Vehicle door handle

Abstract
A door handle for a door of a vehicle includes a handle portion and a housing or base portion. Preferably, the handle portion is assembled to the base portion by a snap fit of a pair of snap clasps onto a corresponding pair of axles or cross members attached to the housing. The snap clasps engage the cross members via a tapered opening to guide the cross members into the snap clasps, thereby easing the assembly process of the handle assembly. The snap clasps are snapped onto the cross members marked by an audible click to pivotally secure the handle portion to the housing, such that pivotal movement of the handle relative to the housing may be operable to open the door of the vehicle. Preferably, a biasing member is included to bias the handle portion toward its closed position relative to the housing, while the handle and the housing comprise polymeric materials. Also, the handle preferably comprises a soft touch material molded along an inner or back side of the handle to improve comfort of the handle to a user thereof when the user grasps the handle to open the door, and a heating element may also be included. One or more illumination sources may be provided at the housing or otherwise adjacent to the handle to provide illumination of the handle in response to electrical signal.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates generally to vehicle door handles and, more particularly, to a vehicle door handle which provides a snap-together process for assembling the pivotable door handle to a base of the handle assembly at the vehicle.




A door handle for a vehicle typically comprises a pivotable handle portion and a base portion mounted at the vehicle, whereby the handle portion is pivotable to open the door from the outside of the vehicle. Typically, the pivotable handle is connected to a latch release mechanism within the door to allow the door to open where the handle is operated. Certain prior known handle portions include a pair of mounting arms which extend through the base portion and pivotably secure to the base. The arms are pivotably secured together via a metal hinge pin which extends through the arms and base. The door handle assembly further includes a spring at the hinge pin for biasing the handle in its closed position. The hinge pin must be manually inserted through openings in the arms when the openings are aligned. This is a manual process which is complicated and inefficient since an operator at the assembly plant has to properly align the openings before the hinge pin can be inserted therethrough. Furthermore, the pin is crimped to prevent accidental removal of the pin from the openings after the pin has been inserted therethrough. This is an additional process which further complicates and adds to the time of the process.




Some handles have been proposed which eliminate the need for a hinge pin by providing a pair of outward projections on the arms of the handle which are pivotably retained within slots or openings in corresponding arms of the base. An example of such a handle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,163 issued to Tamaki. The outward projections thus function similar to the hinge pin of the conventional handles. While this eliminates the crimping process of the pin, such a handle still requires the projections to be aligned with the openings in the arms of the base before they may be retained therein.




During winter or other cold weather conditions, such as during rain storms and the like, a vehicle door handle, which is typically formed from a metal or rigid plastic material, may become slippery and cold and thus difficult and uncomfortable to grasp. This often results in a person's hand slipping from the handle as the person attempts to open the door of the vehicle. Additionally, the hard materials are cold to touch, which further adds to the person's discomfort when opening the door of their vehicle. An additional concern with conventional handles is that they are difficult to unlock and/or open in low light conditions.




Therefore, there is a need in the art for a vehicular door handle and base assembly which may be pivotably secured together without requiring precise alignment of pins or openings during the assembly process. Preferably, the handle also improves the comfort and ease of use by a person opening the door of the vehicle.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is intended to provide a door handle assembly for a vehicle door which allows for snap-fit assembly of a handle portion and a base portion. The handle portion may be snapped to a pair of mounting pins at the base portion, in order to pivotably secure the components together. Additionally, at least a portion of the handle may comprise a soft touch material to improve the comfort of the handle to a person opening the vehicle door.




According to a first aspect of the present invention, a door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle comprises an elongated handle and a base. The elongated handle has a pair of spaced snap clasped members. The base has a pair of spaced axle members supported at the base at each end of the axle members. The snap clasped members of the elongated handle engage a corresponding one of the axle members, such that the axle are pivotably received within the snap clasp members. The elongated handle is thus pivotable relative to the base.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle comprises a handle portion and a housing. The handle portion has a front and back surface and a pair of snap clasp members extending from the back surface. The housing defines a cavity and includes a pair of axle or cross members supported at each end at the housing. The housing further includes a pair of openings in the housing positioned generally adjacent to each of the cross members. The snap clasp members of the handle portion are insertable through the openings in the housing such that each of the snap clasp members engages a corresponding one of the pair of cross members. Preferably, connection of the snap clasp members with the cross members results in an audible signal, such as a snap or click, to signal proper connection of the handle assembly. The cross members are pivotably received within the snap clasp members such that the handle portion is pivotable relative to the housing and is positioned at least partially within the cavity of the housing. Preferably, the snap clasp members define a generally C-shaped recess, which pivotally receives the cross members. Preferably, the door handle assembly further includes a biasing member which biases the handle portion at a closed position whereby the handle portion is substantially within the cavity of the housing. Preferably, the cross members are secured between a pair of mounting extensions extending from the housing and the snap clasp members are positioned at a distal end of a pair of mounting arms extending from the handle portion. Preferably, the biasing member is a coiled spring which is mounted in a spring mount extending from a side of one of the mounting extensions at the housing. One end of the coil spring engages the housing while another engages one of the mounting arms of the handle portion.




In one form, the door handle assembly may include a soft touch surface at a back surface of the handle portion, whereby the soft touch surface comprises a polymeric material having a lower hardness than a polymeric material at the front surface of the handle portion.




In another form, the door handle assembly further comprises at least one illumination source positioned at the housing and/or handle portion. The illumination source is operable to provide illumination toward the handle portion. The illumination source is preferably actuatable in response to at least one of a touch of the handle, a movement of the handle, actuation of a remote keyless entry module, a motion detection at the vehicle, and an insertion of a key into a keyhole at the door handle. Preferably, the illumination source is deactuatable following a period of time after actuation of the illumination source.




In another form, the door handle assembly comprises a heating element, which is operable to heat at least one surface of the handle portion in response to an electrical signal.




According to another aspect of the present invention, a handle assembly for a door of a vehicle comprises a base which is mountable at the door of the vehicle and a handle portion which is pivotably mounted to the base. The handle portion is operable to open the door via pivotable movement of the handle portion relative to the base. A first surface of the handle portion has a first material which has a first hardness, while a second the inner surface has a second material which has a second hardness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness, such that the second material of the inner surface of the handle portion provides a soft touch to a user of the handle assembly. Preferably, the second material is molded at the first material. Preferably, the material is molded at an inner surface of the handle portion toward the door of the vehicle.




In one form, the door handle assembly comprises a paddle portion and a recessed base portion, whereby the paddle portion is pivotable about a generally horizontal axis at the base portion. In another form, the handle assembly comprises a pivotable strap door handle, whereby a strap handle is pivotable about a generally vertical axis at a base portion of the handle.




Therefore, the present invention provides a door handle assembly which is easily assembled by an operator at a door handle assembly plant. The engaging portion of the mounting arms of the handle portion do not have to be precisely aligned with the mounting pins at the housing of the handle assembly, and thus may be easily press fit into position by the operator. Additionally, the present invention provides an audible snap or click when the components are properly assembled together, to let the operator know that the assembly has been properly accomplished. Additionally, the present invention provides a soft touch door handle, which provides a more comfortable surface for a user to grasp when opening the door. The soft touch feel of the softer material at the handle thus softens the feel of the handle to a user, especially in cold weather conditions. Additionally, the handle assembly of the present invention may provide illumination to the handle in response to detection of a user near the handle, such that the handle is at least temporarily illuminated for easier unlocking and/or opening of the door in low light or nighttime conditions.




These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of this invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a vehicle incorporating a door handle assembly of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of a snap together door handle assembly of the present invention;





FIG. 3

is a back or rear perspective view of a paddle portion of the handle assembly of

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 4

is a back or rear perspective view of a housing of the handle assembly of

FIG. 2

;





FIG. 5

is a rearward perspective view shown partially in section of the handle portion and housing portion of the handle assembly during the assembly process;





FIG. 6

is a similar view as

FIG. 5

, with the handle portion pivotably secured to the housing of the handle assembly;





FIG. 7

is a sectional view along the line VII—VII in

FIG. 6

;





FIG. 8

is a soft touch strap door handle in accordance with the present invention; and





FIG. 9

is a sectional view along the line IX—IX in FIG.


8


.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring now specifically to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a door handle assembly


10


is mounted to a side door


12


of a vehicle


14


(FIG.


1


). Door handle assembly


10


is a paddle type door handle assembly, which includes a handle or paddle portion


16


, which is pivotably secured to a base or housing portion


18


, which in turn is secured to door


12


of vehicle


14


. As is known in the art, paddle portion


16


is pivotable about a generally horizontal pivot axis relative to housing


18


and door


12


to pull a cable or linkage (not shown) within the door to release a latch (not shown) and thus open the door of the vehicle from outside the vehicle. As shown in

FIG. 2

, paddle portion


16


is pivotably secured to housing


18


via a pair of snap clasps


20


which pivotably receive a corresponding pair of mounting pins


22


at base


18


. Each snap clasp


20


snaps onto a corresponding pin


22


to secure paddle portion


16


to base


18


without separate or insertable hinge pins or the like, such as required in conventional door handle designs. Handle assembly


10


thus provides an easier and efficient assembly process for door handle


10


over the prior art. Handle assembly


10


further provides an audible snap or click to signal secure clasping of the mounting pins


22


, which further ensures proper assembly of the handle.




As shown in

FIGS. 2 and 3

, paddle portion


16


includes a handle or paddle


24


and a pair of mounting arms


26


extending therefrom and terminating at snap clasps


20


. Paddle


24


has an outer surface


24




a


(

FIG. 2

) and an inner or back surface


24




b


(FIG.


3


). Mounting arms


26


are generally L-shaped and extend inwardly and curve upwardly from inner surface


24




b


of paddle


24


. Snap clasp or member


20


is positioned at an end


26




a


of each mounting arm


26


opposite the paddle portion


24


. Snap clasp


20


preferably defines a generally C-shaped clasping member at outer end


26




a


of mounting arm


26


, such that cross member or mounting pin


22


is pivotally received within a generally circular or cylindrical opening or passageway


20




a.


Preferably, at least one of the mounting arms


26


further includes a spring tab and/or groove


26




b


for engaging an end of a biasing member or spring


30


(

FIGS. 2

,


6


and


7


), as discussed below. Preferably, mounting arms


26


are integrally molded to the back surface


24




b


of paddle


24


, such that handle portion


16


is molded in one piece, preferably from a substantially rigid and strong polymeric material, such as a thermoplastic or a thermoset, such as nylon. The mounting arms


26


further include a connecting portion


26




c


(FIGS.


3


and


7


), such as an opening or tab or the like for connecting the handle portion


16


to a cable or linkage (also not shown) within the door


12


for releasing a latch and opening the door in response to pivotal movement of handle portion


16


relative to base


18


and door


12


.




Preferably, each snap clasp


20


further includes an assembly opening


20




e


defined by tapered guide surfaces


20




b


which diverge from cylindrical opening


20




a


to provide diverging engagement or guide surfaces for guiding the cross member


22


into the recess


20




a


. This substantially obviates the need for precise alignment of the snap members to the cross members during the assembly process of the handle assembly. Guide surfaces


20




b


converge at their ends toward opening


20




a


, such that a gap defined between an inner end


20




c


of guide surfaces


20




b


is less than the diameter of the circular or cylindrical opening


20




a


through snap members


20


. An upper portion


20




d


of snap clasps


20


is flexible to allow upward flexing of upper portion


20




d


such that the gap at inner end


20




c


of guide surfaces


20




b


is expandable to allow mounting pins


22


to be inserted therethrough.




As shown in

FIGS. 2 and 4

, base or housing


18


includes a pair of opposite side or end walls


18




a


, an upper wall


18




b


, a lower wall


18




c


, and an inner or back wall


18




d


, which together define a recess or cavity


18




e


for receiving handle portion


16


therein. A pair of mounting extensions


32


extend rearwardly and/or upwardly from upper surface


18




b


and/or inner surface


18




d


near opposite ends or sides thereof. Each axle or cross member


22


is formed at an outer end


32




a


of one of the pair of mounting extensions


32


and extends therebetween. Cross members


22


are generally cylindrical members or pins extending laterally between the outer ends


32




a


of the corresponding pair of mounting extensions


32


and supported at each end by mounting extensions


32


. Cross members


22


thus stabilize the mounting extensions


32


, thereby reducing vibration of the handle assembly. The Cross members


22


are integrally molded with the mounting extensions


32


, which in turn are integrally molded with the upper wall


18




b


and/or inner wall


18




d


of base


18


. Preferably, base


18


is integrally molded in one piece from a substantially rigid and strong polymeric material, such as a thermoplastic or a thermoset, such as nylon.




As best seen in

FIG. 4

, a pair of spaced arm openings


34


is provided along inner surface


18




d


and upper surface


18




b


, one opening positioned generally between each corresponding set or pair of mounting extensions


32


. The openings


34


may further include side walls


18




f


extending outwardly from inner surface


18




d


to define a passageway for mounting arms


26


and to further enhance the strength and rigidity of housing


18


. The passageway in inner surface


18




d


provides a passageway for mounting arms


26


when handle


10


is at least partially closed, as shown in

FIGS. 6 and 7

.




Preferably, at least one mounting extension


32




b


includes a spring mounting member


35


(FIGS.


2


and


4


-


7


) which extends laterally from mounting extension


32




b


and functions to mount a biasing member or spring


30


thereon. Spring mounting member


35


preferably extends from an inwardly positioned mounting extension


32




b


and may include a stiffening rib


35




a


therealong to enhance the strength of the spring mounting member


35


. Spring mounting member


35


may further include a raised portion


35




b


at an end opposite mounting extension


32




b


to retain spring


30


on spring mounting member


35


and substantially preclude spring


30


from sliding off the spring mounting member


35


. Additionally, a notch or tab


36


is preferably formed along upper surface


18




b


of housing


18


and positioned generally adjacent to an end of spring retaining member


35


. Tab


36


is provided to engage and secure an end of the coil spring


30


, as shown in

FIGS. 6 and 7

, and discussed below.




Referring now to

FIG. 5

, the assembly process of snap clasp members


20


to cross members


22


is shown. Snap members


20


and outer end


26




a


of mounting arms


26


are inserted through openings


34


in upper surface


18




b


and inner surface


18




d


of base


18


from recess


18




e


until openings


20




e


and engaging surfaces


20




b


are generally aligned with cross members


22


. To complete the assembly process, snap members


20


are pushed inwardly in the direction of the arrows A toward cross members


22


of base


18


. Cross members


22


enter openings


20




e


and initially engage one or both of the tapered guide surfaces


20




b


to further align the cross members


22


with snap members


20


. Further inward movement of snap members


20


forces cross members


22


into openings


20




a


of snap members


20


. Upper portions


20




d


of snap members


20


flex upwardly in response to cross members


22


moving toward inner end


20




c


of guide surfaces


20




b


, to allow cross members


22


to insert past the narrowed opening at inner ends


20




c


and into cylindrical openings


20




a


. As cross members


22


insert into the cylindrical openings


20




a


, an audible click or snap sound is made as upper portions


20




d


of snap members


20


flex and then snap back into their initial position or form and as cross members


22


are seated within openings


20




a


of snap members


20


. Because the guide surfaces


20




b


of snap members


20


diverge toward their outer ends, precise alignment of snap members


20


to cross members


22


is not required. Accordingly, handle assembly


10


can be quickly and easily assembled via insertion of mounting arms


26


through the corresponding openings


34


, and then inward movement of snap members


20


toward and into engagement with cross members


22


. The inward movement is continued until the audible snap or click signals that the handle assembly is completed.




As shown in

FIG. 6

, after snap members


20


have fully engaged and received cross members


22


, snap members


20


on mounting arms


26


of handle portion


16


are pivotable about cross members


22


of handle


16


to move paddle


24


between its opened and closed positions relative to housing


18


. Because each cross member


22


is supported at both ends by a pair of mounting extensions


32


, the cross members provide improved resistance to twisting or flexing as handle portion


16


is pivoted about cross members


22


. The present invention thus provides improved retention of the handle portion to the base of the door handle assembly.




Preferably, biasing member or spring


30


is coiled about spring mounting member


35


on mounting extension


32




b


of housing


18


. One end


30




a


of the spring extends downwardly into engagement with spring tab


36


on upper surface


18




b


of housing


18


, while the other end


30




b


is curved to engage or rest along a groove formed by spring tab


26




b


on mounting arm


26


. Coil spring


30


is coiled and biased such that end


30




b


of spring


30


exerts a downward and/or outward force at spring tab


26




b


, in order to bias handle


16


in its closed position, as shown in FIG.


7


. Spring


30


thus provides resistance toward a user pulling outwardly on paddle


24


of handle


16


to open door


12


, and functions to return handle


16


to its initial, closed position after the door has been opened or the paddle


24


otherwise released by the user. When the handle


24


is pulled outwardly, the arms


26


pivot and pull outwardly on the door cables or linkages to unlatch or release the door to allow a person to open the door.




Because each snap member pivotably engages a single cross member formed between two protruding extensions or pillars at base


18


, the present invention provides a substantially stable, yet pivotable, connection between the handle portion and the base portion. This is a substantial improvement over the prior art, since the pins are secured at both ends to provide a robust mounting structure for the handle. Additionally, because the snap members are guided into engagement with cross members, not only is precise alignment of the components no longer necessary, but the molding tolerances of the present invention may be reduced from that of the molded handle assemblies of the prior art. The present invention thus provides a robust handle assembly which may be quickly and easily assembled at the assembly plant by an operator. The audible click or snap sound also functions to signal a secure clasping of the cross bar by the snap or clasp members, which further aids in proper assembly of the handle.




As shown in

FIG. 7

, the handle assembly may further comprise one or more illumination sources


40


, which are operable to provide illumination at the paddle of the handle assembly. The illumination sources may comprise one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or the like which project illumination toward the paddle to facilitate the grasping of the handle by a user in darkened or nighttime conditions. Preferably, the illumination source or sources


40


are mounted along an inner surface of the housing and within the vehicle door, such that illumination source


40


projects illumination through a corresponding opening


40




a


in housing


18


. Illumination source


40


may be mounted on a printed circuit board or the like within the vehicle door and generally adjacent to one or more openings


40




a


in housing


18


. Illumination source


40


may comprise one or more LEDs, or may comprise electro-luminescent lights, fluorescent lights, incandescent lights or the like, to provide illumination to the handle.




Preferably, illumination source


40


is activatable in response to a detection of a person at the door of the vehicle. Such detection may be via touching of the handle, movement of the handle, actuation of a remote keyless entry module, insertion of a key into the lock cylinder of the door, or a motion detection at the side of the vehicle or the like. Preferably, illumination source


40


is also deactivatable a period of time following activation of the illumination source. The illumination source may thus be temporarily activated as a person approaches or contacts the handle to ease grasping of the handle and thus opening of the door in nighttime conditions. These illumination sources may further provide ground illumination of the area by the vehicle, similar to the safety illumination sources disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,371,659, 5,669,699, 5,823,654 and 5,497,305, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. When activated, the illumination source preferably draws a low or minimal amount of energy from a power source, such as a vehicle battery (not shown) or the like, such that the battery or power source is not overly drained during the period of time that the illumination source is activated.




Alternately, or additionally, paddle


24


may comprise a soft touch handle or surface


25


to enhance the comfort of the handle to a user. Outer surface


24




a


of paddle


24


may be molded from a substantially rigid or hard polymeric material, while inner surface


24




b


is molded with a soft touch material


25


(FIG.


7


), which is molded along inner surface


24




b


of rigid plastic paddle


24


. Preferably, paddle


24


is also initially molded with an uneven inner surface


24




a


′ such that when the soft touch material


25


is later molded at uneven inner surface


24




a


′ the two materials are molded together at an increased surface area between the molded materials, which enhances bonding of the materials together. The soft touch material may be molded onto one or more surfaces of the handle portion by a thin film molding process. Alternately, or additionally, a colored film may be provided on one or more surfaces of the handle portion by a thin film molding process. The thin film may be formed first and then a more rigid plastic may be molded or shot inside the film structure to provide structural rigidity to the door handle.




Preferably, the soft touch material comprises a soft material, such as polyolefin or other similar thermoplastic materials, such as Santoprene or the like, and has a material Durometer hardness between at most approximately 80 Shore A Durometer hardness and at least approximately 45 Shore A Durometer hardness. More preferably, the soft touch material has a material hardness of less than or equal to approximately 70 Shore A Durometer hardness and, most preferably, less than or equal to approximately 60 Shore A Durometer hardness. Preferably, the rigid polymeric material of the outer surface comprises a thermoplastic material or a thermoset, such as nylon or the like, which preferably has a material Durometer hardness of at least approximately 80 Shore A Durometer hardness. The back surface


24




b


of the handle thus provides a soft touch to a user of the handle to improve the comfort and grip of the handle. Optionally, the outer surface of paddle


24


may also comprise a soft touch material to further improve the comfort of the handle to a user thereof. The inner and outer soft touch surfaces could be molded around a center portion comprising a rigid material, in order to provide structural integrity to the door handle. Because the soft touch material is not a hard plastic material, the softer material also results in the handle feeling warmer to a person who opens the door in cold weather conditions.




It is further envisioned that paddle


24


may also or otherwise include a heating element


42


near one or both of its surfaces, to generate heat to the paddle to improve the comfort of the handle to the user, especially in winter or other cold weather conditions. The heating element


44


is preferably actuatable in response to an electrical signal, such that paddle


24


is heated prior to a person grabbing the handle to open the door of the vehicle. For example, the heating element may be actuated in response to actuation of a remote keyless entry module, insertion of a key into the lock cylinder or keyhole at the door, a motion detection at the vehicle or the like. Preferably, the heating element quickly warms the handle before the user grasps the handle with their hand. The heating element may be an element embedded within the paddle, or may be a coating on at least one surface of the paddle. The coating may be an electrically conductive material which generates heat in response to an electrical signal applied thereto. The electrical signal may be applied to the heating element via a vehicle door wiring harness (not shown) connected to a wiring (also not shown) routed within and/or along the paddle and one of the mounting arms of the handle portion.




Referring now to

FIGS. 8 and 9

, a strap door handle


110


comprises a base


118


, which is secured at the side of a vehicle door (not shown), and a handle or strap


116


, which extends from base


118


and is pivotable about a generally vertical pivot hinge or axis


119


relative to base


118


in order to open the door of the vehicle. Handle


116


has an outer surface


124




a


and an inner surface


124




b


, which comprises a soft touch material


125


, such as a flexible rubber material or the like. The outer surface


124




a


is preferably substantially rigid polymeric material to provide strength and rigidity to the handle


116


. Preferably, as shown in

FIG. 9

, the outer material of handle


116


is molded such that an inner surface


124




a


′ is unevenly formed. Soft touch material


125


is then molded along the uneven inner surface


124




a


′ of the rigid plastic material to enhance the securement of the materials to one another. Preferably, the materials are molded together with a plurality of projections


124




c


and corresponding recesses


125




a


therebetween, in order to further secure the materials together. Similar to handle


10


, discussed above, handle


116


of handle assembly


110


may further comprise a heating element to warm a portion of the handle and may further be illuminated by one or more illumination sources positioned adjacent to the handle at the vehicle door.




Therefore, the present invention provides a handle assembly for a door of a vehicle which provides improved assembly and retention of the handle portion onto a base portion secured at the vehicle. Additionally, a soft touch material may be provided to improve the comfort of the handle to a person opening the door of the vehicle. Furthermore, by providing illumination to the handle, the grasping of the handle during nighttime conditions is substantially eased by the illumination source or sources of the present invention.




Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law.



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, wherein said snap clasp 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 extensions 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 back and front surfaces 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, said cross members being supported at each end at said housing, said housing further including a pair of openings 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 first material has a material hardness of less than approximately 80 Shore A Durometer hardness.
  • 19. The door handle assembly of claim 17, wherein said first material has a material hardness of less than approximately 70 Shore A Durometer hardness.
  • 20. The door handle assembly of claim 17, wherein said first material has a material hardness of less than approximately 60 Shore A Durometer hardness.
  • 21. The door handle assembly of claim 18, wherein said second 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, said handle portion comprising a paddle portion and a pair of mounting arms for pivotally mounting said paddle portion to said base, said paddle portion including 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 paddle 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 paddle portion providing a soft touch to a user of said handle assembly, said base defining a recess for said handle portion, wherein each of said pair of mounting arms defines a snap clasp member for pivotally receiving a corresponding axle member at said base.
  • 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 positionable 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 pair of mounting arms extend from said second 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.
  • 46. The handle assembly of claim 45, 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.
  • 47. The handle assembly of claim 46, 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.
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