US2114340A - Escutcheon plate or the like - Google Patents

Description

April 19, 1938. FALK 2,114,340

ESCUTCHEON PLATE OR THE LIKE Filed March 27, 1937 a. n INVENTOR, 10f "lulu-$ MW $21k,

I '4 12 HI) ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 19, 1938 ESCUTCHEON PLATE OR THE LIKE Morris Falk, Leominstfir, Mass, assignor to Independent Lock Com pany, Fitchburg, Mass, a

corporation of Massachusetts Application March 27,

7 Claims.

This invention relates to escutcheon plates; more particularly to escutcheon plates for doors.

The invention has for its objective the provision of escutcheon plates for doors which are of simple and inexpensive manufacture, and include constructional details whereby builders hardware, of the character described, may have imparted thereto pleasing surface ornamentation, more particularly, contrasting color schemes, without the unusual expense involved for such purposes, such as may be entailed in the expense of complex coatings or in enamelling such parts as are employed to impart ornamental, as well as utilitarian features.

Where it has been found desirable to supply a demand for highly ornamental builder's hardware, particularly escutcheons carrying out pre determined surface finishing designs or color contrasts, in keeping with some general decorative 20 plan, the provision of such hardware as escutcheons in a variey of embellished eifects or colors, such as multi-tone or two-tone eifects, required that such parts be more or less custom made as otherwise dealers in such products are not prone to carry a large supply of a variety of decorated parts or of a variety of colored, or contrastingly colored parts, for fear that the whims of the trade for different ornamentation or contrasting color eifects may leave the dealer with 30 a quantity of unsaleable or difiicultly saleable products.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide an escutcheon plate permitting the employment of a variety of ornamental materials,

' such as bronze, plated materials, synthetic plastics ornamented in various colors, and to include in the construction of an escutcheon plate of this character, a separable element whereby different ornamental color effects may be produced.

40 It is contemplated by my invention to include in an escutcheon plate, simple and inexpensive mounting means for a replaceable or interchangeable element of exceedingly low cost, whereby this low cost element may be retained in stock 4 by the dealer, with different ornamental effects or in a variety of colors, without entailing any considerable expense, whereby this replaceable element may be interchangeably positioned with a simple number of, or a small stock number of 50 ornamented primary escutcheon plates.

Thus, it is a further object of my invention to provide a primary body constituting an escutcheon, which may be made and ornamented in a comparatively simple number of stock ornamen- 55 tal finishes and with which a contrasting, inter- 1937, Serial No. 133,371

changeable element may be associated, the replaceable element being of such low cost and being so readily replaced that a dealer may retain on hand such elements in large number and with a variety of finishes or color effects, to supply all reasonable demands, but without involving himself in an unusually high investment to meet such contingencies.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide means for supplying the trade with a '10 wide variety of ornamental escutcheons, yet effecting considerable economy without entailing the dealer in large investments to meet all the contingencies and requirements of the trade.

To attain these objects and such further objects as may appear herein or be hereinafter pointed out, I make reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of an escutcheon plate for a door; 7

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a replaceable element therefor;

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section taken on of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of my invention;

Figure 6 is a section taken on the line 6-5 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a section taken on the line 7-! of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a section taken along the line of Figure 4, with another embodiment.

Making reference to the drawing, I have i1lus-- trated an escutcheon plate IE, exemplifying the form of the escutcheon plate that usually is associated with a door. The contour of the escutcheon may be given various configurations of pleasing and ornamental character, and may be made from a variety of materials, such as molded materials employing synthetic plastics, such as phenol formaldehyde condensation products, polymerized vinyl compounds, plasticized cellulosic compounds such as cellulose acetate, all of which may be made by a molding, die casting or injection casting method.

The main body of the escutcheon plate may likewise be made of cast metal, such as bronze, brass, or metal stampings, in which a variety of finishes may be imparted thereto, such as by nickel plating or chromium plating, or by bronze finishing or enamelling.

The escutcheon plate I 0 may be formed at its face it with any desired surface configuration,

the line 4-4 2 and includes a recess or orifice I2, into which there is fixed, by crimping, a door knob boss I3, having outwardly fiared shoulders It. It will be understood that the door knob boss may be integrally formed with the main body of the escutcheon plate in the manner which will appear more clearly as this description proceeds.

The front face of the escutcheon is provided with a surface terminating recess or seat I5, preferably of such contour as will ornamentally conform with the general contour of the escutcheon plate. The recess may extend for a substantial part of the entire escutcheon plate; preferably however, the recess adjacent the lowermost portion I6 encompasses the affixing orifice II.

The recess or seat I5, at its upper end, preferably terminates adjacent an overhang I8, provided by the shoulder I4 of the door knob boss. The body of the escutcheon is otherwise formed with a key hole [9.

With an escutcheon plate having the face terminating recess or seat as described, there is then provided an insert element 20, shown in Figure 2. This element 20 has its profile 2i corresponding to the contour of the recess or seat I5. The lower edge 22 includes a screw orifice 23, adapted to align with the orifice II in the body of the escutcheon. A key hole Z l is positioned on the element 20 to align with the key hole I9 formed in the body of the escutcheon. The upper end 25 serves as a means for affixing the same in the recess or seat I5 and for this purpose is arranged to be received underneath the overhang I8 provided by the shoulders I4 of the door knob boss I3.

With an insert element thus provided, a highly ornamental contrasting color and design effect is readily produced, as will be apparent from an inspection of Figure l, with the element 20 inserted within the recess or seat I5. This is accomplished by first inserting the end 25 underneath the overhang I8 and then dropping the body of the element 20 within. the recess I5. In this position, an attaching element such as a screw or bolt may be passed through the aligned orifices 23 and II, to afhx the element and escutcheon plate in position upon the door surface adjacent the lock.

At the upper end of the escutcheon, another screw orifice 26 may be provided, to provide additional means to attach the escutcheon plate in position.

It will be understood that the insert element 20 may be made of metal, to which an ornamental finish may be given, such as by bronzing, enamelling, nickel-plating, chromium-plating, or the like. This insert element may likewise be of plastic material, cut, cast or molded from such material.

The character of the insert element 20 will readily be understood to be of such low cost as to permit a trader to maintain on hand a large variety of such elements, each ornamented or finished to produce a large variety of pleasing effects in contrast with the background of the main body escutcheon plate.

It will be understood that while it is preferred by me to have the thickness of the element 2!! correspond to the depth of the recess I5, to provide a surface termination of the element 29 with the surface II of the escutcheon III, only a portion of the element 20 need be so formed to be received within the recess.

Thus, it is sufficient thatthe insert element have a seat corresponding to the recess I5, with portions extending beyond and above the surface I I, to give a raised appearance whereby different ornamental effects may be produced. It will also be understood that the portion extending outside of the recess may be given various contours, thereby to further increase and vary the ornamental contrast which may be imp-arted to the combined elements comprising the body portion of the escutcheon and the insert element 253.

In Figures 6 and 7 I have illustrated another embodiment of my invention in which the es cutcheon plate Illa is more particularly suitable where it is desired to employ a synthetic plastic. In this construction, the body portion lid is molded or otherwise formed to provide an orifice I2a, terminating in a door knob boss ISa, having an outwardly flared shoulder I la, adjacent the face side. On the face side II, there is formed a face terminating recess or seat IEa, one end whereof extends towards the edge Isa and over lies an attaching orifice I711. The opposite end merges beneath the collar I la, providing an overhang IBa. by the slot formed by the recess Hid, which terminates in the wall of the orifice IEia of the boss for the door knob.

For purposes of facilitating the formation of the overhang orifice ISa in the illustration shown, there is provided the core orifice I81). It will be understood that where manufacturing procedure dictates that the overhang orifice or slot Ilia be provided separate from the molding or casting operation, this may be accomplished by a routing operation, in which event the core orifice 58b may not appear in the escutcheon.

Additionally, the molding operation may provide a keyhole orifice I9a, located in position in accordance with the embodiment previously described.

In all other respects, by the inclusion of the attaching orifice 26a, the embodiment described in Figure 6 includes all of the features of construction heretofore referred to in connection with the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4, and may have combined therewith the insert element 20, illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 5, therefore, provides an escutcheon body which is interchangeable with the escutcheon body illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, for the retention therein of the insert element 28.

In Figure 8 I have shown a fragmentary section of another embodiment of my invention in which the variable element receiving recess may extend through to the back surface of the escutcheon plate. In this embodiment, the main body of the escutcheon plate IGb is provided with a surface terminating recess Ilia, extending from the front surface to the rear surface, and includes an undercut shoulder I51). Otherwise, the surface terminating recess I5a may correspond to the form and contour of the variable insert element 26, in accordance with some predetermined outline.

With an escutcheon plate which includes the surface terminating orifice I511 and the overhang shoulder I5b, there may be provided an insert element 200,, the upper portion whereof 2Ia corresponds to the narrow portion of the recess I5a and the lower portion 2Ib corresponds in contour to be received by the overhang I52).

With the construction shown in Figure 8, the variable insert element is positioned through the rear face of the escutcheon plate until the insert element 2011 has the portion ZIa nested within the recess I50, and the portion ZIb, and is held by the shoulder I51) and is nested within the enlarged portion so provided.

In other respects, the construction of the escutcheon plate will be readily understood except that this embodiment requires the inclusion of attaching orifices formed solely in the body of the escutcheon plate, which in turn will hold the insert element 28a in position.

It will be understood that while I have described and illustrated my invention as having particular utility in connection with escutcheon plates for doors in that this element receives a major consideration in ornamenting and effecting some ornamental treatment, and further in that this part of the door receives a great deal of wear due to handling, requiring renovation, it will be understood that in certain respects my invention has applicability in switch plates, lighting fixtures, such as wall brackets and door knockers.

In general, it will be observed that I have provided an escutcheon plate in which great economies are effected in that a simple number of body members may serve interchangeably to mount a large variety of the insert elements, and that this element being of low cost, will not involve a dealer in a large investment to meet the con tingencies arising by reason of the need for different ornamental effects, color contrasts, and surface finishings, in the builders hardware referred to.

While I have illustrated my invention in the preferred form, it will be understood that the exemplification is not to be construed as limiting, but within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. An escutcheon comprising, in combination, a body portion and an interchangeable surface replacement element, means formed on the exposed face of said body portion serving as locating means to seat said element and as attaching means, and means on said element cooperating with said first means for interfitting said locating and attaching means whereby a variable surface assembly of the cooperating body portion and element is obtainable.

2. An escutcheon comprising, in combination, a body portion and an interchangeable surface replacement inlay element, said body portion having formed therein a surface terminating recess, said element being formed to have a portion thereof fit within said recess and means formed on said body and inlay element, respectively, for detachably holding said element in position.

3. An escutcheon comprising, in combination, a body portion and an interchangeable inlay element, said body portion having formed therein a surface terminating recess adjacent the front face thereof, attaching orifices for said body portion, a boss member, said element being formed to have a portion thereof fit within said recess and including a portion thereof formed to engage said boss member, a plurality of orifices in said body portion and inlay element, one of which is a keyhole orifice, the other of which is an attaching orifice, said keyhole and attaching orifices in said body and inlay portion being in alignment when said inlay is seated within said recess.

4. An escutcheon comprising, in combination, a body portion and an inlay element, said portion having formed therein a surface terminating recess, a portion of said body being formed with an overhang adjacent one end of said recess and a plurality of orifices encompassed within the body portion and extending through said recess, said inlay element having a portion thereof formed to be received within said recess and to engage said overhang and including a plurality of orifices, one of which is a keyhole orifice arranged to be aligned with the keyhole orifice of the body portion, the other orifices serving as attaching means for the escutcheon assembly and for holding the inlay element in the seated position,

5. An escutcheon comprising, in combination, a body portion and an interchangeable surface replacement element, said body portion including a door knob boss having formed thereon an overhang, a surface terminating seat formed in the body portion for the replaceable element, one end of said seat underlying said overhang, an attaching orifice passing through said body portion adjacent the opposite end of said seat, said element including a portion formed to be received by said overhang and including an orifice adapted to align with said orifice whereby a fastening element may be passed through said aligned orifices, holding said element in position upon said seat and afiixing said escutcheon assembly in position.

6. An escutcheon comprising, in combination, a body portion and an interchangeable surface replacement element, a seat for said element formed in the face of said body portion, a boss extending from the face of said body portion and provided with an interlocking portion adjacent one end of said seat, said element including a portion formed to correspond to said seat and having on one end thereof a portion removably engageable with said interlocking portion of said body portion, and cooperating fastening means on said body portion and element, respectively, adjacent the opposite end of said element and body portion in relation to said interlocking portion.

7. An escutcheon comprising, in combination, a body portion and an interchangeable, readily removable surface inlay element, said body portion having formed therein a door knob boss and a surface terminating recess in the front face of said body portion, a locking overhang formed in said boss adjacent one end of said recess, said body portion including an escutcheon assembly attaching orifice disposed opposite to said boss, said element having a profile adapted to be received within said recess, one end whereof underlying said overhang, the other end including an orifice in alignment with the orifice of said body portion whereby an attaching element may be passed through said orifices to hold said element in assembled position with the body portion and afiix said escutcheon in position.

MORRIS FALK.

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