HK1096715B - Door handle assembly including auxiliary bearing and auxiliary bearing support for a door handle - Google Patents

Description

Door handle assembly including auxiliary bearing and auxiliary bearing bracket for door handle

Technical Field

The present invention relates to door hardware, and more particularly, to a door handle assembly including an auxiliary bearing and an auxiliary bearing bracket for a door handle.

Background

Door handle assemblies including a door handle, such as a knob or handle, that is rotatably supported by an escutcheon and retained thereon with a fastener, such as a snap ring, have long been used. The door handle includes, for example, an operating portion and a handle. The escutcheon includes an opening defining a bearing having a single contact bearing surface for receiving the shank of the door handle. The bearing play between the shank of the door handle and the bearing surface of the escutcheon will cause play or wobble of the door handle relative to the escutcheon.

There is a need in the art for a mechanism to reduce or eliminate play or wobble of a door handle relative to an eyelock.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for reducing or eliminating play or wobble of a door handle relative to a mounting plate, such as an eyelock.

In one form, the present invention is directed to a door handle assembly including a door handle having an operating portion and a shank extending from the operating portion. A mounting plate has a first bearing sized to receive the shank of the door handle. An auxiliary bearing assembly includes an auxiliary bearing bracket and a second bearing. An auxiliary bearing bracket is coupled to the mounting plate, wherein a second bearing is spaced a distance from the first bearing along an axis passing through the first bearing and the second bearing, the second bearing being sized to receive a shank of a door handle.

In another form, the invention is directed to a method of reducing play in a door handle in a direction that is not parallel to an axis of rotation of the door handle, the method comprising: providing a first bearing in the mounting plate for receiving a shank of a door handle; spacing a second bearing for receiving a shank of a door handle a distance from the first bearing along the axis of rotation; and inserting the shank of the door handle into the first bearing and the second bearing.

In another form, the invention is directed to a method of assembling a door handle assembly having a mounting plate, the method comprising: inserting a shank of a door handle through a main bearing of the mounting plate and an auxiliary bearing of an auxiliary bearing assembly; and mounting the auxiliary bearing assembly on the mounting plate.

An advantage of the present invention is that play, i.e., wobble, of the door handle relative to a mounting plate, such as a escutcheon, in a direction that is not parallel to the axis of rotation of the door handle is reduced.

Drawings

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a door handle assembly for mounting a door handle according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the door handle assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the door handle assembly of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an auxiliary bearing bracket of the door handle assembly of FIG. 1.

In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate one embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

Detailed Description

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a door handle assembly 10 embodying the present invention. The door handle assembly 10 includes, for example: a mounting plate 12, the mounting plate 12 may be in the form of a eyelock; an auxiliary bearing assembly 14; and a door handle 16. Axis 18 serves as a rotational axis for door handle 16 relative to mounting plate 12. Auxiliary bearing assembly 14 is configured to control, i.e., reduce, the amount of play, i.e., sway, of door handle 16 relative to mounting plate 12 in a direction that is not parallel to axis 18, i.e., the axis of rotation of door handle 16, and to distribute torque loads generated by forces exerted on door handle 16 onto mounting plate 12. Such torque loads represented in fig. 1 are represented, for example, by forces having radial force components F1 and F3 extending from axis 18 in directions non-parallel to axis 18.

As shown in fig. 1-3, door handle 16 has an operating portion 20 and a shank 22, as seen in fig. 3. The operating portion 20 is designed to be held by a user and may be, for example, a knob or a handle. The handle 22 projects from the operating portion 20 and transmits a rotational force applied to the operating portion 20 by a user to a mechanism (not shown), such as a door lock mechanism. The shank 22 extends along the axis 18. The shank 22 includes a peripheral surface 24. The peripheral surface 24 may be, for example, a substantially cylindrical surface.

Mounting plate 12 includes a main bearing 28. Main bearing 28 may be in the form of a bushing, for example, that is secured directly to mounting plate 12, such as by being press fit into an opening in mounting plate 12. Alternatively, main bearing 28 may be integral with mounting plate 12. Main bearing 28 is sized to slidably receive shank 22 of door handle 16. In the embodiment where main bearing 28 is a bushing, shank 22 of door handle 16 is received in main bearing 28 such that peripheral surface 24 engages main bearing 28 in a snug, but rotatable, fit. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that other types of bearings, such as roller bearings or needle bearings, may be substituted for the bushing structure.

The auxiliary bearing assembly 14 includes an auxiliary bearing support 30 and an auxiliary bearing 32. An auxiliary bearing support 30 is coupled to mounting plate 12, wherein an auxiliary bearing 32 is spaced a distance from main bearing 28 along axis 18, axis 18 passes through each of main bearing 28 and auxiliary bearing 32, and main bearing 28 is axially aligned with auxiliary bearing 32.

The auxiliary bearing 32 may be in the form of a bushing, for example, which may be secured directly to the auxiliary bearing support 30 by being press fit into an opening in the auxiliary bearing support 30. Alternatively, the auxiliary bearing 32 may be formed integrally with the auxiliary bearing bracket 30. Auxiliary bearing 32 is sized to slidably receive shank 22 of door handle 16. In embodiments where auxiliary bearing 32 is a bushing, shank 22 of door handle 16 fits within auxiliary bearing 32 such that peripheral surface 24 engages auxiliary bearing 32 in a snug, but rotatable, fit. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that other types of bearings, such as roller bearings or needle bearings, may be substituted for the bushing structure.

Referring to FIG. 3, door handle assembly 10 also includes retaining device 32 to retain shank 22 within primary bearing 28 and secondary bearing 32 when acted upon by a force that includes an axial force component F2 along axis 18 (see FIG. 1). Thus, retaining device 38 inhibits movement of door handle 16 in the direction of force component F2 and maintains door handle 16 in a mounted relationship with mounting plate 12. The retaining device 38 may be any suitable device for inhibiting axial movement of the shank 22 relative to the bearings 28, 32. The retaining means 38 may be, for example, a push retainer 38a, or alternatively, as shown in phantom in FIG. 3, the retaining means 38 may be a snap ring that engages the groove 26 formed in the peripheral surface 24. Alternatively, for example, the retaining device 38 may be a fastener such as a nut.

Referring now also to FIG. 4, auxiliary bearing support 30 includes a body 40 and a plurality of legs 42. In the exemplary embodiment of auxiliary bearing support 30 shown in FIGS. 1-4, main mounting legs 42-1 and 42-2 include respective openings 44-1 and 44-2 (see FIG. 2) for receiving fasteners 46-1, 46-2, and each leg 42-1, 42-2 is mounted to mounting plate 12 by a respective fastener 46-1, 46-2. As shown in FIG. 3, a length 48 of legs 42-1, 42-2 extends parallel to axis 18 and defines a distance 34 between main bearing 28 of mounting plate 12 and auxiliary bearing 32 of auxiliary bearing support 30. Legs 42-1, 42-2 are positioned to distribute a torque load exerted by a force having a radial force component F1 (positive or negative) exerted generally in a direction non-parallel to axis 18 onto mounting plate 12, as shown in FIG. 1.

In the illustrated embodiment, reference is made to FIG. 4. Legs 42-1 and 42-2 are diametrically opposed to a line 50, which line 50 is perpendicular to axis 18. Furthermore, legs 42-1, 42-2 are positioned a radial distance 52 from axis 18, the radial distance 52 passing through opening 36 and through secondary bearing 32.

Auxiliary bearing support 30 also includes a second leg 42-3, 42-4, with second leg 42-3, 42-4 being positioned a radial distance, such as radial distance 52, from axis 18. Each second leg 42-3, 42-4 has a length 54 and defines a tab end 56 that engages surface 12-1 of mounting plate 12. As shown, the tab end 56 is not secured to the mounting plate 12. In the illustrated embodiment, and referring to FIG. 4, second legs 42-3 and 42-4 are diametrically opposed relative to line 58, which line 58 is perpendicular to axis 18. Each second leg is angularly offset from mounting legs 42-1, 42-2 about axis 18. In the illustrated embodiment, second legs 42-3, 42-4 may be disposed relative to main legs 42-1, 42-2 such that line 58 is perpendicular to line 50. Second legs 42-3, 42-4 are positioned to distribute a torque load applied by a force having a radial force component F3 (positive or negative) applied in a direction generally non-parallel to axis 18 and substantially perpendicular to radial force component F1, to mounting plate 12.

In one method of assembling the door handle assembly 10 of the present invention, the auxiliary bearing assembly 14 is loosely mounted to the mounting plate 12 using fasteners 46-1, 46-2. Shank 22 is then inserted through main bearing 28 and auxiliary bearing 32. Operating portion 20 of door handle 16 is rotated clockwise and counterclockwise to align bearings 28, 32 along axis 18 and tighten fasteners 46-1, 46-2. Retaining device 38 may be mounted on shank 22 at any convenient time during the assembly process, as may be determined by the precise structure of door handle assembly 10.

Some of the assembly steps described above may be in a different order than the particular order described. For example, door handle 16 may be secured to mounting plate 12 by retaining device 38 prior to mounting auxiliary bearing assembly 14 on mounting plate 12, or alternatively, may be secured after mounting auxiliary bearing assembly 14 on mounting plate 12.

While this invention has been described as having one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

Claims (16)

1. A door handle assembly comprising:

a door handle having an operating portion and a shank extending from the operating portion;

a mounting plate having a first bearing sized to receive the shank of the door handle;

an auxiliary bearing assembly including an auxiliary bearing bracket coupled to the mounting plate and a second bearing spaced a distance from the first bearing along an axis passing through the first bearing and the second bearing, the second bearing sized to receive the shank of the door handle,

wherein the auxiliary bearing support comprises a body having at least two legs, at least one of the legs being mounted on the mounting plate by a fastener, wherein the length of the leg at least partially determines the distance between the first bearing of the mounting plate and the second bearing of the auxiliary bearing support.

2. The door handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least two legs comprises two diametrically opposed legs.

3. The door handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least two legs includes a second leg positioned at a radial distance from said axis passing through said second bearing, said second leg defining a tab end that engages a surface of said mounting plate in the absence of mounting thereto.

4. The door handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least two legs include two diametrically opposed legs and a third leg that is offset from the two diametrically opposed legs by an angle about the axis.

5. The door handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least two legs include two diametrically opposed main legs and two diametrically opposed second legs, each of said diametrically opposed second legs defining a joint end that engages a surface of said mounting plate, and wherein said diametrically opposed second legs are angularly offset from said diametrically opposed main legs about said axis.

6. The door handle assembly of claim 1, further comprising a retaining device engaged with said shank for retaining said shank in said first and second bearings when acted upon by an axial force along said axis.

7. The door handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary bearing bracket and the second bearing are formed as an integral unit.

8. The door handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting plate is an eye-locker.

9. A method of reducing play in a direction that is not parallel to the axis of rotation of the door handle in the door handle of the door handle assembly of claim 1, comprising:

providing a first bearing in a mounting plate for receiving a shank of the door handle;

spacing a second bearing for receiving the shank of the door handle a distance from the first bearing along the axis of rotation; and

inserting the shank of the door handle into the first bearing and the second bearing.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second bearing is mounted on the mounting plate by a bearing support structure.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising mounting a retaining device on the shank to secure the door handle to the mounting plate.

12. A method of assembling the door handle assembly of claim 1, comprising:

inserting a shank of a door handle through a main bearing of the mounting plate and an auxiliary bearing of an auxiliary bearing assembly; and

mounting the auxiliary bearing assembly on the mounting plate.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the auxiliary bearing assembly is first loosely mounted on the mounting plate with fasteners, the method further comprising:

aligning the first bearing and the auxiliary bearing; and

and fastening the fastener.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising installing a retaining device to inhibit axial movement of the door handle relative to the mounting plate along an axis of rotation passing through the shank.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the door handle is secured to the mounting plate by the retaining device prior to mounting the auxiliary bearing assembly on the mounting plate.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of inserting the shank of the door handle through the main bearing of the mounting plate and the auxiliary bearing of the auxiliary bearing assembly is performed at the step of mounting the auxiliary bearing assembly on the mounting plate.