US 12,234,666 B2Granted

Door handle adapter for sprung hub

AssigneeASSA ABLOY Americas Residential Inc.

InventorsJames Lin, Eric Xin, Doo Fai Yip

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Abstract

An adapter for either a handle set or a lever set door lever is equipped with a pair of springs to provide a pre-load on the spindle. The pre-load prevents sagging of the lever due to the large mass of the lever. A sleeve in the adapter is formed out of a compressible material that accepts the spindle in a press-fit configuration. This allows for greater manufacturing tolerances while still providing a solid and secure engagement between the spindle and the adapter. As a result, any free play in the lever is eliminated and the lever is maintained in a horizontal, home position when the lever is not in use. Following use through rotation of the lever, the springs promptly return the lever back to the home position while the sleeve prevents any slop or free-play in the lever's motion.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A door handle adapter assembly comprising:

a spindle configured to engage a door handle and transfer an input rotational force from the door handle to a latch;
a door handle adapter comprising:
a flange including a flange aperture;
a hub including a hub aperture, the hub aperture aligning with the flange aperture along a spindle axis, the spindle extending through the hub aperture and flange aperture, the hub also including an outer surface positioned at least partially within the flange aperture, the hub also including first and second engagers extending outwardly from the outer surface;
a plate having a plate aperture aligning with the spindle axis and extending around the hub;
a slider positioned between the flange and the plate, the slider including a slider aperture and defining a first receiver and a second receiver positioned about the slider aperture, the first receiver configured to contact the first engager and the second receiver configured to contact the second engager such that the input rotational force rotates the hub about the spindle axis and thereby rotates the first and the second engagers to displace the slider in a direction transverse to the spindle axis, the slider also including first and second spring stops;
first and second springs positioned within first and second spring chambers, the first spring chamber including a first end defined by the plate and a second end defined by the first spring stop, the second spring chamber including a first end defined by the plate and a second end defined by the second spring stop, wherein the input rotational force causes engagement of a receiver of the first receiver and the second receiver by an engager of the first engager and the second engager to move the slider along a direction transverse to the spindle axis and compress the first and second springs when the input rotational force is in a first rotational direction and also when the input rotational force is in an opposing rotational direction;
wherein when the first spring is in an extended position, first and second ends of the first spring are on opposite sides of the plate aperture about the spindle axis.

5 more elements

A door handle adapter assembly comprising:

a spindle;
a door handle adapter comprising:
a flange including a flange aperture;
a hub including a hub aperture, the hub aperture aligning with the flange aperture along a spindle axis, the spindle extending through the hub aperture and flange aperture, the hub also having an outer circumference positioned at least partially within the flange aperture, the hub including first and second engagers extending outwardly from the outer circumference;
a plate having a plate aperture aligning with the spindle axis and extending around the hub;
a slider positioned between the flange and the plate, the slider including a slider aperture and defining a first receiver and a second receiver positioned about the slider aperture, the first receiver configured to contact the first engager and the second receiver configured to contact the second engager such that the input rotational force rotates the hub about the spindle axis and thereby rotates the first and the second engagers to displace the slider in a direction transverse to the spindle axis, the slider also including first and second spring stops;
first and second springs positioned within first and second spring chambers, the first spring chamber including a first end defined by the plate and a second end defined by the first spring stop, the second spring chamber including a first end defined by the plate and a second end defined by the second spring stop, wherein the input rotational force causes engagement of a receiver of the first receiver and the second receiver by an engager of the first engager and the second engager to move the slider along the direction transverse to the spindle axis and compress the first and second springs;
wherein the spindle extends through the slider aperture;
wherein the first and second springs extend parallel to each other and on opposite sides of the plate aperture about the spindle axis.

6 more elements

A door handle adapter assembly comprising:

a spindle configured to engage a door handle and transfer an input rotational force from the door handle to a latch;
a door handle adapter comprising:
a flange including a flange aperture;
a hub including a hub aperture, the hub aperture aligning with the flange aperture along a spindle axis, the spindle extending through the hub aperture and flange aperture, the hub also including an outer surface positioned at least partially within the flange aperture, the hub also including first and second engagers extending outwardly from the outer surface;
a plate having a plate aperture aligning with the spindle axis and extending around the hub;
a slider positioned between the flange and the plate, the slider including a slider aperture and defining a first receiver and a second receiver positioned about the slider aperture, the first receiver configured to contact the first engager and the second receiver configured to contact the second engager such that the input rotational force rotates the hub about the spindle axis and thereby rotates the first and the second engagers to displace the slider in a direction transverse to the spindle axis, the slider also including first and second spring stops;
first and second springs positioned within first and second spring chambers, the first spring chamber including a first end defined by the plate and a second end defined by the first spring stop, the second spring chamber including a first end defined by the plate and a second end defined by the second spring stop, wherein the input rotational force causes engagement of a receiver of the first receiver and the second receiver by an engager of the first engager and the second engager to move the slider along a direction transverse to the spindle axis and compress the first and second springs when the input rotational force is in a first rotational direction and also when the input rotational force is in an opposing rotational direction;
wherein the first and second springs extend parallel to each other and on opposite sides of the plate aperture about the spindle axis.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/344,217Filed 29 Jun 2023 · continuation
Priority: 29 Dec 2016
Published: US 2024/0003162 A14 Jan 2024
Granted: 25 Feb 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

E05B 1/0053
Knobs or handles for wings; Knobs, handles, or press buttons for locks or latches on wings: handles or handle attachments facilitating operation,…
E05B 3/04
Fastening knobs or handles to lock or latch parts: fastening the knob or the handle shank to the spindle by screws, springs or snap bolts
E05B 3/065
By means arranged in or on the rose or escutcheon: with spring biasing means for moving the handle over a substantial distance, e.g. to its…
E05B 15/0013
Other details of locks; Parts for engagement by bolts of fastening devices: followers; Bearings therefor

Family

Application62/439,974Us provisional application · filed 29 Dec 2016
Application15/856,694Parent of this continuation · filed 28 Dec 2017
US 2024/0003162 A1Pre-grant publication · published 4 Jan 2024
US 11,725,416 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2018/0187450 A1Published application
US 12,234,666 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.