US 6,668,424 B1 · Snap-in assist grip and assembly method

Abstract

A handle assembly and method of assembling a grip handle to a vehicle. The handle assembly includes two base unit and each include a primary and auxiliary projection that are press fit into an opening formed in a structural part of a vehicle. Detents are provided on the projection and configured to be assembled to a vehicle with a minimum force and require a removal force that is substantially greater then the force of insertion. A method of assembling the assist grip handle to a vehicle can be accomplished by inserting molded projections into holes formed in a structural vehicle body panel. The projections include detents that are compressed as the projections are inserted into the holes and are expanded after the projections are fully inserted into the holes.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A handle assembly for assisting passengers in ingress and egress of a vehicle comprising:

a handle grip having two ends with each end having a retainer;
a fastener engaging each of the retainers;
and
two base units with one base unit being provided for each end of the handle grip, each base unit having at least two snap elements that are adapted to be press fit into two openings formed in a structural part of the vehicle, the snap elements being configured to be retained in the openings against a removal force that is greater than the force required to press fit the snap elements into the openings, each of the base elements having a hole for the fastener that secures one of the retainers of the handle to one of the base units.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Snap-in assist grip and assembly method

Life of this patent

Snap-in assist grip and assembly method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12