GB2173539A - Handle assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A handle assembly for e.g. a window or a door comprises a support member (13) for mounting on a surface (19) of the wing (10), an operating member (16) adapted to be engaged with the handle (11) and a latch mechanism (21) of the wing (10), whereby in use, when the handle (11) is moved from a neutral position about an operating axis (A) a bolt (22) of the latch mechanism (21) is retracted into a housing of the latch mechanism (21), a spring assembly (30) removably received between the support member (13) and the surface (19) of the wing (10), the spring assembly (30), when received in a first orientation, acting on the operating member (16) to urge the handle (11) to the neutral position when the handle (11) is moved in one direction of rotation about said operating axis (A), and when received by the support member (13) in a second orientation acting on the operating member (16) to urge the handle (11) to the neutral position when the handle (11) is moved in an opposite direction of rotation about said operating axis (A). In an alternative arrangement the spring assembly urges the handle to the neutral position from either direction of rotation. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATiON Handle assembly This invention relates to a handleassemblyfor a wing that is, a window or a door orthe like. Normally a window or a door is retained in a closed position within a window frame or doorframe by a latch mechanism which must be released to enable the window or door to be moved to an open position. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new or improved handle assembly for a wing.

According to one aspect ofthe invention we provide a handle assemblyfora wing (as herein defined) comprising a handle, a support memberof mounting on a surface ofthewing, an operating member adapted to be engaged with the handle and a latch mechanism ofthe wing, whereby in use, when the handle is moved from a neutral position about an operating axis an outwardly extending abutment of the latch mechanism is retracted into a housing of-the latch mechanism, a spring assembly removably received between the support member and the surface of the wing, the spring assembly, when received in a first orientation, acting on the operating memberto urge the handle to the neutral position whenthehandleis-moved in one direction of rotation about said operating axis, and when received by the support member in a second orientation acting on the operating memberto urgethe handle to the neutral position when the handle is moved in an opposite direction of rotation about said operating axis.

Thus a removable reversible spring assembly is provided in the handle assembly so that whichever direction the handle is moved to operate the latch mechanism,the spring assembly may be used to act on the operating memberto return the handle to its neutral position.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a handleassemblyforawing (as herein defined) comprising a handle, a support memberfor mounting on a surface ofthe wing, an operating memberadaptedto be engaged with the handle and a latch mechanism ofthe wing, whereby in use, when the handle is moved from a neutral position about an operating axis, an outwardly extending abutment of the latch mechanism is retracted into a housing ofthe latch mechanism, a spring assembly removably received between the support member and the surface of the wing, the spring assembly acting on the operating memberto urge the handle to the neutral position whether the handle is moved in either direction of rotation about said operating axis.

Throughoutthis specification by "handle" we mean any manually graspable member such as for example, a lever handle comprising a limbwhichextends generally parallel to the wing, or a knob.

The handle may be secured to the support member but be rotatable relative thereto but alternatively the handle may be separate from the support member, although in this latter case itwould be necessary to secure the handle and operating membertogether.

Thesupport member may have meansto enablethe supportmemberto be secured on the surface of the wing, such as aperturesto receive suitable fasteners.

A cover plate may be provided to conceal the apertures and fasteners ofthe support member.

The latch mechanism may be sprung so that the abutmentof the latch mechanism is normally urged outwardlyofthewing. For example, the abutment may comprise a catch element extending from an edge of the wing between opposed sides thereof, which catch element is receivable buy a keeper of a wing frame, such as a door orwindowframe.

The spring assembly may comprise a casing in which an actuating element is received, the actuating element engaging with the operating member.

For example, the actuating element may have an opening through which the operating member passes, the opening being of corresponding configuration to the cross section of the operating member so that rotational movement of the operating member results in movement of the actuating element about the rotational axis.

The actuating element may have an edge part which is guided by a guide surface of a recess inside the housing ofthe spring assembly, and may have a spring chamber in which a coil spring is received. Each end ofthe coil spring may engage in a slot ofthe recess so that rotational movementofthe actuating element causes the spring to become compressed.

Thus when said rotational movement is caused, by the handle being moved aboutthe rotational axis, the handle may be returned to its neutral position by said coil spring acting between the casing and the actuating element to urge the actuating element and hence operating member back to the neutral position, and to resist movement ofthe operating member about said axis.

Preferably the coil spring is prestressed. Thus even when the handle is in the neutral position, the ends of the coil spring are urged apart into tight engagement with the slot of the recess. This ensures that there is adequate tension in the spring when stressed further as the handle is moved from the neutral position about the rotational axis, even after some spring wear has occurred.

The casing ofthe spring assembly, and/or the actuating element may have means to restrict the amount of rotational movement of the actuating element about said axis. For example the guide surface ofthe recess and the edge part of the actuating element may have engaging strips which restrict said movement.

Conveniently, the casing ofthe spring assembly is made in two parts which may be moulded from plastics material or otherwise fabricated, which two parts may, when assembled, provide the recess forthe actuating element, and said slotforthe spring.

According to a third aspect ofthe invention, we provide a spring assembly for use with the handle assembly ofthe first or second aspects ofthe invention, the spring assembly comprising a casing adapted to be received between the support member and the surface ofthe wing, the casing providing a recess in which an actuating element is received, the actuating element having an opening to receive an operating member, and a spring chamberto receive a coil spring, the spring, in use, acting between the casing and the actuating elementto resist rotational movement ofthe actuating element in the recess.

According to a fourth aspect ofthe invention we provide a wing having a handle mechanism according to the first or second aspects of the invention, and a latch mechanism.

Thewing may have a handle on either side thereof in which case the operating memberwould need to extend from one side ofthe wing to the other, or on one side only. Both, or only one, ofthe handles may have a spring assemblyto return the handle to a neutral position.

The invention has been particularly designed for use with latch mechanisms of the type in which the abutment ofthe latch mechanism when extended into engagementwith the keeper ontheframe, can be locked in position by a locking means. With such latch mechanisms, the locking means may be operated by a key.

The wing and latch mechanism may have an additional locking means such as a vertically extend inglocking boltwhich extendsfrom the latch mechan ism to the upper and/or lower periphery of the wing, to engage with the wing frame above or below the wing respectively. Commonly the handle, when rotated in an opposite direction to the direction of rotation which causes the abutmentof the mechanism to be with drawn into the housing, operates the additional locking means.

Latch mechanismswith such locking means do not usuaily have any means for returning the handle to its neutral positionr atleastwhen the handle is rotated to operate the additional locking means. By utilising a handle mechanism in accordancewith the firstand second aspects ofthe present invention, in a wing in accordance with the fourth aspect ofthe invention of the type having such afurtherlocking means, the handle is returned to a neutral position by the spring assembly whichever direction of rotation the handle is moved in.

The wing according to thefourth aspectofthe invention may comprise a latch mechanism in which the abutment can be locked in its extended position, by a locking means.

The invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective view of a handle assembly and door in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of a spring assembly of Figure 1,to an enlarged scale.

Referring firsttofigure 1 ofthe drawings, a handle assembly for a wing comprising a door 10 comprises a pair of handles 11,12, ofthe levertype, each supported by a respective support member 13, 14, as is well known in the art.

The handles 11,12 each have a square cross section recess 15, providing afemale receiving meansforan operating member16comprising a spindle which has end regions 1 7,1 8, of corresponding cross section to the recesses 15. The operating member is shown received in passage P of a door, and extends from one side surface 19 of the door to the other side surface 20, and passes through a latch mechanism 21 which is mortised into the door 10.

The support members 13,14, each have apertures 26 to receive screws or otherfasteners (not shown) to enable the support members 13,14to be secured to the sides 19,20 respectively, ofthe door 10, with the end regions 17,18, ofthe operating member 16 received in the recesses 15 ofthe handles 11,12. Thus when eitherofthe handles 11,12, is rotated about an axis A, the operating member 16 will be rotated to operate the catch element 22.

The latch mechansim has a catch element 22 which extendsoutwardlyfrom an edge 23 23 ofthedoorl0,and when the operating member 16 is rotated about an operating axis A, clockwise or anticlockwise, the catch 22 is retracted into the latch mechanism 21 to permit the door 10 to be opened.

The latch mechanism 21 is normally sprung so that the catch 22 is normally urged outwardly, and the operating member 16 is urged into a neutral position.

Thus rotation of operating member 16 about axisA is resisted bythe spring ofthe latch mechanism 21.

As is well known in the art, the catch element 22 has a cam surface 24 so that catch element 22 is pushed inwardly ofthe edge 23 ofthe door, into the latch mechanism 21 asthe door is closed, as the catch element22 engages with a co-operating striking plate mounted on the doorframe.The catch element 22 then springs outwardly into engagementwith a keeper (not shown) mounted on the doorframe.

However,the spring ofthe latch mechanism 21 may be insufficientto return the handles 11,12, to a neutral position and so it is desirableforthe handles 11,12, or atleastoneofthe handles t1,12,to be sprung so as to assist in returning the handles 11 ,12,to their neutral position afterthe latch mechanism 21 has been operated.

In the present invention, a spring assembly 30 is provided for each handle 11,12. The spring assembly 30 comprises a casing 31 through which the operating member 16 passes (as described in more detail with reference to figure 2 hereinafter) so thatthe end regions 17,18, respectively of the operating member 16 can engage their respective handles 17,18. The spring assemblies 30 are thus located in use between the respective support member 13,14, and the respective side 19,20, ofthe door 10. The support members 13,14, each have a recess 32 dimensioned to receive the spring assembly 30 so that a periphery 33 of each ofthe support members 13,14, may lie flush with the surface 19,20 ofthe door 10. If desired, instead of the handles 11,12, being ofthe levertype as shown, knobs may be provided or one ofthe handles may be ofthe levertype, and another a knob.

Further, if desired, a cover plate may engage with the support members 13, 1 4to conceal the apertures 26 and fastenings. Such a cover plate would require an opening through which the handle 11,12, may pass, and a peripheral flange which overliesthe periphery 33 ofthe support member 13,14, to conceal the apertures 26 and fastenings. Such a cover plate may be provided with a decorativefinish as required.

Spring arrangements for returning handles to a neutral position after operation of a latch mechanism to withdrawthe catch element 22 are well known.

However in the present example,the latch mechanism incorporates a profile paracentric cylinder locking means C, operable on insertion of a key into keyway k in either end of the cylinder C. The support members each have apertures k' which, when the support members are located in position, are aligned with cylinder C to receive the cylinder C.

When the locking means is operated, the catch elementofthe latch mechanism is locked in its outwardly extending position by an abutment (not shown) within the latch mechanism 21.

An additional locking means is provided which comprises a pair of locking bolts B each received in a passage Pin the door. The bolts B extend from the latch mechanism 21 where they are operatively engaged by cams C' activated by the operating member 18, to the upper and lower edges of the door.

In alternative arrangement only one bolt B may be provided.

The bolts B may be moved outwardly by the cams C' into engagement with the doorframe above and below the door. The additional locking means is activated by movement ofthe handles, in an opposite direction, i.e. upwardly, to the direction the handles are moved to retract the catch element21. In such latch mechanisms the spring means which returns the handles to their neutral position, when moved to operate the catch element 21 does not return the handles 11,1 2, to the neutral position when the handles are moved to actuate the additional locking means.

Using a spring assembly 30 in accordance with the invention, the handles are however returned to a neutral position when moved downwardly to activate the catch element 21 ofthe latch mechanism, or upwardlyto activate the additional locking means.

Whatever type of locking means is provided, if any, as will be appreciated from the description ofthe spring assembly 30 hereinafter, the spring assembly 30 will return the handles to their neutral positions, and will obviatethe needfor "handed" handle assemblies which are required with conventional constructions where the handles are only returned to their neutral position when moved in one direction.

Referring now to figure 2, the casing ofthespring assembly 30 is provided in two parts 40 and 41 which are preferably each moulded in a plastics material, although could be fabricated from metal or another material if required.

The casing parts 40 and 41 together define a recess 42 in which an actuating element 43 is received. The actuating element43 has a through opening 44 of a square cross section corresponding to the cross section ofthe operating member 16. Each ofthe casing parts 40 and 41 also provide an opening 45,46, respectivelythrough which the operating member 16 may pass into engagement with the actuating element 43. The casing parts 40 and 41 are connected together by moulded pins 48 of part41 which engage in aperture 48a in casing part 40, with the actuating element43trapped between the housing parts 40 and 41 in the recess 42.

The recess 42 comprises upper and lower curved guide surfaces 49a,49bof corresponding curvature to parts 50 ofthe edge of the actuating element 43, Thus when the actuating element 43 is rotated, asthe operating member 16 is rotated, the surfaces 49a,49b and 50 will guide the actuating element 43.

The recess 42 provided between the housing parts 40 and 41 further comprises a slot-like part 51.

The actuating element 43 has a projecting formation 54which moves along the lower guide surface 49b, and the amount of rotational movement of the actuating element 43 is restricted by formations 54 on casing part 40 which act as stops and extend between the ends of the guide surfaces 49a,49b.

The actuating element 43 further comprises a spring chamber60 in which a coil spring 61 is received. The ends ofthe coil spring 61 are indicated at62 and 63 and are cranked relative to the circular configuration of the remainderofthespring 61,so asto extend outwardly through a cut away region 64 in the edge 50 of the actuating element 43 into the slot 51 ofthe recess 42.

Preferably coil spring 61 is partially stressed so that there is an inherenttension in the spring,so thatthe ends 62 and 63 ofthe spring are urged apart into engagement with the edges 65 and 66 ofthe slot 51.

It will be appreciated that ifthe actuating element 43 is moved clockwise as seen infigure 2, thatthe end 62 of the coil spring 61 will be disengaged,with its respective edge 65 of the slot 51, by engagement with an abutting surface 70 ofthe cut away region 64 of the actuating element.

Conversely, if the actuating element 43 is moved anticlockwise as seen in figure 2, the end 63 may engage its corresponding edge 66 of slot 51 by engagement with abutting surface 71 of the actuating element 43.

In each case, rotation ofthe actuating element 43 will be resisted by the spring 61 which will tend to urge the actuating element 43 back to the neutral position.

Thus the spring assembly 30 will tend to return the operating member 16, and hence handles 11 and 12 of the handle assembly shown in figure 1,tothe neutral position.

Itwill be appreciated thatinthe embodiment described,whetherthe handle 11,12,andthusthe actuating element 43, is moved clockwise or anticlockwise, that the handle 11,12, will tend to be returned to the neutral position shown.

The spring assembly 30 may be received in the respective recess 32 ofthe support member 13 or 14 of the handle assembly either in the orientations indicated in figure 1, or in reverse orientations or inverted orientations, as required and still the handles 11,12, will tend to be returned to the nuetral position when the latch mechanism 21 has been actuated.

However, the casing parts 40 ofthe casing 31 ofthe spring assemblies, have outwardly extending resilient tongues 72 which are intended to be urged outwardly into engagement with the sides ofthe recesses 32 and thus the orientation of the assembly is shown in figure 1 or inverted orientations are preferred.

If desired, instead ofthe spring assemblies 30 permitting both clockwise and anticlockwise movement ofthe actuating element 43 thereof, only clockwise or anticlockwise movement may be permitted. This may be governed by the positioning of stops in relation to the extending formation 54 ofthe actuating element 43. In this event, if it is desired to reverse the handles so that instead of in both directions of rotation being permitted, only one direction of movement is permitted, the spring assembly 30 would need to be removed from the recess 32 of its associated support member 13,14, its orientation reversed, and the spring assembly 30 again received in recess 32 ofthe support assembly 13,14.

It will be appreciated thatthe spring assembly 30 shown in figure 2 is only one example of a spring assemblywhich may be used with the handle assembly offigure 1. Any other spring assembly which returns the handles 11,12, to a neutral position once the catch element 22 has been withdrawn, may alternatively be used, provided thatthe spring assem biy is removablefrom its respective supportassembly and reversible or the spring assembly must be removable and permitthe handles 11,12, to be returned to the neutral position whether moved in either clockwise or anticlockwise directions of rotation regardlessoftheorientationofthespring unit30 relative to the respective support member 13,14.

If desired, only one ofthe handles 11,12, may have a spring assembly30 or indeed, a handle assembly in accordance with the invention may have one handle only instead ofthe two handles 11,12, described. In this event, the operating member 1 6would not need to extend from one surface 19 ofthe door 10 to the other 20.

The handles 11,12, shown are secured to but rotatable relative to support members 13,14, and thus as the support members 13,4, are secured to the door, the end regions 17,18, ofthe operating member 16 are engaged with the handles 11,12. In another embodiment, the handles 11,12, may be separate from the support members, and thus would need to be secured to the operating member 16, for example, by means of a screw orsimilarfastening.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a door, the invention may be applied to a window, or any otherwing having a latch mechanism operable by a handle on at least one sideof the wing.

Further, although as described, the latch mechanism has been morticed into the door, the invention may be applied to an arrangement where a surface latch mechanism is provided, which may be operated by a handle on an opposite surface ofthe door. The handle on the opposite surface ofthe door could have a spring assembly as hereinbefore described.

Claims (25)

1. A handle assemblyfor a wing comprising a handle, a support memberfor mounting on a surface ofthe wing, an operating memberadaptedto be engaged with the handle and a latch mechanism of the wing,wherebyin use, when the handle is moved from a neutral position about an operating axis an outwardlyextending abutmentofthelatch mechanism is retracted into a housing ofthe latch mechanism, a spring assembly removably received between the support member and the surface ofthe wing, the spring assembly, when received in a first orientation, acting on the operating memberto urge the handle-to the neutral position when the handle is moved in one direction of rotation about said operating axis, and when received by the support member in a second orientation acting on the operating memberto urge the handle to the neutral position when the handle is moved in an opposite direction of rotation about said operating axis.

2. A handle assemblyfor a wing comprising a handle,asupportmemberformounting on asurface ofthe wing, an operating member adapted to be engaged with the handle and a latch mechanism ofthe wing,whereby in use, when the handle is movedfrom a neutral position about an operating axis, an outwardly extending abutment ofthe latch mechanism is retracted into a housing ofthe latch mechanism, a spring assembly removably received between the support memberand the surface ofthe wing, the spring assembly acting on the operating member to urge the handle to the neutral position whetherthe handle is moved in either direction of rotation about said operating axis.

3. An assembly according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the handle is secured to the support member but is rotatable relative thereto.

4. An assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the support member has means to enable the support memberto be secured on the surface of thewing.

5. An assembly according to Claim 4wherein the support member is provided with a cover plate to conceal the support member.

6. An assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the latch mechanism is sprung sothatthe abutmentofthe latch mechanism is nprmally urged outwardly of the wing.

7. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the spring assembly comprises a casing in which an actuating element is received, the actuating element engaging with the operating member.

8. An assembly according to Claim 7 wherein the actuating element has an openingthroughwhichthe operating member passes, the opening being of corresponding configuration to the cross section of the operating member so that rotational movement of the operating member results in movement ofthe actuating elementaboutthe rotational axis.

9. An assembly according to Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the actuating element has an edge part which is guided by a guide surface of a recess inside the housing of the spring assembly.

10. An assembly according to any one of Claims 7 to 9 wherein the actuating element has a spring chamber in which a coil spring is received.

11. An assembly according to Claim 10 where appendantto Claim 9wherein each end ofthecoil spring engages in a slotofthe recess so that rotational movement of the actuating elementcausesthespring to become compressed.

12. An assembly according to Claim 11 wherein the coil spring is prestressed.

13. An assembly according to any one of Claims 7 to 12 wherein the casing ofthe spring assembly, and/orthe actuating element has means to restrictthe amount of rotational movementoftheactuating element about said axis.

14. An assembly according to Claim 13 where appendantto Claim 9wherein the guide surface ofthe recess and the edge part ofthe actuating element may have engaging strips which restrictsaid movement.

15. An assembly according to any one of Claims 11 to 14wherein the casing ofthespring assembly is made in two parts which, when assembled, provide the recessforthe actuating element, and said slotfor the spring.

16. A handle assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

17. A spring assembly for use with the handle assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 16, the spring assembly comprising a casing adapted to be received between the support member and the surface ofthe wing, the casing providing a recess in which an actuating element is received, the actuating element having an opening to receive an operating member, and a spring chamber to receive a coil spring, the spring, in use, acting between the casing and the actuating element to resist rotational move mentoftheactuating element in the recess.

18. A spring assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

19. Awing having a handle mechanism according to any one of Claims 1 to 16, and a latch mechanism.

20. Awing according to Claim 19wherein a handle is provided on either side thereof and the operating member extends from one side ofthe wing to the other.

21. Awing according to Claim 19 or Claim 20 wherein each of the handles has a spring assembly to return the handle to a neutral position.

22. Awing according to any one of Claims 19 to 21 which has a latch mechanism ofthetype in which the abutment of the latch mechanism when extended into engagementwith the keeper on the frame is lockable in position by a locking means.

23. Awing according to Claim 22 wherein the wing and latch mechanism have an additional locking means comprising a vertically extending locking bolt which extends from the latch mechanism to the upper and/or lower periphery ofthewing,to engage with the wing frame above orbelowthe wing respectively.

24. Awing according to Claim 23 wherein the handle, when rotated in an opposite direction to the direction of rotation which causes the abutmentofthe mechanism to be withdrawn into the housing, operates the additionai locking means.

25. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/orshown in the accompanying drawings.