IE67003B1

IE67003B1 - Improvements in or relating to handle assemblies

Info

Publication number: IE67003B1
Application number: IE930044A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Tracy Dain Fletcher
Original assignee: Hardware & Systems Patents Ltd
Priority date: 1992-01-25
Filing date: 1993-01-21
Publication date: 1996-02-21
Also published as: IE930044A1; GB2263498A; GB2263498B; GB9201650D0

Abstract

A push to release latch assembly for securing a pivotable handle 1 relative to a base plate 2 comprises a latch member 21 pivotally mounted in the handle 1 and biassed by a spring 28 to engage a striker head 25 in a recess 14 of the base plate 2. The latch member 21 is pivotal to disengage the striker head 25 from the recess 14 by depressing a plunger 17 to release the handle 1 for pivotal movement relative to the base plate 2 and the striker head 25 is automatically re-engageable with the recess 14 on return pivotal movement of the handle 1. The plunger 17 may be secured in a disenabling position preventing it from being depressed to release the handle 1.

Description

This invention concerns improvements in or relating to handle assemblies of the type in which a handle pivotally mounted on a base plate is secured against pivotal movement by engagement of a latch assembly mounted in the handle with a recessed formation in the base plate to prevent inadvertent opening of a closure such as a door or window. it is an object of the present invention to provide a handle assembly with a means for releasing the handle that is of simple construction and easy to operate.

It is a preferred object of the invention to provide such means which can be locked by a key to prevent release of the handle without the key.

According to the present invention we provide a handle assembly for a closure comprising a base plate, a handle mounted on the base plate for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position, fhe handle being provided with a latch assembly having a striker head arranged to engage a recessed formation in the base plate under the pressure of biasing means when the handle is in the closed position to prevent movement of the handle from fhe closed position to the open position and, manually operable means for releasing the striker head from the recessed formation to allow the handle to be moved from the closed position to fhe open position, the release means comprising a plunger mounted in the handle for sliding movement and arranged to project from the handle under pressure of biasing means, and a latch member mounted in fhe handle for pivotal movement and arranged to co-operate with the plunger whereby, on depressing the plunger, the latch member pivots to withdraw the striker head from the recessed formation so that the handle can be moved from the closed position to the open position.

Preferably, the handle has a pocket in the underside in which fhe latch member is mounted and the striker head may be biased to engage the recessed formation by a spring received within the pocket.

Advantageously, the handle has a through bore opening into th© pocket in which the plunger is mounted and the plunger may be biased to project from the handle by a spring received within the bore.

Bn a preferred arrangement, the plunger and striker head ar© biased by a common spring. -2Advantageously, the latch member is connected to the plunger by a coupling to allow rotation of the plunger relative to the latch member. For example, the coupling may be provided by engagement of the latch member with a circumferential groove in the plunger.

The plunger is preferably, rotatable from a first position in which the plunger can be depressed to a second position in which depression of the plunger is prevented. For example, the plunger may be prevented from being depressed in the second position by engagement of co-operating formations of the handle and plunger. In a preferred arrangement, the plunger is rotatable through 90® between the first and second positions.

Preferably, the handle includes lock means for securing the plunger against rotation from the second position to the first position. The lock means may be operable by a key adapted to be received in the plunger for rotating the plunger between the first and second positions. For example, th® lock means may comprise a spring loaded detent mounted in the plunger and arranged to project radially from the plunger on removal of the key to secure the plunger in the second position.

Advantageously, the striker head and recessed formation engage automatically when the handle is moved from the open position to the closed position. For example, one of th® striker head and base plate may have a cam face for co-operating with the other of the base plate and striker head to engage automatically the striker bead in the recessed formation when the handle is moved from the open position to the closed position.

The plunger may be arranged to extend parallel to the pivot axis of the handle or at an angle thereto. Un both arrangements, the latch member is preferably pivotal about an axis transverse to the direction of sliding movement of the plunger.

Preferably, She recessed formation in the base plat® is rectangular and the base plate may b© provided with a hole af the bottom of the 3(3 recessed formation for attaching the base plate to a support member.

Th® handle may be pivotal to either side of the base plate from the closed position and preferably has a grip part aligned with or offset to one side of a longitudinal axis of the handle.

Advantageously, the latch member is made of plastics material and th® striker head is preferably formed integrally therewith. -sln a preferred construction the handle is adapted for connection to a spindle for actuating an espagnolette, tilt/turn gear or the like.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:S FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a handle assembly according to the invention showing the handle in a first position; FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal section through the handle assembly shown in Figure 1 showing the latch engaged; FIGURE 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the latch disengaged.

The handle assembly shown in the drawings comprises a handle 1 pivotally mounted on a base plate 2 by an integral spigot 3 that projects from the underside of the handle 1 and is received within a bore 4 in the base plate 2.

A low friction plastics washer 5 is mounted on the spigot 3 between 15 the underside of the handle 1 and the base plate 2 thereby separating the handle 1 and the base plate 2 for pivotal movement of the handle 1 relative fo the base plate 2 about the spigot axis.

The free end of th® spigot 3 is received in a counterbore 6 in the underside of the base plate 2 and is enlarged to locate behind a shoulder 7 connecting the bores 4,6 io secure the handle 1 to the base plate 2.

Spring washers 8 mounted on the free end of the spigot 3 are compressed between the shoulder 7 and the enlarged end of the spigot 3 so that pivotal movement of the handle 1 is frictionally restrained.

The spigot 3 is formed with a blind rectangular bore 9 which receives 2S a complementary spindle 10 for transmitting pivotal movement of th® handle 1 fo actuate an espagnolette bolt (not shown).

The base plate 2 is formed with through holes 11,12 which are countersunk for receiving screws (not shown) for securing and fixing the base plate 2 to a casing (not shown) housing a drive mechanism, for example a rack and pinion gearing, for the espagnolette bolt.

In this embodiment, the handle 1 is pivotal through 90° in th© direction of arrow A from she position shown in Figure 1 for actuator the espagnolette bolt.

The position of the handle 1 shown in Figure 1 corresponds to a 35 fastened condition &f th© espagnoleffe bolt for securing a door or window in closed or vent positions, and the handle 1 is pivotal in the direction of -4IS arrow A to unfasten the espagnolett® bolt tor opening and closing the door or window.

In use, the handle assembly is mounted on the movable frame member and a raised grip part 13 of the handle 1 extends parallel to and is offset to one side of the longitudinal axis to provide increased clearance between the grip part 13 and the surrounding fixed frame when the movable frame member is secured in the closed or vent positions. in this embodiment, the screw hole 11 is provided st the bottom of a generally rectangular recess 14 in the base plate 2 and the handle 1 is arranged to overlie the recess 14 in the fastened condition of the espagnolette bolt. The other screw hole 12 is closed by a removable cover plate 15.

The handle 1 has a bore 16 extending from the upper surface parallel to and offset to one side of the spigot axis In which a plunger 17 is received.

The plunger 17 is axially slidable in the bore 16 and is mounted for limited rotational movement by means of a key 18 received in an axial kevway 19.

The handle 1 has a pocket 20 formed in the underside in which a latch member 21 is mounted for limited pivotal movement ©bout a transverse axis extending between opposed sides of the pocket 20 by integral lugs 22 located in part-circular searings 23.

The latch member 21 has a yoke 24 extending to one side of the transverse pivot axis and a striker head 25 extending to the other side of the transverse pivot axis.

The bore 16 opens into the pocket 20 and the yoke 24 partially embraces and is connected to the inner end of the plunger 17 by a swivei/pivot coupling comprising opposed inwardly directed lugs 28 received in a circumferential groove 27 formed in the plunger 17.

By this swivei/pivot coupling, the latch member 21 is pivoted by axial movement of the plunger 17 and the plunger 17 is rotatable relative to the latch member 21.

A helical spring 28 arranged within the bora 10 axially biases the plunger 17 in a direction away from the underside of the handle 1 causing pivotal movement of the latch member 21 to th© position shown in Figure 2 urn which the outer ©nd of the plunger 17 projects from the bore 1Θ and the striker head 25 projects from the underside of th® handle 1. -5ln this position, the yoke 24 provides a stop face 29 engageable with an internal wall 30 of the pocket 20 to limit axial movement of the plunger 17 out of the bore IS under the biasing of the spring 23.

The striker head 25 has parallel abutment faces 31 on opposed sides arranged respectively to engage opposed sidewalls 32 of the recess 14 in the base plate 2 when the handle 1 is in the position shown in Figure 1 overlying ih© recess 14 thereby securing the handle 1 against pivotal movement relative to the base plate 2.

The latch member 21 is pivotal to withdraw the striker head 25 from the recess 14 into the pocket 20 in the underside of the handle 1 by depressing the plunger 17 against the biasing of the spring 28 to the position shown in Figure 3 thereby releasing the handle 1 for pivotal movement relative to the base plate 2 in the direction of arrow A.

In this position, the striker head 25 provides a stop face 33 engageable with an internal wall 34 of the pocket 20 to limit axial movement of the plunger 17 into the bore 18.

The plunger 17 and latch member 21 are returned to the position shown in Figure 2 under the biasing of the spring 28 on releasing the axial pressure applied io depress the plunger 17 for releasing the handle 1 for the above-described pivotal movement in the direction of the arrow A from the position shown in Figure 1.

In this position, the underside of the striker head 25 is inclined relative to the underside of the handle 1 and the lower side edge 35 provides a cam face engageable with the base plate 2 on pivotal movement of the handle in the direction of arrow B causing the latch member 21 to pivot to the position shown in Figure 3 and ride over the side of th© base plate 2 whereupon the latch member 21 automatically engages the recess 14 under the biasing of the spring 28 when the handle 1 reaches th® position shown in Figure 1.

Thus, the user only has to apply pressure to the plunger 17 to withdraw the striker head 25 into the pocket 20 for pivotal movement of the handle 1 away from the position shown in Figure 1 and th© latch member 21 is automatically re-engaged for return pivotal movement of the handle 1 to the position shown in Figure 1.

The plunger 17 is rotatable through 90° by means of the separate key 18 inserted into the keyway 10 from the position shown in Figure 2 to a -6disenabling position (not shown) in which axial movement of the plunger 17 into the bore lo against the biasing of the spring 28 to withdraw the striker head 23 into the pocket 20 is prevented by co-operating formations (not shown) of the plunger 17 and handle 1.

The plunger 17 is secured against rotation in the disenabling position by a spring loaded detent 36 mounted in the plunger 17 that is arranged to project radially from the plunger 17 on removal of the key 18 from the keyway 19 thereby locking the handle 1 relative to the base plate 2.

The detent 36 has a through hole 37 partially aligned with the 10 keyway 19 so that the detent 38 is withdrawn into the plunger 17 when the matching key 18 is inserted into the keyway 19 allowing rotation of the plunger 17 to the position shown in Figure 2 for axially depressing the plunger 17 to withdraw the striker head 25 into the pocket 20.

As will be understood from the foregoing description of an exemplary 15 embodiment, the present invention provides a handle assembly with facility for latching and optionally locking the handle against pivotal movement relative to the base plate that is of simple construction and is easy to operate.

The invention 5s not limited to the embodiment above-described, for 20 example the spring biasing the plunger and latch member to the position shown in Figure 2 could be replaced by a spring located in the packet behind the striker head to urge th© striker head out of the pocket.

The cam face for automatic latching of the striker head for return pivotal movement of the handle could b© provided on the base plate.

Any suitable lock means may be provided: for securing the plunger against rotation in the disenabling position.

Alternatively, the Dock means may be omitted. For such non-locking handle assembly, the plunger may be arranged for simple axial movement only to release the latch or provided with a formation such as thumb turn allowing rotation of the plunger to th® disenabling position to prevent accidental release of the hatch, for exampl® by a chiid.

Th® grip part of the handle may be offset as described or aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle and may b® of any suitable snap®.

The hand!® may be pivotal to either side of the base plate allowing 35 right or left hand fixing. -Τ’The handle may be made of any suitable material but is preferably made of metal or alloy, for example a zinc or brass diecasting.

The latch member may be made of the same material as the handle but is preferably made of plastic, for example acetal, to avoid damaging the surface finish of the handle for self-latching operation as above-described.

The plunger may be offset from and parallel to the pivot axis of the handle as described but this is not essential and the plunger may be aligned with the pivot axis. Alternatively, the plunger may extend at an angle to the pivot axis.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a handle assembly in whieh the spindle actuates an espagnoleite bolt, it will be understood that th® spindle may be used to actuate s wide range of locking fasteners and other door or window hardware, for example tilt/turn gear.

Also it will be understood that the arrangement of the latch member and plunger may be incorporated in a wide range of handle assemblies for different applications and uses and is not limited to the specific example described herein. For example, fasteners in which the handle is adapted for co-operating with a striker to secure a closure closed, such as window fasteners of the cockspur and wedge types, are within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. A handle assembly for a closure comprises a base plate, a handle mounted on the base plate for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position, the handle being provided with a latch assembly 5 having a striker head arranged to engage a recessed formation in the base plate under the pressure of biasing means when the handle is in the closed position to prevent movement of the handle from the closed position to the open position and, manually operable means for releasing the striker head from the recessed formation to allow the handle to be moved from the closed 10 position to the open position, the release means comprising a plunger mounted in the handle for sliding movement and arranged to project from the handle under pressure of biasing means, and a latch member mounted in the handle for pivotal movement and arranged to co-operate with the plunger whereby, on depressing the plunger, fhe latch member pivots to withdraw the 15 striker head from the recessed formation so that the handle can be moved from the Cosed position to the open position.

2. A handle assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the handle has a pocket in the underside in ’which the latch member is mounted and a through bore opening into the pocket in which the plunger is mounted. 20

3. A handle assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the plunger is biased to project from the handle by a spring received within the bore.

4. A handle assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the striker head is biased to engage the recessed formation by a spring received within the pocket. 25

5. A handle assembly according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the plunger and striker head are biased by a common spring.

6. A handle assembly according to any on® of the preceding Claims wherein the extent to which the plunger projects from the handle is limited by a stop face of the iatch member. 30

7. A handle assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the latch member is connected to the plunger by a coupling arranged to allow rotation of the plunger relative to the latch member.

8. A handle assembly according to Claim 7 wherein the coupling is provided by engagement of the iatch member with a circumferential groove 35 in the plunger. -99. A handle assembly according io Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein ihe plunger is rotatable from a first position in which the plunger can be depressed to a second position in which depression of the plunger is prevented.

5.

10. A handle assembly according to Claim 9 wherein depression of the plunger ss prevented in the second position by engagement of co-operating formations of the handle and plunger.

11. A handle assembly according to Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein the handle includes lock means for securing ihe plunger against rotation from

6. 10 the second position to the first position.

7. 12. A handle assembly according to Claim 11 wherein the lock means is operable by a key adapted to be received in th® plunger for rotating the plunger between the first and second positions.

8. 13. A handle assembly according to Claim 12 wherein the lock means 15 comprises a spring loaded detent mounted in the plunger and arranged io project radially from ihe plunger on removal of the key to secure the plunger in ihe second position.

9. 14. A handle assembly according to any one of Claims 9 to 13 wherein the plunger Is rotatable through 90° between the first and second positions. 20 15. A handle assembly according io any one of the preceding Claims wherein the striker head and recessed formation engage automatically when the handle is moved from the open position to the closed position.

16. Ai handle assembly according to Claim 15 wherein one of the striker head and base plate has a cam face for co-operating with th® other of the 25 base plat® and striker head to engage automatically the striker head in the recessed formation when the handle is moved from the open position to the closed position.

17. A handle assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein ihe plunger extends parallel to ihe pivot axis of th© handle. 30 18.

A handle assembly according io any one of Claims 1 io 16 wherein the plunger extends at an angle io the pivot axis of the handle. 1®.

A handle assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein th® latch member is pivotal about an axis transverse to the direction of sliding movement of the plunger. 35

20. A handle assembly according to any on© of the preceding Claims wherein She recessed formation In the base plate is rectangular. .-JO

21. A handle assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the striker head has parallel abutment faces on opposed sides arranged respectively to engage opposed side walls of the recessed formation 5

22. A handle assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the base plate is provided with a hole at the bottom of the recessed formation.

23. A handle assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the handle is pivotal to either side of the base plate from the closed 10 position.

24. A handle assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the handle has a longitudinal axis with a grip part of the handle being aligned with or offset to one side of the longitudinal axis.

25. A handle assembly according to any one of th® preceding Claims 15 wherein the latch member is made of plastics material.

20. A handle assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the striker head is formed integrally with the latch member.

27. A handle assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the handle is adapted for operating an espagnolelie. 20

28. A handle assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 26 wherein the handle is adapted for operating tilt/turn gear.

29. A handle assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 26 wherein the handle is adapted for co-operating with a striker to secure a closure closed.

30. A handle assembly for a closure comprises a base plate, a handle 25 mounted on the base plate for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position, the handle being provided with a latch assembly having a striker head arranged to engage a recessed formation in the base plate under the pressure of biasing means when the handle is in the closed position to prevent movement of the handle from the closed position to the 30 open position, the striker head and recessed formation being arranged to engage automatically when the handle is moved from the open position to the closed position, th© latch assembly further including manually operable means for releasing th© striker head from the recessed formation to allow the hands© to be moved from the closed position to the open position, the 35 release means comprising a plunger mounted in the handle for sliding movement and arranged to project from the handle under pressure of biasing -Ήmeans, and a latch member mounted in the handle for pivotal movement and arranged to co-operate with the plunger whereby, on depressing the plunger, the latch member pivots to withdraw the striker head from the recessed formation so that the handle can be moved from the closed position to the 5 open position, and lock means operable by a key adapted to ba received in the plunger for rotating the plunger between a first position in which the plunger can be depressed and a second position in which depression of the plunger is prevented by engagement of co-operating formations of the plunger and handle whereby, on removing the key in the second position, the 10 plunger is secured against rotation so that the handle can be locked in the closed position.

31. A handle assembly according to Claim 2Q wherein the latch member is connected to the plunger by a coupling allowing rotation of the plunger relative to the latch member.

10. 15 32. A handle assembly according io any one of the preceding Claims substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

33. A closure comprising a movable frame and a surrounding fixed frame in combination with a handle assembly according to any one of the preceding 20 Claims.

34. A closure according to Claim 33 wherein the handle assembly is mounted on the movable frame.