This invention relates to the field of handles. More particularly, this invention relates to illuminating door handles.
Door handles and doorknobs are commonplace throughout the home. Typical handles and knobs are rotatable to selectively release a door latch, allowing a user to open a door. In the context of door handles positioned on doors within a building (e.g., residential premises, such as a house, apartment, or the like), such door handles may be positioned on doors that separate rooms for privacy or passage purposes. This includes separation of bedrooms from common areas, bathrooms, and the like.
It is often the case that individuals move within premises at night or when overhead lights are turned off. In such cases, individuals may try to navigate through premises without turning overhead lights on, e.g., to avoid disturbing others at night, or simply due to inconvenience of a light switch location. In these cases, individuals may have trouble determining the exact location of a door or door handle, leading the individual to fumble in darkness in an attempt to locate the door handle and open the door, allowing the individual to move among rooms within the premises.
In general, the present disclosure relates to a handle. In example embodiments, a handle may have a handle body which is rotatable to move a latch between an extended position and a retracted position. The handle body may have an interior cavity. The interior cavity may be used to house electrical components, and accommodate at least a portion of a lighting assembly and circuit.
In a first aspect, a door handle is disclosed that has a handle body a handle body operatively attachable to a spindle of a handleset, the handle body having a grippable portion and, when installed at a door, being rotatable to move a latch between an extended position and a retracted position. The interior cavity has an opening. The door handle includes a battery housed in the interior cavity. The door handle also includes an illumination circuit comprising a light sensor circuit, a light emitting diode, and a control circuit electrically connected to the battery, the light sensor circuit, and the light-emitting diode, wherein the control circuit activates the light-emitting diode for at least a portion of time during which the light sensor circuit indicates that ambient light is below a threshold, and maintains the light-emitting diode in an inactive state in response to the light sensor circuit indicating that ambient light is above the threshold, wherein the light-emitting diode is illuminated during at least a portion of time the light-emitting diode is operated in the activatable state. The door handle also includes an at least semi-translucent cover configured to cooperate with the opening and substantially enclose the illumination circuit, the light-emitting diode being positioned to emit light through the at least semi-translucent cover,
In a second aspect, a cabinet pull device is disclosed for mounting to a front panel of a cabinet, the front panel having an exterior side and an interior side. A handle is mounted on an exterior side of the front panel the handle having a body, the body including an interior cavity having an opening. A power source is mounted on the interior side of the front panel. A light sensor circuit configured to monitor the ambient light in a room on the exterior side of the front panel and a light emitting diode are positioned within the interior cavity of the handle. A light-emitting diode control circuit activates the light-emitting diode during at least a portion of time during which a signal is received from the light sensor circuit indicating that ambient light is below a threshold. The light-emitting diode control circuit deactivates the light-emitting diode in response to a signal from the light sensor circuit indicating that ambient light is above the threshold. The cabinet pull device also includes an at least semi-translucent cover. The at least semi-translucent cover is configured to cooperate with the opening and enclose the light sensor circuit, the light-emitting diode, and the interior cavity.
In a third aspect, a door handle is disclosed. The door handle includes a handle body operatively attachable to a spindle of a handleset, the handle body having a grippable portion and, when installed at a door, being rotatable to move a latch between an extended position and a retracted position. The handle body includes an interior cavity, the interior cavity housing a circuit including a battery, a light sensor circuit, and a light-emitting diode The light-emitting diode is configured to operate in response to a signal originating from the light sensor circuit. The door handle further includes an at least semi-translucent cover configured to substantially enclose the interior cavity.
In a further aspect, a method of changing a battery in a door handle is disclosed. The method includes removing an at least semi-translucent cover from a handle body; inserting a battery through an opening of an interior cavity of the handle body; and reattaching the at least semi-translucent cover to the handle body.
In a still further aspect, a method of installing a door handle is disclosed. The method includes mounting a handle body on a first side of a door, the handle body having an interior cavity with an opening; inserting a battery through the opening to house the battery in the interior cavity; and attaching an at least semi-translucent cover to the handle body to substantially enclose the interior cavity.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.
Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.
As used herein, “handle” can mean any object used for opening doors, cabinets, drawers, or similar barriers, including handles and knobs. The term “including” as used herein should be read to mean “including, without limitation,” “including but not limited to,” or the like. The term “substantially” as used herein is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and furthermore refers without limitation to being largely but not necessarily wholly that which is specified.
As briefly described above, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a door handle. In example embodiments, a door handle may include a light-emitting diode (LED). The LED may provide illumination to the handle, the door to which the handle is attached, or both. By providing this illumination, individuals will be able to identify the exact location of the door or door handle in low-light conditions. Accordingly, individuals may more easily move among rooms without needing to turn on overhead lights.
In some example aspects, the handle includes an interior cavity within the body of the handle, which may house electrical components. These electrical components may include an LED and a battery. By including the electrical components in the interior cavity, the handle is rotatable without the risk of damaging the electrical components or the wires connecting the electrical components.
In some example aspects, the interior cavity houses additional electrical components. This may include some combination of sensors in connection with the LED, such as light sensors or motion sensors. By incorporating sensors into the handle, the LED may be selectively illuminated, reducing the amount of energy consumed by the handle and extending the time before a battery would need to be replaced.
Turning first to
In the example shown, the handle body 26 has an interior cavity 28. As discussed in further detail below, the interior cavity 28 may be used to house electrical components. In an embodiment, the electrical components include a battery. In alternative embodiments, the electrical components can additionally include at least one of an LED, a light sensor circuit, a printed circuit board, a controller, a motion sensor, and a wireless network interface. Additional electrical and non-electrical components may also be housed in the interior cavity 28.
In the embodiment depicted in
Referring now to
In the example shown, the handle 200 includes electrical components. The electrical components cooperate to selectively produce light that may illuminate the handle 200 and/or a door to which the handle 200 is mounted. In the depicted embodiment, the electrical components may include a battery 220 positioned within the interior cavity 204. The electrical components may further include, for example, an LED, as well as a light sensor circuit, and a printed circuit board (discussed in further detail below in conjunction with
As shown in
As discussed further below, in operation, when a light sensor circuit detects that the ambient light is below a set threshold, it may activate the LED for at least a period of time, causing the LED to turn on to emit light. This light is emitted through the at least semi-translucent cover 210 and may illuminate the handle 200 and/or the door. In further embodiments, the LED and the cover 210 may be configured such that substantially all of the cover 210 is illuminated by the LED. Additionally, a light filter may be included to change the color of the light projected or to project a pattern.
In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 210 extends out from the elongated portion of the handle body 202. With the LED housed in a compartment 212 in the cover 210, the LED can emit light in multiple directions, including toward the door and away from the door. The cover 210 is removable to allow access to the opening and any electrical components housed in the interior cavity 204. The cover 210 has an appendage 214 with an indentation 216 that slides into a second cavity 209 in the handle body 202 to interact with a bridge 207 across to an opening 208 of the second cavity 209. The appendage 214 is at least partially flexible, allowing it to recess into the second cavity 209 entirely beneath the bridge 207 as is slides along the second cavity 209. Once enough of the appendage 214 slides past the bridge 207 that the indentation 216 on the appendage 214 aligns with the bridge 207, the appendage 214 flexes back to its original orientation, engaging the bridge 207 in the indentation 216. The engagement between the bridge 207 and the indentation 216 removably attaches the cover 210 to the handle body 202. Applying pressure to the appendage 214 (e.g., downward force at the opening 208, and outward force away from the handle body 202 in a direction toward the end of the handle 200) may force it to recess back into the second cavity 209 entirely beneath the bridge 207, allowing the appendage 214 to slide along the length of the second cavity 209 so that the cover 210 may be removed. In alternative embodiments, different constructions of the cover 210 and/or handle body 202 may be used to attach the cover 210 to the handle body 202.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 306 to the interior cavity 304 is on a face of the elongated portion of the handle body 302 that faces toward a door (e.g., toward door 10 of
The cover 310 is removable from the opening 306 to allow access to the opening 306 and any electrical components 320 housed in the interior cavity 304 of the handle body 302. In this embodiment, best shown in
Turning now to
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 406 to the interior cavity 404 is on multiple faces of the elongated portion of the handle body 402. The opening 406 to the interior cavity 404 may be on a face of the handle body 402 that faces toward a door (e.g., door 10) to which the handle 400 is attached and on a face on the end of the elongated portion of the handle body 402 away from the axis of rotation of the handle body 402. In this embodiment, light emitted from the LED shines through the cover 410 and can project onto the door. Light emitted from the LED can also shine through the cover 410 and out of the opening 406 on the face on the end of the elongated portion away from the axis of rotation of the handle body 402. In alternative embodiments, the LED and the cover 410 may be configured such that substantially all of the cover 410 is illuminated by the LED. Additionally, a light filter may be included to change the color of the light projected or to project a pattern.
The cover 410 can be removed to allow access to the opening 406 and any electrical components 420 housed in the interior cavity 404 of the handle body 402. In this embodiment, best shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 510 extends out from the elongated portion of the handle body 502. With the LED housed in a compartment in the cover 510, the LED can emit light in multiple directions, including toward the door and/or away from the door. In alternative embodiments, the LED and the cover 510 may be configured such that substantially all of the cover 510 is illuminated by the LED. Additionally, a light filter may be included to change the color of the light projected or to project a pattern.
The cover 510 can be removed to allow access to the opening 506 and any electrical components 520 housed in the interior cavity 504 of the handle body 502. In this embodiment, best shown in
The screwing of the cover 510 to the handle body 502 can also be used to act as a switch that controls the operability of the electrical components 520 of the door handle 500. By screwing the cover 510 to a position such that the threads 511 of the cover 510 and the threads 505 of the opening 506 are engaged to attach the cover 510 to the handle body 502 without having the cover 510 screwed in entirely, the electrical connection between the battery 220 in the interior cavity 504 and the electrical components 520 in the compartment of the cover 510 may be disconnected, stopping operation of the electrical components 520 of the door handle 500. Additionally, different rotational positions of the cover 510 relative to the handle body 502 may initiate different functionality (e.g., controlling a color of light emitted, controlling an amount of time an LED remains active, and the like). In the example shown, a spring 521 biases the battery 220 toward the electrical components 520 to maintain electrical connection when the cover 510 is in place at the end of the handle body 502.
The handle body 602 in the depicted embodiment is generally cylindrical, with the faces of the handle body 602 being substantially parallel to a face of a door. In alternative embodiments, the handle body 602 can be at least moderately spherical or ellipsoidal with a significantly flat face configured to face away from the door when the handle 600 is installed on the door.
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 606 to the interior cavity 604 is on a face 608 of the handle body 602 facing away from a door at which the handle 600 is mounted. In this embodiment, light emitted from the LED shines through the cover 610 and can project away from the door. In alternative embodiments, the LED and the cover 610 may be configured such that substantially all of the cover 610 is illuminated by the LED. Additionally, a light filter may be included to change the color of the light projected or to project a pattern. In further alternative embodiments, the cover 610 and the opening 606 can be configured to span smaller or greater proportions of the face 608 of the handle body 602 facing away from the door.
In embodiments, the cover 610 may be removed in a manner similar to the manner of removal for the covers described in
As with the handle 500 of
Turning now to
The handle body 702 in the depicted embodiment is at least moderately cylindrical, with the faces of the handle body 702 being substantially parallel to a face of a door. In alternative embodiments, the handle body 702 can be at least moderately spherical or ellipsoidal with a significantly flat face configured to face away from the door when the handle 700 is installed on the door.
As shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 706 to the interior cavity 704 is on the face of the handle body 702 facing toward the door. In this embodiment, light emitted from the LED shines through the cover 710 and can project onto the door. In alternative embodiments, the LED and the cover 710 may be configured such that substantially all of the cover 710 is illuminated by the LED. Additionally, a light filter may be included to change the color of the light projected or to project a pattern. In further alternative embodiments, the cover 710 and the opening 706 can be configured to span smaller or greater proportions of the face of the handle body 702 facing toward the door.
In embodiments, the cover 710 may be removed in a manner similar to the manner of removal for the covers described in
A light sensor circuit 802 controls a control element that opens and closes a connection to an LED 804. In an embodiment, the light sensor circuit 802 includes a photoresistor and the control element is a transistor 806. When photons of light hit the base of the photoresistor, the photoresistor produces an electrical signal. This signal causes the transistor 806 to trigger, closing the connection between the battery 220 and the LED 804, causing the LED 804 to emit light. In alternative embodiments, the light sensor circuit 802 and the control element can include additional or alternative elements that allow for similar function of the circuit 800 as a whole.
In embodiments of a door handle that include additional electrical components, the additional electrical components can be integrated into the circuit 800 depicted in
Referring now to
In particular,
In the particular examples shown,
In an embodiment, a motion sensor is placed at just one of these possible locations 902-912. In alternative embodiments, the door handle includes multiple motion sensors which can be placed at a combination of the possible locations. In further embodiments, a motion sensor may be placed in a position not described above that allows for similar functionality.
In the depicted embodiment, the battery 220 provides power for the other electrical components. The controller 1002 controls the LED 1004 based on signals it receives from the other electrical components, including the light sensor circuit 1006, the motion sensor 1008, and a possible door sensor 1010. A signal from the light sensor circuit 1006 may cause the controller 1002 to transition the LED 1004 between an active state and an inactive state. The active state corresponds to a timing at which the controller 1002 may cause the LED 1004 to turn on to emit light. Additionally, a signal from the light sensor 1006 indicating high or low levels of ambient light may cause the controller 1002 to change the brightness of the LED 1004. The controller 1002 may turn the LED 1004 on in response to a signal from the motion sensor 1008 indicating that a user is approaching the door handle. The controller 1002 may leave the LED 1004 on for as long as the motion sensor 1008 detects movement in a detection zone. Alternatively, the controller 1002 may leave the LED 1004 on for a preset amount of time after motion is detected. A signal from the door sensor 1010 indicating that the door is open may cause the controller to not turn on the LED 1004, even if other signals from other electrical components send signals that would normally cause the controller 1002 to turn on the LED.
Additionally, the controller 1002 may control the LED 1004 based on configured settings stored in the controller 1002. These settings may be received or changed through the wireless network interface 1012 or through a switch on the handle. These settings may cause the controller 1002 to adjust various characteristics of the light emitted by the LED 1004, including the color of the light, the intensity of the light, and the temperature of the light. The settings may also cause the controller 1002 to control the length of time that the LED 1004 emits light while the LED 1004 is in the active state. For example, the controller 1002 may include a timer that causes the LED 1004 to be on for a set amount of time while in the active state. A timer could also be used to cause the controller to turn the LED 1004 on at a certain time of day. The time of day at which the LED 1004 is turned on could be updated based on the time of year, with the LED 1004 being turned on at an earlier time of day when sunset is earlier in the day.
The controller 1002 may also control the LED 1004 based on various other conditions. For example, the controller 1002 may change color of the light emitted by the LED 1004 or may cause the LED 1004 to blink to indicate that a room is occupied or available. The controller 1002 may also cause the LED 1004 to change color or blink to indicate that the battery in the door handle is below a threshold amount of charge remaining.
The mobile device 1150 may display a graphical user interface through which a user may change a variety of settings for a door handle 1102a-n. The settings may apply to an individual door handle or multiple door handles associated with the user. These settings may change characteristics of the LED, including the duration of light emitted, the color of the light emitted, the intensity of the light emitted, and the temperature of the light emitted. The settings may also change the length of time that the LED emits light, either as a set length of time or by setting a time of day during which the LED is on. The settings may further turn the entire door handle system off, or they may turn off individual sensors included in the system. As the user changes settings in the graphical user interface, the mobile device 1150 sends the updated settings to the home automation controller 1104, either directly or through a user account associated with the door handles 1102a-n at remote server 1106. The home automation controller 1104 then pushes the updated settings to any door handle 1102a-n that had its settings changed.
Referring now to
In the example shown, the method 1200 includes the door handle receiving settings from a home automation system (step 1202). The door handle may be in communication with the home automation system via Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-wave, or another low power wireless communication protocol. The settings received from the home automation system may be settings configured by a user, or they may be default settings. These settings may change characteristics of the LED, including the color of the light emitted, the intensity of the light emitted, and the temperature of the light emitted. The settings may also change the length of time that the LED emits light while the LED is in an active state, either as a set length of time or by setting a time of day during which the LED is on if the LED is in an active state. The settings may further turn the entire door handle system off, or they may turn off individual sensors included in the system.
In the example shown, the method 1200 includes a light sensor circuit in the door handle detecting ambient light levels (step 1204). The ambient light levels may be assessed relative to a particular threshold. Based on the determined light level, an LED of the door handle is selectively illuminated, based at least in part on the amount of ambient light detected (step 1206). If the amount of ambient light detected is below a threshold, the LED is put into the active state. If the amount of ambient light is above the threshold, the LED is put into the inactive state. The LED is operated according to the settings received from the home automation system (step 1208). That is, a controller at the door handle may determine to, based on particular settings, illuminate an LED for the entire period in which a particular light level is detected, or for only a portion of that time.
In some examples of the method 1200 certain steps may be excluded. For example, a controller may be preprogrammed with particular settings, and may not include a wireless communication interface. In such embodiments, no receipt of updated settings from a home automation system may occur. Rather, the preprogrammed settings may be used to assess times during which the LED is to be illuminated. Other configurations are possible as well.
Turning now to
The interior cavity 1304 may have an opening to allow access to the components stored within it. As discussed above with respect to door handles, the handle 1300 may also include an at least semi-translucent cover to substantially enclose the interior cavity and the components. The opening to the interior cavity and the at least semi-translucent cover may be on a face of the handle body 1302 that faces away from the front panel 1310, or they may be on a face of the handle body 1302 that faces toward the front panel 1310. The opening and the cover may additionally be on a face of the handle body 1302 that faces in a different direction.
As in previous embodiments, the electrical components associated with the handle 1300 cooperate to selectively produce light that may illuminate the handle 1300 and/or the front panel 1310. The electrical components may include an LED, a light sensor circuit, and a printed circuit board. In alternative embodiments, additional electrical components may be included. In embodiments, the printed circuit board is electrically connected to the other electrical components, and the power source provides power for the components. The light sensor circuit monitors for ambient light. When the light sensor circuit detects that the amount of ambient light is below a set threshold, it transitions the LED into an active state. While the LED is in the active state, the LED may turn on to emit light. This light is emitted through the at least semi-translucent cover and may illuminate the handle 1300 and/or the front panel 1310. In further embodiments, the LED and the cover may be configured such that substantially all of the cover is illuminated by the LED.
Turning now to
The handle 1400 has electrical components, as previously described. However, relative to those previous embodiments, in the example shown, the handle 1400 includes an at least semi-translucent cover (e.g., in place of cover 210, 310, 410, etc.), which has an at least semi-opaque decorative pattern 1424. When light from the LED is emitted through the cover, the decorative pattern 1424 is projected onto the door. In an alternative embodiment, a filter with an at least semi-opaque decorative pattern 1424 is used. When light from the LED is emitted through the filter, the decorative pattern 1424 is projected onto the door. In an embodiment, the filter is inserted between the LED and the cover. In an alternative embodiment, the filter is attached outside of the cover. Additionally, filters can be used to change the color of the light projected.
The description and illustration of one or more embodiments provided in this application are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of the invention as claimed in any way. The embodiments, examples, and details provided in this application are considered sufficient to convey possession and enable others to make and use the best mode of claimed invention. The claimed invention should not be construed as being limited to any embodiment, example, or detail provided in this application. Regardless of whether shown and described in combination or separately, the various features (both structural and methodological) are intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment with a particular set of features. Having been provided with the description and illustration of the present application, one skilled in the art may envision variations, modifications, and alternate embodiments falling within the spirit of the broader aspects of the general inventive concept embodied in this application that do not depart from the broader scope of the claimed invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/383,065 filed Nov. 9, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63383065 | Nov 2022 | US |