Handle and lock

• US 6,868,703 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2003
• Issued: 03/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Allegis Corporation (Huron Consulting Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Austin Hardware, Inc.
• Inventors: Molzer, Klaus
• Primary Examiner(s): Stodola, Daniel P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOSWELL, CHRISTOPHER J
• Application Number:
  US10/689,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20040079124A1
• Time in Patent Office: 519 Days
• Field of Search: 70209-210, 702/07, 701/90, 702/15, 702/17, 702/24, 704/45, 70D/IG.31, 70D/IG.67, 292/336.3, 292/350, 292/DIG.59, 292/DIG.71
• US Class Current: 70/210
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 13/106 for handles pivoted about an axis perpendicular to the wing E05B13/101, E05B13/103, E05B13/105 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/0075 Insulating, e.g. for limiting heat transfer; Increasing fire-resistance of locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/04 for alternative use on the right-hand or left-hand side of wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 67/383 Staples or the like for padlocks; Lock slings; Arrangements on locks to cooperate with padlocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/59 insulation, heat and electrical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/71 Refrigerator latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 70/31 Handle assembly, lock-controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/57 Operators with knobs or handles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/858 Screw
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5757 Handle, handwheel or knob
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5765 Rotary or swinging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/577 Locked stationary
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5792 Handle-carried key lock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5832 Lock and handle assembly

Abstract

A handle and lock which generally includes a base having an index pin, a stop positioned in a circular channel, and an aperture traversing the base. A shaft is rotatably engaged to the base. The shaft includes a nut-shaped platform and an arcuate positioning limiter disposed in the circular working channel. The nut shaped platform preferably includes a threaded bore to receive a fastener used to releasably attach a handle to the shaft. The handle generally includes a head portion having a nut shaped receiving area and an arcuate protruding positioning member for placement within the circular working channel. The nut shaped receiving area preferably covers the platform during rotation of the handle relative to the base. The head portion may also include a lock having a locking barrier connected to a locking cylinder. The locking barrier is also adapted for removable positioning within the circular working channel to prevent rotation between the rotational limiter and the stop thereby restricting rotation of the handle and shaft relative to the base. The shaft further includes a latch member designed to engage a latch receiver integral to a door frame used for latching of a door in a closed position.

Claims

1. A latch assembly adapted for attachment to a door in a door frame, the latch assembly comprising:

a) a base having a recessed working channel, an aperture, and a stop positioned in the working channel;

b) a shaft extending through the aperture, said shaft having a rotational limiter, said rotational limiter being positioned in said working channel said stop being separated from said rotational limiter within said working channel; and

c) a handle fixed to the shaft whereby the handle and shaft are at least partially rotatable with respect to the base between a first position and a second position, the handle being connected to the shaft, the handle having a grasping portion and a protruding positioning member said protruding positioning member constructed for movement between said stop and said rotational limiter.

2. The latch assembly of claim 1, said shaft comprising a nut cap end.

3. The latch assembly of claim 2, said handle comprising a head portion connecting to the shaft.

4. The latch assembly of claim 3, wherein said grasping portion extends from said head portion, the head portion configured for engagement with the base.

5. The latch assembly of claim 4, the bead portion comprising a nut receiving area, the nut receiving area adapted for positioning over the nut cap end.

6. The latch assembly of claim 5, said stop comprising a first end and a second end wherein the stop is fixedly positioned within said working channel.

7. The latch assembly of claim 6, said rotational limiter comprising a third end and a fourth end, said fourth end being adapted to engage said first end of said stop during rotation of said handle from said first position to said second position.

8. The latch assembly according to claim 7, said protruding positioning member comprising a fifth end and a sixth end.

9. The latch assembly according to claim 8, wherein said fifth end is adapted to engage said second end and said sixth end is adapted engage said third end when said handle is at said first position.

10. The latch assembly according to claim 8, wherein said fifth end engages said second end and said fourth end engages said first end when said handle is at said second position.

11. The latch assembly according to claim 7, wherein said protruding positioning member is adapted for positioning in said working channel between said second end and said third end.

12. The latch assembly of claim 5, said base further comprising a support stem positioned in said aperture.

13. The latch assembly of claim 12, said base further comprising an index pin extending from said base.

14. The latch assembly of claim 12, wherein said shaft is rotatably engaged to said support stem.

15. The latch assembly of claim 5, wherein said stop is arcuate in shape.

16. The latch assembly according to claim 3, said handle further comprising a lock bore through said head portion.

17. The latch assembly of claim 2, wherein said rotational limiter is integral to said nut cap end.

18. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein said stop and said rotational limiter are disposed at substantially opposite locations within said working channel.

19. The latch assembly of claim 1, wherein said protruding positioning member is arcuate in shape.

20. The latch assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an escutcheon engaged to said shaft.

21. The latch assembly according to claim 20, said escutcheon comprising;

a plurality of graspers adapted to engage said shaft.