Vehicle handle assemblies including anti-pinch features
US8287021B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 2009 |
| Grant date | Oct 16, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T292/57
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A vehicle interior handle assembly includes a handle comprising a front wall and a back wall. The front wall and back wall define a downwardly open pocket sized to receive one or more of an operator's fingers for a pulling operation to move the handle between latch and unlatch positions. A panel is adjacent the handle. The panel has a portion located behind the pocket with the handle in the latch position and a portion below the pocket with the handle in the latch position. The panel has an outer surface facing the handle having a contour such that a distance from the outer surface of the panel to an end of the back wall of the handle is maintained at less than a maximum distance as the handle is moved from the latch position to the unlatch position the maximum distance selected to prevent placement of a finger between the outer surface and the end of the back wall of the handle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.