GB2263498A

GB2263498A - Improvements in lockable handles

Info

Publication number: GB2263498A
Application number: GB9201650A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tracy Dain Fletcher
Original assignee: Hardware and Systems Patents Ltd
Current assignee: Hardware and Systems Patents Ltd
Priority date: 1992-01-25
Filing date: 1992-01-25
Publication date: 1993-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2012-01-25
Also published as: IE930044A1; GB9201650D0; GB2263498B; IE67003B1

Abstract

A push to release latch assembly for securing a pivotable handle 1 relative to a base plate 2 comprises a latch member 21 pivotally mounted in the handle 1 and biassed by a spring 28 to engage a striker head 25 in a recess 14 of the base plate 2. The latch member 21 is pivotal to disengage the striker head 25 from the recess 14 by depressing a plunger 17 to release the handle 1 for pivotal movement relative to the base plate 2 and the striker head 25 is automatically re-engageable with the recess 14 on return pivotal movement of the handle 1. The plunger 17 may be secured in a disenabling position preventing it from being depressed to release the handle 1. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO HANDLE ASSEMBLIES This invention concerns improvements in or relating to handle assemblies of the type in which a handle pivotally mounted on a base plate is secured against pivotal movement by a latch member to prevent inadvertent opening of a closure such as a door or window.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a handle assembly with a means for releasing the latch member that is of simple construction and easy to operate.

It is a preferred object of the invention to provide such means which can be locked by a key to prevent release of the latch member without the key.

According to the present invention we provide a handle assembly for a closure comprising a base plate, a handle pivotally mounted on the base plate, a pivotal latch member mounted in the handle, a plunger mounted in the handle and arranged to project from the handle under biassing of spring means for urging a striker head of the latch member into a recessed formation in the base plate to secure the handle against pivotal movement relative to the base plate, and the plunger being depressible against the biassing of the spring means to pivot the latch member to disengage the striker head from the recessed formation and allow pivotal movement of the handle relative to the base plate.

Preferably, the latch member is mounted in a pocket in the underside of the handle and the striker head extends to one side of the pivot mounting.

Advantageously, the plunger is mounted in a through bore opening into the pocket and the latch member has a yoke extending to the other side of the pivot mounting that is connected to the inner end of the plunger.

Conveniently, the inner end of the plunger has a circumferential groove engaged by opposed lugs of the yoke.

Preferably, the spring means comprises a helical spring encircling the plunger in the bore and arranged to bias the plunger out of the bore.

Advantageously, the latch member has respective stop faces to limit axial movement of the plunger into and out of the bore.

Preferably, the plunger is rotatable to a disenabling position in which axial depression of the plunger to disengage the latch member is prevented.

Conveniently, lock means is provided for securing the plunger against rotation in the disenabling position.

Advantageously, the lock means comprises a spring loaded detent actuated by a key for rotating the plunger.

Preferably, the latch member has a cam face for co-operating with the base plate for automatically re-engaging the recessed formation.

Conveniently, the handle is pivotal relative to the base plate about an axis parallel to and offset from the plunger.

In a preferred construction the handle is adapted for connection to a spindle for actuating an espagnolette, tilt/turn gear or the like.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a handle assembly according to the invention showing the handle in a first position; FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal section through the handle assembly shown in Figure 1 showing the latch engaged; FIGURE 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the latch disengaged.

The handle assembly shown in the drawings comprises a handle 1 pivotally mounted on a base plate 2 by an integral spigot 3 that projects from the underside of the handle 1 and is received within a bore 4 in the base plate 2.

A low friction plastics washer 5 is mounted on the spigot 3 between the underside of the handle 1 and the base plate 2 thereby separating the handle 1 and base plate 2 for pivotal movement of the handle 1 relative to the base plate 2 about the spigot axis.

The free end of the spigot 3 is received in a counterbore 6 in the underside of the base plate 2 and is enlarged to locate behind a shoulder 7 connecting the bores 4,6 to secure the handle 1 to the base plate 2.

Spring washers 8 mounted on the free end of the spigot 3 are compressed between the shoulder 7 and the enlarged end of the spigot 3 so that pivotal movement of the handle 1 is frictionally restrained.

The spigot 3 is formed with a blind rectangular bore 9 which receives a complementary spindle 10 for transmitting pivotal movement of the handle 1 to actuate an espagnolette bolt (not shown).

The base plate 2 is formed with through holes 11,12 which are countersunk for receiving screws (not shown) for securing and fixing the base plate 2 to a casing (not shown) housing a drive mechanism, for example a rack and pinion gearing, for the espagnolette bolt.

In this embodiment, the handle 1 is pivotal through 900 in the direction of arrow A from the position shown in Figure 1 for actuating the espagnolette bolt.

The position of the handle 1 shown in Figure 1 corresponds to a fastened condition of the espagnolette bolt for securing a door or window in closed or vent positions, and the handle 1 is pivotal in the direction of arrow A to unfasten the espagnolette bolt for opening and closing the door or window.

In use, the handle assembly is mounted on the movable frame member and a raised grip part 13 of the handle 1 extends parallel to and is offset to one side of the longitudinal axis to provide increased clearance between the grip part 13 and the surrounding fixed frame when the movable frame member is secured in the closed or vent positions.

In this embodiment, the screw hole 11 is provided at the bottom of a generally rectangular recess 14 in the base plate 2 and the handle 1 is arranged to overlie the recess 14 in the fastened condition of the espagnolette bolt. The other screw hole 12 is closed by a removable cover plate 15.

The handle 1 has a bore 16 extending from the upper surface parallel to and offset to one side of the spigot axis in which a plunger 17 is received.

The plunger 17 is axially slidable in the bore 16 and is mounted for limited rotational movement by means of a key 18 received in an axial keyway 19.

The handle 1 has a pocket 20 formed in the underside in which a latch member 21 is mounted for limited pivotal movement about a transverse axis extending between opposed sides of the pocket 20 by integral lugs 22 located in partcircular seatings 23.

The latch member 21 has a yoke 24 extending to one side of the transverse pivot axis and a striker head 25 extending to the other side of the transverse pivot axis.

The bore 16 opens into the pocket 20 and the yoke 24 partially embraces and is connected to the inner end of the plunger 17 by a swivel/pivot coupling comprising opposed inwardly directed lugs 26 received in a circumferential groove 27 formed in the plunger 17.

By this swivel/pivot coupling, the latch member 21 is pivotted by axial movement of the plunger 17 and the plunger 17 is rotatable relative to the latch member 21.

A helical spring 28 arranged within the bore 16 axially biasses the plunger 17 in a direction away from the underside of the handle 1 causing pivotal movement of the latch member 21 to the position shown in Figure 2 in which the outer end of the plunger 17 projects from the bore 16 and the striker head 25 projects from the underside of the handle 1.

In this position, the yoke 24 provides a stop face 29 engageable with an internal wall 30 of the pocket 20 to limit axial movement of the plunger 17 out of the bore 16 under the biassing of the spring 28.

The striker head 25 has parallel abutment faces 31 on opposed sides arranged respectively to engage opposed sidewalls 32 of the recess 14 in the base plate 2 when the handle 1 is in the position shown in Figure 1 overlying the recess 14 thereby securing the handle 1 against pivotal movement relative to the base plate 2.

The latch member 21 is pivotal to withdraw the striker head 25 from the recess 14 into the pocket 20 in the underside of the handle 1 by depressing the plunger 17 against the biassing of the spring 28 to the position shown in Figure 3 thereby releasing the handle 1 for pivotal movement relative to the base plate 2 in the direction of arrow A.

In this position, the striker head 25 provides a stop face 33 engageable with an internal wall 34 of the pocket 20 to limit axial movement of the plunger 17 into the bore 16.

The plunger 17 and latch member 21 are returned to the position shown in Figure 2 under the biassing of the spring 28 on releasing the axial pressure applied to depress the plunger 17 for releasing the handle 1 for the above-described pivotal movement in the direction of the arrow A from the position shown in Figure 1.

In this position, the underside of the striker head 25 is inclined relative to the underside of the handle 1 and the lower side edge 35 provides a cam face engageable with the base plate 2 on pivotal movement of the handle in the direction of arrow B causing the latch member 21 to pivot to the position shown in Figure 3 and ride over the side of the base plate 2 whereupon the latch member 21 automatically engages the recess 14 under the biassing of the spring 28 when the handle 1 reaches the position shown in Figure 1.

Thus, the user only has to apply pressure to the plunger 17 to withdraw the striker head 25 into the pocket 20 for pivotal movement of the handle 1 away from the position shown in Figure 1 and the latch member 21 is automatically reengaged for return pivotal movement of the handle 1 to the position shown in Figure 1.

The plunger 17 is rotatable through 900 by means of the separate key 18 inserted into the keyway 19 from the position shown in Figure 2 to a disenabling position (not shown) in which axial movement of the plunger 17 into the bore 16 against the biassing of the spring 28 to withdraw the striker head 25 into the pocket 20 is prevented by co-operating formations (not shown) of the plunger 17 and handle 1.

The plunger 17 is secured against rotation in the disenabling position by a spring loaded detent 36 mounted in the plunger 17 that is arranged to project radially from the plunger 17 on removal of the key 18 from the keyway 19 thereby locking the handle 1 relative to the base plate 2.

The detent 36 has a through hole 37 partially aligned with the keyway 19 so that the detent 36 is withdrawn into the plunger 17 when the matching key 18 is inserted into the keyway 19 allowing rotation of the plunger 17 to the position shown in Figure 2 for axially depressing the plunger 17 to withdraw the striker head 25 into the pocket 20.

As will be understood from the foregoing description of an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a handle assembly with facility for latching and optionally locking the handle against pivotal movement relative to the base plate that is of simple construction and is easy to operate.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment above-described, for example the spring biassing the plunger and latch member to the position shown in Figure 2 could be replaced by a spring located in the pocket behind the striker head to urge the striker head out of the pocket.

The cam face for automatic latching of the striker head for return pivotal movement of the handle could be provided on the base plate.

Any suitable lock means may be provided for securing the plunger against rotation in the disenabling position.

Alternatively, the lock means may be omitted.

For such non-locking handle assembly, the plunger may be arranged for simple axial movement only to release the latch or provided with a formation such as thumb turn allowing rotation of the plunger to the disenabling position to prevent accidental release of the latch, for example by a child.

The grip part of the handle may be offset as described or aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle and may be of any suitable shape.

The handle may be pivotal to either side of the base plate allowing right or left hand fixing.

The handle may be made of any suitable material but is preferably made of metal or alloy, for example a zinc or brass diecasting.

The latch member may be made of the same material as the handle but is preferably made of plastic, for example acetal, to avoid damaging the surface finish of the handle for self-latching operation as above-described.

The plunger may be offset from and parallel to the pivot axis of the handle as described but this is not essential and the plunger may be aligned with the pivot axis. Alternatively, the plunger may extend at an angle to the pivot axis.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a handle assembly in which the spindle actuates an espagnolette bolt, it will be understood that the spindle may be used to actuate a wide range of locking fasteners and other door or window hardware, for example tilt/turn gear.

Also, it will be understood that the arrangement of the latch member and plunger may be incorporated in a wide range of handle assemblies for different applications and uses and is not limited to the specific example described herein.

For example, fasteners in which the handle is adapted for co-operating with a striker to secure a closure closed, such as window fasteners of the cockspur and wedge types, are within the scope of the invention.

Thus, according to another aspect of the invention, we provide a latch assembly for a handle pivotally mounted on a base plate comprising a pivotal latch member and a plunger adapted for mounting in the handle under pressure of biassing means for urging a striker head of the latch member to engage a recess in the base plate to secure the handle relative to the base plate and an actuation end of the plunger to project from the handle whereby the plunger is depressible against the biassing means to withdraw the striker head from the recess to release the handle for pivotal movement relative to the base plate.

Claims

Claims:

1. A handle assembly for a closure comprising a base plate, a handle pivotally mounted on the base plate, a pivotal latch member mounted in the handle, a plunger mounted in the handle and arranged to project from the handle under biassing of spring means for urging a striker head of the latch member into a recessed formation in the base plate to secure the handle against pivotal movement relative to the base plate, and the plunger being depressible against the biassing of the spring means to pivot the latch member to disengage the striker head from the recessed formation and allow pivotal movement of the handle relative to the base plate.

2. A handle assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the latch member is mounted in a pocket in the underside of the handle and the striker head extends to one side of the pivot mounting.

3. A handle assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the plunger is mounted in a through bore opening into the pocket and the latch member has a yoke extending to the other side of the pivot mounting that is connected to the inner end of the plunger.

4. A handle assembly according to Claim 3 wherein the inner end of the plunger has a circumferential groove engaged by opposed lugs of the yoke.

5. A handle assembly according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the spring means comprises a helical spring encircling the plunger in the bore and arranged to bias the plunger out of the bore.

6. A handle assembly according to any one of Claims 3 to 5 wherein the latch member has respective stop faces to limit axial movement of the plunger into and out of the bore.

7. A handle assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the plunger is rotatable to a disenabling position in which axial depression of the plunger to disengage the latch member is prevented.

8. A handle assembly according to Claim 7 wherein lock means is prdvided for securing the plunger against rotation in the disenabling position.

9. A handle assembly according to Claim 8 wherein the lock means comprises a spring loaded detent actuated by a key for rotating the plunger.

10. A handle assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the latch member is selflatching to engage automatically the striker head in the recessed formation.

11. A handle assembly according to Claim 10 wherein one of the latch member and base plate has a cam face for co-operating with the other of the base plate and latch member to engage automatically the striker head in the recessed formation as the handle is moved to a fastened position overlying the base plate.

12. A handle assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the plunger extends parallel to the pivot axis of the handle.

13. A handle assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 11 wherein the plunger extends at an angle to the pivot axis of the handle.

14. A handle assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the latch member is made of plastics material.

15. A handle assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the handle is adapted for operating an espagnolette.

16. A handle assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 14 wherein the handle is adapted for operating tilt/turn gear.

17. A handle assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 14 wherein the handle is adapted for co-operating with a striker td secure a closure closed.

18. A handle assembly for a closure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A closure comprising a movable frame and a surrounding fixed frame in combination with a handle assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims.

20. A closure according to Claim 19 wherein the handle assembly is mounted on the movable frame.