GB2317261A

GB2317261A - Handle assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2317261A
Application number: GB9619245A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martyn John Scott
Original assignee: Lowe and Fletcher Ltd
Current assignee: Lowe and Fletcher Ltd
Priority date: 1996-09-14
Filing date: 1996-09-14
Publication date: 1998-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2016-09-14
Also published as: GB2317261B; GB9619245D0

Abstract

A handle assembly comprises a handle mounted on a base plate for pivotal movement about an axis (10, Figure 2), the handle comprising a body portion (12) and an elongate hand grip portion (14) extending from the body portion. Mounted on the body portion is a locking mechanism (16) which may be moved to lock the handle assembly in a closed position. Provided in the housing (12) is a cavity 22 which opens in a window 25, and mounted within the cavity 22 is an indicating or operating member 26. When the locking mechanism is operated, the operating member 26 is caused to move across the window 25, to cause a visual indication of the condition of the locking mechanism to appear.

Description

Title Improvements relating to Handle Assemblies Description of Invention This invention is concerned with improvements relating to handle assemblies of the type utilised in the control of the opening and closing of a closure member relative to a fixed frame, said assembly comprising a mounting plate and a handle pivotly mounted on the mounting plate for movement between a retaining position corresponding to a closed position of the closure member and a release position permitting movement of the closure member to an open position, the handle comprising a body portion by which the handle is pivotly mounted on the mounting plate, and a hand grip portion connected to the body portion. Such a handle assembly is hereinafter referred to as being of the kind specified.

It is conventional in handle assemblies of the kind specified to provide a locking device, conveniently (but not necessarily) actuated by a key, to prevent movement of the handle from its closed position, and hence opening of the closure member. Conventionally the locking mechanism comprises a barrel which may be rotated or depressed to effect locking of the handle assembly.

According to this invention there is provided a handle assembly of the kind specified comprising means to provide a visual indication of the condition of the locking means.

Such means is of course in addition to any visual indication which may be afforded simply by the condition of the locking means, and is preferably provided by mechanically operating means.

Thus the visual indication may be in the form of a message which appears when the locking mechanism is in its locked condition, and/or a message which appears when the locking mechanism is in its unlocked condition.

Alternatively or in addition the visual indication may be in the form of a coloured portion which appears when the locking mechanism is moved to its locked condition, and/or a coloured portion which appears when the locking mechanism is moved to its unlocked condition.

Preferably the locking mechanism comprises an operating member which is moveable on movement of the locking mechanism from one condition to the other, to reveal the visual indication. Thus, when the locking mechanism is moved to its locked condition, the member may move to reveal the words "locked'\ or to reveal a red indicator panel, but alternatively or addition, the operating member may move on movement of the locking mechanism to its unlocked condition to reveal the word "unlocked", or to reveal (uncover) a green indicator panel.

Preferably said operating member is mounted in the handle assembly housing, and is conveniently in engagement with the locking mechanism, such that on movement of the locking mechanism, or part thereof, such as the barrel, the operating member is moved to effect the desired visual indication.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a handle assembly which is a preferred embodiment of this invention, having been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: FIGURES 1 and 2 are respectively front and side elevations of the handle assembly which is the preferred embodiment of this invention; and FIGURE 3 is a view corresponding to figure 2, taken from the opposite side, part of the housing having been broken away to reveal internal mechanism of the handle assembly.

The handle assembly which is the preferred embodiment of this invention is in general terms conventional, comprising a handle 6 mounted on a base plate 8 for pivotal movement about an axis 10, the handle 6 comprising a body portion 12 and an elongate hand grip portion 14 extending from the body portion.

The handle assembly comprising locking mechanism 16 comprising a barrel 18 mounted in a cylindrical bore 20 of the body, said barrel being moveable longitudinally within the bore 20 into a depressed position, corresponding to the locking mechanism being in a locked condition, and a retracted position, shown in dotted lines in figure 2, in which the locking mechanism is unlocked.

Provided in the housing 12 above the barrel 18 is a cavity 22 which opens, forwardly of the handle assembly, in a window 25 (see figure 1), and mounted within the cavity 22 is an indicating or operating member 26. The member 26 is generally Z-shaped in profile, and has an internal limb 28 which extends into a circumferential groove 30 of the barrel.

In the operation of the locking mechanism, on rotation of the barrel by a key in conventional manner, a lug 32 of the housing engages within a helical groove 34 of the barrel, and, from the position shown in full lines in figure 3, causes the barrel to move in a retractive direction, to a condition in which the locking mechanism is unlocked or inoperative. Such movement of the barrel causes movement of the operating member 26 from the position shown in full lines in figure 3 to the position shown in dotted lines, causing a limb 29 of the operating member opposite to the limb 28 moving across the window 25 to cover the portion 25 coloured red. Thus conveniently by the provision on the limb of a white colouring, when the handle is unlocked the window 25 will appear to be white or predominately so. Conversely on locking of the locking mechanism, either by the use of a key or by linear movement of the barrel, the operating member is returned to the position shown in full lines in figure 4 in which the red panel is uncovered, indicating to a user that the window is locked.

It is of course to be appreciated that other mechanisms may be utilised to cover or uncover the visual indicator, and indeed various colours or words may be utilised to indicate the condition of the locking mechanism. Particularly it is envisaged that the visual indication may be afforded to indicate that the locking mechanism is unlocked, and if desired alternative colours or alternative words, may be utilised to indicate both conditions of the locking mechanism.

Additionally it is to be appreciated that the invention may be utilised on a wide variety of handles, including simple "turn to lock" handles, or "push to lock" or "push to unlock" handles.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 A handle assembly of the kind specified comprising means to provide a visual indication of the condition of the locking means.

2 A handle assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the visual indication is in the form of a message which appears when the locking mechanism is in its locked condition, and/or a message which appears when the locking mechanism is in its unlocked condition.

3 A handle assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the visual indication is in the form of a coloured portion which appears when the locking mechanism is moved to its locked condition, and/or a coloured portion which appears when the locking mechanism is moved to its unlocked condition.

4 A handle assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking mechanism comprises an operating member which is moveable on movement of the locking mechanism from one condition to the other, to reveal the visual indication.

5 A handle assembly according to Claim 4 wherein when the locking mechanism is moved to its locked condition, the member is moved to reveal a message, and/or a colour indication.

6 A handle assembly according to one of Claims 4 and 5 wherein the operating member is moved on movement of the locking mechanism to its unlocked condition to reveal a message and/or a colour indication.

7 A handle assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the operating member is mounted on the handle assembly housing, and is adapted to engage with the locking mechanism such that on movement of the locking mechanism, or part thereof the operating member is moved to effect the desired visual indication.

8 A handle assembly constructed and arranged substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.