Radiator grille for mounting in a radiator grille arrangement and method of producing it

1. A radiator grille ( 10 ) for mounting to a support part ( 14 ) of a motor vehicle, the radiator grille comprising:

a substantially rigid frame ( 11 );

a plurality of spaced apart and parallel elongated lateral bar elements ( 13 ) for supporting the rigid frame ( 11 ) and fixedly attaching the radiator grille to the support part; and

at least one bar element ( 12 ) arranged within the frame ( 11 ) transverse to said lateral bar elements, the bar element having a first end ( 12 b ) fixedly secured to the rigid frame and an opposite second end ( 12 a ) spaced from a portion ( 18 ) of the frame ( 11 ), in the unassembled state of the radiator grille ( 10 ), and being forcibly brought into contact with the portion ( 18 ) in the assembled state of the radiator grille ( 10 ), the second end ( 12 a ) of the bar element ( 12 ) being flexibly and elastically movable between and relative to the portion ( 18 ) of the frame ( 11 ) and the support part ( 14 ) as a result of the external application of force to prevent damage to the radiator grille.

2. A radiator grille ( 10 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the second end ( 12 a ) of the bar element ( 12 ) is resiliently movable in the direction of the portion ( 18 ) in the unassembled state of the radiator grille ( 10 ).

3. A radiator grille ( 10 ) according to claim 2 , wherein the portion ( 18 ) has a recess adapted to receive the second end ( 12 a ) of the bar element ( 12 ), in which the second end ( 12 a ) of the bar element ( 12 ) engages under forced contact.

4. A radiator grille ( 10 ) according to claim 3 , wherein the portion is formed on a side of the frame ( 11 ) remote from the direction of travel.

5. A radiator grille ( 10 ) according to claim 4 , wherein the frame ( 11 ) has first and second frame sections ( 11 a , 11 b ) the portion ( 18 ) with which the second end ( 12 a ) of the bar element ( 12 ) is forcibly brought into contact in the assembled state of the radiator grille ( 10 ) being formed in the first frame section, while the first end of the bar element ( 12 ) is fixedly connected to the second frame section.

6. A radiator grille ( 10 ) according to claim 5 , wherein the first frame section ( 11 b ) is a lower frame section and the second frame section ( 11 a ) is an upper frame section, the frame sections being substantially parallel to one another.

7. A radiator grille ( 10 ) according to claim 6 , wherein the minimum of one bar element ( 12 ) is arranged substantially vertically.

8. A radiator grille ( 10 ) according to claim 7 , wherein the plurality of lateral bar elements ( 13 ) are connected to at least one bar element ( 12 ) and thus together form a spider component.

9. A radiator grille ( 10 ) according to claim 8 , wherein at least one of the frame ( 11 ) and the lateral bar elements ( 13 ) have at least one clip element ( 13 a ) for fixedly securing the radiator grille to the support part ( 14 ).

10. A radiator grille ( 10 ) according to claim 9 , wherein the lateral bar elements ( 13 ) adjacent to the clip element ( 13 a ) have recesses, ensuring elastic deformation of the bar elements ( 13 ) under the effect of external force.

11. A radiator grille ( 10 ) according to claim 10 which is integral in construction.

12. A radiator grille ( 10 ) according to claim 11 which is made from plastic material, particularly a thermoplastic material.

13. A radiator grille ( 10 ) according to claim 12 which is subjected to surface treatment.

14. A radiator grille ( 10 ) according to claim 13 , wherein the surface is painted.

15. A radiator grille ( 10 ) according to claim 13 , wherein the surface is chromium plated.