AU2007203590B9 - A door handle - Google Patents

Abstract

A door handle assembly comprising a back plate adapted to be secured to the face of a door. The back plate has an 5 aperture through which the shank of a handle is arranged to extend and be located therein by a retaining member that engages the shank on the under surface of the back plate. A first bearing is positioned between the handle and the outer surface of the back plate and a second 10 bearing is positioned between the under surface of the back plate and the retaining member. The bearings facilitate rotation of the handle relative to the back plate. N \Melboume\Cases\Patent\57000-57999\P57386 AU.2\Specis\P57386.AU 2 Specification 2007-7-30.doc31/07/07 C>~ (N NA' Li: C)

Description

AUSTRALTA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Standard Patent Applicant(s) RIPPONLEA AUSTRALIA PTY LTD Invention Title: A DOOR HANDLE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method for performing it known to me/us: -2 A DOOR HANDLE This invention relates to improvements in and relating to door handles. 5 BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The current form of door handle comprises a lever or knob that is mounted for axial rotation about a plate that is 10 screwed on to the face of the door. The lever usually includes a shank that is normally keyed to a shaft that extends through the door and the associated lock/latch assembly so that rotation of the lever rotates the shaft to operate the lock/latch. In our earlier patents such as 15 US Patent 6,062,616 we have disclosed the use of ball bearing assemblies or nylon bushes to facilitate a smooth and controlled movement of the handle. However the efficiency of movement has to be offset against the need for a simple and cost effective structure that does not 20 have to be produced to high manufacturing tolerances and has a degree of adjustability. It is these issues that have brought about the present invention. 25 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a door handle assembly comprising a back plate adapted to be 30 secured to the face of a door, the back plate having an aperture through which the shank of a handle is arranged to extend and be located therein by a retaining member that engages the shank on the under surface of the back plate, a first bearing positioned between the handle and 35 the outer surface of the back plate and a second bearing positioned between the under surface of the back plate and the retaining member to facilitate rotation of the handle N:\Melboure\Cases\Patent\57000-57999\P57386.AU.2\Specis\P57386.AU.2 Specification 2007.7.30 doc30/07107 - 3 relative to the back plate. In a preferred embodiment the door handle assembly includes a limiting mechanism which limits rotation of the s handle. In one embodiment the retaining member and the locking member are both a lock nut, and the limiting mechanism is a limiting washer positioned on the shank and fixed to 10 rotate with the shank. A circlip secures the limiting washer on the shank and a return spring is located between the lock nut and limiting washer to return the handle to a neutral position when it is rotated. 15 In another embodiment the retaining member is a limiting washer that bears against the second bearing by way of the locking member, while the locking member is a lock nut screwed onto the shank against the limiting washer. The limiting washer is fixed to rotate with the handle. A 20 return spring located about a central flange of the limiting washer returns the handle to a neutral position. In a preferred embodiment the bearings comprise a plurality of balls located in grooves respectively in the 25 handle and back plate for the first bearing and between the under surface of the back plate and the retaining member for the second bearing. It is however understood that other forms of bearings such as bushes and/or lubricated surfaces are envisaged. 30 Preferably the back plate is screwed to the front face of the door and a cover with an inwardly depending flange is adapted to be screwed onto the exterior of the back plate with the flange obscuring the screws. 35 4563524_1 (GHMatters) P57386.AU.21/08/13 - 4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying s drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a door handle assembly in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; 10 Figure 2(a) is a side sectional view of a handle forming part of the embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2(b) is an under view of the handle of Figure 2(a); 15 Figure 2(c) is a left end view of the handle illustrated in Figure 2(a); Figure 2(d) is a right end view of the handle illustrated 20 in Figure 2(a); Figure 3(a) is a cross-sectional view illustrating a door handle assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 25 Figure 3(b) is an isometric cross-sectional view illustrating additional features of the door handle assembly of Figure 3(a); 30 Figure 3(c) is an enlarged side view showing engagement of a spring and washer of the second embodiment; Figure 4(a) is a cross-sectional view illustrating a door handle assembly in accordance with a third embodiment of 35 the present invention; Figure 4(b) is a partial under view of the door handle N \Melboumc\Cases\Patent\57000-57999\P57386 AU 2\Specis\PS7386.AU 2 Specification 2007.7-30 doc30/07/07 -5 assembly of Figure 4(a); Figures 5(a), (b) and (c) illustrate respectively a plan view, first side view and second side view of a limiting 5 washer in accordance with the third embodiment of the door handle assembly; and Figures 6(a) and (b) illustrate respectively a plan view and side view of a return spring used in accordance with 10 present embodiments of the door handle assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The door handle assembly 10 shown in the drawings 15 comprises a handle 11 that may be in the form of a lever or a knob that has an axially projecting shank 12. The shank is of a smaller cross-section than the handle and the join between the shank and the handle defines a shoulder 13. Figures 2(a)-2(d) illustrate the aspects of 20 the handle 11 in different views. The shank is arranged to be a running fit within an aperture 14 that is positioned centrally of a back plate 15 that comprises a front face 16, an under surface 17 and 25 an annular wall portion 18 that has a plurality of equally spaced screw holes through which screws 20 can be inserted to secure the back plate 15 to the face of a door (not shown). The shank 12 of the handle 11 has a screw threaded exterior 21 and is arranged to accommodate the 30 internal thread 22 of a lock nut 25. With the handle 11 free to rotate relative to the back plate 15 and the lock nut 25 screwed to the shank 12 of the handle 11, a smooth running fit should be created 35 between the shoulder 13 of the handle 11 and the outer surface of the back plate 15 and the upper surface of the lock nut 25 and under surface 17 of the back plate 15. N \Melboune\Caes\Patent\57000-57999\P57386 AU 2\Specis\P57386 AU 2 Specification 2007-7-30 doc30/07/07 -6 To this end it is envisaged that a pair of bearings are used. The embodiments shown in the drawings show a first bearing comprising a plurality of balls 30 that are 5 located spaced in annular grooves 26, 27 in the shoulder of the handle, and outer surface of the back plate 15 and a second bearing comprising balls 31 which are located in a groove 28 in the under surface 17 of the back plate 15 and a groove 29 in the upper surface of a retaining member 10 25, 70. The plurality of spaced balls 30, 31 in these grooves 26-29 provide a simple and adequate running fit ensuring smooth operation of the handle. To prevent the balls moving in the grooves it is 15 understood that suitable stops or lands may be provided adjacent each side of the ball to locate the ball in a groove. It is further understood that instead of using annular grooves, hemispherical recesses may be positioned in the requisite surfaces to locate the balls 30, 31. 20 Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the door handle assembly 10 where the retaining member which retains balls 31 in their respective grooves is the lock nut 25. Lock nut 25 is screwed onto shank 12 of the handle 11 to bear 25 against balls 31 but to allow lock nut 25 to slidingly rotate with shank 12 over balls 31. By appropriate adjustment of the lock nut 25 a positive and non-sloppy location of the handle 11 in the back plate 15 is ensured whilst at the same time free running movement. 30 An annular cover 40 having an internally threaded skirt 41 is adapted to be screwed onto the threaded exterior of the wall of the back plate 15 to cover the screws 20 and obscure them from view. The outer surface 16 of the back 35 plate 15 and outer surface of the cover 40 are flush in the same plane to provide a merged and aesthetically pleasing finish. N \Melboume\Cases\Patent\57000-57999\PS7386 AU 2\Specis\P57386 AU 2 Specification 2007-7-30 doc30/07/07 -7 Figures 3(a) and 3(b) illustrate a second embodiment which is an extension of the first embodiment where the shank of the handle assembly 10 is coupled to a spring 45 and 5 limiting washer 50 by a circlip 51. The limiting washer 50 controls the rotational movement of the handle in both the left and right direction by way of a projection 53 on the limiting washer 50 engaging in an arcuate cut out 55 positioned in a hollow spigot 60 that extends below the 10 under surface 17 of the plate 15 and is concentric with but smaller than annular wall portion 18. The spring 45 has the effect of causing the handle 11 to return to a neutral position after rotation. 15 As illustrated in Figure 6, spring 45 is located around shank 12 inbetween lock nut 25 and washer 50 and has two feet 46 which in order to assemble into door handle assembly 10 are drawn across and past each other. Feet 46 are each hooked on opposite sides of a boss 47 located in 20 the arcuate cut out 55 in hollow spigot 60. In this position spring 45 is pre-tensioned into a neutral position. Projection 53 of limiting washer 50 extends between feet 25 46 of spring 45. Figure 3(c) illustrates the shape of one foot 46 of the spring 45 in the second embodiment. Foot 46 includes an upward extension adapted to capture projection 53 of the limiting washer. As the handle 11 is turned, and hence the shank 12 and limiting washer 50 are 30 rotated, projection 53 is forced against one of the feet 46 of the spring and moves that foot 46 away from boss 47 against the torsional force of the spring. When the force on the handle is released spring 45 returns to the neutral position and thereby brings projection 53 and thereby also 35 handle 11 back to the neutral position. Figures 4(a), 4(b) and 5 illustrate a third embodiment of N \Melboume\Cases\Patent\57000-57999\P57386 AU.2\Specis\P57386 AU 2 Specification 2007.7-30 doc30107107 - 8 the door handle assembly 10 where the retaining member is a limiting washer 70. Limiting washer 70 is similar in function to limiting washer 50 of the second embodiment. In this embodiment, however, limiting washer 70 is the 5 component of the door handle assembly that bears against the second bearing comprising balls 31. The washer 70 is held in position by lock nut 25 screwed onto shank 12. In the embodiment shown limiting washer 70 is not provided with a groove in which to locate balls 31 but instead 10 balls 31 are inset more deeply in groove 28 on the under surface 17 of the back plate 15 while limiting washer 70 slides freely across the exposed surface of the balls 31. It is understood however that the balls 31 may locate in a groove on washer 70. 15 As illustrated in Figures 4(b) and 5 limiting washer 70 comprises two locating lugs 72 projecting inwardly from the central washer aperture 74, through which shank 12 locates. Locating lugs 72 are spaced on opposite sides of 20 aperture 74. Locating lugs 72 are adapted to locate inside slots 67 of key slot 66 in shank 12 so that limiting washer 70 rotates over balls 31 with rotational movement of the handle 11. 25 Limiting washer 70 comprises a central flange 75, wherein the underside of the flange is the surface that bears against balls 31. An outwardly extending annular circumference 76 projects outwardly of flange 75 and includes a hook 77. Hook 77 projects further outwardly 30 than the annular circumference 76 and functions similar to projection 53 in limiting washer 50 of the second embodiment in that the hook 77 locates in a cut out 55 in the wall portion 18. 35 Hook 77 turns under such that in this embodiment spring 45 can extend around flange 75 and is captured between hook 77 and flange 75. The feet 46 of spring 45 in this N \Mciboumc\Cases\Patent\52000-57999\P57386 AU.2\Spccis\P57386 AU 2 Specification 2007.7-30.doc3OO7/07 -9 embodiment do not have an upwardly raised portion but instead extend in the same plane as the spring and are tensioned to locate around the sides of hook 77 towards wall portion 18 and locate around boss 47 in cut out 55. S Accordingly, as handle 11 is turned, shank 12 rotates which causes limiting washer 70 to rotate. Rotation of limiting washer 70 causes hook 77 to rotate against the force of spring 45 by moving one of the feet 46. When 10 handle 11 is released the spring 45 brings limiting washer 70 and thereby handle 11 back to the neutral position. By way of the two bearings located on either side of back plate 15, the door handle assembly 10 is able to smoothly 15 rotate relative to back plate 15 without lateral movement or rocking of handle 11, which are problems commonly faced with known door handle assemblies. The limiting washer and spring combination illustrated in the embodiments further ensure that once the handle has been rotated to 20 open or close a door the handle moves back to the neutral, starting position. It is understood that in the above embodiments the lock nut 25 may be replaced by another type of locking 25 mechanism such as a circlip. The slot 66 in the shank 12 of the handle receives a key (not shown) that allows the handle to be connected to a lock or latching assembly that would be in turn be 30 connected to a handle on the other side of the door. It is understood that that handle would be assembled to the door in the same manner as shown in Figures 1, 3(a)-4(b). Although in the preferred embodiments the handle and back 35 plate are described with components of circular cross section, it is understood that the shape of the handle and back plate could be of other cross-sections. N:\Melboume\Cases\Patent\57000-57999\P57386 AU 2\Specis\P57386.AU.2 Specification 2007-7-30.do30/07/07 - 10 Although the preferred embodiments illustrate two bearings constituted by balls 30, 31, it is understood that one or both of the ball bearing races could be replaced by other 5 types of bearings such as nylon brushes or even lubricated surfaces that facilitate low friction relative movement. It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without 10 departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary 15 implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 20 It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any 25 other country. 45635241 (GHMatters) P57386.AU.21/08/13

Claims (11)

1. A door handle assembly comprising a back plate adapted to be secured to the face of a door, the back plate 5 having an aperture through which the shank of a handle is arranged to extend and be located therein by a retaining member that engages the shank on the under surface of the back plate, a first bearing positioned between the handle and the outer surface of the back io plate and a second bearing positioned between the under surface of the back plate and the retaining member to facilitate rotation of the handle relative to the back plate. 15

2. The door handle assembly claimed in claim 1 including a limiting mechanism that limits rotation of the handle.

3. The door handle assembly claimed in claim 2 wherein 20 the retaining member is the limiting mechanism that bears against the second bearing by way of a locking member.

4. The door handle assembly claimed in claim 3 wherein 25 the limiting mechanism is a limiting washer and the locking member is a lock nut screwed onto the shank against the limiting washer.

5. The door handle assembly claimed in claim 4 wherein 30 the limiting washer is fixed to rotate with the handle and a return spring located about a central flange of the limiting washer returns the handle to a neutral position. 45635241 (GHMatters) P57386.AU.21/08/13 - 12

6. The door handle assembly claimed in claim 2 wherein the retaining member is a lock nut. 5

7. The door handle assembly claimed in claim 6 wherein the limiting mechanism is a limiting washer positioned on the shank and fixed to rotate with the shank.

8. The door handle assembly claimed in claim 7 wherein a 10 return spring is located between the lock nut and the limiting washer, and a circlip secures the limiting washer on the shank such the handle is returned to a neutral position when rotated. 15

9. The door handle assembly claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the bearings comprise a plurality of balls located in grooves, wherein the first bearing is defined by balls located in grooves in the handle and back plate, and the second bearing 20 is defined by balls located in grooves between the undersurface of the back plate and the retaining member.

10. The door handle assembly claimed in any one of the 25 preceding claims wherein the back plate is screwed to the front face of a door, and a cover with an inwardly depending flange is adaptable to be screwed onto the exterior of the back plate with the flange obscuring fixing screws. 30

11. A door handle assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. N \Melbourne\Cases\Patent\57000-57999\P57386 AU 2\Specis\P57386.AU.2 Specification 2007-7-30.doc30/07/07