US1592574A - Handle structure - Google Patents

Description

July 13 1926. 1,592,574

H. G. SPECHT HANDLE STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 5, 1926 INVENTOR.

GSpec/zt 18 .Z a 12 ATTORNEY.

Patented July 13, 1926.

UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY G. BPECHT, OI FAIBFIELD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE BLBSICK GOE- PANY, OI BRIDGEPORT, CDNNEC'IICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

HANDLE STRUCTURE.

Application filed February 5, 1828. Serial No. 88,181.

The resent invention relates to an improved andle structure, particularly of the type adapted for use as a re ulator handle for automobile windows, alt ough the invention is applicable to other types of handles.

Heretofore handles of this type have usually been formed of solid cast metal, which was both expensive and unsatisfactory, the variety of designs usually desired necessitating separate molds and patterns for each design, and the relatively costly and slow processes of casting and finishing, making their economical production on a large scale impractical. Also, cast metal does not lend itself to the production of attractive or sharply defined finishes. Attempts have heretofore been made to construct such handles from sheet metal, but these have had to be formed of relatively expensive stock, as brass of heavy gauge, to provide strength together with a proper finish, but these structures proved to be subject, among other unsatisfactory conditions, to denting, distortion, and looseness, so that no great saving or advantage was gained over the cast metal handles.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a handle structure having the advantages of manufacture and attractive finish of sheet metal, and the advantages of solidity andstrength of cast metal, and to this end it is proposed, in the present embodiment of the invention, to provide a solid metal base or body portion, having a spindle engaging hub or bushing integrally formed therewith, a. reinforcing backing shell of relatively heavy gauge inexpensive metal, as sheet steel, and an outer shell of brass, or other suitable material, ada ted to give a finished and attractive sur ace, and which, due to the reinforcing backing shell, may be of relatively thin gauge, so that it may be easily shaped, will I take sharply defined designs. and is relatively inexpensive, as compared to the heavy gauge ex ensive metal heretofore required. A furt er object is to rovide a body structure having an inte a spindle engaging hub, the passage of w ich is open at both ends, so that it may be conveniently and effectually finished, as by breaching, to provide a more rigid, adjustable, and reliable connection with the operating spindle.

With the above and other objects in view,

described with reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings: Fig. l is a top plan view of a regulator handle, according to the present embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, and showing a portion of the operating spindle secured thereto;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof;

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are vertical sectional views, respectively taken along the lines 5-5, 66 and 77 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the outer finishing shell, before assembly;

Fig. 9 is a. side elevation of the reinforcing backing up shell employed;

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view thereof;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the body or base member employed; and

Fig. 12 is a top plan view thereof.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the handle structure, according to the present embodiment of the invention, comprises a body or base member 10, preferably of cast metal, but which may be otherwise suitably formed, having the plan outline of the handle, provided at its outer end with an integrally formed circular boss 11 projecting upwardly with respect to the inner or upper surface and adapted to receive the rotatable hand grip shank, as will hereinafter more fully appear. Near its inner end, and at the outer or under side, there is integrally formed a hub 12 adapted for securing the handle to an operating spindle 13, and provided for this purpose with a square hole 14 open at both ends, the inner side of the base member being recessed about said hole, as at 15, to reduce the amount of metal employed. In casting the hole 14 in the base member a relatively rough surface is produced, and also the drawing of the core produces atapered shape, so that it is desirable to finish the surface of the bore, as by broaching, which operation may be conveniently and effectually performed, inasmuch as the hole extends entirely through the member. Obviously, this would not be possible with a solid cast handle. At its inner side the base member is provided with a marginal recess 16, into which the edge of the outer finishing shell is adapted to be bent, as will hereinafter more fu ly appear. A hole 17 having an annularly shouldered recess 18 is provided centrally in'the boss 11.

At the upper side of the base member 10 there is engaged a reinforcing backing plate or shell 19, having the general plan and surface contour of the finished handle, this plate being formed of relatively heavy gauge rigid metal, as sheet steel. The plate 19 is provided with a peripheral flange 2O adapted to seat snugly upon the marginal portion of the body member 10 in flush relation with its periphery, and at the inner end of said plate there is provided a fiat extension portion 21 adapted to engage upon the flat upper surface of the boss 11, and provided with it: hole 22 in register with the hole 17 in said oss.

The assembled base member 10 and backing plate 19 provide a hollow frame or body structure, for solidly.supporting the outer finishing shell, presently to be described, this body, structure being adapted for economical manufacture and assembly, and being furthermore of relatively great strength and rigidit capable of withstanding any strains or blows that may be imparted to the handle. The smooth surface of the backing plate does not require a finishing operation to provide a proper support for the outer she I.

The outer or finishing shell 23 is formed of relatively thin gauge easily worked metal, as thin sheet brass, adapted to be pressed to shape, and lending itself to the effectual production of sharply defined designs and shapes pressed therein, as beading lines, scrolls, etc. It is adapted to fit snugly over the backing plate 19 and the periphery of the base member 10, and is provided with a continuous peripheral flange 24 adapted to be bent at its edgeinto the recess 16 of the base member to retain the several parts in assembled relation, and to entirely conceal the supporting body or frame structure from the top and sides. The recess 16 is of such depth that the bent in edge of the shell 23 is substantially flush with the under surface, and when the completed handle is plated, or otherwise given a surface finish, the whole structure presents a substantially unbroken and attractive appearance. The shell 23 is provided at its outer end with a hole 25 in register with the holes 22 and 17, and within the passage thus formed in the end of the handle there is rotatably engaged the spindle or shank 26 of a hand grip 27, the spindle being secured by means of a collar 28 secured upon its end within the recess 18, a spring washer 29 disposed between the collar and the base of the recess adapted to frictionally retain the grip against looseness. The improved structure, according to my invention, provides a strong attractive handle, which may be economically and efficiently manufactured in' large quantities, and one which lends itself to the production of sharply defined and attractive finishes. The heavy gauge backing plate provides a solid support for the thin finishing shell, so that the latter will not be subject to denting, and in fitting the spindle 13 into the hub 12 the surface of the handle may be hammered without dan er of collapse. The open inner end of the hole 14 and the hollow space above it permit the spindle to be engaged into the handle as far as the surface of the backing plate, thus providing greater adjustment and a ,more reliable fit. The thin outer shell, in addition to being more easily shaped, is comaratively inexpensive, so that a high grade finish may be produced at no greater cost than the cheaper structures heretofore in use.

I have illustrated and described a preferred and satisfactory embodiment of the invention, but it will be obvious that changes may be made therein, within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1- 1. In a handle structure, a base member having a spindle attaching portion, a backing plate having the surface and plan outline of the finished handle and engaged upon said base member, and an outer shell engaged over said backing plate in contact therewith and bent over at its marginal edge upon the under surface of said base member.

2. In a handle structure, a base member having a spindle attaching portion, a backing plate of relatively heavy gauge sheet metal having the surface and plan outline of the finished handle and engaged upon said base member, and an outer shell of relatively thin gauge sheet metal engaged over said backing plate in contact therewith, and bent over at its marginal edge upon the under surface of said base member.

3. In a handle structure, a cast metal base member having an integral spindle attaching portion, a backing plate of relatively strong sheet metal having the surface and plan outline of the finished handle and engaged upon said base member, and an outer shell of relatively thin gauge sheet metal engaged over said backing plate in contact therewith, and bent over at its marginal edge upon the under surface of said base member.

reliable and 4. In a handle structure, a base member having a spindle attaching portion, a backing plate of sheet metal pressed to shape to provide an upper surface contour and a recessed under 'surface, and engaged at its peripheral edge upon the marginal upper surface of said base member, and an outer shell engaged over said backing plate in contact therewith, and bent over at its marginal edge upon the under surface of said base member.

In a handle structure, a base member having an integral spindle attaching portion provided with a passage open at its inner and outer ends, a backing plate having the surface and plan outline of the finished handle and engaged upon said base member, and an outer shell engaged over said back ing plate in contact therewith and bent over at its marginal edge upon the under surface of said base member.

6. In a handle structure, a base member having a spindle attaching portion and provided at its marginal lower surface with a peripheral recess, a backing plate having the surface and plan outline of the finished handle, and engaged upon said base member, and an outer shell engaged over said backing plate in contact therewith, and bent over at its marginal edge into said peripheral recess of the base member.

7. In a handle structure, a base member having a spindle attaching portion, and provided adjacent one end with a hand grip attaching boss projected upwardly, a backing plate having a projecting end portion engaged upon the upper surface of said boss, and engaged at its peripheral edge upon the upper surface of said base member adjacent its peripheral edge, an outer shell engaged over said backing plate in contact therewith, and bent over at its marginal edge upon the under surface of said base member, and a hand grip element secured to said boss of the-base member through said backing plate and shell.

Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of Fair-field, and State of Connecticut, this 2nd day of February, 1926.

HARRY G. SPECHT.

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