Patent Publication Number: US-2022213718-A1

Title: Universal chassis for door handle assemblies

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/134,821, filed Jan. 7, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of door handle assemblies. In particular, this disclosure relates to a device and method of providing a universal chassis that can accommodate a variety of escutcheons. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Door handle assemblies are commonly known in the art and are used for installation on different types of doors. The door handle assembly is generally comprised of a rotatable handle having a locking mechanism, a handle mount, and a faceplate. Door handle assemblies may be used for installation on either newly manufactured doors or currently installed doors, which require replacement of an existing door handle assembly. Further, replacing an existing door handle assembly may not require replacing the entire door handle assembly, but instead the internal chassis or an entire interior and/or exterior assembly. 
     The door handle assemblies currently available include internal chassis pieces and faceplates that are manufactured to fit together. Accordingly, although portions of a door handle assembly may be replaced, typically such replacements are “like for like” because a chassis is typically designed for use with the same faceplate type with which that chassis was originally sold. Accordingly, if a user wishes to change the type of faceplate used in the door handle assembly, typically the entire assembly must be replaced. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general terms, this disclosure is directed toward a device and method for providing a universal chassis that can accommodate a variety of escutcheons. 
     In a first aspect, a door handle assembly includes a chassis, a first and second escutcheon, and a latch assembly. The chassis includes an interior chassis portion and an exterior chassis portion. The interior chassis portion is configured to extend from a first side of a door and includes at least one trim plate having at least one first fastener engagement mechanism. The exterior chassis portion is configured to extend from a second side of a door and includes at least a second trim plate having at least one second fastener engagement mechanism. The first escutcheon has at least one first post configured to removably engage the at least one first fastener engagement mechanism. The second escutcheon has at least one second post configured to removably engage the at least one second fastener engagement mechanism. The latch assembly extends between the exterior chassis portion and the interior chassis portion. The at least one first fastener engagement mechanism and the at least one second fastener engagement mechanism are capable of removably engaging with a plurality of different escutcheons. 
     In another aspect, a method of installing a door handle assembly is described. The method includes positioning a latch assembly at least partially within a crossbore of a door. An interior escutcheon is attached to a first trim plate of an interior chassis portion and an exterior escutcheon is attached to a second trim plate of an exterior chassis portion. The interior chassis is positioned at a borehole on an interior side of the door, and the interior chassis comprises an interior handle mount attachable to an interior handle. A first mounting post and a second mounting post extend toward and are engageable with an exterior chassis. The exterior chassis portion is positioned at the borehole on an exterior side of the door. The exterior chassis comprises an exterior handle mount attachable to an exterior handle. An exterior latch mount is rotatably attached to the latch assembly and the interior chassis portion. The interior handle is attached to the interior handle mount and the exterior handle is attached to the exterior handle mount. At least one mounting screw is inserted and tightened into a corresponding mounting post that extends from the interior escutcheon through the interior chassis portion and to the exterior chassis portion. The interior escutcheon and the exterior escutcheon are removable from the interior chassis portion and the exterior chassis portion. 
     In yet another aspect, a door handle assembly is described. The door handle assembly includes a chassis, an interior escutcheon, an exterior escutcheon, and a latch assembly. The chassis comprises an interior chassis portion and an exterior chassis portion. The interior chassis portion is configured to extend from a first side of a door and comprises at least one first recess and at least one first catch. The exterior chassis portion is configured to extend from a second side of a door and comprises at least one second recess and at least one second catch. The interior escutcheon comprises at least one first post and at least one first cantilever and the exterior escutcheon comprises at least one second post and at least one second cantilever. The latch assembly extends between the exterior chassis portion and the interior chassis portion. The at least one first recess is configured to removably engage with the at least one first post and the at least one first catch is configured to removably engage with the at least one first cantilever. The at least one second recess is configured to removably engage with the at least one second post and the at least one second catch is configured to removably engage with the at least one second cantilever. 
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded embodiment of a door handle assembly according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an interior view of a universal chassis. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example embodiment of a trim plate adapter. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example embodiment of a chassis assembly including an escutcheon and trim plate adapter connected to a trim plate of a chassis. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another example embodiment of a trim plate adapter. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded view of a chassis assembly including a chassis and a trim plate adapter of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a plan view of the chassis assembly of  FIG. 6  with the trim plate adapter mounted to the chassis. 
         FIGS. 8 a -8 c    illustrate different embodiments of a snap fit joint between a trim plate and an escutcheon. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example embodiment of a cast escutcheon. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an example engagement mechanism between a trim plate and an escutcheon. 
         FIGS. 11 a -11 b    illustrates an example chassis capable of engaging two different escutcheons. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The figures and descriptions provided herein may have been simplified to illustrate aspects that are relevant for a clear understanding of the herein described devices, systems, and methods, while eliminating, for the purpose of clarity, other aspects that may be found in typical devices, systems, and methods. Those of ordinary skill may recognize that other elements and/or operations may be desirable and/or necessary to implement the devices, systems, and methods described herein. Because such elements and operations are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present disclosure, a discussion of such elements and operations may not be provided herein. However, the present disclosure is deemed to inherently include all such elements, variations, and modifications to the described aspects that would be known to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an illustrative embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may or may not necessarily include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. Additionally, it should be appreciated that items included in a list in the form of “at least one A, B, and C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C). Similarly, items listed in the form of “at least one of A, B, or C” can mean (A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C). 
     In the drawings, some structural or method features may be shown in specific arrangements and/or orderings. However, it should be appreciated that such specific arrangements and/or orderings may not be required. Rather, in some embodiments, such features may be arranged in a different manner and/or order than shown in the illustrative figures. Additionally, the inclusion of a structural or method feature in a particular figure is not meant to imply that such feature is required in all embodiments and, in some embodiments, may not be included or may be combined with other features. 
     In example aspects of the present disclosure, a door handle assembly includes a universal chassis that allows for the installation of any escutcheon, including escutcheons having different aesthetic appearances. Such an assembly eliminates the requirement that a chassis is only able to accommodate a single escutcheon. Further, the escutcheons may be removably attached to a trim plate of the chassis, allowing for the escutcheon to be changed without having to also change the chassis. 
     The chassis and escutcheon and/or trim plate adapter may include a plurality features that create a secure attachment that prevents movement in any direction. For example, and as described below, an example embodiment includes two offsetting posts and two offsetting screw attachments that correctly align the escutcheon (for example, squarely) to the universal chassis and prevents subsequent movement between the escutcheon and/or trim plate adapter and the universal chassis. In alternative embodiments, other alignment features, such as use of posts, attachment tabs, and crush ribs may be used. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of an example embodiment of a door handle assembly  100  according to example embodiments described herein. The door handle assembly  100  includes at least a latch assembly  102  and a universal chassis  200 . The universal chassis  200  includes a first chassis portion  200   a  and a second chassis portion  200   b . The first chassis portion  200   a  is configured to extend from a first side of a door and the second chassis portion  200   b  is configured to extend from a second, opposing side of a door. 
     The first chassis portion  200   a  and the second chassis portion  200   b  are configured to engage the latch assembly  102  and each other to actuate a latch bolt  110 . As described in more detail below, the chassis  200  is a universal chassis and is configured to engage with a plurality of different types of escutcheons  104 , with or without a trim plate adapter. The first chassis portion  200   a  has a trim plate  114   a  configured to be located on an outside of a first side of a door, and the second chassis portion  200   b  has a trim plate  114   b  configured to be located on an outside of a second side of the door. The trim plates  114   a ,  114   b  are capable of removably connecting to a plurality of escutcheons  104 . The universal chassis  200  allows a user to change the escutcheon  104  (without or without a trim plate adapter  300 ) without having to also change the chassis  200 . 
     The door handle assembly  100  includes two escutcheons  104 , one located on each exterior side of the interior chassis portion  200   a  and the exterior chassis portion  200   b . As described in further detail below, an escutcheon  104  may be a stamped rose or a cast rose. A stamped rose may also include a trim plate adapter  300  configured to engage the stamped rose and the trim plates  114   a ,  114   b  of the chassis  200 . 
     A handle  106   a  is engageable with an interior handle mount  112   a , and a handle  106   b  is engageable with an exterior handle mount  112   b . The escutcheons  104  include a handle opening  304 , allowing the handles  106   a ,  106   b  to extend through the escutcheon  104  to the chassis  200 . 
     At least one mounting screw  108  is insertable through and engageable with the escutcheon  104 , the exterior chassis portion  200   b , and the interior chassis portion  200   a . In the example shown, a pair of such mounting screws  108  are used. The interior chassis portion  200   a  includes a pair of mounting posts  116  that extend toward and are engageable with the exterior chassis portion  200   b . The exterior chassis portion  200   b  includes an exterior latch mount  118  that rotatably attaches to the latch assembly  102  and the interior chassis portion  200   a.    
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example outside facing view of a trim plate  114  of an interior chassis portion  200   a  or an exterior chassis portion  200   b . In the orientation shown, the trim plate  114  faces away from the door and engages with the escutcheon  104 . Each of the interior chassis portion  200   a  and the exterior chassis portion  200   b  has generally the same outside facing features on a base  210  that are used to engage with an escutcheon  104  and/or trim plate adapter  300 . The interior chassis portion  200   a  is shown as an exemplary embodiment of the trim plate  114  having the outside facing features on the base  210 . The trim plate  114  includes at least one fastener attachment  202  (also known as a fastener engagement mechanism), at least one catch  204 , a first fastener hole  206   a , and a second fastener hole  206   b . The first fastener hole  206   a  and the second fastener hole  206   b  are configured to allow a mounting screw  108  to engage the exterior chassis portion  200   b  and the interior chassis portion  200   a.    
     As shown in the example embodiment, four fastener attachments  202   a ,  202   b ,  202   c ,  202   d  are included on the trim plate  114 . Also included are four catches  204   a ,  204   b ,  204   c ,  204   d . However, fewer fastener attachments  202  and/or fewer catches  204  may be implemented on the trim plate  114 , for example two fastener attachments  202   a ,  202   d  and two catches  204   c ,  204   b.    
     In an example embodiment, the fastener attachment  202  is a recess or aperture through the trim plate  114  that is configured to receive a post from a trim plate adapter  300  or an escutcheon  104 . The recess is sized and shaped to securely and snugly fit the post, which is described below. For example, the fastener attachment  202  is in the form of a recess that includes an interference fit to securely attach the escutcheon  104  to the trim plate  114 . In another embodiment, the fastener attachment  202  is an opening configured to allow a post of the escutcheon  104  or trim plate adapter  300  to extend through. 
     The at least one catch  204  includes a cantilever feature, which is described in more detail at  FIGS. 8 a -8 c   . The at least one catch  204  engages with the trim plate adapter  300 , or in some embodiments, with the escutcheon  104 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example embodiment of a trim plate adapter  300 . A trim plate adapter  300  is configured to engage with both the escutcheon  104  and the trim plate  114  of one of the chassis portions  200   a ,  200   b  to provide a secure fit. The trim plate adapter  300  is configured to allow any escutcheon  104  to engage with the universal chassis  200 . Although the trim plate adapter  300  is shown as having a square shape, alternative shapes are possible, such as rectangular, oval, or circular. For example, the trim plate adapter  300  may be secured within a stamped escutcheon  104  to eliminate any relative movement between the stamped escutcheon  104  and the chassis  200 . Further, the trim plate adapter  300  can be used to removably attach any escutcheon  104  to the universal chassis  200 . 
     The trim plate adapter  300  includes a first fastener hole  302   a  and a second fastener hole  302   b , a handle opening  304 , at least one post  306 , and at least one snap fit joint  308 . 
     The trim plate adapter  300  has an outer dimension configured to fit within an escutcheon  104 . The trim plate adapter  300  includes first and second connection mechanisms  310   a ,  310   b  that allow the trim plate adapter  300  to securely engage the escutcheon  104 . The trim plate adapter  300  may also include a plurality of ridges  312  along an outside edge that provide an interference or friction fit within the escutcheon  104 . The plurality of ridges  312  extend in a longitudinal direction along a perimeter of the trim plate adapter  300 . In an embodiment, the plurality of ridges  312  are sized to fit snugly within the escutcheon  104 . In alternative examples, the ridges  312  can extend in any direction non-parallel to the perimeter of the escutcheon  104 . 
     The trim plate adapter  300  includes at least one post  306  that extends in a direction toward the chassis  200 . As shown in the example embodiment, the four posts  306   a ,  306   b ,  306   c ,  306   d  extend from a base  314  of the trim plate adapter  300 . However, two or four posts may be utilized. 
     In an embodiment, the at least one post  306  includes a plurality of ridges  312  that form a frictional engagement between the trim plate adapter  300  and the trim plate  114  of the chassis  200 . The ridges  312  extend in a perpendicular direction from the post  306 . In an embodiment, the plurality of ridges  312  are sized to fit snugly within a recess of the chassis  200 . In alternative examples, the ridges  312  can extend in any direction non-parallel to the perimeter of the post  306 . 
     In yet another embodiment, the plurality of ridges  312  are located on the post  306 , such that when extended through a fastener attachment  202  comprising an opening of the chassis  200 , the ridges  312  maintain the post  306  through the opening. 
     In a further embodiment, the fastener attachment  202  of the chassis  200  and the post  306  of the trim plate adapter  300  are used to align the chassis  200  and the trim plate adapter  300 . The snap fit joint  308  is used to securely attach the trim plate adapter  300  to the chassis  200 . 
     As shown in the example embodiment, four snap fit joints  308   a ,  308   b ,  308   c ,  308   d  are included on the trim plate adapter  300 . However, two or four snap fit joints  308  may be utilized. The snap fit joints  308  maintain the fit between the trim plate adapter  300  and the trim plate  114 . The snap fit joints  308  are described in further detail at  FIGS. 8 a   - 8   c.    
     The trim plate adapter  300  may be sized and shaped so the post  306  of the trim plate adapter  300  engages with the fastener attachment  202  of the chassis  200 , and so the snap fit joint  308  engages with the catch  204 . Further, the trim plate adapter  300  is sized and shaped so the fastener holes  302   a ,  302   b  of the trim plate adapter  300  align with the fastener holes  206   a ,  206   b  of the chassis  200 . The trim plate adapter  300  may have an exterior shape sized to fit any size escutcheon  104 , especially trim plates  114  that have a larger length and width than a traditional escutcheon  104 . 
     It is noted that, in the absence of a trim plate adapter  300 , an escutcheon may be constructed to have interior features analogous to those of the trim plate adapter, to engage with the trim plate  114  analogously. However, in such arrangements, while escutcheons may be interchangeable among those which have such internal features, use of the trim plate adapter  300  allows a variety of other escutcheon types to be used by disassociating the exterior appearance of the escutcheon from the interior engagement mechanism connecting that escutcheon to the trim plate  114 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a chassis assembly including a trim plate adapter  300  connected to the escutcheon  104  and the trim plate  114  of the chassis  200 . The trim plate adapter  300  is removably secured to the trim plate  114  with the at least one snap fit joint  308  connected to the at least one catch  204 , and the at least one post  306  connected to the at least one fastener attachment  202 . 
     In the example shown, each of the four posts  306   a ,  306   b ,  306   c ,  306   d  extend through each of the four fastener attachments  202   a    202   b ,  202   c ,  202   d . The fastener attachment  202  of the trim plate  114  includes recesses through which each of the posts  306  extends through. The posts  306  may include a plurality of ridges that create an interference fit to securely attach to the trim plate  114  without movement in any direction. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another example embodiment of a trim plate adapter  350  connected to the escutcheon  104  and the trim plate  114  of the chassis  200 . In the embodiment shown, the connection between the trim plate  114  and the trim plate adapter  350  is maintained by the post  306   a ,  306   b  extending through the fastener attachments  202   b ,  202   d , and two fasteners  406   a ,  406   b  extending through the fastener attachments  202   a ,  202   c.    
     The chassis  200  is secured to the trim plate adapter  350  with the at least one fastener  406  connected to the at least one fastener attachment  202 . In the example shown, two fastener attachments  202   a ,  202   b  are recesses configured to accept first and second posts  306   a ,  306   b . Two other fastener attachments  202   a ,  202   c  are configured to accept first and second fastener  406   a ,  406   b . The fasteners  406   a ,  406   b  may be a screw, as shown. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded view of a chassis assembly including the trim plate adapter  350  and chassis  200  of  FIG. 5 . As shown, the first and second fastener  406   a ,  406   b  extend into the chassis  200  and then the trim plate adapter  350 . The fasteners  406  are only capable of being accessed from an inside of the chassis  200  before being installed on a door. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an assembled configuration of a chassis assembly in a further possible embodiment, in which a trim plate adapter  400  is connected to both the escutcheon  104  and the trim plate  114  of the chassis  200 . In the embodiment shown, the connection between the trim plate  114  and the trim plate adapter  400  is maintained by the post  306  extending through the fastener attachment  202 , and the snap fit joint  308  engaging with the catch  204 . However, in this alternative embodiment, only one of the posts  306  and the fastener attachment  202 , or the snap fit joint  308  and the catch  204 , are needed to secure the escutcheon  104  to the trim plate  114 . 
     The chassis  200  is secured to the trim plate adapter  400  with the at least one snap fit joint  308  connected to the at least one catch  204  and the at least one post (not shown) connected to the at least one fastener attachment  202   b ,  202   d . The connection between the at least one snap fit joint  308  and the at least one catch  204  is shown in more detail at  FIGS. 8 a   - 8   c.    
     In the example shown, two of the fastener attachments  702   a ,  702   b  are openings, and two of the fastener attachments  704   a ,  704   b  are recesses. The first and the second posts (not shown) extend through two of the fastener attachment  702   a ,  702   b , and first and second fastener  406   b ,  406   b  extend into two of the fastener attachments  704   a ,  704   b.    
       FIGS. 8 a -8 c    illustrate different embodiments of a snap fit joint  600  and the catch  204 , useable in conjunction with various escutcheons and/or trim plate adapters  300 ,  350 ,  400  as described herein.  FIG. 8 a    illustrates a first embodiment of the snap fit joint  600  including a cantilever  602  on the trim plate adapter  300  and a receiver portion  606  on the trim plate  114 , and a post  604 . The cantilever  602  includes a protrusion  608  configured to engage the receiver portion  606  and maintains the chassis  200  secured to the respective trim plate adapter. 
       FIG. 8 b    illustrates an alternative embodiment of a snap fit joint  600  including a cantilever  602  of the trim plate adapter  300  and a receiver portion  606  of the trim plate  114 . The receiver portion  606  includes a first and second protrusion  608   a ,  608   b  configured to engage the cantilever  602  and maintains the chassis  200  secured to the respective trim plate adapter. 
       FIG. 8 c    illustrates yet another embodiment of a snap fit joint  600  including a cantilever  602  of the trim plate adapter  300  and a receiver portion  606  of the trim plate  114 . The receiver portion  606  has a U-shape and includes a first protrusion  608   a  and a second protrusion  308   b  configured to engage the cantilever  602  and maintains the chassis  200  secured to the respective trim plate adapter. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example of a chassis assembly including a cast escutcheon  700  connected to a chassis  200 . The cast escutcheon  700  is configured to engage with the trim plate  114  to provide a secure fit. The cast escutcheon  700  is shown as having a decorative shape, but other alternative shapes are possible, such as rectangular, oval, or circular. 
     The escutcheon  700  includes first and second fastener holes  302   a ,  302   b , a handle opening  304 , and at least one post  702 . In the embodiment shown, the escutcheon  700  includes four posts  702 , two of the posts  702  extend through a fastener attachment  202  in the chassis  200  and two of the posts  702  extend into a fastener attachment  202  of the chassis  200 . However, in other embodiments, the configuration of the posts  702  may be different. 
     In this example embodiment, the cast escutcheon  700  is directly mounted to the trim plate without use of a trim plate adapter. However, in alternative arrangements, a trim plate adapter could be used. The shape of the trim plate adapter, as noted above, could accommodate a shape of the escutcheon. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of the connection  800  between a locating post  802  of the escutcheon  700  and the fastener attachment  202  of the trim plate  114 . The escutcheon  700  includes a locating post  802  that not only engages the fastener attachment  202  of the trim plate  114 , but is located under a blind hole to provide security, for example, when the escutcheon  700  is located on an exterior door. Further, the locating post  802  is configured to engage a fastener attachment  202  of the trim plate  114  to securely engage the chassis  200 . 
     The connection between the escutcheon (e.g., escutcheons  104 ,  700 ) and/or trim plate adapter (e.g., adapters  300 ,  350 ,  400 ) and the trim plate  114  are removable connections, so the trim plate  114  is capable of connecting to a plurality of different escutcheons and/or trim plate adapters. Further, a new and/or different escutcheon and/or trim plate adapter may be removably connected to the trim plate  114  while the chassis  200  remains installed in a door. 
       FIGS. 11 a  and 11 b    illustrate an example embodiment of a chassis  200  capable of connecting different escutcheons  104 ,  700 .  FIG. 11 a    illustrates the trim plate  114  capable of connecting to a trim plate adapter  400  and a first escutcheon  104 , and  FIG. 11 b    illustrates the same trim plate  114  capable of connecting to a second escutcheon  700 . As shown, the second escutcheon  700  is different than the first escutcheon  104 . 
     In an embodiment, the trim plate adapter  400  is connected to the escutcheon  104  via a friction fit and the trim plate adapter  400  is connected to the trim plate  114  of the chassis  200  via first and second fasteners  902   a ,  902   b . Subsequently, when a second escutcheon  700  is to be connected to the chassis  200 , the first and second fasteners  902   a ,  902   b  are disconnected and the trim plate adapter  400  and first escutcheon  104  are removed. Then, a second escutcheon  700  is connected to the trim plate  114  of the chassis  200  via the first and second fasteners  902   a ,  902   b.    
     An example method of installing a door handle assembly in a door as described herein includes the following. The door includes a bore formed through the door from an exterior side to an interior side. The door also includes a latch bolt bore formed from an edge of the door to the bore. 
     A first escutcheon (e.g., escutcheon  104 ) is attached to a trim plate  114  of an interior chassis portion  200   a , and then the interior chassis portion  200   a  is inserted into the bore on the interior side of the door. A second escutcheon (e.g., escutcheon  104 ) is attached to a trim plate  114  of an exterior chassis portion  200   b , and then the exterior chassis portion  200   b  is inserted into the bore on the exterior side of the door. The latch assembly is inserted into the latch bolt bore of the door. The interior chassis portion  200   a  is connected to the latch assembly  102  and the exterior chassis portion  200   b , which forms the universal chassis  200 . 
     The first escutcheon  104  may be attached to the trim plate  114  with or without a trim plate adapter, such as the trim plate adapters  300 ,  350   400 . 
     After the chassis  200  is installed, a first handle  106   a  is connected to the interior chassis portion  200   a  and a second handle  106   b  is connected to the exterior chassis portion  200   b . Before an escutcheon is removed, the handle  106  must also be removed. 
     When a new escutcheon is desired, the chassis  200  is removed from the door. Then, a new escutcheon (with a trim plate adapter, if needed) is attached to one of the trim plates  114 . When changing the escutcheon, the chassis  200  does not also need to be changed. Further, if the trim plate  114  is first engageable with an escutcheon, the trim plate  114  is subsequently engageable with a trim plate adapter. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-11  generally, it is noted that the door handle assembly described herein has a number of advantages in terms of ease of assembly and accommodation of various escutcheons. In particular, the universal chassis allows for the installation of any escutcheon, therefore eliminating the requirement that a chassis is only able to accommodate a predetermined escutcheon. Further, a trim plate adapter allows any escutcheon to be secured to the universal chassis. Additional advantages are apparent by way of the description of the door handle assembly provided herein, and as reflected in the claims included below. 
     The description and illustration of one or more embodiments provided in this application are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of the invention as claimed in any way. The embodiments, examples, and details provided in this application are considered sufficient to convey possession and enable others to make and use the best mode of the claimed invention. The claimed invention should not be construed as being limited to any embodiment, example, or detail provided in this application. Regardless of whether shown and described in combination or separately, the various features (both structural and methodological) are intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment with a particular set of features. Having been provided with the description and illustration of the present application, one skilled in the art may envision variations, modifications, and alternate embodiments falling within the spirit of the broader aspects of the claimed invention and the general inventive concept embodied in this application that do not depart from the broader scope.