Support structure for handle assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022205278-A1
Application number	US-202017429862-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 5, 2020
Priority date	Feb 11, 2019
Publication date	Jun 30, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A handle assembly includes a removable handle positioned over a sleeve. The handle assembly includes a catch positioned within the sleeve, and when extended, the catch prevents relative movement between the handle and the sleeve. The handle assembly includes a spindle positioned within the sleeve. The spindle has a longitudinal axis. The spindle is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. When in the locked position, the sleeve is not rotatable, and when in the unlocked position, the sleeve is rotatable. The handle assembly includes a support structure that is configured to support the spindle. The support structure is in a fixed rotational relationship with respect to the handle. When the catch is in an extended position and the spindle is in the locked position, deflection of the spindle in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis is resisted by way of the support structure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A handle assembly comprising:
a removable handle including a positioning hole; a lock core positioned within the handle; a sleeve sized and shaped to receive the handle therearound and the lock core at least partially therein; a catch positioned within the sleeve, the catch having an extended position and a retracted position, wherein when in the extended position, a protrusion of the catch interfaces with a portion of the positioning hole of the handle so as to prevent relative movement between the handle and the sleeve, and when in the retracted position, the handle is movable relative to the sleeve; a spindle positioned within the sleeve and connected to the lock core, the spindle having a longitudinal axis, wherein the spindle is rotatable by the lock core between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when in the locked position, the sleeve is not rotatable, and wherein when in the unlocked position, the sleeve is rotatable; and a support structure configured to support the spindle, wherein the support structure is in a fixed rotational relationship with respect to the handle, wherein, when the catch is in the extended position and the spindle is in the locked position, deflection of the spindle in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis is resisted by way of the support structure.

2 . The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein movement of the catch toward the retracted position is prevented by way of the support structure.

3 . The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a blocking element of the sleeve, wherein the blocking element is aligned with a movement plane within which the catch is movable.

4 . The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a connector of the lock core.

5 . The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support structure resists deflection of the spindle when the spindle is in the locked position.

6 . The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the spindle is at least partially supported by a bearing surface of the catch.

7 . The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the spindle is not supported by the catch.

8 . The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said support structure is not a ring having a center hole disposed at the center of the ring and provided for passing the spindle.

9 . The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the handle is at least one of a knob or lever.

10 . A method of increasing the security of a handle assembly, the method comprising:
providing a handle assembly including:
a removable handle including a positioning hole;
a lock core positioned within the handle;
a sleeve sized and shaped to receive the handle therearound and the lock core at least partially therein;
a catch positioned within the sleeve, the catch having an extended position and a retracted position, wherein when in the extended position, a protrusion of the catch interfaces with a portion of the positioning hole of the handle so as to prevent relative movement between the handle and the sleeve, and when in the retracted position, the handle is movable relative to the sleeve;
a spindle positioned within the sleeve and connected to the lock core, the spindle having a longitudinal axis, wherein the spindle is rotatable by the lock core between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when in the locked position, the sleeve is not rotatable and wherein when in the unlocked position, the sleeve is rotatable; and
resisting deflection of the spindle transverse to the longitudinal axis of the spindle by way of a support structure when the catch is in the extended position and the spindle is in the locked position, wherein the support structure is movable with respect to the spindle and wherein the support structure is in a fixed rotational relationship with respect to the handle.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the support structure is integrally formed with the sleeve.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein movement of the catch toward the retracted position is resisted by the support structure.

13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the support structure is a blocking element of the sleeve generally aligned with a movement plane within which the catch is movable.

14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the support structure is a connector of the lock core.

15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising resisting deflection of the spindle when the spindle is in the locked position.

16 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising at least partially supporting the spindle by way of a bearing surface of the catch.

17 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the spindle is not supported by the catch.

18 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the support structure is not a ring having a center hole disposed at the center of the ring and provided for passing the spindle.

19 . A handle assembly comprising:
a removable handle including a positioning hole; a lock core positioned within the handle, wherein the lock core includes a keyway at a first side and a spindle connector at an opposite, second side; a sleeve sized and shaped to receive the handle therearound and the lock core at least partially therein; a catch positioned within the sleeve, the catch having an extended position and a retracted position, wherein when in the extended position, a protrusion of the catch interfaces with a portion of the positioning hole of the handle so as to prevent relative movement between the handle and the sleeve, and when in the retracted position, the handle is movable relative to the sleeve; a spindle positioned within the sleeve and connected to the spindle connector of the lock core, wherein the spindle is rotatable by the lock core between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when in the locked position, the sleeve is not rotatable, and wherein when in the unlocked position, the sleeve is rotatable; and a support structure configured to resist deflection of the spindle transverse to a longitudinal axis of the spindle when the catch is in the extended position and the spindle is in the locked position, wherein the support structure is at least one of a blocking element of the sleeve or the spindle connector of the lock core.

20 . The handle assembly of claim 19 , wherein the blocking element is a tab positioned within the sleeve and positioned generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the sleeve.

21 . The handle assembly of claim 19 , wherein the blocking element is monolithically formed with a wall of the sleeve.

22 . The handle assembly of claim 19 , wherein the spindle connector of the lock core has a generally oval cross section.

23 . The handle assembly of claim 19 , wherein the spindle connector of the lock core has a main body and a support protrusion extending from the main body, wherein the support protrusion is configured to support the spindle at an opposite side than the catch is positioned.

Assignees

• Spectrum Brands Inc

Inventors

• Lin James
• Bloom Mark

Classifications

• E05B3/003 Primary

  Fastening knobs or handles to hollow cylindrical spindles, e.g. of tubular locks · CPC title

• E05B55/005 Primary

  Cylindrical or tubular locks · CPC title

• E05B13/108

  the lock coaxial with spindle · CPC title