Patent Application
20240229524
The present disclosure relates to a fitting for an openable element such as a door, locker, hatch, window or the like, and an openable element comprising a hole image adapted in shape and size for receiving said fitting.
Fittings in the prior art, e.g. handles or hinges, are conventionally securely arranged to an openable element such as a door, locker, hatch, window or the like using attachment means such as screws or nuts and bolts. Although this allows for the fittings to be secured in a satisfying manner to said openable element, it is a somewhat time-consuming installation process since the attachment means need to be secured individually. Rather than using manual tools such as a wrench or a screwdriver, a power-driven tool may be used. However, these are generally quite heavy—it is cumbersome to carry these to and from the installation location.
The attachment means may also introduce points of weaknesses, both in terms of structural integrity and in terms of security. Firstly, the structural integrity of the attachment means may degrade over time due to wear and tear. Secondly, the attachment means be tampered with so as to enable unauthorized access through said openable element.
A further problem is that fittings are usually designed to be specifically mounted to openable elements which are either left-hand operable or right-hand operable. Fittings are usually not designed to be reconfigurable after assembly to be mounted to either such openable elements. Fittings with such capability usually have a complicated structure with many moving parts, both small and large, which results in a more fragile fitting.
Thus, it is of interest to provide a new fitting which solves at least some of these identified problems of the prior art.
It is an object of the present invention is to provide an improved solution that alleviates at least some of the mentioned drawbacks with present solutions. In particular, a first object of the present invention is to provide a fitting that is easy to install to an openable element. A second object of the invention is to provide a fitting which makes unauthorized access difficult. These objects are solved by the invention defined by claim 1.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a fitting that is reconfigurable after assembly for openable elements which are either right-hand operated or left-hand operated.
Furthermore, a fourth object is to provide an openable element with a hole image adapted in shape and size for receiving a fitting of the present invention.
By fitting, it may be meant a handle arrangement, a lock arrangement, a hinge arrangement or the like.
By openable element, it may be meant a door, a locker, a hatch, a window or the like. The openable element may be configured to be pivotable between an open position and a closed position. The openable element may be configured to be slidable between an open position and a closed position.
By right-hand operation, it may be meant that the openable element opens in the direction to the right as seen when facing the side of the openable element onto which the fitting is configured to be arranged, either by a pivoting motion or a sliding motion.
By left-hand operation, it may be meant that the openable element opens in the direction to the left as seen when facing the side of the openable element onto which the fitting is configured to be arranged, either by a pivoting motion or a sliding motion.
Alternatively, the openable element may be configured to open in a vertical direction, i.e. in an upwards direction or a downward direction, by a pivoting motion or by a sliding motion. The fitting of the present invention may be used for such an openable element as well.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a fitting for an openable element such as a door, locker, hatch, window or the like, is provided. The fitting comprises: a housing configured to be arranged at one side of said openable element; a shaft extending from the housing and configured so that, when the fitting is arranged to the openable element, the shaft extends through a hole image of the openable element; and an actuation member arranged on the shaft and rotatable relative said housing, the fitting further comprising a fixing member arranged axially along the shaft between the housing and the actuation member such that the fixing member is rotatable relative the housing and the shaft between an inserting position allowing the fixing member and the actuation member to be inserted into the hole image of the openable element when said fitting is being arranged to said openable element, and a first fixing position when the fixing member is rotated in a first rotational direction, in which position the fixing member engages with a fixing protrusion extending, when in use, from the housing through the hole image such that the fitting is compressively fixed to said openable element.
This fitting can be securely arranged to an openable element without attachment means such as screws or nuts and bolts. Instead, the fitting is configured to be securely arranged to the openable element by means of the fixing member and the fixing protrusion which together allows for the compressive fixing of the fitting to said openable element. In other words, the fitting is provided with pre-mounted attachment means upon assembly. This allows for a toolless installation process. Thus, the fitting is easy to install to an openable element, thereby solving the first object of the invention.
By compressively fixing the fitting to said openable element, it may mean that the fixing member in the fixing position interacts with the fixing protrusion so that the fixing member is axially offset relative the shaft with an axial offset distance by which movement the fixing member pulls the housing towards the mounting surface of the openable element. The offset distance may be about 0.1-0.2 mm, 0.2-0.3 mm, 0.3-0.4 mm, 0.4-0.5 mm, 0.5-0.6 mm, 0.6-0.7 mm, 0.7-0.8 mm, 0.8-0.9 mm, or 0.9-1.0 mm.
Throughout the present disclosure, a tolerance of about 1-2%, 2-3%, 3-4%, or 4-5% is assumed with respect to specified values.
Further, the fixing member may be rotated from the fixing position to the inserting position by moving the actuation member in the opposite direction. Thereby, the fitting is also easy to remove from the openable element.
The side of the openable element onto which the fitting is arranged may be referenced as a mounting side. Generally, the mounting side of the openable element will be characterized by a mounting plane. The fitting may be configured to be arranged to the mounting plane such that the shaft extends substantially perpendicular to said mounting plane. Consequently, the fixing member may be configured to rotate in a plane which is parallel to said mounting plane.
The shaft may define a first rotational axis about which the fixing member is configured to rotate. The first rotational direction may be a clockwise rotation about said first rotational axis, as seen when facing the side of the openable element onto which the fitting is arranged. The first rotational direction may be a counterclockwise rotation about said first rotational axis, as seen when facing the side of the openable element onto which the fitting is arranged. The direction of the first rotational direction may be selected depending on whether the fitting is to be arranged on a right-hand operated openable element or a left-hand operated openable element.
The hole image may comprise an insertion hole through which the actuation member and the fixing member when in the inserting position can be inserted. The hole image may comprise one or more fixing protrusion holes through which fixing protrusions from the housing may extend through. Some or all of the insertion hole and the respective one or more fixing protrusion holes may be connected via slots or not connected at all.
The actuation member may be a lever. The lever may be configured to be accessible from the side of the openable element opposite the side of the openable element onto which the fitting is arranged. The actuation member may be rotatable relative the housing by means of rotation of the shaft.
In the case where the fitting is a handle arrangement, the actuation member may in particular be a cam member. The cam member may be configured to move between a locking position in which it is extended to engage with a frame plate arranged to a frame of the openable element, and an unlocking position in which the cam member is retracted so as to allow the openable element to be opened.
The shaft may be provided with a plurality of axially segmented portions.
A first shaft portion which may be an end portion. The first shaft portion may be configured in shape and size so as to rotationally interlock with the actuation member. This may be done by means of the first shaft portion may have at least a first pair of mutually parallel sides in an axial cross section. The shaft may have two pairs of mutually parallel sides in an axial cross section. The actuation member may comprise a recess or through-hole adapted in size and shape to receive the first shaft portion such that the actuation member is rotationally interlocked with the shaft.
A second shaft portion may be an intermediate portion. The second shaft portion may be immediately adjacent to the first shaft portion. The second shaft portion may be configured in shape and size so as to allow the fixing member to freely rotate relative said second shaft portion. The second shaft portion may have a circular axial cross section. The second shaft portion may have a cylinder shape. The second shaft portion may comprise two cylindric portions with a groove arranged therebetween. The groove may be configured to receive a rubber gasket. The rubber gasket may be configured to provide friction to the fixing member when rotated.
A third shaft portion may be an end portion. The third shaft portion may be immediately adjacent to the second shaft portion. The third shaft portion may be configured in shape and size so as to axially couple to the housing but allow for the third shaft portion to be rotatable relative the housing.
The actuation member may be axially fixed to the shaft by means of a screw configured to engage with grooves of a bore extending at least partially through the shaft. In case the fitting is a handle arrangement, the bore may be a through-hole and the screw may be configured to extend through the shaft and engage with grooves of a bore of a handle, thereby rotationally and axially fixing the handle to the shaft. The third shaft portion may further comprise a plurality of handle engagement grooves for receiving handle connection members in said grooves, thereby adding support and further rotationally and axially fixing the handle to the shaft.
The first shaft portion, the second shaft portion and the third shaft portion may be axially and rotationally fixed relative each other. The first shaft portion, the second shaft portion and the third shaft portion may be formed as an integrated member.
According to an embodiment, the fixing member may be configured to be rotatable between the inserting position and the first fixing position by means of the actuation member. Since the actuation member may be used to actuate rotation of the fixing member between the inserting position and the first fixing position, and since the actuation member may also be inserted through the hole image, it may not be accessed from the same side of the openable element onto which the fitting is arranged. Thus, this design may allow for the fixing member to be prevented from being rotated into the inserting position from the side of the openable element onto which the fitting is arranged, thus preventing the fitting from being removed from the openable element. Thereby, unauthorized access into the openable element is prevented, thus solving the second object of the invention.
According to one embodiment, the fixing member is further rotatable between the inserting position and a second fixing position when the fixing member is rotated in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, in which position the fixing member engages with a fixing protrusion extending from the housing through the hole image such that the fitting is compressively fixed to said openable element.
By this, the fitting is reconfigurable for being arranged to openable elements which are either right-hand operated or left-hand operated, thereby solving the third object of the invention.
Similarly, the fitting may be reconfigurable for openable elements which either open in an upward direction or a downward direction.
According to one embodiment, the fixing member may be configured to be rotatable between the inserting position and the second fixing position by means of the actuation member.
According to one embodiment, the fixing member comprises an axial protrusion extending only partially in the circumferential direction about the shaft by which the fixing member is engageable with the actuation member.
By this, the actuation member may push onto the fixing member such that when the actuation member is rotated in the first direction from the inserting position, the fixing member is forced to rotate in the same direction as well. When the actuation member has forced the fixing member into the fixing position, the actuation member may freely rotate in the opposite direction in order to serve a different purpose. For instance, when the fitting is a handle arrangement, the actuation member may be a cam member. When the fixing member is in the fixing position, the cam member may be free to rotate between a locking position and an unlocking position, without engaging with the fixing member. The cam member may be configured to rotate between the locking position and the unlocking position by rotating a handle arranged to the shaft, thereby forcing rotation of the cam member as well.
Further, in the case wherein the fixing member is rotatable into two different fixing positions, the axial protrusion extending only partially in the circumferential direction about the shaft allows for free range of motion of the actuation member regardless whether the fixing member is moved into the first fixing position or the second fixing position. Further, the actuation member may easily rotate in a direction so as to force the fixing member to move from a fixing position to the inserting position, thus providing an easy way of removing the fitting from the door even when designed so as to being reconfigurable between right-hand operative use and left-hand operative use.
According to one embodiment, the axial protrusion is arc shaped, preferably having an arc length of about 75-105 degrees, preferably about 90 degrees. This particular shape is advantageous as it enables good contact between the actuation member and the fixing member when the fixing member is being rotated between the neural position and a fixing position. This particular shape is further relatively easy to manufacture when the actuation member comprises a main cylinder body as it substantially only involves cutting away a cylinder end piece from the main cylinder body of the fixing member. The specified preferable arc length is particularly advantageous in case of the fitting being designed for being reconfigurable between right-hand operative use and left-hand operative use.
According to one embodiment, the fixing member comprises one or more flanges configured to engage with an internal groove of the housing by which the fixing member is axially fixed to the housing relative the shaft. When the fixing member is moved from the inserting position to a fixing position, the flanges will push against the groove, thereby forcing the housing toward the mounting plane of the openable element. Moreover, in the case wherein the fixing protrusions form a part of the housing, these will be pushed through the hole image of the openable element, thereby enabling a compressive fixing of the fitting to the openable element.
The internal groove may extend in a circumferential direction along an interior surface of the housing, either partially or wholly around a center whole for receiving the shaft. The flanges may be two or more. In case there are only two flanges, they may be arranged on radially opposite sides of the fixing member.
The housing may be adapted in shape and size so that the hole for receiving the shaft has slots for axially receiving the flanges of the fixing member upon assembly.
The flanges may have slanted end surfaces configured to face the groove of the housing. This may facilitate the flanges of the fixing member to engage with the groove of the housing.
According to one embodiment, the fixing member further comprises a main cylinder body, and at least one radial portion extending from the main cylinder body by which the fixing member is engageable with the fixing protrusion corresponding to the first fixing position. By this, the fixing member may still have a cross sectional shape so as to enable it to be inserted into a main hole of the hole image of the openable element while also being able to reach a fixing protrusion located offset from the main hole of the hole image. Moreover, the radial portion may provide a large contact surface, thereby providing support for the fitting when compressively fixed to the openable element. The at least one radial portion may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal extension direction of the main cylinder body. The longitudinal extension direction of the main cylinder body may coincide with a longitudinal extension direction of the shaft.
According to one embodiment, the fixing member further comprises at least two radial portions radially extending from two opposite sides of the main cylinder body by which the fixing member is engageable with a respective fixing protrusion corresponding to one of said fixing position(s). By this, support is added on opposite sides relative the shaft, thereby allowing the fixing to be more securely fixed to the door.
According to one embodiment, at least one of said at least one radial portions comprises a fixing recess for receiving said fixing protrusion wherein said fixing recess is adjacent to an elevated region causing said at least one radial portion to momentarily flex away from said fixing protrusion when said fixing protrusion is being received into said fixing recess. By this, the fixing protrusion and the fixing member may be coupled unless a torque of the fixing member exceeds a predetermined magnitude sufficient to dislocate the fixing member from a fixing protrusion. Thus, the fixing member may be prevented from accidentally dislocate from the fixing protrusion upon force impacts on the openable element and/or the fitting.
According to one embodiment, said elevated region tapers away in a radially perpendicular direction from said fixing recess. By this, the fixing member may more easily be inserted into a fixing position.
According to one embodiment, the fixing member comprises one or more supporting portions extending between the main cylinder body and each of the at least one radial portions. The supporting portions may prevent the radial portions from flexing too much upon interacting with the fixing protrusion.
According to one embodiment, the rotational angle of the fixing member when rotated between the inserting position and the first fixing position and/or between the inserting position and the second fixing position is about 90 degrees. By this, it may maximize the contact surface between the fixing member and an interior surface of the openable door. Moreover, it provides structural symmetry between right-hand operative use and left-hand operative use, thereby ensuring that the structural integrity of the device is the same regardless of the fitting is configured for right-hand operative use or left-hand operative use.
According to one embodiment, the fitting further comprises a push cylinder lock coupled with the shaft and configured to be received, when in a locking position, in a push cylinder lock recess of the housing, regardless whether the fixing member is moved into the first fixing position or the second fixing position. By this, the shaft may be rotationally fixated with the housing, thereby preventing rotation of the shaft relative the housing and consequently preventing the actuation member from being rotated. Moreover, in the case of the fitting being a handle arrangement, the push cylinder lock may be used to lock an openable element from being opened, regardless whether the openable element is configured for right-hand operative use or left-hand operative use. The push cylinder lock may be coupled to the shaft via a radially extending shaft portion comprising a recess for receiving the push cylinder lock. The radially extending shaft portion may extend from the third shaft portion of the shaft. Similarly, in the case of the fitting being a handle arrangement, the handle may have an opening through which the push cylinder lock may be operated.
According to one embodiment, the fitting further comprises a rotational stop block rotatably coupled with the actuation member and configured to slide along a predetermined groove of the housing having a length substantially corresponding to a half revolution of the actuation member. By this, the shaft may be prevented from rotating beyond a certain angle relative the housing. The rotational stop block may be a radial protrusion extending from the shaft. The rotational stop block may be a radial protrusion extending from the third shaft portion. The third shaft portion may have a substantially cylindric shape and the rotational stop block may extend from the cylindric surface in a radial direction. The rotational stop block may be arranged on an opposite side of the shaft relative the radially extending shaft portion comprising a recess for receiving the push cylinder lock.
According to one embodiment, the push cylinder lock recess for receiving the push cylinder lock is located on an opposite side of the shaft relative the predetermined groove at a midpoint of a circular arc extending between the endpoints of the groove of the housing.
According to a second aspect of the invention, an openable element is provided. The openable element comprises a hole image adapted in size and shape to receive the fitting according to the first aspect or any embodiments thereof. Preferably, the openable element comprises said fitting. The hole image may comprise a main hole configured to allow the actuation member and the fixing member when in an inserting position to be inserted therethrough. The main hole may have an elongated shape. The main hole may have a rectangular shape. The hole image may comprise a fixing protrusion hole located adjacent to said main hole. The hole image may comprise two fixing protrusion holes arranged on opposite sides of the main hole. The one or more fixing protrusion holes may have a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the fixing protrusions. In the case wherein the fixing protrusions have a circular cross section, the one or more fixing protrusion holes may be circular holes.
The invention is defined by the appended independent claims, with embodiments being set forth in the appended dependent claims, in the following description and in the drawings.
The invention will in the following be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:
The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.
The fitting according to one embodiment of the invention is configured to be arranged to an openable element such as a door, locker, hatch, window or the like. In
The fitting 1 according to one embodiment is illustrated in
Upon arranging the fitting 1 to an openable element 100, such as a door as illustrated in
Thus, when the fixing member 4 is rotated from the inserting position to a fixing position by means of the actuation member 5, in which position the fixing member 4 engages with at least one fixing protrusion 21, the fitting 1 is securely fixed to said openable element.
Thereby, the fitting 1 can be securely arranged to an openable element without attachment means such as screws or nuts and bolts. This allows for a toolless installation process. Thus, the fitting is easy to install to an openable element.
In this particular embodiment, the fitting 1 is a handle arrangement, wherein the actuation member 5 is a cam member configured to be operated between a locking position and an unlocking position by means of a handle 3 coupled to the cam member 5 via the shaft 7. In the locking position, when the fitting 1 is arranged to an openable element 100, the cam member 5 engages with a frame plate so as to keep the openable element 100 in a locked state. In the unlocking position, the cam member 5 does not engage with the frame plate, thereby allowing the openable element 100 to open.
Moreover, the fitting 1 further comprises a push cylinder lock 6 which can be operated between a locking state and an unlocking state. In the locking state, the push cylinder lock 6 engages with the housing 2, thereby rotationally locking the handle 3 to the housing 2. In the unlocking state, the push cylinder lock 6 does not engage with the housing 2 such that the handle 3 is rotationally locked with the housing 2. The push cylinder lock 6 may be moved between the locking state and the unlocking state by first pushing the push cylinder lock towards the housing 2 and then rotating the push cylinder lock 6 about its axis. Although not shown, the push cylinder lock 6 may be configured to only be moveable between the locking state and the unlocking state by means of a key.
The fitting 1 may also be embodied so that the fixing member 4 is further rotatable between the inserting position and a second position when the fixing member 4 is rotated in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, in which position the fixing member 4 engages with a fixing protrusion 21 extending from the housing 2 through the hole image 110 such that the fitting 1 is compressively fixed to said openable element. The fixing member 4 is configured to be rotatable between the inserting position and the second fixing position by means of the actuation member 5. This allows for the fitting to be reconfigurable for openable elements regardless whether they are configured for right-hand operative use or left-hand operative use. In
Thus, the fitting 1 is reconfigurable for being arranged to openable elements 100 which are either right-hand operated or left-hand operated.
Moreover, as shown in
The fixing member 4 further comprises supporting portions 44 extending between the main cylinder body 42 and the radial portions. These provide support to the radial portions 43, thereby preventing them to flex away too much from the fixing protrusions 21 when interacting with these.
Moreover, the rotational angle of the fixing member 4 when rotated between the inserting position and the first fixing position is about 90 degrees. The rotational angle of the fixing member 4 when rotated between the inserting position and the second fixing position is also about 90 degrees.
As shown in
As previously explained, the fitting 1 according to one embodiment further comprises a push cylinder 6. The push cylinder lock 6 is coupled with the shaft 7 and configured to be received, when in a locking state, in a push cylinder lock recess 23 of the housing 2, regardless whether the fixing member 4 is moved into the first fixing position or the second fixing position. As shown in
As can be seen in
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21173071.8 | May 2021 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/061975 | 5/4/2022 | WO |
