Lockable handle assembly with floating cam mechanism

A handle assembly, comprising a body and a handle secured to a closure, the handle being rotatably mounted to the body and operatively connected to a cam such that rotation of the handle causes corresponding rotation of the cam, the cam being movable between an activated position for opening the closure and a deactivated position wherein the closure is not opened, wherein:

• the mounting of the handle to the body comprises an axle, the cam being slidably mounted for movement axially along the axle, the cam and axle being directly engaged with each other, the handle and cam including key surfaces causing them to rotate together around a longitudinal axis of the axle, the cam having a cam face on a side surface of the cam, the cam face extending at least partially around the longitudinal axis and constructed and arranged to convert rotation of the axle around the longitudinal axis into linear motion of a follower member when in contact therewith to retract at least one retention device;
• a locking device, the locking device including an arm, the arm selectively moveable to engage the cam to move the cam along the axle between the activated position, wherein the locking device positions the cam to interact with the follower member allowing the cam rotation to cause retraction of the at least one retention device allowing the closure to be opened and the deactivated position wherein the locking device allows the cam to slide along the axle such that the cam rotates without engaging the follower member and without moving the at least one retention device wherein opening the closure is prevented.