IE20070023A1 - A door handle assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A door handle assembly for attachment to one or each side of a door, the door handle assembly comprising a backplate for securing to one side of the door, a handle having one end rotatably mounted on the backplate, and a free end, a coverplate removably mounted on the backplate to conceal the backplate and any fixings thereon. The coverplate has a rear face and a decorative face and an aperture dimensioned to allow the free end of the handle to pass through the aperture so as to enable the cover to be removed from the backplate and replaced while the handle remains mounted on the backplate. At least one spring clip mounted on the rear face of the cover, and at least one corresponding slot in the backplate to receive the spring clip, enable the coverplate to be snap fitted onto the backplate.

Description

The present invention relates to door handles. In particular the present invention relates to a door handle arrangement having concealed fixtures or fittings.

Background to the Invention Door handles typically comprise a single structure base plate in which a handle is fitted with a retaining circlip (ring). The handle may be sprung or unsprung. If sprung, coil compression springs may be provided. The base plate is typically fixed to the door by clearly shown screws, which could be two, three and often four in number.

It will be appreciated that visible screws can be unsightly.

It will further be appreciated that should the base plate become dirty or damaged and 20 require cleaning or replacement, it may become necessary to remove the base plate in its entirety from the door, which requires special tools and skill.

Often the screws themselves over time can become tarnished which adds to the unsightly appearance of the door handle.

Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention is provide a door handle wherein the fixing screws are hidden from sight.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a door handle arrangement wherein the door plate may at least in part be easily removable and/or replaceable.

Summary of the Invention IE 0 7 n 0 2 3 Accordingly there is provided a door handle assembly for attachment to one or each side of a door, the door handle assembly comprising: a backplate for securing to one side of the door, a handle having one end rotatably mounted on the backplate, and a free end, a coverplate removably mounted on the backplate to conceal the backplate and any fixings thereon, the coverplate having a rear face and a decorative face and an aperture dimensioned to allow the free end of the handle to pass though the aperture so as to enable the cover to be removed from the backplate and replaced while the handle remains mounted on the backplate, at least one spring clip mounted on the rear face of the cover, and at least one corresponding slot in the backplate to receive the spring clip so as to enable the cover to be snap fitted onto the backplate.

When fitting the handle assembly to a door, the backplate may be screwed onto one door face with fixing screws as is usual with any handle set. When the backplate is completely fixed to the door, the coverplate may be slipped over the handle and snapped onto the base plate.

A second assembly may be fixed in a similar manner onto the rear face of the door.

It will be appreciated that the coverplate ensures that the fixtures such as screws are hidden from sight. This gives the door handle a much smarter appearance. Not having the doorplate interrupted by screws also makes it easier to clean. It will further be appreciated that the coverplate may be easily removed and cleaned or replaced without the use of special tools and without having to remove the whole door handle from the door.

Preferably, the spring clips are inwardly expanding or biased, although outwardly expanding spring clips may alternatively be used.

The backplate and the coverplate may further comprise corresponding keyholes. ii / ϋ υ ί | Preferably the or each spring clip is mounted onto the rear face of the coverplate using a spigot.

The coverplate may further comprise at least one positioning tongue protruding from its rear face which cooperates with a corresponding tongue-recess in the backplate to help position the coverplate correctly on the backplate.

Preferably the backplate comprises a recess in its outer face into which the coverplate is received. ln further embodiments, additional securing means may be provided to secure or lock the coverplate onto the backplate. For example, grub screws may be used in addition to the spring clips.

It will be appreciated that the removable snap on coverplate may difference in appearance to the backplate. For example, the backplate and the cover may be made using difference materials, such as metal and plastic, or different metals such as brass and chrome, or may simply be different colours. It will also be appreciated that as the coverplate is replaceable, a set of coverplates may be provided with each backplate, which the user may interchange at will.

Some examples of possible backplate/coverplate combinations are: a) b) c) d) chrome backplate, with a brass, black, or white cover, brass backplate with a chrome, black or white cover, black backplate with a brass, chrome, or white cover, white backplate with a brass, chrome, or black cover.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is an exploded view of a door handle assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

IE 0 7 002 3 Figure 2 is an exploded view of a door handle assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the coverplate of figure 1 and 2, showing its rear face.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is an exploded view of a door handle assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The door handle assembly may be used for internal or external doors of either domestic or public buildings.

The assembly includes a backplate 1 having a top clipping slot 11 and a bottom clipping slot 12, a handle 2, a coverplate 3 having a pair of snap on clips 4, 5 securely attached to its rear face, a fixing washer 6, a circlip retainer 7, a 1st coil compression spring 8, a 2nd coil compression spring 9, a nylon bush 10, and fixing screws 13.

During assembly, the handle 2, nylon bush 10, fixing washer 6 and coil compression springs 8 & 9 are fitted onto the backplate 1, and retained by the circlip retainer 7. The backplate is then ready to be fixed to a door using fixing screws 13.

When the backplate has been secured on the door, the coverplate 3 is slipped over the handle and snap-fitted onto the backplate, by forcing the inwardly biased wings of the snap on clip springs into the slots 11 & 12, and clasping the main plate on the inner edges of the receptacle slots, by means of the clip springs collapsing inward, thus retaining the coverplate in position. The cover plate protects the fixing screws from view.

In figure 1, the spring clips are inward clipping or inwardly biased. Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the spring clips are outward clipping or outwardly biased. These spring clips snap outwards and form their grip on the outer edges of the receptacle slots rather than the inner. Ιί Ο 7 Ο Ο 2 3 Figure 3 shows the rear face of the coverplate 3. Spring clip locating spigots 14 protrude from the rear face of the cover and are receivable into corresponding holes in the spring clips. The spring clips are retained on the spigots 14 by rolling over the spigots.

As also shown in figure 3, the cover is also provided with a positioning tongue at each end which cooperate with corresponding recesses at each end of the backplate to help position the cover correctly on the backplate.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The words comprises/comprising" and the words "having/including" when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims (10)

1. A door handle assembly for attachment to one or each side of a door, the door handle assembly comprising: 5 a backplate for securing to one side of the door, a handle having one end rotatably mounted on the backplate, and a free end, a coverplate removably mounted on the backplate to conceal the backplate and any fixings thereon, the coverplate having a rear face and a decorative face and an aperture dimensioned to allow the free end of the handle to pass though the aperture so as to 10 enable the cover to be removed from the backplate and replaced while the handle remains mounted on the backplate, at least one spring clip mounted on the rear face of the cover, and at least one corresponding slot in the backplate to receive the spring clip so as to enable the cover to be snap-fitted onto the backplate.

2. The door handle assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one spring clip is inwardly biased.

3. The door handle assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one spring clip is outwardly 20 biased.

4. The door handle assembly of any preceding claim wherein the coverplate comprises at least one positioning tongue, which cooperates with a corresponding recess in the backplate to help position the coverplate correctly on the backplate.

5. The door handle assembly of any preceding claim wherein the backplate and the coverplate further comprise corresponding keyholes.

6. The door handle assembly of any preceding claim wherein the or each spring clip is 30 mounted onto the rear face of the coverplate using a spigot.

7. The door handle assembly of any preceding claim wherein the coverplate further comprises at least one positioning tongue protruding from its rear face which Ε Ο ’' : ί 3 cooperates with a corresponding tongue-recess in the backplate to help position the coverplate correctly on the backplate.

8. The door handle assembly of any preceding claim wherein the backplate comprises a 5 recess in its outer face into which the coverplate is received.

9. The door handle assembly of any preceding claim wherein the removable snap on coverplate differs in appearance to the backplate.

10. 10. A door handle substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in any one or more of the accompanying drawings.