Patent ID: 8506027
Filing Date: 2013-08-13
Classification: A47B,B29C,B29L,E05B,F25D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A door handle configured for mounting onto a surface of an appliance, comprising: a gas-assist thermoplastic molded body having a central grip section intermediate of a mounting foot provided at each opposite end of said body, said central grip section being substantially hollow such that said central grip portion defines a channel therein; at least one mounting foot of said molded body having a flat planar cross-sectional end face oriented relative to said body for mounting flush entirely against a front surface of the appliance, the at least one mounting foot of said molded body defining a passage between said mounting foot end face and the channel of said central grip portion, the passage of the at least one mounting foot of said molded body configured for permitting a flow of pressurized molding gas therethrough; and a tubular metal insert overmolded in the at least one mounting foot of said molded body such that said insert is retained within the at least one mounting foot of said molded body by thermoplastic body material molded around at least a portion of said inert, a gas exit recess formed into said mounting foot end face between said insert and an extreme end of the at least one mounting foot of said molded body; said insert having an open end generally flush with said mounting foot end face such that said mounting foot end face and insert mount flush entirely onto the front surface of the appliance, said insert having an inner cross-sectional profile configured for engagement over a stud provided on the front surface of the appliance; wherein said insert comprises a contoured outer circumferential surface for enhanced retention in the at least one mounting foot of said molded body, said outer circumferential surface comprises an increasing diameter from said open end to an opposite end; wherein said increasing diameter is defined in a plurality of incremental steps, the passage of the at least one mounting foot of said molded body positioned between the opposite end of said insert and a wall of the at least one mounting foot of said molded body; wherein the at least one mounting foot of said molded body and said insert define a setscrew aperture therethrough.