AU719326B2 - Flush fitting swing handle for cabinet doors and the like - Google Patents

Description

FIUU/U 11 28/5191 Regulatlon 3.2(2)

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT 00.0.0 0 *0 *0*0 9.

0**0 *9 0 9 .9 0 p. *00000 p p Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: FLUSH FITING SWING HANDLE FOR CABINET DOORS AND THE LIKE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us FLUSH FITTING SWING HANDLE FOR CABINET DOORS AND THE

LIKE

Technical Field This invention relates to improvements in swing handles commonly used as door hardware on metal cabinets having a variety of uses including electrical switch gear cabinets, lockers and the like.

Background Art It is an advantage for the handle of swing handles to normally rest in a position substantially flush with the door of the cabinet to be locked, and such S* 10 flush fitting handles are now well known in the art. The operation of such known handles involves the handle portion being pivotally mounted relative to the lock actuating shaft and to be lifted, by pivoting, out of its flush mounting to allow turning of the shaft connected to the handle to unlock the cabinet.

The present invention has as a prime objective the provision of a 15 improved flush fitting swing handle having good security characteristics whilst retaining good aesthetic appearance and providing protection for the lock components from outside elements.

It is a further object of the invention to provide the improved ergonomic lock and handle assembly with strong and effective leverage to actuate the 20 locking mechanism.

Summary of Invention There is provided according to one aspect of the present invention a lock assembly including a handle adapted to lie flush on a frame in a locked rest position, the handle having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being movable relative to the second portion so as to allow access to a key mechanism and thereby allow actuation of the lock assembly to release the second portion of the handle and allow the handle to move relative to the frame; the first and second portions of the handle being adapted to cooperate so as to allow actuation of a latching mechanism.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a swing handle adapted for use with a key operated door lock and latch, the swing handle including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being pivotal in relation to the second portion so as to allow access to a key mechanism and thereby allow actuation of the door lock to release the second portion of the handle and allow the handle to pivot relative to a frame of the door lock; the first and second portions of the handle being adapted to cooperate so as to allow actuation of the door latch.

Preferably, the key mechanism is a keyhole.

The invention is based on the discovery that swing handles for door locks have an improved aesthetic appearance and improved leverage where the swing handle has a handle body in two parts connected together for limited 10 pivotal movement relative to one another, such that the handle body is pivotally supported on a frame for movement between a substantially flush fitting locking rest position and a projecting position for operation of the door lock by rotation of the handle.

oBrief Description of the Drawings The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1, 2 and 3 show views of a first preferred arrangement of a swing •**handle lock assembly.

Figures 4 and 5 show an alternative version of the swing handle lock assembly.

Figure 6 shows a typical 3 point latch system to which the swing handle lock assembly according to the invention may be applied.

Figure 7, 8, 9 and 10 show in schematic form the steps of operation of a swing handle lock assembly according to the invention.

Detailed Description With reference to figures 1 to 3, the first embodiment of the lock assembly includes a handle, the handle including two moveable portions or flaps 11 and 12, that may be pivoted about pivot point The portion 11 is a simple pivoting flap, covering the key mechanism of the locking assembly. In this embodiment of the invention the key mechanism is a keyhole, so that the lifting of the flap 11 will allow access to the keyhole by key 13.

In figure 1 the swing handle lock assembly is in its locked position, with flap 12 secured in place by catch members 15 and 16. Actuation of the key in lock 14 will release the catch members 15 and 16 which will then in turn release the upper flap member 12 from its locked position.

Optionally, the upper flap member 12 is under the control of spring 17.

The release of spring 17 forces the upper flap member 12, and consequently the lower flap member 11 as well, to pivot out to an inclined position, as best shown in figures 9 and 10 of the drawings.

Preferably, the pivotal movement of the handle is limited between a 10 straight line 1800 relationship (as shown in figure 7) and an acute inclined angle (as shown in figure The outstretched handle that is formed from the two flaps 11 and 12 provides good leverage and accessibility for the user to rotate in order to unlatch a latching mechanism.

~With reference to figure 3 of the drawings, showing the first preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be noted that the outside surface of the handle 11a has a curved form to allow extra strength to be built into the components.

In the alternative embodiment of the swing handle of figures 4 and 5 the flaps 30 and 31 and the pivot 32 correspond to the flaps 12 and 11 and the pivot point 10 in the first described embodiment respectively. This alternative embodiment of the swing handle is the same as the first embodiment, except for the construction of the flaps 30 and 31.

In this alternative embodiment, the pivot point 10 does not have a curved outside surface 11 a. Instead, as shown in figure 4, the outside surface of the pivot point is substantially flat.

Further, as shown in figure 7, the joint between the flaps 31 and 32 is constructed with a flat surface 10a to ensure that pivotal movement between the flaps is limited to between a straight line or aligned position of 1800 and an acute angle between the two flaps (as shown in figure 8) of preferably All of the locking assemblies in accordance with the invention may typically be used in association with a three point latch mechanism as shown in figure 6 having reciprocating rods 41 and 42 together with latch tongue 40. This latch mechanism is particularly useful when used in relation to security cabinets and the like.

The sequence of operation of the lock assemblies shown in the embodiments in figures 1 and 4 are identical. This operation will now be described in general, with reference to figures 7 ,8,9 and In figure 7 the assembly is in the rest or locked position with the flaps 11 and 12 of the handle sitting flush on the frame 18 and flap 11 at least partially covering the keyhole. To unlock the locking assembly, the flap 11 is pivoted up to its acutely inclined position relative to flap 12 (figure so that the key may be 10 inserted into the keyhole to release the upper flap 12.

t o .Upon release, flap 12 is able to pivot away from the frame 18 of the lock oimassembly resulting in it being realigned flap with flap 11 so that they together form a single handle (see figure This combined handle provides improved leverage so that it may be more easily rotated to release the door latch, as shown in figure It will be appreciated that the sequential operation of the swing handle and release of the top flap 12 by actuation of the key 13 provides a secure locking assembly that is also flush fitting and aesthetic in appearance in its rest position.

It will be appreciated that the broad inventive concept of the present invention may be applied to any conventional type of swing handle and that the exact embodiments shown are intended to be merely illustrative and not limitative. Variations and additions are possible within the general inventive concept as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

For example, instead of a key and keyhole combination, alternative key mechanisms may be used to actuate the lock, such as a combination lock, an electronic keypad, a swipe card mechanism or any other code locking system.

Claims (9)

1. A lock assembly including a handle adapted to lie flush on a frame in a locked rest position, the handle having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being movable relative to the second portion so as to allow access to a key mechanism and thereby allow actuation of the lock assembly to release the second portion of the handle and allow the handle to move relative to the frame; the first and second portions of the handle being adapted to cooperate so as to allow actuation of a latching mechanism.

2. The lock assembly of claim 1 wherein the key mechanism is a keyhole.

3. The lock assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein the latching mechanism is a three point latch mechanism.

4. A swing handle adapted for use with a key operated door lock and latch, the swing handle including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being pivotal in relation to the second portion so as to allow access to a key mechanism and thereby allow actuation of the door lock to release the second portion of the handle and allow the handle to pivot relative to a frame of the door lock; the first and second portions of the handle being adapted to cooperate so as to allow actuation of the door latch.

A swing handle for use with a lock and associated door latching mechanism, the swing handle including first and second pivotal portions, wherein in a locked position, the two portions are fitted flush with a frame, the second portion being fixed and the first portion being freely pivotal relative to the second portion; the second portion being releasable and allowed to pivot relative to the frame upon actuation of the lock, and the second portion being alignable with 6 the first portion so as to cooperate as a handle and enable actuation of the door latching mechanism.

6. The swing handle of claim 5 wherein the first portion at least partially covers a key mechanism.

7. The swing handle of claim 4 or 6 wherein the key mechanism is a keyhole.

8. The swing handle of any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the latch is a three point latch mechanism.

9. A swing handle including a handle body, the handle body pivotally supported on a frame for movement between a substantially flush fitting locked :rest position and a projecting position for operation of a latch by rotation of the handle body, the handle body having two parts connected together for limited pivotal movement relative to one another. DATED this 16th day of September 1997 SELECTRIX INDUSTRIES PTY LTD WATERMARK PATENT TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS 290 BURWOOD ROAD HAWTHORN VICTORIA 3122 AUSTRALIA D:SMM:aw Doc 08 AU002030.WPC