Illuminated vehicle exterior handle configuration
First Claim
1. A combination of a door handle and a vehicle door panel, the door handle including an outer surface being rotatably fixed to the vehicle door panel;
- the vehicle door panel including a recessed portion and a panel protrusion;
the door handle having a wedge-shape and further including;
an elongated portion having a concave shape following that of the recessed portion of the door panel within the recessed portion of the door panel,a handle protrusion cooperating with and rotating relative to the panel protrusion of the vehicle door panel for preventing light from being emitted from an area between an upper portion of the door panel and a backside surface of the door handle, anda concave inside surface,wherein both the backside surface and the inside surface of the door handle are finished with a mirror treatment for reflecting light when the door handle is in a non-rotated position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The exterior handle configuration of the present invention includes a panel having a recess portion and a handle that covers the upper periphery of the recess portion. An inside surface of the handle is finished with a mirror treatment that reflects and diffuses light. At least one light source fixed at the panel emits light that is directed between the recess portion and the handle. A reflecting surface reflects light emitted from the light source to the inside surface of the handle. The handle configuration of the present invention improves the visibility of the exterior handle during nighttime in a visually pleasing manner.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A combination of a door handle and a vehicle door panel, the door handle including an outer surface being rotatably fixed to the vehicle door panel;
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the vehicle door panel including a recessed portion and a panel protrusion; the door handle having a wedge-shape and further including; an elongated portion having a concave shape following that of the recessed portion of the door panel within the recessed portion of the door panel, a handle protrusion cooperating with and rotating relative to the panel protrusion of the vehicle door panel for preventing light from being emitted from an area between an upper portion of the door panel and a backside surface of the door handle, and a concave inside surface, wherein both the backside surface and the inside surface of the door handle are finished with a mirror treatment for reflecting light when the door handle is in a non-rotated position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An exterior vehicle handle configuration, comprising:
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a panel including a recessed portion, the recessed portion including an upwardly facing reflection step having a reflecting surface and a panel protrusion formed at an uppermost end of the recessed portion; a handle covering an upper periphery of the recessed portion of the panel, having a hollowed wedge-shape, and including a recessed elongated portion that extends along and within the recessed portion of the panel, a backside surface of the elongated portion of the handle being rotatably fixed to the panel, and a handle protrusion being arranged on the backside surface of the elongated portion of the handle, an inside surface that, along with the backside surface, being finished with a mirror treatment; and at least one light source fixed at the panel for emitting light that is directed between the recessed portion and the handle, wherein the recessed portion and the reflection step of the panel and the backside surface of the handle having a structure and being oriented relative to one another for reflecting the light emitted from the light source to the inside surface of the handle and from the inside surface of the handle to the recessed portion of the door handle when the light source is turned on and the handle is in a closed position, and the handle protrusion being located adjacent to portion of the handle that is hinged to the panel and cooperating with and rotating relative to the panel protrusion for forming a light shield that prevents the light emitted by the light source from being emitted from an area between the recessed portion and an upper portion of the handle. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A vehicle panel configuration, comprising:
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a handle including a recessed elongated portion and a handle protrusion located at an upper hinged portion of the elongated portion of the handle; a panel including a recessed portion, wherein respective surfaces of the recessed portion of the panel and the recessed elongated portion of the handle are substantially parallel to one another when the handle is in a closed position and form a channel extending therebetween, the recessed portion further including a through hole located on an upper side of the channel, through which light is emitted for illuminating the handle, and a panel protrusion arranged on an upper end of the upper portion of the recessed portion of the panel;
the handle protrusion cooperating with and rotating relative to the panel protrusion to form a light shield for blocking the light along the channel;a step that is horizontally oriented on the recessed portion so as to divide the recessed portion into an upper portion and a lower portion, the step decreasing in thickness as it tapers away to the lower portion of the recessed portion; and a mirror coated reflecting surface formed on the step and on the upper portion of the recessed portion for reflecting the light emitted from the through hole to the handle when the handle is in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification