WO2007021128A1

WO2007021128A1 - Functional handle

Info

Publication number: WO2007021128A1
Application number: PCT/KR2006/003206
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jang-Yeol Kim
Original assignee: Jang-Yeol Kim
Priority date: 2005-08-16
Filing date: 2006-08-16
Publication date: 2007-02-22

Abstract

The invention pertains a handle used by a plurality of unspecified users. It is an object of the invention to provide a functional handle that many users may touch and may be a transfer medium of infectious diseases and with which it is possible to prevent germs from spreading. The functional handle to achieve the aforementioned object has the following characteristics^ it has a hollow cylinder structure and has a plurality of through-holes on the outer surface thereof and also has a functional member inside thereof. On the outer surface thereof, a plurality of protrusions protrude. And the functional member may be any one of a deodorant, sterilizer, aromatic, and nano-silver catalyst.

Description

FUNCTIONAL HANDLE

Technical Field The present invention relates to a functional handle used by a plurality of unspecified users, and more particularly to a functional handle which gives users the effect of sterilization and emits fragrance for making the environment pleasant as well as prevents germs from spreading through the plurality of users' touching the handle.

Background Art

Handles of trolleys in a shopping center, handgrips of tempered glass doors in a public place, handgrips equipped in a public transportation vehicle such as a bus or subway train, or handles for entrance door locks are touched by a plurality of unspecified users for using them or passing through the doors at least once. As such, the handles or handgrips that the plurality of unspecified users touch act as a medium for transferring germs. In other words, when the next users touch the handle of a door after a person having germs on his hands touches the handle and leaves germs on the handle, the germs are transferred to subsequent users. Therefore, the handles used by a plurality of unspecified users are not hygienic. It is, however, very annoying to disinfect the handle each time one person uses it.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention was conceived to solve the aforementioned prior art problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a functional handle that has a sterilization function to prevent germ propagation caused by a plurality of users touching it and also gives pleasant feeling before gripping the handle by emitting fragrance, while serving as a fundamental general handle. Also, the functional handle according to the invention has a structure to advantageously give the effect of finger-pressure therapy when a user grips the handle.

The functional handle to achieve the aforementioned object is characterized in that the inside of the inventive functional handle is hollow, a plurality of through-holes on the outer surface thereof are provided and it has a functional member placed in the hollow space thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a cap is equipped at one end of the handle to prevent the functional member from being released. Also, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the functional member is an aromatic.

Also, according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the functional member is a deodorant.

Also, according to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the functional member is a nano-silver catalyst.

Also, according to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer surface of the handle is nano-silver coated.

Also, according to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the functional member is charcoal. Also, according to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, a plurality of protrusions are provided on the outer surface of the handle.

Also, according to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle is a handle of a door lock for opening, closing, locking or unlocking an entrance door.

Also, according to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle is made such that both ends of the handle are fixed on a frame of a shopping trolley, respectively, so that a user can hold the handle and push the trolley with the handle to go around. Also, according to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle is shaped a closed ring, equipped inside a public transportation vehicle. Also, according to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle is shaped a vertical beam to be fixed vertically inside a public transportation vehicle.

Also, according to still another preferred embodiment of the invention, both ends of the handle are inserted in a tempered glass door while it passes through the tempered glass door.

Brief Description of the Drawings

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent through the following description, illustrated in the appended drawings, in which like numbers denote like components. The various features of the drawings may not be to scale. In the drawings:

Fig. IA is a perspective view of a shopping trolley according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig.1 B is a cross section of a handle of the shopping trolley shown in Fig.1 A;

Fig.2A is a perspective view of a handle of a tempered glass door according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig.2B shows a cross section of the handle shown in Fig.2A;

Fig.3 A is a perspective view of a handle of a public transportation vehicle according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig.3B shows a cross section of a vertical beam handle shown in Fig.3 A; Fig.4 is a perspective view of a handle of a door lock according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Fig.5 is a front view of the door lock shown in Fig.4; Fig.6 is an exploded view of the door lock handle shown in Fig.4; and

Fig.7 shows a cross section of a door lock handle shown in Fig.4, cut in a longitudinal direction.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First embodiment]

In the drawings, Fig. IA is a perspective view of a handle of a shopping trolley according to a first embodiment of the invention, and Fig. IB is a cross section of the handle of the trolley shown in Fig. IA.

As shown in Figs. IA and IB, the handle 130 of a shopping trolley 100 has a structure of a hollow cylinder, and a plurality of protrusions 131 protrude on the outer surface of the handle 130. The handle 130 also has a plurality of through-holes 133, by making the inner surface of the handle 130 communicate with the outer surfaces thereof.

Both ends of the handle 130 are inserted in the frame 101 of the trolley 100 to allow a user to hold the handle 130 and push the trolley to go around.

In addition, a functional member 140 is placed inside the handle 130. For the functional member 140, both ends of the handle 130 are inserted in and fixed to the frame 101 and the functional member 140 is thereby not released to the outside. For replacing the functional member 140, the trolley must be disassembled to release one frame 101 thereof and then withdraw the functional member 140 from the handle 130. For reassembling the frame 101 into the trolley 100, both ends of the handle 130 have to be inserted in the frame 101 to prevent the functional member 140 from being released. Hereinafter, the functional member will be described in more detail.

An exemplary functional member 140 may be an aromatic or deodorant containing gel type aroma or antibacterial components such as phytoncide, etc. Another exemplary functional member may be charcoal which emits anions and has excellent deodorizing effect. In case of a powder-phase functional member 140 such as charcoal, the functional member 140 can be put in a paper bag and the like and the paper bag can then be placed inside the handle 130.

In order to enhance the sterilization effect of the handle 130, the nano-silver catalyst, which achieves an excellent sterilization effect, may be placed inside the handle. If the functional member 140 provided inside the handle 130 is an aromatic, the aroma is emitted through the through-holes 133 on the handle 130. Therefore, the user who holds the handle 130 and pushes the shopping trolley 100 can smell the aroma emitted from the handle 130 and the aroma spreads in the room.

Furthermore, if the functional member 140 is a deodorant, unpleasant smells are removed by the deodorant contained in the handle 130, while keeping room air pleasant. Also, when the nano-silver catalyst having a sterilization capability is provided inside the handle 130 as a functional member 140, anions Ag⁺ are emitted via the through- holes 133 thus to sterilize germs and to prevent them from spreading. On the outer surface of the handle of the shopping trolley, a plurality of protrusions 131 are provided so that they can give finger pressure therapy effect when users hold the handle 130 and push the trolley 110 with the handle 130 to go around. More preferably, it is possible to maximize the finger pressure therapy effect while the users repeat to hold tightly and then release the handle 130. Since the protrusions are provided on the outer surface of the handle 130, the area where user's palm contacts the handle 130 is smaller, resulting in a lowered probability of germ spreading. Furthermore, it was described above that the nano-silver catalyst is placed inside the handle 130, but it is also possible to nano-silver coat the outer surface of the handle 130 to achieve the sterilization effect for user's palm portion that directly contact the handle. In this case, by providing another functional member 140 such as an aromatic or deodorant and the like inside the handle 130, it is possible to achieve the sterilization effect, aromatic effect or deodorization at the same time.

[Second embodiment]

The functional handle according to the second embodiment of the invention is the same as in the first embodiment with respect to the configuration and functions thereof, except that the functional handle mentioned in the first embodiment is now applied to a handle for a tempered glass door.

Fig.2A is a perspective view of a tempered glass door according to the second embodiment of the invention. Fig.2B is a cross section of the handle in a longitudinal direction, shown in Fig.2A. As shown in Figs.2A and 2B, the tempered glass door 200 is made of glass, a handle

230 is equipped which passes from the front side to the backside of the door 200 so that users can enter and go out therethrough, using the handle 230.

The handle 230 is bent a plurality of times in a longitudinal direction so that the bent portions protrude towards the front side and back side of the tempered glass door, and a plurality of protrusions 231 and a plurality of through-holes 233 are provided on the outer surface of the handle 230. Inside the handle 230, a functional member 240 is placed. Each one end of such a handle 230 is provided with a cap 235 and the other end of the handle 230 is stuck into and fixed to the tempered glass door 200. Therefore, while a user who intends to push and pass through the tempered glass door 200 holds the handle 230, he pushes the door 200 to open and passes through the opened tempered glass door 200.

In this case, since the user holds the handle 230 with protrusions 231, he can have the finger pressure therapy effect, and also have the effect of the functional member described in the first embodiment, that is a deodorization effect, sterilization effect and aromatic effect, depending on the type of the functional member, via the through-holes 233 provided on the handle 230. In particular, in case of a handle for a tempered glass door 200, since the handle 230 is long, a plurality of functional members which have each different function can be provided inside the handle 230. Furthermore, if the functional member 230 is an aromatic, fragrance can spread inside the room with the air moving when the user opens and closes the door 200.

[Third embodiment]

The functional handle according to the third embodiment is now applied to a handle for passengers used in a public transportation vehicle such as a subway train or bus by modifying the functional handle described in the first embodiment to a ring type handle, but the handle according to the third embodiment has the same functions and configuration as in the first embodiment.

Fig.3 A is a perspective view of a handle used in a public transportation vehicle according to the third embodiment of the invention, and Fig.3B is a cross section of the vertical beam handle shown in Fig.3A.

As shown in Figs.3A and 3B, there are provided handles 330 for passenger's safety who are standing in a public transportation vehicle such as a bus or subway train. On the outer surface of the handle 330, there are provided a plurality of protrusions 331 and a plurality of through-holes 333. In this case the handle is hollow so that the functional member 340 can be placed therein. Also in the third embodiment, users can have a deodorization effect, sterilization effect and aromatic effect, depending on the type of the functional member 340, as described in the first and second embodiments. As in the first embodiment, the outer surface of the handle can be nano-silver coated to enhance the sterilization effect. Furthermore, it is not necessary that the functional handle 330 is shaped a closed ring as shown in Fig.3 A, as described in the third embodiment.

In case of a public transportation vehicle, there are provided a plurality of vertical beams 350 to allow passengers to hold them for safety. In this case, although these vertical beams 350 are replaced by the functional handle according to the invention, it is possible to implement the object and effect of the invention. That is, on the outer surface of the beam 350, there are provided a plurality of protrusions 331 and through-holes 333. Inside the vertical beam 350, the functional member 340 can be provided or the outer surface of the vertical beam 350 can be nano- silver coated.

[Fourth embodiment]

The fourth embodiment concerns a handle for a door lock provided for a general entrance door.

Fig.4 is a perspective view of a handle of a door lock according to the fourth embodiment. Fig.5 is a front view of the door lock shown in Fig.4 and Fig.6 is an exploded view of the handle of the door lock shown in Fig.4. Fig.7 is a cross section in, a longitudinal direction, of the handle of a door lock shown in Fig.4. As shown in Figs.4 and 5, the handle 430 of a door lock 400 has a hollow cylinder structure. On the outer surface of the handle 430, a plurality of protrusions 431 protrude, and a plurality of through-holes 433 are made, such that the inner surface of the handle 430 communicates with the outer surface thereof. Also, one end of the handle 430 is coupled to a rotating axis 401 to allow the rotating axis 401 of the door lock 400 to rotate, following the rotation of the handle 430. On the open end of the handle 430, a cap 437 is screw-fixed. Here, as shown in Figs.6 and 7, the other end of the handle 430 is made as a female screw 435 and the cap 437 is made as a male screw 439 to achieve screw-coupling therebetween.

Furthermore, a functional member 440 is provided inside the handle 430. The functional member 440 is not released outside of the handle with the aid of the cap 437 coupled on the other end of the handle 430. After the user releases the cap 437 from the handle 430 to replace the functional member 440, he can screw the cap 437 to the other end of the handle 430 again.

For the door lock 400 having the aforementioned configuration, the user holds the handle 430 to open and close the entrance door 1. In this case, the user's palm is pressed by means of the protrusions 431 provided on the handle 430 to produce pressure and thus give the users finger pressure therapy effect. With the through-hole 433 made on the handle 430, it is possible to achieve the effect of the functional member described in the first, second and third embodiments, that is a deodorant effect, sterilization effect and aromatic effect, depending on the type of the functional member. Furthermore, for the handle 430 of the door lock 400 described above, the nano-silver catalyst is provided inside the handle 430, but it is possible to nano-silver coat the outer surface of the handle 430 to sterilize the user's palm portion directly contacting the handle 430. In this case, by providing different types of the functional member 440, such as an aromatic or deodorant, in the handle, it is also possible to achieve sterilization, aromatic or deodorization effects at the same time.

The present invention has been described in detail. However, it should be noted that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or

"an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage the invention.

Claims

[Claims 1] A functional handle, characterized in that the functional handle is hollow and a plurality of through-holes are provided protruding from the inner surface of the handle to the outer surface thereof, and in that a functional member is provided inside thereof.

[Claims 2] The functional handle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a cap is provided to one end of the handle to prevent the functional member from being released.

[Claims 3] The functional handle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the functional member is an aromatic.

[Claims 4] The functional handle as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the functional member is a deodorant.

[Claims 5] The functional handle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the functional member is a nano-silver catalyst.

[Claims 6] The functional handle as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the outer surface of the handle is nano-silver coated.

[Claims 7] The functional handle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the functional member is charcoal.

[Claims 8] The functional handle as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of protrusions protrude on the outer surface of the handle.

[Claims 9] The functional handle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the handle is for a door lock for opening, closing, locking or unlocking an entrance door.

[Claims 10] The functional handle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the handle is made such that both ends of the handle are fixed on a frame of a shopping trolley, respectively, so that a user can hold the handle and push the trolley with the handle to go around.

[Claims 11] The functional handle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the handle is shaped a closed ring, equipped inside a public transportation vehicle.

[Claims 12] The functional handle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the handle is shaped a vertical beam to be fixed vertically inside a public transportation vehicle.

[Claims 13] The functional handle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that both ends of the handle is inserted in a tempered glass door while it passes through the tempered glass door.

[Claims 14] The functional handle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the outer surface of the handle is nano-silver coated.