Abstract:
An attachment device for a handle within a vehicle in the vicinity of the internal face of a vehicle roof is disclosed. The device includes a base support element, which is equipped with projections that snap into cavities of a body panel and at least one locking element that locks the base support element and can be inserted into the handle. The Attachment device also includes an adapter element that can be inserted into the base support element between the handle and the body panel, for selectively coupling a handle and the roof liner with or without an airbag integrated into the latter, in the vicinity of the internal face of the vehicle roof. The adapter element is configured to receive a partial section of the locking element or elements for locking purposes.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present Application claims the benefit of priority to the following International Application: PCT Patent Application No. PCT/EP03/05716 titled “Fixing Device For A Handle” filed on May 31, 2003, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE10226927.6 titled “Fixing Device for a Handle” filed on Jun. 17, 2002 (which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety). 
     
    
     FIELD  
       [0002]     The invention relates to an attachment device for a handle for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle in the region of the inside of a vehicle roof. The fixing device supports the roof lining and includes a basic carrier element of the handle, which is provided with protrusions which can be latched in cutouts of the body panel, and at least one push-in blocking element in the handle, which serves for latching the basic carrier element of the handle.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Various attachment devices for a handle for the passenger compartment, for example, of a motor vehicle are known in practice. Typically, depending on whether the vehicle is or is not fitted with an airbag integrated in the roof lining, the attachment device may bridge different spacings. On the one hand, in the case of an application without an integrated airbag, the roof lining usually butts against the body structure, whereas, in the case of an application with an airbag integrated in the roof lining, the attachment device, as a result of the roof-lining contour curving in the direction of the interior, bridges a spacing of, for example, approximately 28 mm.  
         [0004]     In the case of the application without an airbag integrated in the roof lining, it is generally known from practice for the attachment device, which also secures the roof lining, essentially to comprise a basic carrier element of the handle, the basic carrier element being provided with protrusions which can be latched in cutouts of the body panel. The latching of the attachment device can take place here, for example, by virtue of a blocking element, e.g. a blocking finger, which is prefitted in the basic carrier element of the handle.  
         [0005]     In the case of the application with an airbag integrated in the roof lining, it is generally known from practice for a spacing of, for example, 28 mm, which typically arises, due to the presence of an airbag, as a result of the roof-lining contour curving in the direction of the interior, to be bridged by a different attachment element, which is suitable for fitting a handle in the region of the inside of a vehicle roof with an airbag integrated in the roof lining, this fixing element likewise bearing the roof lining at the same time.  
         [0006]     These two different attachment devices for the application without an airbag integrated in the roof lining and the application with an airbag integrated in the roof lining are accompanied by the disadvantage that these two attachment devices usually have to be configured using different individual parts, which often requires an additional outlay from a production and an installation perspective.  
         [0007]     One object of an embodiment of the invention is to improve or develop further the known attachment devices, while maintaining the previous advantages, so as to allow fixing of the handles for applications without an airbag integrated in the roof lining and for applications with an airbag integrated in the roof lining using the same parts for both applications. The desired attachment device here is intended to be capable of being produced straightforwardly and cost-effectively and, in addition, the desired attachment device is intended to be straightforward to handle and easy to install.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0008]     According to one embodiment of the invention, the attachment device “fixes” or attaches a handle and the roof lining, with or without an airbag integrated therein, in the region of the inside of the vehicle roof, and has an adapter element which can be inserted into a basic carrier element between the handle and the body panel. The adapter element being designed for accommodating a subregion of the blocking element for latching purposes. The adapter element thus makes it possible, by straightforward means, to allow optional fixing of the handles for applications without an airbag integrated in the roof lining and applications with an airbag integrated in the roof lining using the same parts for both applications. The fixing system for the basic carrier element on the body panel and the blocking element on the basic carrier element of the first application is transferred in each case to the adapter element of the second application so that the same parts can be used for both applications. For applications with an integrated airbag, the adapter element may be interposed such that the adapter element can be inserted into the basic carrier element between the handle and the body panel. This adapter element may be in operative connection with the basic carrier element and the blocking element by use of a latching connection so that the entire unit may be latched in the body panel. Both latching connections are secured by pushing in the blocking element.  
         [0009]     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the basic carrier element with at least one blocking element and the basic carrier element with the adapter element inserted and at least one blocking element are designed as preassembled structural units, intended to simplify installation yet further. It is expediently possibly, for further simplification, for the basic carrier element with at least one blocking element and the basic carrier element with the adapter element inserted and at least one blocking element to be designed as structural units which are preassembled with one another and/or are prefitted on the roof lining. Furthermore, it may be provided that the adapter element is designed to be prefitted on the roof lining.  
         [0010]     According to an alternative embodiment, the basic carrier element with at least one blocking element and the basic carrier element with the adapter element inserted and at least one blocking element are designed as separate structural units.  
         [0011]     According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the basic carrier element of the attachment device has, on one side, a horizontally and a vertically running stop for the roof lining. The basic carrier element may have on the side of the horizontally and vertically running stops, above and adjacent to the vertically running stop, a stop notch for the body panel. It is expedient, moreover, if the basic carrier element has on the side of the horizontally and vertically running stops, in the region beneath the horizontally running stop, an aperture for accommodating a latching element of the adapter element, with a stop arranged in the region of the underside thereof. The adapter element can thus be inserted straightforwardly and securely in the basic carrier element.  
         [0012]     According to a further embodiment, the basic carrier element has on the underside, on the side of the horizontally and vertically running stops, an aperture which runs obliquely inward in the direction of the roof lining and serves for accommodating a sheet-like reinforcing element of the handle.  
         [0013]     Furthermore, the basic carrier element may have, in its central region, an aperture for the through-passage of the blocking element and for accommodating the same. The basic carrier element includes, on the side which is located opposite the first stop notch for the body panel in relation to the aperture for the blocking element, a second stop notch for the body panel. The basic carrier element preferably has, above the first stop notch and the second stop notch for the body panel, in each case one latching element, in particular in each case one latching nose, these two latching elements being designed such that they can be forced apart from one another. The aperture of the basic carrier element for the blocking element includes on the inside, in order to interact with this blocking element for the purpose of forcing the two latching elements apart from one another, two stop surfaces which run obliquely inward in each case and are offset in relation to one another.  
         [0014]     The basic carrier element is also shown to include, on the side of the second stop notch for the body panel, in the region of the transverse sides of the aperture for the blocking element, apertures for accommodating two further latching elements arranged on the longitudinal sides of the adapter element.  
         [0015]     According to a further embodiment, the basic carrier element has, on the side which is located opposite the side of the horizontally and vertically running stops, a further vertically running stop for the roof lining. The basic carrier element also includes on the opposite side, adjacent to the vertically running stop, a horizontally running stop for the body panel or for a corresponding mating stop of the adapter element inserted.  
         [0016]     Moreover, if the basic carrier element, which may be configured in one piece, has on the opposite side, at the bottom end of the latching element located on this side, a stop nose, and if, in order to interact with this stop nose, a corresponding mating stop may be provided on the basic carrier element, beneath the inner end of the horizontally running stop.  
         [0017]     According to a further embodiment, the basic carrier element may include on each side, in the central region of the transverse sides of the aperture for the blocking element, in each case one cutout for accommodating two latching elements arranged on the longitudinal sides of the blocking element.  
         [0018]     According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the adapter element has, on one end side, a latching element for the through-passage through the corresponding aperture of the basic carrier element. The adapter element may include on its longitudinal sides, adjacent to its second end side, in each case one latching element for the through-passage through the apertures of the basic carrier element which are provided for this purpose. The adapter element has here on the underside, adjacent to its second end side and alongside the latching elements, a stop which mates with the horizontally running stop of the basic carrier element.  
         [0019]     According to a further embodiment, the adapter element has on each side, at its top end region, a horizontally running stop for the body panel. In this case, the adapter element has on each side, above and adjacent to the horizontally running stops for the body panel, a stop notch for the body panel.  
         [0020]     The adapter element may have, in its central region, an aperture for the through-passage of the blocking element and for accommodating the same, this aperture essentially comprising vertically running stop guides for the blocking element. The adapter element here preferably has, above the two stop notches for the body panel, in each case one latching element, in particular in each case one latching nose, these two latching elements being designed such that they can be forced apart from one another. The adapter element preferably includes a stop at the bottom end of the latching element located in the direction of its second end side and, in order to interact with this stop, for a corresponding mating stop to provided at the inner end of the horizontally running stop located on this side of the adapter element for the body panel.  
         [0021]     According to a further embodiment, the latching elements of the basic carrier element and the latching elements of the adapter element are designed with essentially equal dimensions, so that production is simplified and installation is facilitated since, for example, a drillhole of the same size is provided in the body panel in each case in order for the basic carrier element and the adapter element to be fitted there.  
         [0022]     According to a further embodiment, the blocking element has an essentially elongate configuration for through-passage through the basic carrier element alone or through the basic carrier element and the adapter element. The blocking element includes, in its bottom subregion, two mating stop surfaces for the corresponding stop surfaces of the basic carrier element, the mating stop surfaces running obliquely inward in each case and being offset in relation to one another. Furthermore, the blocking element has in its top subregion, on its inner side in the inserted state, an obliquely inwardly running mating stop in order to allow the latching element to spring back resiliently. The blocking element here is shown to include a wedge-shaped design at its top end.  
         [0023]     According to a further embodiment, the blocking element has in its bottom subregion, on each side and located approximately centrally, in each case one latching element for engaging in the cutouts of the basic carrier element.  
         [0024]     According to a further embodiment, the blocking element has on both sides, in the region of its stem, in each case one latching element for interacting with mating latching elements, which are formed on the basic carrier element, in the preassembled state, so that the latching elements counteract a situation where a blocking element is drawn out in the downward direction. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0025]     The invention is illustrated by way of an exemplary embodiment in the figures, in which:  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a partially cut-away sectional view of the attachment device for a handle without an adapter element and with the blocking element inserted loosely,  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  shows the partially cut-away sectional view of the attachment device for a handle according to  FIG. 1  without an adapter element and with the blocking element inserted firmly,  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  shows a partially cut-away sectional view of the attachment device for a handle with an adapter element and with the blocking element inserted loosely,  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  shows the partially cut-away sectional view of the attachment device for a handle according to  FIG. 3  with an adapter element and with the blocking element inserted firmly,  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic view, in perspective, of the attachment device for a handle without an adapter element and with the blocking element inserted firmly,  
         [0031]      FIG. 6  shows the schematic view, in perspective, of the attachment device for a handle according to  FIG. 5  without an adapter element and with the blocking element inserted loosely,  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  shows a schematic view, in perspective, of the attachment device for a handle with an adapter element and with the blocking element inserted firmly,  
         [0033]      FIG. 8  shows the schematic view, in perspective, of the attachment device for a handle according to  FIG. 7  with an adapter element and with the blocking element inserted loosely,  
         [0034]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic view, in perspective, of the adapter element of the attachment device for a handle,  
         [0035]      FIG. 10  shows a schematic view, in perspective, of the basic carrier element of the attachment device for a handle, and  
         [0036]      FIG. 11  shows a schematic view, in perspective, of the blocking element of the attachment device for a handle. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0037]     The attachment device for a handle according to the illustrated embodiments is designated in general terms by  10 . The attachment device  10  is intended for use in the passenger compartment of a vehicle in the region of the inside of a vehicle roof and for also bearing the roof lining  11 . The attachment device  10  (as shown for example in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) includes a basic carrier element of the handle  12  and is provided with protrusions  15  which can be latched in cutouts  14  of a body panel  13 , and at least one push-in blocking element  16  in the handle, which serves, inter alia, for latching the basic carrier element  12  of the handle. The attachment device  10  also comprises a further attachment element for fitting a handle in the region of the inside of a vehicle roof in the case of an airbag being integrated in the roof lining  11 , this attachment element also bearing the roof lining  11 .  
         [0038]     The attachment device  10  is according to one embodiment is shown in FIGS.  1  to  4  such that the attachment device  10 , for fixing a handle and roof lining  11 , with or without an airbag integrated therein, in the region of the inside of the vehicle roof, has an adapter element  17  which can be inserted into the basic carrier element  12  between the handle and the body panel  13 . This adapter element  17  is intended for accommodating a subregion of the at least one blocking element  16  for latching purposes (see  FIGS. 3 and 4  and  FIGS. 7 and 8 ).  
         [0039]     According to the embodiment illustrated, a first assembly including the basic carrier element  12  with the at least one blocking element  16  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and a second assembly including the basic carrier element  12  with the adapter element  17  inserted and the at least one blocking element  16  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) are designed as preassembled structural units. This can take place, for example, in such a manner that the first assembly with the basic carrier element  12  with the at least one blocking element  16  and the second assembly with the basic carrier element  12  with the adapter element  17  inserted and the at least one blocking element  16  are designed as structural units which are preassembled with one another and/or are prefitted on the roof lining  11 . Moreover, the adapter element  17  may also be designed to be prefitted on the roof lining  11 . Alternatively the basic carrier element  12  and the at least one blocking element  16  and the basic carrier element  12  with the adapter element  17  inserted and the at least one blocking element  16  may be provided as separate structural units.  
         [0040]     The basic carrier element  12  of the attachment device  10  according to the illustrations in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and those in  FIG. 5  has on one side, a horizontally and a vertically running stop  18 ,  19  for the roof lining  11  (as shown for example, on the right-hand side of  FIG. 1 ). On this side of the horizontally and vertically running stops  18 ,  19 , the basic carrier element  12  has, above and adjacent to the vertically running stop  19 , a stop notch  20  for the body panel  13 . On this side, the basic carrier element  12  has, in the region beneath the horizontally running stop  18 , an aperture  21  for accommodating a latching element  22  of the adapter element  17 , with a stop  23  arranged in the region of the underside thereof. Furthermore, the basic carrier element  12  has, on the underside of this side, an aperture  24  which runs obliquely inward in the direction of the roof lining  11  and serves for accommodating a sheet-like reinforcing element of the handle.  
         [0041]     Referring further to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the basic carrier element  12  has an aperture  25  for the through-passage of the blocking element  16  and for accommodating the same. In this case, the basic carrier element  12  has, on the side which is located opposite the first stop notch  20  for the body panel  13  in relation to the aperture  25  for the blocking element  16 , a second stop notch  26  for the body panel  13 . Above the first stop notch  20  and the second stop notch  26  for the body panel  13 , the basic carrier element  12  has in each case one latching element  27 ,  28  and one latching nose, latching elements  27 ,  28  being designed such that they can be forced apart from one another. The aperture  25  of the basic carrier element  12  for the blocking element  16  has on the inside, in order to interact with blocking element  16  for the purpose of forcing the two latching elements  27 ,  28  apart from one another, two stop surfaces  29 ,  30  which run obliquely inward in each case and are offset in relation to one another.  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIGS. 4, 8  and  10 , basic carrier element  12  has on the side of the second stop notch  26  for the body panel  13 , in the region of the transverse sides of the aperture  25  for the blocking element  16 , in each case one aperture  32  for accommodating two further latching elements  33 ,  34  arranged on the longitudinal sides of the adapter element  17  (see also  FIG. 11 ).  
         [0043]     On the side which is located opposite the side of the horizontally and vertically running stops  18 ,  19 , the basic carrier element  12  has a further vertically running stop  35  for the roof lining  11  (see  FIG. 1  or  2 ). Adjacent to the vertically running stop  35 , the basic carrier element  12  has, on this opposite side, a horizontally running stop  36  for the body panel  13  or for a corresponding mating stop  37  of the adapter element  17  inserted (see  FIG. 7  or  8 ).  
         [0044]     At the bottom end of the latching element  28  located on this side, the basic carrier element  12 , which may be configured in one piece, has a stop nose  38  and, in order to interact with this stop nose  38 , a corresponding mating stop  39  is provided on the basic carrier element  12 , beneath the inner end of the horizontally running stop  36 .  
         [0045]     In the central region of the transverse sides of the aperture  25  for the blocking element  16 , the basic carrier element  12  has, on each side, in each case one cutout  42  for accommodating two latching elements  43  arranged on the longitudinal sides of the blocking element  16 , (see FIGS.  5  to  8  or, in relation to the latching elements  43 ,  FIG. 11 ).  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIGS. 3-4  and  7 - 9 , the adapter element  17  of the attachment device  10  is shown according to an embodiment. The adapter element  17  (see  FIG. 9 ) has on one end side, a latching element  22  for the through-passage through the aperture  21  of the basic carrier element  12  (see  FIG. 3  or  4 ). Adjacent to its second end side, the adapter element  17  has, on its longitudinal sides, in each case one latching element  33 ,  34  for the through-passage through the apertures  32  of the basic carrier element  12  (see  FIG. 9  in conjunction with  FIG. 10  and also  FIG. 8 ). Furthermore, the adapter element  17  has on the underside, adjacent to its second end side and alongside the latching elements  33 ,  34 , a stop  37  which mates with the horizontally running stop  36  of the basic carrier element  12 . At its top end region, the adapter element  17  has, on each side, a horizontally running stop  45 ,  46  for the body panel  13  (see, for example,  FIG. 3  or  4 ). Above and adjacent to the horizontally running stops  45 ,  46  for the body panel  13 , the adapter element  17  has, on each side, a stop notch  47 ,  48  for the body panel  13 .  
         [0047]     In its central region, the adapter element  17  has an aperture  49  for the through-passage of the blocking element  16  and for accommodating the same, this aperture  49  comprising essentially vertically running stop guides  50  and  51  for the blocking element  16  (see  FIG. 3  or  4 ). Above the two stop notches  47 ,  48  for the body panel  13 , the adapter element  17  has in each case one latching element  52 ,  53 , in this case in each case one latching nose, these two latching elements  52 ,  53  being designed such that they can be forced apart from one another.  
         [0048]     The adapter element  17  (see  FIG. 3  or  4 ), has a stop  54  at the bottom end of the latching element  53  located in the direction of its second end side and, in order to interact with this stop  54 , a corresponding mating stop  55  is provided at the inner end of the horizontally running stop  46  located on this side of the adapter element  17  for the body panel  13 .  
         [0049]     According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the latching elements  27 ,  28  of the basic carrier element  12  and the latching elements  52 ,  53  of the adapter element  17  are designed with essentially equal dimensions. As a result, production is simplified and installation is also facilitated since, for example, a drillhole of the same size is provided in the body panel  13  in each case in order for the basic carrier element  12  and the adapter element  17  to be installed.  
         [0050]     Referring further to  FIGS. 1-4  and  11 , the blocking element  16  of the attachment device  10  is shown. The blocking element  16  has an essentially elongate configuration for through-passage through the basic carrier element  12  alone or through the basic carrier element  12  and the adapter element  17 . In its bottom subregion, the blocking element  16  has two mating stop surfaces  56 ,  57  for the stop surfaces  29 ,  30  of the basic carrier element  12 , the mating stop surfaces running obliquely inward in each case and being offset in relation to one another (see  FIG. 11 ). In its top subregion, the blocking element  16  has, on its inner side in the inserted state, an obliquely inwardly running mating stop  58  in order to allow the latching element  28  to spring back resiliently. At its top end, the blocking element  16  is of essentially wedge-shaped design.  
         [0051]     In its bottom subregion, the blocking element  16  has, on each side and located approximately centrally, in each case one latching element  43  for engaging in the cutouts  42  of the basic carrier element  12 . In the region of its stem, the blocking element  16  has, on both sides, in each case one latching element  59  for interacting with mating latching elements  16 , which are formed on the basic carrier element  12 , in the preassembled state, these latching elements  59  counteracting the situation where the blocking element is drawn out in the downward direction (see also  FIG. 6 ).  
         [0052]     The attachment device  10  for a handle, using the adapter element  17  makes it possible by straightforward means, to allow optional fixing of the handles for the applications without an airbag integrated in the roof lining  11  and the applications with an airbag integrated in the roof lining  11  using the same parts for both applications. The attachment system for the basic carrier element  12  on the body panel  13  and the blocking elements  16  on the basic carrier element  12  of the first application (i.e. without an airbag), is transferred in each case to the adapter element  17  of the second application (i.e. with an airbag), as a result of which the same parts can be used for both applications. Accordingly, in applications with an integrated airbag, the adapter element  17  may to be interposed such that the adapter element  17  can be inserted into the basic carrier element  12  between the handle and the body panel  13 . This adapter element  17  may be in operative connection with the basic carrier element  12  and the blocking element  16  by use of a latching connection, it being possible for the entire unit to be latched in the body panel  13 . Both latching devices are secured by pushing in the blocking element  16 .  
         [0053]     As has already been mentioned, the embodiments illustrated are only examples of ways of realizing the invention. The latter is not restricted thereto; rather, a number of further modifications and refinements are possible. Thus, in particular, variations in respect of the design of the adapter element  17  and of the basic carrier element  12  and also of the blocking element  16  are conceivable. Provision is also made for the invention to be used for configurations of roof linings  11  and body panels  13  which differ from the refinements illustrated.