Handle Member For A Motor Vehicle

• US 20120314438A1
• Filed: 03/30/2012
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group GmbH (IAC, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: International Automotive Components Group GmbH (IAC, Inc.)
• Inventors: GUTT, Stephan, CANNON, Carter Scott
• Application Number:
  US13/436,345
• Publication Number:
  US 20120314438A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/511
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2669 on door or boot handles lighting devices for vehicle interior on door handles B60Q3/267
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/267 Door handles; Hand grips

Abstract

Handle member for a motor vehicle having a body and at least one decorative attachment piece, with a light source being integrated in said attachment piece.

Claims

1. Handle member for a motor vehicle having a body and at least one decorative attachment piece, characterized in that a light source is integrated in the attachment piece.

2. Handle member according to claim 1, characterized in that the attachment piece is a ring that surrounds the body, a partial ring or an insert in the body.

3. Handle member according to claim 1, characterized in that the attachment piece is form- and/or force-fitted and is self-positioning in the body.

4. Handle member according to claim 1, characterized in that the attachment piece is detachably affixed to the body, in particular by a click-on or snap-on connection, by means of screws or pins.

5. Handle member according to claim 1, characterized in that the light source comprises at least one LED.

6. Handle member according to claim 1, having a lighting module which comprises the light source, a printed circuit board carried by the light source and a circuit for the light source on the printed circuit board.

7. Handle member according to claim 6, characterized in that the printed circuit board comprises a flexible printed circuit board which carries the current supply and/or control leads for the light source, or a rigid printed circuit board.

8. Handle member according to claim 1, characterized in that the light source is securely connected to the attachment piece.

9. Handle member according to claim 8, characterized in that the light source is adhered, welded or molded to the attachment piece.

10. Handle member according to claim 8, characterized in that the current supply and/or control leads of the light source are guided to the light source along the outside or inside of the body.

11. Handle member according to claim 1, characterized in that the attachment piece has an opening at which light emitted from the light source exits.

12. Handle member according to claim 11, characterized in that arranged within the opening over the light source is a light-shaping covering, in particular a lens arrangement or diffusor optics.

13. Handle member according to claim 12, characterized in that the covering comprises a light-diffusing film.

14. Handle member according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle member is designed to be mounted on an interior vehicle trim, in particular on or over a vehicle door, on a roof liner, on a vehicle console, on a liftgate or on a loading bed.

15. Handle member according to claim 14, characterized in that the light source is arranged in the handle member in such a way that it emits light for illuminating the interior vehicle trim, the handle member itself or for purposes of background illumination.