This invention relates to the field of door handles. More particularly, it relates to adapters for mounting door handles with hidden fasteners.
Door handles are known to be fastened to doors to provide users with a convenient way to move the door to and from an open and a closed position. There are many styles of doors and door handles available for installation. Regardless of the type or style of door used, a handle is often attached to the door as both an aesthetic component and a utilitarian feature.
For example, some styles of doors slide along a track as they are opened and closed. Other doors are known to pivot about a hinge. Regardless of the style or operation of the door, the function and look of the handle defines the user's experience. As a result, it is desirable to fasten the door handle to the door in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
Such known door handles accomplish this task by incorporating the door handle fasteners into the design. The fasteners are typically spaced about the perimeter of the handle in a symmetrical manner to balance out the retaining force as well as any physical detraction from the handle itself.
When installed on sliding doors, such as pocket doors, the door handle is typically recessed into the door to avoid interference with the door frame or wall. A pocket, hole, or recess may be cut into the surface of the door that receives the door handle. Recessing the handle into the door allows the door to maintain a low profile, such as in a pocket door. The door may then slide into the pocket without interference between the handle and the door frame or wall. The fasteners are, therefore, typically installed through the portion of the handle on the surface of the door and into the door. In other words, fasteners are driven through the face of the handle and into the surface of the door.
Door handles with visible fasteners have endured great success in the industry. What is needed is an improved door handle fastener system that conceals the fasteners to provide a cleaner and more aesthetic appearance. What is also needed is a door handle fastener system that rigidly secures the door handle to the door, yet conceals the presence of fasteners from the face of the door. Finally, what is further needed is an improved door handle designed to accommodate the above-mentioned, improved fastener system.
A concealed fastener adapter for a door handle includes a top plate attached to the surface of the door. The top plate attaches to the surface of the door and acts as a base for the door handle. A bottom plate may also be used opposite the top plate to provide additional support for the door handle. The door handle further includes a receiving bore for receiving a fastener that engages with the top plate. A receiving slot may also be included in the door handle that engages with the bottom plate. A selective amount of friction may be applied to the fastener, further engaging the top plate, thereby displacing the door handle and generating a frictional interference with the bottom plate and the receiving slot, thus securing the door handle in place. The selective amount of friction is created by driving the fastener further into the receiving bore of the door handle, thus urging the door handle away from the top plate and increasing the frictional interference with the bottom plate.
The door handle includes a generally planar portion configured to lay flush on the surface of the door and a recessed portion configured to rest below the surface of the door in one of a hole or recess in the surface of the door. The receiving slot in the door handle is located on the rear of the door handle, facing the door, and is preferably in a portion of the door handle below the surface of the door within the one of a hole or recess.
The top plate includes a planar section that mounts flush on the surface of the door. A bulging portion extends from the planar section of the top plate and is configured to extend below the surface of the door when the top plate is installed. The bottom plate also includes a first planar section configured to mount flush with the surface of the door. The bottom plate differs from the top plate in that an angled section extends from the first planar section, and a second planar section extends from the angled section opposite the first planar section. The two planar sections on the bottom plate are parallel to one another, thus forming a substantially “z” shape.
According to another embodiment, the door handle fastening system may be installed on a door with one of a hole or recess. The hole or recess is provided in the door to accept the handle and allow it to mount flush or close to flush with the surface of the door. A first plate allows the handle to attach to the surface of the door such that a portion of the first plate overhangs the hole or recess in the door. A receiving bore in the door handle accepts a fastener configured to apply a user definable amount of friction against the plate, thereby displacing the door handle and generating a frictional interference between the first plate and the door handle. The receiving bore in the door handle is also in a connecting portion joining the planar portion and the recessed portion of the door handle, thereby hiding it from view when installed in the door.
A second plate with a first planar section is configured to mount flush with the surface of the door opposite the first plate. As previously mentioned, an angled section extends from the first planar section of the second plate, and a second planar section is parallel to the first planar section of the second plate, thus forming a substantially “z” shape. A receiving slot in the door handle receives the second planar section of the second plate to secure the plate in place. The second planar section of the second plate extends below the surface of the door within the hole or recess in the door. A frictional interference is generated between the receiving slot of the door handle and the second planar section of the second plate. As the frictional interference is increased by further engaging the fastener against the first plate, the second planar section of the second plate is further pressed into the receiving slot.
The door handle fastening system also includes a planar portion of the door handle configured to rest flush on the surface of the door surrounding the hole or recess in the door. The door handle also has a recessed portion, offset from the planar portion, configured to rest beneath the surface of the door within the hole or recess in the door.
Also described herein is a method of fastening a door handle to a door using the above-mentioned apparatus. The door handle may be fastened to the door by forming either a hole or recess in the door for receiving the door handle. The hole or recess allows for a locking mechanism to be inserted within a mortised slot in the door that is operated by the door handle. A first plate with a planar portion on a first end and either an angled or a curved portion on the second end of the first plate is used to mount the door handle to the door. The planar portion of the first plate is secured flush to a surface of the door such that the angled or curved portion of the first plate overhangs the hole or recess in the door.
The door handle is mounted over the hole or recess in the door, thus concealing the hole or recess. To fasten the door handle to the door, a fastener is inserted into a recessed portion of the door handle such that the fastener is at least partially concealed by the door handle. The fastener may then be adjusted so that the fastener intersects the angled or curved portion of the first plate in an interference fit. This interference fit thus urges the door handle away from the first plate and secures the door handle over the hole or recess in the door.
A second plate may also be used opposite the first plate. A first planar section of the first plate is configured to mount flush with the surface of the door opposite the first plate, and includes an angled section extending from the first planar section of the second plate and a second planar section parallel to the first planar section of the second plate, thus forming a substantially “z” shape.
The second planar section of the second plate is inserted into a receiving slot in the door handle such that the fastener is adjusted to intersect the angled or curved portion of the first plate, thus urging the second planar section of the second plate further into the receiving slot. The fastener may be adjusted such that it recedes into the recessed portion of the door handle in a countersunk fashion to conceal it and further secure the door handle to the door. Both the first plate, second plate, and the hole or recess in the door are therefore concealed by the door handle.
A second fastener may also be used in the recessed portion of the door handle such that the second fastener is at least partially concealed by the door handle. The second fastener may be adjusted to also intersect the angled or curved portion of the first plate also producing an interference fit, thus urging the door handle away from the first plate and securing the door handle over the hole or recess in the door.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages be included within this description and be within the scope of the invention.
The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which:
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.
Corresponding reference characters in the drawings indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the invention, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
The figures and descriptions provided herein may have been simplified to illustrate aspects that are relevant for a clear understanding of the devices, systems, and methods described herein, 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.
In operation of the door handle 2, a user typically uses an indentation 8 in the door handle 2 to provide a pulling edge 12, allowing the user's fingers to grasp the door handle 2 and slide the door. Different style door handles are also used, which include levers and knobs, but a sliding door handle that mounts flush to a surface of the door is the preferred application for the invention.
The exemplary door handle 25 is formed in a rectangular fashion with a side edge 62, top edge 72, and bottom edge 73. The door handle 25 need not be limited to a rectangular design as depicted. Any other shape may be used for the door handle as long as it includes a planar portion 75, a recessed portion 80, a connecting portion 85 joining the recessed portion 80 to the planar portion 75, and a hidden portion 90. The hidden portion is essentially the connecting portion 85 along the top edge 72 of the door handle 25. When the door handle 25 is installed in the door 40, the connecting portion 85 along the top edge 72 of the door handle 25 may not be seen by a typical person in a standing position. The hidden portion 90 is, therefore, concealed from normal sight as door handles are typically mounted below the top 42 of the door 40 at about the midpoint of the door 40 along the lock stile 52 of a panel door. The door handle 25 may also be mounted at the midpoint along the edge of a slab door. Wherever the door handle 25 is mounted, it is well below the top 42 of the door 40 placing the hidden portion 90 of the door handle 25 hidden from view by a typical person in an upright position.
The door handle 25, as shown in the preferred embodiment is configured for installation in a mortised pocket 23. The mortised pocket 23 accepts the mortise lock 22 that includes a lock latch 82 to lock the door closed when in a closed position. While a mortise-style lock 22 is shown, the door handle 25 may be used without a lock or with a different type of lock. The planar portion 75 of the door handle 25 rests flush on the surface 35 of the door 40. The recessed portion 80 is recessed into the door in a cut-out hole or recess. The cut-out from the door 40 allows the mortise lock 22 to attach to the door handle 25 and allows the door handle 25 to be fastened to the door 40 through the hidden portion 90.
The hidden portion 90 is revealed in
Looking at
Transitioning now to
At the opposite side of the door handle 25, or the bottom edge 73, a bottom plate 45 is secured to the surface 35 of the door 40. The bottom plate 45 is shaped uniquely from the top plate 30. The bottom plate 45 has a substantially “z” shape when viewed from the side, as best seen in
The door handle includes a receiving slot 55 proximate the bottom edge 73. The receiving slot 55 is configured to receive the second planar section 115 of the bottom plate 45. As the fastener 60 is tightened, it pushes the door handle 25 away from the bulging portion 100 of the top plate 30. Due to the angle on the bulging portion 100 and the angle of the tip of the fastener 60, the receiving slot 55 is urged linearly into the second planar section 115 of the bottom plate 45. The opposing forces generated by the top plate 30 and the bottom plate 45 against the door handle 25 work to lock the door handle 25 into place and effectively secure it to the door 40.
The angle of the bulging portion 100 on the top plate 30 and the receiving slot 55 in the door handle 25 for the bottom plate 45 prevent the door handle 25 from “popping out” of the mortise pocket 23. The bulging portion 100 on the top plate 30 creates a force 101 towards the bottom plate and into the mortise pocket 23 as well to secure the top edge 72 of the door handle 25 in place. The receiving slot 55 surrounds the second planar section 115 preventing the bottom edge of the door handle 25 from moving in any direction, except towards the top plate 30. As a result, the fastener 60 may be selectively tightened to center the door handle 25 into the optimal position to be located over the mortise pocket 23 and engage with the mortise lock 22 for proper functionality.
It has been contemplated to secure the door handle 25 to the door 40 by simply inserting screws into the receiving bores 50 that penetrate into the door 40. Additional receiving bores 50 may also then be provided opposite the top edge 72 in the connecting portion 85 by the bottom edge 73. Such a design would eliminate the need for a top plate 30 or a bottom plate 45. Research has shown such a proposed design to be problematic in that the door handle 25 has to be kept in position as the fasteners are secured into the door 40. As the fasteners on the top side are tightened, the door handle 25 is urged downward. Similarly, as the bottom screws are tightened, the handle is urged upwards. As a result, it would be necessary to tighten each screw a little at a time. It also proved to be difficult to align the door handle 25 properly to interact with the mortise lock 22. The top plate 30 and bottom plate 45 interaction with the fastener 60 and receiving slot 55, respectively, eliminate the need to tighten opposing fasteners a little at a time, all while holding the door handle 25 steadily in position.
A single door handle 25 may be secured to the door 40 on a single side of the door 40, or a door handle 25 may be secured on the opposing side of the door 40, directly opposite of the first door handle 25, as is shown in
Looking now at
Looking to detail A in
Detail D in
Looking now at
While the preferred embodiment includes a top plate 30 and a bottom plate 45, it is envisioned that a single plate may be used to secure the door handle 25 to the door 40. In such a configuration the single plate may be fastened behind the recessed portion 80 of the door handle 25. Fasteners may be used to secure the door handle 25 to the single plate. An additional plate may then be inserted into the recessed portion 80 to conceal the single plate.
The top plate 30 and bottom plate 45 may also be joined together as a single plate to make it easier to locate the proper spacing necessary to affix each respective plate to the door 40. The connecting piece joining each plate may then be concealed by the handle 25 or broken off from each plate.
The location of the top plate 30 and bottom plate 45 may also be reversed and the receiving bores 50 and receiving slot also reversed on the door handle 25. The receiving bores may also be concealed with plugs that are inserted into the receiving bores 50.
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).
This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 62/340,199 titled Door Handle Adapter with Hidden Fastener filed on May 23, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2603821 | Bacon | Jul 1952 | A |
2771627 | Hammer | Nov 1956 | A |
2793386 | Muhlhauser | May 1957 | A |
3742554 | Houtnnan | Jul 1973 | A |
4744126 | Bisbing | May 1988 | A |
5074009 | Simonton | Dec 1991 | A |
5144718 | Ozawa | Sep 1992 | A |
5355554 | Magoon | Oct 1994 | A |
5553354 | Trulaske, Sr. | Sep 1996 | A |
5797164 | Donaghy | Aug 1998 | A |
5927836 | Herr | Jul 1999 | A |
20080216284 | Ramsauer | Sep 2008 | A1 |
20090007385 | Kim | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20100281651 | Ramsauer | Nov 2010 | A1 |
20160237717 | Herman | Aug 2016 | A1 |
20170159324 | Longest | Jun 2017 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2947251 | May 1981 | DE |
202013102865 | Jul 2013 | DE |
10037542 | Feb 1998 | JP |
2012015021 | Jan 2012 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20170335597 A1 | Nov 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62340199 | May 2016 | US |