WO2006039745A1

WO2006039745A1 - Improvements in handle assemblies

Info

Publication number: WO2006039745A1
Application number: PCT/AU2005/001559
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Russell Watts
Original assignee: Yarra Ridge Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2004-10-11
Filing date: 2005-10-11
Publication date: 2006-04-20

Abstract

An assembly (3) including a displaceable retainer, a base (5) and a handle having a substantially cylindrical shank (6) that extends into an aperture (7) of the base (5), the shank (6) having an axial recess (16) and a peripheral groove (10), the assembly (3) characterized by a first configuration where the retainer (11) extends into the axial recess but not into the peripheral groove (10), and a second configuration where the retainer (11) extends into the peripheral groove (10), the second configuration further characterized by the shank (6) being restrained by the retainer (11) relative to the base (5).

Description

Title

Improvements in Handle Assemblies

Field of the Inventions

These inventions relate to means of attaching handles to bases, to means of supporting handles and to means of biasing handles. The inventions find relevance in handle assemblies comprising levers attached to back-plates and knob attached to roses. The inventions further find relevance where the handle assemblies comprise door furniture or hardware.

Summary of the Inventions

According to the invention there is an assembly including a displaceable retainer, a base and a handle having a substantially cylindrical shank that extends into an aperture of the base, the shank having an axial recess and a peripheral groove, the assembly characterized by a first configuration where the retainer extends into the axial recess but not into the peripheral groove, and a second configuration where the retainer extends into the peripheral groove, the second configuration further characterized by the shank being restrained by the retainer relative to the base.

In some forms, the axial recess is connected by a slot to the peripheral groove and the retainer includes opposed fingers that mate with working clearances within the slot.

In some forms, the second configuration is further characterized by a second finger extending into the axial recess and the first configuration is further characterised by the second finger not extending beyond a pre-determined amount that may comprise nothing, into the axial recess.

In some forms, the shank is supported by the wall defining the aperture in the base and a wall defining a recess in a holder axially spaced from the aperture in the base. In some forms, there is a spring washer having fingers that occupy the slot and fins that extend disposed from and parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft to overlap the arms of a torsion spring that extend substantially radially to also overlap stop shoulders of the holder.

In some forms, rotation of the shank causes a fin to displace a spring arm to bias the shank against displacement and towards an undisplaced disposition.

In some forms, the holder, retainer, spring and spring washer comprise part of a separate sub-assembly.

In some forms, the shank comprises part of an operable handle.

In some forms, the base comprises a back plate.

According to the invention, there is an assembly substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Definitions and Conventions Employed within the Specification _V-o_ct-io-os Specification shall be taken to include: a Body [comprising a Title, a Description of

Preferred Embodiment/s, an Abstract and a Summary of the Invention] and Claims.

This specification describes multiple inventions that include improvements for locks for displaceable wings and any combination of the inventions.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "locks" or variations such as "lock" will be understood to include complete locks for displaceable wings and improvements for locks for displaceable wings that are transportable into other locks and locking devices without being limited to the complete locks described herein.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the positional prepositions such as rear, forward are used to assist in description of the preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings and have in general no absolute significance and "overlap" and derivations such as "overlaps" means at least in part occupying a same plane as. Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the headings are included for convenience only and not to affect interpretation.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "preferably" or variations such as "prefer" does not mean nor infer that the form of an integer is restricted to that referred to as preferred as preferred unless the context requires otherwise, has the meaning of acceptable and able to perform the function required by the inventions in which it is included.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "wing" embraces both doors and windows and an "aperture" comprises a hole that extends between opposed surfaces while a "recess" extends from one surface only and a base includes a rose and a "handle back-plate" (also called a "back-plate") that may comprise a box-like member that one form comprises a vertically elongated hollow member having a recess on the underside bounded by an outer surface and bounded in usage by the surface of the wing; in one form the handle assembly includes an operable lever supported by the back plate. Unless the context requires otherwise, an "engaging member" in isolated use, is displaceable between a fully displaced disposition and a fully retracted disposition. When employed with an "engagable means", the engaging member is displaceable between an operative disposition, a disposition in which the engaging member finds itself when engaged with the engagable means and an inoperative disposition removed from the said engagement. In many locks, the operative disposition corresponds with the fully displaced disposition but in some cases the engage able means acts to limit the displacement of the engaging member, and the inoperative disposition may correspond with the retracted disposition.

Within this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, fully displaced will embrace substantially fully displaced as the operative disposition may in some cases be and retracted disposition will embrace substantially fully retracted as the inoperative disposition may well be. For example, in the case of a common lock for hinged doors, in the inoperative configuration the bolt is withdrawn from the strike plate aperture and in the operative configuration the bolt is within the aperture of a strike plate - the operative disposition generally corresponding to a fully displaced (fully extended) bolt while the inoperative disposition generally corresponds to a fully retracted bolt.

Unless the context requires otherwise, "latching" means displacement of an engaging member into engagement with the "engagable means" under the action of biasing means. In relation to common hinged doors latching may comprise:

• 1) displacement of a latch bolt towards the lock casing by an engageable means comprising a "strike plate" and subsequent displacement of the latch bolt by biasing means into the aperture of the strike plate, or • 2) displacement of an auxiliary bolt against biasing means (that may or may not be accompanied by displacement of a latch bolt) to render the auxiliary bolt unable to restrain the latch bolt whereby to enable the latch bolt to be displaced by biasing means into the aperture of the strike plate. In relation to sliding wings latching may comprise:

• 1) displacement of an engaging member having a "hooking portion" against biasing means and subsequent displacement of the engaging member to a disposition, where the hooking portion lies behind a shoulder of an engage able means comprising a "catch or catch plate", or • 2) displacement of an auxiliary bolt against biasing means (that may or may not be accompanied by displacement of an engaging member) to render the auxiliary bolt unable to restrain the latch bolt whereby to enable the latch bolt to be displaced by biasing means to a disposition where the hooking portion lies behind a shoulder of a catch, or • 3) displacement of an auxiliary bolt against biasing means accompanied by displacement of a latch bolt with hooking arms by a catch plate and subsequent displacement of the latch bolt by biasing means into the aperture of the catch and corresponding displacement of each hooking arm behind the peripheral edge of the catch aperture to longitudinally engage the catch. Unless the context requires otherwise, a "latch-bolt" or latch bolt is an outwardly biased bolt capable of executing (or participating in) latching and includes bolts having a leading end that is chamfered or otherwise profiled on one side to facilitate latching and includes ["advanced latch bolts"] that are restrained in a pre-latching configuration prior to latching to either facilitate or assist latching and that in some forms are accompanied by an auxiliary bolt - advanced latch bolts in some forms comprising a prism shaped bolt that in some forms include counter-acting hooks and in some forms includes a leading end that is chamfered, curved or otherwise profiled on both sides to assist or facilitate latching.

Unless the context requires otherwise, a "latching slide" or latch slide [another form of engaging member], is a vertically biased slide capable of executing (or participating in) latching and includes ["advanced latching slides"] that are restrained in a pre-latching configuration prior to latching to either facilitate or assist latching and that in some forms are accompanied by an auxiliary bolt

An "auxiliary bolt", unless the context requires otherwise, means an outwardly biased plunger that is operably associated with the advanced engaging member that may comprise a latch bolt or latching slide. "Unlatching", unless the context requires otherwise means, withdrawal of the engaging member from engagement with the engagable means, and for hinged door it includes withdrawal of the bolt from the aperture of the strike plate. An "unlatching lever" is a lever or knob that is hand operable to cause the engaging member to become unlatched. "Locking", unless the context requires otherwise, means the act of configuring the lock to restrain it from being unlatched and in some forms of locks employing deadlocking slides, it means restraining the deadlocking slide to restrain the bolt from being inwardly displaced by the unlatching lever.

"Deadlocking", unless the context requires otherwise, means to configure the lock to restrain the engaging member from being displaced from the fully displaced configuration by external forces (in the case of a common lock for a hinged door, it includes restraining the bolt in a fully extended position).

The deadlocking means is some forms includes a "deadlocking slide" that is displaceable to cooperate with the engaging member to restrain it against displacement and/or to restrain an unlatching lever from being operable to unlatch the bolt.

"Deadlatching", unless the context requires otherwise, means the bolt is automatically deadlocked during latching. "Remote lock" means a locking means disposed from the lock that includes a remote engaging member that is operably connected to the lock (often there is an upper and a lower remote bolt situated above and below the lock) A "French Door", unless the context requires otherwise, means a door comprising a frame with a glass in-fill and sometimes configured in pairs, a second door that is normally closed and is often secured by vertical bolts and a first door that supports the lock body and operable unlatching levers, often they have a strip of compressible sealing material located on the edge against which the first door closes to prevent energy loss, many French Doors comprise a hollow frame where the hollow within the frame is comparatively small in depth. A "security Door", unless the context requires otherwise, means a door comprising a hollow framed door with an in-fill of mesh or woven stainless steel where the hollow within the frame is comparatively small in depth and in width. In general wings are supported adjacent an opening; the wing having a closing edge that in the closed position, is adjacent an element that helps define the extent of the opening; the lock being mounted relative to this closing edge and this may comprise mounting a lock body within the door.

A "lock body", unless the context requires otherwise, includes an engaging means and a casing; the lock body together with a strike plate, a pair of "handle assemblies" and a cylinder comprising a typical mortice lock, and where the lock body may be fitted within the frame of the wing; "depth" of lock body is the extent of the lock body in a direction parallel to the face of the door; "width" of lock body is the extent of the lock body in a direction at right- angles to the face of the door

A "single cylinder" comprises a substantially conventional lock cylinder comprising a separate subassembly that includes a key operable barrel within a cylinder housing. A "double-cylinder" comprises a substantially conventional double lock cylinder comprising a separate subassembly that includes opposed coaxially supported barrels each operably connected to the same angularly displaceable "first cam" having a "first cam arm" characterized by a "free end" that extends radially to a "peripheral surface" defined in part by a common radial distance from the first cam pivotal axis. A "clutched-double-cylinder" comprises a double cylinder having opposed barrels each connectable without free movement to the same first cam such that the first cam can be angularly displaced by a barrel while the other barrel remain undisplaced, the clutched double cylinder includes an operable "clutch" to effect angular coupling between the first cam and a barrel, the clutch may be operated by key insertion. A "free rotation single cylinder" includes a barrel operably connected with free movement to a first cam to enable the first cam to be displaced by the barrel from an undisplaced disposition to a displaced disposition and subsequently reversed to the undisplaced position enabling key removal; a "free rotation-double-cylinder" is configured such that each barrel is connected with free movement to the same first cam such that the cam is free (between limits) to be angularly displaced while the barrels remain undisplaced. This type of cylinder is commonly used in security door locks in Australia to enable the cam to be displaced by either barrel to a locking configuration and then the barrel to be reverse rotated to the undisplaced position enabling key removal while leaving the first cam in the locking position. In some forms of clutched and free rotation cylinders, one barrel is replaced by a hand operable turn knob; in some cylinders the cylinder housing comprises part of the handle back-plate.

Where a cylinder screw, is employed to retain a separate double cylinder relative to the casing, the screw has passage through the casing to be engaged in a threaded aperture in the cylinder. In these forms the screw may also perform the function of restraining the first cam arm against leaving the drive recess by displacing in a direction away from the bolt; the screw does this by restricting the downward displacement of the deadlocking slide from what is defined herein as the "undisplaced" position where the first cam arm is captured within the drive recess. During fitting, after the double cylinder has been inserted in the cylinder aperture in the lock body, the first cam arm is rotated in a locking direction to be within the drive or cam recess at which time the cylinder screw is inserted to displace and/or retain the deadlocking slide away from the initial position and in the "undisplaced position". Locks within a "set of locks" or a "lock series" are to a large extent, constructed from a set of common components types. Description of the Figures

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded isometric view of a handle assembly in which an unlatching lever and back-plate are partly shown,

Figure 2 is an isometric view of the underside of the handle assembly of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 is a side view looking towards the underside of the handle assembly of Figure 1 when in a first configuration,

Figure 4 is the section AA of Fig 3,

Figure 5 is a side view looking towards the underside of the handle assembly of Figure 1 when in a second configuration,

Figure 6 is the section BB of Fig 5, Figure 7 is an exploded isometric view of an alternative handle assembly in which an unlatching lever and back-plate are partly shown

Figure 8 is the handle assembly of Figure viewed from the other side

Figure 9 is an isometric view of the separate sub assembly. Description of Preferred Embodiments The inventions described herein are (in general) described in relation to a handle assembly comprising an operable unlatching lever 1 of a door lock that is supported in a base 5 comprising a back-plate 2 to comprise a handle assembly 3.

The inventions described herein are not restricted to this application however and unless the context requires otherwise, a handle may be either operable or non-operable and may comprise either a lever or knobs or other hand engageable members and unless the context requires otherwise, a base 5 may comprise a rose or a backplate or other member by which the handle is supported.

A common method of attaching handles to bases comprises having a cylindrical shank 6 of the handle extend through a circular aperture 7 that extends from the outer surface 8 of the base. Within the shank 6 adjacent to its remote end 9 (that furthest from hand engageable portion) is a peripheral groove 10 configured to receive an external that comprise a standard crescent shaped circlip, the groove being defined in-part by a diameter "d" which is less than the shank diameter "D". The circlip 11 comprises a profiled, substantially planar member having an active edge 12 defined by a radius substantially equal to d/2 and from which edge the circlip extends to comprise a landing of the circlip. In application, the active edge 12 and adjacently located first portion 13 of the landing, enter the groove of the shank while a remote portion 14 of the landing remains protruding from the side of the shank to restrict the shank from being axially displaced relative to the aperture 7.

In some handle assemblies, a boss (not shown) having a cylindrical bore (open a both ends) extends from the front wall 41 (defined in part by the outer face 8) to comprise a peripheral support sleeve that provides better support for the shank 6 by in effect, providing annular bearing surfaces adjacent to each end of the bore longitudinally separated by the length of the bore. One can better appreciate the better support by considering an alternative, inferior embodiment where the shank is supported only by the side of the aperture 7 where in effect, the bearing surfaces are closely disposed. The further apart are the effective annular bearing surfaces, the smaller will be the forces applied to the wall of the bore by the shaft in response to the handle operation and the lower will be the friction.

In some forms the handle is operably connected to a mechanism (that may comprise a lock) by a shaft 15 that mates within an axially elongated recess 16 within the shank. In one common form where the handle comprises an unlatching lever for a lock, the shaft comprises a shaft of substantially square cross-section that mates within a shaft recess that also has a substantially square cross-section and the other mechanism comprises a lock body having a bolt that retracts in response to unlatching lever operation.

In some forms, the handle (that may comprise an unlatching lever) is biased relative to the base to be urged towards an undisplaced position relative to the base that in the case of an unlatching lever, may correspond to a fully extended bolt. In one form of assembly having a biased handle, there is a torsion spring 17 having an axis substantially coaxial with that of the shaft 15 and having a first end (not shown) restrained relative to the base and a free end 18 restrained relative to a spring washer 19 fixed relative to the shank. In one configuration, the shaft has one and preferably two opposed apertures comprising slots 20 that extend radially inwardly from the outer cylindrical face of the shank 6 and in some forms these intersect the shaft recess as shown in Fig 1. For each slot 20, the spring washer 19 has a corresponding inwardly projecting finger 21, that mates within the slot to operably couple the handle and spring washer and preferably without substantial free displacement. The spring washer also has a right angled return portion comprising a fin 47 that extends from the planar spring washer in a direction parallel the axis of the shank 6 and the torsion spring has a substantially right angled, radially extending first spring arm 22 that overlaps the fin to be engaged with or by the fin 21 whereby to urge the fin against displacement.

In some handle assemblies (not shown), the handle is required to be displaced only in one direction against biasing means, these assemblies may include a stop shoulder (fixed relative to the base) that also extends to overlap the fin 47 to prevent the fin from being displaced past an undisplaced angular disposition. In this case, the handle can be angularly displaced against biasing means as the fin displaces away from the stop shoulder.

In other forms, where the handle is required to be displaced in both directions against biasing means, the torsion spring has a second substantially radially extending spring arm that 5 overlaps the fin to be restrained by the fin to urge the fin to displace in a second direction. In this case, the spring arms extend further to also overlap a stop shoulder that extends to overlap the spring ends to prevent one or the other from being displaced from an undisplaced angular disposition. Importantly the first spring arm abuts a first side of the stop shoulder and extends from that to pass over the edge of the stop shoulder, the second spring arm abuts the

10 other, second side of the stop shoulder and extends from that to also pass over the edge of the stop shoulder. The assembly comprising a torsion spring retained by a stop shoulder which is compressed on both sides by the arms of the spring and a fin that extends between the spring arms and that is located closer to the shank axis than the stop shoulder so that the fin can be displaced in a direction to displace the first spring arm to be biased against

15 displacement and the fin can be displaced in the opposite direction to displace the second spring arm to be biased against displacement.

In other forms again (shown in Figure 1 to 6), where the handle is required to be displaced in both direction against biasing means, the torsion spring 17 has a first arm 22 that overlap the first fin 47 and an opposed similar second arm 24 that overlap the second fin

20 48; the first spring arm 22 extending further to overlap a first stop shoulder 26 to prevent the first spring arm from being displaced under its own biasing, the second arm 24 extending further to overlap a second stop shoulder 27 to prevent the second spring end from being displaced under its own biasing. Importantly the first arm abuts a first side 29 of the first stop shoulder while the connecting spring extends from that side across the edge of the stop

25 shoulder, the second spring arm abuts the same side 29 of the second stop shoulder while the connecting spring extends from that side across the edge of the stop shoulder as shown in Fig 2; this configuration also retaining the torsion spring in a stressed state with each arm pressing against a stop shoulder.

The assembly comprises a torsion spring retained by stop shoulders 26 and 27, and

30 fins 47 and 48 that extend adjacently to the spring arms but closer to the shank axis than the stop shoulders. This configuration enabling the first fin 47 to be displaced in a second direction to displace the first spring arm against biasing (resulting from displacement of this arm as the other arm is retained undisplaced by the second stop shoulder 27); and the second fin 48 to be displaced in the (opposite) first direction 23 to displace the second spring arm 24 against

35 biasing (resulting from displacement of this arm as the other arm is retained undisplaced by the first stop shoulder 26) and in the undisplaced disposition of the spring washer, the fins are adjacent to spring arms but not acted on by the spring arms.

Where there is not a support ring, the spring washer is located adjacent to the torsion spring and between the spring 17 and circlip 11. Where there is a support ring, the spring washer is located adjacent to the underside face of the boss over which it slides and the spring is located around the support ring. The circlip is located on the rearward side 49 of the spring washer to restrict the shank from being axially displaced relative to the spring washer and hence relative to the base.

Handle assemblies as described above are well known, as are the problems associated with removing and replacing handles. To replace a handle, the circlip must be removed and without a pair of circlip pliars, (not commonly available) this is difficult as is subsequently replacing the circlip. Even with pliers, the task can be difficult for many people.

In some locks, there is a pair of handle assemblies including an exterior handle set comprising an exterior handle attached to an exterior base having horizontally elongated substantially cylindrical fixing boss with coaxial screw recesses configured to receive the threaded ends of fixing screws and an interior handle assembly comprising an interior handle and an interior base having screw entry apertures to provide passage for the fixing screws. The interior base may also support an auxiliary locking lever as described in a co-pending Australian application of the this applicant and filed on Sept 30, 2005. Where the handles are not mirror images about a horizontal plane and there is a pre-determined "right-way" up they must be reconfigurable. For example, if the pair of handle sets is correctly configured to suit a door with hinges on the left hand side [LH], the handles must be interchanged to suit a right hand door [RH]. Because of the difficulty of removing and replacing circlips to enable this interchange of handles, both LH and RH handle sets are often held in inventory. Where handle manufacturers, offer all combinations of different handles and different bases, the inventory can be enormous. For example, if there were 10 handle designs and 10 base designs the number of combinations would be 200. But if handles could be assembled easily to bases at the time of installation to a door, then the number of inventory items would be reduced to 20 and handle manufacturers could either assemble against order or sell the handle and base separately.

The inventions described provide a convenient and simple means of attaching a handle to a base and so a means of addressing the deficiencies described above and the inventions also provide a new method of merchandising door hardware where handles, knobs, back-plates and roses can be displayed separately and/or sold separately by to be assembles at a later time. In some inventions, the circlip is adapted to comprise an adapted circlip 11, that when in a first configuration, as shown in Fig 3 and 4, has the active edge 12 and the first portion 13 of the landing within the circlip groove 10 and when it is in a second configuration, as shown in Fig 5 and 6 the active edge 12 and first portion 13 are not within the circlip groove 10 so that the shank is free to be displaced longitudinally (axially) to be removed from the base.

The adapted circlip 11 is a substantially circular planar member having a thickness substantially the same but less than the width "w" of the circlip groove and a profiled aperture comprising the active edge 12, an opposed edge 31 and opposed connecting portions 32 that may each comprise a profiled edge that connect an active edge to and opposed edge, the active edge 12 in plan view substantially comprising half a circle of diameter d, the opposed edge 31 in plan view, substantially comprising half a circle of diameter D plus a working clearance; (in this context "plan view" meaning the view projected onto a plane parallel to the plane of a surface of the circlip). The adapted circlip is preferably symmetrical about a working plane that is parallel to the axis of the shank and that intersects the centre line of opposed slots 20 within the shank 6.

A first finger 33 of the circlip extends radially inwards from the active edge 12 into a first slot 35 of the shank 6 and an opposed second finger 34 extends from the opposed edge 31 into an opposed second slot 36 - the fingers and slots together supporting the adapted circlip to ensure that it is retained symmetrically disposed about the working plane. When the adapted circlip is displaced between the first and second configurations, the fingers slide within the slots. The adapted circlip 11 may be further configured such that in the first configuration, the second finger 34 extends into the second slot as far as the shaft recess to enable the shaft to be inserted into the shaft recess. When inserted, the shaft restrains the adapted circlip from being displaced from the first configuration towards the second configuration.

The adapted circlip 11 is further configured such that when the shaft is removed, the adapted circlip can be displaced in a direction parallel the working plane till the point from which the radius defining the opposed edge 31 emanates, is substantially coaxial with the shank axis, at which point the adapted circlip is in the second configuration and not retaining the shank. The adapted circlip is preferably further configured so that each finger is always within its associated slot supporting the adapted circiip, and in the second configuration, the second finger 34 projects into the shaft recess 16 as shown in Fig 5. In other forms, the drive shaft may include a longitudinal groove and the second finger in the first configuration may exent a pre-determined distance to occupy the groove yet still be restrained by the drive shaft. The invention further provides additional support for the handle that may be additional to or an alternative to the support ring. This alternative additional support comprising an additional annular bearing surface 37 located adjacent to the remote end 9 of the shank and being additional to the first annular bearing surface 38 comprising the wall of the aperture 7; the additional annular bearing surface 37 being located as far as practical from the first annular bearing surface 38. Where the base comprises a hollow base 39, such as a conventional box-like back-plate having side walls 40 extending rearwardly from a substantially planar front wall 41 , the base has a base recess 42 in the underside that in application (when mounted to a wing) is bounded by the side walls 40, the front wall 41 and the wing.

In some forms, the additional bearing surface comprises the side wall 37 of a bore 43 of a holder 45 (fixed relative to the base) into which the shank extends, the bore 43 being open at the external side to enable the shaft to enter the shaft recess 16. In this case, the adapted circlip, is retained between the inside face 46 of the holder 45 and the rearward face 49 of the spring washer and by the fingers 33 and 34 to be captured so as to be only displaceable (relative to the handle) in a direction parallel the working plane. The holder extends to be located in relation to the base as will be described in more detail below. In some forms, (that do not include the support ring) the spring washer 19 includes one or more return portions 50 that extend from the periphery of the spring washer to an internal planar portion 51 of the front wall 41 to retain the planar portion of the spring washer disposed a pre¬ determined distance from the front wall. In some forms, the spring washer comprises a substantially cylindrical hollow cupped member (not shown) having a side-wall with an aperture. In other forms, the spring washer has a number of discrete fin-like arms 50 extending from the planar portion. This form of spring washer is well suited to supporting and protecting the torsion spring 17 because the return portion/s can be configured to be longer than the solid length of the spring and to envelop the spring to provide a space in which the spring can be housed and which prevents the spring from being longitudinally compressed beyond its solid height: Of course, the return portion must be slotted to permit passage of a or two spring arms 22 and 24 and to accommodate rotation. In some cases the fins 47 and 48 comprise return portions.

Importantly, the fingers 33 and 34 of the adapted circlip can be accesses from the rear of the handle assembly so that even when the handle assembly includes the holder 45, the handle can quickly and easily be detached from the base by removing the shaft if it is present, and with a screw driver or other simple implement, displace the adapted circlip from the first to the second configuration. To assemble a handle, the handle shaft is inserted into the aperture 7 in the front wall 41 and inwardly displaced to its operating disposition; the adapted circlip 32 is then displaced sideways to retain the shank 6 and when the drive shaft 15 is inserted the adapted circlip is restrained against sideways displacement. Where a spring washer 19 is included, the shank becomes connected to this as described above.

In some forms, the torsion spring is configured to have a longitudinal free length that exceeds the distance between the underside face 52 of the spring washer 19 and the face 51 and it is retained compressed within this space to exert a force on the spring washer that urges it towards the circlip so that when the adapted circlip has been displaced to the second configuration and the handle has been removed, the adapted circlip is restrained in the second configuration restrained against relative displacement by the frictional force derived from this urging together. This ensures that the adapted circlip remains aligned to receive a handle shank. In some forms, the holder 45 extends forward towards the spring to provide a hollow cylindrical recess 53 which envelops the spring and the spring washer to retain the spring and spring washer substantially coaxial with the shank. In some forms, the stop shoulders 26 and 27 comprise shoulders of the holder 45 that extend substantially radially or otherwise from cylindrical recess 53. In some forms, the side walls of the shaft recess are adapted to be slightly further apart than the upper and lower side walls and the shaft mates only with, or mainly with, these more closely disposed upper and lower side walls; this feature being included to help accommodate doors that deform slightly as a result of the handle asseemblies being fastened to the door. In these forms, the working plane intersects the centres of the upper and lower side-walls of the shaft recess.

In some forms, the planar portion 46 has a stop shoulder 54 extending towards the locus of movement of the adapted circlip such that in the second circlip configuration shown in Fig 6, the stop shoulder abuts the adapted circlip to restrain it from being displaced in the disengaging direction, further than the second configuration. In some handles it is important for the bases to have a thickness not exceeding a maximum permissible height that in some cases is 8.5 MM. This requirement limits the accumulated thickness of the base front wall, torsion spring, adapted circlip and effective height of the holder to this height. The effective thickness of the holder is the height of that portion not with a diameter of 23mm, (within a 23 MM diameter, the height can be a little higher because this portion can be accommodated within the aperture in the wing).

Handle assemblies where the handle comprises an unlatching lever operable (to 45 degrees) against biasing means in either direction that comply with this constraint are configured such that: the front plate has a thickness 1.5 MM, the spring washer is 1.5MM thick, the adapted circlip is1.0 MM thick, the secondary bore is effectivelyl .5 MM thick and the spring has 2.5 turns made of 1.4 MM diameter wire and it has a solid height of 4.2 MM (being 3 x 1. 4); so the total of these components is 8.2 MM thus providing a working clearance of 0.3MM (being 8.5-8.2MM). The spring preferably has a free height that exceeds 4. 5 MM is preferably made from wire at least 1.5 MM diameter flatted on two sides to have an effective thickness of 1.4 MM. Experience has shown that for commercially manufactured parts those described above have the strength to perform adequately. .t In some forms, the holder 45 is further configured to include at least one longitudinally elongated locating recess 55 in its underside (preferably cylindrical in form) having an axis parallel to that of the shank and displaced from the shank axis, as shown in Fig 1 , and from the inside face of the front wall is a locating pin 56 that also has an axis parallel to the shank axis; the pin 56 and locating recess 56 being configured to mate without significant free movement to retain the holder fixed to the base and so that the axis of the shank 6 and aperture 7 a retained coaxially aligned with the bore 43. In some forms there is two sets each comprising a locating pin and a locating recess as shown in Fig 1. The holder may be retained attached to the base (with the locating pin within the locating recess) by being sandwiched between the face of the wing to which the handle assembly is attached and the base but in other cases, the holder is attached to the base by screws that have passage through each locating recess to engage in axial aperture in a mating locating pin.

In some forms, the holder, spring washer, adapted circlip and torsion spring comprise a separate subassembly that is easily and quickly attached to the base. In the form shown in Figure 7 to 9, the holder takes a different form and cover plate 57 is included to better retain the components attached to the holder. The cover plate is attached to the holder by the rivets 58 (that may comprise extensions of the cover plate) who heads extend in-part across the external face of the cover plate. The handle assembly shown in the Figures 7 to 9, although conforming to the description above, is different in some immaterial details; the slots, fingers and adapted circlip are all disposed at 90 degrees to those described above and the return portions 50 are omitted. In the form shown, the holder is restrained between and by the inside walls 59 of the base and by screws 62 that have passage through apertures 60 in the holder to engage in recesses 61 in the base.

Claims

The Claims Defining The Invention Are:

1 An assembly including a displaceable retainer, a base and a handle having a substantially cylindrical shank that extends into an aperture of the base, the shank having an axial recess and a peripheral groove, the assembly characterized by a first configuration where the retainer extends into the axial recess but not into the peripheral groove, and a second configuration where the retainer extends into the peripheral groove, the second configuration further characterized by the shank being restrained by the retainer relative to the base.

2 An assembly according to Claim 1 , wherein the axial recess is connected by a slot to the peripheral groove and the retainer includes opposed fingers that mate with working clearances within the slot.

3 An assembly according to Claim 2, wherein the second configuration is further characterized by a second finger extending into the axial recess and the first configuration is further characterised by the second finger not extending beyond a pre-determined amount that may comprise nothing, into the axial recess.

4 An assembly according to any one of the above claims, wherein the shank is supported by the wall defining the aperture in the base and a wall defining a recess in a holder axially spaced from the aperture in the base.

5 An assembly according to any one of the above claims, including a spring washer having fingers that occupy the slot and fins that extend disposed from and parallel to the axis of rotation of the shaft to overlap the arms of a torsion spring that extend substantially radially to also overlap stop shoulders of the holder.

6 An assembly according to Claim 5, wherein rotation of the shank causes a fin to displace a spring arm to bias the shank against displacement and towards an undisplaced disposition.

7 An assembly according to Claim 6, wherein the holder, retainer, spring and spring washer comprise part of a separate sub-assembly. 8 An assembly according to any one of the above claims, wherein the shank comprises part of an operable handle.

9 An assembly according to any one of the above claims, wherein the base comprises a back plate.

10 An assembly substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.