Abstract:
A door handle assembly for a motor vehicle has a handle mount, a handle and a coupling device, wherein the handle is coupled to the coupling device in the region of its second handle end which provides a door handle assembly in a structurally simple manner, in which the play in the longitudinal direction of the handle mount, and thus the clearance in the opening in the door panel for the handle ends, is reduced to a minimum. This is achieved in that the second handle end of the handle and a deflection lever of the mechanical coupling device are moveably coupled to one another by a pivotable and hinge-like articulated connection of the second handle end in relation to the deflection lever, when the handle has been actuated.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a door handle assembly for a motor vehicle, having a handle mount, a handle for opening a door or hatch on the motor vehicle, and a mechanical coupling device, wherein the handle is pivotably supported, in the region of its first handle end, on the handle mount that can be installed on the inside of the vehicle, and, in the region of its second handle end, is coupled to the mechanical coupling device, which is pivotably supported on the handle mount, and by means of which, an actuation of the handle can be transferred to a vehicle-side locking assembly. 
         [0002]    Door handle assemblies of this type, for a motor vehicle, can be executed as internal or external handles, wherein the present invention primarily relates to a door handle assembly for an external handle. There are numerous different constructions and embodiments for such door handle assemblies. The design according to the invention of a door handle relates to such designs with which the handle mount, on one hand, and the handle, on the other hand, are attached to one another from opposite sides of the door of the motor vehicle. The handle mount is attached thereby on the back of the door, i.e. on the inside of the motor vehicle, while the handle is mounted on the outside of the door, thus on the outside of the motor vehicle. After installation, the two handle ends of the handle pass through respective holes in the door, or in the door panel of the motor vehicle. 
         [0003]    A door handle assembly of the type described above is known, for example, from DE 10 2005 049 027 A1. This known door handle assembly has a handle mount, which is attached to the inside of the door, or the door panel, a handle, and a coupling device having a deflection lever. The handle is attached to the outside of the door thereby, in that the two handle ends of the handle are fed through respective openings in the door, and fastened to the handle mount. The first handle end of the handle is pivotably supported thereby on the handle mount, in a floating manner. The play in the longitudinal direction of the handle mount associated with this type of bearing is necessary, because the second handle end of the handle is non-pivotably connected to the deflection lever of the coupling device. As a result, due to the floating bearing of the first handle end, and the fixed support of the second handle end, correspondingly large clearances must be taken into account, which has a negative effect on the tightness of overall door handle assembly. In addition, the floating bearing for the first handle end results in the handle being able to wiggle slightly, or even noticeably, or to be able to execute a rocking movement, when actuated for opening a door or hatch on the motor vehicle, which may result in the user having the impression that the handle is not functioning properly. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The invention addresses the object of providing a solution resulting in a door handle assembly having a simple construction, which can be manufactured inexpensively, and with which the handle can be mounted on the handle mount in a simple, quick and convenient manner. In particular, a door handle assembly is to be provided, with which the play in the longitudinal direction of the handle mount, and thus the clearance in the openings in the door panel for the handle ends is reduced to a minimum. 
         [0005]    With a door handle assembly of the type described in the introduction, the object is achieved, according to the invention, that the second handle end of the handle, and a deflection lever of the mechanical coupling device are moveably coupled to one another by means of a pivotable and hinge-like articulated connection of the second handle end in relation to the deflection lever, when the handle has been actuated. 
         [0006]    Advantageous and practical designs and developments of the invention can be derived from the dependent claims. 
         [0007]    A door handle assembly for a motor vehicle is made available by the invention, distinguished by a functional construction and a simple and inexpensive structure. With the door handle assembly according to the invention, the articulated connection designed in the manner of a hinge ensures that the second handle end of the handle can be pivoted in relation to the deflection lever. Thus, the second handle end of the handle is now no longer non-pivotably attached to the deflection handle. As a result of this obtained degree of freedom, it is possible for the first handle end of the handle to be tightened in a fixed manner to the handle mount, by means of which the play in the first handle end of the handle in the axial direction, or in the longitudinal direction of the handle mount, and as a result thereof, the clearance, can be reduced to a minimum, enabling the use of simple and inexpensive tightening measures for the door handle assembly, by means of which the manufacturing costs for the overall door handle assembly are reduced. Furthermore, the support and movement guidance of the handle now no longer must occur at the first handle end with the door handle assembly according to the invention. Instead, with the door handle assembly according to the invention, the deflection lever guides the movement of the handle when it is actuated, such that the attachment of the first handle end, which is important for the pivotal movement of the handle in door handle assemblies from the prior art, can occur with constructively simple means and inexpensively. 
         [0008]    A particularly simple possibility for obtaining the hinge-like articulated connection exists in the design of the invention, in that the articulated connection is designed in the manner of a pivot joint or hinge, and the deflection lever for the coupling device is pivotably connected to the handle in the region of the second handle end. This possible design uses a minimum of components, because, by way of example, a bolt or screw connection, which pivotably connects the deflection lever to the second end of the handle, is sufficient for obtaining the pivot joint, or hinge. 
         [0009]    As an alternative to the design of the articulated connection as a pivot joint or hinge, the invention provides that the articulated connection comprises a joint element which is non-pivotably connected via a form-locking connection to a handle hook of the handle, formed on the second handle end, and which is pivotably connected to the deflection lever via a pivot joint connection. Thus, an intermediate piece is provided in the form of the joint element between the handle hook and deflection lever, which provides for a type of bending, in which the joint element is pivoted in relation to the deflection lever, and an extension, in which the joint element is disposed basically in a line, or flush, with the deflection lever, when the handle is actuated in order to open the door or hatch. 
         [0010]    In order to securely attach the handle hook to the joint element, to ensure the moveable coupling with the deflection lever, there is a structurally simple possibility, in that the form-locking connection comprises a screw, screwed into a thread in the joint element, which fixes the free end of the handle hook in place. 
         [0011]    In this regard, the screw can be screwed to the handle hook, which, however, requires an additional thread, and would increase the maintaining of manufacturing tolerances, in order that the screw can also actually be screwed to the joint element as well as to the handle hook. For this reason, the invention provides, in an advantageous design, instead, that with the form-locking connection, the screw is inserted through a hole formed on the free end of the handle hook, and the screw is screwed into the joint element with its screw head lying against the joint element. 
         [0012]    With a door handle assembly according to the type indicated in the introduction, the handle mount is first attached to the back surface of the door (on the inside), and only after this, the handle is installed from the outside of the door (on the outside). The first handle end of the handle is pivotably attached to the handle mount thereby, and the second handle end of the handle is releasably attached to the mechanical coupling device, which is already pivotably supported on the handle mount attached to the inside of the door. In order to facilitate this attachment of the second handle end, or the handle hook, to the coupling device, the coupling device, designed in the manner of a lever, must be moved to an installation position, by means of which the handle hook that is to be coupled to the second handle end of the handle is disposed in the proximity of the hole in the door allocated thereto. The installation position is to be maintained thereby, until the attachment of the second handle end, or handle hook, of the handle has been completed. For this, until now, locking elements have been necessary in the prior art, which are difficult to bring into their locking position, and then released therefrom, and in some cases, must then be dismantled. This is no longer necessary with the door handle assembly according to the invention, because, in this regard, the invention provides in its design that, in order to install the free end of the handle hook of the handle on the deflection lever of the coupling device, the deflection lever is fixed in place in terms of its movement using the screw, in that the screw is screwed out of the joint element, such that it protrudes from the joint element, such that its screw head lies against one of the contact surfaces formed on the coupling device, such that a relative movement between the joint element and the coupling device is blocked. The contact surface can be designed thereby such that the head surface and/or the circumferential surface of the screw head is supported in sections. 
         [0013]    In order to obtain a modular construction of the door handle assembly, in which the individual components can be easily connected, and disassembled, as well as replaced, it is furthermore provided in the design of the invention that the pivot joint connection comprises at least one receiving recess formed in the joint element, and at least one joint pin protruding laterally from the deflection lever, wherein the at least one joint pin is pivotably supported in the at least one receiving recess. The at least one joint pin on the deflection lever is thus inserted in the manner of a plug-in connection in the corresponding receiving recess formed in the joint element. 
         [0014]    In order to prevent lateral movements of the joint pin in the receiving recess, the invention provides, in a further design, that the at least one receiving recess is designed with at least one step in the cross-section, and the at least one joint pin has, at least in sections, an expanded head, of which at least one section is disposed such that it lies behind the at least one step inside the joint element. The joint pin thus has a type of flange, which rests against the step in the receiving recess, and blocks a lateral movement of the joint pin in the receiving recess in the manner of a rail. 
         [0015]    It is then further provided in the design of the invention that the joint element has an installation funnel facing the screw head, for inserting and orienting a tool for adjusting the position of the screw in the joint element. The tool necessary for a change between the installation state and the operating state, such as a screwdriver, can be inserted in a simple manner as a result, without the tool having to be brought into position by means of special skills. 
         [0016]    In this regard, there is a further possibility for facilitating the installation, in that an additional funnel of an installation aid is disposed in a virtual extension of the installation funnel, wherein the installation aid is secured on the handle mount by means of locking connection elements, such that it can be dismantled, or is designed as an integral part of the handle mount. 
         [0017]    By means of the door handle assembly according to the invention, having the joint element designed in the manner of a hinge, in contrast to door handle assemblies from the prior art, with which the handle hook of the handle is non-pivotably connected to the deflection lever of the mechanical coupling device, there is now the possibility that the first handle end of the handle is tightened down in a fixed manner. As a result of the secure tightening of the first handle end of the handle, there is no longer any play in the longitudinal direction of the door handle mount, such that rocking movements of the handle when it is actuated no longer occur for the most part, giving the appearance of a higher quality to the overall door handle assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    It is to be understood that the features specified above, and to be explained below, can be used, not only in the respective combinations given herein, but also in other combinations or in and of themselves, without abandoning the scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined only by the claims. 
           [0019]    Further details, features and advantages of the subject matter of the invention can be derived from the following description, in conjunction with the drawings, in which a preferred embodiment example of the invention is depicted, by way of example. In the drawings: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of a motor vehicle having numerous door handle assemblies according to the invention, 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a door, on the inside of which a handle mount, and on the outside of which a handle, are disposed, to form a door handle assembly according to the invention, 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a handle mount for the door handle assembly according to the invention, 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective, detailed depiction of the door handle assembly according to the invention, 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  shows a joint element for the door handle assembly in a perspective view, 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  shows the joint element from  FIG. 5  in another perspective view, 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  shows the joint element from  FIG. 5  in a sectional view, 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  shows the installation element and a mechanical coupling device before they are assembled, in a perspective view, 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  shows the installation element attached to the coupling device, in a perspective sectional view, 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective, lateral, sectional view of the installation element attached to the coupling device, wherein a screw, screwed into the joint element for an installation position and orientation of the joint element and coupling device, provides for an attachment of a handle hook of a handle on the handle mount, 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective, lateral, sectional view of the installation element attached to the coupling device, wherein the screw screwed into the joint element provides for an inactive position of the joint element and coupling device, and establishes the operational readiness of the door handle assembly, 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  shows another lateral, sectional view of the coupling device and the joint element in the inactive position, when the handle has not been actuated, 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  shows another lateral, sectional view of the coupling device and the joint element in an end position, when the handle has been actuated, 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  shows a lateral view of the coupling device and the joint element in the inactive position, when the handle has not been actuated, 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  shows a lateral view of the coupling device and the joint element in the end position, when the handle has been actuated, 
           [0035]      FIG. 16  shows a perspective view of the coupling device and the joint element in the inactive position, when the handle has not been actuated, and 
           [0036]      FIG. 17  shows a perspective view of the coupling device and the joint element in the end position, when the handle has been actuated. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]    A vehicle, or motor vehicle  1 , respectively, in the form of a passenger car, is depicted by way of example in  FIG. 1 , having four doors  2  in the example (two of which are visible in  FIG. 1 ), which can be opened by means of a door handle, or a handle  4 . The doors  2  are closed in a fixed manner via respective closing assemblies  5 , and can be opened from the outside only by means of a respective movement of the handle  4 . This movement of the handle  4  can be composed of a pulling and/or lifting movement, wherein the movement of the handle  4  is mechanically transferred by at least one (mechanical) coupling device  6  (see  FIG. 3  or  4 , by way of example) to the corresponding closing assembly  5 . By moving the handle  4 , the corresponding closing assembly  5  and thus the associated door  2  can then be opened. 
         [0038]    The door handle assembly  3  is depicted in greater detail in  FIGS. 2 to 17  in various views for various positions. As can be seen, in particular, in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , the door handle assembly  3  has a frame-like handle mount  7 , wherein, for reasons of clarity, a depiction of the handle  4  is omitted in  FIG. 3 . The handle mount  7  serves, in the known manner, for the attachment of the handle  4 , and is attached to the inside of the door  2  (on the inside) by means of screw connections, not shown in greater detail, wherein the handle  4  is disposed on the outside of the door  2  (on the outside), as indicated in  FIG. 2 . In order to save on materials, the handle mount  7  is substantially designed as a frame structure, having various receiving and bearing spaces, in order to be able to accommodate the handle  4 , among other things, which is moveably and/or pivotably supported on the handle mount  7  in order for a user to be able to open a corresponding door  2  of the motor vehicle  1 . 
         [0039]    As is shown in  FIG. 2 , the door  2  has a handle recess  8  with two holes  9  and  10 , through which the bowed handle  4  extends with its first handle end  11  and its second handle end  12  in the assembled state of the door handle assembly  3 . The first handle end  11  of the handle  4  is thus inserted through the first hole  9 , and tightened in a secure manner to a bearing element  13  on the handle mount  7 . The tightening of the handle  4  at the end furthermore enables an upward pivoting of the handle  4  about a vertical axis. The second handle end  12  of the handle  4  extends through the second hole  10  formed in the door after the installation of the door handle device  3 , and acts together with the coupling device  6  for actuating the closing assembly  5 . The second handle end  12  is designed with a handle hook  14  thereby, and the mechanical coupling device  6  is designed with a deflection lever  15 . The deflection lever  15  of the mechanical coupling device  6  is coupled thereby to the free end  16  of the handle hook  14  on the second handle end  12  of the handle  4 . 
         [0040]    A movement of the handle  4  can be transferred to the corresponding, vehicle-side closing assembly  5  by the mechanical coupling device  6 , which is pivotably supported on the handle mount  7 , in order to open the corresponding door  2  by this means. The coupling device  6  in the selected embodiment example can be pivoted, against the force of a mechanical return element  17  designed as a spring element, from an inactive position (see  FIGS. 12 ,  14  and  16 , for example) when the handle  4  has not been actuated, into an end position (see  FIGS. 13 ,  15  and  17 , for example), in which the handle  4  has been actuated, wherein the spring element, or return element  17 , forces the coupling device  6 , together with the handle  4 , out of the end position back into its inactive position. The coupling device  6  is pivotably supported on the handle mount  7  by means of rotational axle elements  18  in corresponding bearing positions  19  on the handle mount  7  (see  FIG. 4 , for example), wherein the spring element, or return element  17  is held in place by the rotational axle elements  18 , and rests against the coupling device  6  as well as the handle mount  7 , in order to exert the force acting against the outward pivoting in the course of the outward pivoting, and cause the desired return to the inactive position. 
         [0041]    The handle  4  can be coupled with its second handle end  12  to the coupling device  6  pivotably supported on the handle mount  7 . The handle  4  is thus moveably coupled to the closing assembly  5  when it is actuated in order to open the door  2  of the motor vehicle  1 . For this moveable coupling, the door handle assembly  3  has a joint element  20 , in addition to the handle mount  7 , the coupling device  6  pivotably supported on the handle mount  7 , and the handle  4  attached at its first handle end  11  to the handle mount  7 . The joint element  20 , which is depicted in detail, for example, in  FIGS. 4 to 7 , has a through hole  40  (see  FIG. 10 , for example), having a thread  21  (see  FIG. 6 , for example), into which a screw  22  is screwed, which serves to fix the handle hook  14  in place. Both the screw head  23  as well as the screw foot  24  exhibit, in each case, a hexagonal socket for manipulating the screw  22 , and for its adjustment in the thread, or thread course  21 , respectively, with a corresponding tool. 
         [0042]    For the installation of the door handle assembly  3  according to the invention, the handle mount  7  shown in  FIG. 3  is preassembled, i.e. all of the components that are to be attached thereto, such as an emergency lock cylinder, a crash-barrier, etc. are attached to the handle mount  7  prior to the installation of the handle mount  7  on the door  2 , and then screwed onto the door  2  of the motor vehicle  1  on the inside thereof. Prior to this, however, the coupling device  6 , including the joint element  20 , is also attached to the handle mount  7 . The mechanical coupling device  6  is inserted with its rotational axle elements  18  in the corresponding bearing positions  19  on the handle mount  7 , such that the mechanical coupling device  6  is pivotably supported via the rotational axle elements  18 . Subsequently, the joint element  20  is then connected to the mechanical coupling device  6  supported on the handle mount  7 . For this, the mechanical coupling device  6  has two joint pins  25  in the depicted embodiment example, onto which the joint element  20  is placed. One respective joint pin  25  extends laterally thereby, from a respective arm  26  of the two-armed deflection lever  15 . The two joint pins  25  extend between the two arms  26  of the deflection lever  15 . The joint element  20  has receiving recesses  27  formed on the side thereof, and open at one end, which serve to enable the joint element  20  to be placed on the two-armed deflection lever  15  of the coupling device  6 , in that the joint pins  25  can be inserted in receiving recesses  27 . The joint pins  25  enable the joint element  20  to rotate in relation to the two-armed deflection lever  15 , as shall be explained below in detail. The joint pins  25  accommodated in the receiving recesses  27  thus form a pivot joint connection  28  (see  FIG. 13 , for example) between the joint element  20  and the coupling device  6 . In order to form the pivot joint connection  28 , it is sufficient when this connection comprises at least one receiving recess  27  formed in the joint element  20  and at least one joint pin  25  protruding laterally from the deflection lever  15 , wherein the at least one joint pin  25  must be pivotably supported in the at least one receiving recess  27 . 
         [0043]    The pivot joint connection  28  is part of an articulated connection  29  (see  FIG. 13 , for example), by means of which the second handle end  12  can be pivoted in relation to the deflection lever  15  when the handle has been actuated. In addition to the pivot joint connection  28 , a form-locking connection  30  belongs to the hinge-like articulated connection  29  (see  FIG. 11  or  FIG. 13 , for example). In this manner, the second handle end  12  of the handle  4  and the deflection lever  15  of the mechanical coupling device  6  are moveably coupled to one another by means of the pivotable and hinge-like articulated connection  29  of the second handle end  12  in relation to the deflection lever  15 , when the handle  4  is actuated. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 9 to 17  depict, schematically, the interaction of the coupling device  6 , the second handle end  12  of the handle  4 , and the joint element  20 , wherein, for reasons of clarity, by way of example, a depiction of the handle mount  7  is omitted, and instead, only the components that are relevant to the invention are shown and, in particular, described. 
         [0045]    In  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the joint element  20  is connected to the coupling device  6  via the pivot joint connection  28 , while in contrast, the handle hook  15  on the second handle end  12  of the handle  4  is not yet attached to the joint element  20 . The screw  22  assumes the position depicted by a broken line in  FIG. 7  thereby, in which the screw  22  protrudes out of the joint element  20  such that its screw head  23  sticks out. In this position of the screw  22 , which characterizes an installation position, the screw head  23  lies against a contact surface  31  formed on the coupling device  6  (see  FIG. 10 , for example) such that a relative movement between the joint element  20  and the coupling device  6  is blocked. The contact surface  31  is designed in the shape of a semi-circle, and supports not only the disk-shaped end surface of the head surface of the screw head  23 , but also the half circumferential lateral surface of the screw head  23 . The screw head  23  of the screw  22  is thus supported by the bowl-shaped contact surface  23  in sections, in order to prevent a relative movement between the joint element  20  and the coupling device  6 . In this position, or the installation position, respectively, the free end  16  of the handle hook  14  can be inserted in a through chamber  32  (see  FIG. 7 , for example), which runs such that it is substantially perpendicular to the through hole  40 , in order to install the handle  4  on the handle mount  7 . In order to form the form-locking connection  30 , which is established during the installation of the handle  4 , the screw  22  is then inserted through a through hole  33  formed on the free end  16  of the handle hook  14 , such that the handle  4  is secured. This state is shown in  FIG. 11 , in which the screw  22  rests against the joint element  20  with its screw head  23 , and is completely screwed into the joint element  20 , as is characteristic of the form-locking connection  30 . In order to facilitate the manipulation, or handling, of the screw  22 , in order to change its position in the joint element  20  from the position shown in  FIG. 10  to the position shown in  FIG. 11 , the joint element  20  has an installation funnel  34  facing the screw  22 , which transitions into the through hole  40 , and serves for the insertion and orientation of a tool for adjusting the position of the screw  22  in the joint element  20 . In order to better orient an appropriate tool to the screw, an additional funnel  35  of an installation aid  36  is disposed in a virtual extension of the installation funnel  34 , wherein the installation aid  36  with the additional funnel  35  is purely optional, and is thus expendable. The installation aid  36  is visible, for example, in  FIG. 3  or  4 , wherein in the depicted embodiment example, the installation aid  36  is securely attached to the handle mount  7  by means of locking connection elements  37 , such that it can be dismantled. As an alternative to the locking connection elements  37 , the installation aid  36  could also be designed as an integral part of the handle mount  7 . 
         [0046]    After the installation of the handle  4  on the handle mount  7 , as described above, the handle  4  can then be moved between its inactive position (when the handle  4  has not been actuated) and an end position (when the handle  4  has been actuated to open the door  2 ). The screw  22 , which is then fully screwed into the joint element  20  is then disposed running through the through hole  33  of the handle hook  15 , and holds the handle hook securely in this manner, or fixes it in place. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 12 ,  14  and  16  show various views of the inactive position, while, in contrast,  FIGS. 13 ,  15  and  17  show views, corresponding to  FIGS. 12 ,  14  and  16 , in which the handle  4  is located in its end position. In the inactive position, the handle hook  14  is oriented nearly perpendicular to the two-armed deflection lever  15 . Furthermore, in the inactive position, the arms  26  of the deflection lever  15  are disposed in a line to the joint element  20 , such that the articulated connection  29  exhibits a type of extended state. When the handle  4  is actuated, the handle hook  14  moves substantially vertically downward, with respect to  FIGS. 12 to 17 . As a result of this movement of the handle hook  14  of the handle  4 , the joint element, non-pivotably connected to the free end  16 , likewise moves downward, thus away from the handle mount  7 . Because of the moveable coupling of the second handle end  12  of the handle  4  with the deflection lever  15  of the mechanical coupling device  6 , which is obtained by means of the articulated connection  29 , the deflection lever is also moved downward, away from the handle mount  7 , by means of which the coupling device  6  and the rotational axle element  18 , pivotably supported in the bearing points  19 , rotates. Furthermore, the deflection lever  15  is pivoted thereby in relation to the joint element  20 , which is possible by means of the joint pins  25  pivotably supported in the receiving recesses  27  (see  FIG. 13 , for example). As a result, the articulated connection  29  exhibits a type of curved state, in which the deflection lever  15  is pivoted in relation to the handle hook  14  of the handle  4 , which is possible by means of the hinge-like articulated connection  29 , which comprises both the form-locking connection  30  between the handle hook  14  and the joint element  20 , as well as the pivot joint connection  28  between the joint element  20  and the deflection lever  15 . 
         [0048]    The receiving recesses  27 , which are open at one end, toward the mechanical coupling device  6 , are each designed with at least one step  38  in the cross-section (see  FIG. 6 , for example), while, in contrast, the joint pins  25  each have, at least in sections, an expanded head  39  (see  FIG. 8 , for example). The expanded head  39  is designed as a bulge having the shape of a circle segment in the embodiment example shown here, which is disposed such that it lies behind the step  38  of the joint element  20 , and prevents a lateral relative movement of the joint element  20  and the coupling device  6 . This expanded head  29  is disposed in each case such that it lies behind the step  38  inside the joint element  20  (as can be seen, for example, in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ), such that a lateral movement of the deflection lever  15  is prevented. 
         [0049]    The invention described above is, as a matter of course, not limited to the described and depicted embodiment. It is apparent that numerous changes can be made to the embodiment depicted in the drawings, which are obvious to the person skilled in the art, depending on the intended use, without abandoning the scope of the invention thereby. Everything contained in the description and/or depicted in the drawings belongs to the invention, including that which is obvious to the person skilled in the art, deviating from the concrete embodiment example.