LU101397B1 - Pop-up operating handle - Google Patents

Abstract

In one aspect, an operating handle for a window or door, comprises a body portion by which operating handle may be secured to a part of the window or door and a manually-operable lever mounted to the body portion, the lever being movable relative to the body portion between a storage position (e.g. in which the lever is disposed substantially within the body portion) and an operating position. The lever is attached to a rotary member in or on the body portion that is adapted to engage a locking mechanism of the window or door. The lever is attached to the rotary member by a multi-arm assembly, the multi-arm assembly comprising a plurality of arms, the multi-arm assembly being positionable a first configuration (e.g. in which the multi-arm assembly is substantially linear in cross-section) when the lever is in the storage position and a second configuration (e.g. in which the multi-arm assembly is substantially trapezoidal in cross-section) when the lever is in the operating position. At least one of the arms is acted upon by a biasing element (e.g. one or more coil springs disposed within the lever), whereby the multi-arm assembly is urged under the action of the biasing element into the second configuration, such that the lever is urged into the operating position. In another aspect, an operating handle assembly for a window or door is disclosed, the operating handle assembly comprising an operating handle (e.g. as described above) and two retaining clips formed of resilient material and fixed to the body portion, each retaining clip has a generally U-shaped profile, wherein each leg of the "U" has a length such that, in use, after the body portion has been inserted into an elongate slot in the frame or profile during installation, the end of each leg abuts the frame or profile after the tightening of a screw fixed to the "U", so as to retain the body portion within the frame or profile of the window or door.

Description

POP-UP OPERATING HANDLE Technical field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to techniques for the operation and mounting of handles on closable windows and doors, such as sliding or folding/sliding doors. The invention more particularly relates to an improved pop- up operating handle for windows or doors, e.g. for installation in profiles having small/shallow profiles and/or such that the handle is flush-fitting in a storage position. Background Art

[0002] There has been made available by HOPPE North America, Inc. a folding lift & slide handle set, in which a handle part (lever) is movable relative to a mounting part in a window frame, between a storage position (in which it is flush with an outer side of the mounting part) and an operating position (in which it is spaced apart from that outer side). Although the folding mechanism of HOPPE is designed to fit on shallow extrusions, it is complex to operate, delicate and requires a gearbox behind to operate the locking devices.

[0003] Special considerations apply in the case of folding/sliding doors, e.g. where it is desired that any handle does not protrude greatly when doors are folded such as to be in a form of concertina and/or there is a desire to avoid the requirement for a separate grab handle.

[0004] EP2213816A2 discloses an operating handle for a folding/sliding door. The operating handle has a mounting part by which it may be secured to a part of the folding/sliding door in use, and a handle part which is mounted upon the mounting part. The handle part is movable relative to the mounting part between a storage position and an operating position. The handle part is engageable with an operating shaft which in use engages a locking mechanism of the folding/sliding door. The handle part has a manually-grippable part which extends to opposed sides of the operating shaft, permitting a balanced (or substantially balanced) force to be applied to the operating shaft, thereby avoiding the need for a separate grab handle.

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| ! P-VALFID-006/LU 2 LU101397

[0005] However, with the operating handle of EP2213816A2, an additional gearbox is required to operate the locking mechanism, such that more space is required in order for the operating handle to be installed. Thus, a main disadvantage is the size of the handle and gearbox — such that they cannot fit into slim profiles of window or door frames (such as a cavity or profile depth of about 21 mm).

[0006] In addition, other known pop-up handle solutions need to be quite deep and cannot be fitted into shallow profiles. Technical problem

[0007] A problem is that, with known operating handles, the designs are too complex and/or result in handles whose size is too great, e.g. due to the positioning of gearing, and the operating handles cannot be fitted into window or door frames having slim profiles.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide operating handles using simpler mechanisms and/or enabling installation into window or door frames having slim profiles (such as a cavity depth of about 21 mm). This object is achieved by an operating handle as claimed in claim 1, and the operating handle assembly as claimed in claim 17. General Description of the Invention

[0009] In order to overcome the above-mentioned issue, the present invention provides an operating handle for a window or door. The operating handle comprises a body portion by which operating handle may be secured to a part of the window or door and a manually-operable lever mounted to the body portion, the lever being movable relative to the body portion between a storage position and an operating position. The lever is attached to a rotary member in or on the body portion that is adapted to engage a locking mechanism of the window or door. The lever is attached to the rotary member by a multi-arm assembly, the multi-arm assembly comprising a plurality of arms, the multi-arm assembly being positionable in a first configuration when the lever is in the storage position and in a second configuration when the lever is in the operating position. At least one of the arms is acted upon by a biasing element, whereby the multi-arm assembly is urged under the action of the biasing element into the second configuration, such that the lever is urged into the operating position.

[0010] Preferably, in the first configuration the multi-arm assembly is substantially linear in cross-section and/or in the second configuration the multi-arm assembly is substantially trapezoidal in cross-section, in particular the multi-arm assembly is preferably arranged as a trapezoidal link mechanism.

[0011] Preferably, the biasing element is disposed within the lever.

[0012] In an embodiment, when in the storage position, the lever is disposed substantially within the body portion, preferably such that its outer surface is flush or substantially flush with the outer surface of the body portion.

[0013] Preferably, each arm of the muiti-arm assembly is connected at one end thereof to the rotary member and at the other end thereof to a part of the lever.

[0014] Preferably, the at least one of the arm is connected to a biasing guide member configured for linear reciprocating motion, and the biasing element comprises one or more springs having, in use, one end thereof abutting a fixed first surface and another end thereof abutting a second surface on the biasing guide member.

[0015] Preferably, the biasing guide member and/or the biasing element are disposed substantially within the lever.

[0016] The operating handle may further include a rotary gear member, wherein the rotary member comprises a rotary base having on a side thereof opposite the multi-arm assembly a projection of polygonal cross-section configured to be disposed within and to engage a correspondingly shaped recess in the rotary gear member. Preferably, the rotary gear member includes, on a side thereof opposite the recess, a plurality of circumferentially disposed and/or radially extending first teeth. Preferably: the locking mechanism includes one or more axially translatable locking rods, each locking rod being configured for pushing a locking bolt at one end thereof into, or withdrawing the locking bolt from, a respective keep in the frame of the window or door; the operating handle further includes, disposed within the body portion, one or more axially translatable toothed rods, each toothed rod having (i) on a portion thereof at one end thereof, a plurality of linearly disposed | |

| P-VALFID-006/LU 4 LU101397 transversely projecting second teeth configured to engage, in use, the first teeth and (ii) at the other end thereof, an engagement portion for engaging an end of a respective locking rod opposite the locking bolt; and in use, rotation of the rotary gear member in a first direction or a second direction through corresponding rotation of the lever is such as to cause, respectively, linear movement of the or each locking bolt into or out of a respective keep.

[0017] In embodiments, the operating handle is retained within the body portion as the axis of the multi-arm assembly, e.g. a trapezoidal link mechanism, toggles past a centreline (past top-dead-centre), thereby holding the lever in the storage position.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally (e.g. to increase the force required to lift the lever out of its storage position), the operating handle further includes a retention element within the body portion for retaining the multi-arm assembly in the first configuration so as to hold the lever in the storage position. Preferably, the rotary member is made of, or contains a component made of, ferritic metal, and the retention element comprises a magnet. Alternatively or additionally, the retention element can be any other appropriate element, such as a detent, a clip, etc.

[0019] In embodiments, the body portion is an elongate member having a rectangular cross-section, the body portion being configured to be fitted into a correspondingly shaped elongate slot in a frame or profile during installation. Preferably, the body portion has, in use and prior to installation, at least two retaining clips formed of resilient material fixed thereto; wherein each retaining clip has a generally U-shaped profile and is fixed such that the base of the “U” is in contact with a first elongate side of the body portion configured to be inserted first into the elongate slot in a frame or profile during installation. Preferably, once each retaining clip is fixed to the body portion, each leg of the “U” is inclined so as to define an acute angle relative to a respective sidewall of the body portion extending between the first elongate side and a second elongate side, opposite the first elongate side. Preferably, each leg of the “U” has a length such that, after the body portion has been inserted into the elongate slot in the frame or profile, the end of each leg abuts the frame or profile, so as to retain the body portion within the frame or profile. In embodiments, the “U” (i.e. the retaining clip) is connected to | |

| | P-VALFID-006/LU 5 LU101397 a screw through a nut, such that when the screw is tightened, after the body portion has been inserted into the elongate slot in the frame or profile, it is configured to push the end of each leg against the underside of the frame or profile, so as to retain the body portion within the frame or profile. In alternative embodiments, the operating handle assembly comprises only one retaining clip, such as those described above, in which case this clip preferably works together with a fixed lip arranged on a side of the body portion opposite to said retaining clip, the lip being engaged first inside the profile and thereafter the operating handle is fixed to the profile by tightening the screw connected to the retaining clip.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operating handle assembly for a window or door. The operating handle assembly comprises an operating handle, the operating handle comprising a body portion by which operating handle may be secured to the window or door, the body portion being an elongate member having a rectangular cross-section and being configured to be fitted into a correspondingly shaped elongate slot in a frame or profile of the window or door during installation, and a manually-operable lever mounted to the body portion, the lever being movable relative to the body portion between a storage position and an operating position. In some embodiments, the operating handle assembly comprises at least two retaining clips formed of resilient material and fixed to the body portion. Each retaining clip has a generally U-shaped profile and is fixed such that the base of the “U” is in contact with a first elongate side of the body portion configured to be inserted first into the elongate slot in a frame or profile during installation. Each leg of the “U” is inclined so as to define an acute angle relative to a respective sidewall of the body portion extending between the first elongate side and a second elongate side, opposite the first elongate side. Each leg of the “U” has a length such that, in use, after the body portion has been inserted into the elongate slot in the frame or profile, the end of each leg abuts the frame or profile when tightening the screw connected to the retaining clip, so as to firmly retain the body portion within the frame or profile. In embodiments, the “U” (i.e. the retaining clip) is connected to a screw through a nut, such that when the screw is tightened, after the body portion has been inserted into the elongate slot in the frame or profile, it is configured to push the end of each leg against the frame or profile, so as to retain the body portion within | i | P-VALFID-006/LU 6 LU101397 the frame or profile. The screw can be loosened if desired in order to disengage the retaining clip and remove the handle from the profile. In alternative embodiments, the operating handle assembly comprises only one retaining clip, such as those described above, in which case this clip preferably works together with a fixed lip arranged on a side of the body portion opposite to said retaining clip, the lip being engaged first inside the profile and thereafter the operating handle is fixed to the profile by tightening the screw connected to the retaining clip.

[0021] In the operating handle assembly, the operating handle may be an operating handle as disclosed above.

[0022] An advantage of the invention is to provide operating handles using simpler mechanisms and/or that can be installed into window or door frames having slim profiles (such as a cavity depth of 21 mm).

[0023] More particularly, at least in embodiments, the pop-up springs are integrated into the lever and also the gearbox mechanism is integrated into the operating handle, assisting in reducing size and/or complexity, and/or the handle stays completely flush when closed.

[0024] At least in embodiments, the trapezoidal link mechanism allows handle to be very slim but still project in a parallel manner once popped out, as is the case with known flush-fitting/pop-up operating handles.

[0025] At least in embodiments, the need of an additional gearbox (e.g. within the profile or the operating handle) is avoided when using a rotating handle.

[0026] At least in embodiments, the fixation (e.g. of the operating handle into a slot of a profile of a window or door frame) can be done without the use of fixing screws on the profile.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] Further details and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a non-limiting embodiment with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: Figure 1(a) is a plan view of an operating handle for a window or door, according to an embodiment, in a condition with a lever in a storage position; Fig. 1(b) is a : |

| | P-VALFID-006/LU 7 LU101397 lateral view of the operating handle of Fig. 1(a); and Fig. 1(c) is an end view of the operating handle of Fig. 1(a); Figure 2(a) is a perspective view from above of the operating handle of Fig. 1(a) in an open condition with a lever in an operation position; and Fig. 2(b) is a partially cut-away lateral view of the operating handle of Fig. 2(a); Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the operating handle of Figs 1 and 2; Figure 4 is an inverted partial perspective view of the operating handle lever of Figs 1 and 2; Figure 5(a) is a lateral cross-sectional view of the operating handle lever of Fig. 1(a) of the operating handle of Figs 1 and 2 with a lever in a storage position; and Fig. 5(b) is a lateral cross-sectional view of the operating handle lever of Figs 1 and 2 with a lever in an operation position; Figure 6(a) is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a profile of a window or door, in which the operating handle of Figs 1 and 2 is installed; Fig. 6(b) is an enlarged partial perspective view of the embodiment of the profile of Fig. 6(a); Fig. 6(c) is an enlarged view of an embodiment of a locking rod of Fig. 6(a); Fig. 6(d) is an enlarged view of an embodiment of locking guides and locking bolts of Fig. 6(b); and Fig. 6(e) is an enlarged view of an embodiment of keeps using in the locking mechanism of Fig. 6(a); Figure 7 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the profile of Fig. 6(a) showing the operating handle of Figs 1 and 2 immediately prior to installation into a profile of a window or door; Figure 8(a) is an longitudinal cross-sectional view of the profile of Fig. 6(a) showing the operating handle of Figs 1 and 2 during insertion therein; Fig. 8(b) is a perspective view from below of the operating handle of Figs 1 and 2 at the point shown in Fig. 8(a); Fig. 8(c) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the profile of Fig. 6(a) showing the operating handle of Figs 1 and 2 once insertion therein is completed; and Fig. 8(d) is a perspective view from below of the operating handle of Figs 1 and 2 at the point shown in Fig. 8(c).

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: | P-VALFID-006/LU 8 LU101397 Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0028] In the following, like reference numerals denote like parts, and any element, design feature or method step of any embodiment may be used in combination with an element, design feature or method step of any other embodiment unless stated otherwise herein.

[0029] Unless indicated otherwise, the components described/illustrated herein may be made of, for example, aluminium or steel, and/or may be fabricated using turning, pressing, casting, moulding and/or machining.

[0030] Figure 1(a) is a plan view (from above) of an operating handle 32 for a window or door (not shown), according to an embodiment, in an open condition with a lever 1 in a storage position; Fig. 1(b) is a lateral view of the operating handle 32 of Fig. 1(a); and Fig. 1(c) is an end view of the operating handle 32 of Fig. 1(a). The operating handle 32 comprises a body portion 21 by which operating handle 32 may be secured to a part of the window or door (not shown) and which includes a gearing mechanism, and a manually-operable lever 1 mounted to the body portion 21, the lever 1 being movable relative to the body portion 21 between a storage position (Figs 1(a) to 1(c)) and an operating position, discussed further hereinafter.

[0031] In an embodiment, when in the storage position the lever 1 is disposed substantially within the body portion 21. In this way, as best seen in Figs 1(a) and 1(c), a first outer surface 33 of the lever 1 is substantially flush with, i.e. does not protrude substantially beyond, a second outer surface 34 of the body portion 21 and/or the window or door profile (not shown). In embodiments, in use, the lever 1 can be moved out of the position shown in Figs 1(a) to 1(c) by a user pulling up an end edge 35 with a finger, or, in an alternative, pushing down on an end surface portion 36 with a finger, in order to release the operating handle from a retention mechanism (discuss further hereinbelow).

[0032] Figure 2(a) is a perspective view from above of the operating handle 32 of Fig. 1(a) with a lever 1 in an operation position; and Fig. 2(b) is a partially cut-away lateral view of the operating handle 32 of Fig. 2(a). Compared with the condition in Figs 1(a) to 1(c), in Figs 2(a) and 2(b) the lever 1 has projected out and rotated, i

| P-VALFID-006/LU 9 LU101397 e.g. transverse to the plane of first outer surface 33 and of second outer surface 34 and in the direction of arrow A (see Fig. 2(b)).

[0033] As seen in Fig. 2(a), in embodiments, the body portion 21 includes an elongate internal recess 37 for receiving the lever 1. As will be appreciated, in embodiments, the end edge 35 being adjacent a first recess end 38 or a second recess end 39 may correspond to the operating handle 32 being in a locked or unlocked condition.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 2(b), the lever 1 is attached to a rotary member 7 in or on the body portion 21 that is adapted to operate a locking mechanism (not shown) of the window or door, via the integrated gearbox comprising the rotary gear member 13 (e.g. toothed wheel) and the toothed rods 14 (see Fig. 3).

[0035] The lever 1 is attached to the rotary member 7 by a multi-arm assembly 6, the muiti-arm assembly 6 comprising a plurality of arms (6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4), the multi-arm assembly 6 being positionable in a first configuration (Figs 1(a) to 1(c)) when the lever 1 is in the storage position and in a second configuration (Figs 2(a) and 2(b)) when the lever 1 is in the operating position.

[0036] As will be discussed in more detail hereinafter, at least one arm 6-1 of the arms 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 is acted upon by a biasing element (not shown), whereby the multi-arm assembly 6 is urged under the action of the biasing element into the second configuration, such that the lever 1 is urged into the operating position.

[0037] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the operating handle 32 of Figs 1 and 2. In an embodiment, the biasing element comprises one or more coil springs 9. In an embodiment, the coil springs 9 and/or a biasing guide member 8 are disposed within the lever. More particularly, in an embodiment, assembled within the lever 1 are front covers 2, a magnet 3, a ferritic captive nut 3a, fixing screws 4a/4b, the coil springs 9, the biasing guide member 8, and a back cover 10, the latter being attached by screws 11. In an embodiment, the body portion 21 is an elongate member having a rectangular cross-section.

[0038] In an embodiment, each arm 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 of the multi-arm assembly 6 is connected at one end thereof to a part of the lever 1 (e.g. via first pins 5-1), and/or at the other end thereof to the rotary member 7 (e.g. via second pins 5-2).

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[0039] In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the operating handle 32 includes a front body 12 and a back body 15, these being attached via fixing screws 4b.

[0040] In an embodiment, the operating handle 32 includes a rotary gear member

13. Further, in an embodiment, the rotary member 7 comprises a rotary base 7 having on a side thereof opposite the multi-arm assembly 6 a projection 40 of polygonal cross-section configured to be disposed within and to engage a correspondingly shaped recess 41 in the rotary gear member 13. The rotary base 7 is fixed with its projection 40 fittingly inserted inside the recess 41 of the rotary gear member 13 and held therein thanks to the fixing screw 17. Opposing spring ball plungers 20 create a detent and are provided to indicate the open/close position by making a “click” on the rotary gear member 13 at 0° and 180° acting on two small notches on the rotating gear member 13.

[0041] In an embodiment, the rotary gear member 13 includes, on a side thereof opposite the recess, a plurality of circumferentially disposed and/or radially extending primary teeth 42.

[0042] Referring briefly to Figs 6(a) to 6(e), Fig. 6(a) is a partial perspective view of a profile 28 of a window or door, in which the operating handle 32 of Figs 1 and 2 is installed. In an embodiment, installed within and movable within the profile 28 are locking rods 24. (Figure 6(c) is an enlarged view of a locking rod of Fig. 6(a).) Figure 6(b) is an enlarged partial perspective view of a profile of Fig. 6(a), and this shows a bolt 22 to which an end of the locking rod 24 is attached, the bolt 22 being able to pass through a guide 25 that is configured to be fitted into a respective end of the profile 28. (Figure 6(d) is an enlarged view of locking guides and locking bolts of Fig. 6(b).) Fig. 6(e) is an enlarged view of keeps 23 using in the locking mechanism of Fig. 6(a); and, in operation the bolts 22 can be received within respective keeps 23 in order to provide locking.

[0043] Thus, in an embodiment, the locking mechanism includes one or more of the axially translatable locking rods 24 (Fig. 6(a)), each locking rod 24 being configured for pushing a locking bolt 22 at one end thereof into, or withdrawing the locking bolt 22 from, a respective keep 23 in the frame of the window or door.

[0044] In this context, it is to be understood that the locking device as per Fig 6(b) is only one example of a number of possible locking devices. Indeed the pop- !

; | P-VALFID-006/LU 11 LU101397 up handle can also be used with any other locking mechanism. For example, it can operate a rod sliding into a groove and moving bolts on keeps to lock/unlock a window or it can also be used together with a separate gearbox in special cases such as for so-called lift and slide doors.

[0045] Returning to Fig. 3, in an embodiment, the operating handle 32 further includes, disposed within the body portion 21, one or more axially translatable toothed rods 14, each toothed rod having (i) on a portion thereof at one end thereof, a plurality of linearly disposed transversely projecting secondary teeth 43 configured to engage, in use, the primary teeth 42 and (ii) at the other end thereof, an engagement portion 44 for engaging an end of a respective locking rod 24 opposite the locking bolt 22. In an embodiment, each engagement portion 44 includes a circular engagement recess 53, such as for receiving an end of a locking rod 24 (Fig. 6(a)), e.g. using a respective rod connector 19.

[0046] In an embodiment, in use, rotation of the rotary gear member 13 in a first direction or a second direction through corresponding rotation of the lever 1 is such as to cause, respectively, linear movement of the or each locking bolt 22 into or out of a respective keep 23.

[0047] In an embodiment, the body portion 21 has, in use and prior to installation, two retaining clips 16 formed of resilient material fixed thereto (e.g. using nuts 18), as will be described in further detail hereinafter.

[0048] Figure 4 is an inverted partial perspective view of the lever 1 of the operating handle 32 of Figs 1 and 2. In an embodiment, at least one arm 6-1 of the multi-arm assembly 6 is connected to the biasing guide member 8 that is configured for linear reciprocating motion (as indicated schematically by arrow C in Fig. 4), and the biasing element comprises one or more (here: 3) coil springs 9 each having, in use, one end 45 thereof abutting a fixed first surface 46 (i.e. an internal end surface in a recess 47 within the lever 1) and another end 48 thereof abutting a second surface 49 on the biasing guide member 8.

[0049] Referring briefly to Fig. 3, the biasing guide member 8 may have one or more (here: 3) prongs 50 thereon (e.g. projecting from the second surface 49), upon which the coil springs 9 are concentrically disposed.

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| | P-VALFID-006/LU 12 LU101397

[0050] Returning to Fig. 4, in an embodiment, the operating handle further includes a retention element within the lever 1 for retaining the multi-arm assembly 6 in the first configuration, so as to hold the lever 1 in the storage position. In an embodiment, the rotary member 7 contains a component made of ferritic metal (captive nut 3a), and the retention element comprises a magnet 3 inserted into lever 1.

[0051] In an embodiment, the lever 1 includes at end 36 an inclined end surface 51 facilitating a user positioning their finger under the lever 1 in order to lift the lever 1 until rotary base 7 is no longer (sufficiently) acted upon/attracted by magnet 3 and thus the lever is urged by the biasing element out of the storage position (Figs 1(a) to 1(c) and into the operation position (Figs 2(a) and 2(b)).

[0052] Figure 5(a) is a lateral cross-sectional view of the operating handle 32 of Figs 1 and 2 in a closed condition with a lever 1 in a storage position; and Fig. 5(b) is a lateral cross-sectional view of the operating handle 32 of Figs 1 and 2 in an open condition with a lever 1 in an operation position.

[0053] It can be seen that, in an embodiment, in the first configuration (Fig. 5(a)) the multi-arm assembly 6 is substantially linear in cross-section (and, e.g., the coil springs 9 are compressed by the biasing guide member 8) and/or in the second configuration (Fig. 5(b)) the multi-arm assembly 6 is substantially trapezoidal in cross-section (and, e.g., the coil springs 9 are relaxed and no longer compressed by the biasing guide member 8). Thus, the lever 1 moves from the storage position to the operation position under biasing action of the biasing element (e.g. coil springs 9) contained within the lever 1.

[0054] Figure 7 is an enlarged partial view of the profile 28 of a window or door of Fig. 6(a) showing the operating handle 32 of Figs 1 and 2 immediately prior to installation therein.

[0055] More particularly, in an embodiment, the body portion 21 is an elongate member having a rectangular cross-section, the body portion 21 being configured to be fitted into a correspondingly shaped elongate (machined) slot 27 in the profile 28 or frame during installation.

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! P-VALFID-006/LU 13 LU101397

[0056] In an embodiment, the body portion 21 has, in use and prior to installation, at least two retaining clips 16 formed of resilient material fixed thereto. In an embodiment, each retaining clip 16 has a generally U-shaped profile and is fixed such that the base of the “U” is in contact with a first elongate side 52 (see also Fig. 3) of the body portion 21 configured to be inserted first into the elongate slot 27 in a frame or profile 28 during installation and then engaged to the profile by tightening the screws 4a.

[0057] Figure 8(a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the profile 28 of Fig. 6(a) showing the operating handle 32 of Figs 1 and 2 during insertion therein. In particular, during installation, the body portion 21 is inserted in the direction of arrow D. Figure 8(b) is a perspective view from below of the operating handle of Figs 1 and 2 at the point shown in Fig. 8(a). In an embodiment, a sidewall recess 53 is provided on each sidewall 54, 55 of the body portion 21 extending partially between the first elongate side 52 and a second elongate side 56, opposite the first elongate side. Thus, in an embodiment, during insertion and at the point shown in Fig. 8(b), an outer surface 57 of a retaining clip 16 is substantially flush with the adjacent sidewall 54. The legs 29 of the retaining clips 16 are splayed as they ride up a ramp/chamfer 53a at top of sidewall recess 53 on either side.

[0058] Figure 8(c) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the profile of Fig. 6(a) showing the operating handle 32 of Figs 1 and 2 once insertion therein is completed; and Fig. 8(d) is a perspective view from below of the operating handle 32 of Figs 1 and 2 at the point shown in Fig. 8(c). In an embodiment, once each retaining clip 16 is fixed to the body portion 21, each leg 29 of the “U” (has sprung outwards e.g. thanks to the ramp 53a at top of recess and) is inclined so as to define an acute angle relative to a respective sidewall 54, 55 of the body portion

21.

[0059] In an embodiment, the retaining clip 16 is connected to the screw 4a through the nut 18. When the screw 4a is fastened, after the body portion 21 has been inserted into the elongate slot 27 in the frame or profile 28, the end 57 of each leg 29 abuts the frame or profile 28, so as to firmly retain the body portion 21 within the frame or profile 28. | | Co

[0060] While embodiments have been described by reference to embodiments of survey devices having various components in their respective implementations, it will be appreciated that other embodiments make use of other combinations and permutations of these and other components.

Legend + ]lever à.) 3 magnet à |

6... |'multi-armassembly | ja |biasingguidemember 1 9 | coil spring(s) | 22 bos) | 2s |gude | | | | | | i | P-VALFID-006/LU 15 LU101397 48 |otherendofsping | |

Claims (18)

1 i | P-VALFID-006/LU 16 LU101397 Claims

1. An operating handle for a window or door, the operating handle comprising: a body portion by which operating handle may be secured to a part of the window or door; and a manually-operable lever mounted to the body portion, the lever being movable relative to the body portion between a storage position and an operating position, wherein the lever is attached to a rotary member in or on the body portion that is adapted to engage a locking mechanism of the window or door; wherein the lever is attached to the rotary member by a multi-arm assembly, the multi-arm assembly comprising a plurality of arms, the multi-arm assembly being positionable in a first configuration when the lever is in the storage position and in a second configuration when the lever is in the operating position; wherein at least one of the arms is acted upon by a biasing element, whereby the multi-arm assembly is urged under the action of the biasing element into the second configuration, such that the lever is urged into the operating position.

2. The operating handle according to claim 1, wherein in the first configuration the multi-arm assembly is substantially linear in cross-section and/or wherein in the second configuration the multi-arm assembly is substantially trapezoidal in cross-section.

3. The operating handle according to claim 1 and 2, wherein the biasing element is disposed within the lever.

4. The operating handle according to claim 1 and 2, wherein, when in the storage position, the lever is disposed substantially within the body portion.

5. The operating handle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each arm of the multi-arm assembly is connected at one end thereof to the rotary member and at the other end thereof to a part of the lever.

6. The operating handle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one of the arms is connected to a biasing guide member |

| | P-VALFID-006/LU 17 LU101397 configured for linear reciprocating motion, and the biasing element comprises one or more springs having, in use, one end thereof abutting a fixed first surface and another end thereof abutting a second surface on the biasing guide member.

7. The operating handle according to claim 6, wherein biasing guide member and/or the biasing element are disposed within the lever.

8. The operating handle according to any one of the preceding claims, further including a rotary gear member, wherein: the rotary member comprises a rotary base having on a side thereof opposite the multi-arm assembly a projection of polygonal cross-section configured to be disposed within and to engage a correspondingly shaped recess in the rotary gear member.

9. The operating handle according to claim 8, wherein the rotary gear member includes, on a side thereof opposite the recess, a plurality of circumferentially disposed and/or radially extending first teeth.

10. The operating handle according to claim 9, wherein: the locking mechanism includes one or more axially translatable locking rods, each locking rod being configured for pushing a locking bolt at one end thereof into, or withdrawing the locking bolt from, a respective keep in the frame of the window or door, the operating handle further includes, disposed within the body portion, one or more axially translatable toothed rods, each toothed rod having (i) on a portion thereof at one end thereof, a plurality of linearly disposed transversely projecting second teeth configured to engage, in use, the first teeth and (it) at the other end thereof, an engagement portion for engaging an end of a respective locking rod opposite the locking bolt; and in use, rotation of the rotary gear member in a first direction or a second direction through corresponding rotation of the lever is such as to cause, respectively, linear movement of the or each locking bolt into or out of a respective keep.

11. The operating handle according to any one of the preceding claims, further including a retention element within the lever for retaining the multi-arm ; |

| P-VALFID-006/LU 18 LU101397 assembly in the first configuration so as to hold the lever in the storage position.

12. The operating handle according to claim 11, wherein the rotary member is made of, or contains a component made of, ferrous metal, and the retention element comprises a magnet.

13. The operating handle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body portion is an elongate member having a rectangular cross-section, the body portion being configured to be fitted into a correspondingly shaped elongate slot in a frame or profile during installation.

14. The operating handle according to claim 13, wherein the body portion has, in use and prior to installation, one, two or more retaining clips formed of resilient material fixed thereto; wherein each retaining clip has a generally U-shaped profile and is fixed such that the base of the “U” is in contact with a first elongate side of the body portion configured to be inserted first into the elongate slot in a frame or profile during installation.

15. The operating handle according to claim 14, wherein, once each retaining clip is fixed to the body portion, each leg of the “U” is inclined so as to define an acute angle relative to a respective sidewall of the body portion extending between the first elongate side and a second elongate side, opposite the first elongate side.

16. The operating handle according to claim 14, wherein the “U” is connected to a screw through a nut, such that when the screw is tightened, after the body portion has been inserted into the elongate slot in the frame or profile, it is configured to push the end of each leg against the frame or profile, so as to retain the body portion within the frame or profile.

17. An operating handle assembly for a window or door, the operating handle assembly comprising: an operating handle, the operating handle comprising: a body portion by which operating handle may be secured to the window or door, the body portion being an elongate member having a rectangular | |

| | P-VALFID-006/LU 19 LU101397 cross-section and being configured to be fitted into a correspondingly shaped elongate slot in a frame or profile of the window or door during installation; and a manually-operable lever mounted to the body portion, the lever being movable relative to the body portion between a storage position and an operating position; and one, two or more retaining clips formed of resilient material and fixed to the body portion, wherein: each retaining clip has a generally U-shaped profile and is fixed such that the base of the “U” is in contact with a first elongate side of the body portion configured to be inserted first into the elongate slot in a frame or profile during installation: each leg of the “U” is inclined so as to define an acute angle relative to a respective sidewall of the body portion extending between the first elongate side and a second elongate side, opposite the first elongate side: and the “U” is connected to a screw through a nut, such that when the screw is tightened, after the body portion has been inserted into the elongate slot in the frame or profile, it is configured to push the end of each leg against the frame or profile, so as to retain the body portion within the frame or profile.

18. The operating handle assembly of claim 17, wherein the operating handle is as claimed in claimed in any of claims 1 to 16. | |