Patent ID: 7716789
Filing Date: 2010-05-18
Classification: E05B,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A sanitary handle apparatus, comprising: a rectangular mount flange fastened to an existing door with latch; a cylindrical base affixed to an exterior of the flange; a rotary cylinder rotatably attached to the base; a cap removably fitted to the rotary cylinder; a latch drive in communication with the rotary cylinder and the door latch, whereby rotary movement of the cylinder activates the door latch; an electric motor disposed within the base; a power source in communication with the motor; a drive pin with an axial key rotatably driven by the motor; a removable sleeve having a length, a keyway axially disposed within the sleeve, whereby the sleeve is slideably fitted to the drive pin and key; a tubular handle affixed to the rotary cylinder, a gap in the handle; a rod fitted within the handle, a curved loop of the rod exposed via the gap; a protective cover for the rod, the cover disposed on the sleeve, the cover advanced over the rod by the motor, the cover returned to the sleeve as a used cover; a light sensor disposed in the flange, the sensor in communication with a processor whereby the motor is activated to dispose the protective cover onto the rod to replace a used cover disposed on the curved loop of the rod.