AU2008216999A1 - A Handle Assembly - Google Patents

Description

36 A Handle Assembly Field of the invention [001] This invention relates to attachments for door handles. [002] The invention is particularly suited for attaching handle mounting blocks to appliance doors such as refrigerator doors. Background of the invention [003] There are various known arrangements for attaching door handles to thin walled doors such as refrigerator doors which have a thin, usually metal, skin which may be lined with encapsulated insulation. Many of these arrangements use screws to attach the mounting blocks to which the handles are to be attached to the doors. However, the process of screwing a mounting block to a door can add significantly to the assembly time during manufacture. [004] In addition, a refrigerator door may be sheet metal of the order of 0.5 mm thick, and attachment of a nut and bolt arrangement can result in a high stress in the region of the bolt hole. Summary of the invention [005] According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a door handle mounting assembly including a first base member and a second pedestal member, wherein the base member and the mounting member are adapted to be slidably assembled through corresponding holes in a panel. [006] The pedestal member and the base can be adapted to slide relative to one another at an intersecting or non-parallel angle in relation to the local plane of the door to clamp the door material therebetween. [007] The angle can be between 2 degrees and 8 degrees. [008] The angle can be 4 degrees.

36 2 [009] The invention also provides a base member for a door attachment, the base member having one or more projecting lugs adapted to pass through corresponding holes in the door, at least one lug including a first slide element providing a slide angle inclined to the door surface, the first slide elements being adapted to cooperate with corresponding second slide elements on an associated pedestal member to clamp a section of a door panel therebetween. [010] The first slide element can include a groove. [011] The first slide element can include a pair of parallel grooves. [012] At least one groove can include a projecting ridge transverse to the groove. [013] At least one of the lugs can include a first latching element adapted to cooperate with a corresponding second attachment element on a corresponding pedestal member. [014] The first latching element can include a camming surface and an intersecting latching surface. [015] The base member can include at least one snap action attachment member adapted to hold the base member in position on a wall to which a handle is to be attached. [016] The pedestal member can be adapted to cooperate with a base member. [017] The pedestal member can include one or more second slide elements adapted to cooperate with a first slide element on an associated base member to clamp a section of a door therebetween. [018] In use, the second slide element can be inclined to the surface of the section of the door so that, on engagement of the base member and the pedestal member, a clamping force is produced on at least part of the section of the door between the pedestal member and the base member. [019] The second slide member can include one or more flanges. [020] The pedestal member can include a second latching element adapted to cooperate with a first latching element in an associated base member.

*36 3 [021] The second latching member can include a flexible cantilever and a tang at or proximate to the distal end of the cantilever. [022] The invention also provides door handle including a longitudinal body having a first pedestal member attached at one end and a second pedestal member attached at the other end. [023] The invention further provides a method of attaching a mounting assembly to a door including the steps of: providing a handle having first and second pedestal members mounted at either end of the handle; inserting the lugs of two base members as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10 through corresponding holes in a door skin, whereby the base members are attached to the door skin; insulating the inside of the door after the base members have been attached; slidably attaching the pedestal members to corresponding ones of the base members, whereby the door skin is clamped between the pedestal members and the corresponding base members. Brief description of the drawings [024] An embodiment or embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [025] Figure 1 is a partial exploded view of a door handle utilising a mounting arrangement; [026] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of a base member; [027] Figure 3 shows a view of a mounting member; [028] Figure 4 shows an underside view of the mounting member of Figure 3; [029] Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section of through a portion of Figure 4 when assembled with a base of Figure 2; *36 4 [030] Figure 6 is a lateral cross-section view of a handle mounted to a door by an attachment arrangement described herein; [031] Figure 7 is s side view of the base member of Figure 2; [032] Figure 8 is an underside view of the base member o0f Figure 7; [033] Figure 9 is a plan view of the base member of Figure 7; [034] Figure 10 is a left end view of the base member of Figure 7; [035] Figure 11 is a right end view of the base member of Figure 7; [036] Figure 12 illustrates a pedestal according to an embodiment of the invention; [037] Figure 13 shoes a freezer door before the mounting assembly has been attached; [038] Figure 14 is a top view of the door of Figure 13; [039] Figure 15 shows an end plug for a handle; [040] Figure 16 is an isometric view of the end plug of Figure 15. [041] Figure 17 shows a top view of an alternative configuration for the base member; [042] Figure 18 shows a side view of the base member of Figure 17; [043] Figure 19 shows an underside view of the base member of Figure 17; [044] Figure 20 shows an end view of the base member of Figure 17; [045] Figure 21 is an underside view of a configuration for a pedestal according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; [046] Figure 22 is a sectional side view of the pedestal of Figure 21; [047] Figure 23 is an isometric view of a pedestal of Figure 21; [048] Figure 24 shows a perspective view of a base member according to a further embodiment of the invention; [049] Figure 25 shows an underside view of the base member of Figure 24; 36 5 [050] Figure 26 is a side view of the base member of Figure 24. Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments [051] The invention will be described with reference to an attachment arrangement for a metal door for a refrigerator. The convention used in the drawings is: XX.YY, X.YY, X.YYY, or XX.YYY where X or XX represents the figure number in which an item or feature is illustrated, while YY or YYY represents the item, feature or part. [052] Figure 1 shows a partly exploded view of a refrigerator door handle attachment. A handle 1.100 has a pair of mounting blocks or pedestals 1.300, attached at either end, a partial segment of a door 1.150, and a pair of base blocks 1.200 adapted to engage the mounting pedestals 1.300, through the holes 1.154, 1.156, 1.158, 1.160. The handle 1.100 can be attached to each mounting pedestal by a screw, rivet, snap-action pin or other suitable attachment before the mounting pedestals are attached to the corresponding base members. In one embodiment, one or more projecting snap-action pins can be integrally formed on the pedestal 1.300 in place of the screw hole shown at 3.44 in Figure 3. [053] In some embodiments, the handle 1.100 can overhang the mounting pedestals. However, in the embodiment shown, the handle terminates flush with the outer ends of the mounting pedestal 1.300 . A segment of the metal door skin is shown in dot dash outline at 1.150 corresponding with the intended location of the mounting blocks 1.300, are two pairs of through holes 1.154, 1.156, and 1.158, 1.160 in the door. In this embodiment, the through holes are in the form of a thick T-shape. On the other side of the door are two base members 1.200, which are illustrated in more detail in Figure 2. [054] Each base block 1.200 is similar to that shown in Figure 2. The base block includes a pair of "I" sectioned projections or lugs 2.04, 2.06 on a base 2.02. Associated latching elements 2.12, 2.18 can also be provided to hold the base block 1.200 in position on the door skin 1.150. The through holes 1.154, 1.156, 1.158, 1.160 are adapted to permit the projections 2.04, 2.06, and their associated latch elements 2.12, 2.18 to pass through the through holes. The latch arms 2.12, 2.18 are dimensioned to provide a snap action attachment to hold the base block in place during assembly. The arms 2.12, 2.18 '36 6 are compressed as the base block is pushed through the holes in the door and spring back when the ends of the arms are clear of the edge of the holes in the door. [055] As best seen in Figure 7, the latching elements 7.12, 7.18 are cantilevered from their associated I-shaped projections 7.04, 706, and have a curved shape with their distal ends being spaced from the body 7.02 of the base block 7.200, preferably providing an interference fit with the metal door thickness which can be of the order of 0.55 mm. The latching elements 7.12, 7.18 are sufficiently resilient to retain the base block attached to the door when the projections or lugs 7.04, 706 have passed through the T-shaped holes 1.154, 1.156. The cross-bar of the T-shaped holes is a close fit around the base of the corresponding I-shaped lugs 7.04, 706. The latching elements 7.12, 7.18 can be slightly longer than the stem of the T and can flex as they pass through the holes and then snap into position to hold and or bias the base member against the door. The flexing is facilitated by the curved shape of the latch elements. [056] The inclination of the grooves 7.10, 7.14, can be seen in Figure 7. In addition, projecting ribs or ridges 7.38, 7.40 are shown in grooves 7.10, 714. In one embodiment, there can be up to four such ridges per base, one in each groove. However, there can be more than one ridge per groove. As described below, these ridges assist in maintaining the pedestals and bases connected. In one embodiment, the ridges can be of the order of 0.1 mm high and 0.2 mm wide and or deep. [057] The projections 2.04, 2.06 (7.04, 7.06) can be of differing lengths measured along the direction of the major dimension of the base member 2.02 (7.02), and the corresponding holes in the door can be dimensioned accordingly. In the embodiment shown, the footprint of projection 2.06 is greater than that of projection 2.04. This ensures correct orientation when attaching the pedestals to the bases. [058] The base block 2.02 can be provided with projecting longitudinal rib 2.22 and transverse rib 2.24 on the side opposed to the door. [059] The I-shaped projections 2.04, 2.06 have grooves on either side such as 2.08, 2.10 on projection 2.04, and 2.14 and 2.16 on projection 2.06. The grooves are inclined at an angle p to the base 2.02. This angle can be of the order of 4*. A preferred range of inclinations is between 2.5*and 7.5*.

36 7 [060] One or more transverse projecting ridges 2.38, 2.40 can be provided in the "vertical" leg of the one or both grooves 2.10, 2.14. In this context, "transverse" means transverse to the main axis of the groove 2.10 or 2.16, ignoring the slope angle p. [061] One of the projections can also include a further latching element or retaining projection 2.20 in the form of a ramp (which appears triangular or cuneiform) adapted to cooperate with a spring tang 4.62 of the pedestal 4.300 as described below. The element 2.20 has a leading face 2.21 sloped act as a camming surface in cooperation with latching tang 4.62 on a cooperating pedestal, while the trailing edge 223 of the projecting latch element 2.20 is adapted to cooperate with the tang 4.62 to latch the pedestal 4.300 and base 1.200 together. [062] The grooves 2.08, 2.10, 2.14, 2.16 are adapted to cooperate with corresponding flange projections on the mounting attachment, as ill become apparent in the description below. [063] In one embodiment, the base can be of the order of 48 mm long, 18 mm wide, and 13 mm deep, and the lugs 2.04, 2.06 be of the order of 5mm to 7 mm long, 9 mm wide, and 5.5 mm high. The grooves 2.08, 2.10, 2.14 and 2.16 can be of the order of 1.5 mm deep. The entrance to the grooves can be tapered or bevelled to assist in insertion of the mating flanges. [064] Figure 3 shows a pedestal 3.300 having a substantially rectangular box shape. One of the sides is dished or concave to provide a seat for a handle (not shown). For example, the handle can be cylindrical, and the dished shape as indicated at 3.42 can be arcuate to match the outer diameter of the handle. A locating pin 3.46 can be provided to locate the handle correctly, and a mounting hole 3.44 for a screw, rivet, snap-fit pin, or other attachment means can also be provided. The handle can be attached, for example, in a machine screwing operation using a thread-cutting screw. [065] Figure 4 shows the underside of the pedestal mounting block at 4.300. Two pairs of parallel flanges 4.50, 4.52, and 4.55, 4.56, are provided to slidably engage with the grooves 2.08, 2.10 and 2.14, 2.16 of the base block of Figure 2. Accordingly, the flanges are angled at angle p to match the angle of the grooves 2.10 to 2.16. An "atrium" or hollow space 4.54, 4.58, is provided in front of each pair of flanges to receive the 36 8 projections 2.04, 2.06 prior to the grooves of the projections and the flanges of the mounting block being slid into engagement. The angle s and the direction of insertion of the flanges into the grooves is such that the distance between the periphery of the pedestal and the base member decreases as the pedestal and base member are slid together, creating a clamping force on the intervening section of the door skin. [066] A retaining arm 4.60 provided with an engaging tang 4.62 can be provided to engage with the retaining projection 2.20, 7.20 when the mounting block and the base block are slid together. [067] Figure 5 is a section view through a pedestal 5.300 when assembled with a base block 5.02 with the sheet metal door 5.150 clamped between them. In one embodiment, the pedestal can be of the order of 10 mm wide, 28 mm long, and 30 mm high. The pedestal 5.300 can have a square end 5.70 which is approximately vertical in relation to the door surface, and a sloped end 5.72 which is inclined in relation to the door surface. Flange 5.50 is shown in engagement with the ramp of I-shaped projection 5.06 of the base member 5.02, and flange 5.55 is shown in engagement with the ramp of shorter I-shaped projection 5.04 of base member 5.02. At least part of the perimeter of the pedestal and the main body of the base member 5.02 clamp the door 5.150 between them. For example, the pedestal and the base can have similar widths so the door is clamped between the long sides of the pedestal and base. Preferably, the base has a larger area than the pedestal and projects beyond the periphery of the pedestal in all directions parallel to the door surface to spread the load applied to the door skin when the door is opened using the handle. As will be understood, the action of sliding the flanges 5.50, 5.55 to the right in Figure 5 into their corresponding grooves causes the clamping force which holds the door, the base member and the pedestal in a firm interrelationship because of the incline angle of the grooves and flanges. Where the handle is to be oriented in an upright orientation in use, the pedestals and base members can be aligned so that the pedestals are slid downwards when engaging the grooves in the base projections.

36 9 [068] Resistance to the decoupling of the pedestal and base can be provided by retaining arm 4.60 and the spring tang 4.62 cooperating with the retaining projection 2.20 (Figure 2). [069] Further resistance to decoupling can be provided by the raised ridges 2.40 and 4.57. As the flange 4.56 is slid into its associated groove, for example 2.16, the ridge 4.57 rides over the ridge 2.40 and passes to the other side thereof so it is located on the "inward" side of ridge 2.40 relative to the sliding direction. The ridges then serve to provide resistance to decoupling of the pedestal and base. [070] Cooperating pairs of ridges such as 4.57, 2.40 can be provided on each mating flange and groove. [071] While both the retaining arm 4.60 spring tang arrangement 4.62 and retaining projection 2.20, and the ridge arrangements 2.40, 4.57 can be provided, in some cases, depending on design and manufacturing tolerances, only one of these arrangements will or may fully engage. [072] In one embodiment, the pedestal is made of ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene) and the base is made of POM (polyoxymethylene). This combination of plastics facilitates a smooth sliding action between the base 5.02 and the pedestal 5.300. One advantage of the use of this combination of plastics is that, in the event of relative movement of the pedestal and base in use, the materials will not generate an unpleasant squeaking sound. [073] Preferably, the pedestal attachment flanges 5.50, 5.55 are designed to fail before the base 5.02 because the pedestals are easily accessible and can be readily replaced, while the base members will be encased by insulation when used in a refrigerator door. Hence the I-shaped projections 5.06, 5.04 are made more robust than the flanges 5.50, 5.55. The choice of materials can also influence the relative strengths of the flanges and I-shaped projecting lugs. [074] Figure 6 illustrates a cross-section of a handle 6.100, pedestal 6.300, base 6.200, and door 6.150. The handle can be a tubular member having a reinforced section 6.74 adapted for attachment to the pedestal by screwing, riveting, snap-lock pin or the '36 10 like. The flanges 6.50, 6.52 are shown engaged with corresponding grooves 6.10, 6.12 of the I-shaped projection of base 6.200. [075] Figure 8 is an underside view of a base member 8.200 having a substantially rectangular body 8.02 a longitudinal rib 82 and a transverse rib 8.24. [076] Figure 9 is a plan view of a base member 9.200 showing body 9.02, lugs 9.04, 9.06, latch elements 9.12, 9.18, and latching element 9.20. [077] Figure 10 is a left side view of the base member of Figure 7 showing the transverse rib 10.24, lug 10.06, groove 10.14, and latch member 10.20. [078] Figure 11 is a right end view of the base member of Figure 7 showing the longitudinal rib 11.24, lug 11.04, latch element 11.12, and latching element 11.20. [079] Figure 12 illustrates a pedestal 12.500 which has a square end 12.74 and a sloping end 12.72 as indicated in relation to dashed line 12.80. In addition, the screw hole and locating pin have been replaced by a pair of snap-lock pins 12.11, 12.13. Corresponding snap-lock holes can be provided in the handle. [080] Figure 13 shows a freezer door 13.150 of a two-door refrigeration before the attachment assembly has been fitted. A first pair of unequally sized holes 13.160, 13.158 is adapted to receive a first corresponding base, and a second pair of unequal holes 13.156, 13.154 are adapted to receive a second corresponding base. As can be seen, the holes are aligned to attach a handle in a vertical orientation. [081] Figure 14 is a top view of the door of Figure 13, showing a convex surface 14.150. [082] Figure 15 shows an end plug for a handle 1.100 adapted to fit in the end of the handle which is adjacent a pedestal with a sloping edge, such as 12.72 in Figure 12 to provide a continuation of the sloping edge. The end plug has a sloping face 15.82 which aligns with the slope of end 12.72. The plug also includes one or more barbed retaining rings 15.84. [083] Figure 16 is an isometric view of the end plug of Figure 15 showing the sloping face 16.82 and the retaining rings 16.84. In addition, a locating flat 16.86 is 36 11 shown. This can cooperate with an internal flat (see reinforcing 6.74) in the tubular handle 1.100 to ensure correct alignment. . [084] A method of assembling a door using the attachment arrangement described above will now be described with reference to the drawings. In assembling a door using the attachment arrangement of the present invention, two base members 1.200 are be inserted through the corresponding holes 1.154, 1.156, 1.158 and 1.160 in the metal door skin 1.150, the latching elements 2.12, 2.18, serving to retain them in place. The insulation can then be applied to the inside of the door skin, for example by injecting insulation such as foam plastics between the door skin and an inner liner. The inner liner can be of any suitable material, such as, for example, an approved plastics or foamed polymeric material. The handle can be assembled to a pair of pedestals in an independent operation. The handle can then be attached to the door by aligning the lugs 2.04, 2.06 with the corresponding atriums 4.54, 4.58, and sliding the assembled handle and pedestals in an downward direction to engage the flanges 4.52, 4.56 and the corresponding grooves 2.10, 2.14, clamping the metal door skin 1.150 between the pedestal 1.300 and the base 1.200. [085] In some instances, it may be desirable to remove the handle from the refrigerator, for example, if the refrigerator is to be moved to a different room after it has initially be installed. Thus the pedestal attachment should preferably have at least a some ability to be reused. For this reason, the flexibly mounted tang arrangement 4.60, 4.62 can be designed to release its engagement with the projection 2.23 when subjected to a sufficient force acting longitudinally to the cantilever 4.60. However, as mentioned above, the pedestal is designed to fail under load before the base. So a replacement pedestal can be provided in the event that the pedestal fails when the handle is being removed. [086] In order to avoid damage to the flexible latching elements 2.12, 2.18, the latching elements can be oriented so that both latching elements are located between the lugs, as shown in Figure 17, where the latch elements 17.12, 17.18 are facing one another, and are shielded from unintended impact from the pedestal during the application of force to disengage the tang 21.62, 22.62 in Figures 21 and 22.

36 12 [087] Additional strength can be provided for the base by adding further cross ribs 19.23, 19.25, 19.27. [088] A skirt 17.01 can be added to the base 17.02. The skirt 17.01 can be in a slightly lower plane than the main plane of base 17.02. This can provide a seat for a seal which can be used to prevent the escape of the foam during the foam insulation process. [089] Excess material on the base can be reduced by providing cut-outs such as 17.90 on the lugs 17.04, 17.06. [090] Similarly, the flanges can have material removed from underneath, and spaced gussets 23.70 can be provided to support the flanges. As shown in Figure 23, the gussets can be wedge-shaped, and can extend part way across the flanges 23.50, 23.55 to leave the running track the portion of the flange which engages the mating groove of the corresponding lug, free. [091] As shown in Figure 18, the shape of the base member can be adapted to provide a tactile or visual differentiator which indicates the correct orientation to an installer. Thus, the reinforcing rib 18.22 can be provided with a steeply raked end 18.21 and a less steeply raked end 18.19. In addition a directional arrow 18.29 can be provided. [092] Figures 24, 25, and 26 illustrate a base member according to a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the step in the cross section of the base 24.02 has been eliminated so there is no peripheral skirt. Thus the contact area between the mounting block and the panel is defined by the periphery of the base plane of the mounting block. The thickness of the base 24.02 is substantially uniform and sufficient to provide structural rigidity. [093] In this embodiment, no sealing ring is used. In its place, an adhesive patch made from, for example, adhesive tape encompassing the edges of the mounting block base plane is applied during assembly to prevent the foam insulation from leaking out via the mounting block apertures in the panel. In addition, the transverse reinforcing ribs have been removed from the longitudinal rib 25.29. This enables the adhesive to be closely applied to the longitudinal rib and avoids the presence of cavities under the adhesive pad.

36 13 [094] The cantilevered latches 26.12, 26.18 are formed with substantially straight arms attached to respective blocks 26.06, 26.0 by arcuate transitions 26.108, 26.110, and the free ends of the arms 26.12, 26.18 are provided with angled camming elements 26.102, 26.104. The camming elements are at a reverse angle relative to the angle between the arm and the edge of the hole during assembly and facilitate the attachment of the mounting block to the door panel by facilitating the snap action of the arm gripping the panel. [095] A seating notch 26.112 is provided adjacent the projection 26.40 to engage a spring latch such as 4.62. [096] While the invention is described in terms of pairs of grooves and flanges, the invention also encompasses an arrangement including single cooperating grooves and flanges. [097] While the invention has been described with the grooves on the base lugs and the flanges on the pedestal, the invention encompasses an arrangement in which flanges are provided on the lugs and grooves are provided on the pedestal. [098] In this specification, terms denoting direction, such as vertical, up, down, left, right etc., should be taken to refer to the directions relative to the corresponding drawing rather than to absolute directions unless the context require otherwise. [099] In this specification, reference to a document, disclosure, or other publication or use is not an admission that the document, disclosure, publication or use forms part of the common general knowledge of the skilled worker in the field of this invention at the priority date of this specification, unless otherwise stated. [0100] Where ever it is used, the word "comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed" sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of'. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise", "comprised" and "comprises" where they appear. [0101] It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features 136 14 mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. [0102] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims (21)

1. A door handle mounting assembly including a first base member and a second pedestal member, wherein the base member and the mounting member are adapted to be slidably assembled through corresponding holes in a panel.

2. A mounting assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pedestal member and the base are adapted to slide relative to one another at an intersecting or non-parallel angle in relation to the local plane of the door to clamp a section of the door material therebetween.

3. A mounting assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the angle is between 2 degrees and 8 degrees.

4. A mounting assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the angle is of the order of 4 degrees.

5. A base member for a door attachment, the base member having one or more projecting lugs adapted to pass through corresponding holes in the door, at least one lug including a first slide element providing a slide angle inclined to the door surface, the first slide elements being adapted to cooperate with corresponding second slide elements on an associated pedestal member to clamp a section of a door therebetween.

6. A base member as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first slide element includes a groove.

7. A base member as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first slide element includes a pair of parallel grooves.

8. A base member as claimed in any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein at least one groove includes a projecting ridge transverse to the groove.

9. A base member as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein at least one of the lugs includes a first latching element adapted to cooperate with a corresponding second attachment element on a corresponding pedestal member.

10. A base member as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first latching element includes a camming surface and an intersecting latching surface. 36 16

11. A base member as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10 including at least one snap action attachment member adapted to hold the base member in position on a wall to which a handle is to be attached.

12. A pedestal member for a door attachment, the pedestal member being adapted to cooperate with a base member, the pedestal member including one or more second slide elements adapted to cooperate with a first slide element on an associated base member to clamp a section of a door therebetween, in use the second slide element being inclined to the surface of the section of the door so that, on engagement of the base member and the pedestal member, a clamping force is produced on at least part of the section of the door between the pedestal member and the base member.

13. A pedestal member as claimed in claim 12, wherein the second slide member includes one or more flanges.

14. A pedestal member as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, including a second latching element adapted to cooperate with a first latching element in an associated base member.

15. A pedestal member as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second latching member includes a flexible cantilever and a tang at or proximate to the distal end of the cantilever.

16. A door handle including a longitudinal body having a first pedestal member attached at one end and a second pedestal member attached at the other end, the first and second pedestal members being as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15.

17. A method of attaching a mounting assembly to a door including the steps of: providing a handle having first and second pedestal members mounted at either end of the handle; inserting the lugs of two base members as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10 through corresponding holes in a door skin, whereby the base members are attached to the door skin; insulating the inside of the door; '36 17 slidably attaching the pedestal members to corresponding ones of the base members, whereby the door skin is clamped between the pedestal members and the corresponding base members.

18. A door handle mounting assembly substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A base member for a door attachment substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A pedestal member for a door attachment base member for a door attachment substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. A method of attaching a mounting assembly to a door substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.