GB2156261A - Handle for attachment to a shank - Google Patents

Abstract

A handle comprises a body having an opening (19) for receiving a shank (11), the body having first (12) and second (13) body parts secured together, each having edges which engage opposite sides of a generally flat annular interference ring (18), the shank (11) in use being received within the ring (18) and being engaged by one or more tangs (23) of the ring (18) which extend inwardly to restrain the shank (11) from withdrawal from the body. The edge (17) of second body part (13) may have lugs extending between the tangs (23) of the ring to prevent rotation thereof. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Handle for Attachment to a Shank This invention relates to a handle for attachment to a shank, for example a knob for attachment to a shank of an operating lever such as a gear lever.

Such a handle is disclosed in prior U.K. Patent 1107705. In this specification, the handle is made in two parts, the parts together providing a bore in which an annular rebate is provided, which rebate in use receives a tolerance ring which is an interference fit with the shank.

Thus the handle may be attached to the shank as a simple push fit, resistance against withdrawal being achieved by the engagement of the tolerance ring with the shank.

Such handles have at least the following disadvantages.

First, it is necessary to ensure that the end of the shank on which the handle is received, is a close fit with the tolerance ring and thus the end of the shank usually requires accurate machining. This obviously increases costs. If the shank is not an accurate fit, for example if the shank is too small then the tolerance ring is not adequateiy expanded and the handle can be easily pulled from the shank, as well as being permitted to rotate about the axis of the shank.

If the shank is too large, than it is difficult to push the handle onto the end of the shank.

Secondly, it is essential to ensure that the rebate is a close fit lengthwise, with the tolerance ring, or when the tolerance ring is assembled with the shank, longitudinal movement of the shank and ring relative to the handle may be permitted.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new or improved handle which overcomes or reduces these problems.

According to the invention we provide a handle comprising a body having an opening for receiving a shank, the body having first and second body parts secured together, each having an engaging means which engages opposite sides of a generally flat annular interference ring, the shank in use being received within the ring and being engaged by one or more tangs of the ring which extend inwardly to restrain the shank from withdrawal from the body.

In such an arrangement, a shank having a size within a wide tolerance of a nominal size can be accommodated, as the tang or tangs in use deform to varying degrees as the shank is inserted, in the ring to accommodate different sized shanks. This engagement is adequate to provide both resistance againstwithdrawl and rotation, although if required, added resistance to rotation may be achieved by the provision of locating means such as locking lugs which may be integral with or attached to the engaging means of the or both body parts, which lugs may engage in recesses or openings provided in the interference ring.

The or each tang may, upon insertion of the shank, become deformed in the direction of insertion of the shank, so that maximum resistance to withdrawl is achieved. The inner edge of the or each tang may be of a configuration corresponding to the external configuration of the shank so as to provide engagement along the maximum length of said inner edge. For example, the shank may be cylindrical, in which case the inner edge of the or each tang may be part-circular.

Preferably, the ring has a plurality of tangs separated from one another by openings, and the or each opening may receive a iug, where provided, of the locating means.

The engaging means of the first of the body parts may comprise the edge of a first cylindrical formation having a first diameter of the first body part, and the engaging means of the second body part may comprise the edge of a second cylindrical formation, having a second diameter of the second body part, smaller than the first diameter of the first cylindrical formation.

The locating means where provided, may comprise lugs extending from the edge of the second cylindrical formation.

The second smaller diameter cylindrical formation may extend through the second body part to provide the opening in the body in which the shank is received. In this event, the first cylindrical formation may be closed by an end wall of the first body part although if required, the shank may extend entirely through the body in which case the end of the first cylindrical formation of the first body part may also be open.

The first and second body parts may have cooperating formations to permit the first body part to be assembled to the second body part.

These formations may comprise snap interfitting formations, although preferably the first body part has a further cylindrical formation which is received within a receiving formation of the second body part, and the first and second parts are adhered together. However many other constructions are possible.

The interference ring may have a flange extending from the circumference thereof transversely to the remainder of the ring, for example perpendicularly, which flange preferably extends outside the first cylindrical formation of the first body part.

The first and second body parts may be made independently as a plastic moulding although if desired, the first and second body parts could be made integrally, with the interference ring arranged in the mould.

Of course the body parts could be made in other materials if required.

The invention will now be described with referencetothe accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa cross sectional view through a handle in accordance with the invention, along the line I-I of Figure 2; Figure 2 is a plan view of a second body part of the handle of Figure 1 with the first body part removed.

Referring first to Figure 1, a handle shown generally at 10 is attached to a shank 11. The handle 10 comprises a body having a first body part 12 and a second body part 13 secured together as hereinafter described.

The first body part 12 has a first cylindrical formation 14 and the second body part 13 has a second cylindrical formation 15, the lower edge 16 of the first cylindrical formation and the upper edge 17 of the second cylindrical formation trapping therebetween an interference ring 18 which is described in more detail hereinafter with reference to Figure 2.

The first body part 12 has a further cylindrical formation 20 which provides a first co-operating formation which engages with a second cooperating formation 21 comprising the upper edge of the second part body 13 whereby the first 12 and second 13 body parts are secured together. If desired, adhesive may be put between the mating surfaces of the first and second co-operating formations 20,21 or alternatively, snap engaging co-operating formations may be provided, or any other means for securing the first and second body parts 12,13 together.

The first cylindrical formation 14 and second cylindrical formation 15 together provide an opening 19 in which the shank 11 is received, the end of the first cylindrical formation 14 remote from the edge 16 thereof, which is designated at 22 being closed by an end wall, whereas the other end of the opening 19 remote from edge 17 of the second cylindrical formation 15 is open to provide an opening to receive the end of the shank 11.

It can be seen from Figure 1, that the interference ring 18 is generally flat and annular but has inwardly extending tangs 23 which dig in and engage the outer surface of the shank 11, and an outer peripheral flange 24 which extends generally perpendicularly to the remainder of the ring 18, outside the first cylindrical formation 14.

It can be seen that the diameter of the first cylindrical formation 14 is greater than the diameter of the second cylindrical formation 15, whereby the upper edge 17 of the second cylindrical formation provides an engaging means comprising a seat for the ring 18, and the lower edge 16 of the first cylindrical formation 14 providing a further engaging means which retains the ring 18 against movement away from edge 17.

As shown, the edges 16 and 17 lie in a common plane P. If, due to inaccuracies, the edges 16 and 17 do not exactly coincide in a plane P, e.g. if they overgrip the ring 18 would be slightly deformed which is permitted due to its inherent flexiblity, which is due to its thin construction.

Referring now to Figure 2, it can be seen that the upper edge 17 of the second body part 13 also has a plurality of upwardly projecting lugs 25 and that the interference ring 18 has a plurality oftangs 23 separated by slot openings 26, the lugs 25 extending upwardly through the slots 26 to prevent relative rotation between the ring 18 and the body part 13.

As shown, there are six tangs 23 and six slots 26, although in other arrangements, different numbers of tangs 23 and hence slots 26 could be provided. In place of slots 26, recesses may receive the lugs 25 if required.

It can be seen that each tang 23 terminates at its innermost surface in a curved edge 27 of a radius corresponding approximately to the radius of the cylindrical shank 11 so as to engage the surface of the shank 11 along the maximum length of each edge 27. It will be appreciated that the tangs 23 will deform upwardly as the shank 11 is inserted into the handle to provide maximum resistance to withdrawl. However, if the shank 11 is of greater radius than that shown, the tangs 25 will deform further upwardly. Thus many different sized shanks 11 can be accommodated.

As shown in Figure 1,the tangs 23 are slightly deformed upwardly from the plane P to accommodate the shank 11, although may be inclined upwardly at a greater or lesser angle depending on the radius of the shank 11.

The interference ring 18 is preferably made of a spring steel so that the resilience of the tangs 23 maintain the tangs in tight engagement with the outer surface of the shank 1 As the tangs 23 are deformed slightly upwardly from the plane P, they engage the surface of the shank 11 and restrain the shank 11 from withdrawal from the opening 19 of the handle.

An interface ring suitable for use in a handle in accordance with the invention is manufactured and sold by Baker & Finnemore, and is featured in their catalogue as a Starlock Push-on fastener, although other types of interface ring are freely available.

The shank 11 may be a shank of for example, an operating lever such as a gear lever, or any other shank on which it is desired to attach a handle.

In another embodiment, the shank 11 may extend entirely through the handle 10 in which case the end 22 of cylindrical formation 14 would be open and not closed as shown.

Although the interference ring 18 described is preferred, as this can engage with lugs such as shown at 25 to prevent relative rotation between the ring 18 and the handle 10, other types of interference ring 18 may be provided.

Conveniently, the handle 10 is made as a moulding in plastics material although could be manufactured in other materials if required.

The first 12 and second 13 body parts need not be secured together as described, but could be secured together in any other manner.

The handle 10 is as shown in Figure 1, a knob.

However, the handle may be of many other configurations provided that the handle has an opening in which the shank 11 can be received, and an interferencea ring 18 trapped between engaging means of first and second body parts.

In another arrangement, instead of manufacturing the first 12 and second 13 body parts as separate components, the parts 12 and 13 may be integrally made, with the interference ring 18 received in the mould during moulding.

Any means for preventing relative rotation between the ring 18 and the handle 10 may be provided (to prevent relative rotation between the handle 10 and the shank 11 where required). For example, where the interference ring 18 is of another configuration, alternative locating means to lugs such as shown at 25 may be provided, such as other locating formations on the first engaging means of the first body part and/or the second engaging means of the second body part to engage in the other opening or recesses ofthe ring 18.

Claims (23)

1.A A handle comprising a body having an opening for receiving a shank, the body having first and second body parts secured together, each having an engaging means which engages opposite sides of a generally flat annular interference ring, the shank in use being received within the ring and being engaged by one or more tangs of the ring which extend inwardly to restrain the shank from withdrawal from the body.

2. A handle according to Claim 1 wherein locating means are provided to achieve added resistance to rotation.

3. A handle according to Claim 2 wherein said locating means comprise locking lugs integral with or attached to the engaging means of one or both body parts.

4. A handle according to Claim 3 wherein the lugs engage in recesses or openings provided in the interference ring.

5. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each tang, upon insertion of the shank, becomes deformed in the direction of insertion of the shank, so that maximum resistance to withdrawal is achieved.

6. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the inner edge of the or each tang is of a configuration corresponding to the external configuration of the shank so as to provide engagement along the maximum length of said inner edge.

7. A handle according to Claim 6 wherein the shank is cylindrical, and the inner edge of the or each tang is part-circular.

8. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the ring has a plurality of tangs separated from one another by openings.

9. A handle according to Claim 8 where appendant to Claim 3 wherein the or each opening receives a lug of the locating means.

10. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the engaging means of the first of the body parts comprises the edge of a first cylindrical formation having a first diameter of the first body part, and the engaging means of the second body part comprises the edge of a second cylindrical formation, having a second diameter of the second body part, smaller than the first diameter of the first cylindrical formation.

11. A handle according to Claim 10 where appendant to Claim 3 wherein the lugs of the locating means extend from the edge of the second cylindrical formation.

12. A handle according to Claim 10 or Claim 11 wherein the second smaller diameter cylindrical formation extends through the second body part to provide the opening in the body in which the shank is received.

13. A-handle according to Claim 12 wherein the first cylindrical formation is closed by an end wall of the first body part.

14. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second body parts have co-operating formations to permit the first body part to be assembled to the second body part.

15. A handle according to Claim 14 wherein the co-operating formations comprise snap interfitting formations.

16. A handle according to Claim 15 wherein the first body part has a cylindrical formation which is received within a receiving formation of the second body part, and the first and second parts are adhered together.

17. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the interference ring has a flange extending from the circumference thereof transversely to the remainder of the ring.

18. A handle according to Claim 17 wherein said flange extends perpendicularly.

19. A handle according to Claim 17 or Claim 18 where appendant to Claim 10 wherein the flange extends outside the first cylindrical formation of the first body part.

20. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second body parts are made independently as a plastic moulding.

21. A handle according to any one of Claims 1 to 19 wherein the first and second body parts are made integrally as a plastic moulding with the interference ring arranged in the mould.

22. A handle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

23. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.