A vehicle entrance structure includes a body panel disposed in a rear part on a peripheral region of an entrance of a vehicle body, and configured to be exposed when a vehicle door is open. The body panel includes an assist surface having a predetermined area to support a hand of a user boarding or getting off of the vehicle. The assist surface is disposed at a higher level than a seat surface of an in-vehicle seat disposed beside the entrance.

A vehicle entrance structure includes a body panel disposed in a rear part on a peripheral region of an entrance of a vehicle body, and configured to be exposed when a vehicle door is open. The body panel includes an assist surface having a predetermined area to support a hand of a user boarding or getting off of the vehicle. The assist surface is disposed at a higher level than a seat surface of an in-vehicle seat disposed beside the entrance.

An entrance handrail includes: a base portion rotatably provided with an up-down direction as an axial direction; a rail portion extending from a lower portion of the base portion and holding a slide member to be slidable, the slide member being attached to a sliding door; a first handrail body extending from an upper portion of the base portion, disposed on a vehicle cabin side when the sliding door closes the entrance, and projecting outward of the vehicle such that a passenger can hold the first handrail body when the sliding door opens the entrance; and second handrail body disposed on the vehicle cabin side with respect of the rail portion when the sliding door closes the entrance and disposed inward of the rail portion in a width direction of the entrance such that the passenger can hold the second handrail body when the sliding door opens the entrance.

A vehicle backrest structure includes a lateral handrail fixed within a vehicle cabin and extending horizontally, and a backrest having a cushion formed of a soft material and configured to receive a back portion of a wheelchair user in a wheelchair that is supported within the cabin of the vehicle. The backrest has a recessed part that is opened downward and is to be engaged with the lateral handrail. The backrest is configured to be removably supported on the lateral handrail.

A vehicle backrest structure includes a lateral handrail fixed within a vehicle cabin and extending horizontally, and a backrest having a cushion formed of a soft material and configured to receive a back portion of a wheelchair user in a wheelchair that is supported within the cabin of the vehicle. The backrest has a recessed part that is opened downward and is to be engaged with the lateral handrail. The backrest is configured to be removably supported on the lateral handrail.

A grab bar assembly includes a support beam adapted to be mounted to a vehicle and defining a longitudinal axis, a grab bar having an inner beam disposed within the support beam and movable relative to the support beam in first and second directions along the longitudinal axis. The assembly further includes a locking plate attached to the inner beam and a locking mechanism coupled to the support beam and having a latch movable between a lock position engaging the locking plate to fix the grab bar in a location relative to the support beam and a release position disengaging the locking plate to permit adjustment of the grab bar and the inner beam along the longitudinal axis in one of the first and second directions.

A handle system for a vehicle is disclosed and includes a support structure defining a handle. The support structure is movable between a stowed position where the handle is inaccessible by a passenger and a deployed position where the handle is accessible by the passenger. The handle system also includes an actuator operably coupled to the support structure and configured to move the support structure between the stowed position and the deployed position. The handle system further includes one or more sensors configured to obtain data indicative of vehicle motion and a controller. The controller is configured to determine the vehicle exceeds a threshold rate of movement based on the data obtained by the one or more sensors. In response to determining the vehicle exceeds the threshold rate of movement, the controller instructs the actuator to move the support structure from the stowed position into the deployed position.

Techniques and examples pertaining to an assist handle implementable to an automotive vehicle are described. The assist handle is automatically deployed to provide ingress or egress assist to a passenger to enter or exit the automotive vehicle. Furthermore, the assist handle is automatically retracted when not in use. The deployment and the retraction of the assist handle is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle, through an actuator and a transmission mechanism, in response to a command sent from a body control module (BCM) of the vehicle, the command regarding an operation of a door of the vehicle. When retracted, the assist handle may be invisible to the passenger. The automotive vehicle may be an autonomous ride-sharing vehicle.

Techniques and examples pertaining to an assist handle implementable to an automotive vehicle are described. The assist handle is automatically deployed to provide ingress or egress assist to a passenger to enter or exit the automotive vehicle. Furthermore, the assist handle is automatically retracted when not in use. The deployment and the retraction of the assist handle is controlled by an electronic control unit (ECU) of the vehicle, through an actuator and a transmission mechanism, in response to a command sent from a body control module (BCM) of the vehicle, the command regarding an operation of a door of the vehicle. When retracted, the assist handle may be invisible to the passenger. The automotive vehicle may be an autonomous ride-sharing vehicle.

A bus handrail provided in a vehicle interior of a bus in a shape of “L” as viewed in a vehicle width direction has, in an installed state thereof, a first grip portion extending in a vehicle vertical direction, a second grip portion extending backward with respect to a vehicle continuously from a lower part of the first grip portion, a third grip portion extending upward with respect to the vehicle continuously from the second grip portion, and a fourth grip portion extending backward with respect to the vehicle continuously from the third grip portion. Besides, in a bus vehicle interior structure equipped with the bus handrail and a seat provided on a rear wall side in the vehicle interior and in which a passenger sits in a half-standing posture, part of the fourth grip portion is arranged outside the seat in the vehicle width direction.