GB2414764A

GB2414764A - Window handle arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2414764A
Application number: GB0412325A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence James Dolman; K N Dolman
Original assignee: Trojan Hardware and Design Ltd
Current assignee: Trojan Hardware and Design Ltd
Priority date: 2004-06-02
Filing date: 2004-06-02
Publication date: 2005-12-07
Also published as: GB0412325D0

Abstract

A window handle arrangement 30 has a handle 36 and a base 32. A locking plate 62 can be pressed down against a spring 68, by a finger 76. This releases projections 66 from complementary slots in a cup 54, allowing the handle 36 to turn.

Description

24 1 4764 Window Handle Arrannement The present invention relates to

window handle arrangements.

Many types of window handle arrangement have previously been proposed. In particular, lockable window handle arrangements have been proposed, particularly, but not exclusively, for windows made of metal or plastics extrusions, which may incorporate security mechanisms such as espagnolette lo bolts and the like. Espagnolette mechanisms and the like may be controlled by a spindle which turns as the window handle is turned to open or close the window.

Locking the handle against turning can therefore disable the espagnolette or other mechanism.

A locking window handle arrangement is described in the applicant's previous patent application GB 2375563.

The present invention provides a window handle arrangement comprising: a base member mountable on a window; a handle member mounted on the base member to turn relative thereto; and a locking member having a locking position in which the locking member is in mechanical engagement with the base member and with the handle member to lock the handle member against turning relative to the base member; and the locking member further having a release position in which the as locking member is out of engagement with at least one of the base member and the handle member, to allow the handle member to turn relative to the base member.

Preferably, the locking member is out of engagement with both the handle so member and the base member, when in the release position.

The engagement of the locking member is preferably provided by means of a projection and a complementary slot. The projection is preferably provided on the locking member. The slot may comprise two slot portions provided in the handle member and the base member, the slot portions coming into alignment as the handle member turns to a position at which the handle member may be locked. A single projection is preferably provided on the locking member, entering both aligned slot portions when the locking member is in the locked position. The projection may extend generally radially of the turning axis of the handle member, when the handle member is locked. Preferably, at least two projection and slot arrangements are provided, as aforesaid. Two of the to projection and slot arrangements are preferably disposed generally symmetrically about the turning axis of the handle.

The locking member is preferably movable along the turning axis of the handle member, to move between the locked position and the release position.

A key-controlled locking mechanism is preferably provided for moving the locking member.

The arrangement may further comprise a spindle member connected to turn with the handle member, to release or lock the window. The locking do member may be mounted to move along the spindle member between the locked position and the release position. The spindle member is preferably received in an aperture in the locking member, the spindle member having a part of its length which is generally circular in section and received in the aperture when the locking member is in the release position, whereby the spindle member is free to turn in the aperture, and the spindle member having a part of its length which is non-circular in section and received in the aperture when the locking member is in the locked position, whereby to prevent the spindle member turning relative to the locking member when the handle member is locked relative to the base member.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figs. 1 and 2 are, respectively, a side elevation and plan view of a handle arrangement which embodies the present invention; Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the arrangement; Figs. 4 and 5 are vertical sections through the arrangement, in the locked and unlocked conditions, respectively; to Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are views from beneath, with, respectively, the spring member removed, the spring member and locking member removed, and with neither member removed; and Figs. 9 and 10 are perspective views of internal components, with many Is components omitted for clarity.

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a window handle arrangement 30 which embodies the present invention. The arrangement 30 has a base 32 for attachment to a window 34 (Fig. 1) and a handle 36 which can turn about an axis 40 in order to release or lock the window. This is achieved by means of a spindle (to be described) within the arrangement 30, turning about an axis 40 and controlled by a lock visible at 42. The spindle is used to operate espagnolette mechanisms, or other locking or operating arrangements within the window 34 in a manner which is conventional in itself.

The internal construction can now be described in more detail, with particular reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5. Fig. 3 is an exploded view; Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show the arrangement in the locked and released conditions, respectively.

so The base plate 32 has bores 46 for attaching the base 32 to the window 34 by means of screws (not shown). The base 32 is therefore fixed in position relative to the window, when in use. The handle 36 is mounted on the base 32 at 48 to be able to turn, relative to the plate 32, about the axis 40. The details of the turnable mounting arrangement at 48 are conventional in themselves and therefore need not be described more fully. It is preferred that the handle 36 and base 32 carry abutment faces to limit the range of angles through which the handle may turn, preferably limiting to 90 .

A spindle 50 is located within the arrangement 30. The spindle 50 extends from a cavity 52 within the handle 36, across the mounting 48 and through the base 32, leaving an exposed end of the spindle 50 to engage with to window mechanisms such as espagnolette bolts and the like. The cavity 52 is part lined by a bearing cup 54 held in position by a fixing screw 56. The length 50a of the spindle 50 within the cup 54 is square in section (perpendicular to the axis 40) as are the cup 54 and cavity 52. Consequently, the spindle 50 is constrained in its alignment with the handle 36, so that turning the handle 36 will turn the spindle 50, whereas the handle 36 will not be able to turn if the spindle is unable to turn, and the spindle 50 will not be able to turn if the handle 36 is unable to turn.

The exposed end 50b of the spindle 50 is also square in section for engaging and turning window operating mechanisms. A short length 50c of the spindle 50, between the square section lengths 50a, bob, is circular in section, having a diameter no greater than the side length of the square sections 50a, sob. The circular spindle section 50c is located within a cavity 58 within the base 32. A spring member 60 extends across the mouth of the cavity 58.

A locking plate 62 is located within the cavity 58. The plate 62 is generally rectangular in shape (Fig. 6), but has concavities 63 in its short sides, and a square central aperture 64. The concavities 63 fit with complementary bosses 65 formed by the base 32, to hold the locking plate 62 fixed against rotation within So the cavity 52. The square aperture 64 has sides 66 aligned with the long sides of the plate 62. The size of the square aperture 64 is sufficient to receive the square spindle section 50a with a close fit, as illustrated in Fig. 4, thereby preventing relative rotation of the spindle and the plate 62.

The face of the locking plate 62 which faces the handle 36 and away from the spring member 60 has two projections 66 which extend generally radially away from the axis 40, in generally diametrically opposite directions. For each projection 66, a complementary slot 67 is formed by two slot portions 67a, 67b.

The slot portions 67a, 67b are provided, respectively, in the bearing cup 54 and in the body of the base 32, as can be seen, particularly, in Fig. 7. It is also evident from Fig. 7 that when the handle is positioned as illustrated in that figure, the two portions 67a, 67b of each slot 67 are in alignment around the axis 40, but JO the slot portions 67a will move away from the portions 67b as the handle 36 is turned from the position illustrated in Fig. 7, relative to the base 32.

When the slot portions 67a, 67b are aligned as shown in Fig. 7, the projections 66 are able to enter the respective slots 67. In this condition, illustrated in Fig. 4, the complementary form of the projections 66 and slots 67 serves to create mechanical engagement between the locking plate 62 and both the base 32 and the handle 36, thus locking the handle member 36 against turning relative to the base 32.

JO The interaction of the locking plate 62, the projections 66, the bearing cap 54 and the slot portions 67a is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 which respectively show the engaged and released positions, with many other components omitted for reasons of clarity.

Consideration of Figs. 9 and 10, in conjunction with Fig. 7, indicate that the size of the projections 66 is relatively unrestricted within the mechanism.

This arises, in particular, because the projections 66 are not required to turn about the axis 40, and thus do not need to be confined within radii set by other components. Their height along the axis 40, their length radially away from the axis 40, and their thickness perpendicular to the axis 40 can all be increased with appropriate corresponding increase in the sizes of the slots 67. Consequently, the projection 66 can be rendered invulnerable to damage or breakage during normal expected loads, even malicious loads. This improves the security l l provided by locking the handle 36 to the base 32.

I A compression spring 68 acts between the member 60 and the locking plate 62 to urge the plate 62 to the position illustrated in Fig. 4. In this position, the plate 62 is bearing against the roof 70 of the cavity 58 and the projections 66 are engaged with the slots 67. Furthermore, the plate 62 is at an axial position, relative to the spindle 50, which places the square spindle section 50a in the aperture 64. Consequently, in addition to the handle 36 being locked relative to to the base 32 by the action of the projections 66, the locking plate 62 is prevented from rotation about the axis 40 by its location within the cavity 58, and the spindle is prevented from rotation relative to the plate 62 by virtue of engagement between the square spindle section 50a and the sides of the aperture 64.

Rotation of the handle 36 is thus further prevented by the spindle 50.

Consequently, the handle 36 is securely locked, preventing the handle being used to open a window which is in the closed condition.

The locking action of the locking plate 62 can be overridden by operation of the lock 42, as can now be described.

The lock 42 includes a lock barrel 72 designed as a button lock movable from an advanced position (Fig. 4) to a depressed position (Fig. 5) in which the barrel 72 has been pressed into a cavity 74 within the handle 36, after the barrel 72 is released by means of an appropriate key or other release arrangement.

as This movement of the barrel 72 is parallel with the axis 40. The lock barrel 72 and its internal features may be conventional in themselves. Consequently, the barrel 72 is shown only in outline.

The barrel also carries a finger 76 which runs, parallel with the axis 40, So down through the handle 36, across the mounting 48 and through the base 32 to bear on the plate 62. In the region of the spindle portion 50a, the finger 76 extends alongside the spindle 50 in a rebate 77 formed in the cup 54 (Figs. 9 and 10), thereby completing the lining of the cavity 52. The lower extremity of the l In the condition shown in Fig. 4, the plate 62 is locking the handle | arrangement, as has been described. Furthermore, the lock barrel 72 prevents the lock 42 from being depressed, thus locking the finger 76 against movement.

If the window is now to be opened, an appropriate key is used to release the lock barrel 72, allowing it to be depressed to the position illustrated in Fig. 5. This in causes the finger 76 to move parallel with the axis 40, pushing the plate 62 to move axially against the bias of the spring 68. Eventually, the plate 62 bears against the member 60 to prevent further movement. At this position, the projections 66 have withdrawn from the slots 67 and are no longer locking the handle 36 to the base 32. In addition, the plate 62 has moved off the square spindle section 50a, so that the circular spindle section 50c is now in the aperture 64. Consequently, the spindle 50 is no longer prevented from turning in the aperture 64. The handle and spindle can therefore both turn about the axis 40 relative to the base 32, allowing the spindle section 50b to release window locking arrangements and allow the window to be opened.

Once the handle 36 has moved from the alignment shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the plate 62 is prevented from moving back to the position of Fig. 4. This arises because the slot portions 67b will have turned out of alignment with the slot portions 67a, so that as the plate 62 moves toward the position of Fig. 4, the projections 66 will encounter the material of the cup 54, rather than the slot portions 67a, and thus be prevented from moving fully back to the position of Fig. 4.

finger 76 may carry a small barb 76a, to retain the finger 76 against being removed from the handle.

Figs. 3 and 8 show the form of the spring member 60. This has side limbs so 80 which are flexible and supported by flexible spring members 82. The limbs 80 lie alongside faces of the square spindle section sob. Thus, as the spindle turns, the limbs 80 are forced to flex apart, against the action of the spring members 82. Thus, the member 60 will provide gentle resistance against the spindle 50 turning. However, once the spindle has turned through more than 45 degrees, the action of the limbs 80 in squeezing the spindle 50 will tend to cause the spindle to complete a turn of 90 degrees, and will thereafter grip the spindle 50 to resist (but not prevent) further movement. This provides the handle movement with a positive feel to the user.

When the window is to be closed again, the handle 36 is turned back toward the position illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, causing the spindle section 50b to to re-engage window closing mechanisms. As the handle 36 reaches the starting alignment of Fig. 4, the slot sections 67a, 67b become aligned again, and the sides of the square spindle section 50a again align with the aperture 64. The plate 62 is thus free to move from the circular spindle section 50c onto the square spindle section 50a, urged by the spring 68, thus moving back to the condition of Fig. 4, in which the handle 36 is locked to the base 32 by the projections 66, and the spindle 50 is locked by the plate 62. This movement of the plate 62 also pushes the finger 76 and thus pushes the lock barrel 72 back to the locked position of Fig. 4. The handle 36 is then locked against turning, and the window is locked closed.

It will be apparent to the skilled reader that many variations and modifications can be made to the apparatus described above, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, many different shapes, sizes and relative shapes and sizes of the various components could be used, according to the intended use and required aesthetics. Many different materials could be used for the manufacture of the various components, such as plastics, metal or other materials.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to so those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAI MS

1. A window handle arrangement comprising: a base member mountable on a window; a handle member mounted on the base member to turn relative thereto; and a locking member having a locking position in which the locking member is in mechanical engagement with the base member and with the handle member to lock the handle member against turning relative to the base member; to and the locking member further having a release position in which the locking member is out of engagement with at least one of the base member and the handle member, to allow the handle member to turn relative to the base member.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the locking member is out of engagement with both the handle member and the base member, when in the release position.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engagement of the locking member is provided by means of a projection and a complementary slot.

4. An arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the projection is provided on the locking member.

5. An arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the slot comprises two slot portions provided in the handle member and the base member, the slot portions coming into alignment as the handle member turns to a position at which the handle member may be locked.

so

6. An arrangement according to claim 5, wherein a single projection is provided on the locking member, entering both aligned slot portions when the locking member is in the locked position.

7. An arrangement according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the projection extends generally radially of the turning axis of the handle member, when the handle member is locked. s

8. An arrangement according to any of claims 3 to 7, wherein at least two projection and slot arrangements are provided, as aforesaid.

9. An arrangement according to claim 8, wherein two of the projection and lo slot arrangements are disposed generally symmetrically about the turning axis of the handle.

10. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the locking member is movable along the turning axis of the handle member, to move Is between the locked position and the release position.

11. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein a keycontrolled locking mechanism is provided for moving the locking member.

so

12. An arrangement according to any preceding claim, further comprising a spindle member connected to turn with the handle member, to release or lock the window.

13. An arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the locking member is as mounted to move along the spindle member between the locked position and the release position.

14. An arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the spindle member is received in an aperture in the locking member, the spindle member having a part so of its length which is generally circular in section and received in the aperture when the locking member is in the release position, whereby the spindle member is free to turn in the aperture, and the spindle member having a part of its length which is non-circular in section and received in the aperture when the locking member is in the locked position, whereby to prevent the spindle member turning relative to the locking member when the handle member is locked relative to the base member.

15. A window handle arrangement substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter To disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.