GB2226359A

GB2226359A - Improvements in or relating to lockable handle assemblies

Info

Publication number: GB2226359A
Application number: GB8829956A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert John Gaunt
Original assignee: Hardware and Systems Patents Ltd
Current assignee: Hardware and Systems Patents Ltd
Priority date: 1988-12-22
Filing date: 1988-12-22
Publication date: 1990-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 2008-12-22
Also published as: GB8829956D0; GB2226359B

Abstract

A lockable lever handle assembly for doors and windows comprises a lever handle 1 pivotally mounted on a base plate (2) and a spring loaded locking member 9, 10 mounted in the handle 1 for engagement with a recess 4 in the base plate (2) to secure the handle 1 relative to the base plate (2). The locking member 9, 10 is axially movable against the biassing of a compression/torsion coil spring 11 from a retracted first position to an advanced second position for engagement with the recess 4 whereupon the locking member is automatically rotated by the spring 11 to a third position in which the locking member 11 is held in the advanced position against the axial biassing of the spring 11. To release the handle 1, the locking member 5 is rotated by a separate key 22 from the third position to the second position whereupon the locking member 5 is automatically returned to the first position by the spring 11. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO HANDLE ASSEMBLIES This invention concerns improvements in or relating to handle assemblies for doors, windows and the like and in particular to handle assemblies of the type comprising a lever handle pivotally mounted on a base plate having a recessed formation for reception of a locking member mounted on the handle to secure the handle relative to the base plate.

It is already known to provide a spring loaded locking member in the handle for engagement with the recessed formation in the base plate. The known arrangements are generally of complex construction with many co-operating parts to provide for the spring loaded movement and to retain the locking member against the spring biassing in either the locked or unlocked condition according to whether the locking member is biassed towards or away from the base plate.

Some of these arrangement also include a cylinder lock enabling the locking member to be locked to prevent accidental or unauthorised release of the handle. The provision of such cylinder lock adds considerably to the cost and further complicates the design of such spring loaded locking members.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a handle assembly incorporating a locking member mouted in the handle for spring loaded movement which mitigates at least some of the problems and disadvantages of known spring loaded locking members and, in particular, which is of simple construction and easy to operate.

According to the present invention a lever handle assembly comprises a lever handle pivotally mounted on a base plate having a recessed formation for reception of a locking member mounted in the handle for spring loaded movement characterised in that the locking member is arranged for axial movement against the bias of return spring means from a first position in which the locking member is retracted for pivotal movement of the handle relative to the base plate to a second position in which the locking member is advanced for engagement with the recessed formation to prevent pivotal movement of the handle relative to the base plate, and the locking member being further arranged for rotational movement under the bias of retainer spring means from the second position to a third position in which the locking member is held in the advanced condition against the bias of the return spring means.

By such invented arrangement the handle can be secured simply by pushing or pressing the locking member against the axial bias of the return spring means to engage the recessed formation in the base plate whereupon the locking member is automatically rotated by the retainer spring means to maintain such engagement.

To release the handle, all that is required is to rotate the locking member against the rotational bias of the retainer spring means whereupon the locking member is automatically displaced axially by the return spring means to disengage the recessed formation in the base plate.

In a preferred arrangement, a separate actuator such as a key is provided for rotating the locking member to release the handle. Such arrangement provides added security against unauthorised release of the handle.

Advantageously, the key is arranged to actuate a detent arranged to prevent release of the handle by a non-matching key thereby providing further security against unauthorised release.

The detent may comprise one or more spring loaded members mounted in one of the handle and locking member which co-operates with the other to hold the locking member in the advanced condition and which is released by the key.

Preferably, the return spring means and retainer spring means are provided by a single torsion/compression coil spring which provides both axial and rotational biassing of the locking member.

Alternatively, separate return and retainer springs could be used for the axial and rotational biassing of the locking member.

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a casement fastener according to the present invention showing the locking member in the retracted condition; FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal section of the fastener shown in Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; FIGURE 4 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1 but showing the locking member in the advanced condition; FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal section of the fastener shown in Figure 4; FIGURE 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5; and FIGURE 7 is an exploded isometric view of the component parts of the handle of the fastener shown in Figures 1 to 6.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the invented handle assembly is shown in the form of a casement fastener for a casement (not shown) mounted on a frame (not shown) for hinged or pivotal movement between open and closed positions.

The fastener comprises a lever handle 1 pivotally mounted at one end of a base plate 2 by an integral pivot pin 3 for pivotal movement about a pivot axis PA.

The base plate 2 is of generally rectangular shape and is provided at the other end remote from the pivot axis PA with an annular socket 4 for reception of a locking member 5 mounted in the handle 1 to secure the handle 1 against pivotal movement relative to the base plate 2 as described in more detail later herein.

The base plate 2 is adapted in known manner for mounting on the casement by screws (not shown) received in countersunk holes (not shown). Generally two such holes are provided in the base plate 2 of which one may be provided at the bottom of the socket 4 with the other provided in a central rebated portion 6 intermediate the pivot joint and socket 4. The number and position of the holes may, however, be varied to suit any given application.

The handle 1 is arranged in known manner to cooperate with a keeper (not shown) mounted on the frame and having a lug or nose that is received in either the rebated portion 6 of the base plate 1 for engagement with the underside of the handle 1 to hold the casement in the closed position or an opening 7 in the handle 1 to hold the casement in a partially open "vent" position.

In an alternative arrangement (not shown) the projecting nose or lug may be provided on the handle with the keeper adapted for engagement by the nose or lug to hold the casement in closed or vent positions.

In a further modification (not shown) applicable to both arrangements the facility for securing the casement in the vent position may be omitted.

Formed in the handle 1 is a stepped through bore 8 extending parallel to and spaced from the pivot axis PA in which the locking member 5 is mounted for spring loaded movement.

The locking member 5 comprises a barrel 9 mounted in the outer end of the bore 8 and a cylindrical striker 10 of reduced diameter received in the inner end of the bore 8.

A torsion/compression coil spring 11 encircles the striker 10 and has one end secured in the underside of the barrel 9 and the other end secured to a retainer plate 12 fixed to the underside of the handle 1.

The spring 11 axially biasses the locking member 5 to a first position shown in Figures 1 and 2 in which the barrel 9 projects from the outer end of the bore 8 and the striker 10 is confined within the inner end of the bore 8 with the free end located in a central guide opening 13 in the retainer plate 12. In this retracted condition of the locking member 5, the handle 1 may be pivotted relative to the base plate 2 for engagement and disengagement with the keeper.

The locking member 5 is guided for axial movement within the bore 8 by the engagement of a longitudinal rib 14 on the barrel 9 in a longitudinal groove 15 formed in the outer end of the bore 8.

The upper end of the groove 15 is closed forming an abutment shoulder 16 engaged by the rib 14 in the first position of the locking member 5 to limit outward axial movement of the locking member 5 under the axial bias of the spring 11 and, the lower end opens into an axially extending part circumferential recess 17 in the inner end of the bore 8.

The locking member 5 is restrained against rotational movement in the bore 8 by the interengagement of the rib 14 and groove 15 and is manually displaceable against the axial biassing of the spring 11 from the first position to a second position in which the striker 10 projects outwardly through the opening 13 in the retainer plate 12 for reception in the socket 4 of the base plate 2 and the barrel 9 is substantially flush with the outer end of the bore 8.

In this advanced condition of the locking member 5, the rib 14 passes out of the groove 15 in the outer end of the bore 8 into the part circumferential recess 17 in the inner end of the bore 8 and the locking member 5 is automatically rotated by the 0 spring 11 through approximately 30 to a third position shown in Figures 5 and 6 in which the rib 14 and groove 15 are out of alignment. As a result, the locking member 5 is held in the advanced condition against the axial biassing of the spring 11.

Mounted in a transverse slot 18 intermediate the ends of the barrel 9 is a spring loaded detent comprising a plate member 19 biassed radially outwards by a spring 20. The plate member 19 is confined within the barrel in the first position of the locking member 5 and engages an axially extending part circumferential cavity 21 in the inner end of the bore 8 under the biassing of the spring 20 in the second and third positions of the locking member 5.

To release the handle 1 for rotation relative to the base plate 2, a separate key 22 is provided for insertion in an axial key-way 23 in the barrel 9. The tip end of the key-shank is arranged to co-operate with a central hole 24 in the plate member 19 on insertion of the key 22 fully into the key-way 23 to withdraw the plate member 19 into the barrel and the locking member 5 is rotatable by the key 22 from the third position to the second position to re-align the rib 14 and groove 15 whereupon the locking member 5 is automatically displaced under the axial bias of the spring 11 to the first position.

Incomplete insertion of the key 22 or use of a non-matching key or other implement, for example a screwdriver, partially inserted into the key-way 23 will not withdraw the plate member 19 with the result that the locking member 5 is retained in the advanced condition by the engagement of the plate member 19 in the cavity 21 even if the locking member 5 is rotated to the second position against the rotational bias of the spring 11.

In this way, the handle 1 is only released by use of a matching key 22 correctly inserted into the keyway 23 and the detent simulates a cylinder lock to provide added security against accidental or unauthorised release of the handle 1 in a simple and effective manner.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the present invention provides a handle assembly in which actuation of the locking member to secure the handle relative to the base plate is achieved in a simple manner by pushing or pressing the barrel against the axial biassing of the torsion/compression spring to an advanced condition in which the spring automatically rotates the locking member to retain it in the advanced condition against the axial biassing of the spring.

The spring also serves to return automatically the locking member to a retracted condition to release the handle for pivotal movement relative to the base plate following rotation of the locking member against the biassing of the spring.

By such use of the torsion/compression spring both to retain and return automatically the locking member to selected positions, the construction and operation of the locking member is considerably simplified.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment above-described. For example, the co-operating rib and groove for guiding the locking member axially and for preventing rotation of the locking member between the first and second positions may be reversed so that the rib is on the handle and the groove is in the locking member.

Alternatively, any other suitable co-operating formations may be provided on the handle and locking member for the same purpose.

The spring loaded detent may be mounted in the handle for engagement with the locking member in the advanced condition and disengaged on insertion of a matching key. A plurality of spring loaded detents may be provided in the locking member and/or the handle for release by a matching key.

The recess for limiting rotational movement of the locking member between the second and third positions may be constructed to provide angular separation greater than or less than the 300 above-described depending on strength requirements of the handle.

The single torsion/compression coil spring for rotational/axial biassing of the locking member for retaining the locking member in the advanced condition and returning it to the retracted condition may be replaced by separate retainer and return springs for performing the same functions. Alternatively, any other suitable spring means may be provided for this purpose.

The separate key for releasing the handle may be of any suitable type and construction for rotating the locking member. For example, the key may have axial splines for cooperating with an internally splined bore in the locking member. Alternatively, the separate key may be dispensed with and the locking member provided with an integral formation accessible to the user, such as a thumb turn, for manually rotating the locking member. In such alternative arrangements the key actuated detent would be omitted and simple rotation of the locking member would be sufficient to effect withdrawal of the locking member to release the handle.

Finally, it will be understood that the invented handle assembly is not limited to a casement fastener as above-described but has application to other types of fasteners and/or operating mechanisms for both doors and windows having two members mounted for relative hinged, pivotal or sliding movement between open and closed positions. For example, the handle assembly has application to multi-point type fasteners such as espagnolette bolts as well as to turn/tilt mechanisms for doors and windows wherein the handle is arranged for operative connection to a drive transmitting member such as a spindle for actuating the fastener and/or operating mechanism.

Claims

Claims:

1. A lever handle assembly comprising a lever handle pivotally mounted on a base plate having a recessed formation for reception of a locking member mounted in the handle for spring loaded movement characterised in that the locking member is arranged for axial movement against the bias of return spring means from a first position in which the locking member is retracted for pivotal movement of the handle relative to the base plate to a second position in which the locking member is advanced for engagement with the recessed formation to prevent pivotal movement of the handle relative to the base plate, and the locking member being further arranged for rotational movement under the bias of retainer spring means from the second position to a third position in which the locking member is held in the advanced condition against the bias of the return spring means.

2. An assembly according to Claim 1 wherein the return spring means and retainer spring means are provided by a torsion/compression coil spring.

3. An assembly according to Claim 2 wherein the spring encircles the locking member and is secured at opposed ends to the locking member and to a fixed part of the handle for biassing the locking member axially and rotationally relative to the handle.

4. An assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the locking member and handle have cooperating formations preventing rotational movement of the locking member in the first position and axial movement of the locking member in the third position.

5. An assembly according to Claim 4 wherein the locking member is retained against rotational movement in the first position by engagement of a lateral projection in a longitudinal groove and against axial movement in the third position by engagement of the lateral projection in a part circumferential recess extending from one end of the groove.

6. An assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims further comprising a separate actuator for rotating the locking member from the third position to the second position.

7. An assembly according to Claim 6 wherein the actuator comprises a key adapted to be received in the locking member.

8. An assembly according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 further comprising a detent arranged to prevent axial movement of the locking member from the second position to the first position, the detent being releasable by the actuator.

9. An assembly according to Claim 8 wherein the detent comprises one or more spring loaded members mounted in one of the handle and locking member and engageable with the other of the locking member and handle.

10. An assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the locking member is mounted in the handle for axial movement in a direction parallel to and spaced from the pivot axis of the handle.

11. An assembly according to Claim 10 wherein a mounting hole for the base plate is provided at the bottom of the recessed formation.

12. A lever handle assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A casement fastener comprising a lever handle assembly according to any one of the preceding Claims in combination with a separate keeper for engagement by the handle.