EP1574638A1 - Improved blocking means for fixing an external handle element to a handle support and corresponding fixing method. - Google Patents

Abstract

The U-bolt (68) has two longitudinal branches joined at their rear ends by a base (72), where each branch has a pin (78) extending in the direction of the opposite branch. The pins are received, in a locking position, in complementary housings (80) arranged in a fixing bead (60) of a locking body of a handle (10) so that the body is locked transversely in a handle support. An independent claim is also included for a process of fixing of a fixing bead of an external unit in a handle support using a locking unit.

Description

The invention relates to a locking member intended to ensure the fixing of a external element of a handle on a handle support of an opening of motor vehicle.

The invention also relates to a method of fixing a fixing heel of an external element in a handle holder by the use of a locking member.

The invention applies more particularly to a handle opening of motor vehicle, of the type in which the opening comprises a space internally bounded by two panels, interior and exterior, which are connected by a edge panel, of the type in which the handle comprises a support handle that is arranged in the interior space of the opening, and type wherein an outer member of the handle is provided with a heel of fixation which is engaged transversely inwards through a orifice arranged in the outer panel to be secured to the handle support and thus ensure the attachment of the external element.

A motor vehicle handle may include different types elements arranged outside the body panel. In the case a particularly simple handle, so it can be a simple bar gripping mechanism by which the user can move the opening between a open position and a closed position.

It can also be a body intended to receive a locking bolt a lock of the opening, this body having an external part which allows on the one hand access to the lock, for the introduction of a key, and which ensures on the other hand an aesthetic integration of the lock.

In addition, the external element can also be an element that participates in the fixing the handle on the opening.

Fixing such an element raises many problems.

For aesthetic reasons, it is desirable that the fastening means of this external element are not visible from outside the vehicle. However, the bracket for fixing the handle is generally arranged in a not easily accessible place of the opening, especially once the complete assembly of the opening is complete and that the fittings interior doors are laid. Indeed, the fixing support is generally arranged inside a closed box of the delimited opening including the interior and exterior panels.

When it is desired to fix the external element only at the last moment of the assembly of the opening or when it is desired to dismantle this element for example to perform a repair of the outer panel of bodywork, it is interesting to have easy access to means for fixing the external element.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a locking member intended to ensure the attaching an outer member of a handle to a handle holder intended to be arranged in the internal space of a vehicle opening automobile, as claimed in claim 1.

• l'organe de blocage est monté à coulissement dans le support selon une direction perpendiculaire à la direction transversale d'engagement de l'élément externe, et l'organe de blocage comporte au moins un ergot qui, en position de blocage, est reçu dans un logement complémentaire du talon de l'élément externe pour empêcher que l'élément externe ne puisse être extrait transversalement vers l'extérieur ;
• l'ergot et le logement coopèrent par deux pans complémentaires qui sont inclinés par rapport à la direction transversale d'engagement de l'élément externe et par rapport à la direction de coulissement de l'organe de blocage de telle sorte que, lorsque l'organe de blocage est amené vers sa position de blocage, l'élément externe est sollicité transversa-lement par l'ergot de l'organe de blocage ;
• le talon de l'élément externe est guidé en coulissement selon la direction transversale dans le support de poignée ;
• l'organe de blocage présente la forme d'un étrier en U comportant deux branches longitudinales parallèles réunies à leur extrémité arrière par une base qui s'étend perpendiculairement au deux branches et perpendiculairement à la direction transversale, l'étrier est introduit longitudina-lement d'avant en arrière, jusqu'à une position avancée de déblocage, dans une glissière complémentaire agencée à l'arrière du support, et l'étrier est amené par les moyens de commande longitudinalement vers l'arrière jusqu'à sa position de blocage dans laquelle des ergots, aménagés aux extrémités avant de chaque branche, sont engagés dans des logements correspondants du talon de l'élément externe, ce dernier étant alors reçu entre les deux branches longitudinales de l'étrier de blocage ;
• le support de poignée comporte des moyens de prépositionnement de l'organe de blocage qui, au cours du montage de la poignée, le maintiennent dans sa position de déblocage ;
• les moyens de commande sont constitués par une tige filetée d'axe longitudinal qui est vissée dans la base de l'étrier, dont l'extrémité avant prend appui sur une surface qui est fixe longitudinalement, et dont l'extrémité arrière présente une empreinte complémentaire de celle d'un outil de manoeuvre susceptible d'être introduit au travers de l'ouverture du panneau de chant de l'ouvrant ;
• la tige filetée est en appui contre une surface latérale du talon de l'élément externe ;
• l'élément externe forme un corps de verrouillage qui participe à la fixation de la poignée sur l'ouvrant ;
• l'élément externe forme un élément de préhension fixe par lequel un utilisateur peut amener l'ouvrant d'une position fermée à une position ouverte ; et
• l'élément externe forme un carter destiné à recevoir un verrou.

According to other features of the invention:

• the locking member is slidably mounted in the support in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction of engagement of the outer member, and the locking member comprises at least one lug which, in the locking position, is received in a housing complementary to the heel of the outer member to prevent the outer member can be extracted transversely outwards;
• the lug and the housing cooperate by two complementary faces which are inclined with respect to the transverse direction of engagement of the external element and with respect to the sliding direction of the locking member so that when the blocking member is brought to its blocking position, the outer member is biased transversa-lement by the lug of the locking member;
• the heel of the outer member is slidably guided in the transverse direction in the handle holder;
• the locking member has the shape of a U-shaped stirrup having two parallel longitudinal branches joined at their rear end by a base which extends perpendicular to the two branches and perpendicular to the transverse direction, the stirrup is introduced longitudinally from front to rear, to an advanced unlocking position, in a complementary slideway arranged at the rear of the support, and the stirrup is brought by the control means longitudinally rearwardly to its locking position wherein lugs, arranged at the front ends of each branch, are engaged in corresponding housing of the heel of the outer member, the latter being then received between the two longitudinal legs of the locking bracket;
• the handle support comprises means for prepositioning the locking member which, during mounting of the handle, keep it in its unlocking position;
• the control means are constituted by a threaded rod of longitudinal axis which is screwed into the base of the stirrup, whose front end bears on a surface which is fixed longitudinally, and whose rear end has a complementary footprint that of a maneuvering tool that can be introduced through the opening of the edge panel of the opening;
• the threaded rod bears against a lateral surface of the heel of the external element;
• the outer member forms a locking body which participates in fixing the handle on the opening;
• the outer member forms a fixed gripping member by which a user can move the leaf from a closed position to an open position; and
• the outer member forms a housing for receiving a latch.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective éclatée d'une poignée d'ouvrant présentant l'invention comportant un support agencé du côté interne d'un panneau de carrosserie et un organe de préhension agencé du côté externe du panneau ;
• les figures 2 à 4 sont des vues schématiques en coupe selon un plan longitudinal et transversal de la poignée, dans lesquelles on a illustré plus particulièrement la mise en place et le blocage d'un corps de verrouillage complémentaire de la poignée ;
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues en coupes selon les lignes 5-5 et 6-6 respectivement des figures 3 et 4 illustrant le blocage du corps de verrouillage ;
• la figure 7 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne 7-7 de la figure 4 illustrant le guidage du corps de verrouillage dans le support de poignée ; et
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne brisée 8-8 de la figure 7.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective exploded view of a sash handle of the invention having a support arranged on the inner side of a body panel and a gripping member arranged on the outer side of the panel;
• Figures 2 to 4 are schematic sectional views along a longitudinal and transverse plane of the handle, in which there is illustrated more particularly the establishment and locking of a complementary locking body of the handle;
• Figures 5 and 6 are sectional views along lines 5-5 and 6-6 respectively of Figures 3 and 4 illustrating the locking of the locking body;
• Figure 7 is a sectional view along the line 7-7 of Figure 4 illustrating the guiding of the locking body in the handle holder; and
• Figure 8 is a sectional view along the broken line 8-8 of Figure 7.

FIG. 1 shows a handle 10 intended to be mounted on a outer body panel 12 of a motor vehicle door. The handle 10 essentially comprises a handle support 14, which is intended to be fixed on the inner side of the panel 12, and a lever of gripping 16 which is intended to be arranged on the outer side of the panel 12, while being fixed on the support 14.

In the embodiment which is illustrated in the figures, the lever of gripping member 16 is in the form of a bar which extends in a longitudinal direction, horizontal with respect to an orientation conventional motor vehicle, and it is articulated on the support 14 by its front end 18, around a vertical axis A1, that is to say substantially parallel to the plane of the body panel 12 and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lever 16.

Of course, the notions of horizontal and vertical are used here in purpose of simplifying the understanding of the description and should not be conceived as limitations of the scope of the invention, in particular as to the orientation of the handle.

For its articulation on the support 14, the front end 18 of the lever 16 comprises a hinge element 20 which extends transversely towards inside, through a front opening 22 arranged in the panel 12, and which cooperates with a hinge element of the support 14. At its rear end 24, the gripping lever 16 has an element of command 26 which is intended to extend transversely inwards through a rear opening 28 arranged in the panel 12, to be able to control a linkage associated with a lock in order to cause the opening of the opening when the user manipulates the lever of gripping 16 by separating it from the plane of the panel 12.

Of course, the angular travel of the gripping lever 16 around the axis A1 is limited by means not shown.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated, the support of handle 14 is intended to be mounted on the body panel according to a bayonet mount and the handle has a locking body that is intended to be transversely engaged from the outside to the inside at through the outer bodywork panel so that a heel of Fixing the locking body is fixed on the locking bracket.

In accordance with the teachings of the invention, it will be described quick and reliable fastening of the locking body, these means being likely to be easily implemented even after the opening completely assembled.

It can be seen in FIG. 1 that the support 14 comprises a bearing surface before 30 and a rear support surface 32 which are each intended for come in support transversely towards the outside against the internal face of the body panel. At each of these two surfaces of support, the support 14 comprises hooking tabs 36 which extend transversely outward.

In the example shown, the support 14 has two hooking tabs 36 at its front support surface 30 and two other legs 36 at level of its rear support surface 32.

To ensure the mounting of the support 14, it is first brought by a first approach movement, transversely from the inside towards the outside bearing against the inner face of the panel 12, so that the tabs 36 are engaged through the openings 22 and 28 corresponding.

Then, when the support 14 has reached an intermediate position of mounting in which these two bearing faces 30, 32 are in abutment against the inner face, the support 14 is then moved longitudinally towards the front simply by sliding along the body panel. during this snapping movement, the ends of each of the legs 36 are intended to engage behind an outer face 42 of the body panel 12.

Indeed, the front 22 and rear 28 openings have support edges 44 which are arranged on the path of the legs 36 when the support 14 is moved longitudinally forward from an intermediate position mounting.

Thus, when the support 14 has reached its longitudinal position the most advanced, which corresponds to its final position, the tabs 36 prevent it can not be pulled transversely inwards from the body panel 12.

In addition, means are provided for blocking automatically, at least temporarily, the support 14 when it has reaches its final position, so as to prevent it from going back longitudinally backwards at the risk of freeing the legs hooking 36.

To do this, we can see that the support 14 has, at the back of its front support surface 30, and more exactly behind each of legs 36 carried by the latter, two elastic arms 48 which extend substantially longitudinally, which are linked to the support 14 by their front end, and whose rear end extends transversally to outside relative to the plane of the bearing surface 30 when in the state free as illustrated in Figure 1.

The elastic arms 48, which are made integrally with the support, are likely to be biased transversely towards the interior of in order not to exceed transversely outwards in relation to to the plane of this surface. This is the case when we bring the support 14 resting against the inner face of the panel 12.

However, when the support 14 reaches its final position, the elastic arms 48 are facing the front opening 22 so that they can resume their free position. Their rear end is then found longitudinally just in front of a trailing edge 52 of the opening 22. the kind, extending transversely outwards from a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the body panel, the ends rear of each of the arms 48 are then supported in accordance with the longitudinal direction, in the plane of the body panel 12, against the trailing edge 52 of the front opening 22 which forms a notch of locking, thus preventing the backing of the support 14.

As will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8, the handle according to the invention comprises complementary locking means, of which the action is added to that of the elastic arms 48 which, in this case, serve essentially to provide a pre-lock of the handle support 14.

For this purpose, the handle comprises a locking body 56 having a outer portion 58 and a fastening heel 60 extending transversely inward to be received through the rear opening 28 of the outer panel 12 of the body of the opening and to be guided in sliding in the transverse direction in a cavity complementary 62 arranged in the handle support 14.

The outer portion 58 has a bearing face 63 turned facing the outer face 42 of the panel 12.

When the support 14 is in the final mounting position, the heel 60 of the locking body 56 is engaged transversely inwards in the cavity 62 of the support 14, from the outside of the opening, so that the locking body 56 is then immobilized with respect to the support 14 in all directions except the transverse direction. In the same time, it can be seen in FIG. 8 that a rear lateral face 64 is then in support longitudinally towards the rear against a rear edge 66 of the rear opening 28. Also, the locking body 56 prevents any longitudinal withdrawal towards the rear of the support 14 with respect to the panel 12, which eliminates any risk of disassembly of the support 14 to the case where the elastic arms 48 would break.

In accordance with the teachings of the invention, to ensure the fixation of the locking body in the cavity 62 of the support 14, the handle 10 comprises a stirrup 68 which is slidably mounted longitudinally in the rear part of the support 14. The stirrup 68 essentially comprises two longitudinal branches 70 joined at their rear end by a base 72 so that in a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction, the stirrup 68 has substantially the shape of a U open towards the front.

At their front end, the branches 70 are each provided with a lug 78, each lug 78 extending substantially towards the branch opposite. As will be seen later, the pins 78 are intended for to be accommodated in additional housing units 80 in the heel 60.

The stirrup 68 is intended to be engaged in a slide 74 of the support 14 which opens out longitudinally at the back. The precise guidance of stirrup 68 is provided in particular by rails 76 arranged on the outer faces of the branches 70 of the locking body 56.

Before mounting the support 14 on the opening, the stirrup 68 is engaged longitudinally from back to front in slide 74 to a advanced unlocking position in which the branches 72 extend from both sides of the cavity 62, the lugs 78 being arranged in front of the cavity so that the stirrup 68 can not prevent the introduction of the heel 60 of the locking body 56 in the cavity 62.

It will be noted in FIGS. 2 and 3 that the support 14 comprises a blade elastic 82 which retains the stirrup 68 longitudinally in its position advanced release to prevent it from escaping from the slide 74 under the effect of its own weight.

When the heel 60 of the locking body 56 is engaged in the cavity 62, we can see in Figures 5 and 6 that it is received between the two branches 70 of the caliper 68. Once the locking body 56 is in place, the housing 80 arranged in its heel 60 are longitudinally facing the lugs 78 of the stirrup 68.

According to one aspect of the invention, the stirrup 68 is provided with means of command that allow it to move back longitudinally up to a rearward locking position in which the lugs 78 are received in the housings 80, which ensures the transverse locking of the locking body 56 relative to the support 14, and therefore its complete immobilization.

For this purpose, there is provided a threaded rod 84 of longitudinal axis which is screwed to through the base 72 of the stirrup. Its rear end, which extends backwards of the base 72, has a hexagonal hollow axial recess 86 which allows it to be maneuvered using a "hexagonal key" type tool. To his front end, the threaded rod 84 has a bearing cup 88 which is intended to bear axially forwardly on the lateral surface back 64 of the heel 60 of the locking body 56. Optionally, the front end of the rod 84 may also be provided with an impression recessed to facilitate the mounting of the rod 84 on the caliper 68, which is performed before the introduction of the stirrup 68 into the slideway 74, and thus before the mounting of the support 14 on the opening.

As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, it is thus possible, while maneuvering the threaded rod 84 in the proper direction, back longitudinally the stirrup 68 relative to the locking body 56, which is fixed according to this direction, until the pins 78 are brought into the housings 80.

Advantageously, the lugs 78 and the housing 80 are provided with panels inclined 90, 92 which, when the caliper is brought to its rearward blocking position, cooperate in such a way that they cause a moving the locking body 56 transversely inwards, which makes it possible to ensure a tightening of the bearing surface 63 of the body 56 against the outer face 42 of the outer panel 12. Advantageously, a seal 94 is arranged between the bearing face 63 and the panel 12.

The design of the locking body lock 56 is particularly advantageous in that it allows easy assembly and disassembly of the body on the support 14, but in the case where the latter is not accessible.

Indeed, the handle support 14 is generally fixed in a space internal part of the opening which is delimited by the outer panel 12, by a inner panel parallel to the outer panel, and by at least one panel edge 96 extending transversely to connect the inner panels and outer 12. The inner panel is for example constituted by a counter door packing. More particularly, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the support 14 is generally arranged at a rear end of the opening, near a vertical edge panel 96.

Thanks to the invention, it is therefore sufficient to provide in the edge panel 96, in view of the rear end of the threaded rod 84, a bore 98 for the passage of a tool complementary to the footprint 86. Thus, the blocking or the unlocking of the locking body 56 can be done without having access to the internal space of the panel, just by engaging the tool through the drilling 98 to operate the threaded rod 84.

In particular, for repairs that only require the removal of external parts of the handle, for example to repaint the panel of body, there will be no need to remove the inner panel of the opening, this while avoiding arranging the fastening means outside of the opening. This disassembly can be done "blind", without there being no more risk of losing the threaded rod 84 which by design can not be unscrewed out of the stirrup 68 due to the presence of the radial protuberance formed by the support cup 88.

We have seen in the foregoing that the locking body participates in the fixing the support 14 of the handle 10. However, it is also possible to provide that it also participates in maintaining and / or guiding the lever of grasping 24.

In addition, the locking body 56 can also form a housing intended for receive a locking latch of the lock of the opening.

The invention has been described here in connection with the fixation of a body of locking on the handle fixing bracket. However, the teaching of the invention can easily be transposed to any element external of a handle that would need to be so fixed. Especially, the invention can also be applied for fixing a bar of fixed grip by which the user can move the opening between a open position and a closed position.

Claims (14)

Locking member (68) for fixing an external element (56) of a handle to a handle support (14), the support being intended to be arranged in the internal space of an opening and the external member (56) being provided with a fastening heel (60) engaged transversely to the interior of the opening through an orifice (62); the locking member (68) being movably mounted on the handle support (14,) by the control of a control mechanism (84), between an unlocking position and a locking position of the attachment heel (60) the outer member (56) in the handle holder (14), characterized in that the locking member (68) cooperates, in locking position, with the attachment heel (60) by transverse locking means of complementary shape, of the lug-housing type, arranged on the locking member (68) and on the attachment heel (60), so that the outer member (56) is blocked transversely in the handle support (14) . Locking member according to claim 1 characterized in that the locking member (68) comprises at least one lug (78) which, in the locking position, is intended to be received in a complementary housing (80) of the fixing heel ( 60) of the outer member (56). Locking member according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is slidably mounted in the support (14) in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction of engagement of the outer member (56) Locking member according to claim 3 characterized in that the lug (78) and the housing (80) cooperate by two complementary panels (90, 92) which are inclined with respect to the transverse direction of engagement of the external element (56) and with respect to the sliding direction of the locking member (68). Blocking member according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heel (60) of the outer member (56) is slidably guided in the transverse direction in the handle holder (14). Locking member according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it has the shape of a U-shaped stirrup comprising two parallel longitudinal branches (70) joined at their rear end by a base (72) which is extends perpendicularly to the two branches (70) and perpendicular to the transverse direction. Locking member according to claim 6 characterized in that the control mechanism of the locking member is constituted by a threaded rod (84) of longitudinal axis which is screwed into the base (72) of the stirrup (68) , whose front end (88) is supported on a surface (64) which is fixed longitudinally, and whose rear end has a recess (86) complementary to that of an operating tool that can be inserted through the opening (98) of the edge panel (96) of the opening. Locking member according to claim 7 characterized in that the threaded rod (84) bears against a lateral surface (64) of the heel (60) of the outer member (56). Locking member according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it cooperates with prepositioning means (82), arranged on a handle support (14), which, during assembly of the handle, hold the organ locking device (68) in its unlocking position. Blocking member for a handle support arranged in the internal space of an opening, the internal space being delimited by two panels connected by a edge panel (96) and according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the control mechanism (84) of the locking member is operable through an opening (98) formed in the edge panel (96) of the opening. Locking member according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that the outer member, which it maintains on the handle support, forms a locking body (56) which participates in fixing the handle on opening. Locking member according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that the outer member which it maintains on the handle support forms a fixed gripping element by which a user can bring the opening of a position closed to an open position. Locking member according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that the outer member which it maintains on the handle support forms a housing for receiving a lock. A method of fixing a fastening heel of an external element in a handle holder by the use of a locking member according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises the following steps : the stirrup (68), forming a locking member, is introduced longitudinally from front to back, to an advanced unlocking position, in a complementary slide (74) formed at the rear of the support (14), the stirrup (68) is brought by the control means (84) longitudinally rearwards to its locking position in which the lugs (78), arranged at the front ends of each leg (70), are engaged in the corresponding seats (80) of the heel (60) of the outer member (56), the latter then being received between the two longitudinal legs (70) of the locking stirrup (68).

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