Patent ID: 7870647

Claim:
A door handle assembly comprising: a handle body defining a longitudinal axis and comprising a first attachment portion proximate a first end of said handle body, said first attachment portion configured to engage a door panel, said first attachment portion comprising a first substantially planar interface configured to lie proximate the door panel with said first attachment portion engaged with the door panel, said first substantially planar interface comprising a first mounting surface and a first circumferentially extending exterior edge forming a rim; a first latch member removably coupled to said first attachment portion via one or more fasteners, said first latch member configured to attach said first attachment portion to the door panel, said first latch member defining a first ramp opening having a neck portion and a head portion, said first ramp opening defining an axis of symmetry parallel to and coplanar with the longitudinal axis, said neck portion configured to engage a first corresponding mounting portion extending from the door panel; and a first protective member coupled to said first mounting surface, said first protective member sized to fit within and not beyond the rim of said first circumferentially extending exterior edge, said first protective member facilitates reducing damage to the door panel during installation of said door handle assembly to the door panel.