Abstract:
The door handle bracket and latch assembly of the present invention includes a bracket subassembly and a latch. The latch has a spring mounted rotor and a spring mounted catch which function to maintain a door in a latched or unlatched condition. The bracket subassembly includes a mounting plate, a pivotally mounted trip lever, and a rotational release cam receiving the drive shaft of the door handle. Upon rotation of the door handle in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the release cam pivots the trip lever, which in turn pivots the catch out of retentive engagement with the rotor, such that the rotor rotates to the unlatched position to allow the door to move from the latched closed position to an unlatched open position. The assembly has a simple design with a low profile and versatile mounting options.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Door handle bracket and latch assemblies for various types of vehicle doors, such as compartment doors on fire trucks, ambulances, and RV&#39;s, typically have a complex design with numerous components. The complexity of the assemblies results in a product that is relatively bulky and precludes use in certain applications with space limitations. 
   Existing art requires installation from the inside and outside of the door, necessitating access from the inside of the door with special access cutouts and covers or assembling inner supporting structure after latch installation. Furthermore, the versatility of the assembly is usually limited so that each application requires a different design. 
   Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved door handle bracket and latch assembly. 
   Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a door handle bracket and latch assembly having a simple design. 
   A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a door handle bracket and latch assembly having a low profile for use in applications having restricted space limitations. 
   Another objective of the present invention is the provision for installation from the outside of the door to eliminate the need for special access cutouts, or assembly of inner supporting structure after latch assembly. 
   Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a door handle bracket and latch assembly with mounting versatility for different applications and orientations. 
   Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of a door handle bracket and latch assembly which can be connected to the door handle so that rotation of the handle in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction will release the door latch. 
   A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a door handle bracket and latch assembly which can be mounted using bolts or screws extending through either the door handle pan or door handle flange. 
   Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a door handle bracket and latch assembly which can be utilized with either a locking or nonlocking door handle. 
   Still another objective of the present invention is the provision of a door handle bracket and latch assembly which is prevented from rotation relative to the door panel. 
   A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a door handle bracket and latch assembly which can be utilized on door panels having various thicknesses. 
   Yet another objective of the present invention is the provision of a door handle bracket and latch assembly which can be mounted into the door panel in different configurations. 
   Another objective of the present invention is the provision of a door handle bracket and latch assembly which precludes latch binding from deflection due to mounting torque. 
   A further objective of the present invention is the provision of a door handle bracket and latch assembly including a low coefficient plastic material release cam so as to provide low operating efforts. 
   Another objective of the present invention is the provision of an improved door handle bracket and latch assembly which is economical to manufacture and durable in use. 
   These and other objectives will become apparent from the following description of the invention. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The door handle bracket and latch assembly of the present invention includes a latch and a bracket subassembly. The latch has a rotor and a catch adapted to move between latched and unlatched positions. The bracket subassembly has a mounting bracket secured to the latch, a release cam rotatively mounted on the bracket subassembly, and a trip lever pivotally mounted on the bracket subassembly to trip the catch and thereby release the latch when the cam is actuated. The small number of components for the bracket subassembly allows the components to be assembled with only one machine operation. The assembly has a low profile due, in part, to the open design of the bracket wherein the cam is enclosed only on one side. The bracket subassembly has a plurality of mounting holes to allow multiple mounting options, such as through the door handle pan or flange. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of the door handle bracket and latch assembly of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the door handle bracket and latch assembly. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view from one side of the assembly. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the release cam of the bracket. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the assembly in a door panel with a door handle, and the mounting bolts extending through the flange of the door handle. 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of the assembled component of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view through lines  7 — 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view similar to  FIG. 5 , however with the mounting bolts extending through the pan of the door handle. 
       FIG. 9  is a plan view of the assembled components of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view through lines  10 — 10  of  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 11  is a view of an alternative embodiment used with a locking door handle, with the locking cam shown in an unlocked position. 
       FIG. 12  is a view of a further alternative embodiment used with a locking door handle, with the locking cam shown in a locked position. 
       FIG. 13  is an enlarged perspective view of a fixed nut according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing the latch and bracket assembly being installed from a front side of a door. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The door handle bracket and latch assembly of the present invention is generally designated in the drawings by the reference numeral  10 . The assembly includes a latch  12  and a bracket subassembly  14  secured together with bolts  13 . 
   The latch  12  includes a front plate  16  and a back plate  18 . The latch  12  further includes a rotor  20 , a catch  22 , and a strike  24  sandwiched between the front and back plates  16 ,  18 . The rotor  20  is pivotally mounted on a rotor axle  26 . The catch  22  is pivotally mounted upon a catch axle  28 . The strike  24  is pivotally mounted on a strike axle  30 . The rotor  20  is movable between a latched and unlatched position, and is biased to the unlatched position by a rotor spring  32  mounted on the rotor axle  26 . One end  34  of the rotor spring  32  engages the rotor  20 , while the opposite end  36  of the rotor spring  32  engages the inside of an upstanding wall  38  of the front latch plate  16 . The catch  22  is pivotal between a locked and unlocked position, and is biased towards the locked position by a catch spring  40  mounted on the catch axle  28 . One end  42  of the catch spring  40  engages the catch  22 , while the other end  44  of the catch spring  40  engages the wall  38  of the front latch plate  16 . 
   The bracket subassembly  14  includes a mounting plate  46 , a trip lever  48 , and a release cam  50 . The trip lever  48  is pivotally mounted on the plate  46  by a rivet  52 . The lever  48  is pivotal between latched and unlatched positions, and is biased to the latched position by a lever spring  54  mounted on the rivet  52 . One end  56  of the lever spring  54  is retained in a notch  58  in the lever  48 , while the opposite end  60  of the lever spring  54  engages the upturned mounting flange  62  of the bracket plate  46 . The flange  62  includes threaded holes  63  for the bolts  13 . The single rivet  52  simplifies the assembly process for the bracket  14 . 
   The release cam  50  is preferably made from a low coefficient plastic material. The cam  50  includes a front face  64  and a rear face  66 . As best seen in  FIG. 4 , the rear face  66  of the cam  50  includes a pair of retaining tabs  68 . The tabs  68  are adapted to extend through a keyed opening  70  in the plate  46 . The cam  50  is then rotated approximately 90° so that the tabs  64  retain the cam  50  on the bracket plate  46 . 
   The front face  64  of the cam  50  includes a recess  72  adapted to receive a drive washer  74  with a friction or press fit. The cam  64  and drive washer  74  include aligned square holes  76 ,  78  respectively adapted to receive a square drive shaft  80  of a handle  82 . 
     FIGS. 5–7  show one alternative for installing the bracket and latch assembly  10  to a door panel  84 . The door panel  84  typically includes a support member  86  which is riveted or welded to the door panel  84  for structural support, either before or after the assembly  10  is installed. The relatively narrow space between the panel  84  and the support  86  requires that the assembly  10  have a low profile. As best seen in  FIG. 5 , the door handle  82  includes a flange through which mounting bolts  90  extend. Bolts  90 A and  90 B extend through aligned holes  92  and are secured with nuts  94 A and  94 B. Bolts  90 C and  90 D also extend through aligned holes  92  in the door panel  84 , and further extend through corresponding holes in the bracket plate  46 , and are secured with nuts  94 C and  94 D. 
   If the support member  86  is fixed to the panel  84  before the assembly  10  is installed from the rear of panel  84 , an opening (not shown) must be provided in the member  86  for access to the assembly. Alternatively, the assembly  10  may be installed from the front of the panel  84  through a cutout  85 , due to the thin profile of the assembly  10 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . With such front installation, the support member  86  can be secured to the back of panel  84  before the assembly  10  is installed, and no access opening is necessary in the member  86 . The assembly is slid through the hole  85 , and then moved rearward to align holes  115  and  92  for receipt of a threaded fastener  90 C and  90 D, as described above. 
     FIGS. 8–10  show an alternative installation of the assembly  10  on the door panel  96 . In this arrangement, bolts, such as carriage bolts, machine screws, or cap screws extend through holes (preferably square)  98  in the recessed pan  99  of the handle assembly  82 , and then through holes  110  in the plate  46 , for retention by nuts  112 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the holes  110  preferably have flat sides and rounded corners. When used with carriage bolts, the nuts  112  may be designed with a round shank profile to turn in holes  110  for threading on to the carriage bolts. When used with machine or cap screws, the nuts  112  may be designed with a shank profile matching that of holes  110  to prevent the rotation of the nuts  112  while the machine or cap screws are threaded into the nuts  112 . Various means may be used to retain the nuts  112  with the assembly  10  until assembly in the door is completed. These means may include, but are not limited to, a press fit or adhesive (if cap or machine screws are used), or retaining with a clip or plastic retainer  113  into an undercut  117  on the shanks of the nuts  112 . The length or thickness of the nuts  112  may be varied, so as to accommodate door panels having different thicknesses, and without the use of separate spacers. Optional locator fasteners  114  may be provided in the door panel  84 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The locator fasteners  114  are adapted to extend through threaded holes  115  in the plate  46  so as to preclude rotation of the assembly  10  relative to the door panel  84 . 
   In use, when the handle  116  of the handle assembly  82  is turned in a clockwise direction, the drive shaft  80  turns the drive washer  74  and release cam  50  in a clockwise direction, such that a cam lobe  126  on the rear face  66  of the release cam  50  engages a lobe  128  on the lever  48 , so as to cause the lever  48  to pivot to the release position. As the lever  48  pivots to the release position, a tab  122  on the end of the lever  48  engages a leg  124  on the catch  22 , such that the catch  22  pivots from the locked position engaging the rotor  20  to a disengaged unlocked position such that the rotor  20  is free to pivot to the unlatched position so that the door can be opened. 
   Similarly, when the handle  116  is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction, a cam lobe  118  on the release cam  50  engages a lobe  120  on the trip lever  48 . The resulting interaction between the trip lever  48 , the catch  22 , and the rotor  20  is the same as described above, such that the rotor  20  is released over the door. An equivalent amount of rotation of the handle  116  in either the clockwise or the counterclockwise directions causes release of the rotor  20 . 
   The bracket  14  includes one or more legs  130  with upturned ends. The end of each leg  130  includes a longer tab or projection which extends slightly beyond the edge of the upturned ends. The function of the projections  132  is to frictionally engage the door panel  84  when the assembly  10  is installed between the door panel  84  and the door support  86 , thereby inhibiting the rotation of the assembly  10  relative to the door panel  84 . To provide further assurance against rotational movement of the assembly  10 , the catch axle  28  may be provided with internal threads adapted to receive a bolt (not shown) extending through a door edge (not shown) perpendicular to the door panel  84 . 
   The simple design of the bracket assembly  14 , with relatively few components, allows the components of the bracket  14  to be assembled with a single machine operation to attach rivet  52  to the bracket plate  46 . 
   When the door handle assembly  82  is mounted through the pan  99 , as opposed to the flange  88 , the open design of the bracket  14  minimizes the likelihood of binding due to deflection arising from excessive mounting torque. 
     FIGS. 6–10  show the bracket and latch assembly  10  in use on a non-locking door handle.  FIGS. 11 and 12  show alternative embodiments of assemblies  10 A and  10 B, respectively, for use with locking door handles. More particularly, in  FIG. 11 , the assembly  10 A includes a modified bracket plate  46 A having only two legs  130 A. A lock cam  134  is provided on the handle assembly  182  and is adapted to engage one of the slots  136  in the release cam  50  so as to prevent rotation of the cam to unlock the rotor  20  of the latch assembly  12 . 
   Similarly, in  FIG. 12 , the bracket plate  46 B includes a single leg  130 B to accommodate the lock cam  134 . The lock cam  134  is controlled by a conventional key cylinder (not shown) to move the cam  134  between the locked position engaging the slots  136  in the cam  50  and the unlocked position wherein the locked cam  134  is disengaged from the release cam  50 . 
   It is understood that the bracket and latch assemblies  10 ,  10 A and  10 B can be installed in various orientations to the door panel  96 . More particularly, the latch  12  can be positioned at the bottom, top or either side to accommodate door panels which are hinged on different edges. 
   The invention has been shown and described above with the preferred embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.