Retractable assist handle for a vehicle
AssigneesToyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation
InventorsKatsuhiro Saionji, Saori Nakano, Masaya Koyama, Toyoshi Nakamoto
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retractable grip assist handle assembly provides an extendable support for a passenger during ingress to or egress from the vehicle. The retractable grip assist handle assembly includes a handle, and a body portion having a first end connected to the handle and the handle and body portion are extendable relative to the vehicle. A mechanical energy storage device is connected between a second end of the body portion and the vehicle. The mechanical energy storage device provides a return force that returns the handle to a retracted position from an extended position.
Claims14
A retractable grip assist handle for a vehicle that moves between an extended position and a retracted position, said grip assist handle comprising:
- a handle;
- a body portion having a first end connected to said handle wherein said handle and said body portion are extendable relative to the vehicle;
- and
- a mechanical energy storage device connected between a second end of said body portion and the vehicle, wherein said mechanical energy storage device returns said handle from an extended position to a retracted position.
A retractable grip assist handle for a vehicle that moves between an extended portion and a retracted position, said grip assist handle comprising:
- a handle;
- a body portion having a first end connected to said handle and said handle and said body portion are extendable relative to the vehicle, wherein said body portion includes a stop projecting from a surface of said body portion for holding said body portion in an extended position;
- a spring connected between a second end of said body portion and the vehicle;
- and
- a handle return means, wherein the handle return means includes a door member projecting from a door of the vehicle, so that as the door is closing, contact between the door member and said handle rotates said handle to disengage said body portion stop from a leg member in the vehicle structure, and the grip assist handle returns to the retracted position.
A retractable grip assist handle for a vehicle that moves between an extended portion and a retracted position, said grip assist handle comprising:
- a handle;
- a body portion having a tubular shape that is integrally formed with said handle and said handle and said body portion are extendable relative to the vehicle, wherein said body portion includes a stop projecting from a surface of said body portion for holding said body portion in an extended position;
- an extension spring connected between a second end of said body portion and the vehicle;
- and
- a handle return means, wherein the handle return means includes a door member projecting from a door of the vehicle, so that as the door is closing contact between said handle and the door member disengages said body portion stop from a leg member in the vehicle structure, and the grip assist handle returns to the retracted position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.