Abstract:
A swing handle assembly ( 10 ) comprising a lockable handle member ( 20 ) which when pivotally swung into co-operable alignment with a frame ( 30 ) enables the assembly ( 10 ) to be placed in a locked condition, wherein the end of the handle member distal from the pivotally attached end comprises a substantially deformable housing ( 60 ) located therebeneath, the housing ( 60 ) being adapted to at least partially support a locking means ( 40 ) when located therein, whereby when the assembly is locked and when a destructive outside force sufficient to cause deformation of the housing ( 60 ) is applied to a located locking means ( 40 ), the locked condition of the assembly ( 10 ) is substantially maintained.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention generally relates to a swing handle assembly which is particularly useful as handle hardware on metal enclosures. The metal enclosures may include doors to storage areas and boxes, electrical switch-gear cabinets or other high security applications. In particular, the invention relates to a swing handle assembly for use in high security locking applications. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to these particular applications. It should be appreciated however that the present invention is not limited to these applications only. 
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Barriers or doors for entry and exit from metal enclosures, which are used as storage areas, necessarily require a handle with an internal latch or locking mechanism for security and safety. These handle and locking mechanisms, being most conveniently operable by means of a key, primarily function to provide a means of preventing unauthorised personnel from entering the otherwise secured locked enclosure. 
         [0003]    Commonly employed door assemblies may contain the or part of a locking means comprising a barrel and lock means carried by the handle. However, a problem associated with prior assemblies is that the locking means contained therein can easily be tampered with by vandals trying to smash and destroy the locking means to render it inoperable and thus then gain easy access to the otherwise secure enclosure. In order to overcome this problem, a high security locking means needs to be employed with the handle assembly. However, it has subsequently been found that such high security locking means could not be satisfactorily accommodated and yet still function as required within existing handles. It was discovered that sometimes the high security locking means inadvertently protruded from the upper surface of the handle, thereby exposing the locking means as a target for vandals to destroy. 
         [0004]    It is therefore a preferred object of the present invention to provide a handle assembly which is better able to maintain the integrity of the locked assembly even if the locking means is rendered inoperable. It is a further preferred object to provide an assembly which can both accommodate a high security locking means and at the same time make the handle assembly more secure by making the locking mechanism substantially tamper-proof. It is a further object of the present invention to overcome, or at least substantially ameliorate, at least some of the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a swing handle assembly comprising a lockable handle member which when pivotally swung into cooperable alignment with a frame enables the assembly to be placed in a locked condition, wherein the end of the handle member distal from the pivotally attached end comprises a substantially deformable housing located therebeneath, the housing being adapted to at least partially support a locking means when located therein, whereby when the assembly is locked and the locking means is subjected to a destructive outside force sufficient to cause deformation of the housing, the locked condition of the assembly is substantially maintained. 
         [0006]    Preferably, the locking means when located is substantially supported by the housing, which housing is positioned on the handle member distal from its pivotal attachment end. The frame preferably contains a chamber into which the housing and its supported locking means are receivable. Actuation of the locking means, which preferably co-acts with the frame, enables the handle member to be placed either in a locked or an unlocked condition relative to the frame. 
         [0007]    The frame is a substantially open-box member comprising a substantially rectangular-shaped base section having substantially oblique-shaped upwardly extending outer walls, wherein the outer walls terminate in a first opening which provides an entry to the interior of the frame. The base section contains a second opening therein leading to a chamber or well which is either formed substantially integral with the base section or is locatable under and aligned with the second opening, wherein the chamber is adapted to substantially receive the housing. When so installed, the locking means can be operated to lock or unlock the handle member relative to the frame. Further openings may be provided in the base section to permit fixing of the frame to the device that will carry the assembly or to receive therein a lock-actuating means, for example, a shaft upon or to which one end of the handle member may be attached. 
         [0008]    The handle member is preferably of a substantially complimentary shape to the opening of the frame to allow the handle member to be able to substantially sit or be substantially accommodated within that opening. The handle member is more preferably of an open box-like body configuration having a substantially obround shape comprising an upper wall having opposed end walls extending therefrom, opposed side walls and a partially open underside wherein the underside contains edges on or even within which a spacer means is adapted to engage. The pivotally attached end of the handle member is preferably in the form of a ball joint, which enables the handle member to pivot relative to the frame. The ball joint preferably co-operates with a lock-actuating shaft that is received within the frame via a second opening in the base section of the frame. The end of the handle member distal from the attached end is able to be raised and rotated relative to the attached end of the handle member. To the unattached end of the handle member, there is provided a lifting means either additional to or integral with this end. When the handle member is sitting within the opening of the frame, the lifting means preferably extends beyond the opening and as such permits a user access to the lifting means. Raising the lifting means causes the handle member to be lifted out of the opening and permits it to be moved or rotated. Preferably, the lifting means is formed such that it is of reduced thickness relative to the remainder of the handle member. It would preferably be designed such that if it is acted upon with force (which would be required if the assembly is in the locked condition), it will shear off rather than cause the locking means to fail or be destroyed. The ball joint of the handle member, preferably pivotally co-acting with the lock-actuating shaft, is retained in position by fastening means on the underside of the frame. 
         [0009]    The locking means can be of any typical type as known and used in the art. In a preferred aspect, the locking means is of a barrel type comprising a cylinder or barrel with a locking bolt end and a key arrangement with a key-receiving end, wherein the locking bolt end contains a lock actuator to directly or indirectly engage the frame for locking the handle member to the frame, thereby placing the assembly in a locked condition. 
         [0010]    When the locking means is installed in the housing of the handle member, the key-receiving end thereof is preferably substantially flush-mounted with an upper face of the handle member. It is preferable that any raised section is formed integral with the upper face of the handle member and of the same material as the remainder of the assembly. Preferably, the raised portion is included in the profile when moulding the upper wall or face when the handle member is manufactured. Alternatively, the raised section could be constructed separately and of a different material and is inserted into the upper face of the handle member during manufacture thereof. The upper and exposed face of the handle member is most preferably formed with a raised section to surround and therefore protect the key-receiving means in the event of an intruder attack. 
         [0011]    The key-receiving end is preferably fitted with a lock cylinder for moving the locking means from an unlocked to a locked condition, wherein a key inserted into the lock cylinder actuates the lock actuator. When the handle member is in the closed or locked condition, it is lockable by operation of the key means and once unlocked, the handle member is pivotally movable from the closed to the open position. 
         [0012]    The housing is preferably a substantially obround member having a box-like body comprising a lower wall having substantially upwardly side walls and opposed end walls extending therefrom, which end walls are of a substantially semi-circular configuration, wherein the lower wall or one or both of the side wall(s) is/are provided with cut-out region(s) which act to expose the lock actuator to enable the lock actuator to move between a locked and an unlocked position. More preferably, one of the opposed end walls is chamfered relative to the other opposed end wall to facilitate receipt or removal of the housing relative to the second opening of the frame. 
         [0013]    When the locking means is supported in the housing and is subjected to a destructive outside force, the force causes the locking means to deform and/or substantially fracture the lower wall and/or one or both side wall(s) of the housing such that resultant pieces from the lower wall and or one or both side wall(s) can preferably act to substantially prevent the assembly from being placed in the unlocked condition. 
         [0014]    The provision of the housing therefore not only offers support for and correct alignment of the locking means relative to the opening in the base section of the frame, but it also provides added protection to the handle assembly. Should an intruder attempt to break open the handle assembly by trying to smash the assembly, the housing acts to substantially prevent the locking means from being able to be placed in an unlocked position and as such it can hold the locking means in place relative to the handle member. Should however the intruder succeed in fracturing the housing, the resulting debris from the broken or shattered housing made up of the lower wall, opposed end walls and/or side walls can fill the available space surrounding the lock actuator, such that the actuator is unable to rotate and thus remains in locked contact with the frame. 
         [0015]    In a further aspect of the invention, there is also provided a spacer means for use with any handle assembly and preferably, the handle assembly of the invention being substantially attachable to or integral with a handle member, the spacer means being able to substantially engage with or sit on the handle member, wherein the spacer means acts to hold the handle member above or out of contact with an area surrounding the assembly. Preferably, the spacer means is of a substantially T-shaped configuration having a stem and cross-piece, wherein the stem piece is able to be substantially retained within the handle member, while the cross-piece is able to substantially engage with or sit on the underside region of the handle member. In this way, scratching of and damage of this area can be significantly reduced. 
         [0016]    Each part of the handle assembly is preferably manufactured from any suitable material known in the art. The choice of material used for each component of the assembly will be dictated by the environment in which the handle is to be used. For example, if the handle is to be used in a potentially water-corrosive environment, the make-up or composition of each of the parts would be duly selected upon the extent of its potential exposure to the environment i.e. on a freezer delivery van, the material selected would be stainless steel. The handle may also appropriately be coated with a suitable plastics material to prevent damage to a hand being placed upon a handle attached to an enclosure kept at reduced temperature. The housing may be made of the same or different material to the remainder of the assembly. The lower wall and/or one or both of the side walls or one or both of the end wall(s) of the housing may be made of a different material to the material used for the remainder of the housing or the walls of the housing may be comprised of segments in order to facilitate the fracturing thereof and should the locking means be subjected to an outside force, it is preferable that the resultant pieces of debris produced thereby be able to surround and block the lock actuator preventing it from being placed in an unlocked condition. The spacer means may be manufactured integral with the handle member and a layer of suitable plastic material placed over the surface contacting with the side wall of the opening of the frame or alternatively, the spacer means may be manufactured entirely from a suitable plastics material and attached to the underside of the handle member by an appropriate fastening means. Preferably, the spacer means is manufactured from polypropylene and screw-mounted onto the handle member as close as possible to the ball joint thereof. 
         [0017]    The scope of the invention further extends to the installation and use of the handle assembly of the invention as handle hardware on metal enclosures. Such metal enclosures include doors, storage areas, electrical switch-gear cabinets or other high-security applications. 
     
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Other features and advantages of one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following written description with reference to, and used in conjunction with, the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the swing handle assembly of the invention with the handle member in the closed position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a swing handle assembly; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view through A-A of the swing handle assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view through D-D of the swing handle assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view from underneath the handle member of the swing handle assembly; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the top of the handle member of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the frame of the swing handle assembly with the handle member partly showing; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the swing handle assembly of the invention with the handle member in the open position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    Referring to all the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, an assembled view of an embodiment of the handle assembly  10  is shown. The handle assembly  10  generally comprises a handle member  20 , preferably in the general shape of an obround and a frame  30  of preferably a substantially rectangular configuration. In order to place the handle member  20  into locked engagement with the frame  30 , there is preferably provided a locking means  40 , preferably in the form of a barrel/cylinder lock means, supported by a housing  60 , which is securable to or integral with the handle member  20 . The combination of the handle member  20 , the locking means  40  and the frame  30 , to which the handle member  20  is locked, form a locking device that may be placed in a locked or unlocked condition. Where the handle member  20  is fitted to or upon a lock-actuating shaft  37   a , the user thereof is able to place the locking shaft  37   a  and any attached or linked operator means (not shown) into a locked or unlocked condition. The frame  30  preferably is substantially rectangular in overall shape having a base section  31  and substantially oblique upwardly extending outer walls therefrom  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c  and  32   d  which preferably terminate in and thereby provide a first substantially obround opening  33  into the interior of the frame  30 . Preferably, the interior walls  34  of the frame  30  are substantially perpendicular to the base section  31 . 
         [0028]    The base section  31  preferably contains a second opening  35  therein, which opening  35  leads into a chamber  36 . The second opening  35  is also preferably of a substantially obround configuration. The chamber  36  may be in the form of a chamber or well which may be of any suitable size and/or shape to suitably receive the housing  60  and/or co-operate with its associated locking means  40  when located or positioned within the chamber  36 . The base section  31  also preferably contains a second opening/recess  37  to accommodate a lock-actuating shaft  37   a  to which an operator means, for example, a separate locking mechanism (not shown) positioned within a door may be attached. 
         [0029]    The handle member  20  and its locking means  40  supported by the housing  60  are adapted to be able to substantially sit or be substantially accommodated within the correspondingly-shaped first opening  33  of the frame member  30 . Thus, when the opening  33  of the frame member  30  is obround then it is preferred that the external perimeter of the handle member  20  is also obround to permit it to sit or be substantially accommodated within the frame  30 . 
         [0030]    Preferably, the handle member  20  is a substantially obround member having an open box-like body  21  comprising an upper wall  22 , opposed end walls  23   a  and  23   b  extending therefrom, which are preferably of a semicircular configuration, opposed side walls  24   a  and  24   b  and an underside  25  that may be partially open. The underside preferably contains edges  28  and  29 . The spacer means  50  (described below) is adapted to engage with or sit on or even within edges  28  and  29 . 
         [0031]    The handle member  20  has a housing  60  extending out from its underside  25 . The housing  60  acts to support and/or hold and secure the locking means  40  when fitted to the handle member  20 . Preferably, the housing  60  is of a general overall shape that enables it to pass through second opening  35  of the base section  31  and also to substantially lie within chamber  36 , when the handle member  20  is located or sits within first opening  33  of the frame  30 . Accordingly, the housing  60  is also a substantially obround member having a box-like body  61  comprising a lower wall  62 , substantially upwardly extending side walls  63   a  and  63   b , opposed end walls  64   a  and  64   b  extending therefrom, which are preferably of a substantially semi-circular configuration. The lower wall  62  may contain cut-out region(s)  62   a  and similarly one or both side walls  63   a  and  63   b  can be provided with cut-out portions  63   c  and  63   d , respectively. The cut-out region(s)  62   a  and portions  63   c  and  63   d  act to expose part of the locking means  40  and preferably the lock actuator  44 . The cut-out regions also permit access to the working parts of the locking means  40  which may require servicing. To side walls  63   a  and  63   b , there is also preferably provided a securing means  65 , preferably as a counter-sunk hole in wall  63   a , which is adapted to receive a complimentary fitting means, such as a threaded screw or bolt, which when in position can act with aligned hole in wall  63   b  to releasably hold the locking means  40  in working contact with the housing  60  and thus the handle member  20 . One of the opposed end walls  64   a  is preferably chamfered  64   c  relative to the other opposed end wall  64   b . This chamfering ensures that the housing  60  does not strike or contact rounded edge  35   c  of second opening  35  of frame  30  when the housing  60  is lifted in and out of opening  35 . 
         [0032]    One of the end walls  23   a  of the handle member  20  or that end wall itself may be in the form of a ball joint  26  or the like and when the ball joint  26  co-operates with its complementary assembly such as the lock-actuating shaft  37   a , which is securable to the base section  31  of the frame  30 , the handle member  20  is pivotable about that ball joint  26 -lock-actuating shaft link. The other end wall  23   b  preferably has a lifting means  27  integral thereto and which is also of a semicircular configuration. Preferably, through raising lifting means  27 , when the handle member  20  is in an unlocked condition, the handle member  20  and its housing  60  are sufficiently also raised out of first opening  33  and are then able to pivot relative to the other end  23   a  of the handle member  20  namely the ball joint  26  which engages with the lock-actuating shaft  37   a . When the handle member  20  is accommodated in the first opening  33  of the frame  30 , preferably part of the lifting means  27 , extends beyond the periphery of the opening  33 , to permit and facilitate access to it for the user. 
         [0033]    Preferably, the lifting means  27  is formed such that it is of reduced thickness relative to the thickness of the end wall  23   b  of the handle member  20  to which it is attached or forms part thereof. In this form, should the swing handle assembly be in a locked condition, and an intruder tries to lever the handle member  20  out of the frame  30  via the lifting means  27 , the lifting means  27  will break or fracture in favour of the handle member  20  remaining in locked contact with the frame  30 . Having broken or fractured the lifting means  27 , it is now more difficult for the intruder to separate the handle member  20  from the frame  30 . 
         [0034]    When the handle member  20  and its associated housing  60  and locking means  40  are positioned in the first opening  33  of the frame  30 , the underside  25  of the handle member  20  will preferably sit upon at least part of the exposed area of the base section  31  of the frame  30 . The lower wall  62  of the housing  60  preferably comes into close contact with the bottom wall  36   a  of the chamber  36 . That part of the locking means  40 , namely a cylinder barrel  41 , which protrudes from the underside  25  of the handle member  20  and preferably supported by housing  60  is preferably aligned with the second opening  35  in the base section  31 , whereby at least part of the housing  60  supporting the locking means  40  is/are able to be accommodated within the chamber  36 . When so positioned, the user of the device is then able to operate the locking means  40 , which preferably co-operates with the chamber  36 , to lock the locking means  40  and thus the associated handle member  20  into engagement with the frame  30 , whereby the handle member  20  is now held in the frame  30  and is unable under normal use from being released from the frame  30  to permit the handle member  20  from being turned to open the assembly upon which the handle member  20  is located. 
         [0035]    The actuating shaft  37   a  passing through the second opening  37  of the frame  30  is preferably retained in a tight but pivotable frictional engagement, by way of threadable nuts (not shown) positioned on the actuating shaft  37   a  on the underside  38  of the frame  30  to facilitate rotational movement of the handle member  20  about the shaft to the open position, when the handle assembly  10  is in the unlocked condition. The lock-actuating shaft  37   a  is retained in pivotal relationship with the ball joint  26  by a second securing means, for example, threadable nuts (not shown) on the underside  38  of the frame  30 . 
         [0036]    The handle member  20  preferably also comprises a substantially raised section  22   a  of upper face  22 , where the raised section  22   a  extends towards and may terminate with the lifting end  27 . This raised section  22   a  can provide protection to locking means  40  preferably of a cylinder/barrel lock  41  when received therein. The locking means  40  preferably comprises a key-receiving end  42  and a locking bolt end  43  comprising a lock actuator  44  for locking the handle member  20  to the frame  30  and thus the assembly  10  and thereby the door to which it is secured. The key-receiving end  42  of locking means  40  is preferably fitted with a lock cylinder  45  for locking the locking means  40 , wherein a key inserted via key-receiving end  42  into the lock cylinder  45  is able to actuate the lock actuator  44  of the locking means  40 . High security locking means are often of a larger size than conventional locking means and the raised section  22   a  of the upper face  22  of the handle member  20  offers increased protection by appropriately surrounding the key-receiving end  42  of the locking means  40 . Lock actuator  44  is able to pass through cut-out portion  63   c  of housing  60  to allow engagement with a protrusion  35   e  in the side wall  35   a  of second opening  35  of the chamber  36 . When the assembly  10  is in the locked condition, the handle member  20  is partially or totally received within the first opening  33  of frame  30  and it sits upon the base section  31  substantially parallel with the base section  31  of the frame  30 . This improves not only the aesthetic appearance, but also the security of the handle assembly  10 . 
         [0037]    The generally obround-shaped second opening  35  of frame  30  includes a first side wall  35   a , a second side wall  35   b , and rounded end walls  35   c  and  35   d . The first side wall  35   a  preferably contains a protrusion  35   e , which is adapted to co-operate with the lock actuator  44  passing through the cut-out portion  63   c  in the housing  60 . When the lock actuator  44  is retained under and by protrusion  35   e , the locking means  40  and the handle member  20  to which it is secured is substantially prevented from being able to be lifted out of the frame  30  and thus pivoted, thereby also preventing any device coupled to the ball joint  26  from moving. In other words, the handle member  20 , which directly or indirectly cooperates with a latching bolt (not shown) situated internally of the door, is prevented from being pivotally or rotatably moved from its closed position, when the lock cylinder  45  is in the locked condition. 
         [0038]    In another form, the dimensions of the opening  35  may be less than the internal dimensions of the co-operating chamber  36  therebeneath, such that the opening  35  acts as a lip  39  or has inwardly directed edges relative to the chamber  36 , whereby the lock actuator  44  is able to co-act with the lip  39  to hold the handle member  20  in a locked condition relative to the frame  30 . 
         [0039]    When the lock cylinder  45  is in the unlocked condition and the lock actuator  44  is no longer held behind protrusion  35   e  or under lip  39 , the handle member  20  and its housing  60  using the lifting means  27  are able to be lifted up and by upward pivotal movement of handle member  20  relative to the ball joint  26  the cooperating lock-actuating shaft  37   a  can rotate or be moved relative to the frame  30 . The latching bolt (not shown) in engagement with the lock-actuating shaft  37   a  is thereby moved from the locked to the unlocked condition to allow the door to be opened. When the lock cylinder  45  is in the unlocked condition, the handle member  20  can be received into the opening  33  with its housing  60  and its locking means  40  being received within the chamber  36 . When and if required, a suitable key inserted into the key-receiving means  42  of the locking means  40  engages with lock cylinder  45  and can then be turned to lock the actuator  44  behind the protrusion  35   e  or lip  39  and thus prevent the lifting of the handle member  20  from out of the frame  30 . 
         [0040]    To the handle member  20 , a spacer means  50  can be attached. Preferably, the spacer means  50  is formed separately of mouldable plastic and is attachable to the underside  25  of the handle member  20 . When the spacer means  50  is an add-on element to the handle member  20 , it can be mounted onto, preferably by screw fitting thereto, the underside region  25  of the handle member  20 . Alternatively, the spacer means  50  may be manufactured such that it is integrally formed with the handle member  20 . Preferably, the spacer means  50  is of a substantially T-shaped configuration having a stem and cross-piece. In its simplest form, the spacer means can be a substantially square or rectangular member provided that when in use it is able to engage with or sit on the handle member in such a way that when the spacer means member  60  in contact with one of the edges of the frame  30 , it holds the handle member  20  and housing  60  out of contact with the surface area surrounding the handle assembly. 
         [0041]    In the embodiment shown, the stem piece  51  is able to be retained within or on the underside region  25  of the handle member  20 . The cross-piece  52  of the spacer means  50  is able to engage with or sit on edges  28  and  29  of the opening  25  of the handle member  20 . A passageway  53  is preferably provided in the upper surface of cross-piece  52  and also extends through the stem piece  51 . Through this passageway, a detachable fastener, such as a screw or the like, can pass to fasten the spacer means  50  to the handle member  20 . 
         [0042]    The cross-piece  52  is preferably of a substantially rectangular shape and its edges preferably align with edges  28  and  29  of the handle member  20  to enable the handle member when fitted with a spacer means  50  to be able to fit or sit within opening  33  of the frame  30 . 
         [0043]    The spacer means  50  is locatable on the handle member  20  substantially proximate to the ball joint region  26 , such that when the handle member  20  is in the unlocked condition and the handle member  20  is lifted out of the opening  33  of the frame  30 , the spacer means  50  via its cross-piece area  52  contacts one of the oblique side wall edges  32   a  or  32   b  of the frame  30 , and is able to retain handle member  20  out of alignment for closing with the frame  30 . In addition, the spacer means  50  is able to hold the housing  60  supporting the locking means  40  protruding from the underside  25  of the handle member  20  from contacting the surface of the door, etc to which the handle assembly  10  is fixed. Thus, handle member  20  is thereby caused to sit in a raised position above and rest upon the at least one side wall edge  32   a  or  32   b  of the frame  30 . In this way, the handle member  20  and housing  60  are substantially prevented from crashing into and thus potentially damaging the area surrounding the handle assembly  10  if the handle member  20  is accidentally dropped. 
       Device Assembly 
       [0044]    To assemble the first embodiment of the handle assembly  10 , handle member  20  via its ball joint  26  is attached to lock-actuating shaft  37   a , which shaft has been fed through second opening  37  in base section  31  of frame  30 . Fastening means, preferably nuts, (not shown) positioned on lock-actuating shaft  37   a  distal from the ball joint connection are then tightened toward the underside  38  of the frame  30  to enable pivotal movement of the handle member  20  relative to the frame  30 . The key-receiving means  42  of locking means  40  is received within the raised section  22   a  of the upper face  22  of handle member  20  such that end  42  is flush-fitted relative to the raised section  22   a . The locking cylinder  45 , being substantially enclosed within its housing  60 , both protrude from beneath the underside  25  of the handle member  20 . Handle member  20  and its housing  60  and locking means  40  are then positioned above opening  33  of the frame  30  and by lowering the handle member  20  into the first opening  33 , the housing  60  and its locking means  40  aligned with the second opening  35  in the base section  31  are able to be received therethrough. The locking cylinder  45  together with housing  60  can now lie within chamber  36 , while the underside  25  of the handle member  20  sits upon the base section  31 . Through the turning of a matching key having been placed in the key-receiving end  42  of the locking means  40 , the lock actuator  44  of locking means  40  rotates and is caused to align under protrusion  35   e  or lip  39 . In this state, the protrusion  35   e  or lip  39  and lock actuator  44  located thereunder restrict the lifting of the handle member  20  out of the frame  30 . The key can then be removed from the locked assembly. 
         [0045]    The reintroduction of the key and its counter rotation causes the lock actuator  44  to disengage from the protrusion  35   e  or lip  39  and the assembly is now unlocked. In this state, by raising lifting means  27 , the handle member  20  and housing  60  are able to be pivotally raised above the frame  30  about the ball joint  26 . By moving the raised end of the handle member  20  laterally relative to the attached frame  30 , the spacer means  50  is positioned such that should the handle member  20  be accidentally dropped, the spacer means  50  causes the handle member  20  to rest upon the side walls of the frame  30  thus preventing the housing  60  and locking means  40 , protruding from the handle member  20 , from contacting the surface area surrounding the frame  30 . In this way, the spacer means  50  substantially prevents the handle member  20  and housing  60  from damaging the surrounding area. 
       Use of Device 
       [0046]    In use, the handle assembly  10  is positioned within a door cavity or on the outer face of the door. To the lock-actuating shaft  37   a , which protrudes from the underside of the frame  30  to the area inside the secure environment, one may add a suitable locking bolt and handle means, such that the handle assembly  10  is also operable from the interior of the secured enclosure. 
         [0047]    When the handle member  20  is unlocked and lifted from out of the frame  30  and then pivoted to either the left or the right and brought down to rest on the side wall  32   a  or  32   b  of the frame  30 , the spacer means  50  on the underside of the handle member  20  rather than the handle member itself coming into direct contact with the frame  30 , raises the handle member  20  above the area surrounding the handle assembly  10 , thereby preventing scratching and damage to the vehicle or cabinet in which the handle assembly is installed. 
         [0048]    It has been found that the provision of the housing  60  not only offers support for and correct alignment of the locking means  40  relative to the opening  35  in the base section  31  of the frame  30 , but it also provides added protection to the handle assembly  10 . Should an intruder attempt to break open the handle assembly  10  by trying to smash the assembly, the housing  60  acts to hold the locking means  40  in place relative to the handle member  20 . Should however the intruder succeed in fracturing the housing  60 , the resulting debris from the broken or shattered housing  60  made up of the lower wall, opposed end walls and/or side walls can fill the available space surrounding the lock actuator  44 , such that the actuator  44  is unable to rotate and thus remains in locked contact with the frame  30 . The raised section  22   a  on the upper and exposed face  22  of the handle member  20  acts to surround and therefore protect the key-receiving means  42  in the event of an intruder attack. 
         [0049]    Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not to the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. 
         [0050]    As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced.