GB2291927A - Cockspur handle latch - Google Patents

Abstract

A fastener, for example for a door or window, comprises a handle 11 mounted on a base plate 12. The handle has a locking feature 25, 26 which in a locked condition has a member 36 which cooperates with a stop member 19 on the base plate to prevent rotation of the handle but which in an unlocked condition is manually tiltable clear of the stop member 19 to permit rotation of the handle by push-to-release operation of the locking member 25, 26. The pivot axis P of the locking member 25, 26 is located on the handle 11 on the opposite side of the cavity 24 accommodating the locking member 25, 26 from the gripping portion 17 of the handle 11. This provides for particularly effective use of the arrangement of the invention, in which the locking member 25, 26 pivots downwardly in a direction away from the thumb, during a push-to-release operation. <IMAGE>

Description

A FASTENER The present invention relates to a fastener, for example for a door or window.

The invention is especially directed to a fastener of the so-called push-to-release kind, in which the locking member or plunger is depressed to release the locked fastener. This construction contrasts with the more usual manner of provision of a locking feature in fasteners suitable for windows in particular, in which a locking member or plunger is depressed to engage or lock the fastener. and is released such as by key action for reverse outward or upward movement of the plunger or locking member into a position in which the fastener is once again unlocked. This reverse movement is typically activated by a compression spring and the locking or engagement movement of the plunger is thus effected by depressing the plunger against the compressive force of the spring.

There are attractions in the push-to-release structure, as compared with push-to-engage, especially for the user1 and it is an object of the present invention to achieve an improved and advantageous push-to-release arrangement for fasteners of the kind to which the invention relates, and in particular for window fasteners.

A diversity of known arrangements exist directed to achieving a push-to-release capability, or an alternative equivalent mechanical structure. In EP-A-0,260,517, there is described a push-to-release structure in which a downward or depressing movement on the outer end of a locking plunger is converted internally within the plunger to an upward movement of a locking bolt at the lower end of the plunger structure by means of a gear arrangement comprising two linear gears or racks and an intermediate pinion. The first rack portion extends downwardly from the plunger top, while the second rack portion extends upwardly from the locking bolt. The structure is relatively complex, containing a large number of relatively small and potentially troublesome moving mechanical parts.In GB-A-2,019,481, a push-to-release feature is achieved by providing a pivoting locking member in the main body of the handle structure, in the vicinity of its pivot axis, mounted for locking movement for which it is biased towards a locking disposition. The locking member is urgeable out of the locking disposition into a release configuration by means of an elongate release member extending axially through the elongate shaft of the lever arm of the handle to a push button located at the outer extremity of the end of this lever arm. Again a multipart construction is in question, with a relatively long axial rod extending through the handle, this having therefore to be provided with a bore or hole to accommodate this further member. In addition, the location of the depressible plunger at the free end of the lever arm is relatively inconveniently placed for easy operation by a user.

GB-A-2,076,455 provides mechanical inversion of the push-to-release requirement by having a locking bolt which is slideably mounted for downward movement into a locking disposition under the urging of a compression spring, but is reversed into an opening disposition by means of a trigger grip arrangement underneath the lever arm of the handle. While the number of moving parts is relatively few, and the trigger type grip has a measure of user convenience, a disadvantage is that the handle is required to be shaped so that its under-surface will be sufficiently spaced from the window or other feature on which it is mounted for the user to have adequate hand clearance between the lever arm and the window. This may necessitate a larger fastener structure or which which is disadvantageous in terms of design or appearance.

GB-A-2,188,671 provides a true push-to-release structure, in which a plunger is captively mounted in a bore of the handle. A cooperating escutcheon plate mounts a locking bolt which is urged upwardly and outwardly from the escutcheon plate by means of a compression spring, so that when a hole in the handle structure is aligned with the locking bolt, the bolt is urged upwardly under the spring pressure to latch into the hole in the handle1 to thereby fasten the handle in a locked position. In this disposition, the plunger overlies the latch bolt, and to unfasten the handle, the plunger is depressed so that the locking bolt is in turn depressed until its top surface lies in or below the plane of separation of the handle and escutcheon plate. The handle may then be opened. There again results a relatively complex structure, in which locking is not achieved by the plunger in the handle.This serves rather to release the locked structure, locking itself being achieved by a separate component in the base plate or escutcheon.

GB-A-2,204,909 provides a further example of a true push-to-release window fastener structure, but again one in which a multipart mechanism is used. A vertically sliding latch member is mounted in a blind bore in the handle structure and biased by a compression spring into a condition in which a latching end engages in a cooperating recess in a base plate of the fastener structure. A separate push button assembly is mounted in a further open-ended bore of the handle structure, to meet the bore accommodating the vertically sliding latch member at an acute angle.A camming head of a push button structure mounted in this bore cooperates with a camming surface of the vertically sliding latch member, so that depression of the release button displaces the sliding latch member vertically out of its latching disposition in which its lower end engages the cooperating formation in the base plate. There is again provided a complex multi-part structure, with numerous moving components and a relatively complex bore structure in the handle1 required to accomodate these various moving parts. GB-A-2,233,702 provides modifications of the handle assemblies of GB-A-2,204,909, but using the same basic mechanical structure.

GB-A-2,263,304 discloses a locking handle for a door or window in which a single latching member fulfills both the latching function and also comprises the depressible push button for release of the handle from the engaged condition. The latch is arranged to automatically engage when the handle is moved into the closed position to prevent subsequent movement of the handle to an open position until the latch is released. The latch consists of a push button feature at its upper end and is pivotally mounted on the handle with resilient biasing by spring means to urge its lower end, which defines the actual latching feature, into engagement with a recess of the fixing plate when the handle is in the closed position. Depression of the push button end of the structure releases the latch by rocking the button and latch against the resilient bias to move the bottom latching portion out of the recess in a direction which is substantially at right angles to the direction in which the button is depressed. The push button may be provided with a key-operated, axially displaceable, central locking plunger which is advanced from a retracted disposition within the button to a locking position in which it projects from the button, to engage a cooperating further recess in the fixing plate.

The number of components is reduced compared with the previous structures already identified, but the device suffers from the disadvantage that the push button pivots downwardly in a direction away from the thumb, when the handle is grasped by the hand, which may be found cumbersome in use. The construction again also provides a relatively complex multi-part structure, in particular in regard to the axial locking plunger feature.

GB-A-2,263,498 provides a further true push-to-release assembly, but again comprising a two-part structure. A latch member is pivotally mounted within the handle structure and is biased by a spring to engage a striker head of the latch member in a recess of the base plate. The latch member is pivotable to disengage the striker head from the recess of the base plate by depressing a plunger, which moves vertically. Vertical depression of the plunger causes the latch member, which is in the general form of a rocker arm, to pivot in a manner such that its striker head is moved away from the recess of the base plate. The handle may then be moved into an opening disposition of the structure, and the striker head is automatically reengaged with the recess on return pivotal movement of the handle to the closed disposition.This arrangement reverts to the multi-part construction of the earlier structures noted above, with the various complexities thereby entailed both as to number of moving parts and also as to manufacture of castings for the handle and base plate members.

The majority of these various structures are capable of being locked in the closed disposition by incorporation of a key feature, as already partially adverted to above.

According to the invention, there is provided a fastener for a door or window, comprising (a) a base plate, (b) a handle which is pivotably associated with the base plate for movement between open and closed positions, the handle having a gripping portion and a forward portion by means of which it is pivotably associated with the base plate, and (c) a catch for automatic engagement when the handle is moved into the closed position to prevent subsequent movement of the handle to an open position until the catch is released1 the catch comprising a tilt member which is pivotably mounted on the handle at least in part within a cavity of the handle located between said gripping portion and said forward portion, the tilt member being resiliently biassed to urge a portion of the tilt member into engagement with a recess of the base plate when the handle is in the closed position. said engagement preventing turning of the handle1 and the catch being releasable by depression of the tilt member for rocking movement of the tilt member against said resilient bias to move said portion of the tilt member out of said recess of the base plate in a direction substantially at right-angles to the direction in which the tilt member is depressed, wherein said tilt member is mounted for said rocking movement about an axis located at a side region of said cavity substantially adjacent said forward portion of the handle and spaced from said gripping portion.

The invention thus offers the considerable advantage that the tilt axis of the tilt member is located on the side of the tilt member away from the direction of arrival or engagement of the thumb. Thus when the tilt member is depressed downwardly, it pivots downwardly under the thumb in a direction away from the thumb. This is a particularly advantageous manner of engagement in a handle of the kind to which the invention applies, especially as compared with a prior art arrangement in which the tilt axis is located on the side of the tilt member adjacent to the thumb so that the button or tilt member pivots downwardly towards the thumb, this being a fundamentally less convenient mode of operation of a push-to-release fastener.

Said axis is suitably defined at an upper edge region of said cavity remote from said base plate in a mounted condition of said handle on said base plate such as by a hinge structure comprising cooperating flange portions of said tilt member and said forward portion of the handle. Preferably, said cooperating flange portions of said tilt member and said forward portion of the handle comprise a lip provided on the tilt member and a ledge provided on said forward portion of the handle. Said lip provided on the tilt member may have a surface directed towards said base plate in a mounted condition of said handle on said base plate and said ledge provided on said forward portion of the handle may have a surface directed away from said base plate, said surfaces having cooperating formations defining said axis and providing for said rocking movement of the tilt member.

There is thus provided by the present invention in this embodiment, a simple hinge structure, without any necessity for hinge pins or any type of snap action structure.

In a favoured embodiment, resilient bias of said tilt member is provided by a leaf spring having two angularly spaced apart legs joined by a resilient hinge portion and said leaf spring is located to underlie said ledge in a direction towards said base plate in a mounted condition of said handle on said base plate, said resilient hinge portion being engaged beneath said ledge, said legs extending from said hinge portion in said direction towards said base plate and one of said legs having a free end for engaging a surface of a recess in the tilt member to urge said tilt member in said direction towards said base plate and thereby retain said tilt member within said cavity of the handle.Said surface of said recess in said tilt member engaged by said free end of said one of said legs is suitably at least in part oriented in a direction away from said base plate to provide for said tilt-member retaining engagement by said free end.

The invention in this variant therefore provides for an especially simple manner of mounting the tilt member within the cavity of the handle structure. The tilt member is retained in position within the cavity by the spring1 and no more complex mounting structure is necessary. Despite the simple manner of mounting, a positive and trouble-free secure accommodation of the tilt member is assured.

In any embodiment of the invention, the tilt member may be provided with a locking member displaceable between a release disposition in which said rocking movement of said tilt member may be effected and a locking disposition in which a locking portion of said locking member engages a surface portion of the base plate to prevent said rocking movement. Said locking member is suitably at least in part substantially cylindrical and is displaceable between said release disposition and said locking disposition by rotation, to effect orbital displacement of said locking portion of said locking member from a first location in which it is aligned with said surface portion of the base plate which is engaged by said locking portion to prevent said rocking movement, to a location substantially diametrically opposite said first location and vice versa.Said base plate recess engaging portion of the tilt member is preferably disposed radially outward of the path of orbital displacement of said locking portion of said locking member between said first location and said location substantially diametrically opposite said first location. Said base plate recess engaging portion of the tilt member is then also preferably located between said path of orbital displacement of said locking portion of said locking member and said forward portion of the handle.

This aspect of the invention provides an especially simple manner of achieving a locking feature. In particular, the locking movement is entirely rotational and there is no necessity for any axial displacement, or any of the helical or like type structures which axial movement necessitates. The resulting structure is thus simple and reliable.

Said surface portion of the base plate which is engaged by said locking portion of the locking member may be defined by an upper surface of a stop member upstanding on a surface of said base plate directed towards said handle in a mounted condition of said handle on said base plate, and said recess of the base plate for said handle turning preventing engagement by said base plate recess engaging portion of the tilt member may also be defined in a side surface of the same stop member.

In this arrangement, the stop member of the base plate thus combines two functions. Firstly it provides a recess to accommodate the tilt member in its locking disposition, and secondly its upper surface defines an abutment region against which the locking portion of the rotatable locking member bears in the locked condition of the unit. The invention thus fulfills all of the requirements of a lockable push to release fastener in an especially elegant manner, involving a minimum of component parts and relatively simple castings for those of the component parts formed in such manner.

In any embodiment of the invention, said recess of the base plate for said handle turning preventing engagement by said base plate recess engaging portion of the tilt member may thus be defined in a side surface of a stop member upstanding on a surface of said base plate directed towards said handle in a mounted condition of said handle on said base plate.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a fastener according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the handle of the fastener of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the fastener of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional elevation of the fastener of Figure 1 in a locked condition; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional elevation of the fastener of Figure 4 in an unlocked condition.

Referring to the drawings, a fastener 10 comprises a handle 11 mounted on a base plate 12 for rotation about an axis substantially normal to the base plate. The handle 11 is thus pivotably associated with the base plate 12 for movement between open and closed positions, a forward portion of the handle providing for its pivotable association with the base plate 12.

A pair of counter-sunk holes 13 are formed in the base plate 12, one towards the front end 14 of the base plate 12 and another located mid-way along the length of the base plate 12, Figure 3. Screws (not shown) are employed to fasten the base plate 12 to a fixture to be secured, such as a door or a window casement.

The handle 11 is elongate with a grip 17 at its rear end. A cylindrical stud 18 projects down from the forward end of the handle 11 to rotatably engage in a circular aperture 16 in a boss 15 formed on the base plate 12 between the holes 13, thereby to permit rotation of the handle as aforesaid.

In use, the stud 18 is connected to a link or lock mechanism (not shown) which is actuated by rotation of the stud 18 within the raised portion 15, thus enabling a door or window to which the fastener is fixed to be released by rotation of the handle 11 out of alignment with the base plate 12 and re-secured by returning the handle into alignment with the base plate.

A stop member 19 projects upwardly from the rear end of the base plate 11. The stop member 19 is substantially oval in shape having two oppositely curved side walls 21 and 22 facing respectively towards the rear and the front of the base plate. The side wall 22 has a recess 20.

The handle 11 includes a curved flange 23 which projects down towards the base plate 12. The flange 23 is spaced apart from the side wall 21 so that the handle 11 straddles the stop member 19. The flange 23 and the side wall 21 have the same centre of curvature so that as the handle 11 rotates relative to the base plate 12, the flange 23 and the stop member 19 remain substantially the same distance apart.

The handle 11 is formed to define a cavity 24 between the flange 23 and the stud 18. A barrel lock 25 comprises a hollow outer casing 26 with a coaxial substantially cylindrical channel 27 running from one face 29 to the other 30. The casing 26 fits into the cavity 24 with the face 29 projecting slightly from the cavity 24, and has a forwardly extending lip 40 which engages over a rearwardly extending ledge 41 of the handle. As will be described1 when the barrel lock is in an unlocked condition this permits the casing 26 to pivot about a transverse axis P from the upright position shown in Figure 4 to the tilted position shown in Figure 5.

As will subsequently be described in more detail, the casing 26 forms a catch for automatic engagement when the handle 11 is moved into the closed position, to prevent subsequent movement of the handle 11 to an open position until the catch is released. The casing 26 defines a tilt member which is pivotably mounted on the handle 11; so that at least the major part of the casing 26 is located within the cavity 24 of the handle 11, this cavity 24 being disposed between the grip 17 and the forward portion of the handle. The tilt member or casing 26 is mounted for rocking movement about the transverse axis P, and this axis P is located in a side region of the cavity 24 which is adjacent to the forward portion of the handle 11 and is spaced from the grip 17.This axis P is also located at an upper edge region of the cavity 24 which is remote from the base plate 12 in the mounted condition of the handle 11 on the base plate 12. The axis P is defined by a hinge structure consisting of the cooperating flange portions of the tilt member 26 and the forward portion of the handle 11 defined by the lip 40 and the ledge 41. The lower surface of the lip 40 and the upper surface of the ledge 41, namely the lip surface directed towards the base plate and the ledge surface directed away from the base plate, are provided with cooperating formations which define the axis P and provide for the required rocking movement of the casing 26. The formation on the upper surface of the ledge 41 suitably comprises a ridge or apex, which engages in a downwardly directed elongate recess or groove on the lower surface of the lip 40.An arrangement of this kind provides an especially suitable hinging formation between these members.

The casing 26 is normally biassed into the upright position (Figure 4) by a clothes peg type leaf spring 37 comprising a pair of legs 38 biassed away from one another by a resilient hinge 39, Figures 3, 4 and 5. The leaf spring 37 is located beneath the ledge 41 in a gap 42 between the housing 26 and the wall of the cavity 24. The spring 37 also acts to hold the barrel lock 25 in place within the handle 11.

Thus resilient bias of the tilt member 26 is provided by a leaf spring 37 which has two angularly spaced apart legs joined by a resilient hinge portion. The leaf spring 37 underlies the ledge 41 in a direction towards the base plate 12 in the mounted condition of the handle 11 on the base plate 12 and the resilient hinge portion of the leaf spring 37 is engaged beneath this ledge 40. The legs extend from the hinge portion in the direction towards the base plate 12.

One of the legs has a free end for engaging a surface of a recess in the tilt member 26 to urge the tilt member 26 in the direction of the base plate 12 and thereby also retain the tilt member 26 within the cavity 24, in addition to providing the required biassing action.

The surface of the recess of the tilt member engaged by this free end of the one leg is at least partly oriented in a direction away from the base plate 12, so as to provide for the required downwardly-directed tilt member retaining engagement by the free end of the leg of the spring 37.

In a preferred embodiment, the casing 26 is fabricated from a metallic malleable material and U-shaped slots 28 whose sides are directed towards the face 30 of the casing 26 are removed from opposite sides of the casing 26 to provide respective tongues 50. A substantially cylindrical tumbler 31 fits inside the casing 26, with one face 32 of the tumbler projecting upwardly from the face 29 of the casing 26. A groove 51 is formed around the outer surface of the tumbler 31. When the tumbler 31 is inserted into the casing 26, the tongues 50 are pressed inwardly to engage opposite sides of the groove 51 and retain the tumbler 31 within the casing 26. The casing 26 could also be fabricated from a plastics material, with pins (not shown) used to retain the tumbler 31 within the casing 26.

A keyhole 33 is formed in the face 32 allowing a key 34 to be inserted in the tumbler 31. A correctly fitting key 34 actuates a conventional lock mechanism (not shown) located within the tumbler 31 causing the tumbler 31 to rotate within the casing 26 and moving the barrel lock mechanism from a locked condition to an unlocked condition.

A flange 35 projects downwardly from the end of the tumbler 31 lying within the casing 26 and is disposed towards one side of tumbler 31. When the barrel lock 25 is in the locked condition the angular position of the tumbler 31 is such that the flange 35 is disposed directly above the stop member 19 and bears against it to prevent tilting of the casing 26 into the position shown in Figure 5.

Thus the locking member of the fastener in the form of the lock 25 is of generally cylindrical configuration and is displaceable between a release disposition in which the flange 35 is clear of the upper surface of the stop member 19 and therefore allows rocking displacement of casing 26, and a locking disposition in which the flange 35 bears against the top surface of the base plate stop 19 and prevents this rocking movement of the casing 26. Because of the cylindrical construction of the lock 25, displacement between the release disposition and the locking disposition of the lock 25 is achieved by rotation, this effecting orbital displacement of the locking flange 35 from the release configuration in which it is spaced from the stop member 19 and the locking disposition in which it overlies the member 19 and bears against this by means of its bottom surface.The locking and release locations are substantially diametrically opposite one another.

A member 36 projects downwardly from the lower end 30 of the casing 26 and engages in the recess 20 in the locked condition of the barrel lock. Thus, in the locked condition, if it is attempted to rotate the handle 11 with respect to the base plate 12, the member 36 will bear against one or other of the opposite side edges of the recess 20 and prevent rotation sufficient to release the link or lock mechanism connected to the stud 18.

Thus the casing 26 provides a tilt member which is resiliently biassed to urge the member or portion 36 into engagement with the recess 20 of the stop member 19 of the base plate 12 when the handle 11 is in the closed position. This engagement prevents turning of the handle 11. There is thereby provided a catch for automatic engagement by a camming displacement of member 36 over the side surfaces 22 of the stop member 19, during movement of the handle 11 into the closed position, as subsequently described further. Once member 36 is engaged in recess 20, further turning of the handle 11 towards the open position is prevented until the catch is released.

Release of the catch is achieved by depression of the tilt member 26 for rocking movement of this member 26 against the resilient bias of the spring 37. This rocking displacement moves the portion 36 out of the recess 20 of the base plate stop 19 in a direction substantially at right-angles to the direction in which the tilt member 26 is depressed. Because of the location of the tilt axis P at the forward portion of the handle 11, when the grip 17 is held in the normal way, and the portion 26 or button depressed by the thumb, the rocking member 26 moves downwardly and away from the thumb in a convenient and effective manner of use.

The member 36 of the tilt portion 26 is disposed radially outward of the path of orbital displacement of the locking portion or flange 35 between its diametrically opposed release and locking dispositions. Because of the location of the pivot axis P on the forward portion of the handle 11, the member 36 is also located between this path of orbital displacement of the locking portion 35 and the forward portion of the handle 11 itself.

To place the barrel lock 25 in the unlocked condition, the key 34 is inserted into the lock mechanism and rotated through 180 degrees. The key 34 may then be removed. Rotation of the key 34 causes the tumbler 31 to rotate so that the end of the flange 35 no longer bears against the top of the stop member 19 and the casing 26 is free to pivot within cavity 24 in the handle 11. The angle through which the barrel lock 25 can pivot is limited by the maximum lateral distance between the side of the flange 35 and the stop member 19, but it is sufficient for the member 36 to move forwardly clear of the recess 20 as seen in Figure 5. This allows the handle 11 to rotate relative to the base plate 12 and release the door or casement to which the fastener 10 is fixed.

Thus, with the barrel lock 25 in the unlocked condition, the fastener 10 may be operated by holding the grip 17 with four fingers with a thumb (not shown) extending over the exposed face 29 of the barrel lock 25 and in particular over the exposed face of the lip 40.

Now, by pulling rearwardly with the thumb the barrel lock 25 is pivoted against the action of the spring 37 to move the member 36 clear of the recess 20 allowing the handle 11 to be rotated to cause the fastener 10 to actuate the lock or link mechanism to which it is connected.

The barrel lock 25 may now be released, whereupon the spring 37 returns the barrel lock housing 26 to the upright position. It is not necessary to manually tilt the housing 26 to the Figure 5 position prior to returning the handle to the closed position (i.e. in alignment with the base plate 12) because the wall 22 acts as a cam on the member 36 so that as the handle is returned, the housing 26 is automatically tilted and finally clicks into place in the recess 20.

In the arrangement shown therefore1 the stop member 19 contains the recess for cooperation with the portion 36 of the tilt or rocking member 26 and the top surface of the stop 19 provides the abutment for the locking portion 35 of the barrel lock 25. In addition to combining these features, the stop member 19 also accommodates the side camming surfaces 22 allowing automatic locking engagement of the catch 26 of the handle 11 on movement into the closed condition.

Claims (15)

1. A fastener for a door or window, comprising (a) a base plate, (b) a handle which is pivotably associated with the base plate for movement between open and closed positions, the handle having a gripping portion and a forward portion by means of which it is pivotably associated with the base plate, and (c) a catch for automatic engagement when the handle is moved into the closed position to prevent subsequent movement of the handle to an open position until the catch is released, the catch comprising a tilt member which is pivotably mounted on the handle at least in part within a cavity of the handle located between said gripping portion and said forward portion1 the tilt member being resiliently biassed to urge a portion of the tilt member into engagement with a recess of the base plate when the handle is in the closed position, said engagement preventing turning of the handle1 and the catch being releasable by depression of the tilt member for rocking movement of the tilt member against said resilient bias to move said portion of the tilt member out of said recess of the base plate in a direction substantially at right-angles to the direction in which the tilt member is depressed, wherein said tilt member is mounted for said rocking movement about an axis located at a side region of said cavity substantially adjacent said forward portion of the handle and spaced from said gripping portion.

2. A fastener according to Claim 1, wherein said axis is defined at an upper edge region of said cavity remote from said base plate in a mounted condition of said handle on said base plate.

3. A fastener according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said axis is defined by a hinge structure comprising cooperating flange portions of said tilt member and said forward portion of the handle.

4. A fastener according to Claim 3, wherein said cooperating flange portions of said tilt member and said forward portion of the handle comprise a lip provided on the tilt member and a ledge provided on said forward portion of the handle.

5. A fastener according to Claim 4, wherein said lip provided on the tilt member has a surface directed towards said base plate in a mounted condition of said handle on said base plate and said ledge provided on said forward portion of the handle has a surface directed away from said base plate, and said surfaces have cooperating formations defining said axis and providing for said rocking movement of the tilt member.

6. A fastener according to Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein resilient bias of said tilt member is provided by a leaf spring having two angularly spaced apart legs joined by a resilient hinge portion and said leaf spring is located to underlie said ledge in a direction towards said base plate in a mounted condition of said handle on said base plate, said resilient hinge portion being engaged beneath said ledge, said legs extending from said hinge portion in said direction towards said base plate and one of said legs having a free end for engaging a surface of a recess in the tilt member to urge said tilt member in said direction towards said base plate and thereby retain said tilt member within said cavity of the handle.

7. A fastener according to Claim 6, wherein said surface of said recess in said tilt member engaged by said free end of said one of said legs is at least in part oriented in a direction away from said base plate to provide for said tilt-member retaining engagement by said free end.

8. A fastener according to any preceding claim, wherein the tilt member is provided with a locking member displaceable between a release disposition in which said rocking movement of said tilt member may be effected and a locking disposition in which a locking portion of said locking member engages a surface portion of the base plate to prevent said rocking movement.

9. A fastener according to Claim 8, wherein said locking member is at least in part substantially cylindrical and is displaceable between said release disposition and said locking disposition by rotation, to effect orbital displacement of said locking portion of said locking member from a first location in which it is aligned with said surface portion of the base plate which is engaged by said locking portion to prevent said rocking movement, to a location substantially diametrically opposite said first location and vice versa.

10. A fastener according to Claim 9, wherein said base plate recess engaging portion of the tilt member is disposed radially outward of the path of orbital displacement of said locking portion of said locking member between said first location and said location substantially diametrically opposite said first location.

11. A fastener according to Claim 10, wherein said base plate recess engaging portion of the tilt member is located between said path of orbital displacement of said locking portion of said locking member and said forward portion of the handle.

12. A fastener according to any of Claims 9 to 11, wherein said surface portion of the base plate which is engaged by said locking portion of the locking member is defined by an upper surface of a stop member upstanding on a surface of said base plate directed towards said handle in a mounted condition of said handle on said base plate.

13. A fastener according to Claim 12, wherein said recess of the base plate for said handle turning preventing engagement by said base plate recess engaging portion of the tilt member is defined in a side surface of said stop member.

14. A fastener according to any of Claims 1 to 12, wherein said recess of the base plate for said handle turning preventing engagement by said base plate recess engaging portion of the tilt member is defined in a side surface of a stop member upstanding on a surface of said base plate directed towards said handle in a mounted condition of said handle on said base plate.

15. A fastener substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.