Patent ID: 6513353
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: E05B,E05C,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A lockable handle assembly for moving operating elements of a plurality of latches to substantially concurrently operate the latches, comprising:a) a flush mountable housing having a mounting flange that extends perimetrically about a forwardly facing recess defined by the housing; b) a handle connected to the housing for pivotal movement relative to the housing between a non-operated position substantially nested within the recess and an operated position projecting forwardly from the recess; c) means for selectively 1) establishing a driving connection between the handle and the operating elements of the latches for moving the operating elements to substantially concurrently operate the latches in response to pivotal movement of the handle to the operated position, and 2) disestablishing a driving connection between the handle and the operating elements of the latches for preventing no movement of the operating elements in response to pivotal movement of the handle to the operated position; d) wherein said means includes a first arm and a second arm connected to the housing for pivotal movement relative thereto about a common pivot axis, with the first arm having a first elongate portion spaced from the common pivot axis, with the second arm having a second elongate portion spaced from the common pivot axis and overlying at least a portion of the first elongate portion, with a first elongate substantially linear slot formed in the first elongate portion, with a second elongate substantially linear slot formed in the second elongate portion, and with the second slot overlying at least a portion of the first slot; e) means connecting the first arm to the handle for being pivoted about the common pivot axis in response to pivotal movement of the handle between the non-operated and operated positions; f) means connecting the second arm to the operating elements of the latches for pivoting about the common pivot axis to move the operating elements to substantially concurrently operate the latches; g) locking means connected to the housing and including a connecting element that is movable between locked and unlocked positions in response to operation the locking means, wherein the connecting element extends into the first and second slots and is operable 1) when in the unlocked position to drivingly connect the first and second arms for concurrent pivotal movement about the common pivot axis so that pivotal movement of the handle to the operated position causes the first and second arms to pivot in unison to move the operating elements of the latches to substantially concurrently operate the latches, and 2) when in the locked position to permit relative movement to take place between the first and second arms so that, when the first arm is pivoted about the common axis due to movement of the handle to the operated position, the second arm is not caused to pivot in unison with the first arm to move the operating elements to operate the latches; h) wherein the first and second substantially linear slots are of relatively narrow, relatively uniform width along their lengths to receive the connecting element in a sliding fit therein, with each of the first and second slots being defined by a pair of substantially linear opposed side walls; i) wherein the first and second substantially linear slots are configured to substantially align along their length when the first and second arms are in positions normally taken by the first and second arms when the handle is in the non-operated position and the operating elements of the latches have not been moved to operate the latches; and, j) wherein a selected one of the first and second arms has a corresponding one of the first and second slots configured to define a disconnect location along the length thereof wherein the opposed side walls are oriented to extend substantially perpendicular to an imaginary line that extends from the disconnect location to intersect the common pivot axis so that the opposed side walls will slide freely along opposite sides of the connecting element when the selected arm is pivoted about the common axis when the connecting element is at the disconnect location, and wherein movement of the connecting element to the locked position brings the connecting element to the disconnect location where the free sliding movement that is permitted between the opposed side walls and the opposite sides of the connecting element will permit said relative movement to take place between the first and second arms.