A knock-dampening device for a motor vehicle door

Abstract: A knock-dampening device for a motor vehicle door (1) consists of an insert (12) of rubber-like material forming the end portion, proximate to the edge (2) of the door (1), of a frame (8) surrounding the door handle (6).

Description: The present invention relates to a knock-dampening device for a motor vehicle door, in particular for preventing the paint on the edge of the door from being damaged by knocking against an obstacle near to the vehicle when opening the door. There are known prior art devices adapted for protecting the edge of a vehicle door from being damaged (see US-A- 3 667 163). These devices mainly consist of a U-shaped strip of elastomeric material adapted to be forcefully slipped on the edge of the door. In most cases, the pressure exerted by the two edges of the strip on the edge of the door is no sufficient to keep the strip in position, so that it is necessary to add some glue within the strip to secure it more firmly. With time, this may be detrimental to the aspect of the paint, should the elastomeric strip be removed from the door for any reason. Moreover, the door fitted with the elastomeric strip is not attractive from an aesthetic point of view, owing to the fact that often the owner has to choose a strip of a colour contrasting with that of the door because a strip of the same colour is seldom available. It is an object of the present invention to provide a knock-dampening device capable of overcoming the above prior art drawbacks. To meet this and other objects, the present invention provides a knock-dampening device for a motor vehicle door, characterised by consisting of an insert of rubber-like material so shaped as to form the end portion, proximate to the edge of the door, of a frame surrounding the door handle. A further advantage of the present invention lies in that the handle frame is thicker at its end near to the edge of the door than at it opposite end. Further characteristics and advantages of a preferred but not limiting embodiment of the device according to the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicle door handle fitted with the device of this invention; and FIG. 2 illustrates the operation of the device of this invention. With reference to the drawings, numeral 1 designates the door of a motor vehicle having an edge 2 that opens in use towards the outside. The door has a lock 4 and a handle 6 for opening and closing the door. Around handle 6 there is disposed a frame 8 with protective and aesthetic features. Preferably, the frame 8 is made of plastic material to be light and of low cost; however, still within the scope of this invention, the frame 8 may be made of any other suitable material. At its side facing the edge of the door, the frame 8 has a thicker section providing a seat 10, in this example of semicircular shape, adapted to accommodate an insert 12 of elastomeric material or rubber. The insert 12 is so shaped as to form an extension of the frame, in such manner that the insert and the frame as a unit have a pleasant aspect. Obviously, the insert 12 will be fixed to the frame 8 in known manner, i.e. by gluing, co-moulding or by means of a fastening bolt having its head (not shown) contained within the outer contour of the insert. Further, the contour of the insert will extend proximate to the edge of the door, so as to accomplish its knock-dampening task in the best possible way, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 2.

Claims: A knock-dampening device for a motor vehicle door (1), characterised by consisting of an insert (12) of rubber-like material so shaped as to form the end portion, proximate to the edge (2) of the door (1), of a frame (8) surrounding the door handle (6). A knock-dampening device according to claim 1, characterised in that the handle frame (8) is thicker at its end near to the edge (2) of the door (1) than at it opposite end. A knock-dampening device according to claim 1, characterised in that said frame (8) is provided with a seat (10) for fixing said insert (12).

Inventors: BERTINOTTI SIMONE, BERTINOTTI, SIMONE
Applicants: FIAT AUTO SPA, FIAT AUTO S.P.A.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B60R13
IPC codes: B60R13