GB2549960A

GB2549960A - Handle system for a closure

Info

Publication number: GB2549960A
Application number: GB1607765.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ure Felix
Original assignee: Joseph Giles Ltd
Current assignee: Joseph Giles Ltd
Priority date: 2016-05-04
Filing date: 2016-05-04
Publication date: 2017-11-08
Also published as: GB201607765D0

Abstract

The system comprises a sprung rose system 12, which has a rose 15 for attachment to a door and a return mechanism behind the rose for urging a spindle passing through the rose into a predetermined orientation, the return mechanism being rotatable against its biasing by a user force applied to the spindle through a handle (60, fig.11) independently removable from the spindle. The rose may have an independently removable cover (22, fig.11). The return mechanism may comprise a torsion spring 30 in a housing 35. Also claimed is a handle system comprising first and second sprung rose systems and handles for attachment to respective sides of a door. Also claimed is a sprung rose system, comprising a rose attachable to a door by first and second fixture holes 26, and a return mechanism connected to and behind the rose and comprising a spring in a housing between the holes, the spring acting on a spindle driver to urge the spindle into a predetermined orientation, the return mechanism being rotatable against the spring by user action.

Description

Handle System for a Closure Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a handle system for a closure, particularly, though not exclusively, a handle system for an internal door.

Background of the Invention

Door handle systems are provided for connection to, and operation of, door latch mechanisms. Referring to Figure la, part of an interior door 1 is shown with a latch 2 located within a mortise. An aperture 3 is drilled through the door stile to reveal part of the latch mechanism 4, rotation of which will move the latch bolt inwards and outwards. The latch mechanism 4 includes an aperture through which passes a spindle 5. As shown in Figure lb, the latch mechanism 4 and spindle 5 have approximately the same outer shape, here square, so that rotation of the spindle 5 by an attached handle will rotate the latch mechanism. Door handle systems usually comprise one or two handles (one for each side of the door) , the spindle and a ring-like rose which attaches to the door by screws to cover the door aperture 3 and give an improved finish. A problem with known handle systems is that often there is some degree of movement between the spindle 5 and the latch mechanism 4 within which it locates. This movement can be in any direction and also rotational. There may also be some play in the latch mechanism 4. In particular, for heavier handles, such as those made from solid metal, the weight of the handle when connected to the spindle 5 causes the handle to be off horizontal, i.e. angled downwards slightly. In some applications, such as in high-end markets, this is undesirable .

It is known to provide so-called sprung-rose handle systems in which the rose houses a spring which connects directly to the handle to minimise rotational movement. However, this means that the rose and handle are a composite fixture, preventing the interchanging of handles for a given rose.

Another issue is that sprung roses need to be face-fixed to the door using screws, which tends to be unsightly. To cover the screws, a concealing ring may be placed over the rose leaving a visible join line between its inner edge and the rose behind, as its interior aperture has to be large enough to permit movement back and forth over the handle and stem in order to access and then conceal the screw heads. All of this restricts shapes and styles of handle that can be interchanged.

Summary of the Invention A first aspect of the invention provides a handle system for a closure, comprising: a sprung rose system, which comprises a rose for attachment to the closure and a return mechanism behind the rose for urging an attached spindle passing through the spring rose system into a predetermined orientation relative to the rose and which is rotatable against its biasing responsive to user force applied to the spindle through a handle; and a handle for removable attachment to the spindle and which can be independently removed therefrom when the sprung rose system is fixed to the closure.

Effectively, the system provides a sprung spindle which can be fixed to the closure, e.g. the door, and allows for interchanging of handles which are not directly fixed to the return mechanism.

The handle system may further comprise a cover for removable attachment to the rose, the cover comprising a front wall having an aperture through which the spindle passes in use, and which can be independently removed from the sprung rose system when it is fixed to the closure.

The handle may be connected to the spindle by means of a stem portion which locates over one end of said spindle, and the aperture of the cover has a maximum dimension which is substantially the same or smaller than the corresponding outer dimension of the handle stem so that the aperture is substantially concealed by said stem portion when so connected.

The cover may further comprise a perimeter wall extending away from the front wall, the perimeter wall being dimensioned and arranged in use to connect around a perimeter wall of the rose .

The perimeter wall of the cover may connect around the perimeter wall of the rose by means of a push-type interference or friction fit.

The perimeter wall of the rose may carry a rubber seal, e.g. an O-ring, and the perimeter wall of the cover extends at an acute angle from the front wall and in use compresses the seal when pushed over the rose.

The return mechanism may comprise a spring housed within a spring housing having an outer profile which is smaller than that of the rose thereby to allow the spring housing to be recessed within the closure when the rose is fixed to the closure's outer surface.

The rose may comprise two or more fixture holes for fixing it to the closure, and wherein the spring housing has an outer profile which is between the fixture holes.

The spring housing may have a depth of approximately 5mm.

The spindle may have a non-circular cross-sectional profile and the handle has a stem with a substantially like-shaped internal bore which locates over the spindle in a substantially level orientation with respect to the rose when the spindle is urged into its predetermined orientation.

The return mechanism may comprise a torsion spring one part of which is attached to the rose and the other part of which is attached to a spring housing, wherein the spring housing has a central spindle driver shaped and dimensioned to locate around the spindle in a close fit and which is rotatable by user action on the handle.

The handle system may comprise a bearing rose for attachment on the opposite side of the closure, the bearing rose comprising an outer plate for fixture to the closure, and an inner rotatable bearing comprising an aperture for receiving the spindle.

The outer plate may comprise one or more holes for fixture to the closure, and wherein the bearing is located within a boss that protrudes away from the outer plate, between the fixture holes, thereby to allow the bearing to be recessed within the closure when the outer plate is fixed to the closure. A second aspect of the invention provides a sprung rose system for use in attaching a handle to a closure, the system comprising a rose for attachment to a closure by means of first and second fixture holes, and a return mechanism connected to, and positioned behind the rose, the return mechanism comprising a spring mounted in a housing which is between the fixture holes to permit said housing to be recessed within the closure, the spring being arranged to act on a spindle driver which locates around a spindle in use so as to urge the spindle into a predetermined first orientation relative to the fixture holes and being rotatable against the spring biasing by user action affecting rotation of the spindle in use. A third aspect of the invention provides a handle system for a closure, the handle system comprising: a spindle having first and second ends; a sprung rose system which comprises a ringlike rose for attachment to a closure by means of fixture holes, and a return mechanism connected to, and positioned behind the rose, the return mechanism comprising a spring mounted in a spring housing which is between the fixture holes to permit said housing to be recessed within the surface of the closure when the rose is fixed to said closure, the spring being arranged to act on a spindle driver which locates around the spindle so as to urge the spindle into a predetermined first orientation relative to the fixture holes and being rotatable against the spring biasing by user action effecting rotation of the spindle in use; and a handle having a fixture stem for locating over the first end of the spindle and which can be independently removed from said spindle when the sprung rose system is fixed to the closure. A fourth aspect of the invention provides a method of fixing a handle system according to above definitions to a closure, wherein the method comprises: - forming a recess within the surface of the closure which recess has an outer profile which is the same as, or larger than, the outer profile of the spring housing; - locating the spring housing within the recess; and - fixing the rose to the surface of the closure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure la is a partial perspective view of a door with part of a latch system;

Figure lb is a plan view of part of the latch system shown in Figure 1;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment handle system according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the Figure 2 handle system with additional cover caps;

Figure 4 is an exploded view of a sprung rose portion of the Figure 2 handle system;

Figures 5a - 5d show different views of part of the Figure 4 sprung rose portion;

Figures 6a - 6c show different views of another part of the Figure 4 sprung rose portion;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of part of the Figure 4 sprung rose portion with an inserted spindle;

Figures 8a and 8b show exploded and partial side views of a bearing rose portion of the Figure 2 handle system;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the sprung rose portion when being attached to a door;

Figure 10 is a side view of a door with the Figure 2 handle system attached either side; and

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a door with a handle connected to one part of the Figure 2 handle system.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The following embodiment relates to an internal door handle system, but can be applied in theory to any form of closure system. The door handle system is configured for connection to the latch mechanism 4 shown in Figures la and lb, but can be applied in theory for use with any form of latch mechanism.

Referring to Figure 2, part of a first embodiment door handle system 10 is shown. It comprises a sprung rose system 12, a bearing rose system 14 and a square spindle 11 passing through both in use. In some embodiments, the bearing rose system 14 can be omitted, e.g. for single-sided systems.

The sprung rose system 12 comprises a front rose 15 which is a metal ring having a central aperture 17 which is larger in diameter than the spindle 11 so that the latter can rotate within the aperture without making contact. A rubber O-ring 16 is located within a recessed outer edge of the front rose 15. Connected behind the front rose 15 is a spring housing (not shown in the Figure) which will be described in detail later on.

The bearing rose system 14 comprises a rear rose 18 which is a metal plate of same or similar diameter to that of the front rose 15. It likewise has a rubber O-ring 19 located within a recessed outer edge. Projecting from the front, shown face of the rear rose 18 is a cylindrical boss 20 within which is located a bearing 21 having an internal aperture which conforms closely to the shape of the spindle 11 as shown. It will therefore be appreciated that rotational movement of the spindle 11 will result in like movement of the bearing 21.

In use, the sprung rose system 12 and the bearing rose system 14 are fitted either side of the door so that the free ends of the spindle 11 are available for mounting respective handles. Fitment is preferably by means of locating two or more screws through horizontally-aligned screw-holes shown on both rose systems 12, 14.

Referring to Figure 3, when fitted to both sides of the door, the door handle system 10 is finished by locating front and rear cover plates 22, 23 respectively over the sprung rose system 12 and the bearing rose system 14. The cover plates 22, 23 are cup-like in shape, having a profile substantially the same as the roses 15, 18 and a circumferential side wall that is pushed over the underlying rose system.

Referring briefly to Figures 8a and 8b, taking only the bearing rose system 14 as an example, it will be seen how the O-ring 19 is mounted within a groove 19' on the bearing rose outer wall. It is also seen that the diameter of the cover plate side wall 57 is smaller than that of the mounted O-ring so that it compresses it when mounted and so said O-ring retains the cover plate 23 in place. The angle of the side wall 57 is preferably less than 90 degrees to provide a firm, undercut type fit.

Referring now to Figure 4, the sprung rose system 12 is shown in exploded view from the rear side.

The sprung rose system 12 comprises the front rose 15, for which see also Figures 5a - 5d, which has an outer ring part 41 and a central recessed part 23 which surrounds the aperture 17. A relatively narrow cut 25 is formed in the outer ring 41 which extends from its inner wall but not all the way to the outer edge. This is termed the spring clip 25. A further, wider cut 24 is formed in the outer ring 41 circumferentially adjacent the spring clip 25 and extends along part of the rose's circumference. This is termed the track 24 which similarly extends from the inner wall but not all the way to the outer edge. A spring housing 35 is connected to the rear of the front rose 15 by means of a metal torsion spring 30 and an additional enclosure. See also Figures 6a - 6c.

The spring housing 35 is a cup-like, metal part, having an outer wall 42 of smaller diameter than that of the front rose 15 such that it is between the screw holes 26 and locates within the recess 23. From the front edge of the outer wall 42 is cut a circumferential, elongate track 36 adjacent to which is provided a protruding guide member 37. The inner surface of the spring housing 35 has a part-circumferential wall 44, as shown in Figures 6a - 6c. The rear side of the spring housing 35 comprises a circular wall from which protrudes a boss 38 having a sguare spindle aperture 39 which closely conforms to the outer shape of the spindle 11. A rear protective cover or case 40 is also provided, shaped to locate over the back of the spring housing 35, which holds the other components together and prevents damage when connected to the door. It has holes corresponding to those provided in the front rose 15.

The torsion spring 30 comprises a piece of helical metal having two free ends 31, 32 extending radially outwards. The torsion spring 30 is housed within the spring housing 35, mainly between the outer and inner walls 42, 44. A first end 31 of the torsion spring 30 extends radially outwards at a certain distance from the guide 37 and in use locates within the spring clip 25 of the front rose 15. The second end 32 is held to the spring housing 35, by tensioning of the spring 30.

When the spring housing 35 is attached to the front rose 15, the guide 37 is located within the track 24 of the front rose 15. As indicated in Figure 5a, the guide 37 rests under tension against the left-hand wall of the track 24 by virtue of the spring 30. The distance between the two spring ends 31, 32 and the position of the guide 37 relative to the spring clip 25 means that the guide is biased towards the counterclockwise direction and stays in position. In this condition, the orientation of the spindle aperture 39 is true relative to the horizontal alignment of the screw holes 26. In other words, the top and bottom surfaces of said aperture 39 will be parallel with the horizontal axis in order that the inserted spindle 11 will be square, as indicated in Figure 5a.

From the reverse viewpoint, Figure 9 shows the complete sprung rose system 12 when connected to the door. The spindle 11 when connected is square to the horizontal and vertical axes, is prevented from moving clockwise and is permitted only to move counter-clockwise, against the biasing of the spring, by a limited angle.

Movement in the clockwise direction, i.e. against spring biasing, requires a predetermined amount of pressure above that which a solid metal handle might apply, and movement will be limited by the length of the track 24.

It will therefore be appreciated that (in the absence of any applied force) the spring housing 35 and therefore the spindle 11 are held in fixed relation to the front rose 15 with a tensioning force provided by the spring. By fixing the front rose 15 to a door with the screw holes 26 horizontal, the spindle 11 will be held under tension, square to the horizontal and vertical axes. Applied rotational force to the spindle 11 through a handle will cause rotation of the spring housing 35 behind the front rose 15.

It will also be appreciated that because the profile of the spring housing 35 is narrower in diameter than the front rose 15, it can be completely or partially concealed within the door by drilling an appropriately-sized hole. This will leave only the relatively thin front rose 15 and, if used, its cover plate 22 exposed on the door surface. This gives a neat, aesthetically pleasing finish. The same applies to the bearing rose system 14, if used.

The door handle system 10 is completed by passing the spindle 11 through the spindle aperture 39 of the spring housing 35 and also that of the rear bearing rose system 14, either side of the door. As shown in Figure 7, the lengthwise position of the spindle 11 can be fixed at this stage by closing a grub screw 52 which passes through the boss 38 of the spring housing 35.

The sprung rose system 12 is then attached to the door 1 by first passing the attached spindle 11 through the door and latch apertures 3, 4 (see Figure 1) and screwing the front rose 15 to the door. Next, the bearing rose system 14 is similarly attached on the other side of the door, locating it over the spindle 11 and screwing the rear rose 18 to the door. See Figure 10, where the recessed parts 35, 20 are shown in dotted lines.

At this stage, it will be understood that the door handle system 10 is effectively a "sprung spindle system" given that the required tensioning against rotational movement of the spindle is provided independent of any handle. This means that the front and rear cover plates 22, 23 can now be attached over the roses as shown in Figure 3, without prior attachment of the handle, and the dimensions of said cover plates can be of any reasonable size/shape so long as the spindle 11 can pass through their centres. Because the handle can be attached last, there is no need for the cover plate aperture to be dimensioned large enough so that it can pass over the handle in order to fit the rose. Referring to Figure 11, for example, this means that the inner edge of the cover plate 22, 23 can extend close to the spindle axis without leaving a clearly visible line when a handle 60 is attached. Note that a grub screw 62 is here used to secure the handle 60 to the spindle 11.

In summary, an improved door handle system 10 is disclosed which provides a sprung rose system that can be partly, or even fully, recessed within the door, to provide a low-profile fixture for accurate and aligned attachment of the spindle, which sprung rose system is independent of the handle to permit a rose cover to be fixed prior to attachment of the handle. This permits many different types of rose cover and handle to be used with the system.

Although metal has been mentioned in the above preferred embodiment for the majority of materials, other materials can also be used. Also, the placement of the screw holes 26 of the sprung rose system 12 in theory do not need to be aligned along the horizontal, but in practise it makes sense to have this arrangement. A jig tool may be provided for locating the screw holes in the door before fitting this handle system, typically comprising a body with a horizontal spirit level for squared marking, and appropriately-placed holes for marking the door in correspondence to the holes on the sprung rose and bearing rose systems 12, 14.

The front rose 15 may typically have an outer diameter of 52 mm plus, although is not limited as such. The spring housing 35 may have a diameter of approximately 30 mm and depth of 5 mm, with a suitable drill bit or router being employed to provide a recess within the door. The spindle is typically 8 mm in diameter.

It will be appreciated that the above described embodiments are purely illustrative and are not limiting on the scope of the invention. Other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading the present application.

Moreover, the disclosure of the present application should be understood to include any novel features or any novel combination of features either explicitly or implicitly disclosed herein or any generalization thereof and during the prosecution of the present application or of any application derived therefrom, new claims may be formulated to cover any such features and/or combination of such features.

Claims

1. A handle system for a closure, comprising: a sprung rose system, which comprises a rose for attachment to the closure and a return mechanism behind the rose for urging an attached spindle passing through the spring rose system into a predetermined orientation relative to the rose and which is rotatable against its biasing responsive to user force applied to the spindle through a handle and a handle for removable attachment to the spindle and which can be independently removed therefrom when the sprung rose system is fixed to the closure.

2. The handle system according to claim 1, further comprising a cover for removable attachment to the rose, the cover comprising a front wall having an aperture through which the spindle passes in use, and which can be independently removed from the sprung rose system when it is fixed to the closure.

3. The handle system according to claim 2, wherein the handle is connected to the spindle by means of a stem portion which locates over one end of said spindle, and the aperture of the cover has a maximum dimension which is substantially the same or smaller than the corresponding outer dimension of the handle stem so that the aperture is substantially concealed by said stem portion when so connected.

4. The handle system according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the cover further comprises a perimeter wall extending away from the front wall, the perimeter wall being dimensioned and arranged in use to connect around a perimeter wall of the rose .

5. The handle system according to claim 4, wherein the perimeter wall of the cover connects around the perimeter wall of the rose by means of a push-type interference or friction fit.

6. The handle system according to claim 4, wherein the perimeter wall of the rose carries a rubber seal, e.g. an 0-ring, and the perimeter wall of the cover extends at an acute angle from the front wall and in use compresses the seal when pushed over the rose.

7. The handle system according to any preceding claim, wherein the return mechanism comprises a spring housed within a spring housing having an outer profile which is smaller than that of the rose thereby to allow the spring housing to be recessed within the closure when the rose is fixed to the closure's outer surface.

8. The handle system according to claim 7, wherein the rose comprises two or more fixture holes for fixing it to the closure, and wherein the spring housing has an outer profile which is between the fixture holes.

9. The handle system according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the spring housing has a depth of approximately 5mm or greater .

10. The handle system according to any preceding claim, wherein the spindle has a non-circular cross-sectional profile and the handle has a stem with a substantially like-shaped internal bore which locates over the spindle in a substantially level orientation with respect to the rose when the spindle is urged into its predetermined orientation.

11. The handle system according to any preceding claim, wherein the return mechanism comprises a torsion spring one part of which is connected to the rose and the other part of which is attached to a spring housing, wherein the spring housing has a central spindle driver shaped and dimensioned to locate around the spindle in a close fit and which is rotatable by user action on the handle.

12. The handle system according to any preceding claim, further comprising a bearing rose for attachment on the opposite side of the closure, the bearing rose comprising an outer plate for fixture to the closure, and an inner rotatable bearing comprising an aperture for receiving the spindle.

13. The handle system according to claim 12, wherein the outer plate comprises one or more holes for fixture to the closure, and wherein the bearing is located within a boss that protrudes away from the outer plate, between the fixture holes, thereby to allow the bearing to be recessed within the closure when the outer plate is fixed to the closure.

14. The handle system according to any preceding claim, wherein the depth of the rose and/or the bearing rose is approximately 5mm.

15. A handle system which comprises first and second sprung rose systems and handles for attachment to respective sides of a closure.

16. A sprung rose system for use in attaching a handle to a closure, the system comprising a rose for attachment to a closure by means of first and second fixture holes, and a return mechanism connected to, and positioned behind the rose, the return mechanism comprising a spring mounted in a housing which is between the fixture holes to permit said housing to be recessed within the closure, the spring being arranged to act on a spindle driver which locates around a spindle in use so as to urge the spindle into a predetermined first orientation relative to the fixture holes and being rotatable against the spring biasing by user action effecting rotation of the spindle in use.

17. A handle system for a closure, the handle system comprising: a spindle having first and second ends; a sprung rose system which comprises a ring-like rose for attachment to a closure by means of fixture holes, and a return mechanism connected to, and positioned behind the rose, the return mechanism comprising a spring mounted in a spring housing which is between the fixture holes to permit said housing to be recessed within the surface of the closure when the rose is fixed to said closure, the spring being arranged to act on a spindle driver which locates around the spindle so as to urge the spindle into a predetermined first orientation relative to the fixture holes and being rotatable against the spring biasing by user action effecting rotation of the spindle in use; and a handle having a fixture stem for locating over the first end of the spindle and which can be independently removed from said spindle when the sprung rose system is fixed to the closure.

18. A method of fixing a handle system according to claims 7 or 17, or any claim dependent thereon, to a closure, wherein the method comprises: - forming a recess within the surface of the closure which recess has an outer profile which is the same as, or larger than, the outer profile of the spring housing; - locating the spring housing within the recess; and - fixing the rose to the surface of the closure.