Patent Application
20160114724
This document relates generally to the vehicle equipment field and, more particularly, to a combined grab handle and light source assembly for the interior of a vehicle.
The headliner of a motor vehicle typically incorporates a number of vehicle accessories including, for example, grab handles, coat hooks and interior lighting features. While grab handles are useful, they are also relatively unsightly when compared to what otherwise would be a smooth headliner surface.
This document relates to a new and improved combined grab handle and light source assembly incorporating a grab handle and light source subassembly that is rotatably mounted in a housing. When not in use, the grab handle is contained in a cavity in the housing out of sight and a smooth and aesthetically pleasing light source is oriented toward the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, a combined grab handle and light source assembly is provided. That assembly comprises a door having a first face and a second face, a grab handle carried on the first face and a light source carried on the second face. The grab handle is oriented in a first direction and the light source is oriented in a second direction. In one possible embodiment the first face and the second face are opposite one another.
In one possible embodiment, the assembly further includes an outer housing. The door is received in that outer housing and pivotally mounted thereto. More specifically, the door includes a first end wall, a second end wall, a first pivot pin on the first end wall and a second opposed pivot pin on the second end wall. In one possible embodiment, the first end wall also includes a first electrical contact and the second end wall includes a second electrical contact. Together these contacts provide an electrical path for powering the light source when the light source is oriented in a direction to light the interior of the motor vehicle. In one possible embodiment, that light source includes a light emitting diode (LED) and a cooperating lens. In another possible embodiment the light source includes an incandescent bulb and a cooperating lens.
In accordance with an additional aspect, the combined grab handle and light source assembly may be described as comprising a housing, including a cavity and an open side, and a grab handle and light source subassembly. That grab handle and light source subassembly is rotatably mounted in the housing and displaceable between a first position wherein the grab handle is provided on the open side and a second position wherein the light source is provided on the open side.
In accordance with still another aspect, a method is provided of decluttering a headliner of the vehicle. That method may be described as comprising providing a grab handle and a light source on a door that is displaceable between a first position wherein the grab handle is exposed for use and the light source is hidden and a second position wherein the light source is exposed for use and the grab handle is hidden.
In the following description, there are shown and described several preferred embodiments of the combined grab handle and light source assembly. As it should be realized, the assembly is capable of other, different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the assembly as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the combined grab handle and light source assembly and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing:
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the combined grab handle and light source assembly, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.
Reference is now made to
A grab handle 28 is carried on the first face 20. A light source 30 is carried on the second face 22. Grab handle 28 may comprise a substantially C-shaped body made from plastic, metal, wood or other appropriate material. Light source 30 may include, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) and cooperating lens or an incandescent bulb and a cooperating lens.
As should be appreciated from the drawing figures, the grab handle 28 is oriented in a first direction and the light source 30 is oriented in a second direction.
The outer housing 14 has three sides 32, a first end 34 and a second end 36 that function to define a cavity 38. As should be appreciated the cavity 38 is open on one side.
As should be appreciated, the subassembly 12 is rotatably mounted in the outer housing 14. More specifically, the subassembly 12 includes a first pivot pin 42 projecting from the first end wall 24 and a second, aligned pivot pin 44 projecting from the second end wall 26. In one possible embodiment, the first end wall 24 includes a first electrical contact 46 and the second end wall 26 includes a second electrical contact 48. These two contacts provide a pathway for providing electrical power to the light source 30 of the subassembly 12. More specifically, when the light source 30 is oriented as illustrated in
When assembled, the first pivot pin 42 and the second pivot pin 44 are received and held in respective sockets 50, 52 in the end walls 34, 36 of the outer housing 14. Significantly, the cavity 38 in the outer housing 14 is of sufficient dimension to allow the necessary clearance for the grab handle 28 to freely pass the sides 32 during rotation of the subassembly 12 relative to the outer housing 14. Thus, as illustrated in
The reinforcement bracket 16 functions to reinforce the outer housing 14 and provide a more secure connection to the body of the vehicle to which the assembly 10 is mounted. More specifically, the reinforcement bracket 16 is substantially u-shaped. As illustrated in
In summary, the grab handle and light source assembly 10 provides a number of benefits. Most significantly, it functions to declutter the headliner and enhance the appearance thereof. When not in use, the grab handles 28 may simply be hidden from view behind the smooth, clean lines of the light source 30.
The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
