Abstract:
A passenger assist handle assembly for an automobile includes a handle with mounting structures pivotally connected to mounting blocks secured to the automobile. The pivotal connection is made by way of pins disposed in apertures of the mounting structures and mounting blocks. The pins include heads having protrusions thereon received in slots for securing the pins in position. The shapes and locations of the slots and protrusions simplify manufacture and facilitate installation.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to hinge-type mounting structures, and more particularly to hinge-type mounting structures useful for passenger assist handles in motor vehicles or the like. Specifically, the invention pertains to structure associated with the hinge pin, and means for locking the hinge pin in position. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Automobiles are commonly provided with passenger assist handles that may take the form of loops or bars that can be grasped by a passenger, to assist the passenger in getting into or out of the automobile. The passenger assist handles can also be used for stabilizing the passenger during operation of the motor vehicle, or for moving about the automobile. 
     In a known design for such passenger assist handles, the handle comprises a substantially rigid bar having legs at the ends thereof, with the legs being pivotally connected to mounting blocks attached to the frame, door posts or other interior structures of the vehicle. The handle can be free swinging from the mounting blocks or, more commonly, provided with a spring urging the handle toward a closed, non-use position. 
     Hinged passenger assist handles of this type are commonly made of plastic, and are secured to the mounting blocks by plastic hinge pins inserted through associated mating hinge components on the handle and the mounting block. Commonly, the pin is secured in place only by the interference fit between apertures in the hinge components and the surface of the pin. Securing by interference fit can be a source of problems. If the hinge pin is too loosely fitting, the pin can become dislodged through normal use of the handle, or during operation of the vehicle in which the handle is installed. If the hinge pin is fit too snuggly, the pin can be difficult to insert, thereby complicating installation and assembly of the assist handle structure. Clearly, advantages can be obtained from simplifying the balance needed between the requirement for adequate retention of the pin after insertion, and the desire for easier pin insertion during assembly. 
     Several passenger assist handles often are provided in each automobile. Thus, any reductions in manufacturing expense, and simplification in manufacturing procedures can result in significant overall cost savings. However, because of the design of known passenger assist handle assemblies, the molds required during manufacture have been somewhat complicated and expensive. Often, hydraulically actuated core components are needed. The molds are expensive to design, manufacture and maintain or service. Cycle times in using the mold are slowed as a result of the adjustments needed to the mold structure during the molding process. Simplifying the mold and decreasing mold use cycle times could reduce costs for the parts significantly. 
     What is needed in the art is a passenger assist handle assembly that is easy to manufacture, easy to install and positively and securely retained in the installed position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a hinge structure in which a hinge pin is inserted through apertures of a mounting structure and a mounting block, with one of the mounting structure or mounting block having a slot, and the pivot pin having a head with a protrusion thereon received in the slot. As a result of the open configuration the parts are easy to manufacture, and the pin is easy to install. 
     In one aspect thereof, the invention provides a hinge with a base having a mount including a base aperture therethrough. A pivot structure is provided for movement relative to the base. The pivot structure includes an aperture therethrough. A pin extends through the apertures, and includes a head with a protrusion. A slot in the base or the pivot structure receives the protrusion and locks the pin in position. 
     In another aspect thereof, the invention provides a passenger assist handle for an automobile with a base including an upstanding mounting block having an aperture therethrough. A handle includes a mounting structure having a tab with an aperture therethrough and a slot in the handle adjacent the tab. A pin including a head extends through the apertures and has a protrusion received in the slot for securing the pin. 
     In a further aspect thereof, the invention provides a passenger assist handle assembly for an automobile with first and second mounting blocks each including a base and a pair of upstanding mounting elements having apertures. A handle is provided and includes first and second mounting structures each having a pair of upstanding mounting tabs with apertures therein. A trough in each mounting structure has an open top along the length thereof. Each trough has a slot therein. One mounting structure is associated with each mounting block. First and second pins each include a head having a protrusion. One pin is disposed in the apertures of each mounting block and the mounting structure associated therewith, with the heads of the pins disposed in the troughs and the protrusions received in the slots for securing positions of the pins. 
     An advantage of the present invention is providing a passenger assist handle having a hinge structure with a hinge pin that is easy to insert and positively and securely retained in the installed position. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is providing a passenger assist handle including a retaining groove that can be molded without the need for moving slides in the mold, thereby simplifying the mold structure and the molding process for making the handle. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is providing a hinge pin for a passenger assist handle that can be molded without moving slides and with a simplified tooling construction and molding process. 
     A still further advantage of the present invention is providing a passenger assist handle that can be manufactured less expensively than more complicated passenger assist handle designs. 
     Yet another advantage of the present invention is providing a passenger assist handle structure that can be manufactured with simple mold construction, thereby resulting in faster mold processing times, lower mold construction costs, lower mold maintenance costs and lower overall part costs. 
    
    
     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like features. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a passenger assist handle structure according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the passenger assist handle structure shown in FIG. 1, taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the handle mounting structures shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the hinge pins shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is an end view of the hinge pin shown in FIG. 4 taken in the direction of line  5 — 5  of FIG. 4; and 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through an exemplary mold structure useful in molding a handle of the present invention, illustrating the manner in which the mold structure is simplified. 
     Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now more specifically to the drawings, and to FIG. 1 in particular, numeral  10  designates a passenger assist handle assembly which utilizes the positive hinge pin retaining features of the present invention. Passenger assist handle assembly  10  includes a grab handle  12  with legs  14  and  16  on the opposite ends thereof having mounting structures  18  and  20 , respectively. Each mounting structure  18  and  20  is cooperatively associated with a mounting block  22 ,  24  secured to the vehicle interior, such as to a frame component, door post or the like (not shown). 
     Mounting block  22  includes a base  30  and upstanding mounting elements  32  and  34 . Each mounting element  32 ,  34  includes an aperture  36 ,  38 , respectively. Mounting block  24  includes a base  40  and upstanding mounting elements  42  and  44 . Each mounting element  42 ,  44  is provided with an aperture  46 ,  48  therein, respectively. 
     Each base  30 ,  40  is securely attached to the vehicle interior (not shown), such as a door post or the like (not shown). The manner in which bases  30  and  40  are securely attached to the vehicle is well known to those familiar with the art, and will not be described in further detail herein. 
     Grab handle  12  is pivotally connected to mounting blocks  22  and  24  through pivotal mounting structures  18  and  20 . Thus, handle  12  can be moved relative to mounting blocks  22  and  24  between a closed, nonuse position, and an open position in which a person can firmly grasp handle  12 . 
     Leg  14  has a proximal end  50  and a distal end  52 . Proximal end  50  is connected to grab handle  12 , which may be via integral casting with grab handle  12 . Mounting structure  18  is provided at distal end  52 , and includes a cavity  54  (FIG. 3) having upstanding mounting tabs  56  and  58  near side walls  60  and  62  of cavity  54 . Mounting tabs  56  and  58  include apertures  64  and  66 , respectively. Leg  14  includes a trough  68  adjacent one mounting tab  56 ,  58 , and as shown includes trough  68  adjacent mounting tab  56 . Trough  68  is in substantial alignment with aperture  64 , and has a semicircular bottom  70  extending from an outer edge  69  of leg  14  to mounting tab  56 . A slot  72 , in the form of a semicircular depression in bottom  70 , is provided in trough  68 . Slot  72  is transverse to the longitudinal axis of trough  68 , and is substantially parallel to, and minimally spaced from mounting tab  56 . 
     Mounting structure  18  is operatively associated with mounting block  22  such that mounting tabs  56  and  58  are located adjacent to, and immediately outside of mounting elements  32  and  34 , respectively. A hinge pin  74  is provided to secure mounting structure  18  to mounting block  22 . Hinge pin  74  includes a head  76  and a shank  78 . Shank  78  is of sufficient length to extend through aperture  64  of mounting tab  56 , aperture  36  of mounting element  32 , aperture  38  of mounting element  34  and aperture  66  of mounting tab  58 . It should be understood that the furthest aperture from head  76 , aperture  66  in mounting tab  58  as illustrated, need not be a “through aperture” but may instead comprise a depression or hole having a bottom such that the end of pin  74  is not exposed. 
     Head  76  includes a semicircular portion having a protrusion in the nature of a ridge  80  extending outwardly thereof. Ridge  80  is shaped and designed to be received in slot  72 , to thereby retain pin  74  in its installed position. 
     Leg  16  similarly includes a proximal end  90  and a distal end  92  with the mounting structure  20  provided at distal end  92 . A cavity  94  is similarly provided with mounting tabs  96  and  98  adjacent side walls (not visible) similar to side walls  60  and  62 . Each mounting tab  96  and  98  includes apertures (not visible) similar to apertures  64  and  66  for receiving a hinge pin  100  having a head  102 , a shank  104 , with a ridge  106  on head  102 . Mounting structure  20  and mounting block  24  are operatively associated such that mounting tabs  96  and  98  are positioned immediately outside of mounting elements  42  and  44 , with the apertures therein in alignment such that shank  104  of pin  100  extends through the apertures of mounting elements  42  and  44  and mounting tabs  96  and  98 . Again, the furthest aperture, that aperture in mounting tab  98  as shown in the drawings need not be a through aperture, but can instead have a bottom. Similarly to pin  74 , pin  100  has a semicircular portion with ridge  106  thereof received in a slot  108  in a trough  110  of leg  16  similar to slot  72  provided in trough  68  of leg  14 . 
     In assembly of passenger assist handle assembly  10 , mounting structures  18  and  20  are aligned with mounting blocks  22  and  24 , respectively, and pins  74  and  100  are inserted through mounting elements  32 ,  34 ,  42 ,  44  and mounting tabs  56 ,  58 ,  76  and  78 . Because troughs  68  and  110  each have an open top, heads  76  and  102  can deflect slightly thereby making insertion of hinge pins  74  and  100  easier, requiring less force. Insertion of pins  74  and  100  continues until ridges  80  and  106  are received in slots  72  and  108 . Once ridges  80  and  106  are thus received in slots  72  and  108 , pins  74  and  100  are not easily dislodged. Thus, pins  74  and  100  are positively retained in their installed positions. 
     To urge handle  12  towards its closed position, a spring  112  can be provided in one or both cavities  54  and  74 , with spring  112  surrounding one of pins  74  and  100 . A cover  114  (only one shown) can be provided for cavities  54  and  74 , over spring or springs  112 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the manner in which a grab handle  12  of the present invention can be manufactured. A mold  120  includes a bottom mold portion  122  and a top mold portion  124 . Slot  92  is formed from a rib  126  provided in top mold portion  124 . Slot  72  can be similarly formed on the opposite end of handle  12 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4, pins  74  and  100  can similarly be manufactured from simple mold structures not requiring hydraulic cores. Slots  72  and  92  are formed in the dye draw direction such that no other additional moving pieces are required in a mold for handle  12 . Similarly, pins  74  and  100  are manufactured with simple mold designs. Thus, simpler mold constructions are possible and faster process cycle times in molding handle  12  and pins  74  and  100  are possible. With the simplified mold constructions, lower mold construction costs are achieved and with the elimination of hydraulic mold interior components, lower mold maintenance costs can be realized. As a result of the lower cost setup expense, lower maintenance costs and faster processing cycle times lower overall part cost is achieved with the present invention. 
     The present invention provides a hinged passenger assist handle simpler in manufacture and less expensive than previous designs. The hinge pins associated therewith can be inserted with less insertion force but upon full insertion are positively retained in proper position. Thus, a less expensive part easier to install with greater security in installation is achieved. 
     Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. 
     Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.