Retractable grab handle and coat hook

An apparatus for connection with a vehicle portion adjacent a vehicle occupant compartment, said apparatus comprising:

• a grab handle including spaced first and second support arms;
• a hinge assembly connectable with said first and second support arms to support said grab handle on the vehicle portion for pivotal movement relative to the vehicle portion about an axis between a grab handle stored position adjacent the vehicle portion and a grab handle operative position pivotally spaced apart from the vehicle portion;
• and
• a cap connected with said hinge assembly for pivotal movement about said axis, said cap including a central cap portion and first and second side portions extending transverse to said cap portion from opposite lateral edges of said cap portion;
• said cap portion extending between said support arms and blocking visibility of at least a portion of said hinge assembly from the vehicle occupant compartment when said grab handle is in said grab handle stored position, said first side portion overlying an outer surface of said first support arm, said second side portion overlying an outer surface of said second support arm;
• said grab handle having a portion that engages said cap when said grab handle is moved from said grab handle stored position to said grab handle operative position, said portion causing said cap to be pivoted about said axis along with said grab handle upon movement of said grab handle from said grab handle stored position to said grab handle operative position.

An apparatus for connection with a vehicle portion adjacent a vehicle occupant compartment, said apparatus comprising:

• a grab handle including a grasping portion and first and second connection portions positioned at opposite ends of said grasping portion, said first connection portion comprising a pair of spaced support arms extending parallel to each other;
• a cap including a central cap portion and first and second side portions extending transverse to said cap portion from opposite lateral edges of said cap portion, said first and second side portions each including a hook portion, said first side portion overlying an outer surface of said first support arm, said second side portion overlying an outer surface of said second support arm, and said cap portion extending between said first and second support arms;
• and
• a hinge assembly for supporting said grab handle and said cap on the vehicle portion for pivotal movement relative to the vehicle portion and relative to each other about a common axis, said cap being pivotal about said axis between a cap stored position and a cap operative position, said cap portion blocking visibility of at least a portion of said hinge assembly from the vehicle occupant compartment when said cap in said cap stored position, said hook portions being positioned for supporting an object in the vehicle when said cap is in said cap operative position.