GB2305960A

GB2305960A - Locking handle with mounting and locking plates

Info

Publication number: GB2305960A
Application number: GB9520298A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Martin Baker; Grant Russell Stratford
Original assignee: Securistyle Ltd
Current assignee: Securistyle Ltd
Priority date: 1995-10-04
Filing date: 1995-10-04
Publication date: 1997-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 2015-10-04
Also published as: GB2305960B; GB9520298D0

Abstract

A locking handle assembly 1 comprising a mounting plate 3, a handle 9 pivotally mounted on the mounting plate 3 about a first axis X-X, a locking plate 15 for attachment to a fixed frame 19 accommodating the vent 5 and a releasable latch 21 for acting between the handle 9 and the locking plate 15, wherein the handle 9 can be swung about the first axis X-X to overlay the locking plate 15 and the releasable latch 21 is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the first axis X-X to lock the handle 9 to the locking plate 15. Push button 13 may be depressed to drive latch 25 into plate 15 to open vent 5. Handle grip 11 is shown.

Description

A HANDLE ASSEMBLY This invention relates to handle assemblies, and in particular to locking handle assemblies which provide improved security over known prior art handle assemblies of the cockspur type.

Prior art cockspur handle assemblies comprise a mounting plate for attachment to a vent, a handle pivotally mounted on the mounting plate and a nib formed integrally with the handle. Upon rotation of the handle about its pivot axis, the nib can be brought into engagement behind a bearing plate mounted on a fixed frame supporting the vent. As a result, the vent can be held in a closed position.

Although cockspur handle assemblies of the aforementioned type are well known and are commonly used, they do not provide significant security against unauthorised entry. For example, an intruder may be able to force the vent, such that the nib of the cockspur handle disengages from behind the bearing plate, by moving the vent in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis of the handle. Hence, the present invention has been devised to overcome this possible problem and to provide a more secure locking handle assembly.

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention provides a locking handle assembly comprising a mounting plate for attachment to a vent, a handle pivotally mounted on the mounting plate about a first axis, a locking plate for attachment to a fixed frame accommodating the vent and a releasable latch for acting between the handle and the locking plate, wherein the handle can be swung about the first axis to overlay the locking plate and the releasable latch is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the first axis to lock the handle to the locking plate.

By incorporating a releasable latch, or detent, which acts between the handle and the locking plate in a direction substantially parallel to the first axis, unauthorised forcing of the vent in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis of the locking handle is hindered. Hence, higher security results.

Preferably the releasable latch is continuously biased into a locking position. This arrangement ensures that, when the handle is moved into a closed position, the handle assembly is automatically locked.

The latch is preferably biased into its locking position by means of a spring acting on the latch.

In one embodiment, the latch is mounted in the locking plate. It is, however, possible, in another embodiment, for the latch to be mounted in the handle.

The latch preferably includes a chamfer to facilitate temporary withdrawal of the latch as the handle swings about the first axis to overlay the locking plate. The inclusion of the chamfer results in smoother closing of the handle assembly.

In one embodiment, the latch may lock the handle to the locking plate with a twist action which results in a helix on the latch engaging a helix in the handle or locking plate, as appropriate.

Preferably the handle includes a button which, when depressed, unlocks the handle assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the locking plate may include a button which, when depressed, unlocks the handle assembly.

The button may be lockable with a key to prevent the handle assembly being unlocked. Further, the key may be used to lock a barrel lock associated with the button.

In a preferred embodiment, the locking plate and/or the handle includes a chamfer to facilitate closing of the vent, during use.

The mounting plate and/or the locking plate are preferably fixed to a vent or frame respectively by means of fasteners, such as screws, which engage reinforcement in the vent or frame as appropriate. Such engagement results in an even more secure handle assembly.

A specific embodiment of the present invention is now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side sectional view showing a locking handle assembly according to the present invention mounted between a vent and a fixed frame; Figure 2 is a plan view of the locking handle assembly shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view showing the locking handle assembly of Figure 1 shown in an unlocked, open position; and Figure 4 is a side sectional view in the direction A-A of the locking plate shown in Figure 3.

With reference to the drawings, a locking assembly 1 comprises a mounting plate 3 fixed to a vent 5 by means of screws 7 which engage reinforcement (not shown) in the vent 5. A handle 9 is pivotally mounted about an axis X-X on the mounting plate 3 so that the handle 9 can be rotated about the pivot axis X-X between a closed position shown in Figure 2 and an open position shown in Figure 3. The handle 9 includes a grip 11 and a push button 13 which, when depressed, travels in a direction substantially parallel to the pivot axis X-X. A locking plate 15 is mounted and fixed using screws 17 to a fixed frame 19 for the vent 5. A latch 21 is mounted in the locking plate 15, as shown in Figure 4.

A biasing spring 23 continuously urges the latch 21 into its extended, exposed position. The latch 21 includes a chamfered surface 25 which facilitates smooth closing of the handle 9 over the latch 21, during use.

As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, in a closed position the handle 9 overlies the locking plate 15 and the latch 25 engages in a recess 27 formed in the bottom of the handle 9.

As a result, sideways movement of the mounting plate 3 away from the locking plate 15 is prevented. When the vent 5 is to be opened, the push button 13 of the handle 9 is depressed to drive the latch 25 into the locking plate 15 against the biasing force of the spring 23. The handle 9 can then be rotated about the pivot axis X-X into the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The vent 5 can then swing away from the fixed frame 19.

On closing of the vent 5, the grip 11 of the handle 9 is used to draw the vent 5 towards the frame 19 such that seals 29 are compressed. The handle 9 is then rotated about the pivot axis X-X. A chamfered surface 31 on the locking plate 15 assists in "pulling-in" the vent 5 against the seals 29 as the handle 9 rotates. The latch 21 is depressed by the base of the handle 9, as the handle 9 is rotated, until the recess 27 is over the latch 21 and the handle 9 is in its closed position. The latch 21 then engages the recess 27 to lock once again the handle assembly.

Although not shown in the drawings, the push button 13 may include a barrel lock or some other locking device to prevent the button 13 being depressed when the locking device is locked. Unauthorised entry through the vent 5 would thereby be further hindered.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and that modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A locking handle assembly comprising a mounting plate for attachment to a vent, a handle pivotally mounted on the mounting plate about a first axis, a locking plate for attachment to a fixed frame accommodating the vent and a releasable latch for acting between the handle and the locking plate, wherein the handle can be swung about the first axis to overlay the locking plate and the releasable latch is movable in a direction substantially parallel to the first axis to lock the handle to the locking plate.

2. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the releasable latch is continuously biased into a locking position.

3. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the latch is biased by means of a spring acting on the latch.

4. A handle assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the latch is mounted in the locking plate.

5. A handle assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the latch is mounted in the handle.

6. A handle assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the latch includes a chamfer to facilitate temporary depression of the latch as the handle swings about the first axis to overlay the locking plate.

7. A handle assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the latch locks the handle to the locking plate with a twist action which results in a helix on the latch engaging a helix in the handle or locking plate, as appropriate.

8. A handle assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the handle includes a button which, when depressed, unlocks the handle assembly.

9. A handle assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the locking plate includes a button which, when depressed, unlocks the handle assembly.

10. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the button is lockable with a key to prevent the handle assembly being unlocked.

11. A handle assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the button includes a barrel lock.

12. A handle assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the locking plate and/or the handle includes a chamfer to facilitate closing of a vent, during use.

13. A handle assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting plate and/or the locking plate are fixed to a vent or frame respectively by means of fasteners which engage reinforcement in the vent or frame as appropriate.

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