Vehicular grip structure

A vehicle grip structure including a body member and a grip, in which the body member is covered by the grip made of a synthetic resin, the grip includes an insertion hole in which the body member is inserted and a space portion provided along the insertion hole, multiple elastic protrusions are formed integrally with the grip and dispersedly on one of an inner peripheral-side wall surface and an outer peripheral-side wall surface of the space portion so as to protrude toward the other wall surface, when the grip is held by a driver, the elastic protrusions are pressed against the other wall surface and elastically deformed, and the elastic protrusions are arranged in a grid pattern in which adjoining ones of multiple polygons of the same shape have a common side, and are positioned so as to form each side of the polygons.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to vehicle grip structures, and more particularly to vehicle grip structures that provide an excellent feel without reducing material hardness.

BACKGROUND ART

Vehicle grip structures in which a body member is covered by a grip made of a synthetic resin are known in the art. Examples of such vehicle grip structures include holding portions of a parking brake lever, a shift lever, a column shift lever, etc., a grip portion of a door trim, and an assist grip, and Patent Document 1 describes a grip structure in which a grip made of a synthetic resin is mounted on a holding portion of a parking brake lever.

RELATED ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-13746

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

Such conventional vehicle grip structures provide a soft feel by elasticity of a grip itself. Accordingly, merely reducing material hardness causes reduction in wear resistance, and repeated use may cause deformation or may affect appearance. Particularly at high temperatures, the vehicle grip structures may become sticky due to oozing of a plasticizer etc., which may affect the feel of the vehicle grip structures.

The present invention was developed in view of the above circumstance, and it is an object of the present invention to achieve an excellent feel without reducing material hardness of a grip.

Means for Solving the Problem

To achieve the object, the first aspect of the invention provides a vehicle grip structure in which a body member is covered by a grip made of a synthetic resin, characterized in that (a) the grip includes an insertion hole in which the body member is inserted and a space portion provided along the insertion hole, (b) multiple elastic protrusions are formed integrally with the grip and dispersedly on one of an inner peripheral-side wall surface and an outer peripheral-side wall surface of the space portion so as to protrude toward the other wall surface, and (c) when the grip is held (grasped) by a driver, the elastic protrusions are pressed against the other wall surface and elastically deformed.

The second aspect of the invention provides the vehicle grip structure recited in the first aspect of the invention characterized in that (a) the grip includes a seal member in which at least a part of the insertion hole is formed and which is mounted so as to closely contact the body member, and a surface member that is disposed on an outer periphery of the seal member such that the space portion is formed between the surface member and the seal member, and (b) a retaining claw formed in the body member is retained in a retaining hole formed in the seal member, whereby the grip is integrally mounted on the body member.

The third aspect of the invention provides the vehicle grip structure recited in the second aspect of the invention characterized in, that the grip has an outer cylinder body that is fixedly fitted on a composite body as a combination of the seal member and the surface member by insert-molding, and that keeps the composite body in a combined state.

The fourth aspect of the invention provides the vehicle grip structure recited in the third aspect of the invention characterized in that (a) the composite body has a semi-cylindrical shape, is formed by combining the seal member with the surface member by engaging, in both side portions of the semi-cylindrical shape, protrusions formed on one of the seal member and the surface member with holes formed in the other member, and has the space portion in a curved portion between the side portions, (b) the outer cylinder body has a semi cylindrical portion that together with the semi-cylindrical composite body forms the insertion hole, and a portion on an opposite side of the body member from the composite body is covered by the semi-cylindrical portion.

The fifth aspect of the invention provides the vehicle grip structure recited in the fourth aspect of the invention characterized in that in the composite body, the seal member and the surface member are combined so as to surface contact each other in the side portions.

The sixth aspect of the invention provides the vehicle grip structure recited in the first aspect of the invention characterized in that the grip has a recess in its inner peripheral surface forming the insertion hole, the space portion is formed between the recess and an outer peripheral surface of the body member, the elastic protrusions are formed on a surface of the recess which functions as the outer peripheral-side wall surface, and the elastic protrusions are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the body member which functions as the inner peripheral-side wall surface and are elastically deformed.

The seventh aspect of the invention provides the vehicle grip structure recited in any one of the first to sixth aspects of the invention characterized in that (a) the body member is a holding portion of a vehicle parking brake lever, and (b) the grip is mounted on the holding portion such that the space portion is located on a vehicle lower side or on a vehicle front side of the holding portion.

Effects of the Invention

In the vehicle grip structure as described above, the space portion is provided along the insertion hole in which the body member is inserted, and the multiple elastic protrusions are dispersedly formed on one of the inner peripheral-side wall surface and the outer peripheral-side wall surface of the space portion. When the grip is held, the elastic protrusions are pressed against the other wall surface and elastically deformed. Accordingly, by appropriately determining the shape such as thickness and height or the arrangement, density, etc. of the elastic protrusions, a soft, excellent feel can be achieved without reducing material hardness of the grip, and reduction in wear resistance, stickiness, etc. can be avoided.

The grip according to the second aspect of the invention has the seal member mounted in close contact with the body member, and the surface member disposed on the outer periphery of the seal member. The retaining claws of the body member are retained in the retaining holes of the seal member, whereby the grip is fixedly fitted on the body member, and the grip is prevented from rotating and coming off. In this case, the seal member can be adapted to various types of body members by merely changing the seal member according to the shape and dimensions of the body member, and the same surface member can be used for various types of body members. This can reduce manufacturing cost.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the outer cylinder body is fixedly fitted on the composite body, which is a combination of the seal member and the surface member, by insert-molding, whereby the composite body is kept in the combined state. The grip can thus be produced at low cost.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the use of the composite body having a semi-cylindrical shape ensures excellent workability in setting the composite body on the core of the mold when insert-molding of the outer cylinder body is performed. The composite body is formed by combining the seal member with the surface member by engaging, in both side portions of the semi-cylindrical shape, the protrusions formed on one of the seal member and the surface member with the holes formed in the other member. The seal member can therefore be easily combined with the surface member by flexurally deforming the side portions of the seal member inward or flexurally deforming the side portions of the surface member outward, and the seal member and the surface member are satisfactorily kept in the combined state, namely in the state of the composite body. This improves workability in insert-molding of the outer cylinder body.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the seal member and the surface member are combined such that the side portions closely contact the side portions by surface contact. This prevents the molten resin from entering the space portion through a gap between the side portions when insert-molding of the outer cylinder body is performed.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the space portion is formed between the recess formed in the inner peripheral surface of the grip and the outer peripheral surface of the body member, the elastic protrusions are formed on the surface of the recess, and the elastic protrusions are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the body member. The structure is simplified, whereby the grip produced at low cost.

The grip according to the seventh aspect of the invention is mounted on the holding portion of a vehicle parking brake lever such that the space portion is located on a vehicle lower side or on a vehicle front side of the holding portion, namely the side on which fingers of a driver are placed and to which a parking operation force is applied. This can locally improve a feel of a region on which the figures are placed while ensuring the overall rigid feel of the grip.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention is applied to various vehicle grip structures such as holding portions of a parking brake lever, a shift lever, a column shift lever, etc., a grip portion of a door trim, and an assist grip. The body member is made of a relatively rigid material such as a metal, but may be made of a synthetic resin. The insertion hole in which the body member is inserted may be a through hole that opens at both ends. The insertion hole may alternatively be a bottomed hole closed at its one end. Whether the insertion hole is a through hole or a bottomed hole is determined as appropriate according to the body member on which the grip is mounted.

For example, various thermoplastic resins such as polyvinyl chloride and styrene-based, olefin-based, and polyester-based thermoplastic resins are preferably used as the synthetic resin for the grip. The grip includes, e.g., the seal member, the surface member, and the outer cylinder body. However, the grip may be configured in various forms such as a grip formed only by the seal member and the surface member, a grip formed only by the surface member and the outer cylinder body, and a grip formed by a single cylindrical synthetic resin member. In the case where the grip is formed by a plurality of members, the same material (kind of synthetic resin) need not necessarily be used for all the members. Different materials may be used for the members according to their functions. The multiple elastic protrusions may be formed either on the seal member or on the surface member, and the member on which the elastic protrusions are formed is made of a synthetic resin material having predetermined elasticity. The seal member of the second aspect of the invention is made of a soft resin having such a level of elasticity that allows the seal member to be elastically deformed to get over the retaining claw.

For example, the space portion where the multiple elastic protrusions are provided extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the grip along the insertion hole, and has a substantially arc shape or cylindrical shape in the circumferential direction of the insertion hole. That is, the space portion may either be locally provided in the region on which the fingers are placed as in the seventh aspect of the invention, or be provided along the entire circumference of the body member. For example, the multiple elastic protrusions have a rectangular shape as viewed in plan. However, the elastic protrusions may have various shapes such as a square shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or an arc-like curved shape. The elastic protrusions may have a continuously varying sectional shape as taken along the direction in which the elastic protrusion protrudes, like such a tapered sectional shape that the sectional area decreases toward the tip end. The elastic protrusions may have an asymmetrical shape with respect to the centerline so that the elastic protrusions can easily bend to one side. The multiple elastic protrusions may have the same shape. However, a plurality of types of elastic protrusions having different shapes may be mixed and placed.

In the second aspect of the invention, the retaining claw of the body member is retained in the retaining hole in the seal member in order to prevent rotation and coming-off of the grip. When carrying out other aspects of the invention, however, an engagement recess such as a through hole may be formed in the body member, and an engagement protrusion may be formed in the grip. An engagement protrusion and an engagement recess may be formed in the body member, and an engagement recess and an engagement protrusion may be formed in the grip so as to be engaged with the engagement protrusion and the engagement recess of the body member. The retaining hole may be a through hole extending through the seal member or may be a mere recess. In the case where the body member is made of a metal sheet material, a cut-and-bent claw formed by cutting and bending a part of the metal sheet material is preferably used as the retaining claw. The grip can be mounted on the body member by merely engaging (including retaining) the retaining claw with the retaining hole. However, the grip may be fixedly attached to the body member with an adhesive etc. as necessary.

In the fourth aspect of the invention, the seal member and the surface member have a semi-cylindrical shape. However, a cylindrical seal member and a cylindrical surface member may be used. In the fifth aspect of the invention, the seal member and the surface member surface contact each other in the side portions of the composite body. For example, the contact surfaces of the seal member and the surface member are flat surfaces, but may be curved surfaces having the same curvature etc.

Embodiments

InFIG. 1, a parking brake operation device10includes a sector12that is substantially in the shape of a flat plate and that is fixed substantially perpendicularly to a floor of a vehicle body, not shown, a parking brake lever16disposed on the sector12via a support pin14so as to be pivotable about an axis of the support pin14, etc. The parking brake lever16is mainly formed by a lever body18made of a metal sheet material. A brake cable24is coupled to a base end portion20via a coupling pin22, and a grip28made of a synthetic resin is fitted on the outer periphery of a substantially cylindrical distal end portion26. When the grip28is held and pulled up clockwise about the support pin14inFIG. 1, the brake cable24is tightened, and parking brake for wheels, not shown, is operated. The distal end portion26corresponds to a bolding portion.

A ratchet30is provided along the arc shape of the sector12about the support pin14, and a pawl32that engages with the ratchet30is disposed on the parking brake lever16so as to be pivotable about a pin34parallel to the support pin14. An insertion hole29(seeFIG. 3) is formed in a distal end of the cylindrical grip28, and a release knob38is disposed in the insertion hole29such that the release knob38can be depressed against biasing force of a return spring36. A release rod40is integrally coupled to the release knob38. The return spring36is a compression coil spring and biases the release knob38and the release rod40in the direction in which the release knob38protrudes from the grip28, namely leftward inFIG. 1. The other end of the release rod40is coupled to the pawl32so as to be relatively pivotable about an axis parallel to the pin34. The pawl32is subjected to a pivoting force in the counterclockwise direction inFIG. 1based on the biasing force of the return spring36and thus engages with the ratchet30. The dimension by which the release knob38protrudes from the grip28is defined by the pawl32contacting the sector12.

The lever body18of the parking brake operation device10is formed by a pair of body halves42,44as halves of the lever body18divided along a dividing plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the support pin14, namely a plane parallel to the plane of the paper ofFIG. 1. By clinching a coupling pin46in addition to the support pin14and the pin34, the pair of body halves42,44are integrally coupled together with the sector12and the pawl32interposed therebetween, so that the pair of body halves42,44can integrally pivot about the axis of the support pin14. Those portions of the pair of body halves42,44which form the distal end portion26have a substantially semi-cylindrical shape. These semi-cylindrical portions are disposed so as to face each other with their both side portions abutting on each other. The semi-cylindrical portions thus form a cylindrical shape.

FIG. 2is a front view showing a distal end portion of the parking brake lever16, namely a portion having the grip28mounted thereon.FIG. 3is a front view in which the grip28is shown cutaway.FIG. 4is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV inFIG. 3. The release rod40and the return spring36are not shown inFIG. 4. In these figures, the cylindrical distal end portion26of the lever body18has flanges50and cut-and-bent claws52as a plurality of engagement protrusions protruding radially outward, and an inner peripheral surface of the grip28, namely an inner peripheral surface of an insertion hole70in which the distal end portion26is inserted, has engagement grooves54and retaining holes56as a plurality of engagement recesses.

The flange50is provided in both side portions of each of the body halves42,44so as to protrude outward. These flanges50are put together and closely contact each other so as to protrude from the upper and lower sides of the distal end portion26by a predetermined dimension, and are divided into a plurality of portions in the longitudinal direction by cutouts58. The engagement grooves54are formed at two positions in each of the upper and lower parts of the grip28so as to correspond to the flanges50, and protruding portions60are formed in the regions of the grip28which correspond to the cutouts58. When the grip28is relatively moved substantially straight from the distal end side of the lever body18, namely from the left side inFIG. 3, toward the distal end portion26and is fitted onto the outer periphery of the distal end portion26, the grip28is elastically deformed and the protruding portions60serving as rear ends of the engagement grooves54get over the flanges50in the longitudinal direction to fit in the cutouts58, and the flanges50fit in the engagement grooves54. This engagement prevents rotation of the grip28. Moreover, engagement of the protruding portions60with the rear ends of the flanges50prevents coming off of the grip28. Front ends of the flanges50, namely ends located on the distal end side of the lever body18, are tilted, and the rear ends of the protruding portions60are also tilted. This tilt of the front ends of the flanges50and the rear ends of the protruding portions60allows the protruding portions60to easily get on the flanges50to elastically deform the grip28. The rear ends of the flanges50and the front ends of the protruding portions60which engage with each other are substantially perpendicular to an axis of the distal end portion26. This can more reliably prevent the grip28from coming off due to the protruding portions60getting on the flanges50.

The rear ends and the front ends are named based on the direction in which the grip28is fitted onto the distal end portion26of the lever body18. The rear ends are the ends located on the right side inFIG. 3, and the front ends are the ends located on the left side inFIG. 3.

The cut-and-bent claws52are formed at intermediate positions (centers) in the circumferential direction of the body halves42,44so as to protrude more outward as the cut-and-bent claws52extend toward the base end portion20of the lever body18. Each of the body halves42,44has a plurality of (in the embodiment, two) the cut-and-bent claws52formed so as to be separated from each other in the axial direction of the cylindrical distal end portion26, and the two retaining holes56corresponding to the cut-and-bent claws52are formed at two positions in each of both side portions of the grip28so as to be separated from each other in the axial direction (seeFIG. 8). When the grip28is relatively moved substantially straight from the distal end side of the lever body18, namely from the left side inFIG. 3, toward the distal end portion26and is fitted onto the outer periphery of the distal end portion26, the grip28is elastically deformed so that the rear ends of the retaining holes56get over the cut-and-bent claws52and the cut-and-bent claws52are accommodated in the retaining holes56. This engagement between the retaining holes56and the cut-and-bent claws52prevents rotation with respect to and coming off from the grip28. The cut-and-bent claws52are tilted so as to protrude more radially outward as the cut-and-bent claws52extend toward the rear side in the direction in which the grip28is fitted, namely as the cut-and-bent claws52extend toward the base end portion20of the lever body18. This tilt of the cut-and-bent claws52allows the grip28to be easily fitted on the distal end portion26while the grip28is elastically deformed. Moreover, engagement of the distal ends of the cut-and-bent claws52with the rear ends of the retaining holes56satisfactorily prevents coming off of the grip28. Each of the cut-and-bent claws52corresponds to the retaining claw.

The grip28is formed by a semi-cylindrical (U-shaped section) seal member72in which a part of the insertion hole70is formed and which closely contacts the lower half of the distal end portion26, a semi-cylindrical (U-shaped section) surface member74that is disposed on the outer periphery of the seal member72, and a grip body78having a semi-cylindrical portion76in which a part of the insertion hole70is formed and which closely contacts the upper half of the distal end portion26. A pair of annular portions80arc provided at both ends in the axial direction of the grip body78so as to integrally cover and hold the ends of the seal member72and the surface member74. Each of the seal member72, the surface member74, and the grip body78is made of a thermoplastic resin such as polyvinyl chloride. The seal member72, the surface member74, and the grip body78may be made of the same resin material. In the present embodiment, however, different resin materials are used for the seal member72, the surface member74, and the grip body78according to their functions. The grip body78corresponds to the outer cylinder body.

A space portion82having an arc shape extending in the circumferential direction of the insertion hole70is provided between a curved portion72rof the seal, member72and a curved portion74rof the surface member74so as to extend in the axial direction of the grip28. Multiple elastic protrusions84are integrally and dispersedly formed on an inner peripheral surface74fof the surface member74which is an outer peripheral-side wall surface of the space portion82. The space portion82extends substantially along the entire length in the longitudinal direction of the seal member72.

The elastic protrusions84are formed so as to be substantially uniformly distributed substantially over the entire inner peripheral surface74fforming the space portion82. Tip ends of the multiple elastic protrusions84contact an outer peripheral surface72fof the seal member72which is an inner peripheral-side wall surface of the space portion82. The curved portion74rof the surface member74which forms the space portion82is a portion which is exposed to the outside from the grip body78and on which a driver places his/her fingers when pulling up the parking brake lever16. When a brake operation force is applied to the curved portion74r, the multiple elastic protrusions84are pressed against the outer peripheral surface72fand are elastically deformed.

FIG. 5is an enlarged plan view as viewed in the direction perpendicular to the inner peripheral surface74f, illustrating the multiple elastic protrusions84formed on the inner peripheral surface74fof the curved portion74rof the surface member74.FIG. 6is an enlarged longitudinal section taken along line VI-VI inFIG. 5, andFIG. 7is an enlarged longitudinal section taken along line VII-VII inFIG. 5. As can be seen from these figures, the multiple elastic protrusions84have the same shape. The elastic protrusions84have an elongated shape (in the present embodiment, a rectangular shape) in plan as viewed in the direction perpendicular to the inner peripheral surface74f(in the state ofFIG. 5). The elastic protrusions84are arranged in a grid pattern86in which adjoining ones of multiple polygons (triangles, quadrilaterals, hexagons, etc.) of the same shape have a common side, and are positioned so as to form each side of the polygons. In the present embodiment, the elastic protrusions84have a rectangular shape with four rounded corners as viewed in plan, and are disposed in such an attitude that longitudinal directions of the elastic protrusions84match the sides of the polygons. As shown by long dashed double-short dashed lines inFIG. 5, the grid pattern86is a honeycomb pattern formed by a continuous repetition of regular hexagons of the same size as the polygons. The elastic protrusions84are provided one by one in the central portion of each side of the regular hexagons.

As can be seen fromFIGS. 6 and 7, each elastic protrusion84has such a gently tapered shape that its sectional area decreases toward the tip end. Each of the longitudinal section ofFIG. 6taken along the lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the longitudinal section ofFIG. 7taken along the longitudinal direction has a symmetrical shape with respect to a neutral plane perpendicular to the inner peripheral surface74f, and the peripheral edges of the tip end (both ends of the sectional shape) are rounded. The elastic protrusions84will be described in more detail below. A pitch P, which is an interval between two parallel sides of the regular hexagon in the grid pattern86, namely the distance between the centers of the elastic protrusions84provided on the two sides, is in a range of 4 mm≦P≦7 mm. The height dimension H of the elastic protrusion84is in a range of 2 mm≦H≦3.5 mm. The lateral dimension d of the elastic protrusion84is in a range of 1 mm≦d≦2 mm. The longitudinal dimension L of the elastic protrusion84is in a range of 1.5 mm≦L≦2.5 mm and is larger than the lateral dimension d. The tilt angle α of the sidewalls on both sides in the lateral direction of the elastic protrusion84is in a range of 2°≦α≦5°. The tilt angle β of both edges in the longitudinal direction of the elastic protrusion84is in a range of 10° to 15°. The thickness t of the curved portion74rof the surface member74having the elastic protrusions84formed thereon is in a range of 1 mm≦t≦2 mm. These dimensions and angles are determined as appropriate so as to achieve a predetermined feel (a soft feel etc.), strength, etc. in view of material of the surface member74etc.

FIG. 8(a)is a perspective view showing only the seal member72, andFIG. 8(b)is a perspective view showing only the surface member74. After the seal member72and the surface member74are separately molded by injection molding etc., the seal member72is combined with the surface member74by fitting the seal member72in the surface member74. A composite body88shown inFIG. 9is thus produced. An inner peripheral surface of the semi-cylindrical seal member72forms a part of the insertion hole70. The retaining holes56are formed in a pair of side portions72sso as to extend therethrough, and the engagement grooves54and the protruding portions60are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the curved portion72r. A fitting recess90in which the seal member72is to be fitted is formed in the semi-cylindrical surface member74, and the engagement grooves54are formed in both ends in the axial direction of the surface member74. The outer side surfaces of the pair of side portions72sof the seal member72and the inner wall surfaces of the fitting recess90in a pair of side portions74sof the surface member74are flat surfaces substantially parallel to each other so that the outer side surfaces of the pair of side portions72sclosely contact the corresponding inner wall surfaces of the fitting recess90by surface contact. A plurality of engagement protrusions92are formed on the outer side surfaces of the side portions72s. By engaging the engagement protrusions92with engagement holes94formed in the side portions74sso as to extend therethrough, the seal member72and the surface member74are combined with each other and kept in the assembled state shown inFIG. 9, namely in the state of the composite body88. The seal member72and the surface member74are elastically deformable, and can be combined by fitting the seal member72into the surface member74by elastic deformation of the side portions72s,74sso as to engage the engagement protrusions92with the engagement holes94. Although the multiple elastic protrusions84are formed on the inner peripheral surface741of the curved portion74rof the surface member74, these elastic protrusions84are not shown inFIG. 8(b).

The composite body88is set on a core96as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11and placed in a mold to insert-mold the grip body78. The core96has a shape corresponding to the distal end portion26of the lever body18, and a columnar body portion98has protrusions100corresponding to the flanges50having the cutouts58, a columnar protruding portion102corresponding to the insertion hole29, engagement protrusions104corresponding to the cut-and-bent claws52, etc. The engagement protrusions104are engaged with the retaining holes56of the seal member72, and the composite body88is set on the core96via the seal member72and placed in the mold, not shown. The grip body78having the engagement grooves54, the protruding portions60, the insertion hole29, and the annular portions80is thus molded so as to be fixedly fitted on the composite body88, and the composite body88is kept in the combined state by the grip body78. Both ends in the longitudinal direction of the surface member74are covered by the annular portions80, and the pair of side portions74s having the engagement holes94in which the engagement protrusions92are fitted are covered by a pair of side portions77extending downward from the semi-cylindrical portion76, as can be seen fromFIG. 4. The side portions72s of the seal member72and the side portions74s of the surface member74have a relatively large thickness, and the side portions72s of the seal member72are fused and bonded to the side portions74s of the surface member74by the heat of a molten resin when insert-molding of the grip body78is performed.

As described above, in the grip structure of the parking brake lever16of the present embodiment, the space portion82is provided along the insertion hole70in which the distal end portion26is inserted, and the multiple elastic protrusions84are dispersedly formed on the inner peripheral surface74fof the surface member74serving as the outer peripheral-side wall surface of the space portion82. When the grip28is held and pulled up, the elastic protrusions84are pressed against the outer peripheral surface72fof the seal member72and elastically deformed. Accordingly, by appropriately determining the shape such as thickness and height or the arrangement, density, etc. of the elastic protrusions84, a soft, excellent feel can be achieved without reducing material hardness of the grip28, and reduction in wear resistance, stickiness, etc. can be avoided.

The grip28has the seal member72mounted in close contact with the distal end portion26, and the surface member74disposed on the outer periphery of the seal member72. The cut-and-bent claws52of the distal end portion26are retained in the retaining holes56of the seal member72, whereby the grip28is fixedly fitted on the distal end portion26, and is prevented from rotating and coming off. In this case, the seal member72can be adapted to various types of parking brake levers by merely changing the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the seal member72etc. according to the shape and dimensions of the distal end portion26, and the same surface member74can be used for various types of parking brake levers. This can reduce manufacturing cost.

Since the surface member74on which the elastic protrusions84are formed and the seal member72that is provided so as to closely contact the distal end portion26are formed as separate members, different materials (kinds of synthetic resins) can be used for the surface member74and the seal member72according to their functions. This can appropriately improve a feel such as a soft feel while ensuring fixing strength of the grip28etc.

In the present embodiment, the engagement grooves54and the protruding portions60of the grip28are engaged with the flanges50and the cutouts58of the distal end portion26. This engagement also prevents rotation and coming-off of the grip28. The grip28may be fixedly attached to the distal end portion26with an adhesive etc. as necessary.

The grip body78is fixedly fitted on the composite body88, which is a combination of the seal member72and the surface member74, by insert-molding, whereby the composite body88is kept in the combined state. The grip28can thus be produced at low cost.

The use of the composite body88having a semi-cylindrical shape ensures excellent workability in setting the composite body88on the core96of the mold when insert-molding of the grip body78is performed. The seal member72is combined with the surface member74by engaging the engagement protrusions92formed on the side portions72sof the seal member72with the engagement holes94formed in the side portions74sof the surface member74. The seal member72can therefore be easily combined with the surface member74by flexurally deforming the side portions72sof the seal member72inward or flexurally deforming the side portions74sof the surface member74outward, and the seal member72and the surface member74are satisfactorily kept in the combined state, namely in the state of the composite body88. This improves workability in insert-molding of the grip body78.

The seal member72and the surface member74are combined such that the side portions72sclosely contact the side portions74sby surface contact. This prevents the molten resin from entering the space portion82through a gap between the side portions72s,74swhen insert-molding of the grip body78is performed.

The grip28is mounted on the distal end portion26such that the space portion82is located on a vehicle lower side, namely the side on which fingers of a driver are placed and to which a parking operation force is applied. This can locally improve a feel of a region on which the figures are placed while ensuring the rigid feel of the overall grip.

Grip strength may be ensured by forming a protruding or recessed shape in the lower part of the distal end portion26of the lever body18and fitting this protruding or recessed shape in or on a recessed or protruding shape formed in the grip28. In the present embodiment, since the grip28includes the seal member72, a protruding or recessed shape can be formed in the inner peripheral surface of the curved portion72rof the seal member72. The grip strength can thus be ensured in a manner similar to that of conventional examples without affecting the soft feel provided by the multiple elastic protrusions84. The grip strength may also be ensured by fixedly attaching the grip28to the distal end portion26with an adhesive. In this case as well, the seal member72can be fixedly attached to the distal end portion26.

Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following embodiments, substantially the same portions as those of the above embodiment are denoted with the same reference characters, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIGS. 12 to 16are sectional views corresponding toFIG. 4. In a grip110ofFIG. 12, a seal member112has a cylindrical shape with a closed section, and a grip body114is provided on the outer periphery of the seal member112.

In a grip120ofFIG. 13, a recess124is formed in an inner peripheral surface of a curved portion122rof a surface member122so that a space portion is formed between the curved portion122rand the distal end portion26of the lever body18. Multiple elastic protrusions126are formed in the recess124so as to extend to an outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion26, and the seal member72is omitted. The multiple elastic protrusions126are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion26functioning as the inner peripheral-side wall surface of the space portion and are elastically deformed. In this case, the seal member72is not required. The number of parts is thus reduced, and the structure is simplified, whereby the grip120is produced at low cost.

A grip130ofFIG. 14has a seal member132having a cylindrical shape with a closed section like the grip110ofFIG. 12. However, the grip body114is omitted, and a pair of fused members134are integrally formed in both side portions by insert-molding. The side portions74sof the surface member74are fused and fixed to the side surfaces of the seal member132by the heat in insert-molding. Since the grip body114is omitted, the shapes etc. of the seal member132and the surface member74are changed so that the grip130has predetermined appearance.

A grip140ofFIG. 15is different from the grip28in that multiple elastic protrusions142are formed on the outer peripheral surface72fof the curved portion72rof the seal member72instead of forming the elastic protrusions84on the surface member74. In the case of forming the elastic protrusions84on the surface member74, sink marks (dimples) may appear on a surface of the surface member74depending on the shape of the protrusions and the thickness of the curved portion74r. However, such sink marks do not appear on the surface in the case of forming the elastic protrusions142on the seal member72. Elastic protrusions may be formed on the seal members112,132in the grips110,130ofFIGS. 12, 14.

A grip150ofFIG. 16is different from the grip28in a seal member152. The seal member152has a curved portion152rsimilar to the curved portion72r, but does not have the side portions72s. The side portions74sof the surface member74protrude upward beyond the seal member152and directly closely contact the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion26.FIG. 17(a)is a perspective view showing only the seal member152, andFIG. 17(b)is a perspective view showing only the surface member74. The seal member152is combined with the surface member74by fitting the seal member152in the surface member74. A composite body154shown inFIG. 18is thus obtained. A plurality of engagement protrusions156are formed on both side portions of the seal member152with an arc shape so as to protrude outward, and engagement holes158are formed in the side portions74sof the surface member74so as to correspond to the engagement protrusions156. By engaging the engagement protrusions156with the engagement holes158, the seal member152and the surface member74are combined with each other and kept in the assembled state shown in FIG.18, namely in the state of the composite body154. The engagement holes158are slightly larger than the engagement protrusions156so that a predetermined clearance is provided above each engagement protrusion156. When the grip body78is molded, the engagement protrusions104of the core96are retained in the clearances. When mounting the grip150on the distal end portion26, the cut-and-bent claws52formed in the distal end portion26are retained in the clearances. That is, the engagement holes158function also as retaining holes in which the cut-and-bent claws52are retained. Although the multiple elastic protrusions84are formed on the inner peripheral surface74fof the curved portion74rof the surface member74, the elastic protrusions84are not shown inFIG. 17(b).

This grip150also has functions and effects similar to those of the above embodiment. Since the seal member152has no side portion, and the side portions74sof the surface member74directly closely contact the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion26, the thickness of the side portions of the grip150can be reduced, and design can be improved.

Although the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail based on the drawings, these embodiments are merely by way of example, and the present invention can be carried out in various modified or improved forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

NOMENCLATURE OF ELEMENTS