Assist grip handle for vehicle interior

• US 9,616,792 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2014
• Issued: 04/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Claire, Pierre, Esselin, Michael, Granjon, Gilles
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F
• Application Number:
  US14/787,274
• Publication Number:
  US 20160075265A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,083 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/02 of hand grips or straps
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/026 characterised by the fixing means B60N3/023 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/267 Door handles; Hand grips

Abstract

The invention concerns an assist grip handle for a vehicle interior, comprising a handle body provided with an internal space and a light-emitting device disposed in said internal space of said body, characterized in that said light-emitting device is distinct from said body and comprises a light source and a diffusion screen disposed in said internal space of said body, which body comprises a first part and a second part fastened together and configured to sandwich said light source and said diffusion screen, said diffusion screen being disposed facing both said light source and said first part of said body.

Claims

1. An assist grip handle for a vehicle interior, comprising a handle body provided with an internal space and a light-emitting device disposed in said internal space of said body, characterized in that said light-emitting device is distinct from said body and comprises a light source and a diffusion screen disposed in said internal space of said body, which body comprises a first part and a second part fastened together and configured to sandwich said light source and said diffusion screen, said diffusion screen being disposed facing both said light source and said first part of said body.

2. A handle according to claim 1, wherein said diffusion screen comprises a movable shutter and said handle has a first lighting configuration in which said shutter is in a closed position and a second lighting configuration in which said shutter is in an open position.

3. A handle according to claim 2, wherein said diffusion screen comprises a frame and a cover formed together from at least one plastics material, said shutter being movably mounted on said cover.

4. A handle according to claim 3, wherein said diffusion screen further comprises a groove formed between said cover and said frame and which is configured for translational guiding of said shutter, and a through-aperture formed in said cover and into which enters said groove, said through-aperture and said groove being configured such that, in said closed position of said shutter, said shutter obturates said through-aperture and in said open position of said shutter, said shutter does not obturate said through-aperture.

5. A handle according to claims 3, wherein said first part is provided with a diffusion window formed so as to face said cover of said diffusion screen.

6. A handle according to claim 5, wherein said first part has an inside face provided with at least one first holding member defining a reception space for at least partially receiving said diffusion screen, and said cover comprises a predetermined contour configured to cooperate with said at least one first holding member for holding said diffusion screen.

7. A handle according to claim 6, wherein said first part comprises two first holding members disposed on respective opposite sides of said diffusion window and which are each formed by a first wall projecting from said inside face of said first part, which first wall has a back portion and a lateral portion defining a shoulder.

8. A handle according to claim 1, wherein said second part has an inside face provided with at least one second holding member defining a reception space for receiving said light source at least partially, which light source comprises a support configured to rest on said at least one second holding member for holding said light source.

9. A handle according to claim 8, wherein said second part comprises two second holding members each formed by a second wall projecting from said inside face of said second part, which second wall has a back portion and two lateral portions extending on respective opposite sides of said back portion and each defining a shoulder.

10. A handle according to claim 8, characterized wherein said second part is further provided with two ribs projecting from said inside face of said second part, which ribs are disposed on respective opposite sides of said at least one second holding member and delimit said reception space for receiving said light source.

11. A handle according to claim 10, wherein said diffusion screen comprises four notches each formed so as to receive a finger formed projecting from a said rib.

12. A handle according to claim 1, wherein said diffusion screen comprises a frame and a cover which are formed together from at least one plastics material as well as a plurality of apertures each of predetermined contour formed in said cover and configured to diffuse light.

13. A handle according to claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a support, at least one light emitting element mounted on said support and at least one energy storage unit which is mounted on said support and configured to electrically supply said at least one light emitting element.

14. A handle according to claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a support, at least one light emitting element mounted on said support and an electrical connection element fastened to said support and configured to electrically supply said at least one light emitting element.

15. A handle according to claim 14, wherein said handle body comprises a central portion for gripping and two end portions each provided with two arms which are remote from each other, said handle further comprising two fastening plates each configured to be hingedly mounted on said handle body between two said arms of a respective end portion, at least one of the two said plates comprising an through-aperture configured to allow the passage of said electrical connection element.