin extends in a direction substantially parallel to the sleeve, and wherein the lock handle rotates about the cam portion of the lock handle in the opening.

Assignees

• Honda Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Sellars Daniel T
• Hokes Michael J
• Karube Shinichi

Classifications

• B60N3/026 Primary

  characterised by the fixing means (B60N3/023 takes precedence) · CPC title