Damping structure for rotating member and assist grip including the damping structure

• US 20020020042A1
• Filed: 07/31/2001
• Published: 02/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nifco Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nifco Incorporated
• Inventors: Kurachi, Katsuhito, Hirose, Akihiko
• Granted Patent: US 6,467,130 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/023 movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 1/0015 Knobs or handles which do not operate the bolt or lock, e.g. non-movable; Mounting thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/42 Means for damping the movement of lock parts, e.g. slowing down the return movement of a handle E05B77/38 takes precedence

Abstract

A damping structure is formed of a base including at least one projecting portion having a shaft or a hole, and a first engaging portion; a rotating member including a first wall portion having the other of the hole or the shaft engaging the shaft or hole, a second wall portion facing the first wall portion to receive the projection therebetween so that when the first wall portion is supported by the projecting portion, a space is formed between the projecting portion and the second wall portion, and a second engaging portion; and a damper disposed in the space. The damper includes an inner shaft having a third engaging portion engaging the first or second engaging portion, and an outer shaft rotatably situated around the inner shaft to generate a damping force against a rotation of the inner shaft. The outer shaft has a fourth engaging portion engaging the first or second engaging portion to thereby provide a damping force to the rotating member.

Claims

1. A damping structure, comprising:

a base including at least one projecting portion having one of a shaft and a hole, and a first engaging portion,

a rotating member including a first wall portion having the other of the hole and the shaft engaging said one of the shaft and the hole to be rotationally supported by the projecting portion, a second wall portion facing the first wall portion to receive the at least one projection therebetween so that when the first wall portion is supported by the at least one projecting portion, a space is formed between the at least one projecting portion and the second wall portion, and a second engaging portion, and

a damper disposed in the space to abut against the at least one projecting portion and the second wall portion, and including an inner shaft disposed coaxially with the shaft and the hole and having a third engaging portion engaging one of the first and second engaging portions, and an outer shaft rotatably situated around the inner shaft to generate a damping force against a rotation of the inner shaft, said outer shaft having a fourth engaging portion engaging the other of the first and second engaging portions to thereby provide a damping force to the rotating member.

2. A damping structure according to claim 1, further comprising holding means for holding the damper stored in the space formed in one of the base and the rotating member.

3. A damping structure according to claim 2, wherein said holding means is formed of an elastic member integrally formed with the base to be elastically deformable, said elastic member supporting an outer surface of the damper.

4. A damping structure according to claim 1, wherein said third engaging portion formed at the inner shaft engages the first engaging portion formed on the base, and said fourth engaging portion formed at the outer shaft engages the second engaging portion formed on the rotating member.

5. A damping structure according to claim 1, wherein said base includes a plurality of projecting portions spaced apart from each other, each having said one of the shaft and hole, and said rotating member includes a plurality of wall portions including said first and second wall portions, each wall portion having said the other of the shaft and hole engaging said one of the shaft and hole, respectively.

6. An assist grip provided with the damping structure according to claim 1.

7. An assist grip according to claim 6, wherein said rotating member forms a grip portion, and said base is attached to a portion where the assist grip is to be formed.

8. An assist grip according to claim 7, further comprising a second base attached to the portion where the assist grip is formed, said rotating member further including a supporting portion at a position away from the first and second wall portions and rotationally engaging the second base, and a spring disposed between the second base and the supporting portion for urging the rotating member in one direction.