Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – With distinct wind deflector
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-06
2003-03-04
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
With distinct wind deflector
C296S183100, C296S190080
Reexamination Certificate
active
06527334
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a grab handle for facilitating access to the area rearward of a mobile vehicle cab where the vehicle cab has an extender. More specifically, the grab handle is a single piece integrated into the structural support and mounting bracket of the cab extender.
PRIOR ART
Commercial vehicles
201
such as medium and heavy-duty trucks sometimes have cab extender pieces
205
engaged to the rearward side
204
of the vehicle cab
202
. See FIG.
1
. The cab extender
205
provides aerodynamic efficiency to vehicle
201
operations. The cab extender
205
was previously mounted and supported by two mounting brackets
220
installed to the cab
202
rearward side
204
and on interior surfaces of the cab extender. Additionally, there was an angle reinforcement
221
located at an end area of the cab extender
205
and connected between the upper and lower mounting brackets
220
, respectively. Grab handles
219
were needed to access the rearward side
204
of the cab
202
and also rearward and upper portions of the vehicle chassis to which the cab
202
is engaged. The prior art grab handle
219
was installed either on the angle reinforcement
221
or directly to the end surface of the cab extender
205
. In either case, the prior art system involved complexity in assembly because there were more parts and also reduced strength due to the multiple engagement points between the various component parts. Additionally, the prior art grab handle
219
shown in
FIG. 1
faces inwards from the cab extender
205
making it awkward to reach from the ground.
The commercial vehicle industry would greatly benefit from a durable single piece grab handle that is integrated into the mounting and structural support of the cab extender. It would be advantageous if the new grab handle can be made readily accessible from the ground to the side of the cab.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
A primary object of the invention is to provide a durable single piece grab handle that is integrated into the mounting and structural support of the cab extender. The new grab handle is more readily accessible from the ground to the side of the cab. The invention satisfies this objective by having the cab extender mounting brackets mounted into a single piece that is integrated with the grab handle. The cab extender contains a cutout portion allowing the grab handle to be easily accessed from the ground and side of the vehicle.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3945677 (1976-03-01), Servais et al.
patent: 4357045 (1982-11-01), Kinford, Jr.
patent: 4611796 (1986-09-01), Orr
patent: D291872 (1987-09-01), Simons et al.
patent: 4750772 (1988-06-01), Haegert
patent: 4775179 (1988-10-01), Riggs
patent: 4883307 (1989-11-01), Hacker et al.
patent: 5159746 (1992-11-01), Saggese
patent: 5658038 (1997-08-01), Griffin
patent: 5836640 (1998-11-01), Hurayt et al.
patent: D424496 (2000-05-01), Damon et al.
patent: 6267434 (2001-07-01), Casillas
patent: 6428084 (2002-08-01), Liss
Calfa Jeffrey P.
Intellectual Truck Intellectual Property Company, L.L.C.
Powell Neil T.
Sullivan Dennis Kelly
LandOfFree
One piece cab extender mounting and integrated grab handle... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with One piece cab extender mounting and integrated grab handle..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and One piece cab extender mounting and integrated grab handle... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3038578