EP4206423A1

EP4206423A1 - An improved handle lock assembly

Info

Publication number: EP4206423A1
Application number: EP21218412.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Turgay Serbet
Original assignee: Mesan Kilit AS
Current assignee: Mesan Kilit AS
Priority date: 2021-12-30
Filing date: 2021-12-30
Publication date: 2023-07-05

Abstract

The invention relates to a handle lock assembly (100) for a cabinet or box door, the handle lock assembly (100) comprising a main body (20) having a handle housing (22) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) of the handle lock assembly (100); a handle (30) provided within the handle housing (22) and adapted to move between an unlocked position in which the handle (30) is lifted from the handle housing (22) and a locked position in which the handle (30) is substantially within the handle housing (22); a lock plug (40) provided at a lock plug housing (37) of the handle (30), having a spring-biased lock cam (36) adapted to lock the handle (30) within the handle housing (22) in the locked position; and a base plate (10) attached to the main body (20) for forming the bottom of the handle lock assembly (100). Said handle lock assembly (100) further comprises: at least one geared portion (32) formed on the handle (30), being rotatable within the main body (20) when the handle (30) is lifted; a movable member (13) having a toothed portion (13a) for engaging the geared portion (32) of the handle (30) so as to convert a rotational movement from the handle to a linear movement; a rack gear (14) in mechanical communication and movable by the movable member (13); and a pinion gear (15) being rotatable by the movement of the rack gear (14) wherein the pinion gear (15) is attached to a rotatable transmission bar (16).

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a handle lock assembly according to the preamble of the claim 1.

Background of the Invention

Handle lock assemblies of a conventional type have a construction in which: a main body of the assembly is fixedly mounted on a door of a box or container; a handle is pivoted to the main body so as to be pulled out forward and pushed back rearward relative to the main body. In this type of handle lock assembly, a lock plug is also incorporated in the handle wherein the handle is pushed back rearward relative to the main body and held in its closed position in the main body. The available space for mounting this type of vertical handle-operated lock assemblies can be limited. It may be necessary to reduce in thickness the handle lock assembly as a whole by reducing in thickness the handle and in-depth the main body.
A prior art publication in the technical field of the invention may be referred to as EP2476825 (A2 ), which discloses a lock mechanism comprising a main body accommodating a handle. Rotation of said handle activates longitudinal rods movable on a locking and unlocking direction with respective slots.
Such handle lock assemblies are exposed to external factors, especially in the open air, and the working efficiency thereof may decrease as a result of rain, heat, temperature, etc.

Objects of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide an easily openable and durable handle lock assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved gear system for the handle lock assembly which offers an easier opening and closing and requires less contact. Another object of the present invention is to provide a handle lock assembly where dirt and grime do not accumulate and are less exposed to external factors, thanks to the fact that it does not contain a protruding part or portions from the outer periphery.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a handle lock assembly of a relatively simple and inexpensive design.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a handle lock assembly that is adapted to various doors that are different from each other in thickness and have limited space.

Summary of the Invention

The invention relates to a handle lock assembly for a cabinet or box door, the handle lock assembly comprising a main body having a handle housing extending along a longitudinal axis of the handle lock assembly; a handle provided within the handle housing and adapted to move between an unlocked position in which the handle is lifted from the handle housing and a locked position in which the handle is substantially within the handle housing; a lock plug provided at a lock plug housing of the handle, having a spring-biased lock cam adapted to lock the handle within the handle housing in the locked position; and a base plate attached to the main body for forming the bottom of the handle lock assembly. Said handle lock assembly further comprises: at least one geared portion formed on the handle, being rotatable within the main body when the handle is lifted; a movable member having a toothed portion for engaging the geared portion of the handle so as to convert a rotational movement from the handle to a linear movement; a rack gear in mechanical communication and movable by the movable member; and a pinion gear being rotatable by the movement of the rack gear wherein the pinion gear is attached to a rotatable transmission bar.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The handle lock assembly which is the subject of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings for better understanding thereof, which drawings are only attached for better explaining the present invention and are not limiting the invention.

Figure 1 is an exploded view of a handle lock assembly according to the present invention.
Figure 2a is a perspective view of the handle lock assembly in a closed state according to the present invention.
Figure 2b is a side view of the handle lock assembly in a closed state according to the present invention.
Figure 2c is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig. 2b wherein an opening gap is shown.
Figure 3a is a perspective view of the handle lock assembly in an open state according to the present invention.
Figure 3b is a side view of the handle lock assembly shown in Fig. 3a.
Figure 3c is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of Fig. 3b.
Figure 4a is a side view of the handle lock assembly in an open state wherein a handle is fully lifted, according to the present invention.
Figure 4b is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of Fig. 4a.
Figure 4c is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of Fig. 4a.
Figure 5a is a partially perspective view of the handle lock assembly in the closed position, according to the present invention.
Figure 5b is a partially perspective view of the handle lock assembly in the opened position according to the present invention.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the handle lock assembly in the opened state wherein a spring is also shown, according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will now be explained in detail in this section with reference to the accompanying drawings and the list of reference numerals used in the appended drawings is as follows;

10.: Handle
11.: Receiving portion
12.: Fastening member
13.: Movable member
13a.: Toothed portion
14.: Rack gear
14a.: Inner tooth set
15.: Pinion gear
16.: Transmission bar
17.: Shoulder
18.: Fastening means
19.: Upper end corner
20.: Main body
21.: Joint member
22.: Handle housing
23.: Spring
30.: Handle
31.: Connection member
32.: Geared portion
32a.: Tooth
33.: Connection member hole
34.: Lock plug cover
35.: Serrated portion
36.: Lock cam
37.: Lock plug housing
38.: Guiding portion
40.: Lock plug
100.: Handle lock assembly
X: Longitudinal axis of the handle lock assembly

The present invention proposes a handle lock assembly (100) for a cabinet door, the handle lock assembly (100) comprising a main body (20) having a handle housing (22) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) of the handle lock assembly (100); a handle (30) provided within the handle housing (22) and adapted to move between an unlocked position in which the handle (30) is lifted from the handle housing (22) and a locked position in which the handle (30) is substantially within the handle housing (22); a lock plug (40) provided at a lock plug housing (37) of the handle (30), having a spring-biased lock cam (36) adapted to lock the handle (30) within the handle housing (22) in the locked position; and a base plate (10) attached to the main body (20) for forming the bottom of the handle lock assembly (100). The proposed handle lock assembly (100) further comprises at least one geared portion (32) formed on the handle (30), being rotatable within the main body (20) when the handle (30) is lifted; a movable member (13) having a toothed portion (13a) for engaging the geared portion (32) of the handle (30) so as to convert a rotational movement from the handle to a linear movement; a rack gear (14) in mechanical communication and movable by the movable member (13); and a pinion gear (15) being rotatable by the movement of the rack gear (14) wherein the pinion gear (15) is attached to a rotatable transmission bar (16). The pinion gear (15) is a cylindrical gear that meshes with the toothed portion (13a) of the movable member (13). The pinion gear (15) has an inner hole that is shaped and dimensioned with respect to an engagement protrusion of the transmission bar (16). The pinion gear (15) snap fits the transmission bar (16) and is produced as a single part. The transmission bar (16) can be attached to locking means (not shown) with respect to the desired locking type (i.e., longitudinal locking rods or a hook/tongue)
The proposed handle lock assembly (100) has a construction in which the main body (20) is fixedly mounted on a door of a box or container; and the handle (30) is pivoted to the main body (20) so as to be pulled out forward and pushed back rearward relative to the main body (20) and the lock plug (40) is incorporated in the handle (30) wherein the handle (30) is arranged to be pushed back rearward relative to the main body (20) and held in its locked position in the main body (20), as shown in Fig. 2a. When the handle (30) is in the locked position, the upper surfaces of the handle (30) and the main body (20) are at the same level. With this arrangement, the handle (30) will be lifted up and opened more easily and smooth upper surfaces will be created which increases the durability of the handle lock assembly (100) against the undesired external factors and enhances the impermeability of the handle lock assembly (100).
Referring to Fig. 1, the movable member (13) has at least one toothed portion (13a) arranged to be in mechanical connection with the geared portion (32) of the handle (30). Moreover, the rack gear (14) is configured to be placed within the movable member (13), and the rack gear (14) is arranged to be driven by the movable member (13) along the longitudinal axis (X) of the handle lock assembly (100) when the handle (30) is brought to the unlocked position. The movable member (13) has a substantially rectangular cross-section and has two oppositely oriented toothed portions (13a) which protrude in the transverse axis. The rack gear (14) is arranged to be placed within the movable member (13) such that the rack gear (14) is moved synchronously with the movable member (13), as shown in Fig. 3c.
The rack gear (14) has at least one shoulder (17) arranged to be pulled by an upper-end corner (19) of the movable member (13). Referring to Fig. 3c, the rack gear (14) has two shoulders (17) formed at the edges of the rack gear (14) and is shaped and dimensioned with respect to the upper-end corners (19) of the movable member (13). Referring to Fig. 2c, an opening gap (D) is formed between the shoulder (17) and the upper-end corner (19) when the handle (30) is in the locked position, as shown in Fig. 3c. This opening gap (D) is arranged such that the handle (30) can be lifted up easily at the first step after the handle (30) is brought to the unlocked position. With this arrangement, the compressed spring (23) allows the handle (30) to go up more easily at the initial step. The user can easily lift the raised handle (30) after the handle (30) is partially lifted, as shown in Fig. 3b.
After a suitable key is inserted into a keyhole of the lock plug (40) and then rotated, the spring-biased lock cam (36) is retracted and the handle (30) is released, as shown in Fig. 3b. When the user further lifts the handle (30) the movable member (13) is moved along the longitudinal axis (X) of the handle lock assembly (100) with the rack gear (14) causing the pinion gear (15) to be rotated.
Referring to Fig. 1, the handle lock assembly (100) comprises two spaced-apart geared portions (32) with a plurality of teeth (32a) arranged in mechanical communication with the toothed portion (13a) to move the movable member (13) with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) of the handle lock assembly (100). The geared portions (32) can be formed as a quarter-shaped gear wheel spaced apart from each other. The rack gear (14) has an inner tooth set (14a) with a plurality of teeth and has a rack opening (14b) wherein said inner tooth set (14a) is provided at least one inner lateral surface of the rack opening (14b).
Referring to Fig. 6, the handle lock assembly (100) further comprises at least one spring (23) arranged between the handle (30) and the main body (20). Moreover, a joint member (21) is placed within the main body (20) by fastening means (18) (i.e., screw) wherein the two geared portions (32) are pivotably coupled via a connection member (31) to the joint member (21). The connection member (31) passes through connection member holes (33) formed on the geared portions (32). The connection member (31) can be a cylindrical pin. Said spring (23) is placed within the joint member (21) and an inner surface of the handle (30) has a guiding portion (38) for guiding one arm of the spring (23). Thus, the spring (23) is kept in an optimum position and the force of the compressed spring (23) is properly transferred to the handle (30) when the lock plug (40) is released.
The handle (30) has a planar upper surface on which the lock plug housing (37) is formed for receiving the lock plug (40). The lock plug housing (37) has an outer casing in which the lock plug (40) is guided. This outer casing of the lock plug housing (37) has an opening through which the spring-biased lock cam (36) can extend or retract. Referring to Fig. 1, the base plate (10) has a substantially planar surface, and a receiving portion (11) has a rectangular cross-section which is shaped and dimensioned with respect to the shape of the lock plug housing (37). The base plate (10) is attached to the main body (20) via at least one fastening member (12). Referring to Fig. 1, an end portion of the base plate (10) has one hole for the fastening member (12), and a distal end portion of the base plate (10) has two holes for the fastening member (12). The number of holes and the fastening member (12) can vary. Moreover, the lock plug (40) has a movable lock plug cover (34) for closing or opening a keyhole of the lock plug (40), and the lock plug cover (34) has a serrated portion (35) to be pulled by the user for reaching the keyway of the lock plug (40).
Referring to Fig. 1, the lock plug (40) is arranged to be rotated by a suitable key. When the key is inserted into the lock plug (40) and then rotated, the spring-biased lock cam (36) is retracted and the handle (30) is released from the handle housing (22). This action allows the compressed spring (23) to relax and partially push the handle (30) up. Thus, by lifting the handle (30) easily, the handle (30) is rotated around the joint member (23) in the upward direction. This movement creates a rotation movement on the joint member (21) and is transferred to the improved rack-pinion system. The lock cam (36) can have a rectangular shape with an inclined end portion for engaging corresponding housing in the main body (20). One end of the lock cam (36) is under the effect of the spring (23) for keeping the lock plug (40) in the closed position. In a possible embodiment, the lock plug (40) may be of any type of suitable parts of a lock cylinder available in the market. The skilled person in the art can use any suitable locking means with the transmission bar (16).
The numbers and the shapes of the teeth can vary with respect to the geared portions (32) and the pinion gear (15). The location of the inner tooth set (14a) in the rack opening (14b) can also vary. The handle lock assembly (100) presented within the scope of the present invention can be used on cabinets, boxes, or panel doors. The handle housing (22) is specifically arranged to receive the handle (30) such that the handle (30) and main body (20) form a single unit when the handle (30) is in the closed position.

Claims

A handle lock assembly (100) for a cabinet or box door, the handle lock assembly (100) comprising:
a main body (20) having a handle housing (22) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) of the handle lock assembly (100);

a handle (30) provided within the handle housing (22) and adapted to move between an unlocked position in which the handle (30) is lifted from the handle housing (22) and a locked position in which the handle (30) is substantially within the handle housing (22);

a lock plug (40) provided at a lock plug housing (37) of the handle (30), having a spring-biased lock cam (36) adapted to lock the handle (30) within the handle housing (22) in the locked position; and

a base plate (10) attached to the main body (20) for forming the bottom of the handle lock assembly (100) characterized in that said handle lock assembly (100) further comprises:
at least one geared portion (32) formed on the handle (30), being rotatable within the main body (20) when the handle (30) is lifted;

a movable member (13) having a toothed portion (13a) for engaging the geared portion (32) of the handle (30) so as to convert a rotational movement from the handle to a linear movement;

a rack gear (14) in mechanical communication and movable by the movable member (13); and

a pinion gear (15) being rotatable by the movement of the rack gear (14) wherein the pinion gear (15) is attached to a rotatable transmission bar (16).
The handle lock assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the movable member (13) has at least one tooth set (17) arranged to be in mechanical connection with the geared portion (32) of the handle (30).
The handle lock assembly (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rack gear (14) is configured to be placed within the movable member (13).
The handle lock assembly (100) according to claim 3, wherein the rack gear (14) is arranged to be driven by the movable member (13) along the longitudinal axis (X) of the handle lock assembly (100) when the handle (30) is brought to the unlocked position.
The handle lock assembly (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the rack gear (14) has at least one shoulder (17) arranged to be pushed by an upper-end corner (19) of the movable member (13).
The handle lock assembly (100) according to claim 5, wherein an opening gap (D) is formed between the shoulder (17) and the upper-end corner (19) when the handle (30) is in the locked position.
The handle lock assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle lock assembly (100) comprises two spaced-apart geared portions (32) with a plurality of teeth (32a) in mechanical communication with the toothed portion (13a) to move the movable member (13) with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) of the handle lock assembly (100).
The handle lock assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rack gear (14) has an inner tooth set (14a) with a plurality of teeth and has a rack opening (14b) wherein said inner tooth set (14a) is provided at least one of the inner lateral surfaces of the rack opening (14b).
The handle lock assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle lock assembly (100) further comprises at least one spring (23) arranged between the handle (30) and the main body (20).
The handle lock assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle lock assembly (100) comprises a joint member (21) placed within the main body (20) wherein the two geared portions (32) are pivotably coupled via a connection member (31) to the joint member (21).
The handle lock assembly (100) according to claim 10, wherein a spring (23) is placed within the joint member (21) and an inner surface of the handle (30) has a guiding portion (38) for guiding one arm of the spring (23).
The handle lock assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base plate (10) has a receiving portion (11) for receiving the lock plug housing (37).
The handle lock assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock plug (40) has a movable lock plug cover (34) for closing or opening a keyhole of the lock plug (40).
The handle lock assembly (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle (30) and the handle housing (22) are arranged such that when the handle (30) is in the locked position, the upper surfaces of the handle (30) and the main body (20) are at the same level.