Patent Publication Number: US-9834955-B2

Title: Installation body for door and/or window handles

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to an installation body for door and/or window handles. 
     The mounting of handles on doors or windows is often considered problematic due to the fact that the handle in question is often already connected to an installation body in an axially fixed and rotatable manner from the factory, for example by means of a crimp, by riveting, or by using a locking ring. Especially with regard to rosette fittings, the handle is often positioned in front of the screws to be tightened when the stop body is positioned on a door leaf or window sash, which can only be accessed if the handle is pivoted to the side when tightening the screws or by placing the corresponding tool at an oblique angle. This attachment process can thus be considered as cumbersome and inconvenient. Another disadvantage is that the preassembled handles take up a lot of space inside the packaging, which has unfavorable effects on shipping and warehousing costs. The latter is especially problematic if a number of different handles are intended for various stop bodies. Due to the fact that a preassembled handle cannot be provided with an arbitrary choice of stop bodies or door plates, the proper combinations have to be kept in stock. 
     In order to avoid these disadvantages and problems, a generally known workaround in accordance with the current state of the art is characterized by designing the handle and installation body to be separate and to provide a locking device between the aforementioned components, which allow for an on-site combination of the handle and installation body. It is thereby possible to first install the installation body on the door or window without requiring installation of the handle and to provide it with an optional covering cap. After that, the handle, which is fitted with a circumferential engagement groove on the end, is inserted into the mounting plate up to the point where one or multiple locking elements engage with the circumferential engagement groove in the handle. This results in an axially fixed and rotatable connection. 
     German Utility Model No. DE 298 01 858 U1 makes use of radially elastic and hinged support flange sections as the locking mechanism, which are positioned at certain distances along the circumference of an access passage opening in the mounting plate. The individual locking sections are radially spread upon insertion of the handle neck and then engage with the circumferential engagement groove of the handle neck due to their own elasticity. A disadvantage of this approach is that the handle is usually only capable of withstanding low tensile forces. The important capability of withstanding continuous load conditions that many applications require is therefore not provided. 
     The same applies to a locking mechanism described in European Patent No. EP 0 628 680 B1. That mechanism consists primarily of a guide bushing that is inserted into amounting plate in a force- and form-locking manner and is provided with a leg spring in the section projecting away from the mounting plate. This spring engages tangentially with the circumferential engagement groove of the handle neck using two parallel spring legs in order to invisibly fixate the handle to the mounting plate after the insertion process, though this method also cannot provide a sufficient degree of security. 
     The locking mechanism of European Patent No. EP 1 022 413 B1 uses a snap ring as the locking means, which is permanently and rotatably mounted on a bushing. After insertion of the handle into the mounting plate, a cylindrical bearing surface within the engagement groove of the handle is non-rotatably surrounded by the snap ring—essentially without any gaps. This solution is problematic with regard to its application as the spreading of the snap ring using the free end of the handle often requires great physical effort. 
     Another disadvantage of the previously known stop bodies is the fact that they are not capable of keeping the handle mounted on the installation body in a resting position or its initial position or—if the handle has been actuated—to return back to this resting or initial position. However, this is especially required for doors if the locking spring usually present in the mortise lock is not strong enough (or has already worn prematurely due to high loads) to move the handle back to its initial position by itself. This is particularly the case if the handle, which is often angled, is actuated frequently and/or made of a specifically heavy material, such as brass or steel. 
     It would be desirable to avoid these and other disadvantages presented by the current state of the art and to develop an installation body for doors and/or window handles which is inexpensively constructed with simple means and provides a reliable as well as long-lasting and stable fixation of the handle. An accelerated assembly process on location as well as an improved long-term durability with regard to constantly high loads being exercised on the fitted handles, which should also be quick and easy to disassemble again, if needed, are potential benefits of the invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The main features of the invention in question are stated in Claims  1  and  16 , with various embodiments being the subject of Claims  2  to  15  and Claims  17  to  20 . 
     An installation body with an axially fixed and rotatable receptacle for a handle, which is equipped with a circumferential engagement groove around the neck section that comes into contact with the installation body, consisting of the installation body having a base body, which is provided with a passage opening that is centrally positioned with regard to the axis, and a guide bushing for the neck section of the handle, whereas wherein the guide bushing is particularly positioned within the passage opening of the base body as well as a locking mechanism that locks the handle in place inside the base body in such a manner that it can be unlocked again, the invention requires that the locking mechanism is being equipped with guide balls, which are positioned inside the guide bushing in such a manner that they can be shifted radially to the axis while the guide bushing is loaded by a pressure spring in the axial direction, the base body is being provided with a circumferentially inclined surface and the guide balls placed inside the guide bushing are being pushed in the axial direction by the pressure spring in such a way that the guide balls are pushed in a radial direction with regards to the axis with the resulting amount of force. 
     Such an installation body makes it possible to mount door and window handles to a door in an axially fixed and rotatable manner while also being quick and easy to install. In this regard, it is considered advantageous that it is possible to mount the installation body to a door leaf of the door or on the frame of the window prior to the actual installation of the handle. This kind of preassembly is especially helpful if angled or very large handles are to be installed. The locking mechanism positioned between the installation body and the handle ensures a reliable as well as continuously stable fixation of the handle inside the installation body using the circumferentially arranged locking balls, as since the locking balls are positioned inside the guide bushing in a radially displaceable manner and are pushed against the inclined surface of the base body in the axial direction by the pressure spring. The sloping body directs the force of the pressure spring perpendicular to the axial direction in such a manner that the locking balls are acted upon with the resultant force in the direction of the handle itself. If this handle is positioned inside the guide bushing with its handle neck, the locking balls are pressed into its engagement groove in a force-locking manner, which causes the handle to be fixated inside fixed in the installation body in an axially fixed and rotatable fashion. The locking balls form a strong and stable coupling in combination with the engagement groove of the handle, which is even capable of withstanding heavier and permanent loads. 
     The assembly of the handle inside the installation body in accordance with the invention is also greatly simplified. When the handle is inserted into the guide bushing, it is pushed slightly in the direction of the pressure spring. This causes the locking balls to disengage from the inclined surface, thereby allowing the balls to radially move outward. The handle can therefore be easily inserted into the installation body. As soon as the handle has reached its final position, the locking balls can engage with the engagement groove of the handle. The pressure spring pushes the locking balls back against the inclined surface of the base body via the guide bushing and thereby radially into the engagement groove. The guide bushing is thereby supported in an axially movable manner over a small travel range within the base body, though it is, particularly in certain sections, positioned inside the passage opening of the base body. 
     The guide bushing is equipped with a passage opening that is positioned centrally to the axis and is used as a receptacle for the neck section of the handle. The guide bushing is provided with bearing passage openings aligned radially to the axis for the radial storage of the locking balls, while every bearing passage opening preferably has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the locking balls at the inner circumference of the passage opening of the guide bushing. This prevents the locking balls from falling inwards if the handle is not yet inserted into the installation body. 
     To ensure that the locking balls are positioned against the inclined surface of the base body and in the axial direction in an optimal fashion, the thickness of the guide bushing&#39;s wall is smaller than the diameter of the locking balls. The latter are thereby positioned opposite the wall of the guide bushing so that the latter is not in the way. 
     In order to achieve a simplified production of the installation body in accordance with the invention, it is preferable for the guide bushing to be constructed in two parts, such that the bearing passage openings for the locking balls are composed of two halves with one upper section and one lower section of the guide bushing. This allows the locking balls to be easily inserted into the guide bushing, though an automated manufacturing process is also possible, if required. 
     The upper section of the guide bushing is fitted on top of its lower section with an anti-twist mechanism being provided between the upper and lower sections. This mechanism is composed of a fitted key, which is fixed to the upper section and engages with the lower section in a positive-locking manner when the upper section is in its mounted position. The upper and lower sections are thereby always connected with each other in a rotary-resistant manner without requiring any additional means of connection. 
     An alternate embodiment of the invention intends for the base body to be constructed from an upper and lower section as well. This also simplifies the manufacturing process of the installation body, especially if the upper section and the lower section of the base body can be assembled in a manner similar to a housing. It is considered expedient in this regard that the circumferential inclined surface is provided on the upper section of the base body while the lower section of the base body contains a receptacle for the guide bushing. The latter is thereby held inside the base body in a reliable and stable manner. In order to reduce the construction height, the lower section of the base body can also be provided with an additional receptacle for the pressure spring. 
     Another alternate embodiment of the invention provides for the guide bushing of the installation body to be positioned inside the passage opening of the base body in such a manner that it is subjected to the spring force and is rotatably mounted around the axis of the installation body. This not only causes the guide bushing to be mounted on the base body in such a manner that it is allowed to slide along the axis, but also allows it to be rotatable, while the axis of the installation body corresponds to the rotary axis of the handle itself and the spring force ensures that the guide bushing and also the handle are always returned back into the initial position by a rotary motion after every actuation of the handle. For this purpose, the guide bushing contains a spanner flat inside the passage opening, which is equipped with a corresponding counter-surface at the neck section. This causes every rotary motion of the handle to be transferred to the guide bushing and vice-versa. As soon as the person operating the handle lets go of it, the spring force acting upon the guide bushing causes the handle to be returned to its initial position. 
     The spring force may be, for example, generated by at least one recuperating spring that is supported in the circumferential direction on the base body with its first end, and on the guide bushing with its second end. The recuperating spring thereby supports the often weak springs inside the door locks as a return spring. Such a return spring function is not necessarily required for a window application. The recuperating spring function can in this regard, for example, be provided by a helical compression spring, which generates a spring force in the circumferential direction and is arranged on a pitch circle, if required, in order to use as little space as possible. It is also possible for this function to be provided by a torsion spring or leaf spring. 
     Yet another advantageous further embodiment provides that the recuperating spring pushes the guide bushing against the stop inside the base body in the circumferential direction. This causes the guide bushing as well as the handle to have a permanently defined initial or resting position. In order to actuate the recuperating spring, the guide bushing is provided with at least one catch while each of these catches forms a thrust bearing for one of the recuperating springs and supports the guide bushing against the stop. 
     To further stabilize the mounting of the handle inside the installation body and to provide a precise axial stop for the handle, a supporting ring for the handle may be provided on the base body. 
     For aesthetic reasons, a covering cap may be attached to the base body, which can, for example, be engaged with the base body and which serves to cover it up. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features, characteristics, and advantages of the invention result from the wording of the claims as well as the following description of embodiment examples (examples of further development) based on the enclosed in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows an exploded representation of the components of an installation body with handle and square spindle; 
         FIG. 2  shows an exploded representation of  FIG. 1  from a different perspective; and 
         FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional representation of  FIG. 1  with the handle mounted. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The installation body identified as  10  in  FIG. 1  comprises a base body  30  and a guide bushing  50 . The base body, in turn, encompasses an upper section  36  and a lower section  37 , between which a space is provided for the guide bushing  50 . After assembling the upper section  36  and lower section  37 , the guide bushing  50  is inserted into the base body. In this context, it is possible to provide a receptacle  38  for the guide bushing  50  inside the lower section  37  of the base body  30  that can simultaneously serve as a means to secure radial positioning. 
     The installation body  10  is used as an axially fixed and rotatable receptacle for a handle  20 , with the handle  20  being provided with a circumferential engagement groove  23  in a neck section  22  that is in contact with the installation body  10 . The base body  30  of the installation body  10  is provided with a passage opening  34  centrally to the “D” axis. The guide bushing  50  that is centrally arranged with regard to the passage opening  34  inside the base body  30  is composed of a passage opening  51  that is flush with the other passage opening  34  through which the neck section  22  of the handle  20  and therefore a typically connected square spindle can be guided. 
     A support ring  100  for the handle  20  is provided on the base body  30  through which the mounted handle  20  is axially supported on the installation body  10 . This achieves a high degree of stability. 
     A covering cap  120  can be attached to the base body  30 , which then engages with the base body  30 . This results in a smooth, easy to clean, and highly aesthetically pleasing surface and allows for the protection of the base body  30  as well as protecting all of the mechanical elements contained therein from environmental influences. 
     The handle  20  is fixated in the base body  30  using a locking mechanism  70  from where it can also be unlocked again. The locking mechanism  70  preferably comprises a number of locking balls  75  that are arranged inside the guide bushing  50  and can be displaced radially in the direction of the “D” axis, and can thereby engage with the engagement groove  23  of the neck section  22 . In this regard, the locking balls  75  are radially and flexibly mounted in bearing passage openings  52  of the guide bushing  50  that are radially aligned with the “D” axis. The guide bushing  50  is mounted concentrically to the passage opening  34  inside the base body  30  and can be moved in the axial direction “A”, wherein a pressure spring  80  imparts a force on the guide bushing  50  from the direction of the upper section  36  and/or the handle  20  and in the axial direction “A”. The lower section  37  of the base body  30  contains a receptacle  39  for the pressure spring  80 . 
     The base body  30  is provided with a circumferential inclined surface  35 , which concentrically surrounds the passage opening  34 . The locking balls  75  that are mounted inside the guide bushing  50  are pressed against the inclined surface  35  by the pressure of the pressure spring  80  in the axial direction “A” in such a manner that a resulting force “F” is radially applied to the locking balls  75  in the direction of axis “D” and with the locking balls  75  thereby being inclined to move inwardly in a radial motion. Accordingly, they automatically engage with the engagement groove  23  formed in the neck section  22  of the handle  20  after insertion of the neck section  22  of the handle  20 . 
     Upon insertion of the handle  20 , the guide bushing  50  is forced away from the inclined surface  35  and against the pressure spring  80  force by the contact between the neck section  22  and the locking balls  75  so that the locking balls  75  can radially escape outward and it is thereby possible to insert the neck section  22  with very little force. 
     In order to loosen the handle  20  from the installation body  10 , a pointed object, such as a screwdriver, can be put through the passage openings of the upper section  36  of the base body  30  to exert an axial force on the guide bushing  50  and against the pressure spring  80  force, so that the guide bushing  50  is moved away from the inclined surface  35 , thereby allowing for radial movement of the engagement grooves  75  to the outside. This allows the engagement grooves  75  to be taken out of engagement with the engagement groove  23  and allows the handle  20  to be removed. 
     The guide bushing  50  is composed of two parts with a circular upper section  56  and a circular lower section  57 , which can be connected in a form-fitting and thereby rotationally fixed manner. An anti-twist protection is provided by fitted keys  58  that radially protrude to the outside from the upper section  56  and engage with the corresponding recesses in the lower section  57  in a positive-locking manner. The bearing passage openings  52  are in equal parts designed as semi-circular recesses inside the upper section  56  and the lower section  57  whereas the bearing passage openings  52  are continuous, meaning that they lead to the inner circumference  54  of the passage opening  51 . In order to prevent the engagement grooves  75  from falling out of the bearing passage openings  52 , the diameter of the bearing passage openings  52  on an inner end that is opposed to the passage opening is reduced to a diameter “V”, which is smaller than the diameter “W” of the engagement grooves  75 . A corresponding reduction in diameter can, if required, also be formed radially on the outer end, so that the engagement grooves  75  are stored safely inside the bearing passage openings  52  like in a bearing cage. 
     The wall thickness “T” of the guide bushing  50 , particularly of the upper section  56 , is smaller than the diameter “W” of the locking balls  75 . This allows the locking balls  75  to freely come into contact with the inclined surface  35  and thereby results in them being pushed radially inside the bearing passage openings  52 . 
     A special embodiment of this installation body  10  intends that the guide bushing  50  within the passage opening  34  of the base body  30  is also mounted rotatably around the axis “D” against a spring force. For this purpose, the guide bushing  50  is provided with a spanner flat  55  for the handle  20  within the passage opening  51 , through the use of which a rotary movement of the handle  20  and/or the connected square spindle can be transferred to the guide bushing  50 . A corresponding surface is formed particularly on the neck section  22 , which is assigned to the key spring with the handle  20  mounted and thereby allows for a torque transmission between the handle  20  and guide bushing  50 . The neck section  22  is then held inside the passage opening  51  of the guide bushing  50  in a positive-locking manner. 
     The spring force is generated by at least one recuperating spring  90  that is supported in the circumferential direction “U” on the base body  30  with its first end  92 , and on the guide bushing  50  with its second end  94 . This causes each recuperating spring  90  to be pushed against a stop  40  in the base body  30  in the circumferential direction “U” by the guide bushing  50 . To this end, the guide bushing  50  is provided with at least one driver  60 , whereas each driver  60  forms a thrust bearing for one of the recuperating springs  90  and supports the guide bushing  50  against the stop  40 . 
     The return spring can be used in both rotary directions, meaning for both right-hand as well as left-hand rotations. This allows the installation body to be used in various applications. The spring function is only activated upon actuation of the handle so that the return spring is unloaded if the handle is in its initial position. Such a return spring allows for the commonly used recuperating springs of the door lock mechanism to be relieved. 
       FIG. 2  shows the installation body  10  and the handle  20  from an opposite perspective compared to  FIG. 1 . The same elements are identified by the same reference signs. It can be seen that the support ring  100  has a conical inner surface, so that it is in contact with a correspondingly formed upper side of the upper section  36  in the area of the inclined surface  35  in the installed state. A suitable construction is provided on the underside of the lower section  37  to provide a firm hold, particularly with regard to the surface of a door leaf. Furthermore, passage openings for the placement of fixing screws are provided in the lower section  37  in order to fixate the lower section  37  and thereby the installation body  10  accordingly. 
       FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional representation of the installation body  10  with the neck section  22  of the handle  20  inserted. The guide bushing  50  is axially pressed against the inclined surface  35  by the pressure spring  80 , which caused the locking balls to be radially moved inside and partially engage the engagement groove  23 . An axial withdrawal of the handle  20  is thereby prevented by the locking balls  75  by means of a positive-locking fit. These thereby represent a blocking body. 
     The invention is not limited to the embodiments and developments detailed above, but can be modified in many ways. For example, a variant with six locking balls  75  is shown, which are positioned inside bearing passage openings  51 , which are located inside the guide bushing  50  next to each other at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. But a different number of locking balls  75  would also be possible. It would also be possible to select a different geometric form instead of locking balls to realize this blocking body. Different variants for the recuperating spring are also conceivable. 
     All characteristics, features and advantages arising from the claims, the description and the drawings, including any constructive details, spatial arrangements and process steps can be crucial to the invention by themselves as well as in various different combinations. 
     Although the foregoing description of the present invention has been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular embodiments and applications disclosed. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, variations, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The particular embodiments and applications were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such changes, modifications, variations, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. 
     While the current application recites particular combinations of features in the claims appended hereto, various embodiments of the invention relate to any combination of any of the features described herein whether or not such combination is currently claimed, and any such combination of features may be claimed in this or future applications. Any of the features, elements, or components of any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above may be claimed alone or in combination with any of the features, elements, or components of any of the other embodiments discussed above. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 List of Reference Signs 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 A 
                 Axial direction 
               
               
                 D 
                 Axis 
               
               
                 F 
                 Force 
               
               
                 T 
                 Wall thickness (guide bushing) 
               
               
                 U 
                 Circumferential direction 
               
               
                 V 
                 Diameter (bearing passage opening) 
               
               
                 W 
                 Diameter (locking ball) 
               
               
                 10 
                 Installation body 
               
               
                 20 
                 Handle 
               
               
                 22 
                 Neck section 
               
               
                 23 
                 Engagement groove 
               
               
                 30 
                 Base body 
               
               
                 34 
                 Passage opening 
               
               
                 35 
                 Inclined surface 
               
               
                 36 
                 Upper section 
               
               
                 37 
                 Lower section 
               
               
                 38 
                 Receptacle 
               
               
                 39 
                 Receptacle 
               
               
                 40 
                 Stop 
               
               
                 50 
                 Guide bushing 
               
               
                 51 
                 Passage opening 
               
               
                 52 
                 Bearing passage opening 
               
               
                 54 
                 Inner circumference 
               
               
                 55 
                 Spanner flat 
               
               
                 56 
                 Upper section 
               
               
                 57 
                 Lower section 
               
               
                 58 
                 Fitted key 
               
               
                 60 
                 Driver 
               
               
                 70 
                 Locking mechanism 
               
               
                 75 
                 Locking ball 
               
               
                 80 
                 Pressure spring 
               
               
                 90 
                 Recuperating spring 
               
               
                 92 
                 First end 
               
               
                 94 
                 Second end 
               
               
                 100 
                 Support ring 
               
               
                 120 
                 Cover cap