GB2491158A

GB2491158A - Door handle safety system with spindle clutch and catch

Info

Publication number: GB2491158A
Application number: GB1108781.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Christopher Dale Roberts; Philip Kenneth Green; Huw Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-25
Filing date: 2011-05-25
Publication date: 2012-11-28
Anticipated expiration: 2031-05-25
Also published as: GB201108781D0; GB2491158B

Abstract

A door or window handle safety system 20 comprises a releasable first control mechanism 21 with engaging portion 26 which engages portion 50, such as a recess, of a second control mechanism 30, such as a push button, having a spindle engaging portion 32 moveable between a first position disengaged with the spindle 16 and a second position engaged with the spindle. The first control mechanism may be a spring biased button or lever 22 which latches into engagement with the push button spindle to retain the spindle in the disengaged position; preferably the spindle engaging portion biased into the disengaged position.

Description

DOOR HANDLE SAFETY SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a door or window handle safety system.

Door and window handles can be opened by young children enabling access to potentially dangerous areas such as for example roads, streets, balconies, ponds, swimming pools, barbeque areas, hazardous garden terrain, chemically treated garden areas, and off-limit rooms within the house etc. Known methods of preventing children from opening a door or window either involve a lock or a bolt. This however prevents free access from the other side of the door or window. These methods also involve the extra step of locking/bolting the door or window each time the door or window is used. If the step of locking/bolting the door or window is forgotten, this method does not provide the intended protection.

Embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide a door or window handle safety system which is designed for easy operation by adults and which is difficult for young children to operate.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a door or window handle safety system for use with a door or window handle comprising: a) a first control mechanism comprising a first engagement feature; and b) a second control mechanism comprising: i) a spindle engaging mechanism adapted to engage a spindle of a door or window latch, in which the spindle engaging mechanism is moveable between an engaged position whereby in use the handle is connected to the spindle, and a disengaged position whereby in use the handle is disconnected from the spindle; and ii) a second engagement feature adapted for mutual engagement with the first engagement feature of the first control mechanism; wherein engagement of the first and second engagement features prevents the spindle engaging mechanism from being moved from the disengaged position to the engaged position, and disengagement of the first and second engagement features enables the spindle engaging mechanism to be moved to the engaged position.

The first and/or the second control mechanism can be spring biased.

The first control mechanism may be moveable between a first position for engagement of the first engagement feature with the second engagement feature of the second control mechanism, and a second position for disengagement of the first engagement feature from the second engagement feature of the second control mechanism, and in which the first control mechanism can be biased towards the first position.

The first control mechanism may comprise a trigger or a slide mechanism for moving the first engagement feature from the first position to the second position.

The second control mechanism can comprise a secondary spindle. The spindle can comprise a channel dimensioned to receive a spindle of a door or window latch. The second control mechanism can further comprise a push button for moving the spindle engaging mechanism from the disengaged position to the engaged position.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing a door or window safety system comprising: a) providing at least one door or window handle comprising a system according to the first aspect of the invention; and b) mounting the door or window handle on the door or window such that the spindle engaging mechanism may selectively engage a spindle of the door or window latch mechanism.

The door or window handle safety system may be retrofitted to an existing door or window, thereby replacing any existing handle.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of retro-fitting a system according to the first aspect of the invention to a door or window: a) inserting the second control mechanism of a system according to the first aspect of the invention into an internal bore of the handle of the system; b) securing the first control mechanism to the handle, such that the first and second engagement features are aligned to mutually engage, and c) replacing an existing handle on the door or window with the system.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a door or window handle safety system kit, comprising: a) a handle assembly; b) a first control mechanism comprising a first engagement feature; c) a second control mechanism comprising: i) a spindle engaging mechanism adapted to engage a spindle of the handle assembly, in which the spindle engaging mechanism is moveable between an engaged position whereby in use the handle is connected to the spindle, and a disengaged position whereby in use the handle is disconnected from the spindle; and ii) a second engagement feature adapted for mutual engagement with the first engagement feature of the first control mechanism; wherein engagement of the first and second engagement features prevents the spindle engaging mechanism from being moved from the disengaged position to the engaged position, and disengagement of the first and second engagement features enables the spindle engaging mechanism to be moved to the engaged position.

Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of features set out above or in the following description.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments. As such, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art.

Furthermore, it is contemplated that a particular feature described either individually or as part of an embodiment can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments, even if the other features and embodiments make no mention of the particular feature. Thus, the invention extends to such specific combinations not already described.

The invention may be performed in various ways, and, by way of example only, embodiments thereof will now be described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a prior art door handle; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram through line A-A of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a door handle comprising a first example door handle safety system; Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram through line A-A of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of a door handle comprising another example door handle safety system; Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram through line A-A of Figure 5; and Figures 7A and 7B are schematic perspective views of a spindle engaging mechanism of a door handle safety system.

As seen in Figures 1 and 2, a known door handle 1 comprises a handle portion 2 and an opening 4 having a square cross-section. The opening 4 is adapted to receive a first end 6 of a spindle 8 having a square cross-section.

The square spindle 8 also passes through a second opening (not shown) provided by the lock follower (not shown). The second opening has a square cross-section. In use, movement of the handle portion 2 causes the sides of the opening 4 to engage the spindle 8 and thereby causing rotation of the spindle 8.

Rotation of the spindle 8 causes the second opening (not shown) of the lock follower (not shown) to rotate and causes the door latch (not shown) to withdraw enabling the door to be opened.

As seen in Figures 3 and 4, a door handle 10 comprises a door handle safety system 20 according to an embodiment of the invention. The handle portion 12 comprises a first control mechanism 21 comprising a trigger 22 pivotally mounted on the handle portion 12. The trigger 22 is generally aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle portion 12. The trigger 22 is mounted into a longitudinal slot 14 in the handle 12 and pivotally mounted about a shoulder screw 24. The shoulder screw 24 may be inserted from the top or bottom of the handle 12. The trigger 22 extends transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handle 12. The trigger 22 comprises a protrusion 26. The trigger 22 is moveable between a first position (as shown in figure 3) in which the trigger 22 has not been depressed by a user and a second position (not shown) in which the trigger 12 has been depressed towards the handle portion 12 and rotated in the direction shown by arrow A by the user. The trigger 22 is biased by a spring 28 such that when the user releases the trigger 22, the spring 28 automatically returns the trigger 22 to the first position (shown in Figure 3).

The second control mechanism 30 comprises a secondary spindle 32.

The secondary spindle 32 has a first end 34 providing a button 36 which protrudes through a hole 15 in the handle 12. The secondary spindle 32 has a second end 38 providing an opening 40 leading to a channel 42 for receiving a spindle 16 of the door handle 10. The first portion 44 of the channel 42 is shaped and dimensioned such as to allow free relative rotation of the spindle 16 and the first portion 44 of the channel 42, for example the first portion 44 may have a circular cross-section of greater diameter than the maximum width of the spindle (which is the diagonal for a square spindle). The channel 42 further provides a second portion 46 having a square cross-section. The square cross-section of the second portion 46 of the channel 42 is dimensioned to receive and engage a spindle 16 of the door handle 10. The channel 42 may be tapered between the first portion 44 and the second portion 46. The secondary spindle 32 is biased by a spring 48 away from the spindle 16. The secondary spindle 32 further comprises a recess 50. The recess 50 is shaped and dimensioned to mutually engage the protrusion 26 of the trigger 22.

In use, when the door is shut and the button 36 and trigger 22 are not depressed the door (not shown) cannot be opened. In this configuration, the spring 48 holds the secondary spindle 32 out of engagement with the first spindle 16 and the protrusion 26 of the trigger 22 mutually engages the recess of the secondary spindle 32. The spindle 16 of the door handle 12 is located within the first portion 44 of the channel 42 of the secondary spindle 32. The secondary spindle 32 is therefore free to rotate about the spindle 16 which is within channel 42 without engaging the secondary spindle 32. As a result, rotation of the handle portion 12 does not enable the door to be opened.

To open the door, the user depresses the trigger 22 of the first control mechanism 10 towards the handle portion 12 (in the direction ofarrowA). The trigger 22 is pivoted about the pivot 24 causing the protrusion 26 to be disengaged from the recess 50 of the second control mechanism 30. This disengagement enables the user to depress button 36 towards the spindle 16 of the door handle 10. Depression of button 36 (in the direction of arrow B) enables the spindle 16 of the door handle 10 to engage the second portion 46 of channel 42 of the secondary spindle 32. Rotation of the handle portion 12 rotates the secondary spindle 32 which engages and rotates the spindle 16 of the door handle 10 enabling the door to be opened.

On release of the trigger 22, the spring 28 returns the trigger 22 to the first position. On release of the button 36, the secondary spindle 32 is returned by spring 48 to the position in which the spindle 16 of the door handle 10 is located within the first portion 44 of the channel 42 of the secondary spindle 32.

When the trigger 22 is in the first position (not depressed), the protrusion 26 of the trigger 22 mutually engages the recess 50 of the secondary spindle 32.

This mutual engagement prevents the button 36 of the second control mechanism 30 from being depressed towards the spindle 16 of the door handle 10 in order to engage the spindle 16. It may be noted that the pivot 24 of the trigger 22 is located close to the secondary spindle 32. This ensures that the moment applied to the trigger 22 by pressing only the button 36 is insufficient to release the trigger 22. When the trigger 22 is not depressed, the spindle 16 of the door handle 10 cannot engage with the secondary spindle 32 of the second control mechanism 30.

As seen in Figures 5 and 6, a door handle 110 comprises a door handle safety system 120 according to another embodiment of the invention. It will be appreciated that the secondary control mechanism 130 of this embodiment is substantially identical to that of the above embodiment and is therefore not described in detail. The handle portion 112 comprises an alternative first control mechanism 121 comprising a lever 122 slideably mounted on the handle portion 112. The lever 122 is mounted within a longitudinal aligned slot 114 in the handle portion 112 so as to be slideable along the longitudinal axis of the handle portion 112. The lever 122 is retained in the slot 114 by means of first screw 126 and a shoulder screw 124. The lever 122 can be provided with a concave outer surface 125 for ergonomic reasons. The lever 122 comprises a protrusion 126. The lever 122 is moveable between a first position (as shown in figureS) in which the lever 122 has not been slid along the handle portion 116 by a user and a second position (not shown) in which the user has slid the lever 122 in the direction of arrow A' towards the end of the handle portionll2. The lever 122 is biased by a spring 128 such that when the user releases the lever 122, the spring 128 automatically returns the lever 122 to the first position (as shown in figure 5).

In use, when the door is shut and the button 134 is not depressed and the lever 122 is in the first position (as shown in figure 5), the door (not shown) cannot be opened. In this configuration, the protrusion 126 of the lever 122 mutually engages the recess 150 of the secondary spindle 132. The spindle 116 of the door handle 110 is located within the first portion 144 of the channel 142 of the secondary spindle 132. The secondary spindle 132 is therefore free to rotate about the spindle 116 which is within channel 142 without engaging the spindle 116. As a result, rotation of the handle portion 112 does not enable the door to be opened.

To open the door, the user slides the lever 122 of the first control mechanism 110 towards the end of the handle portion 112 (in the direction of Arrow A'). The movement of the lever 122 causes the protrusion 126 to disengage the recess 150 of the second control mechanism 130. This disengagement enables the user to depress button 136 towards the spindle 116 of the door handle 110 (in the direction of arrow B'). Depression of button 136 enables the spindle 116 of the door handle 110 to engage the second portion 146 of channel 142 of the secondary spindle 132. Rotation of the handle portion 112 rotates the secondary spindle 132 which engages and rotates the spindle 116 of the door handle 110 enabling the door to be opened.

On release of the lever 122, the spring 128 returns the lever 122 to the first position (as shown in figure 5). On release of the button 136, the secondary spindle 132 is returned by spring 148 to the position in which the spindle 116 of the door handle 110 is located within the first portion 144 of the channel 142 of the secondary spindle 132.

When the lever 122 is in the first position (not depressed), the protrusion 126 of the lever 122 mutually engages the recess 150 of the secondary spindle 132.

This mutual engagement prevents the button 136 of the second control mechanism 130 from being depressed towards the spindle 116 of the door handle 110 in order to engage the spindle 116. When the lever 122 is not depressed, the spindle 116 of the door handle 110 cannot engage with the secondary spindle 132 of the second control mechanism 130.

As shown in Figures 7A and 7B, the secondary spindle 200, 200' may be shaped and dimensioned to engage the spindle 250, 250' of the handle (not shown). The secondary spindle 200 may provide a square shaped channel 205 which is dimensioned to engage a standard square spindle 250. Alternatively, the spindle 250' of the handle (not shown) may have been machined to provide for example a protrusion 260. The secondary spindle 200' may provide a complimentary profiled recess 210 for engaging with the protrusion 260 of the spindle 250'. It will be appreciated that the engagement between the spindle 200, 200' and the secondary spindle 250,250' should be sufficiently close such that there is minimal play between the engaged spindles while also ensuring that the spindles can freely slide into and out of engagement.

The skilled person will appreciate that modifications may be made to the above embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the disengaged configuration, while the spindle in the illustrated embodiments located within a channel of the secondary spindle, in other embodiments the spindle may be spaced apart from the secondary spindle.

The skilled person will appreciate that the door handle safety system embodiments of the invention may also be suitable for use on windows.

The system may be retrofitted into an existing door/window installation.

A kit may be provided including a complete handle assembly, including the control mechanisms, that can be used to replace an existing handle. A replacement spindle (which may need to be cut to length) can also be included in the kit. The retrofitting operation can involve: 1 Removing the existing door or window handle (normally four screws).

2 Removing the existing spindle 3 Installing a new spindle from the kit (cut to length if required).

4 Aligning and fitting the new handle components from the kit.

The embodiments described above provide a door handle safety system which, in use, disconnects from the spindle mechanism that releases the latch to allow a door to open. The parts of the system can be formed of any suitable materials, e.g. rigid plastic, polymer, metal or alloy. By operation of the spindle engaging mechanism prior to turning the handle, the door can be opened. The door handle safety system is designed to allow easy operation by adults/older children but is too difficult for a young child to operate. The door handle safety system of embodiments of the invention may be particularly advantageous as the system can be operated on both sides of a door. Furthermore, the first and second control mechanisms automatically return so that the first and second engagement features are mutually engaged so as to ensure the safety system is operable every time and the system does not depend on the user to activate the system. -11 -

Claims

CLAIMS1. A door or window handle safety system (20) for use with a door or window handle (10) comprising: a) a first control mechanism (21) comprising a first engagement feature (26); and b) a second control mechanism (30) comprising: i) a spindle engaging mechanism (32) adapted to engage a spindle (16) of a door or window latch, in which the spindle engaging mechanism is moveable between an engaged position whereby in use the handle is connected to the spindle, and a disengaged position whereby in use the handle is disconnected from the spindle; and ii) a second engagement feature (50) adapted for mutual engagement with the first engagement feature of the first control mechanism; wherein engagement of the first and second engagement features prevents the spindle engaging mechanism from being moved from the disengaged position to the engaged position, and disengagement of the first and second engagement features enables the spindle engaging mechanism to be moved to the engaged position.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of the first and second control mechanisms are spring biased.
3. A system as claimed in either of claims I and 2, in which the first control mechanism is moveable between a first position for engagement of the first engagement feature with the second engagement feature of the second control mechanism, and a second position for disengagement of the first engagement feature from the second engagement feature of the second control mechanism, and in which the first control mechanism is biased towards the first position.
4. A system as claimed in claim 3, in which the first control mechanism comprises a trigger mechanism for moving the first engagement feature from the first position to the second position.
5. A system as claimed in claim 3, in which the first control mechanism comprises a slide mechanism for moving the first engagement feature from the first position to the second position.
6. A system as claimed in any one of claims I to 5, in which the second control mechanism comprises a secondary spindle.
7. A system as claimed in claim 6, in which the second control mechanism further comprises a push button.
8. A system as claimed in either of claims 6 and 7, in which the secondary spindle comprises a channel to receive a spindle of a door or window latch.
9. A system as claimed in claim 8, in which the channel has a first portion shaped and dimensioned to allow free relative rotation between the spindle of the door or window latch and the first portion of the channel, and the channel further comprises a second portion having a square cross-section dimensioned to receive and engage a spindle of the door or window latch.
10.A door handle comprising a system as claimed in any one of claims I to 9.
11.A method of providing a door or window safety system comprising: a) providing at least one door or window handle comprising a system as claimed in any one of claims I to 10; and b) mounting the door or window handle on the door or window such that the spindle engaging mechanism may selectively engage a spindle of the door or window latch mechanism.
I 2.A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the step of removing an existing door or window handle prior to step (a).
13.A method of retro-fitting a system as claimed in any one of claims I to 10 to a door or window: a) inserting the second control mechanism into an internal bore of the door or window handle; b) securing the first control mechanism to the handle, such that the first and second engagement features are aligned to mutually engage, and c) replacing an existing handle on the door or window with the system.
14.A door or window handle safety system kit, comprising: a) a handle assembly; b) a first control mechanism comprising a first engagement feature; c) a second control mechanism comprising: i) a spindle engaging mechanism adapted to engage a spindle of the handle assembly, in which the spindle engaging mechanism is moveable between an engaged position whereby in use a handle is connected to the spindle, and a disengaged position whereby in use the handle is disconnected from the spindle; and ii) a second engagement feature adapted for mutual engagement with the first engagement feature of the first control mechanism; wherein engagement of the first and second engagement features prevents the spindle engaging mechanism from being moved from the disengaged position to the engaged position, and disengagement of the first and second engagement features enables the spindle engaging mechanism to be moved to the engaged position.
15.A door or window handle safety system substantially as shown herein and/or with reference to Figures 3 -7B of the accompanying drawings.