Abstract:
An appliance handle assembly is comprised of a base which is the mounting structure and may also the back or under side of the curved handle. It is fastened to the appliance door by a various fastening methods. The assembly includes a cover component the edge of which springs over and past the tangent point of the base locking it onto the base. The cover edge fits into a recess in the base to prevent exposure to the edge. The cover can be applied after fasteners have been installed. The cover may hide the fastening device and may be also removable by optional access notch to reveal the fastener as required. The base may be colored and textured to either match or contrast the cover as preferred by appliance designer. The simple assembly can be completed by the appliance manufacturer or by the end consumer.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This continuation in part patent application claims priority from a patent application filed on 6 Mar. 2012, application Ser. No. 13/412,961, which claims priority from a provisional patent application filed on 9 Mar. 2011, application No. 61/450,981. 
     
    
     GOVERNMENT RIGHTS 
       [0002]    This invention was not made with Government support. The Government does not have any rights in this invention. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Current designs are typically all plastic or steel material and are limited on manufacturing, design and mounting options based upon the material. Current designs using base and cover typically include large steps and mismatch between components. 
         [0004]    Welding adds cost to manufacturing as compared to making the same part without welding. 
         [0005]    With most stainless steel handles, after forming into the desired shape, there is need for post formation polishing to obtain an even stainless steel look throughout the part. Typical stainless finishes are “brushsed” or “bright” finishes. 
         [0006]    With most handles, there are set screws used to secure the handle cover to its base. 
         [0007]    There is a need for a handle and handle cover that is made without welding. 
         [0008]    There is a need for a handle and handle cover that is made without the need for post polishing. 
         [0009]    There is a need for a handle cover with concealed mounting, in other words, no visible set screws or set screw holes. The set-screw retention mounting is the most widely used mounting option at present. In a further embodiment the set-screw may be visible. Many current handles have only one mounting option—set-screw retention. 
         [0010]    There exists a need for a handle and base that costs less to produce. 
         [0011]    What is needed is a snap on cover for a handle. 
         [0012]    There is also a need for a slide on cover for a handle. 
         [0013]    The present invention addresses these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    One aspect of the present invention is a handle  10 , comprising: a base  20 , said base  20  having a means of fastening to a surface  110 , said base having a base width  120 ; and a cover  40 , said cover  40  having a cover width  130  and being removably attached to said base. 
         [0015]    Another aspect of the present invention is a handle  10 , comprising: a base  20 , said base  20  having a means of fastening to a surface  110 , said base having a width  120 ; a cover  40 , said cover  40  having a cover width  130  and being removably attached to said base  20 ; said cover width  130  being not greater than said base width; said base  20  having at least one of the following, either an offset  70  or a catch  80 ; said cover  40  having an edge  140 ; said edge  140  contacts at least one of said offset  70  or said catch  80  and said edge  140  is removably secured to at least one of either said offset  70  or catch  80  because of a compression force between said edge  140  and said offset  70  or said catch  80 ; said cover  40  is C-shaped; said base  20  have a plurality of ribs  60 ; wherein said cover  40  does not contact a door  30  when said cover  40  is removably secured to said base  20 . 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an appliance door-drawer front including the door handle of this invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the door including handle of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 3   
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3   
           [0020]      FIG. 4A  is an enlarged view taken from  FIG. 4 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 5A  is an enlarged view taken from  FIG. 5 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 5C  is an enlarged pre-assembled sectional view along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 5D  is an enlarged assembled sectional view along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is an enlargement of view circle  5  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 6A  is an enlargement of view circle  6 A of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a shaded perspective view of the handle of this invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7A  is an enlargement of view circle  7 A of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is an exploded view of the handle of this invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference Numerals 
       [0000]    
       
           10  handle 
           20  base 
           30  door 
           40  cover 
           50  fastener 
           60  rib 
           70  offset 
           80  catch 
           90  angled portion 
           100  release slot 
           110  means of fastening to a surface 
           120  base width 
           130  cover width 
           140  edge 
           150  first wall 
           160  second wall 
           170  non-angled portion 
           180  flush surface 
           190  gap 
       
     
         [0049]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0050]    Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience and reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, the words “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “rightwardly,” and “leftwardly” will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the system and designated parts. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives, and similar words. Also, “connected to,” “secured to,” or similar language includes the definitions “indirectly connected to,” “directly connected to,” “indirectly secured to,” and “directly secured to.” 
         [0051]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the handle  10  of the present invention  10  attached to a door  30 . The cover  40  is illustrated secured to the base  20  (not illustrated in this figure), and the base  20  secured to the door  30 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention  10  connected to a door  30 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross sectional view from line  3 - 3 . The cover  40  is shown with respect to the base  20 . The means of fastening to a surface  110  connects the base  20  to a door  30 . In one embodiment the means of fastening to a surface  110  may be a fastener  50 , such as a screw. The means of fastening to a surface  110  may also include means such as magnets, snap features, clips, or any other means. 
         [0054]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross sectional view along line  4 - 4 . This illustrates the present invention  10  with the base  20  having a base width  120 , and the cover  40  having a cover width  130 . Three ribs  60  are illustrated as extending upwardly from the base  20 . The ribs may provide support and stiffening of the base  20  and also the cover  40 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 4A  is a close up view of a portion of  FIG. 4 . A catch  80  is formed from the base  20  and is adjacent to the rib  60 . The catch  80  is formed from a first wall  150  and a second wall  160  that is substantially perpendicular with respect to the first wall  150 , to form a catch  80  that can receive the edge  140  of the cover  40 . The cover  40  is secured to the catch  80  because the cover width  130  is slightly less than the base width  120 , which causes an interference fit with respect to the cover  40  and the base  20 . In other words, each edge  140  of the cover  40  is flexed outwardly to fit onto the base  20 , particularly the catch  80 , which causes a compression force to be applied to the catch  80 , which maintains a tight and snug fit between the cover  40  and the base  20 . The catch  80  may be disposed on opposed sides of the base  20  and may run longitudinally on the base  20 . Alternatively the catch  80  may be intermittent segments disposed on the base  20  rather than one long continuous catch  80 . 
         [0056]    The ribs  60  are also illustrated as extending upwardly from the base  20 . In this embodiment the base width  120  may be congruent with the cover width  130  as see in  FIG. 4A . 
         [0057]    In another embodiment, the catch  80  may be included at various intervals as required for the application. 
         [0058]      FIG. 5  illustrates a different embodiment of the present invention  10  where the base  20  has an offset  70 , rather than a catch  80 . This can certainly be a different embodiment. In this case it is the area between the segments where catch  80  is applied.  FIG. 5  illustrates the base  20  having a base width  120  and ribs  60  extending upwardly therefrom.  FIG. 5  also illustrates the cover width  130  and cover  40 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a close up view of  FIG. 5 . The base  20  has an offset  70  on opposed sides running longitudinally. The cover  40  may be C-shaped, and have two edges  140 . The distance between the edges  140  may be equal to the cover width  130 . With this embodiment the base has an offset  70  that may run longitudinally along the sides of the base  20 . The offset  70  may receive the edge  140 . The cover width  130  may be less then the base width  120  so as to form an interference fit with respect to the offset  70  and the edge  140 . The cover width  130  may be disposed downwardly from the base width  120 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 5C  illustrates the cover  40  having its two opposed edges  140  shown not connected to the base  20 . The base  20  has the two apposed offsets  70  disposed longitudinally substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base  20 .  FIG. 5C  also illustrates the outer most ribs  60  having an angled portion  90  that extends inwardly and upwardly from the non-angled portion  170 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 5D  illustrates the cover  40  disposed on the base  20  with the edge  140  engaged with the offset  70 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 6  illustrates the base  20  secured to a door  30  via a means of fastening to a surface  110 . In this case the means of fastening to a surface  110  is a fastener  50 . 
         [0063]    In the case of the commonly used side set-screw mount, the cover  20  may not hide the fastener  50 . However in another embodiment, the cover  20  may hide the fastener  50 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an exploded view from  FIG. 6 . In  FIG. 6A  the cover  40  may have a flush surface  180  that is flush with the surface of the door  30 . Or the cover  40  may have a slight gap  190 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 7  illustrates a base  20  with a cover  40  connected to the base  20 . The cover  40  may have a release slot  100  disposed adjacent to the base  20  so a screw driver can be placed in the release slot  100  and used to separate the cover  40  from the base  20 . The release slot  100  is not a requirement depending on the geometry and the method of assembly, i.e. snap over or slide on. 
         [0066]      FIG. 7A  is an exploded view of  FIG. 7 . The cover  20  may be removed by using the optional release slot  100 , whereby a finger or screwdriver may be used to remove the cover  20  from the base  40 . 
         [0067]      FIG. 8  illustrates a base  20  disposed on a door  30 . A fastener  50  is illustrated that can secure the base  20  to the door  30 . The cover  40  can be attached to the base  20  by an interference fit. 
         [0068]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , an appliance door  30  has the door-drawer handle  10  of this invention attached to the door  30 . Illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the handle has a base  20  with appropriate boss and/or and hole provision for mounting, such as a screw, snap on, headed stud, spring clip, etc.). The base  20  or cover  40  may be manufactured from a variety of materials, such as composite, metal, plastic or laminate material to fit the base  20  as required for fit, function, and appearance. 
         [0069]    The cover  40  may snap over the base  20  with only the required retention for the given product application. The cover  40  may be manufactured with an over formed profile. When installed as in  FIGS. 5 and 5A , the over-formed cover  40  pinches the softer base  20 . The offset feature  70  of the base  20  is manufactured to a depth so that the edge of the base  20  at offset  70  projects beyond the edge of the cover  40 . The base  20  is manufactured with reinforcing rib features  60  ( FIGS. 5 and 5A ) as needed for the application. Where the application requires a positive catch, small segments of the base  20  near the edge  140  (See  FIGS. 4 and 4A ) are added for a positive lock. 
         [0070]    In this embodiment, a release slot  100  ( FIGS. 7 and 7A ) is included in the cover  20 . The configuration and geometry of the catch feature  80  and release feature  100  is as suited to the specific sectional shape of the handle  10 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the cover  40  in its over-formed free state is flexed over the base  20  as it contacts the catch  80 . 
         [0071]    The cover  40  may be sized so that its edge  70  does not contact the face of the door  30  leaving the small gap  190  in  FIG. 6A . Only the base  20  is in contact with the door  30 . This small gap  190  is important in some applications and materials. For example, if the cover  20  is metal, it should have a gap  190  to prevent scoring of a painted surface  30 . The cover  20  may also have a flush fit for some applications such as the case where the cover  20  was made of a plastic or laminate and the application was to a stainless steel door  30 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 8  represents the exploded view of this embodiment. 
         [0073]    The present invention relates to a snap on cover, and base design with multiple material and mounting options. 
         [0074]    The device is comprised of the following elements: 
         [0075]    Handle  10  design of this invention has a base  20  element construction that will compliment the mounting required and the overall handle  10  construction for shape and appearance. The base  20  fits to the mounting surface or door  30  with the best mounting options relative to the product requirements. The cover  40  may be manufactured to fit the base  20  as required for fit, function and appearance. The cover  40  may snap or slide on to the base  20  with only the required retention for the given product. 
         [0076]    The handle  10  design allows for minimal offsets and steps between the two main elements. The covers  40  can be changed or replaced for appearance and damage. The cover  40  can be removed to access the mounting components for handle removal. The cover  40  can be positioned on the top, bottom or front of the handle as mounted on the application for the most desirable seam location and appearance. 
         [0077]    The handle  10  base  20  element is constructed of plastic or other materials that would be applicable to accommodate the attachment options for the cover  40  and overall design of the handle  10 . The cover  40  is constructed and designed for the best suited materials for fit, function and appearance for the desired finished product. The handle base  20  element is mounted to the product with the best mounting option  110 , such as screw on, or snap on methods, allowing the manufacturer or consumer the ability as well as the cover  40  is snapped on by the manufacturer or consumer to the handle base  30 . 
         [0078]    Said handle  10  design offers the best option for mounting for any handle design. The new handle offers multiple material and finish options with easy snap on cover design, allowing the manufacturer or consumer the option for the cover  40  material. The snap on cover  40  design minimizes gaps, offset. 
         [0079]    Handle  10  and cover mounting could be robotically or automatically assembled. The concept could apply to knobs, drawer pulls, conventional door handles and any product that requires a cosmetic or functional cover applied over a mounting base portion of a given product. 
         [0080]    Handles, knobs, door fronts, drawer fronts, lids, covers, drawer pulls are produced by the invention: Compositions: all materials can apply to the base or covers as desired by the manufacturer and/or consumer. The base  49  may be colored and textured to either match or contrast the cover  20  as preferred. 
         [0081]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.