US 4,961,443 AGranted

Handle assembly

AssigneeKohler Co.

InventorsDana F. Buccicone, Thomas E. Gaffney, Clarence E. Klessig, Alan J. Weir

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A handle assembly which is attachable to a conventional valve stem and includes a decorative handle member is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an adapter element has an interior splined surface that mounts on the valve stem. The adapter also includes external splines and an annular flange. The adapter is positioned within a central opening in an escutcheon. A mounting screw fastens the adapter to the valve stem, with the escutcheon trapped beneath the adapter due to the presence of the annular flange. A post member has internal splines which engage the external splines of the adapter so that the parts rotate together. In addition, the post member has external splines which engage a splined opening in a handle. The handle comprises a bottom lever bar and a top lever bar. A strap cap is positioned over the handle and has a threaded hole to receive an upwardly-directed bolt. The bolt presses the handle between the strap cap and the post member. In the final step of assembly, a threaded surface on the escutcheon is rotatively engaged with a threaded surface on the post member, thereby pressing the adapter element between the escutcheon and the post member.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A handle assembly attachable to a rotatable stem, comprising:

an adapter element fixedly mountable on the stem to rotate therewith, said adapter element having an outer engagement surface;
an escutcheon mounted on the adapter and having a threaded portion and a central opening, said central opening sized so as not to permit said adapter element to pass completely therethrough;
a post member having:
(a) a first upper engagement surface;
(b) a second lower engagement surface adapted to engage said outer engagement surface of said adapter element, the engagement of said second engagement surface and said outer engagement surface causing said post member to rotate with said adapter element;
and
(c) a threaded portion for rotatively engaging said threaded portion of said escutcheon, said threaded portion of said post member and said threaded portion of said escutcheon rotatively engageable to sandwich said adapter element between said escutcheon and said post member;
a handle having an interior engagement surface adapted to engage said first engagement surface of said post member, the engagement of said interior engagement surface and said first engagement surface causing said post member to rotate with said handle;
and
an upwardly-directed bolt for securing said handle to said post member.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/449,687Filed 12 Dec 1989
Granted: 9 Oct 1990
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

F16K 31/607
Handles: characterised by particular material, by special measures to obtain aesthetical effects, or by auxiliary functions, e.g. storage
Y10S 16/24
Miscellaneous hardware, e.g. bushing, carpet fastener, caster, door closer, panel hanger, attachable or adjunct handle, hinge, window sash…
Y10S 16/30
Miscellaneous hardware, e.g. bushing, carpet fastener, caster, door closer, panel hanger, attachable or adjunct handle, hinge, window sash…
Y10T 74/20762
Handles: shaft connections