US2216467A - Plastic doorknob construction - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 1, 1940. M FALK PLASTIC DOORKNOB CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 27. 1938 NVENTOR MORE/3 FfiL/. 8%

4 ATTORNEY al mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmwmmmm Patented Oct. 1, 1940 UNITED STATES rrnsrro nooaKNoB CONSTRUCTION Morris Falk, Leominster, Mass, assignor to Independent Lock Company, Fitchburg, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 27, 1938, Serial No. 237,179

18 Claims.

This invention relates to doorknobs, and more particularly to doorknobs of ornamental character.

The general object of my invention is the provision in a doorknob of a simple and inexpensive construction, but one that is at the same time rugged and is susceptible of highly artistic ornamental embodiment.

Modern taste in builders hardware, and particularly in hardware for the home which frequently requires adherence to a definite color scheme, calls for great variety in color and finish and multicolored finishes are in great demand. Accordingly dealers and manufacturers of such hardware must be prepared to supply any given item in a great many colors and finishes.

Where the article is of one color or finish throughout the problem of manufacturing and stocking it in a number of colors and finishes is serious enough, as it prevents production in large runs, thereby increasing the cost, and the investment involved in stocking the article in various finishes is enormously increased.

The problem is further complicated where the article is multicolored, as is frequently the case in hardware of modern design in which metallic fittings are frequently used in combination with parts of other materials, such as the colorful products of the manufacturers of synthetic resins. The consumer may call for a particular color in one part and another color in another part, and the variety of combinations that may be called for is very great.

Among the-objects of my invention is therefore further the provision of a doorknob whereby it is constituted of interfitting parts that may be separately finished and enable the inexpensive production of multi-colored finishes, the parts of which are interchangeable with other parts, and the parts of which are readily assembled and disassembled.

As a consequence a dealer need only stock the various parts in a variety of finishes and colors, and from this stock he may quickly assembly the desired combination called for. As an alternative, of course, he may stock a limited number of assemblies and additional parts by the use of which one of the assemblies may be converted pointed out, I make reference to the accompany- 7 ing drawing forming a part hereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of my improved doorknob;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view thereof; r Figure 3 is an exploded view showing the parts constituting my improved doorknob arranged substantially in the order in which they are assembled, and each part being shown in perspective;

Figure 4 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of the doorknob body portion; 1 1 Figure 5 is a bottom plan View of the interlocking member of the doorknob;

Referring to the drawing in detail, there is therein designated a'bodyiportion Ill of a. doorknob, a shank portion l2, a washer l i, adapted to be positioned intermediate the body portion and the shank, and a member l8 for interlocking the body portion Ill and the shank portion l2. My improved doorknob further includes a top piece or cap I8 adapted -to seat on the body portion Ill and to close the opening therein. and means to hold the member It in its interlocking position, such means being shown byway of eX-. ample, as a screw 20 and a lock washer 22.

The body portion In, the shank l2 and the washer H! are so contoured and dimensioned in relation to the locking member 16 that when the latter is drawn toward the shank, the body portion will be pressed against the washer M, and all the parts will be firmly interlocked into a rigid unit.

The body portion I0 is shown as of a character that adapts itself readily for manufacture from a variety of materials, and in particular from one of the many modern synthetic plastics such as phenol formaldehyde condensation products, polymerized vinyl compounds and plasticized cellulosic compounds such as cellulose acetate, all of which may be made by a molding, die casting or injection casting method. These materials besides being suitable from the standpoint of ease of manufacture, fill the require- 253 which serves to support the flange 19 of the top piece or cap I8.

The bottom 28 of the body portion has a centrally, positioned opening 30 therein, which opening is non-circular, so that when the projecting portion 32 of the locking member IS, the contour of which is complementary to that of the opening 30, is inserted therein, these parts will be interlocked against relative turning. For this purpose, the portion 32 is shown as in the shape of a cylinder, flattened on opposed sides, as at 33 and is further provided with means for taking up play between these parts, as will appear hereinafter.

As clearly appears from Figs. 2 and 4, the member I6 is provided with a pair of recesses 34 formed in its projecting portion 32, these recesses being of a shape to receive therewithin the spaced upstanding lug portions 36 of the shank I2. Between the recesses 34 of the member I6 is a second projecting portion or boss 38 adapted to fit into the space between the lugs or portions 36 of the shank. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the flange portions 38 of the member l6 overlie the bottom 28 of the body portion I8, and all of the parts just described are so contoured that they will interfit so that relative rotation between them is prevented. They are further so proportioned that the screw 20 will draw them together in an axial direction until theyare firmly interlocked.

When the lugs 36 are interfitted with the member 16, it will be observed that the external configuration of the combined portions 3'5 and 33 is cylindrical and of such size that it will be accommodated within the opening 48 of the washer M, the rim portions of which are adapted to seat within the recess 58 of the body portion. In order to allow for variations between the sizes of the opening 38 and the projection 32 and still secure firm interfitting, teeth M may be provided at the base portions of the fiat walls 33 of the projection 32. These teeth may be so contoured and the materials of parts It and [8 so selected that the teeth will bite into the softer materials of the adjacent walls of the body portion IE) and thereby firmly seat themselves and the member 16 in place. Alternatively, of course, the teeth might be made of the softer material; in either case a firm seating is secured. For securing this effect, the'teeth are shown as provided with sharp edges tapering downwardly, and when the member [6 is drawn against the shank by the screw 20, the two rows of teeth 44 will wedge into the opening 36 and the parts will be firmly interlocked.

When the body portion ID, and the shank l2, the interlocking member l6 and the washer M are in assembled relation, it will be observed that they mutually firmly support each other in the proper relation. Permanence in such assembled relation is secured by inserting the screw 28 through the opening 46 of the flange 41 at the top of the threaded bore 48 of the shank, and into the threaded opening 58 in the member It.

The lock. washer 22 may be placed under the head of the screw 2!! and will then perform its customary function of resisting movement of the screw, such as would loosen it.

The ease with which the assembly of the parts may be eifected will be apparent. The washer M is first placed in the shank l2, the body portion I8 is seated in the washer, and the member i5 is properly positioned by inserting it through the open end of the body portion Ill and seating it in place in the opening 30 and on the shank 12. The parts are readily held in place while the screw 20 and lock washer 28 are applied to draw the parts together.

Adjacent the exterior portion of the knob I8 I form an annular flange 58 into which the rim of the washer I l may be seated.

The washer is preferably dished to add resiliency and where it is seated over the lugs 36 abuts the shoulder 31 formed on the shank l2 and extending to either side of the upstanding lugs 36. Interposing the washer 14 between the knob 10 and the shoulder 31 provides an exceedingly desirable construction especially where the washer I l is dished in that by this construction the bottom 28 of the knob where this is made of rather fragile plastic material is resiliently engaged between the interlocking member I6 and the shoulder 31. This resiliency is in addition to that which may be offered by the spring washer 22. Additionally also, by separately forming the shank l2 and the washer l4 great economy is effected by reason of the fact that the stock of material which is employed for making the shank I2 is of minimum dimension.

Additionally, also, apart from the resilient connection obtained in interposing the washer l4 between the knob 10 and the shoulder 31 of the shank 12 quick interchange of parts may be effected so that a definite color combination may be obtained as between the ornamental finish which may be given to the washer I 4 and the doorknob [0. Thus, as will hereinafter appear, if the chromium plating, nickel plating, gun metal or colored enamel finish is intended to be contrasted with the color tone of the doorknob l8 whether it be made of metal or plastic, the interposing of the washer l4 and its manner of mounting makes possible a quick and ready interchange of this part with the desired color tone or with any other predetermined color tone depending upon the color combination to be effected by the assembly.

To complete the doorknob and to give it its final ornamental touch the top piece I8 is added to the assembly just described. It is shown as provided with prongs 52 adapted to enter the grooves 24 of the body portion Ill. The prongs 52 are made sufiiciently resilient and they have transverse grooves 54 in the outer surfaces of their end portions, so that when they are inserted into the grooves 24 of the body portion [0 they will snap into place, with the rib-s 26 of the body portion seated in the grooves 54 of prongs, as shown in Fig. 2.

Disassembly of the complete knob for the purpose of interchanging parts or for other purposes is readily efiected by first removing the screw 28, which will enable separation of the shank l2 (and the washer l4 if desired) and then pushing the member l6 inwardly and against the top piece thereby forcing it out of its seat in the body portion.

For the sake of completeness attention may be called to the threaded bore 48, adapted to fit on a threaded spindle and the threaded opening 56 adapted to receive a screw to lock the knob to the spindle, these being conventional features.

Attention will now be directed to the simplicity and economy of design enabling my improved doorknob to be produced at low cost. The use of metals or of synthetic plastics of different color-tones or ornamental finish for the body portion Ill has already been mentioned, The member I6 is conveniently and cheaply made of metal by the die casting process. The spindle or shank I2 is a turning that is relatively low in cost because of the small diameter of the stock that may be used. The top piece l8 and the washer l4 are sheet metal stampings that may be cheaply and easily produced and given various predetermined finishes of ornamental character for effecting various color combinations with the knob portions.

It will therefore be obvious that by the ready interchangeability of the parts of my doorknob and their low cost, great variety in color combinations and finish may be obtained by a dealer or a manufacturer from a stock of parts that are small in quantity and low in cost.

Having thus described and illustrated my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A doorknob comprising a hollow body portion open at the top and having a non-circular opening in its bottom and a shallow recess on its bottom surface, a top piece adapted to close the opening in the top of the body portion, said piece and said body portion .being provided with complementary means for yieldably interlocking them, a washer seating in said recess of the body portion, a shank having spaced projections thereon extending through the opening in the washer, a member having portions adapted to seat snugly within the opening in the bottom of said body portion when pressed thereinto, said member having recesses therein adapted to receive said projections on the shank, and said member having a projection thereon adapted to extend and to fit into the space between said projections on the shank, and means for drawing said member toward the shank and thereby to snugly interlock said member, said body portion, said washer and said shank.

2. In a doorknob assembly constituted of readily interchangeable parts, a shank arranged to receive a spindle, a resilient washer seating on said shank, a hollow body portion seating on said washer, and means to interlock said body portion and said shank portion against separation and relative rotation independent of said spindle, said means being of such character as to permit its ready removal when desired, and readily removable closure means for said hollow body portion, seating therein independently of said interlocking means.

3. A doorknob construction comprising a relatively heavy metallic shank, a relatively heavy hollow body portion, a dished, resilient sheet metal washer interposed between said body portion and said shank, a relatively heavy member for interlocking said shank and said body portion against separation and relative rotation, and a thin sheet metal closure for said hollow body portion, said closure seating on and interlocking with the said body portion independently of said interlocking means 4. A doorknob construction comprising a relatively heavy metallic shank arranged to receive a threaded spindle, a relatively heavy hollow body portion made of a molded synthetic plastic material, a dished, resilient sheet metal washer interposed between said body portion and said shank, a relatively heavy member for interlocking said shank and said body portion against separation and relative rotation independent of said spindle, and a thin sheet metal closure for said hollow body portion, said closure seating on and interlocking with the said body portion independently of said interlocking means.

5. A doorknob comprising a shank, a washer seating on said shank, a body portion adapted to seat on said washer, a member adapted to seat on said shank and having portions thereon interfitting with said body portion, said member serving to interlock said shank and said body portion and prevent separation and relative rotation thereof, and means for holding said member in its interlocking position.

6. A shank for a doorknob, said shank being of tubular conformation and provided at one end thereof with spaced projections having their outer walls contoured so as to lie in a single cylindrical segment, an'annular seat surrounding said projections, and a restricted opening between said projections, said opening communicating with the bore of the shank.

7. A shank for a doorknob, said shank being of turned tubular conformation and having a threaded bore, and said shank being provided at one end thereof with spaced projections having their outer walls contoured so as to lie in a single cylindrical segment, an annular seat surrounding said projections, and a restricted opening between said projections, said opening com,- municating with the bore of the shank.

8. In a doorknob, in combination, a shank of substantially tubular conformation and having a threaded bore provided at one end with spaced projections defining the inner cylindrical wall of an annular seat, and an opening communicating with said bore between said projections, and a washer seating on said annular seat and surrounding said projections, said washer being adapted to be seated in the body portion of a doorknob to engage peripheral portions of said washer. p t

9. In a doorknob, a bowl-shaped body portion having walls following the general exterior contour of said body having a non-circular opening in its bottom, closure means for the open top of said body portion, and complementary means on said closure and said body portion for removably interlocking them, said complementary means comprising resilient members carried by said closure means and adapted to extend into grooves in the inner walls of said body portion and a shouldered portion on the interior faces of said walled portion to limit said closure means to inward positioning to arrange said closure and knob body to form predetermined contoured portions. v

10. In a doorknob, a hollow body portion the walls of which follow generally the exterior contour of said body and provided with grooves in its inner walls having transverse ribs therein and adapted to receive the complementarily contoured portions of a top piece forming a cover for said body portion, said ribs forming an abutment for said top piece to limit the positioning of said cover to the contoured portion.

11. In a doorknob assembly comprising a body portion, a shank and a washer interposed between said body portion and said shank, a member for interlocking said parts comprising a portion adapted to interlock with the body portion of the doorknob and a portion adapted to interlock with the shank, and means adapted to engage said member whereby the said member may be drawn toward the shank so as to hold said body portion, said washer and said shank in interlocking relation.

12. In a doorknob assembly comprising a body portion, a shank and a washer interposed between said body portion and said shank, a member for interlocking said parts comprising a portion adapted to interlock with the body portion of the doorknob and a portion adapted to interlock with the shank, and means adapted to engage said member whereby the said member may be drawn toward the shank so as to hold said body portion, said Washer and said shank in interlocking relation, and said member being provided with teeth having inclined sides adapted to be forced into the material of the body portion when said member is drawn toward the shank.

13. In a doorknob assembly comprising a body portion of relatively soft material and a shank for receiving a spindle, a member independent press against said body portion.

14. A doorknob assembly comprising a body portion of relatively soft material and a shank for receiving a spindle, a member for interlocking said shank and said body portion to each other and located within the confines of the body of said knob, said member being of relatively hard material and being provided with wedge shaped teeth adapted to bite into the body portion when pressed thereagainst and thereby to eliminate play between them, and means for causing said member to press against said body portion.

15. In a doorknob assembly comprising a body portion and a shank adapted to receive a spindle .in independently adjustable relationship, a member for interlocking said shank and said body portion, means acting between said shank and said member for drawing said member toward the shank, and causing portions of said member to engage and to press against said body portion, and said engaging portions of said member and of said body portion being respectively of materials one of which is relatively soft and the other of which is relatively hard, whereby when said member engages and is pressed against said body portion the softer material will be deformed by the harder material which will bite thereinto and the parts will be firmly seated together.

16. In a hollowdoorknob adapted to be attached to a shank, independently of a spindle connection, a knob body of bowl shape, open at the top, vertic'al grooves in the inner sides of the walls of said knob body, ribs running transversely across said grooves, and a closure for the open top of said knob body comprising a. disc-shaped portion having resilient prongs depending therefrom, said prongs being adapted to enter said grooves in the knob body, and said prongs having transverse grooves therein adapted to receive said ribs in the grooves of said knob body whereby relative rotation of the cover and thebody is prevented and removal of the cover from the body is resisted.

17. In a doorknob, a knob member having a non-circular opening therethrough, a knob shank having a relatively long body portion abutting at one end one face of the knob member, a relatively short extension having an opening on said abutting end entering the knob member opening, said abutting portion having a spindle receiving bore communicating with the opening of said extension, a. securing member operable independently of the spindle for said shank having an enlarged head disposed in said extension and having a portion projecting into said opening, and a retaining member having means at the opposite face of a portion of the knob member non-rotatably engaging said opening and to which said securing member is connected.

18. In a doorknob, a knob member having an opening therethrough, portions adjacent thereof being formed to provide non-rotative engagement, aknob shank adapted to receive a spindle having a relatively long body portion abutting at oneend one face of the knob member, a relatively short extension having an opening on said abutting end and entering said knob member opening, said abutting portion having a spindle receiving bore communicating with the opening of said extension, securing means adjacent said extension aligned with the opening of said knob member, and a retaining member operative independently of said spindle for said shank havingv means at the opposite face of a portion of the knob disposed through the opening of said knob member and engaging said securing means, non-rotatably holding said knob member and knob shank.

MORRIS FALK.

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