Assist grip

• US 6,836,932 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2002
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nifco Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nifco Incorporated
• Inventors: Sugiyama, Tamotsu, Yamamoto, Yasuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Sandy, Robert J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JACKSON, ANDRE L
• Application Number:
  US10/322,499
• Publication Number:
  US 20030126718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 161/101, 161/111, 161/141, 164/29, 164/12, 164/44, 164/45, 164/38, 16D/IG.24, 16/50, 16/85, 296/214, 296/210, 296/39.1, 411 45- 48, 411/41
• US Class Current: 16/110.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/023 movable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/026 characterised by the fixing means B60N3/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 1/0015 Knobs or handles which do not operate the bolt or lock, e.g. non-movable; Mounting thereof

Abstract

A grip main portion includes supporting members disposed on both sides thereof. An assist grip can be rotated to switch between a non-operational position and an operational position projected into a compartment through the supporting members. An attaching portion of the compartment is provided with the first and second temporary attaching holes. One of the supporting members is provided with a pole protrusion passing freely through the first temporary attaching hole. The other supporting member is provided with an elastic protrusion to be engaged when inserted into the second temporary attaching hole. The elastic protrusion can be pulled out from the second temporary attaching hole when the grip main portion is rotated by a predetermined angle with the pole protrusion being pulled out from the first temporary attaching hole.

Claims

1. An assist grip to be attached to an interior wall having a first temporary attaching hole and a second temporary attaching hole in a vehicle, comprising:

a main body having two end portions,

supporting members attached to the two end portions of the main body for rotatably supporting the main body,

one pole protrusion disposed on one of the supporting members to freely enter the first temporary attaching hole so that when the one pole protrusion is inserted into the first temporary attaching hole, the main body can rotate around the one pole protrusion,

one elastic protrusion disposed on the other of the supporting members to be inserted into the second temporary attaching hole, said elastic protrusion having a structure such that when the elastic protrusion is inserted into the second temporary attaching hole while the one pole protrusion is inserted into the first temporary attaching hole, the elastic protrusion engages the second temporary attaching hole to immovably fix the main body to the interior wall, and when the one pole protrusion is pulled out from the first temporary attaching bole, the main body can be rotated around the one elastic protrusion to allow the elastic protrusion to be released from the second temporary attaching hole, thereby allowing the assist grip to be detached from the interior wall, and

means for permanently attaching the supporting members to the interior wall.

2. An assist grip according to claim 1, wherein said pole protrusion has a column or polygonal pillar shape and a cross section similar to that of the first temporary attaching hole, and said elastic protrusion has an anchor shape with engagement pawls on two sides at an end thereof, said anchor shape being non-similar to the second temporary attaching hole in a condition that the elastic protrusion is inserted into the second temporary attaching hole.

3. An assist grip according to claim 1, wherein said means for permanently attaching the supporting members includes a hole formed in each of said supporting members adjacent to each of the protrusions for receiving a permanent fixing device for fixing the supporting members to the interior wall.

4. An assist grip according to claim 1, wherein said one pole protrusion and said one elastic protrusion are only protrusions for temporarily attaching the assist grip to the interior wall.

5. A combination comprising the assist grip and the interior wall according to claim 1, wherein said second temporary attaching hole has an elongated shape so that the elastic protrusion can engage an edge of the second temporary attaching hole in one position and can pass through the second temporary attaching hole in another position.

6. An assist grip according to claim 1, wherein each of said supporting members is integrally formed of a base portion having a through hole for the permanently attaching means and the pole protrusion or the elastic protrusion for a temporary attachment of the assist grip, a hinge, a cover portion connected to the base portion through the hinge for opening and closing the base portion, an engagement device for engaging the cover portion with the base portion, and a connecting portion for connecting the supporting member to the main body.

7. An assist grip according to claim 6, wherein said pole protrusion or elastic protrusion is disposed on a plate of the base portion to project outwardly therefrom, and said engagement device includes an engagement piece provided in the cover portion and an engagement hole provided in the base portion.

8. An assist grip according to claim 7, wherein said main body has concaves at the two end portions in which said supporting members are disposed.