Adapter device for a grab handle

• US 7,607,708 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2007
• Issued: 10/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Dr Ing hc F Porsche AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Osswald, Markus, Benkler, Olaf, Zierle, Matthias
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US11/940,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20080111389A1
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 296/71, 296/1.02, 296/187.05, 161/101
• US Class Current: 296/1.02
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/026 characterised by the fixing means B60N3/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0206 Arrangements of fasteners and clips specially adapted for attaching inner vehicle liners or mouldings devices for fastening or securing F16B
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/0225 self supporting head liners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/055 Padded or energy-absorbing fittings , e.g. seat belt anchors sun visors B60J3/00; head rests B60N2/80

Abstract

An adapter device for a grab handle has a deformation element with at least two end regions. The end regions of the deformation element are connected to each other by at least one web and each have at least one fastening element for the grab handle. The deformation element is configured in such a manner that, in a first loading situation (normal use situation), it is supported by the retaining element and, in a second loading situation (crash situation), it is deformed in the region of the at least one web. The grab handle can thus be mounted in an extremely stable manner with regard to loading in a pulling direction, i.e. in the normal use situation, without the energy-absorbing deformation properties of the adapter device being adversely affected in the crash situation.

Claims

1. An adapter device for a grab handle, the adapter device comprising:

a retaining element having openings formed therein; and

at least one deformation element supported by said retaining element and having at least two end regions and at least one web, said end regions of said deformation element being connected to each other by said at least one web and each having at least one fastening element for the grab handle, said end regions are cup shaped and pass through and are disposed in said openings of said retaining device, said deformation element configured such that, in a first loading situation, said deformation element is supported by said retaining element and, in a second loading situation, said deformation element is deformed in a region of said at least one web.

2. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein said end regions have edge regions which at least partially overlap with said retaining element.

3. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein said deformation element has at least one predetermined buckling line defined in a region of said at least one web for a deformation of said deformation element in said second loading situation.

4. The adapter device according to claim 3, wherein said at least one web has at least one edge being notched for defining said at least one predetermined buckling line.

5. The adapter device according to claim 3, wherein said predetermined buckling line is defined by a reduction in a material thickness of said at least one web.

6. The adapter device according to claim 3, wherein each of said end regions of said deformation element is assigned said at least one predetermined buckling line.

7. The adapter device according to claim 1, wherein said deformation element is connected in a center of said at least one web to said retaining element.

8. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a body part;

at least one grab handle; and

at least one adapter device containing a retaining element having openings formed therein and at least one deformation element supported by said retaining element and having at least two end regions and at least one web, said end regions of said deformation element connected to each other by said at least one web and each having at least one fastening element for said grab handle, said end regions are cup shaped and pass through and are disposed in said openings of said retaining element, said deformation element configured such that, in a first loading situation, said deformation element is supported by said retaining element and, in a second loading situation, said deformation element is deformed in a region of said at least one web, said grab handle being fastened to said end regions of said adapter device, and said retaining element of said adapter device being fastened to said body part.