CN117048470A - Handle assembly for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a "handle assembly for a vehicle". A handle assembly for a vehicle includes a guide rail. The rail includes retention flanges that each define a channel. A handle is disposed within the channel and is operatively coupled to the rail. The handle includes a body defining a gripping portion and at least one attachment end. A latch feature is operatively coupled to the at least one attachment end of the handle. The latch feature includes a retaining member coupled to the pivot feature. The latch feature also includes a lever. A cable is operably coupled to the lever of the latch feature and configured to translate the latch feature between an engaged position and a retracted position.

Description

Handle assembly for vehicle

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a pillar assembly for a vehicle. The present disclosure relates generally to a track assembly, and more particularly to a track assembly for a vehicle seat assembly.

Background

Vehicles typically have a handle that assists the occupant as the occupant enters and exits the vehicle. The handle is typically positioned toward an upper portion of the pillar of the vehicle proximate the door.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes a vehicle floor. The post is operatively coupled to the vehicle floor. The handle assembly is proximate the vehicle floor and is operatively coupled to the post. The handle assembly includes a rail having a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of apertures defined along the first surface and the second surface. The first surface includes a retention flange defining a channel along the first surface. A latch feature is selectively disposed within at least one of the plurality of apertures. The latch feature includes a retaining member coupled to the pivot feature. The latch feature also includes a lever. The handle is operably coupled to the latch feature and includes a body defining a grip portion and at least one attachment end.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or combination of the following features:

-a cable operably coupled to the lever of the latch feature and configured to translate the retaining member between the engaged position and the retracted position;

the handle comprises an adjustment feature operatively coupled to the latch feature via a cable;

-the adjustment feature is configured to translate the retaining member between the engaged position and the retracted position;

-the handle comprises an actuator operably coupled to the cable and configured to actuate a lever of the latch feature;

-the handle includes an endless belt operatively coupled to the latching feature;

-the handle is operable between a first position and a plurality of second positions; and/or

-the retaining member is in the retracted position when the handle is translated from the first position to one of the plurality of second positions.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a handle assembly for a vehicle includes a rail. The rail includes retention flanges that each define a channel. A handle is disposed within the channel and is operatively coupled to the rail. The handle includes a body defining a grip portion and at least one attachment end. The latch feature is operably coupled to at least one attachment end of the handle. The latch feature includes a retaining member coupled to the pivot feature. The latch feature also includes a lever. The cable is operably coupled to the lever of the latch feature and is configured to translate the latch feature between the engaged position and the retracted position.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or combination of the following features:

-the rail has a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of apertures defined along the first surface and the second surface;

-a retaining member selectively disposed within at least one of a plurality of apertures defined by the rail;

the handle comprises an adjustment feature and an actuator operably coupled to the adjustment feature;

-an adjustment feature operably coupled to the cable and configured to translate the latch feature between the engaged position and the retracted position; and/or

-a handle coupled to the rail at a first position and configured to translate along the rail to a second position.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a pillar assembly for a vehicle includes a pillar operatively coupled to a floor of the vehicle. The handle assembly is operatively coupled to the post proximate the vehicle floor. The handle assembly includes a rail having a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of apertures defined along the first surface and the second surface. The first surface includes retention flanges that each define a channel along the first surface. The handle is operably coupled to the rail and the at least one attachment end and a latch feature disposed proximate the at least one attachment end.

Embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or combination of the following features:

the latching feature comprises a retaining member and a lever operably coupled to the at least one attachment end;

-a cable operably coupled to the lever of the latch feature and configured to translate the retaining member between the engaged position and the retracted position;

-a retaining member coupled to the pivoting feature;

-a cable engages the lever to rotate the retaining member to the retracted position via the pivoting feature;

-the handle is an endless belt;

-the at least one attachment end comprises a first attachment end and a second attachment end;

-the first attachment end comprises a latch feature;

-the second attachment end comprises a holding block slidably coupled to a holding flange of the guide rail; and/or

The handle is operable between a first position, a second position and a plurality of intermediate positions therebetween.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

Drawings

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a vehicle of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view of the interior of the vehicle of FIG. 1 having a pillar assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view of a rear passenger door having a pillar assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, exploded view of the column assembly of FIG. 3 with a handle, trim panel and guide rail of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a rear elevational view of the guide rail of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a front top perspective view of the rail of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the handle assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an exploded side perspective view of the handle assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial side cross-sectional view of an aspect of the handle assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged side perspective view of the actuator of the handle assembly of FIG. 8 taken at region IX;

FIG. 10 is a partial side perspective view of the handle assembly of the present disclosure in a first position and the handle in a second position shown in phantom;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial side perspective view of the handle assembly of the present disclosure having an endless belt;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial side perspective view of the handle assembly of the present disclosure on a seat assembly; and

FIG. 13 is a partial rear perspective view of a vehicle having the disclosed handle assembly disposed in a cargo space.

Detailed Description

Additional features and advantages of the presently disclosed apparatus will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the apparatus as described in the following description as well as the claims and appended drawings.

For purposes of the description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," "outer," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in fig. 1. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Thus, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

As used herein, the term "and/or" when used with respect to two or more of the listed items means that any one of the listed items may be employed alone or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be employed. For example, if the composition is described as containing components A, B and/or C, the composition may contain: only A; only B; only C; a combination of A and B; a combination of a and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B and C.

The term "about" as used herein means that the amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other amounts and characteristics are not, nor need be, exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired: reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, as well as other factors known to those of skill in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe an endpoint of a value or range, the disclosure should be understood to include the particular value or endpoint involved. Whether or not the endpoints of a numerical value or range in this specification are stated to be "about," the endpoint of the numerical value or range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "about" and one not modified by "about". It will also be understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

The terms "substantially", "essentially" and variants thereof as used herein are intended to indicate that the feature being described is equal to or approximately equal to the value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to indicate a planar or approximately planar surface. In addition, "substantially" is intended to mean that the two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may mean that the values are within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

The terms "a," "an," or "the" as used herein mean "at least one" and should not be limited to "only one," unless expressly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. The preceding addition of an element "comprising," "including," "an," "one," or "an" does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element without additional constraints.

Referring to fig. 1-13, reference numeral 10 generally designates a vehicle including a vehicle floor 12 and a column 14 operatively coupled to the vehicle floor 12. The handle assembly 16 is proximate the vehicle floor 12 and is operatively coupled to the post 14. The handle assembly 16 includes a rail 18 having a first surface 20, a second surface 22, and a plurality of apertures 24 defined along the first surface 20 and the second surface 22. The first surface 20 includes retention flanges 26 that each define a channel 28 along the first surface 20. A latch feature 30 is selectively disposed within at least one of the plurality of apertures 24. The latch feature 30 includes a retaining member 32 coupled to a pivot feature 34, and further includes a lever 36. The handle 38 is operatively coupled to the latch feature 30. The handle 38 includes a body 40 defining a gripping portion 42 and at least one attachment end 44.

Referring now to fig. 1-4, the vehicle 10 includes a body 50 defining an interior 52 of the vehicle 10 having a passenger compartment 54 therein. The passenger compartment 54 may include a first seat row 56 and a second seat row 58. Fewer or more seat rows may be included in the vehicle 10 without departing from the teachings herein. The first seat row 56 may include a driver seat 60 and a passenger seat 62, and the second seat row 58 may include a rear passenger seat 64. The rear passenger seats 64 of the second seat row 58 may comprise bucket seats or may be bench seats. The body 50 also includes a front door 66 that provides access to the first seat row 56 and a rear passenger door 68 that provides access to at least the second seat row 58.

The vehicle body 50 includes an a-pillar 70 proximate each of the driver 60 and passenger 62 seats to which the front door 66 is coupled. The body 50 may also include a B-pillar 72, a C-pillar 74, and a D-pillar 76. The B-pillar 72 is generally positioned between the first seat row 56 and the second seat row 58, and the C-pillar 74 is positioned adjacent to the second seat row 58. In general, the rear passenger door 68 is coupled to the B-pillar 72, and the B-pillar 72 may include a latch for the front door 66. In some vehicle configurations, the C-pillar 74 may be positioned between the second seat row 58 and a cargo space 78 of the vehicle 10.

The D-pillar 76 is typically used for larger vehicles, such as sport utility vehicles, so that cargo space 78 is typically accessible from the second seat row 58. Additionally or alternatively, the rear passenger seat 64 of the vehicle 10 may be positioned proximate to the cargo space 78 (fig. 12) and the D-pillar 76. The D-pillar 76 may be positioned proximate to the rear 80 of the vehicle 10 proximate to the cargo door 82. It is generally contemplated that the column 14 described herein may be any of the a-column 70, the B-column 72, the C-column 74, or the D-column 76. For purposes of this disclosure, the column 14 described herein will be described with respect to the B-column 72. Specifically, the depicted column 14 may be used in a column assembly 84 of the vehicle 10. The post assembly 84 may include at least the post 14, the handle assembly 16, and a trim panel 86, each of which is further described below.

With further reference to fig. 1-4, the vehicle 10 includes a handle assembly 16 operatively coupled to the pillar 14 that may be proximate one of the rear passenger doors 68 of the vehicle 10. It is generally contemplated that the handle assembly 16 is positioned adjacent to the vehicle floor 12 and is generally configured to assist an occupant in entering and exiting the vehicle 10 adjacent to the vehicle floor 12. The handle assembly 16 may be positioned proximate the vehicle floor 12 to provide greater accessibility to potential occupants. It is also contemplated that a separate auxiliary handle 88 may be coupled to the pillar 14 proximate an upper portion 90 of one of the rear passenger doors 68 such that an occupant may instead utilize the separate auxiliary handle 88 in entering and exiting the vehicle 10.

Trim panel 86 is operatively coupled to post 14 and generally conceals rail 18 and post 14. The trim panel 86 includes an outer surface 92 and an inner surface 94 and is operatively coupled to the post 14 via a retaining clip 96. The trim panel 86 defines an aperture 98 that may be substantially the same length as the rail 18 of the handle assembly 16. The handle 38 of the handle assembly 16 is operatively coupled to the outer surface 92 of the trim panel 86 and extends through the aperture 98 to couple to the rail 18. The handle 38 may be moved along the trim panel 86 within the aperture 98 while coupled to the post 14 via the rail 18.

As described above, the aperture 98 defined by the trim panel 86 extends along a length substantially equal to the length of the rail 18. The aperture 98 provides a space in which the handle 38 may translate so that the handle 38 may move up and down relative to the trim panel 86. The handle 38 moves along the trim panel 86 within the aperture 98 to adjust the position of the handle 38. Adjustment of the handle 38 maximizes the assistance available to the occupant. The adjustment of the handle 38 is described in more detail below.

Referring to fig. 4-7, the handle assembly 16 includes a rail 18, a latch feature 30, and a handle 38. The rail 18 is disposed behind the trim panel 86 and is operatively coupled to the post 14. The rail 18 may extend along the length of the column 14 and may be generally positioned along the lower portion 110 of the column 14. The rail 18 is coupled to the post 14 via a fastener 112 that extends through an aperture 114 defined on the first surface 20 of the rail 18. As described above, the rail 18 includes the first surface 20 and the second surface 22, and a plurality of apertures 24 are defined along the first surface 20 and the second surface 22. The plurality of apertures 24 are shown as defining at least three apertures 24 along the rail 18. It is generally contemplated that the plurality of apertures 24 may include more than three apertures 24 and/or less than three apertures 24, depending on the overall size of the vehicle 10 (fig. 1) and the desired adjustability of the handle 38.

The first surface 20 further includes retention flanges 26 that each define a channel 28 along the first surface 20. Rail 18 also includes a first end 116 and a second end 118. As shown, the second end 118 includes a retaining hook 120 configured to operably couple the rail 18 to the post 14. Post 14 may define a corresponding slot 122 through which retaining hook 120 may extend to engage post 14 and retain rail 18.

The retention hook 120 is shown as including an extension 124 integrally formed with a central resilient member 126. The central resilient member 126 is also coupled to a retention tab 128. Extension 124 couples central resilient member 126 and retention tab 128 to second end 118 of rail 18. The retention tab 128 may be disposed within the slot 122 defined by the post 14. For example, the retaining hooks 120 may retain the rail 18 and properly align the rail 18 with the post 14, so that the fasteners 112 may be placed to secure the rail 18 to the post 14. The central resilient member 126 may provide additional flexibility that may help at least partially retain the rail 18 and the column 14. By way of example and not limitation, the retention hooks 120 may be disposed within the slots 122 during assembly of the handle assembly 16 to retain the rail 18 adjacent the post 14. The central resilient member 126 may flex to accommodate the weight of the rail 18 before the rail 18 is secured to the column 14 via the fastener 112.

Referring to fig. 5-8, the latch feature 30 is operably coupled to the rail 18 and includes an attachment portion 140 and an adjustment portion 142. The latch feature 30 includes a translating member 144 disposed within each of the channels 28 defined by the retaining flanges 26 of the rail 18. Translation member 144 is configured to engage first surface 20 of rail 18 during operation of handle assembly 16, as described below. The translating member 144 may include a wheel, slider, or other translating member 144 generally known in the art.

The attachment portion 140 of the latch feature 30 defines an attachment aperture 146 that can receive the handle 38 to at least partially couple the handle 38 to the latch feature 30. The handle 38 is operatively coupled to the attachment portion 140 of the latch feature 30 such that the attachment portion 140 is disposed within the at least one attachment end 44 of the handle 38. It is generally contemplated that the handle 38 may be fixedly coupled to the latch feature 30 and operatively coupled to the rail 18 via the latch feature 30. In other words, the handle 38 is fixed to the latch feature 30, and the handle 38 and the latch feature 30 are movable along the rail 18. The adjustment portion 142 of the latch feature 30 may include a retaining member 32 that selectively engages the rail 18.

At least one attachment end 44 of the handle 38 includes a first attachment end 150 and a second attachment end 152 with the body 40 defined therebetween. The handle 38 also includes an adjustment feature 154 that is operatively coupled to the latch feature 30 via a cable 156. It is generally contemplated that the latching feature 30 extends through an aperture 98 defined by the trim panel 86 to retain and couple the handle 38 to the rail 18 proximate the trim panel 86. As described above, the latch feature 30 includes the retaining member 32 and the lever 36. The retaining member 32 extends from the first attachment end 150 of the handle 38 through the aperture 98 defined by the trim panel 86 and is operatively coupled to the rail 18 via one of the plurality of apertures 24.

The retaining member 32 is operable between an engaged position 158 and a retracted position 160. The retaining member 32 is operably coupled to the rail 18 via one of the plurality of apertures 24 such that the retaining member 32 extends through one of the apertures 24. The retaining member 32 is coupled to a pivot feature 34 of the latch feature 30, which may be disposed within a first attachment end 150 of the handle 38. The pivot feature 34 is coupled to the retaining member 32 and is configured to pivot the retaining member 32 between the engaged position 158 and the retracted position 160. The retaining member 32 is operable relative to the pivot feature 34 via a lever 36. The lever 36 is also coupled to the pivot feature 34 such that the lever 36 is configured to translate the retaining member 32 between the engaged position 158 and the retracted position 160 via the pivot feature 34.

With further reference to fig. 5-9, the lever 36 is coupled to an adjustment feature 154 of the handle 38 via a cable 156. The handle 38 also includes an actuator 162, shown in detail in fig. 9, operatively coupled to the cable 156 and configured to actuate the lever 36. The actuator 162 may be a button, trigger, and/or other spring-like mechanism configured to translate the lever 36 of the latch feature 30. The actuator 162 may be operably coupled to the adjustment portion 142 of the latch feature 30 via the cable 156 to selectively operate the lever 36 and the retaining member 32. It is also contemplated that the lever 36, the retaining member 32, and the pivoting feature 34 may be disposed within the first attachment end 150 of the handle 38. The lever 36 and the retaining member 32 translate between the engaged position 158 and the retracted position 160 via actuation of the adjustment feature 154 by the actuator 162. In other words, the user may press the actuator 162 to engage the adjustment feature 154 of the handle 38 to retract the cable 156, and thus retract the retaining member 32 and the lever 36 of the latch feature 30.

Referring to fig. 6-10, to adjust the height of the handle 38, the occupant may engage an actuator 162 of the handle 38 that engages the adjustment feature 154. The adjustment feature 154 pulls or otherwise retracts the cable 156 to engage the lever 36 and pivot the pivoting feature 34. As the cable is retracted, the lever 36 and pivot feature 34 rotate to retract the retaining member 32. Thus, in the retracted position 160, the retaining member 32 is removed from one of the apertures 24 and uncoupled from the rail 18. When the retaining member 32 is in the retracted position 160, the handle 38 may transition from the first position 164 to one of the plurality of second positions 166. The first position 164 is generally defined as the starting position of the handle 38 and the second position 166 is the newly selected position. Handle 38 may pass through a plurality of intermediate positions between first position 164 and second position 166. Selection of the second position 166 is aided by positioning the retaining member 32 in one of the apertures 24. Alignment of the retaining member 32 with one of the apertures 24 provides a mistake-proofing design that provides tactile feedback to the user to indicate that the retaining member 32 is in the engaged position 158.

As generally described above, the first attachment end 150 is operatively coupled to the latch feature 30. The second attachment end 152 may include a retention block 170. A retention block 170 is disposed between each of the retention flanges 26 and extends at least partially into each of the channels 28 defined by the retention flanges 26. The retention block 170 is slidably coupled to the retention flange 26 of the rail 18. It is generally contemplated that the retention block 170 may have a T-shaped configuration such that the retention block 170 includes a central body 172 and an outwardly extending engagement feature 174. Engagement features 174 extend into the channels 28 of each of the retention flanges 26 to generally centrally retain the body 40 of the handle 38 relative to the rail 18. By way of example and not limitation, an occupant may grasp the handle 38 along the grip portion 42 and exert a force on the handle 38. In other words, a user may grasp onto the grip portion 42 of the body 40 of the handle 38 when entering and/or exiting the vehicle 10 (FIG. 1).

The retention block 170 may then engage the rail 18 to centrally retain the handle 38. As the latch feature 30 and handle 38 translate along the rail 18, the retention block 170 generally translates within the channel 28 defined by the retention flange 26. The retention block 170 may at least partially engage the first surface 20 of the rail 18 and, depending on the force applied to the handle 38, engage the retention flange 26 as the handle 38 transitions along the rail 18. In particular, the retention block 170 is generally configured to retain the second attachment end 152 of the handle 38 within the retention flange 26 of the rail 18 to securely couple the handle 38 to the rail 18.

As shown in fig. 6-10, the handle 38 is shown as a single unitary body with the grip portion 42 defined by the body 40 and having a first attachment end 150 and a second attachment end 152 coupled to the rail 18. However, it is also contemplated that the handle 38 may have alternative configurations, such as the configuration depicted in FIG. 10. For example, in fig. 10, the body 40 of the handle 38 is shown configured as an annulus operably coupled to an attachment end 44 operably coupled to the latch feature 30. In this configuration, attachment end 44 includes an actuator 162 that operably translates retaining member 32 from engaged position 158 to retracted position 160 such that cuff handle 38 may translate along rail 18 between a first position 164 and a second position 166. It is generally contemplated that the overall operation of the handle assembly 16 remains the same whether the handle 38 is a single unitary body or an endless belt coupled to the rail 18. Each configuration and orientation of handle 38 may be used with a variety of configurations of handle 38, including, but not limited to, an endless belt.

Referring to fig. 8, the handle 38 may include a base attachment 176 that generally extends between the first attachment end 150 and the second attachment end 152 to conceal the aperture 98 defined by the trim panel 86. In this configuration, the handle 38 has a generally D-shaped configuration. Additionally or alternatively, the handle 38 may have a C-shaped configuration such that the first attachment end 150 and the second attachment end 152 remain separate from each other, as shown in fig. 6 and 7.

Referring again to fig. 1-13 and as described above, at least one of the handle assemblies 16 proximate the rear passenger door 68 is operatively coupled to the B-pillar 72. It is also contemplated that the handle assembly 16 may be operatively coupled to the seat frame 180 of either or both of the driver seat 60 and/or the passenger seat 62 of the first seat row 56. As shown in fig. 12, the rail 18 may be coupled to the seat frame 180, and the handle assembly 16 may be operatively coupled to the rail 18 in a manner similar to that described above. It is generally contemplated that the seat cover 182 may extend between at least a portion of the handle 38 and the rail 18. It is also contemplated that the handle assembly 16 may be operatively coupled to any of the posts 14 described above. For example, as shown in fig. 13, the handle assembly 16 may be coupled to the D-pillar 76 within the cargo space 78 to assist a user in entering or exiting the cargo space 78 during loading and/or unloading of the vehicle 10. Thus, the handle assembly 16 may be used in various locations around the vehicle 10 to assist an occupant in entering or exiting the vehicle 10.

Referring again to fig. 1-13, the handle assembly 16 provides a greater range of assistance to the occupant of the vehicle 10, at least upon entry into the vehicle 10. The positioning of the handle assembly 16 adjacent the vehicle floor 12 allows the occupant to have a low point of assistance. In addition, positioning the handle assembly 16 on the seat frame 180 may provide further flexibility to the occupant by further positioning the handle assembly 16 within the interior 52 of the vehicle 10, thereby providing additional joystick function to the occupant. Additionally, placement of the handle assembly 16 in the cargo space 78 may assist an occupant in entering and/or exiting the cargo space 78 during potential reorganization of items that may be disposed within the cargo space 78 or other adjustments within the cargo space 78. The overall selective adjustability of the handle 38 along the rail 18 allows the user to customize the position of the handle 38. The customization of the position of the handle 38 maximizes the accessibility of the handle assembly 16 in assisting the occupant.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all forms thereof: coupled, etc.) generally means that two components (electrical or mechanical) are connected to each other either directly or indirectly. Such connections may be fixed in nature or movable in nature. Such connection may be achieved with two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members may be integrally formed with each other or with the two components as a single unitary body. Such connections may be permanent in nature, or may be removable or releasable in nature, unless otherwise indicated.

Furthermore, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Thus, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected," or "operably coupled," to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably couplable," to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Some examples of operably coupled include, but are not limited to, physically mateable and/or physically interactable components and/or wirelessly interactable components and/or logically interactable components. Furthermore, it should be understood that components following the term "… …" may be disposed in any practical location (e.g., on, within, and/or external to a vehicle) such that the components may function in any of the manners described herein.

Modifications of the disclosure will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the disclosure. It is, therefore, to be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims as interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.

It will be understood that variations and modifications can be made to the foregoing construction without departing from the concepts of the invention, and it is further to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle having: a vehicle floor; a post operatively coupled to a vehicle floor; and a handle assembly proximate the vehicle floor and operably coupled to the pillar, the handle assembly comprising: a rail having a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of apertures defined along the first surface and the second surface, the first surface including a retaining flange defining a channel along the first surface; a latch feature selectively disposed within at least one of the plurality of apertures, the latch feature comprising a retaining member coupled to a pivot feature, the latch feature further comprising a lever; and a handle operably coupled to the latch feature and including a body defining a grip portion and at least one attachment end.

According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized in that: a cable operably coupled to the lever of the latch feature and configured to translate the retaining member between the engaged position and the retracted position.

According to one embodiment, the handle includes an adjustment feature operatively coupled to the latch feature via a cable, and wherein the adjustment feature is configured to translate the retaining member between the engaged position and the retracted position.

According to one embodiment, the handle includes an actuator operably coupled to the cable and configured to actuate a lever of the latch feature.

According to one embodiment, the handle includes an annulus operably coupled to the latch feature.

According to one embodiment, the handle is operable between a first position and a plurality of second positions.

According to one embodiment, the retaining member is in the retracted position when the handle is translated from the first position to one of the plurality of second positions.

According to the present invention there is provided a handle assembly for a vehicle, the handle assembly having: a rail including retention flanges each defining a channel; a handle disposed within the channel and operably coupled to the rail, the handle including a body defining a grip portion and at least one attachment end; a latch feature operably coupled to at least one attachment end of the handle, the latch feature comprising a retaining member coupled to a pivot feature, the latch feature further comprising a lever; and a cable operably coupled to the lever of the latch feature and configured to translate the latch feature between the engaged position and the retracted position.

According to one embodiment, the rail has a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of apertures defined along the first surface and the second surface.

According to one embodiment, the retaining member is selectively disposed within at least one of a plurality of apertures defined by the rail.

According to one embodiment, the handle includes an adjustment feature and an actuator operably coupled to the adjustment feature.

According to one embodiment, the adjustment feature is operably coupled to the cable and configured to translate the latch feature between the engaged position and the retracted position.

According to one embodiment, the handle is coupled to the rail at a first position and is configured to translate along the rail to a second position.

According to the present invention, there is provided a pillar assembly for a vehicle, the pillar assembly having: a pillar operatively coupled to a floor of the vehicle; and a handle assembly operatively coupled to the post proximate the vehicle floor, the handle assembly comprising: a rail having a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of apertures defined along the first surface and the second surface, the first surface including a retaining flange each defining a channel along the first surface; and a handle operatively coupled to the rail and the at least one attachment end and a latch feature disposed proximate the at least one attachment end.

According to one embodiment, the latch feature includes a retaining member and a lever operably coupled to at least one attachment end.

According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized in that: a cable operably coupled to the lever of the latch feature and configured to translate the retaining member between the engaged position and the retracted position.

According to one embodiment, the retaining member is coupled to the pivot feature, and wherein the cable engages the lever to rotate the retaining member to the retracted position via the pivot feature.

According to one embodiment, the handle is an endless belt.

According to one embodiment, the at least one attachment end comprises a first attachment end and a second attachment end, and wherein the first attachment end comprises a latch feature and the second attachment end comprises a retention block slidably coupled to a retention flange of the rail.

According to one embodiment, the handle is operable between a first position, a second position, and a plurality of intermediate positions therebetween.

Claims (15)

1. A pillar assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a pillar operatively coupled to a floor of the vehicle; and

a handle assembly operatively coupled to the post proximate the vehicle floor, the handle assembly comprising:

a rail having a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of apertures defined along the first surface and the second surface, the first surface including a retaining flange each defining a channel along the first surface; and

a handle operatively coupled to the rail and at least one attachment end and a latch feature disposed proximate the at least one attachment end.

2. The column assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch feature comprises a retaining member and a lever operably coupled to the at least one attachment end.

3. The column assembly of claim 2, wherein the retaining member is selectively disposed within at least one of the plurality of apertures defined by the rail.

4. The column assembly of claim 2, wherein the retaining member is coupled to a pivot feature.

5. The column assembly of claim 2, wherein the retaining member is in a retracted position when the handle translates from a first position to one of a plurality of second positions.

6. The column assembly of claim 2, further comprising:

a cable operably coupled to the lever of the latch feature and configured to translate the retaining member between an engaged position and a retracted position.

7. The column assembly of claim 6, wherein the cable engages the lever to rotate the retaining member to the retracted position via a pivot feature.

8. The column assembly of claim 6, wherein the handle includes an adjustment feature and an actuator operably coupled to the adjustment feature.

9. The column assembly of claim 8, wherein the adjustment feature is operably coupled to the cable and configured to translate the latch feature between the engaged position and the retracted position.

10. The column assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment end comprises a first attachment end and a second attachment end.

11. The column assembly of claim 10, wherein the first attachment end includes the latching feature and the second attachment end includes a retention block slidably coupled to the retention flange of the rail.

12. The column assembly of claim 1, wherein the handle is operable between a first position, a second position, and a plurality of intermediate positions therebetween.

13. The column assembly of claim 12, wherein the handle is coupled to the rail at the first position and is configured to translate along the rail to the second position.

14. The column assembly of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the handle is an endless belt.

15. A vehicle comprising the pillar assembly of any one of claims 1 to 12.