NZ733617A - Improved Door Furniture and Method of Installation - Google Patents
Improved Door Furniture and Method of InstallationInfo
- Publication number
- NZ733617A NZ733617A NZ733617A NZ73361717A NZ733617A NZ 733617 A NZ733617 A NZ 733617A NZ 733617 A NZ733617 A NZ 733617A NZ 73361717 A NZ73361717 A NZ 73361717A NZ 733617 A NZ733617 A NZ 733617A
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- furniture
- housing portion
- spindle
- door
- cassette
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 title abstract description 8
- 239000000789 fastener Substances 0.000 claims description 73
- 230000002093 peripheral Effects 0.000 claims description 49
- 210000002832 Shoulder Anatomy 0.000 claims description 32
- 210000001699 lower leg Anatomy 0.000 claims description 19
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000001419 dependent Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 241000220317 Rosa Species 0.000 description 5
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002441 reversible Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006011 modification reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003247 radioactive fallout Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009877 rendering Methods 0.000 description 1
Abstract
The present invention relates to door furniture and methods of installation and particularly to door furniture for interior doors to minimise assembly issues.
Description
IMPROVED DOOR FURNITURE AND METHOD OF INSTALLATION
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to door furniture and methods of installation and
particularly to door furniture with components to minimise assembly issues.
BACKGROUND ART
Door furniture (levers and escutcheon sets as commonly used on interior doors) is
known for being awkward and time-consuming to install. Often parts have to be cut to length
(fixing screws, spindles and the like). In addition to this, parts can fall out as they are installed
(calling for the need for a “third hand”). Also, if the levers are provided in the wrong hand
(suited to a left hand hung door as opposed to a right-hand hung door), it can be difficult and
time-consuming for the average person to change handing.
In attempting to change handing, it is very easy to lose parts of the assembly,
rendering the product useless. This can mean a second trip to the hardware store and more
expense.
Even for an experienced locksmith, these issues can be a problem as it has an effect
on job pricing and the time taken to complete the task. For a carpenter who may be fitting many
sets of door furniture in a building, this can be a serious problem.
For a manufacturer or wholesaler, the wide number of lever styles available today,
can mean carrying a significant inventory in order to be able to satisfy customer orders. To fill
all possible orders, sets of both left and right handing have to be maintained and with each of the
lever styles offered. This can mean carrying a lot of stock, some of which might be very slow
moving, in order to be prepared for any possible order.
Yet another issue facing those who carry stock of and those who install door
furniture is that conventional door furniture is either designed to be installed with a retractable
latch or with a mortise lock. These two applications generally require different fixing screw
orientations (horizontally opposed for a mortise lock and vertically opposed for a retractable
latch). This is again, another burden on inventory as it this generally requires a separate
(different) furniture set with currently available products.
It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this
reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general
knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention is directed to improved door furniture and method of
installation, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned
disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.
With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a
door furniture assembly for a rotatable door handle or lever, the door furniture assembly
including
a) a rotatable door handle or lever;
b) at least one furniture housing portion adapted to mount a rotatable door handle or lever
relative thereto,
c) an operating cassette releasably engageable with the at least one furniture housing
portion, the cassette including a spring housing, and a spring housing cover, together
defining a housing to contain a lever spring and a drive plate to engage with the a
rotatable door handle or lever; and
d) an elongate spindle to engage with the a rotatable door handle or lever and a retractable
latch such that rotation of the door handle or lever causes movement of the retractable
latch
wherein the rotatable door handle or lever can be reoriented relative to the operating cassette
to change the handedness of the door furniture.
In an alternative aspect, the present invention resides in a hold-in spindle system for
a rotatable door handle or lever mechanism, the system including
a) an elongate spindle,
b) at least one furniture housing portion mounting a handle or lever for rotation against a
resilient return,
c) a spindle retaining member engageable with the spindle and having
a. at least one deformable arm with a portion extending laterally beyond the spindle
in order to releasably engage the spindle with the at least one furniture housing
portion and
b. at least one rigid engagement portion to engage with the spindle
such that the elongate spindle and spindle retaining member can be snapfit to the at least one
furniture housing portion to be held there by the spindle retaining member.
In an alternative aspect, the present invention resides in a snap fit mounting assembly
for door furniture, the snap fit mounting assembly including
a) a first furniture housing portion to be mounted on a first side of the door,
b) a second furniture housing portion to be mounted on a second side of the door,
at least one of the first furniture housing portion and second furniture housing portion
engageable with an opening mechanism and at least one of the first furniture housing portion
and second housing portion having a seating groove at least partially about a circumferential
surface thereof,
c) at least a pair of connectors associated with one of the first furniture housing portion and
second furniture housing portion, each connector being length adjustable and each
including at least one abutment shoulder and
d) at least one resilient clip seated in the seating groove and deformable to engage with the
at least one abutment surface of each of the connectors when the first furniture housing
portion and second furniture housing portion are forced together from opposite sides of
the door in order to mount the housing portions to each other.
In normal operation of the present invention, the spindle engages with the rotatable
door handle or lever and the drive plate also engages with the rotatable door handle or lever and
the spring in the cassette. However, there is normally an indirect engagement between the drive
plate and the spindle.
In some embodiments, the present invention includes at least one furniture housing
portion adapted to mount a rotatable door handle or lever relative thereto. The rotatable door
handle or lever is normally mounted relative to the door using an escutcheon or rose mounting
the rotatable door handle. The escutcheon or rose typically has multiple components, in
particular, will normally have at least one furniture housing portion in order to mount the
rotatable door handle relative to the door and a detachable cover or trim which covers the
furniture housing portion to provide an aesthetically pleasing view.
Any type of rotatable handle, lever or knob can be mounted relative to the
escutcheon or rose including a passage lever or the like.
Typically the at least one furniture housing portion is circular but it may have any
shape.
Generally, the at least one furniture housing portion is mounted relative to a door
surface. Normally, the housing portion will define a cavity on one side thereof. The cavity may
be any shape but is generally circular. A central bore is typically provided through the housing
portion through which a portion of the door handle or lever is received.
The at least one furniture housing portion will preferably have an annular outer wall
surrounding the preferred central bore with a peripheral wall extending from the outer wall to
define the cavity on one side thereof. The cavity of the furniture housing portion will preferably
receive operating components therein allowing the door handle portion extending through the
preferred central bore, to engage with the operating components.
A number of mounting openings are provided, normally through the annular outer
wall in order to receive fixing or mounting screws or similar to mount the housing portion
relative to the door surface. Normally, four mounting openings are provided, two mounting
openings allowing vertical screw fixing and two mounting openings allowing horizontal screw
fixing. Normally, the user will select which of the mounting openings or combination of
mounting openings is to be used to mount the furniture housing portion. Each leverset will
normally be supplied as either horizontal or vertical fix mounting. Additional screws may be
supplied to permit conversion if needed.
A fastener seating opening or depression is preferably provided on an interior side
surface of the peripheral walls corresponding to the location of each of the mounting openings in
the furniture housing portion in order to seat the fasteners used to mount the housing portion
relative to the door surface at least partially therein. The openings or depressions are preferably
arcuate and a semicircular shape is preferred. The mounting openings will preferably have a
tapered entryway part provided about the end of each fastener seating opening or depression
located on a free end of the peripheral wall. The tapered entryway part will typically correspond
to a tapered entryway part provided on the preferred cassette to define a tapered entryway,
discussed further below.
In relation to the fixing or mounting screws used to mount the housing portion
relative to the door surface, it is preferred that at least some of the fixing or mounting screws are
quick fix connectors as discussed below. Usually, either quick fix connectors or normal screws
would be used, application dependent, although quick fix connectors can be used in combination
with normal screws to secure the furniture housing portion to the door if desired by a user.
The peripheral wall of the at least one furniture housing portion is preferably
provided with a seating groove into which a spring clip can be at least partially received.
Preferably, the seating groove is or includes an opening provided into the preferred circular
surface of the peripheral wall. Some portions of the seating groove may extend more deeply into
or even, completely through the peripheral wall and therefore form elongate slot openings
extending through the peripheral wall. The seating groove will typically seat the spring clip such
that the spring clip extends, preferably laterally, partially into the fastener seating openings or
depressions in the furniture housing portion. In this way, the spring clip can engage with
portions of the fasteners used. As will be discussed below, the preferred spring clip is
substantially C-shaped and therefore, the preferred seating groove will also be substantially C-
shaped, provided relative to the preferred outer, circular surface of the peripheral wall.
It is also further preferred that an internal surface of the cavity, preferably an internal
surface of the peripheral wall is provided with at least one cassette guide or alignment groove or
protrusion in order to seat the cassette within the cavity and to prevent rotation of the cassette
relative to the furniture housing portion once properly located in the cavity. It is particularly
preferred that at least two cassette guide or alignment grooves or protrusions are provided with
the corresponding configuration provided on the cassette. In a particularly preferred
embodiment, a pair of arcuate open grooves is provided on one of the walls of the cavity of the
furniture housing portion to correspond to a pair of arcuate protrusions provided on the cassette.
In use, typically a matched pair of housing portions is provided, one for either side
surface of the door. The matched pair of housing portions are typically provided on either side
surface of the door in alignment with one another and then connected together through the door,
sandwiching the door between the connected housing portions.
The present invention also preferably includes an operating cassette releasably
engageable with the at least one furniture housing portion, the cassette including a spring
housing, a spring housing cover together defining a housing to contain a lever spring and a drive
plate. According to the present invention, the elongate spindle engages with the lever/handle and
the drive plate engages with the lever/handle and the spring. However, there is normally an
indirect engagement between the drive plate and the spindle.
The cassette will preferably be provided in an assembled form in order to minimise
the number of parts required to fit the door handle relative to the door. The spring housing and
the spring housing cover will typically be attachable together in any way. It is preferred that the
housing and cover will clip or snap together but fasteners may be used. The assembled cassette
will also normally be provided within the furniture.
The spring housing will typically include an annular, substantially planar, outer wall
and a peripheral wall extending therefrom in order to define a cavity within the spring housing.
The spring housing will typically include a substantially centrally located opening in the annular
outer wall in order to align with the preferred central opening in the furniture housing portion in
order to receive and allow passage to part of the handle and/or spindle. The opening in the
annular outer wall of the spring housing is preferably substantially circular.
According to a preferred embodiment, one or more portions of an operating
mechanism will typically extend radially into the preferred central opening in the cassette in
order to engage with a portion or portions of the handle and/or spindle.
It is preferred that the exterior of the peripheral wall of the spring housing is
provided with at least one, and preferably a pair of cassette guide protrusions in order to seat the
cassette within the cavity defined in the furniture housing portion. Normally, the protrusions are
received in cassette guide grooves provided on an interior surface of the peripheral wall of the
furniture housing portion. The protrusions are preferably arcuate portions, preferably extending
over the height of the peripheral wall and in some circumstances, the protrusions may extend
beyond a free end edge of the peripheral wall in order to guide attachment of the spring housing
cover relative to the spring housing.
It is preferred that an external surface of the peripheral wall of the spring housing
will also be provided with one or more depressions to allow passage of or to partially seat the
mounting fasteners used to mount the furniture housing portion relative to the door. Again, the
number of depressions will correspond to the number of fasteners used and typically four
depressions are provided. It is preferred that the depressions are arcuate and preferably, the
depressions extend over the height of the peripheral wall of the spring housing.
An internal side of the peripheral wall is preferably provided with one or more
abutment shoulders in order to abut parts of the lever spring and/or a drive plate stop member
provided on the drive plate. Typically, a C shaped portion is provided concentrically within the
cavity of the spring housing, preferably against or as a part of the peripheral wall with an
abutment shoulder provided at either end of the C shaped portion. Typically the abutment
shoulder provided at one end of the C shaped portion will abut one end of the lever spring in
order to brace the lever spring against movement and allow the drive plate to be rotated against
the spring force of the lever spring and the abutment shoulder at the other end of the C shaped
portion will preferably abut the drive plate stop member in the “home” position with the other
side of the drive plate stop member abutting the other end of the lever spring in order to bias the
drive plate into the “home” position. This mechanism will typically act to return the handle, lever
or knob to the home position following use.
The lever spring of the preferred embodiment is helical. The lever spring is typically
circular in shape with an abutment tab extending from either end of the lever spring in order to
abut other components of the mechanism as described above.
The spring housing cover of a preferred embodiment preferably engages with the
spring housing to form the cassette and contain rotating elements of the operating mechanism
within. The spring housing cover will typically have an annular, substantially planar wall with a
central opening and a number of peripheral side wall portions extending from the annular wall at
an outer edge.
One or more snap arms provided with an abutment shoulder are provided on the
spring housing cover in order to engage with an outer portion of the annular wall of the spring
housing and/or peripheral wall of the spring housing in order to attach the spring housing cover
to the spring housing to form the cassette. Generally, at least two snap arms are provided. It is
preferred that the snap arms are slightly resilient in order to allow the snap arms to be forced
over the peripheral wall of the spring housing during attachment. The snap arms typically deform
about the connection point of the snap arm with the annular wall of the spring housing cover.
Preferably, a number of peripheral side wall portions of the spring housing cover are
spaced apart in order to allow engagement of the spring housing cover with the spring housing. It
is preferred that the spring housing cover is also provided with a number of arcuate opening
portions to allow passage or seating of the mounting fasteners relative to the spring housing
cover and the cassette when assembled. Again, the arcuate opening portions will typically have a
tapering entry way part in order to define a tapered entry way when the cassette is located
relative to the furniture housing portion. In use, the tapered entry way of the assembled cassette
and furniture housing portion will function to guide a portion of the mounting fasteners and/or
quick fix connectors to attach corresponding furniture housing portions to one another on either
side of the door.
An internal surface of the spring housing cover may include one or more abutment
shoulders in order to abut one or more shoulders provided on the drive plate.
The drive plate of some preferred embodiments is preferably circular and generally
planar. The drive plate will typically have a substantially central opening. A drive plate stop
member will typically extend substantially perpendicular from the drive plate.
An abutment arc portion may be provided on an opposite side of the drive plate to
the drive plate stop member. The abutment arc portion will typically have a pair of abutment
shoulders, one at either end. Normally the abutment arc portion will stand proud of the drive
plate surface. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the abutment arc portion will preferably
extend further away from a circular guide ridge provided on the drive plate, surrounding the
preferred central opening.
The drive plate of the preferred embodiment preferably fits within the spring
housing. In a preferred embodiment, the drive plate, and typically the surface of the drive plate
on the side having the drive plate stop member will rest and rotate on the preferred C shaped
portion provided within the spring housing.
The central opening of the drive plate will preferably have at least one, and
preferably an opposed pair of engagement tabs to engage with the lever/handle. Normally, the
engagement tabs will extend from the periphery defining the central opening of the drive plate,
into the central opening. Each of the engagement tabs is preferably generally rectangular and
extends in the same plane as the drive plate. The engagement tabs will typically engage a portion
of the handle or lever which extends into the cassette of the preferred embodiment, once
assembled. The spindle is preferably formed so as to not engage with the tabs on the drive plate.
The annular wall of the spring housing and/or spring housing cover will preferably
have at least one depression therein to receive a stop plate in order to hold the cassette into the
cavity of the furniture housing portion. In preferred configurations, the stop plate is a generally
planar plate. Although the stop plate can have any shape, it is preferred that the stop plate is
rectangular. It is also preferred that the stop plate is received in the depression provided, to be
flush with the surface of the spring housing or spring housing cover. The fastener is typically
provided, engaging with a portion of the peripheral wall of the furniture housing portion in order
to hold the stop plate to the furniture housing portion, clamping the cassette within the cavity of
the furniture housing portion. In use, the stop plate is preferably loosened and the lever handle
rotated relative to the cassette normally through 180° and re-engaged, then the stop plate is re-
tightened. The cassette normally stays substantially in place, and due to the reversal of
orientation of the lever handle relative to the cassette, the lever handle engages the internal
components of the cassette in the opposite direction.
In some forms, the present invention includes a spindle. Preferably, the spindle is a
hold-in spindle which can be snapfit relative to the operating components of the mechanism
providing tactile and/or double feedback as to the engagement of the spindle with the operating
components of the mechanism and which will prevent the spindle being accidentally
disconnected from the assembly during assembly and disassembly.
The spindle is typically elongate and generally rectangular. A depression is provided
in at least one, and preferably a pair of opposed side walls of the spindle in order to receive the
engagement tabs provided on the drive plate with the depressions provided to clear the tabs so
that they preferably do not engage the spindle.
The hold-in spindle of preferred embodiments will have a split or divided tail to be
received at least partially within or through the cassette. The split or divided tail is preferably
configured as a pair of spaced apart portions to receive a part of a spindle retaining member
therebetween. A laterally extending opening will typically be provided in each of the spaced
apart portions in order to receive a spindle mounting pin thereinto. Normally, the laterally
extending openings are provided in or into sidewalls other than the sidewalls with the
depressions provided. The laterally extending openings are preferably substantially U-shaped.
The laterally extending openings will typically allow insertion and removal of the spindle
mounting pins in order to assemble and remove the spindle retaining member from the spindle.
The spindle retaining member will typically have at least one rigid engagement
portion, preferably at least one spindle mounting pin, to engage with the spindle. The spindle
retaining member will typically have a body from which the at least one spindle mounting pin
extends.
The retaining member will also have at least one deformable arm with a portion
extending laterally beyond the spindle in order to engage the spindle with the engagement tabs
on the drive plate. Typically, the spindle mounting pins and the at least one deformable arm will
extend in different planes to one another and normally, the plane in which the spindle mounting
pins extends is substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the at least one deformable arm
extends.
Normally, there will be a pair of opposed deformable arms. Typically, the
deformable arms extend from the body of the spindle retaining member, preferably angled
outwardly, from near one end of the spindle towards the other end of the spindle. When the
spindle retaining member is assembled with the spindle, the deformable arms are preferably
positioned such that they can be deformed inwardly to sit within the depressions provided for the
engagement tabs. The free end of each deformable arm will typically stand proud of the spindle
surface unless deformed. The free ends of the deformable arms allow the engagement tabs to
pass, through deformation of the deformable arms and then the resilience of the deformable arms
will typically return them to stand proud of the spindle in order to engage with a side (and/or
end) surface of the engagement tabs to hold the spindle to the drive plate. The deformable arms
will typically diverge away from the body of the spindle retaining member.
Preferably, the configuration of the spindle and the spindle retaining member means
that the spindle can be removed and replaced if needed. However, if sufficient force is applied to
the spindle to remove the spindle from the drive plate, the deformable arms may collapse in
order to allow removal of the spindle. Removal in this way will typically ruin the spindle
retaining member requiring a new spindle retaining member to be used prior to attaching spindle
with the assembly after removal this way. Preferably, a user will be able to remove and re-insert
the spindle without ruining the spindle retaining member.
It is preferred that the spindle retaining member is manufactured from plastic In
order to provide rigidity to the spindle mounting pins and also provide the deformable arms with
resilience.
As mentioned above, the resilient clip or spring clip of preferred embodiments will
normally be substantially C-shaped. The spring clip will normally be manufactured of metal. The
spring clip will normally be provided with a pair of free ends and the free ends will normally
converge toward one another to allow the spring clip to engage the furniture housing portion.
The spring clip of a preferred embodiment can have any shape such as rectangular
but preferably will have a substantially circular cross-section. The preferred cross sectional shape
will allow the spring clip to be forced into deformation in order to allow the preferred quick fix
connectors to pass, through the provision of an angled or tapered surface on the quick fix
connectors but once seated in the seating groove, and engaging the abutment shoulders provided
on the quick fix connectors, the spring clip will typically prevent withdrawal of the quick fix
connectors unless the spring clip is again deformed to allow the release of the quick fix
connectors. The seating groove will typically allow the spring clip to be received below the level
of the peripheral wall of the furniture housing portion.
One or more quick fix connectors are preferably provided according to the present
invention in order to attach corresponding furniture housing portions relative to one another, on
opposite sides of the door. Each quick fix connector will typically be elongate. Each quick fix
connector will typically have at least two parts namely a fastener portion having an enlarged
head and an external thread provided on a shank and a connector barrel portion including a barrel
which is typically internally threaded in order to engage with the external thread provided on the
shank of the fastener portion.
Normally, the enlarged head and/or connector barrel portion of the fastener portion
will have an engagement configuration adapted to engage with a tool to allow the fastener to be
rotated.
The connector barrel portion is preferably provided with at least one circumferential
abutment shoulder, normally towards an outer end, opposite the opening to the barrel. In a
particularly preferred embodiment, at least one circumferentially extending groove will be
provided towards an outer end of the connector barrel portion defining a pair of spaced apart
abutment shoulders against which the spring clip can abut. The outer end will normally be closed
and the outer end may be tapered or angled in order to force deformation of the spring clip as the
fasteners abut the spring clip.
The shank of the fastener portion is also preferably provided with at least one
circumferential abutment shoulder, normally towards the head of the fastener portion but spaced
therefrom. In a particularly preferred embodiment, at least one circumferentially extending
groove will be provided towards the head of the fastener portion but spaced therefrom defining a
pair of spaced apart abutment shoulders against which the spring clip can abut.
In use, the circumferentially extending grooves on the quick fix connectors will
engage with a spring clip provided on each furniture housing portion to hold the quick fix
connector relative thereto. In use, the quick fix connectors are set at an approximate length for
use and the head of the quick fix connector is typically attached to one furniture housing portion
using the spring clip. The free ends of the quick fix connectors can then be inserted into the
mounting openings of a corresponding furniture housing portion on the opposite side of the door.
Pushing the housing portions together from either side of the door, forces the outer end of the
connector barrel to temporarily deform the spring clip allowing passage of the connector barrel
and the spring clip will resiliently return to seat in the seating groove of the furniture housing
portion and the circumferentially extending groove on the quick fix fastener, attaching the
housing portions together either side of the door. The fastener portion and/or connector barrel
portion can then be rotated to clamp the housing portions together on either side of the door.
In an alternative embodiment, the fastener portion of each quick fix connector may
have an enlarged head and an external thread provided on a shank. In this alternative
embodiment, the enlarged head may be shaped to engage with a correspondingly shaped
depression provided about the mounting opening provided in the cassette and/or assembled
furniture.
In this embodiment, the mounting opening may be provided as an arcuate opening in
the cassette and/or assembled furniture and preferably a pair of substantially opposed openings
will be provided, one for each of a preferred pair of quick fix connectors. The shaped depression
is preferably provided about or partially about one end of the arcuate opening. The arcuate
opening preferably engages the preferred enlarged head of the fastener portion of the quick fix
connector in a bayonet fitting such that the enlarged head of the fastener portion of the quick fix
connector can be inserted into one end of the arcuate opening which allows passage of the
enlarged head and the quick fix connector can then be moved relative to the arcuate opening in
the cassette and/or assembly furniture to hold the quick fix connector in the arcuate opening with
the shaped enlarged head received at least partially in the correspondingly shaped depression
provided about the mounting opening in the cassette and/or assembled furniture. The
engagement of the correspondingly shaped enlarged head and depression also means that the
quick fix connector can be tightened without rotation of the fastener portion of the quick fix
connector.
The shank of the fastener portion is also preferably provided with at least one
circumferential abutment shoulder, normally towards the head of the fastener portion but spaced
therefrom in order to abut a side surface of the furniture assembly. Preferably, the at least one
circumferential abutment shoulder is provided on an alignment member mounted for movement
along the shank of the fastener portion.
The alignment member may be moveable in any way relative to the shank of the
fastener portion including using a fraction fit which allows the alignment member to be slid
along the shank of the fastener portion but preferably the alignment member will be provided as
an alignment nut with an internally threaded bore and the shank of the fastener portion will be
provided with an externally threaded portion such that the alignment nut can be wound along the
shank of the fastener portion to abut one side of the cassette and/or assembly furniture to hold the
enlarged head of the fastener portion in the correspondingly shaped depression to hold the quick
fix connectors relative to the cassette and/or assembly furniture as well as to align the quick fix
connectors substantially perpendicularly to the cassette and/or assembly furniture.
In this configuration, the connector barrel portion is preferably also provided with an
enlarged head which can be used to engage a cassette and/or assembled furniture arrangement on
an opposite side of the door to the cassette and/or assembled furniture arrangement to which the
fastener portion of the quick fix connectors is mounted. The enlarged head of the connector
barrel portion preferably engaged with a shaped depression provided about the mounting
opening, preferably allowing rotation of the connector barrel portion whilst engaged.
The shaped depression may therefore have a substantially circular depression portion
surrounded by a hex shaped depression portion allowing the enlarged head of each of the
fastener portion or the connector barrel portion to be engaged, as required. This will preferably
allow rotation of the connector barrel portion whilst engaged but prevent rotation of the fastener
portion whilst engaged.
In use, the connector barrel portion on the quick fix connectors will engage with
substantially circular depression portion provided on each furniture housing portion to hold the
quick fix connector relative thereto. In use, the quick fix connectors are set at an approximate
length for use typically attached to one furniture housing portion. The enlarged head of the
fastener portion of the quick fix connectors can then be inserted into the mounting openings of a
corresponding furniture housing portion on the opposite side of the door. Rotation of the housing
portions on either side of the door will preferably move the enlarged head of the fastener portion
into the preferably hex shaped depression portion, attaching the housing portions together either
side of the door. The preferred alignment nut is then wound to abut the cassette and/or furniture
assembly. The housing portions can then be assembled onto the door and attached to a matching
housing portion. The connector barrel portion can then be rotated to tighten the connection in
order to clamp the housing portions together on either side of the door.
It can be seen that the present invention therefore provides a mechanism with fewer,
free parts and a simpler attachment mechanism in order to allow a do-it-yourself installation
and/or more rapid installation by experienced installers with less complexity and less risk of
parts being misplaced or lost during the installation and/or removal.
Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any
one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.
The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as
an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common
general knowledge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the
following drawings, in which:
Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned
from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled
in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the
scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will
make reference to a number of drawings as follows:
Figure 1 is an exploded view of an interior door handle and operating mechanism
according to an aspect of the present invention.
Figure 2 is an exploded view of an operating cassette for an interior door handle
according to an aspect of the present invention.
Figure 3 is an isometric view of the operating cassette illustrated in Figure 2 in the
assembled condition.
Figure 4 is an elevation view of assembled door furniture including the operating
cassette illustrated in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is an exploded view of a spindle subassembly according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is an isometric view of the spindle subassembly illustrated in Figure 5 in the
assembled condition.
Figure 7 is a detailed sectional view of the engagement between the spindle
illustrated in Figure 6 with the drive plate of the door furniture according to a preferred
embodiment.
Figure 8 is an even more detailed view of the portion illustrated in Figure 7.
Figure 9 is an isometric exploded view of a pair of handles with the door furniture
according to a preferred embodiment prior to mounting to a door.
Figure 10 is a sectional view of the configuration illustrated in Figure 9 in the
assembled condition.
Figure 11 is a detailed view of the portion illustrated in Figure 10.
Figure 12 is an isometric view of a quick fix connector according to an aspect of the
present invention.
Figure 13A to 13C shows the steps in the process of changing handing according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 14A is an isometric view (with detail) of a first part of a door furniture
assembly according to an alternative preferred embodiment for attachment of quick fix
connectors relative to the door furniture assembly.
Figure 14B is an isometric view of the first part of a door furniture assembly
illustrated in Figure 14A, from the reverse side.
Figure 15A is a side elevation view of a quick fix connector according to the
alternative preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 14A.
Figure 15B is a side elevation view of a quick fix connector illustrated in Figure 15A
from the reverse side.
Figure 16 is a front elevation view of the first part of a door furniture assembly
illustrated in Figure 14B.
Figure 17 is a sectional view of the first part of a door furniture assembly illustrated
in Figure 14A along line A-A.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a door
furniture assembly for a rotatable door handle is provided.
The door furniture assembly illustrated in the Figures includes at least one furniture
housing portion 10 adapted to mount a rotatable door handle 11 relative thereto, an operating
cassette 12 releasably engageable with the furniture housing portion 10. The cassette 12 of the
illustrated embodiment includes a spring housing 13, and a spring housing cover 14, together
defining a housing to contain a lever spring 15 and a drive plate 16. The drive plate 16 engages
with an elongate spindle 17 indirectly through the engagement of both components with the
lever handle and the spindle is also in engagement with a retractable latch (not shown) such that
rotation of the handle 11 causes movement of the retractable latch. In use, the handing of the
lever door handle will be able to be changed quickly and easily by loosening the operating
cassette 12 relative to the furniture housing portion 10 and reorienting the lever handle relative to
the operating cassette 12 and the furniture housing portion 10 to change the handedness of the
door furniture.
The assembly also includes a snap fit mounting assembly including a first furniture
housing portion to be mounted on a first side of the door, a second furniture housing portion to
be mounted on a second side of the door, at least one of the first furniture housing portion and
second furniture housing portion mounting an opening mechanism and at least one of the first
furniture housing portion and second housing portion having a seating groove at least partially
about a circumferential surface thereof, at least a pair of connectors associated with one of the
first furniture housing portion and second furniture housing portion, each connector being length
adjustable and each including at least one abutment shoulder and at least one resilient clip seated
in the seating groove and deformable to engage with the at least one abutment surface of each of
the connectors when the first furniture housing portion and second furniture housing portion are
forced together from opposite sides of the door in order to mount the housing portions to each
other.
The rotatable door handle 11 is normally mounted relative to the door using an
escutcheon or rose mounting the rotatable door handle 11. The escutcheon or rose typically has
multiple components in particular, will normally include the furniture housing 10 in order to
mount the rotatable door handle 11 relative to the door and a detachable cover or trim 18 which
covers the furniture housing portion to provide an aesthetically pleasing view. The assembly
illustrated in Figure 1 also includes a lever washer 19, a trim internal ring 20, a shim 21 and a
circlip 22 to mount the handle to the furniture housing 10 and the cassette 12. A spring clip 23
provided as a component of the quick fix attachment system is shown detached from the
furniture housing 10.
Generally, the housing portion is mounted relative to a door surface. Normally, the
housing portion will define a cavity on one side thereof, better seen in Figure 2. The cavity may
be any shape to correspond to the shape of the cassette 12 but is generally circular as illustrated.
A central bore 24 is typically provided through the housing portion 10 through which a portion
of the door handle 11 is received.
The furniture housing portion 10 has an annular outer wall 25 surrounding the central
bore 24 with a peripheral wall 26 extending from an outer edge of the outer wall 25 to define the
cavity to receive the cassette 12 on one side thereof. The cavity of the furniture housing portion
will preferably receive the cassette 12 therein allowing the portion of the door handle 11
extending through the central bore 24, to engage with the operating components of the cassette
A number of mounting openings 27 are provided, normally through the annular outer
wall 25 in order to receive fixing or mounting screws or similar to mount the housing portion 10
relative to the door surface. As best illustrated in Figure 4, four mounting openings 27 are
provided, two mounting openings allowing vertical screw fixing and two mounting openings
allowing horizontal screw fixing. Normally, the selection of the mounting openings or
combination of mounting openings to be used to mount the assembled furniture 28 will be set at
manufacture.
A fastener seating depression 29 is provided on an interior side surface of the
peripheral wall 26 corresponding to the location of each of the mounting openings 27 in the
furniture housing portion 10 in order to seat the fasteners used to mount the housing portion 10
relative to the door surface at least partially therein. The depressions 29 are arcuate and a
semicircular shape is preferred. The mounting openings 27 also have a partially tapered
entryway 30 provided about the end of each fastener seating depression 29 located on a free end
of the peripheral wall 26. The partially tapered entryway 30 will typically correspond to a
partially tapered entryway 31 provided on the cassette 12 to define a tapered entryway, discussed
further below.
In relation to the fixing or mounting screws used to mount the housing portion
relative to the door surface, it is preferred that at least some of the fixing or mounting screws are
quick fix connectors as discussed below
The peripheral wall 26 of the furniture housing portion 10 is also provided with a
seating groove 32 into which the spring clip 23 can be at least partially received. The seating
groove 32 is provided into the external circular surface of the peripheral wall 26. Some portions
of the seating groove 32 may extend deeper into or even completely through the peripheral wall
26 and therefore form elongate slot openings 33 extending through the peripheral wall 26. The
seating groove 32 seats the spring clip 23 such that the spring clip 23 extends laterally, partially
into the fastener seating depressions 29 in the furniture housing 10 as best illustrated in Figures
and 11. In this way, the spring clip 23 can engage with portions of the preferred fasteners (as
illustrated in Figure 12) used. As will be discussed below, the spring clip 23 is substantially C-
shaped and therefore, the seating groove 32 is also be substantially C-shaped relative to the
circular surface of the peripheral wall 26.
It is also further preferred that an internal surface of the peripheral wall 26 is
provided with at least one cassette guide or alignment groove or protrusion in order to seat the
cassette 12 within the cavity and to prevent rotation of the cassette 12 relative to the furniture
housing portion 10 once properly located in the cavity. It is particularly preferred that at least
two cassette guide or alignment grooves or protrusions are provided with a corresponding
configuration provided on the cassette 12. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a pair of
arcuate open grooves is provided to correspond to a pair of arcuate protrusions 34 provided on
the cassette.
In use as illustrated in Figure 9, a matched pair of housing portions 10 is provided,
one for either side surface of the door. The matched pair of housing portions 10 are typically
provided on either side surface of the door in alignment with one another and then connected
together through the door, sandwiching the door between the connected housing portions 10.
The cassette 12 will preferably be provided in an assembled form as illustrated in
Figure 3 in order to minimise the number of parts required to fit the door handle relative to the
door. In the preferred embodiment, the spring housing 13 and the spring housing cover 14 clip or
snap together.
The illustrated spring housing 13 includes an annular, substantially planar, outer wall
and a peripheral wall 36 extending therefrom in order to define a cavity within the spring
housing 13. The spring housing 13 includes a substantially centrally located opening 37 in the
annular outer wall 35 in order to align with the central bore 24 in the furniture housing portion
in order to receive and allow passage to part of the handle 11 and/or spindle 17.
The exterior of the peripheral wall 36 of the spring housing 13 is provided with at
least one cassette guide protrusion 34 in order to seat the cassette 12 within the cavity defined in
the furniture housing portion 10. Normally, the protrusions 34 are received in the cassette guide
grooves provided on an interior surface of the peripheral wall 26 of the furniture housing portion
. The protrusions are preferably arcuate, preferably extending beyond a free end edge of the
peripheral wall 36 in order to guide attachment of the spring housing cover 14 relative to the
spring housing 13.
It is preferred that an external surface of the peripheral wall 36 of the spring housing
13 will also be provided with one or more depressions 38 to allow passage of or to partially seat,
the mounting fasteners used to mount the furniture housing portion 10 relative to the door.
Again, the number of depressions 38 will correspond to the number of fasteners used and
typically four depressions are provided. It is preferred that the depressions 38 are arcuate and
preferably, the depressions extend over the height of the peripheral wall 36 of the spring housing
An internal side of the peripheral wall 36 is preferably provided with one or more
abutment shoulders 39 in order to abut parts of the lever spring 15 and/or a drive plate stop 41
provided on the drive plate 16. Typically, a C shaped portion 40 is provided concentrically
within the cavity of the spring housing 13, preferably against or as a part of the peripheral wall
26 with an abutment shoulder 39 provided at either end of the C shaped portion 40. Typically the
abutment shoulder 39 provided at one end of the C shaped portion 40 will abut one end 42 of the
lever spring 15 in order to brace the lever spring 15 against movement and allow the drive plate
16 to be rotated against the spring force of the lever spring 15 and the abutment shoulder 39 at
the other end of the C shaped portion 40 will preferably abut the drive plate stop member 41 in
the “home” position with the other side of the drive plate stop member 41 abutting the other end
43 of the lever spring 15 in order to bias the drive plate 16 into the “home” position. This
mechanism will typically act to return the handle or knob to the home position following use.
The lever spring 15of the preferred embodiment is helical, typically circular in shape
with an abutment tab 42,43 extending from either end of the lever spring 15 in order to abut
other components of the mechanism as described above.
The spring housing cover 14 engages with the spring housing 13 to form the cassette
12 and contain rotating elements of the operating mechanism within. The spring housing cover
14 will typically have an annular, substantially planar wall 44 with a central opening 45 and a
number of peripheral side wall portions 46 extending from the annular wall 44 at an outer edge.
One or more snap arms 47 provided with an abutment shoulder are provided on the
spring housing cover 14 in order to engage with an outer portion of the annular wall 35 of the
spring housing 13 and/or peripheral wall 36 of the spring housing 13 in order to attach the spring
housing cover 14 to the spring housing 13 to form the cassette 12. The snap arms 47 are slightly
resilient in order to allow the snap arms 47 to be forced over the peripheral wall 36 of the spring
housing during attachment. The snap arms 47 typically deform about the connection point of the
snap arm 47 with the annular wall 44 of the spring housing cover 14.
The number of peripheral side wall portions 46 are spaced apart in order to allow
engagement of the spring housing cover 14 with the spring housing 13. It is preferred that the
spring housing cover 14 is also provided with a number of arcuate opening portions 48 to allow
passage or seating of the mounting fasteners relative to the spring housing cover 14 and the
cassette 12 in general. Again, the arcuate opening portions 48 have a partially tapering entry way
31 in order to define a tapered entry way when the cassette 12 is located relative to the furniture
housing portion 10. In use, the tapered entry way of the assembled cassette 12 and furniture
housing portion 10 will function to guide a portion of the mounting fasteners and/or quick fix
connectors to attach corresponding furniture housing portions to one another on either side of the
door.
The drive plate 16 of the preferred embodiment is circular and generally planar. The
drive plate 16 has a substantially central opening 49. A drive plate stop member 41 will typically
extend substantially perpendicularly from the drive plate 16.
An abutment arc portion 50 may be provided on an opposite side of the drive plate
16 to the drive plate stop member 41. The abutment arc portion 50 will typically have a pair of
abutment shoulders, one at either end. Normally the abutment arc portion 50 will stand proud of
the drive plate surface. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the abutment arc portion 50 will
extend further away from a circular guide ridge 51 provided on the drive plate 16, surrounding
the central opening 49.
The drive plate 16 of the preferred embodiment fits within the spring housing 13. In
a preferred embodiment, the drive plate 16, and typically the surface of the drive plate 16 on the
side having the drive plate stop member 41 will rest and rotate on the preferred C shaped portion
40 provided within the spring housing 13.
The central opening 49 of the drive plate 16 has an opposed pair of engagement tabs
52 extending from the periphery defining the central opening 49 of the drive plate 16 into the
central opening 49. Each of the engagement tabs 52 is preferably generally rectangular and
extends in the same plane as the drive plate. The engagement tabs 52 will typically engage a
portion of the handle which extends into the cassette 12 of the preferred embodiment.
The annular wall 44 of the spring housing cover 14 has a depression 53 therein to
receive a stop plate 54 in order to hold the cassette 12 into the cavity of the furniture housing
portion 10. In preferred configurations, the stop plate 54 is a generally planar plate. Although the
stop plate 54 can have any shape, it is preferred that the stop plate is rectangular. It is also
preferred that the stop plate 54 is received in the depression 53 provided to be flush with the
surface of the spring housing cover 14. A fastener 55 is typically provided engaging with a
portion of the peripheral wall 26 of the furniture housing portion 10 in order to hold the stop
plate 54 to the furniture housing portion 10 clamping the cassette 12 within the cavity of the
furniture housing portion 10. In use and as illustrated in Figures 13A to 13C, the stop plate 54 is
loosened (Figure 13A) and the lever handle 11 rotated relative to the cassette 12 normally
through 180° (Figure 13B) and re-engaged, then the stop plate 54 is re-tightened (Figure 13C).
The cassette 12 normally stays substantially in place, and due to the reversal of orientation of the
lever handle relative to the cassette 12, the lever handle engages the internal components of the
cassette 12 in the opposite direction.
The assembly also includes a hold-in spindle system including an elongate spindle
17, a spindle retaining member 56 engageable with the spindle 17 and having a pair of
deformable arms 57 with a portion extending laterally beyond the spindle in order to releasably
engage the spindle 17 with a furniture housing portion 10 and at least one rigid engagement
portion or spindle mounting pin 58 to engage with the spindle 17 such that the elongate spindle
17 and spindle retaining member 56 can be snapfit to the level handle 11 as illustrated in Figure
9 to be held there by tabs 52 on the drive plate 16 .
The spindle illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 can be snapfit relative to the operating
components of the mechanism providing tactile and/or audible feedback as to the engagement of
the spindle with the operating components of the mechanism and which will prevent the spindle
being accidentally disconnected during assembly and disassembly.
As illustrated, the spindle 17 is typically elongate and generally rectangular. A
depression 59 is provided in a pair of opposed side walls of the spindle 17 in order to receive the
engagement tabs 52 provided on the drive plate 16.
The hold-in spindle illustrated has a divided tail to be received at least partially
within the cassette 12. The divided tail is configured as a pair of spaced apart portions 60 to
receive a part of a spindle retaining member 56 therebetween. A laterally extending opening 61
is provided in each of the spaced apart portions 60 in order to receive a spindle mounting pin 58
thereinto. Normally, the laterally extending openings 61 are provided in or into sidewalls other
than the sidewalls with the depression 59 to receive the engagement tabs 52. The laterally
extending openings 61 are preferably substantially U-shaped and allow insertion and removal of
the spindle mounting pins 58 in order to assemble and remove the spindle retaining member 56
from the spindle 17.
The spindle retaining member 56 will typically have a body 62 from which the
spindle mounting pins 58 extend.
The spindle retaining member 56 has a pair of deformable arms 57 with a free end of
each arm extending laterally beyond the spindle 17 in order to engage the spindle 17 with the
engagement tabs 52 on the drive plate 16. Typically, the spindle mounting pin 58 and the
deformable arms 57 extend substantially perpendicularly to one another.
The deformable arms 57 extend from the body of the spindle retaining member 56.
When the spindle retaining member 56 is assembled with the spindle 17, the deformable arms 57
are positioned such that they can be deformed inwardly to sit within the depressions 59 provided
for the engagement tabs 52. The free end of each deformable arm 57 will typically stand proud
of the spindle surface unless deformed. The free end of the deformable arms 57 allows the
engagement tabs 52 to pass (through deformation of the deformable arms 57) and then the
resilience of the deformable arms 57 will typically return them to stand proud of the spindle 17
in order to engage with a side surface of the engagement tabs 52 to hold the spindle 17 to the
drive plate 16. The deformable arms 57 will typically diverge away from the body of the spindle
retaining member 56.
The configuration of the spindle and the spindle retaining member means that the
spindle can be removed and replaced if needed. However, if sufficient force is applied to the
spindle 17 to remove the spindle 17 from the drive plate 16, the deformable arms 57 may
collapse in order to allow removal of the spindle 17. Removal in this way may ruin in the spindle
retaining member 56 requiring a new spindle retaining member 56 to be assembled prior to
attaching the spindle 17 with the assembly. Preferably, a user will be able to remove and re-
insert the spindle without ruining the spindle retaining member.
It is preferred that the spindle retaining member 57 is manufactured from plastic in
order to provide rigidity to the spindle mounting pins and also provide the deformable arms with
resilience.
As mentioned above, the spring clip 23 of preferred embodiments will normally be
substantially C-shaped. The spring clip 23 will normally be manufactured of metal. The spring
clip 23 will normally be provided with a pair of free ends and the free ends will normally
converge toward one another to allow the spring clip to engage the furniture housing portion 10.
The spring clip of a preferred embodiment will have a substantially circular cross-
section. The preferred cross sectional shape will allow the spring clip 23 to be forced into
deformation in order to allow the preferred quick fix connectors to pass through the provision of
an angled or tapered surface on the quick fix connectors but once seated in the seating groove 32,
and engaging the abutment shoulders provided on the quick fix connectors, the spring clip will
typically prevent withdrawal of the quick fix connectors unless the spring clip 23 is again
deformed to allow the release of the quick fix connectors. The seating groove 32 will typically
allow the spring clip 23 to be received below the level of the peripheral wall of the furniture
housing portion 10.
One or more quick fix connectors 63 as illustrated in Figure 12 are preferably
provided in order to attach corresponding furniture housing portions 10 relative to one another
on opposite sides of the door as illustrated in Figure 9. Each quick fix connector 63 will typically
be elongate and have two parts namely a fastener portion 64 having an enlarged head 65 and an
external thread provided on a shank 66 and a connector barrel 67 which is typically internally
threaded in order to engage with the external thread provided on the shank 66 of the fastener
portion 64.
Normally, the enlarged head 65 of the fastener portion 64 will have an engagement
configuration adapted to engage with a tool to allow the fastener to be rotated, which in Figure
12, is a Philips head shape.
The connector barrel 67 is preferably provided with a hollow, tubular part 68 with a
circumferentially extending groove 69 provided towards an outer end 70 of the connector barrel
63 defining a pair of spaced apart abutment shoulders against which the spring clip 23 can abut.
The outer end 70 will normally be closed and the outer end 70 is tapered or angled in order to
force deformation of the spring clip 23.
The shank 66 of the fastener portion 64 is also provided with a circumferentially
extending groove 69 provided towards the head 65 of the fastener portion 64 but spaced
therefrom defining a pair of spaced apart abutment shoulders against which the spring clip 23
can abut.
As illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, in use, the circumferentially extending grooves
69 on the quick fix connectors 63 will engage with a spring clip 23 provided on each furniture
housing portion 10 to hold the quick fix connector 63 relative thereto. In use, the head 65 of the
quick fix connector 63 is typically attached to one furniture housing portion 10 using the spring
clip 23 and the outer ends 70 of the quick fix connectors 63 can then be inserted into the
mounting openings 27 of a corresponding furniture housing portion 10 on the opposite side of
the door. Pushing the housing portions 20 together forces the outer end 70 of the connector barrel
67 to temporarily deform the spring clip 23 allowing passage of the connector barrel 67 and the
spring clip 23 will resiliently returned to seat in the seating groove 32 of the furniture housing
portion 10 and the circumferentially extending groove 69 on the quick fix fastener 63, attaching
the housing portions 10 together either side of the door. The connector barrel 67can then be
rotated to clamp the housing portions 10 together on either side of the door.
In an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 14A to 17, the fastener portion 81
of each quick fix connector 63 has an enlarged head 83 and an external thread provided on a
shank. In this alternative embodiment, the enlarged head 83 is hex-shaped to engage with a
correspondingly hex-shaped depression 84 provided about the mounting opening 85 provided in
the cassette and/or assembled furniture.
In this embodiment, the mounting openings 85 are arcuate and as illustrated in Figure
16, a pair of substantially opposed arcuate mounting openings 85 is provided, one for each of the
pair of quick fix connectors 63. The hex-shaped depression 84 is provided partially about one
end of the arcuate mounting openings 85 as shown in the detail on Figure 16. The arcuate
mounting openings 85 engage the enlarged head 83 of the fastener portion of the quick fix
connector 63 in a bayonet fitting such that the enlarged head 83 can be inserted into one end of
the arcuate mounting opening 85 which allows passage of the enlarged head 83 and the quick fix
connector can then be moved relative to the arcuate mounting opening 85 to hold the quick fix
connector 63 in the arcuate mounting opening 85 with the shaped enlarged head 83 received at
least partially in the correspondingly shaped depression 84 provided. The engagement of the
shaped enlarged head 83 and depression 84 also means that the quick fix connector 63 can be
tightened by rotation of the connector barrel portion 82 without rotation of the fastener portion
81 of the quick fix connector 63.
As illustrated in Figures 15A and the detail of Figure 14A, the shank of the fastener
portion 81 is also provided with a circumferential abutment shoulder, normally towards the head
83 of the fastener portion 81 but spaced therefrom. In the preferred form illustrated, the at least
one circumferential abutment shoulder is provided on an alignment nut 90 mounted for
movement along the externally threaded shank of the fastener portion 81.
The alignment nut 90 has an internally threaded bore such that the alignment nut 90
can be wound along the shank of the fastener portion 81 to abut one side of the cassette and/or
assembly furniture to hold the enlarged head 83 of the fastener portion 81 in the correspondingly
shaped depression 84 to hold the quick fix connectors 63 relative to the cassette and/or assembly
furniture as well as to align the quick fix connectors 63 substantially perpendicularly to the
cassette and/or assembly furniture.
In this configuration, the connector barrel portion 82 is also provided with an
enlarged head 86 which can be used to engage the cassette and/or assembled furniture
arrangement on an opposite side of the door as illustrated in Figure 17 to the cassette and/or
assembled furniture arrangement to which the fastener portion 81 of the quick fix connectors 63
is mounted. The enlarged head 86 of the connector barrel portion 82 engages with a shaped
depression provided about the mounting opening, preferably allowing rotation of the connector
barrel portion 82 whilst engaged.
The shaped depression provided in the cassette and/or assembled furniture
arrangement may therefore have a substantially circular depression portion 87 surrounded by a
hex shaped depression portion 84 allowing the enlarged head of each of the fastener portion 81
or the connector barrel portion 82 to be engaged, as required. This will preferably allow rotation
of the connector barrel portion 82 whilst engaged but prevent rotation of the fastener portion 81
whilst engaged.
In use, the enlarged head 83 of the fastener portion 81 on the quick fix connectors 63
will engage with the substantially circular depression portion 87 provided on each furniture
housing portion to hold the quick fix connector 63 relative thereto. In use, the quick fix
connectors 63 are set at an approximate length for use, typically attached to one furniture
housing portion by the connector barrel portion 82. The enlarged head 83 of the fastener portion
81 can then be inserted into the mounting openings 85 of a corresponding furniture housing
portion on the opposite side of the door. Rotation of the housing portions on either side of the
door will preferably move the enlarged head 83 of the fastener portion 81 into the hex shaped
depression portion 84, attaching the housing portions together either side of the door. The
alignment nut 90 is then wound to abut the cassette and/or furniture assembly as shown in the
detail of Figure 14A. The housing portions can then be assembled onto the door and attached to
a matching housing portion. The connector barrel portion 82 can then be rotated to tighten the
connection in order to clamp the housing portions together on either side of the door.
In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its
derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not
exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.
Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the
appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any
suitable manner in one or more combinations.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or
less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not
limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises
preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any
of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any)
appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.
Claims (21)
1. A door furniture assembly for a rotatable door handle or lever, the door furniture assembly including a rotatable door handle or lever; at least one furniture housing portion adapted to mount a rotatable door handle or lever relative thereto, an operating cassette releasably engageable with the at least one furniture housing portion, the cassette including a spring housing, and a spring housing cover, together defining a housing to contain a lever spring and a drive plate to engage with the a rotatable door handle or lever; and an elongate spindle to engage with the a rotatable door handle or lever and a retractable latch such that rotation of the door handle or lever causes movement of the retractable latch wherein the rotatable door handle or lever can be reoriented relative to the operating cassette to change the handedness of the door furniture.
2. A door furniture assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one furniture housing portion has an annular outer wall surrounding a central bore with a peripheral wall extending from the outer wall to define a cavity on one side thereof to receive the cassette therein allowing a portion of the door handle extending through the central bore, to engage with the cassette.
3. A door furniture assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein a number of mounting openings are provided through the annular outer wall in order to receive fixing or mounting fasteners to mount the at least one furniture housing portion relative to the door surface allowing both vertical screw fixing and horizontal screw fixing.
4. A door furniture assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the peripheral wall of the at least one furniture housing portion is provided with a seating groove into which a spring clip can be at least partially received.
5. A door furniture assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the spring housing and the spring housing cover clip or snap together.
6. A door furniture assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cassette is provided with at least one engagement portion and a corresponding portion is provided on the at least one furniture housing portion in order to seat the cassette relative to the at least one furniture housing portion and to prevent rotation of the cassette relative to the furniture housing portion once properly fitted.
7. A door furniture assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the drive plate has a central opening with an opposed pair of engagement tabs extending from a periphery defining the central opening of the drive plate into the central opening and extending in the same plane as the drive plate to engage a portion of the handle or lever which extends into the cassette.
8. A door furniture assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the cassette has at least one depression therein to receive a stop plate in order to releasably hold the cassette relative to the furniture housing portion and wherein the stop plate must be at least loosened to free the cassette from the furniture housing portion to allow the handle or lever to be moved to change the handing.
9. A hold-in spindle system for a rotatable door handle or lever mechanism, the system including an elongate spindle, at least one furniture housing portion mounting a handle or lever for rotation against a resilient return, a spindle retaining member engageable with the spindle and having at least one deformable arm with a portion extending laterally beyond the spindle in order to releasably engage the spindle with the at least one furniture housing portion and at least one rigid engagement portion to engage with the spindle such that the elongate spindle and spindle retaining member can be snapfit to the at least one furniture housing portion to be held there by the spindle retaining member.
10. A hold-in spindle system as claimed in claim 9 further including at least one door furniture housing portion having a drive member associated therewith having a central opening with an opposed pair of engagement tabs extending from a periphery defining the central opening of the drive plate into the central opening and extending in the same plane as the drive plate to engage the spindle.
11. A hold-in spindle system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the spindle has a depression provided in a pair of opposed side walls of the spindle in order to receive the engagement tabs provided on the drive plate.
12. A hold-in spindle system as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the spindle has a divided tail having a pair of spaced apart portions to be received between the opposed pair of engagement tabs, and to receive a part of the spindle retaining member therebetween, each of the spaced apart portions having a laterally extending opening in order to receive the at least one rigid engagement portion thereinto.
13. A hold-in spindle system as claimed in claims 9 to 12 wherein the spindle retaining member includes a pair of opposed deformable arms.
14. A hold-in spindle system as claimed in claim 13 when dependent from claim 11 wherein when the spindle retaining member is assembled with the spindle, the deformable arms are positioned such that they can be deformed inwardly to sit within the depressions provided for the engagement tabs with the free end of each deformable arm standing proud of the spindle surface unless deformed.
15. A snap fit mounting assembly for door furniture, the snap fit mounting assembly including a first furniture housing portion to be mounted on a first side of the door, a second furniture housing portion to be mounted on a second side of the door, at least one of the first furniture housing portion and second furniture housing portion engageable with an opening mechanism and at least one of the first furniture housing portion and second housing portion having a seating groove at least partially about a circumferential surface thereof, at least a pair of connectors associated with one of the first furniture housing portion and second furniture housing portion, each connector being length adjustable and each including at least one abutment shoulder and at least one resilient clip seated in the seating groove and deformable to engage with the at least one abutment surface of each of the connectors when the first furniture housing portion and second furniture housing portion are forced together from opposite sides of the door in order to mount the housing portions to each other.
16. A snap fit mounting assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein each connector has at least two parts namely a fastener portion having an enlarged head and an external thread provided on a shank and a connector barrel portion including a barrel which is internally threaded in order to engage with the external thread provided on the shank of the fastener portion.
17. A snap fit mounting assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein at least one circumferentially extending groove is provided towards an outer end of the connector barrel portion defining a pair of spaced apart abutment shoulders against which the at least one resilient clip can abut.
18. A snap fit mounting assembly as claimed in claim 16 or 17 wherein an outer end of the connector barrel portion is tapered in order to force deformation of the at least one resilient clip as the connector abuts the at least one resilient clip.
19. A snap fit mounting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein at least one circumferentially extending groove is provided towards the head of the fastener portion but spaced therefrom defining a pair of spaced apart abutment shoulders against which the at least one resilient clip can abut.
20. A snap fit mounting assembly as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19 wherein the connectors are set at an approximate length for use and attached to the first furniture housing portion using the at least one resilient clip, aligned with the second furniture housing portion on an opposite side of the door with the connectors extending through the door and the first furniture housing portion pushed toward the second furniture housing portion which forces deformation of the at least one resilient clip to allow a portion of the connectors to pass until the at least one resilient clip abuts the abutment shoulder to hold the respective furniture housing portions to one another.
21. A mounting assembly for door furniture, the mounting assembly including a first furniture housing portion to be mounted on a first side of the door, a second furniture housing portion to be mounted on a second side of the door, at least one of the first furniture housing portion and second furniture housing portion engageable with an opening mechanism, at least one of the first furniture housing portion and second furniture housing portion having at least a pair of arcuate openings therein, each arcuate opening having a shaped portion and at least one bayonet wall provided therein and at least a pair of connectors associated with one of the first furniture housing portion and second furniture housing portion and removeably detachable from the other of the first furniture housing portion and second furniture housing portion, each connector being length adjustable and each including at least one enlarged shaped head such that the enlarged head of each of the connectors are insertable into one of the arcuate openings and upon relative rotation of the first furniture housing portion and second furniture housing portion, the enlarged head passes into in a bayonet fitting into the shaped portion to be held preventing rotation of the enlarged head.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2016204726 | 2016-07-07 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ733617A true NZ733617A (en) |
Family
ID=
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