Vehicle door handle

• US 20030182762A1
• Filed: 04/21/2003
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Koops, Roger L., Bingle, Robert L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,907,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/412
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 15/1635 of plastics materials springs E05B15/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/0016 Defrosting, e.g. heating devices
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/10 Illuminating devices on or for locks or keys; Transparent or translucent lock parts; Indicator lights
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 79/06 Mounting of handles, e.g. to the wing or to the lock
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 85/10 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 16/903 Handle with diverse art enhancement, e.g. illuminator, heater
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/57 Operators with knobs or handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/85 Knob-attaching devices

Abstract

A vehicle door handle assembly for opening a door of a vehicle includes a base which is mountable at the door of the vehicle and a handle portion which is operable to open the door via movement of the handle portion relative to the base. The handle portion includes a first portion having a first material hardness and a second portion having a second material hardness. The first material hardness is greater than the second material hardness, such that the second portion provides a softer feel to a user of the door handle assembly when opening the door of the vehicle. The door handle assembly may further include an illumination source for illuminating the handle portion and/or a heating element for heating the handle portion.

Claims

1. A door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle comprising:

an elongated handle which includes a pair of spaced snap clasp members extending therefrom; and

a base which includes spaced apart axle members mounted at said base and supported at each end of said axle members, wherein said snap clasped members of said elongated handle are engagable with said spaced axle members, said axle members being pivotably received within snap clasp members such that said elongated handle is pivotable relative to said base.

2. The door handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said base includes a pair of spaced openings corresponding to the spacing of said snap clasp members and said spaced axle members, said snap clasp members being insertable through said openings to engage said axle members.

3. The door handle assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said snap clasp members defines a generally C-shaped member, said axle members being pivotally received within said C-shaped members.

4. The door handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said axle members are supported at each end by a pair of mounting extension extending from said base.

5. The door handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said elongated handle comprises a soft touch surface at at least one surface thereof.

6. The door handle assembly of claim 1 further including at least one illumination source positioned at at least one of said base and said elongated handle and operable to provide illumination towards said elongated handle.

7. The door handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said elongated handle includes a heating element.

8. The door handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said base defines a recess for said elongated handle, said elongated handle comprises a paddle portion and a pair of mounting arms extending therefrom, said snap clasp members being positioned at a distal end of said mounting arms from said paddle portion.

9. The door handle assembly of claim 8, wherein said base includes a pair of spaced openings corresponding to the spacing of said snap clasp members and said axle members, said snap clasp members and said mounting arms being insertable through said openings to pivotably engage said axle members at said base.

10. A door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle comprising:

a handle portion comprising a paddle portion having a back and front surface and a pair of snap clasp members extending from said back surface of said paddle portion, said handle portion comprising a polymeric material; and

a housing which defines a cavity and includes a pair of cross members supported at each end at said housing further including a pair of openings in said housing positioned generally adjacent to each of said cross members, said snap clasp members of said handle portion being insertable through said openings such that each of said snap clasp members engages a corresponding one of said pair of cross members, said cross members being pivotally received within said snap clasp members such that said paddle portion is pivotable relative to said housing and is positioned at least partially within said cavity of said housing.

11. The door handle assembly of claim 10, wherein each of said snap clasp members define a generally C-shaped member, each of said cross members being pivotally received within said C-shaped member.

12. The door handle assembly of claim 11, wherein said snap clasp members further include a tapered opening into said C-shaped member to guide said cross members into said C-shaped members during assembly of said door handle assembly.

13. The door handle assembly of claim 10, wherein said cross members are supported at each end by a pair of mounting extensions extending from said housing.

14. The door handle assembly of claim 13, further including a biasing member, said biasing member biasing said handle portion at a first position whereby said paddle portion is substantially within said cavity of said housing.

15. The door handle assembly of claim 14, wherein said biasing member comprises a coil spring, at least one of said pair of mounting extensions including a spring mount extending from a side thereof, said coil spring being positioned at said spring mount and engaging said housing and one of said snap clasp members of said handle portion.

16. The door handle assembly of claim 10, wherein said paddle portion comprises a soft touch surface at at least one surface of said paddle portion.

17. The door handle assembly of claim 16, wherein said at least one soft touch surface comprises a first polymeric material and another surface of said paddle portion comprises a second material, said first polymeric material having a lower hardness than said second material.

18. The door handle assembly of claim 17, wherein said second material has a material hardness of less than approximately 80 Shore A Durometer hardness.

19. The door handle assembly of claim 17, wherein said second material has a material hardness of less than approximately 70 Shore A Durometer hardness.

20. The door handle assembly of claim 17, wherein said second material has a material hardness of less than approximately 60 Shore A Durometer hardness.

21. The door handle assembly of claim 18, wherein said first material has a material hardness of greater than approximately 80 Shore A Durometer hardness.

22. The door handle assembly of claim 16 further including at least one illumination source positioned at at least one of said housing and said paddle portion and operable to provide illumination toward said paddle portion.

23. The door handle assembly of claim 22, wherein said paddle portion comprises a heating element.

24. The door handle assembly of claim 10 further including at least one illumination source positioned at at least one of said housing and said paddle portion and operable to provide illumination toward said paddle portion.

25. The door handle assembly of claim 24, wherein said at least one illumination source comprises one of a light emitting diode, an incandescent bulb, a fluorescent light, and an electro-luminescent light.

26. The door handle assembly of claim 24, wherein said illumination source is actuatable in response to at least one of a touch of said handle portion, a movement of said handle portion relative to said housing, actuation of a remote keyless entry module, a motion detection at the vehicle, and an insertion of a key into a key hole at the door handle assembly.

27. The door handle assembly of claim 26, wherein said illumination source is deactuatable a period of time following actuation of said illumination source.

28. The door handle assembly of claim 10, wherein said paddle portion includes a heating element.

29. The door handle assembly of claim 28, wherein said heating element is actuatable in response to at least one of a touch of said handle portion, a movement of said handle portion relative to said housing, actuation of a remote keyless entry module, a motion detection at the vehicle, and an insertion of a key into a key hole at the door handle assembly.

30. The door handle assembly of claim 28, wherein said heating element is deactuatable a period of time following actuation of said heating element.

31. A handle assembly for a door of a vehicle comprising:

a base which is mountable at the door of the vehicle; and

a handle portion which is pivotally mounted to said base and includes first and second surfaces, said handle portion being operable to open the door via pivotal movement of said handle portion relative to said base, said first surface of said handle portion comprising a first polymeric material having a first material hardness, said second surface comprising a second polymeric material having a second material hardness, said first material hardness being greater than said second material hardness, said second material being joined to said first material, said second material of said second surface of said handle portion providing a soft touch to a user of said handle assembly.

32. The door handle assembly of claim 31, wherein said second material hardness is less than approximately 80 Shore A Durometer hardness.

33. The door handle assembly of claim 31, wherein said second material hardness is less than approximately 70 Shore A Durometer hardness.

34. The door handle assembly of claim 31, wherein said second material hardness is less than approximately 60 Shore A Durometer hardness.

35. The door handle assembly of claim 32, wherein said first material hardness is greater than approximately 80 Shore A Durometer hardness.

36. The handle assembly of claim 31, wherein said first surface is an outer surface of said handle portion facing generally away from the door and said second surface is an inner surface of said handle portion facing generally toward the door.

37. The handle assembly of claim 31 further including at least one illumination source at one of said base, said handle portion and the door of the vehicle, said at least one illumination source being operable to provide illumination of said handle portion.

38. The handle assembly of claim 37, wherein said handle portion comprises a heating element.

39. The handle assembly of claim 37, wherein said at least one illumination source comprises one of a light emitting diode, an incandescent bulb, a fluorescent light, and an electro-luminescent light.

40. The handle assembly of claim 37, wherein said illumination source is actuatable in response to at least one of a touch of said handle portion, a movement of said handle portion relative to said base, actuation of a remote keyless entry module, a motion detection at the vehicle, and an insertion of a key into a key hole at the handle assembly.

41. The handle assembly of claim 40, wherein said illumination source is deactuatable a period of time following actuation of said illumination source.

42. The handle assembly of claim 31, wherein said handle portion includes a heating element.

43. The handle assembly of claim 42, wherein said heating element is actuatable in response to at least one of a touch of said handle portion, a movement of said handle portion relative to said base, actuation of a remote keyless entry module, a motion detection at the vehicle, and an insertion of a key into a key hole at the handle assembly.

44. The handle assembly of claim 43, wherein said heating element is deactuatable a period of time following actuation of said heating element.

45. The handle assembly of claim 31, wherein said base defines a recess for said handle portion, said handle portion comprising a paddle portion and a pair of mounting arms for pivotally mounting said paddle portion to said base.

46. The handle assembly of claim 45, wherein each of said pair of mounting arms defines a snap clasp member for pivotally receiving a corresponding axle member at said base.

47. The handle assembly of claim 46, wherein said pair of mounting arms extend from said back surface of said paddle portion, each of said snap clasp members defining a generally C-shaped member at said end of each of said mounting arms.

48. The handle assembly of claim 47, wherein said axle members are supported at each end by a pair of mounting extensions extending from said housing, said housing further including a pair of openings in said housing positioned generally adjacent to each of said pair of mounting extensions, said mounting arms of said handle portion being insertable through said openings such that each of said snap clasp members engages a corresponding one of said pair of axle members and receives said axle member within said C-shaped member, said axle members being pivotally received within said C-shaped members such that said paddle portion is pivotable relative to said housing and is positioned at least partially within said recess of said housing.

49. The handle assembly of claim 48, wherein said snap clasp members further include a tapered opening into said C-shaped member to guide said axle members into said C-shaped members during assembly of said handle assembly.

50. The handle assembly of claim 31, wherein said handle assembly comprises a strap door handle comprising an elongated handle portion.

51. The handle assembly of claim 50, wherein said elongated handle portion is pivotable about a generally vertical axis relative to said base.

52. A vehicle door handle assembly for opening a door of a vehicle comprising:

a base which is mountable at the door of the vehicle; and

a handle portion which includes first and second portions, said handle portion being operable to open the door via movement of said handle portion relative to said base, said first portion of said handle portion comprising a first polymeric material having a first material hardness, said second portion comprising a second polymeric material having a second material hardness, said first material hardness being greater than said second material hardness, said second material being joined to said first material, said second portion comprising an engaging surface for a user to engage when opening the door of the vehicle, said second material of said engaging surface providing a soft touch to the user of said vehicle door handle assembly when the user engages said engaging surface and operates said handle portion to open the door of the vehicle.

53. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 52, wherein said engaging surface comprises an inward surface of said handle portion facing generally toward said base and the door, the user engaging said inward surface and pulling said handle portion generally away from the door of the vehicle to open the door of the vehicle.

54. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 53, wherein said first portion of said handle portion comprises an outward surface of said handle portion facing generally away from the door.

55. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 52, wherein said second portion of said handle portion is molded to said first portion of said handle portion.

56. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 52, wherein said second portion of said handle portion comprises an exterior surface of said handle portion and said first portion of said handle portion comprises a center portion of said handle portion, said exterior surface generally surrounding said center portion.

57. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 56, wherein said exterior surface is molded around said center portion.

58. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 56, wherein said exterior surface comprises a thin film, said center portion being molded inside said thin film to provide structural rigidity to said handle portion.

59. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 52, wherein said second material comprises a thermoplastic material.

60. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 59, wherein said second material comprises a polyolefin material.

61. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 60, wherein said second material comprises a Santoprene material.

62. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 52, wherein said first material comprises a thermoplastic material.

63. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 62, wherein said first material comprises a thermoset material.

64. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 63, wherein said first material comprises a nylon material.

65. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 52, wherein said second material hardness is less than approximately 80 Shore A Durometer hardness.

66. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 52, wherein said second material hardness is less than approximately 70 Shore A Durometer hardness.

67. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 52, wherein said second material hardness is less than approximately 60 Shore A Durometer hardness.

68. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 65, wherein said first material hardness is greater than approximately 80 Shore A Durometer hardness.

69. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 52 further including at least one illumination source at at least one of said base and said handle portion, said at least one illumination source being operable to provide illumination of said handle portion.

70. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 69, wherein said handle portion comprises a heating element which is operable to increase the temperature of at least said second material of said handle portion when said heating element is activated.

71. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 70, wherein said heating element is positioned within said handle portion.

72. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 69, wherein said at least one illumination source comprises one of a light emitting diode, an incandescent bulb, a fluorescent light, and an electro-luminescent light.

73. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 69, wherein said illumination source is actuatable in response to at least one of a touch of said handle portion, a movement of said handle portion relative to said base, actuation of a remote keyless entry module, a motion detection at the vehicle, and an insertion of a key into a key hole at said vehicle door handle assembly.

74. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 73, wherein said illumination source deactuates a period of time following actuation of said illumination source.

75. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 52, wherein said handle portion includes a heating element which is operable to increase the temperature of at least said second material of said handle portion when said heating element is activated.

76. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 75, wherein said heating element is positioned within said handle portion.

77. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 76, wherein said heating element is actuatable in response to at least one of a touch of said handle portion, a movement of said handle portion relative to said base, actuation of a remote keyless entry module, a motion detection at the vehicle, and an insertion of a key into a key hole at said vehicle door handle assembly.

78. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 77, wherein said heating element deactuates a period of time following actuation of said heating element.

79. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 52, wherein said handle assembly comprises a strap door handle comprising an elongated handle portion.

80. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 79, wherein said elongated handle portion is pivotable about a generally vertical axis relative to said base.

81. A vehicle door handle assembly for opening a door of a vehicle comprising:

a base which is mountable at the door of the vehicle;

a handle portion which includes first and second portions, said handle portion being operable to open the door via movement of said handle portion relative to said base, said first portion of said handle portion comprising a first polymeric material having a first material hardness, said second portion of said handle portion comprising a second polymeric material having a second material hardness, said first material hardness being greater than said second material hardness, said second material being joined to said first material, said second material of said second portion providing a soft touch to a user of said handle assembly when the user operates said handle portion to open the door of the vehicle; and

an illumination source, said illumination source being operable to provide illumination to said handle portion in response to at least one of a touch of said handle portion, a movement of said handle portion relative to said base, actuation of a remote keyless entry module, a motion detection at the vehicle, and an insertion of a key into a key hole at said vehicle door handle assembly.

82. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said second portion of said handle portion comprises an inward surface of said handle portion facing generally toward said base and the door, the user engaging said second portion and pulling said handle portion generally away from the door to operate said handle portion to open the door of the vehicle.

83. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 82, wherein said first portion comprises an outward surface of said handle portion facing generally away from the door.

84. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said second portion is molded to said first portion.

85. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said second portion of said handle portion comprises an exterior surface of said handle portion and said first portion of said handle portion comprises a center portion of said handle portion, said exterior surface generally surrounding said center portion.

86. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 85, wherein said exterior surface is molded around said center portion.

87. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 85, wherein said exterior surface comprises a thin film, said center portion being molded inside said thin film to provide structural rigidity to said handle portion.

88. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said second material comprises a thermoplastic material.

89. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 88, wherein said second material comprises a polyolefin material.

90. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 89, wherein said second material comprises a Santoprene material.

91. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said first material comprises a thermoplastic material.

92. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 91, wherein said first material comprises a thermoset material.

93. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 92, wherein said first material comprises a nylon material.

94. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said second material hardness is less than approximately 80 Shore A Durometer hardness.

95. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said second material hardness is less than approximately 70 Shore A Durometer hardness.

96. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said second material hardness is less than approximately 60 Shore A Durometer hardness.

97. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 94, wherein said first material hardness is greater than approximately 80 Shore A Durometer hardness.

98. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said at least one illumination source is positioned at at least one of said base and said handle portion.

99. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said handle portion comprises a heating element which is operable to increase the temperature of at least said second material of said handle portion when said heating element is activated.

100. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 99, wherein said heating element is positioned within said handle portion.

101. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 100, wherein said heating element is actuatable in response to said at least one of a touch of said handle portion, a movement of said handle portion relative to said base, actuation of a remote keyless entry module, a motion detection at the vehicle, and an insertion of a key into a key hole at said vehicle door handle assembly.

102. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 101, wherein said heating element deactuates a period of time following actuation of said heating element.

103. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said at least one illumination source comprises one of a light emitting diode, an incandescent bulb, a fluorescent light, and an electro-luminescent light.

104. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said illumination source deactuates a period of time following actuation of said illumination source.

105. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said handle assembly comprises a strap door handle comprising an elongated handle portion.

106. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 105, wherein said elongated handle portion is pivotable about a generally vertical axis relative to said base.

107. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said illumination source is actuatable in response to a touch of said handle portion by a user.

108. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said illumination source is actuatable in response to a movement of said handle portion relative to said base.

109. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said illumination source is actuatable in response to actuation of a remote keyless entry module.

110. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said illumination source is actuatable in response to a motion detection at the vehicle.

111. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 81, wherein said illumination source is actuatable in response to an insertion of a key into a key hole at said vehicle door handle assembly.

112. A vehicle door handle assembly for opening a door of a vehicle comprising:

a base which is mountable at the door of the vehicle;

a handle portion which includes first and second portions, said handle portion being operable to open the door via movement of said handle portion relative to said base, said first portion of said handle portion comprising a first polymeric material having a first material hardness, said second portion comprising a second polymeric material having a second material hardness, said first material hardness being greater than said second material hardness, said second material being joined to said first material, said second material of said second portion providing a soft touch to a user of said handle assembly when the user operates said handle portion to open the door of the vehicle; and

a heating element positioned within said handle portion and operable to increase a temperature of at least said second portion of said handle portion in response to at least one of a touch of said handle portion, a movement of said handle portion relative to said base, actuation of a remote keyless entry module, a motion detection at the vehicle, and an insertion of a key into a key hole at said vehicle door handle assembly.

113. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 112, wherein said second portion of said handle portion comprises an inward surface of said handle portion facing generally toward said base and the door, the user engaging said second portion and pulling said handle portion generally away from the door to operate said handle portion to open the door of the vehicle.

114. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 113, wherein said first portion comprises an outward surface of said handle portion facing generally away from the door.

115. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 112, wherein said second portion is molded to said first portion.

116. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 112, wherein said second portion of said handle portion comprises an exterior surface of said handle portion and said first portion of said handle portion comprises a center portion of said handle portion, said exterior surface generally surrounding said center portion.

117. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 116, wherein said exterior surface is molded around said center portion.

118. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 116, wherein said exterior surface comprises a thin film, said center portion being molded inside said thin film to provide structural rigidity to said handle portion.

119. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 112, wherein said second material comprises a thermoplastic material.

120. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 119, wherein said second material comprises a polyolefin material.

121. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 120, wherein said second material comprises a Santoprene material.

122. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 112, wherein said first material comprises a thermoplastic material.

123. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 122, wherein said first material comprises a thermoset material.

124. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 123, wherein said first material comprises a nylon material.

125. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 112, wherein said second material hardness is less than approximately 80 Shore A Durometer hardness.

126. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 112, wherein said second material hardness is less than approximately 70 Shore A Durometer hardness.

127. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 112, wherein said second material hardness is less than approximately 60 Shore A Durometer hardness.

128. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 125, wherein said first material hardness is greater than approximately 80 Shore A Durometer hardness.

129. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 112 further including at least one illumination source at at least one of said base and said handle portion, said at least one illumination source being operable to provide illumination of said handle portion.

130. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 129, wherein said at least one illumination source comprises one of a light emitting diode, an incandescent bulb, a fluorescent light, and an electro-luminescent light.

131. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 129, wherein said illumination source is actuatable in response to said at least one of a touch of said handle portion, a movement of said handle portion relative to said base, actuation of a remote keyless entry module, a motion detection at the vehicle, and an insertion of a key into a key hole at said vehicle door handle assembly.

132. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 131, wherein said illumination source deactuates a period of time following actuation of said illumination source.

133. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 112, wherein said heating element deactuates a period of time following actuation of said illumination source.

134. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 112, wherein said handle assembly comprises a strap door handle comprising an elongated handle portion.

135. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 134, wherein said elongated handle portion is pivotable about a generally vertical axis relative to said base.

136. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 112, wherein said heating element is actuatable in response to a touch of said handle portion by a user.

137. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 112, wherein said heating element is actuatable in response to a movement of said handle portion relative to said base.

138. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 112, wherein said heating element is actuatable in response to actuation of a remote keyless entry module.

139. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 112, wherein said heating element is actuatable in response to a motion detection at the vehicle.

140. The vehicle door handle assembly of claim 112, wherein said heating element is actuatable in response to an insertion of a key into a key hole at said vehicle door handle assembly.

142. The method of claim 140, wherein molding an exterior surface comprises thin film molding an exterior surface of said handle portion with said second polymeric material.

141. A method for manufacturing a door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle, said method comprising:

providing a base portion;

providing a first polymeric material having a first material hardness;

providing a second polymeric material having a second material hardness, said first material hardness being greater than said second material hardness;

molding an exterior surface of said handle portion with said second polymeric material;

molding a center portion of said handle portion within said exterior surface with said first polymeric material, said center portion providing structural rigidity to said handle portion; and

movably mounting said handle portion to said base portion, said base portion and said handle portion being adapted for mounting to a door of a vehicle, said handle portion being movable to open the door of the vehicle when mounted to the door of the vehicle, said second material of said exterior surface providing a soft touch to a user when the user engages said exterior surface of said handle portion to open the door of the vehicle.