CA1238457A - Retrofit lever assembly for a door knob - Google Patents
Retrofit lever assembly for a door knobInfo
- Publication number
- CA1238457A CA1238457A CA000466306A CA466306A CA1238457A CA 1238457 A CA1238457 A CA 1238457A CA 000466306 A CA000466306 A CA 000466306A CA 466306 A CA466306 A CA 466306A CA 1238457 A CA1238457 A CA 1238457A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- door knob
- lever
- lever assembly
- retrofit
- door
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The lever assembly is of two principal parts, a lever with a circular aperture to engage the shank of a door knob, and a retaining plate, for fastening thereof to the lever, having a projecting cog. The cog engages a knob catch slot in the door knob shank. Accordingly, as the lever is rotated/manipulated, it turns the door knob through the engagement of the cog with the slot, and the fastening of the plate to the lever. The assembly accommodates retrofitting thereof to doors having round door knobs.
The lever assembly is of two principal parts, a lever with a circular aperture to engage the shank of a door knob, and a retaining plate, for fastening thereof to the lever, having a projecting cog. The cog engages a knob catch slot in the door knob shank. Accordingly, as the lever is rotated/manipulated, it turns the door knob through the engagement of the cog with the slot, and the fastening of the plate to the lever. The assembly accommodates retrofitting thereof to doors having round door knobs.
Description
I
The conventional cylinder or round shaped door knob can be extremely difficult to operate when a good grip of the knob is interfered with for any reason. For example, a wet or oily door knob may be quite difficult to turn. In addition, when a person does not have a free hand as in the case of carrying packages or the like, i-t is sometimes difficult to open a door.
Further, in the case of handicapped persons, the person may lacy the gripping power required to operate the door knob or lack the wrist mobility necessary to turn the knob.
Further, in -the case of a handicapped person, particularly amputees, the artificial limb fitted to the handicapped may not be compatible with turning of door knobs.
For these and other reasons, lever operated door knobs are finding increased popularity and are specified in many cases for use by handicapped persons in places where handicapped persons are employed or are present.
The object of the present invention is to provide a simple, more reliable, economical, decorative and easy to use and ins-tall means for operating the conventional door knob. The object of -the invention is to provide a retrofit lever assembly for use with a conventional door knob -that is easy to ins-tall and does not require special tools for installation.
A further object of the invention is to provide a retrofit lever assembly which will no-t detract from the decorative appearance of the door knob and will allow -the use of existing hardware -trim.
A further object of the invention is to provide a retrofit lever assembly which has no sharp ends and which does not protrude so as to create a hazard on the door.
I, A further object of -the invention is to provide a retrofit lever assembly which does not appreciably interfere with the normal mode of operation, that is, by hand wrapped around the door knob. The retrofit lever assembly of this invention is easily operated by -the handicapped or under other adverse conditions such as emergency exits.
Further, an object of the invention is to provide a means for installing the lever without need for drilling or making additional holes in the knob or door hardware.
Thus, the invention is particularly adapted for its retrofit to existing door knobs.
It is especially a feature of this invention to set forth a retrofit lever assembly comprising a lever having a body portion with a substantially planar surface, and an arm portion extending outwardly from said body portion generally parallel with the said surface. The body portion has an aperture formed substantially centrally there through in which to accommodate a door knob shank, and a relief formed therein, opening onto, and at one side of, the aperture. Retaining means is provided for removable fastening thereof to the body portion at a side of the aperture which is opposite the said one side.
Further objects of this invention, as well as the novel features thereof, will become more apparent by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures which are described horribly.
f' '':~, I
FIGURE l shows a front side isometric view of an assembled door lock having a retrofit lever assembly accord-in to the present invention installed thereon;
FIGURE 2 shows an exploded assembly view of the back side of a door knob, having the lever assembly accord-in to the present invention;
FIGURE 3 is a detail view of the underside of a door knob lever assembly according to the present invention showing the retaining plate;
FIGURE 4 is a sectional elevation view taken about section line 4-4 of Figure 3;
FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the retaining plate according to the present invention; and FIGURE 6 is an end elevation of the retaining plate which is partially sectioned along section line 6-6 of Figure 5.
Referring to Figure l, a conventional lock assembly is generally shown by reference numeral 1. The lock assembly includes a body lo having trim plates if, door knobs 12, a latch bolt housing 13, latch 14, face plate 15, key cylinder 16, and a retrofit lever assembly 20 according to the present invention.
The lock as shown is normally installed on a door and provides a means for securing the door in its closed position. The construction of the lock is conventional.
I
Figure 2 shows an exploded assembly view of the retrofit lever assembly 20 having a spacer 22 for use with a tulip or -truncated cone design door knob 12. The spacer is unnecessary for round door knobs and merely fills the void to securely seat -the lever assembly against the door knob 12 in the case of the -tulip design. The door knob 12 is shown having a shank 17 which connects through a spindle (not shown) to the lock body and provides the means for retracting -the latch bolt upon rotation of the door knob.
A knob catch slot 18 is shown on both sides of the knob shank 17 and permits reversal for different hands of rota-lion. A projection (not shown) on the door lock spindle coats with the door knob catch slot to retain the knob in its position relative to the lock body and trim plates.
As can be seen in Figure 2, the retrofit lever assembly 20 is mounted to the underside of the door knob.
The lever assembly comprises a lever aye which is attached to the door knob at its shank 17 by means of a retaining plate 25 which is secured to the lever aye by means of screws 30. An alignment slot 36 provides access to the door knob catch slot and further provides a means for alignment relative to the slots 18 so that -the retaining plate may be properly aligned and coquette with its knob catch slot 18.
Figure 3 shows the detail of the underside of the lever assembly 20. The lever aye comprises two portions, a generally cylindrical body 21 which mounts the lever to -the door knob and surrounds the shank 17, and an arm 23. The lever arm 23 extends from -the body portion 21 for a suffix client length to provide adequate hand grip. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the tip of -the lever arm is bent back (i.e., towards where the face of an associated door would be) to minimize the possibility of a pinch point or of the lever accidentally tangling a piece of clothing or the like and thereby accidentally opening the door or tearing the clothing.
~,..~,, 5~7 In general, the lever aye may be manufactured from a plastic material such as acutely copolymer nylon or reinforced fiberglass*, although any similar material which may be readily formed to the shape of the lever may be utilized effectively.
As can be seen in Figure 3, the retaining plate 25 is provided with a cog 35 which coats with the knob catch slot to retain the lever aye in position relative to the knob. This novel attachment means provides several benefits.
First, the plastic material of the lever aye is securely attached to the knob shank 17 by means of the metal cog thus providing greater strength in the localized small area of the knob catch slot. The forces generated in turn-in the door knob are transmitted through the coy 35 to the retaining plate 25 where the load is substantially spread through the plastic material. The mounting screws 30 merely retain the plate in a depressed slot in the lever aye. The depressed slot 40 is best seen in Figure 2.
Figure 4 shows -the retrofit lever assembly 20 of the present invention installed on a round type door knob.
Again, the retaining plate 25 is shown mounted to the body 21 by means of the retaining screws 30. Cog 35 is shown actively engaged in the door knob catch slot 18. Bearing surfaces 41 are provided in the lever aye -to align -the latter with the shank of the door knob. In this manner, the retrofit lever assembly 20 is retained in a secure and stable manner on the door knob.
* Registered trademark .
Figure 5 shows the detail of the unique retaining plate of the present invention. The plate is made of a metallic material for greater structural strength. The plate is counter sunk in the depressed slot 40 in the lever aye and is retained -there by screws 30 which pass through the retaining plate in slots 32. The slots 32 are provided with a screw seat 31 which securely holds -the screws and plate in position.
Figure 6 shows an elevation view of the retaining plate and further details of the screw retaining slot 32 and screw seat 31.
As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present invention provides a means for securely fasten-in the retrofit lever assembly 20 to the door knob without the need for perforating the door knob and placing screws therein.
In addition, the unique design permits the torque applied to the door knob through assembly 20 to be applied through metallic interface by means of the cog interacting with the door knob retaining slot lo. The forces transmitted from the lever aye are transmitted to the retaining plate by means of its depressed position in the slot depression 40. The means of construction prevents the need for the torque to be transmitted through the relatively fragile screws which are holding the plate in the plastic material.
The unique retaining plate design therefore permits easy installation without the need of special tools other than a screwdriver. The resulting connection is secure and durable and provides a distinct improvement over previous connecting means for such levers.
-;
I
The embodiment of the retrofit lever assembly 20 depicted and described represents the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out his invention. As can be seen, the body portion 21 of the lever aye has a central aperture 42 formed therein. The bearing surface 41 is defined by a tubular wall 44, within which the shank 17 of the door knob 12 is received, and which bounds the aperture 42. Body portion 21 also has a circumferential wall 46 which extends substantially normal -to a planar surface 48 of portion 21. Wall 46 has a terminal, annular edge 50, and arm 23 is integral with, and extends from, a sector of edge 50. It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the intimate contact provided by annular edge 50 with the door knob will stabilize and provide rigidity to the retry-fit lever structure. To assure this contact, spacer 22 is provided in application to other door knob configurations.
The added stability is an important aspect of the present invention for use with plastic material. Aperture 42 has a given radius "r", and the retaining plate 25 has an arcuate edge 52 defined of the same, given radius "r". The cog 35 projects from the edge 52.
Having described my invention in terms of a preferred embodiment, I do not wish to be limited in the scope of my invention except as claimed.
The conventional cylinder or round shaped door knob can be extremely difficult to operate when a good grip of the knob is interfered with for any reason. For example, a wet or oily door knob may be quite difficult to turn. In addition, when a person does not have a free hand as in the case of carrying packages or the like, i-t is sometimes difficult to open a door.
Further, in the case of handicapped persons, the person may lacy the gripping power required to operate the door knob or lack the wrist mobility necessary to turn the knob.
Further, in -the case of a handicapped person, particularly amputees, the artificial limb fitted to the handicapped may not be compatible with turning of door knobs.
For these and other reasons, lever operated door knobs are finding increased popularity and are specified in many cases for use by handicapped persons in places where handicapped persons are employed or are present.
The object of the present invention is to provide a simple, more reliable, economical, decorative and easy to use and ins-tall means for operating the conventional door knob. The object of -the invention is to provide a retrofit lever assembly for use with a conventional door knob -that is easy to ins-tall and does not require special tools for installation.
A further object of the invention is to provide a retrofit lever assembly which will no-t detract from the decorative appearance of the door knob and will allow -the use of existing hardware -trim.
A further object of the invention is to provide a retrofit lever assembly which has no sharp ends and which does not protrude so as to create a hazard on the door.
I, A further object of -the invention is to provide a retrofit lever assembly which does not appreciably interfere with the normal mode of operation, that is, by hand wrapped around the door knob. The retrofit lever assembly of this invention is easily operated by -the handicapped or under other adverse conditions such as emergency exits.
Further, an object of the invention is to provide a means for installing the lever without need for drilling or making additional holes in the knob or door hardware.
Thus, the invention is particularly adapted for its retrofit to existing door knobs.
It is especially a feature of this invention to set forth a retrofit lever assembly comprising a lever having a body portion with a substantially planar surface, and an arm portion extending outwardly from said body portion generally parallel with the said surface. The body portion has an aperture formed substantially centrally there through in which to accommodate a door knob shank, and a relief formed therein, opening onto, and at one side of, the aperture. Retaining means is provided for removable fastening thereof to the body portion at a side of the aperture which is opposite the said one side.
Further objects of this invention, as well as the novel features thereof, will become more apparent by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures which are described horribly.
f' '':~, I
FIGURE l shows a front side isometric view of an assembled door lock having a retrofit lever assembly accord-in to the present invention installed thereon;
FIGURE 2 shows an exploded assembly view of the back side of a door knob, having the lever assembly accord-in to the present invention;
FIGURE 3 is a detail view of the underside of a door knob lever assembly according to the present invention showing the retaining plate;
FIGURE 4 is a sectional elevation view taken about section line 4-4 of Figure 3;
FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the retaining plate according to the present invention; and FIGURE 6 is an end elevation of the retaining plate which is partially sectioned along section line 6-6 of Figure 5.
Referring to Figure l, a conventional lock assembly is generally shown by reference numeral 1. The lock assembly includes a body lo having trim plates if, door knobs 12, a latch bolt housing 13, latch 14, face plate 15, key cylinder 16, and a retrofit lever assembly 20 according to the present invention.
The lock as shown is normally installed on a door and provides a means for securing the door in its closed position. The construction of the lock is conventional.
I
Figure 2 shows an exploded assembly view of the retrofit lever assembly 20 having a spacer 22 for use with a tulip or -truncated cone design door knob 12. The spacer is unnecessary for round door knobs and merely fills the void to securely seat -the lever assembly against the door knob 12 in the case of the -tulip design. The door knob 12 is shown having a shank 17 which connects through a spindle (not shown) to the lock body and provides the means for retracting -the latch bolt upon rotation of the door knob.
A knob catch slot 18 is shown on both sides of the knob shank 17 and permits reversal for different hands of rota-lion. A projection (not shown) on the door lock spindle coats with the door knob catch slot to retain the knob in its position relative to the lock body and trim plates.
As can be seen in Figure 2, the retrofit lever assembly 20 is mounted to the underside of the door knob.
The lever assembly comprises a lever aye which is attached to the door knob at its shank 17 by means of a retaining plate 25 which is secured to the lever aye by means of screws 30. An alignment slot 36 provides access to the door knob catch slot and further provides a means for alignment relative to the slots 18 so that -the retaining plate may be properly aligned and coquette with its knob catch slot 18.
Figure 3 shows the detail of the underside of the lever assembly 20. The lever aye comprises two portions, a generally cylindrical body 21 which mounts the lever to -the door knob and surrounds the shank 17, and an arm 23. The lever arm 23 extends from -the body portion 21 for a suffix client length to provide adequate hand grip. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the tip of -the lever arm is bent back (i.e., towards where the face of an associated door would be) to minimize the possibility of a pinch point or of the lever accidentally tangling a piece of clothing or the like and thereby accidentally opening the door or tearing the clothing.
~,..~,, 5~7 In general, the lever aye may be manufactured from a plastic material such as acutely copolymer nylon or reinforced fiberglass*, although any similar material which may be readily formed to the shape of the lever may be utilized effectively.
As can be seen in Figure 3, the retaining plate 25 is provided with a cog 35 which coats with the knob catch slot to retain the lever aye in position relative to the knob. This novel attachment means provides several benefits.
First, the plastic material of the lever aye is securely attached to the knob shank 17 by means of the metal cog thus providing greater strength in the localized small area of the knob catch slot. The forces generated in turn-in the door knob are transmitted through the coy 35 to the retaining plate 25 where the load is substantially spread through the plastic material. The mounting screws 30 merely retain the plate in a depressed slot in the lever aye. The depressed slot 40 is best seen in Figure 2.
Figure 4 shows -the retrofit lever assembly 20 of the present invention installed on a round type door knob.
Again, the retaining plate 25 is shown mounted to the body 21 by means of the retaining screws 30. Cog 35 is shown actively engaged in the door knob catch slot 18. Bearing surfaces 41 are provided in the lever aye -to align -the latter with the shank of the door knob. In this manner, the retrofit lever assembly 20 is retained in a secure and stable manner on the door knob.
* Registered trademark .
Figure 5 shows the detail of the unique retaining plate of the present invention. The plate is made of a metallic material for greater structural strength. The plate is counter sunk in the depressed slot 40 in the lever aye and is retained -there by screws 30 which pass through the retaining plate in slots 32. The slots 32 are provided with a screw seat 31 which securely holds -the screws and plate in position.
Figure 6 shows an elevation view of the retaining plate and further details of the screw retaining slot 32 and screw seat 31.
As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present invention provides a means for securely fasten-in the retrofit lever assembly 20 to the door knob without the need for perforating the door knob and placing screws therein.
In addition, the unique design permits the torque applied to the door knob through assembly 20 to be applied through metallic interface by means of the cog interacting with the door knob retaining slot lo. The forces transmitted from the lever aye are transmitted to the retaining plate by means of its depressed position in the slot depression 40. The means of construction prevents the need for the torque to be transmitted through the relatively fragile screws which are holding the plate in the plastic material.
The unique retaining plate design therefore permits easy installation without the need of special tools other than a screwdriver. The resulting connection is secure and durable and provides a distinct improvement over previous connecting means for such levers.
-;
I
The embodiment of the retrofit lever assembly 20 depicted and described represents the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out his invention. As can be seen, the body portion 21 of the lever aye has a central aperture 42 formed therein. The bearing surface 41 is defined by a tubular wall 44, within which the shank 17 of the door knob 12 is received, and which bounds the aperture 42. Body portion 21 also has a circumferential wall 46 which extends substantially normal -to a planar surface 48 of portion 21. Wall 46 has a terminal, annular edge 50, and arm 23 is integral with, and extends from, a sector of edge 50. It should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the intimate contact provided by annular edge 50 with the door knob will stabilize and provide rigidity to the retry-fit lever structure. To assure this contact, spacer 22 is provided in application to other door knob configurations.
The added stability is an important aspect of the present invention for use with plastic material. Aperture 42 has a given radius "r", and the retaining plate 25 has an arcuate edge 52 defined of the same, given radius "r". The cog 35 projects from the edge 52.
Having described my invention in terms of a preferred embodiment, I do not wish to be limited in the scope of my invention except as claimed.
Claims (5)
1. A retrofit lever assembly for a door knob, having an integral door knob shank, comprising:
a lever;
said lever having (a) a body portion with a substantially planar surface, and (b) an arm portion extend-ing outwardly, from said body portion, generally parallel with said surface;
said body portion having (a) a circular aperture formed substantially centrally therethrough, in which to accommodate a door knob shank, and (b) a relief formed therein, opening onto, and at one side of, said aperture;
retaining means disposed in said relief for remove able fastening thereof to said body portion and for coacting with said door knob shank to effect retention of said lever assembly on said door knob shank;
said body portion having an outermost, circumferen-tial wall which extends substantially normal to said surface;
said wall having an annular edge coacting with said door knob to form a stabilizing means; and said arm portion is integral with, and extends from a sector of said edge.
a lever;
said lever having (a) a body portion with a substantially planar surface, and (b) an arm portion extend-ing outwardly, from said body portion, generally parallel with said surface;
said body portion having (a) a circular aperture formed substantially centrally therethrough, in which to accommodate a door knob shank, and (b) a relief formed therein, opening onto, and at one side of, said aperture;
retaining means disposed in said relief for remove able fastening thereof to said body portion and for coacting with said door knob shank to effect retention of said lever assembly on said door knob shank;
said body portion having an outermost, circumferen-tial wall which extends substantially normal to said surface;
said wall having an annular edge coacting with said door knob to form a stabilizing means; and said arm portion is integral with, and extends from a sector of said edge.
2. A retrofit lever assembly, according to claim 1, wherein:
said stabilizing means further includes a spacer.
said stabilizing means further includes a spacer.
3. A retrofit lever assembly, according to claim 1, wherein:
said aperture has a given radius; and said retaining means comprises a retainer having an arcuate edge defined by said, same, given radius.
said aperture has a given radius; and said retaining means comprises a retainer having an arcuate edge defined by said, same, given radius.
4. A retrofit lever assembly, according to claim 3, wherein:
said retainer has a cog extending from said arcuate edge.
said retainer has a cog extending from said arcuate edge.
5. A retrofit lever assembly according to claim 3, wherein:
said retainer has openings formed therein in which to receive fasteners.
said retainer has openings formed therein in which to receive fasteners.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US59338084A | 1984-03-26 | 1984-03-26 | |
| US593,380 | 1984-03-26 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1238457A true CA1238457A (en) | 1988-06-28 |
Family
ID=24374481
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000466306A Expired CA1238457A (en) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-10-25 | Retrofit lever assembly for a door knob |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1238457A (en) |
-
1984
- 1984-10-25 CA CA000466306A patent/CA1238457A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |