FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present utility model relates to a handle for vehicle doors and more specifically
for vehicle doors with an electric lock, which can be activated through a microswitch
that can be actuated through a lever switch or a push-button forming part of the handle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The handle of vehicle doors is traditionally located in an area seen from the door.
This handle, both if the lock is of the mechanical type and of the electric type,
is formed by a lever switch or knob occupying relatively considerable dimensions and
that in most cases projecting from the surface of the door. All this generally creates
aerodynamic problems and above all affects the line of the vehicle, limiting the creativity
of the designers.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks set forth by means
of a handle in which the door knob or lever switch is eliminated, such that it has
a clean outer surface without additional elements, which allows improving the aerodynamics
as well as achieving more attractive designs with sportier lines.
[0004] To that end according to the present invention, the handle consists of a recess,
which is made in the door from its outer surface, with a horizontal elongated outline
and with an upwardly increasing depth. In the deepest area, this recess is limited
at the upper part with an approximately horizontal wall or ceiling having a longitudinal
opening moved towards the inside in relation to the outer surface of the door. The
mentioned opening is thus separated from the outer surface of the door.
[0005] The mentioned longitudinal opening is further surrounded at the upper part by a frame
which is located above the recess, a frame in which a push-button is assembled by
means of which a microswitch responsible for activating an electric lock can be activated.
[0006] In the handle of the invention, the handgrip or hand hold of the door is formed by
the opening formed in the ceiling or upper wall of the recess, together with the frame
surrounding this opening at the upper part and that will allow partially introducing
the fingers of the hand, both to act on the push-button actuating the microswitch
and to act on the door in the opening and closing operations.
[0007] With the mentioned constitution, the only visible element of the handle is the recess
formed on the outer surface of the door, since the other elements or components thereof
are concealed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The constitution of the handle of the invention will be better understood with the
following description, made with reference to the attached drawings, in which a nonlimiting
embodiment is shown.
[0009] In the drawings:
Figure 1 is an outer perspective of a vehicle door provided with the handle of the
invention.
Figure 2 is a partial vertical section of the door taken according to section line
2-II of Figure 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
[0010] Figure 1 generally shows a vehicle door 1, including the handle 2 of the invention.
This handle is formed by a recess 3 formed from the outer surface of the door 1. The
recess 3 has an elongated configuration, with a horizontal outline, being able to
have an approximately rectangular contour. The inner wall 4 of this recess has an
upwardly increasing depth. The recess 3 is limited at the upper part by a ceiling
or horizontal wall 5 in which a longitudinal opening 6 has been made, which opening
is limited by a frame 7 above the horizontal wall 5.
[0011] As shown in Figure 2, the opening 6 is moved towards the back 4 of the recess, such
that it is slightly separated from the outer surface of the wall 1.
[0012] The recess 3 as well as the longitudinal upper opening 6 are sized so as to allow
the partial entrance of the hand of a user, such that the fingers can be supported
against the outer longitudinal edge 8 of the opening 6, during the opening operation
of the door, acting as a grab handle.
[0013] A push-button 9 is assembled in the frame 7 to actuate a microswitch 10 responsible
for activating an electric lock, responsible for opening and closing the door 1.
[0014] The solution proposed allows eliminating the traditional grip or handle of the door
of vehicles and has a clean outer surface, as shown in Figure 1, in which only the
recess 3 will be visible, since both the element acting as the grab handle, formed
by the outer longitudinal edge 8 of the opening 6 and the push-button 9 of the microswitch
10, are concealed from view.
[0015] As there is no element projecting from the outer surface of the door 1, the aerodynamics
and the outer appearance thereof are improved, giving design freedom while at the
same time minimizing the number of parts necessary for the elements serving as a handle
of the door and for actuating the lock thereof.