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(11) | EP 1 076 142 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Door lock assembly with detachable operating handle |
| (57) A door lock handle assembly is very hard to unlock unless its detachable operating
handle (70) is used. In the assembly, an outer end portion of a rotating shaft (10)
rotatably mounted in a fixed main body (2) of the assembly forms a spline shaft portion
(12) in its outer end portion which is axially slidably engaged with an annular shutter
member (40). The spline shaft portion (12) has axial grooves (11) the number of which
is an odd number of 3 or 5. An annular cover member (50) for covering an outer peripheral
surface of a flange portion of the shutter member (40) is fixedly mounted on the fixed
main body (2). The shutter member (40) is resiliently urged toward an axially inner
surface of the cover member (50). The operating handle (70) is capable of being engaged
with and disengaged from both the spline shaft portion (12) and the annular shutter
member (40). |
[0001] The present invention relates to a door lock handle assembly with a detachable operating handle, wherein the detachable operating handle is engaged with and disengaged from a fixed main body of the assembly when a door or lid to which the fixed main body of the assembly is fixedly mounted is closed and locked to a receiving portion of a stationary frame element of a container or building.
[0002] An inventor of the present invention previously proposed a conventional door lock handle assembly with a detachable handle, which assembly is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2,820,660.
[0003] This conventional door lock handle assembly with the detachable handle is characterized in that its detachable operating handle is detachable from the fixedly mounted main body of the assembly when the operating handle is in each of its locked and its unlocked (i.e., relief) angular positions. Further, in its locked angular position, the conventional door lock handle assembly makes it difficult to illegally turn its rotating shaft from outside, wherein the rotating shaft is used to rotatably drive a catch plate of the assembly.
[0004] Although the conventional door lock handle assembly described above has been fully appreciated by users, a need exists in the art for an improved door lock handle assembly whose components are of improved durability.
[0005] Under such circumstances, the present invention was made. Consequently, it is an object of the present invention to provide a door lock handle assembly with a detachable handle, which assembly is improved in durability particularly in an outer portion of its rotating shaft, wherein: the user may control a detachable operating handle of the assembly with torque larger than that permitted in the conventional door lock handle assembly; and the user may recognize, through a feeling of a click, whether or not a click mechanism of the assembly is effected to lock a door when the detachable operating handle is in its locked state.
[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, the above object of the present invention is accomplished by providing:
[0007] A door lock handle assembly comprising a detachable operating handle, a fixed main body and a rotating shaft, wherein the fixed main body is fixedly mounted on a door and the rotating shaft axially penetrates the fixed main body so as to be mounted in the fixed main body in a manner such that the rotating shaft is rotatable but not axially movable relative to the fixed main body, wherein a catch plate is fixedly mounted on an inner end portion of the rotating shaft, wherein:
the rotating shaft is provided with a spline shaft portion and has an outer peripheral surface of the spline shaft portion exposed in the side of an axially outer surface of the fixed main body, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the spline shaft portion is provided with a plurality of axial grooves each assuming a semicircular shape in cross section, the number of the axial grooves being an odd number, e.g. of 3 or 5;
an annular ring-shaped shutter member is provided with a spline bore which is engaged with the spline shaft portion of the rotating shaft in a manner such that the spline shaft portion is axially slidable but not rotatable relative to the spline bore, wherein the annular shutter member is provided with a pair of first projections in its outer peripheral surface, and further provided with a flange portion in its rear portion adjacent to its rear surface, wherein the first projections of the annular shutter member are diametrically opposed to each other and extend radially outwardly;
an annular ring-shaped cover member is fixedly mounted on an axially outer end surface of the fixed main body to cover the flange portion of the annular shutter member;
the annular shutter member is brought into press-contact with an axially inner surface of the annular cover member under the influence of a resilient force exerted by a spring, wherein the annular shutter member has its axially outer end surface substantially flush with an axially outer surface of the rotating shaft;
the rotating shaft is provided with a click recess which cooperates with the fixed main body to form a click mechanism, wherein the click mechanism is effected in an insertion manner each time the rotating shaft is in its locked angular position, and also effected at the termination of rotational stroke of the rotating shaft necessary to fully unlock the rotating shaft; and
the detachable operating handle is provided with a handle shaft portion, and has its end surface non-rotatably engaged with and completely disengaged from at least one of the rotating shaft and the annular shutter member, wherein the detachable operating handle is engaged with one of the rotating shaft and the annular shutter member when the detachable operating handle pushes the annular shutter member axially inwardly relative to the annular cover member, so that the detachable operating handle may rotate together with one of the rotating shaft and the annular shutter member, wherein the operating handle may be disengaged from the rotating shaft and the annular shutter member when the rotating shaft is in its locked angular position.
[0008] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, the above object of the present invention is accomplished by providing:
a door lock handle assembly with the detachable operating handle, as set forth in the first aspect of the present invention, wherein:
a pair of diametrically opposed and radially outwardly extending axial slots are provided in an inner peripheral surface of the annular cover member, the axial slots axially extending from an axially outer surface to an axially inner surface of the annular cover member; and
the axial slots of the annular cover member are capable of being engaged with and disengaged from the first projections of the annular shutter member.
[0009] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, the above object of the present invention is accomplished by providing:
a door lock handle assembly with the detachable operating handle, as set forth in the second aspect of the present invention, wherein a pair of second projections are provided in a front end portion of the handle shaft portion of the detachable operating handle in a manner such that:
the second projections are diametrically opposed to each other, extend radially outwardly, are capable of axially passing through the axial slots of the annular cover member, and are also capable of rotating and axially sliding relative to an inner peripheral surface of the annular cover member.
[0010] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, the above object of the present invention is accomplished by providing:
a door lock handle assembly with the detachable operating handle, as set forth in the third aspect of the present invention, wherein:
the detachable operating handle is provided with a T-shaped grip.
[0011] By way of example only, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-
Fig. 1 is a right side view of an embodiment of the door lock handle assembly with the detachable operating handle of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a front view of the door lock handle assembly shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the door lock handle assembly of the present invention, taken along the line A-C of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a click mechanism portion of the door lock handle assembly of the present invention shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a right side view of the detachable operating handle of the door lock handle assembly of the present invention shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 6 is a front view of the detachable operating handle shown in Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a right side view of the detachable operating handle of a second embodiment door lock handle assembly; and
Fig. 8 is a front view of the detachable operating handle of the second embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 7.
[0012] The best modes for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail using embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIRST EMBODIMENT
[0013] A first embodiment of a door lock handle assembly with a detachable operating handle 70 according to the present invention is shown in Figs. 1 to 6.
[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the first embodiment of the door lock handle assembly of the present invention is provided with a fixed main body 2 which is fixedly mounted on a door or lid 1 (shown in phantom lines in Fig. 1). A rotating shaft 10 is coaxially and rotatably but not axially slidably mounted in a central portion of the fixed main body 2, and provided with a square column portion 16 in its inner end portion. A catch plate 17 is fixedly mounted on the square column portion 16 of the rotating shaft 10 by fastening a set bolt 16 by means of a spring washer 19, wherein the set bolt 16 is threadably engaged with an axial threaded bore (not shown) of the inner end portion of the rotating shaft 10, wherein the threaded bore (not shown) mentioned above opens to an axially inner end surface of the rotating shaft 10.
[0015] As is clear from Fig. 3, the rotating shaft 10 has its outer end portion projecting axially outward from an axially outer end surface of the fixed main body 2 and formed into a spline shaft portion 12. This spline shaft portion 12 of the rotating shaft 10 is provided with a plurality of axial grooves 11 in its outer peripheral surface. Each of these axial grooves 11 assumes a semicircular shape in cross section. The number of axial grooves 11 of the spline shaft portion 12 is an odd number such as 3 or 5. As shown in Fig. 2, due to the presence of these axial grooves 11, the spline shaft portion 12 of the rotating shaft 10 assumes a flower shaped form in cross section, wherein the flower is of an ume tree (i.e., of a Japanese apricot tree) or cherry blossom.
[0016] In a locking operation of the door lock handle assembly of the present invention, the spline shaft portion 12 of the rotating shaft 10 is axially slidably engaged with a corresponding spline bore 45 of an annular shutter member 40. As shown in Fig. 2, this shutter member 40 is further provided with a plurality of concave portions 41 in its axially outer end surface. In the annular shutter member 40, these concave portions 41 are spaced apart from each other at equal angular intervals around the spline bore 45 so as to be capable of engaging with a plurality of third projections 75 provided in a front end surface of the handle shaft portion 71 of the operating handle 70.
[0017] The annular shutter member 40 is further provided with a large-diameter flange portion 42 in its rear end portion. As is clear from Fig. 2, a pair of diametrically opposed first projections 44 are provided in an axially outer end portion of the annular shutter member 40, wherein these first projections 44 form a clutch means in cooperation with a pair of diametrically opposed axial slots 52 of an annular cover member 50, as shown in Fig. 2.
[0018] As shown in Fig. 3, the annular cover member 50 shaped like a ring is coaxially and fixedly mounted on an axially outer end surface of the fixed main body 2 by means of second bolts 53 to completely cover an outer peripheral surface of the annular shutter member 40 including its flange portion 42. As is clear from Fig. 3, the second bolts 53 are threadably engaged with corresponding threaded bores formed in an axially inner end surface of the annular cover member 50.
[0019] On the other hand, the annular shutter member 40 described above is constantly urged outward under the influence of a resilient force exerted by an axial coil spring 43 axially movably mounted between an inner peripheral surface of the fixed main body 2 and an outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 10, and brought into press-contact with another axially inner end surface of the annular cover member 50.
[0020] A pair of diametrically opposed and radially outwardly extending axial slots 52 are provided in an inner peripheral surface 51 of the annular cover member 50. These axial slots 52 axially extend from an axially outer end surface to an axially inner end surface of the annular cover member 50, wherein the inner peripheral surface of the annular cover member 50 is so formed as to permit entrance of a front end portion of the operating handle 70 therein.
[0021] In this first embodiment of the present invention, a pair of stopper members 54 (shown in phantom lines in Fig. 2) are disposed adjacent to the axial slots 52 in an inner peripheral surface of the annular cover member 50 to limit the extent of rotation of the operating handle 70 on the handle shaft portion 71 to an angle of approximately 150 degrees.
[0022] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 4, the rotating shaft 10 is provided with a pair of click recesses 20 in a portion of its outer peripheral surface 14. These click recesses 20 are spaced apart from each other at equal angular intervals of approximately 150 degrees, and cooperate with the fixed main body 2 to form a click mechanism, wherein the click mechanism is effected in an insertion manner each time the rotating shaft 10 is in its locked angular position, and also effected at the termination of rotational stroke of the rotating shaft 10 necessary to fully unlock the rotating shaft 10. In the first embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 4, each of the click recesses 20 extends an angle of approximately 30 degrees in a circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 10 to assume an elongated shape.
[0023] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 4, a click ball 4 is urged to enter the click recess 20 of the rotating shaft 10 under the influence of a resilient force exerted by a radial coil spring 5. The radial coil 5 is movably received in a radial groove 6 formed in the fixed main body 2. The radial groove 6 is axially closed with a spring lid 7, as is clear from Fig. 4.
[0024] As shown in phantom lines in Fig. 3, a positioning projection 8 is provided in an axially inner end surface of the fixed main body 2. The positioning projection 8 of the fixed main body 2 is received in a corresponding positioning hole formed in the door or lid 1 so that the positioning of the fixed main body 2 relative to the door or lid 1 is performed. Incidentally, a threaded shaft portion of the fixed main body 2 is received in a larger mounting hole formed in the door or lid 1, as is clear from Fig. 3. After insertion of the shaft portion of the fixed main body 2 into the mounting hole of the door or lid 1, a large nut 9 is threadably engaged with the threaded shaft portion of the fixed main body 2 and fastened from inside, so that the fixed main body 2 is fixedly mounted on the door or lid 1.
[0025] On the other hand, as shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the operating handle 70 has its front end surface 73 (shown in Fig. 6) formed in cross section to cooperate with the inner peripheral surface 51 of the annular cover member 50 in its inserting and withdrawing operation. Further, as is clear from Fig. 6, the front end surface 73 of the operating handle 70 is provided with a spline recess 74 for receiving the spline shaft portion 12 of the rotating shaft 10 therein. As shown in Fig. 5, further provided in the front end surface 73 of the operating handle 70 are a plurality of the third projections 75, each of which axially extends forward and is capable of engaging with each of a plurality of corresponding concave portions 41 formed in an axially outer end surface of the shutter member 40.
[0026] A pair of second projections 72 are provided in a radially outer peripheral surface 76 of a front end portion of the operating handle shaft portion 71 of the detachable operating handle 70 in a manner such that: the second projections 72 are diametrically opposed to each other, extend radially outwardly, are capable of axially passing through the axial slots 52 of the annular cover member 50, and are also capable of rotating and axially sliding relative to a radially inner peripheral surface of the annular cover member 50. As shown in Fig. 5, in order to further stabilize the operating handle 70 during its rotating motion relative to an axially outer end surface of the annular cover member 50, a large-diameter handle flange portion 77 is provided in the operating handle 70, wherein the handle flange portion 77 is capable of sliding on the axially outer end surface of the annular cover member 50, as is clear from Fig. 3.
[0027] The handle shaft portion 71 of the operating handle 70 may be detachably connected with a larger handle member (not shown) through the radially outer peripheral surface 76 of its rear end portion, wherein the larger handle member is shaped like a ring or a lever. Further, it is also possible for the radially outer peripheral surface 76 of the operating handle 70 to be checked or roughened by rolling depressions into it by means of a knurling tool, wherein the thus roughened surface 76 is formed into a friction surface. Further, the above-mentioned larger handle member (not shown) may be constructed of a square bar, or may be shaped like a steering wheel or like a lever-type handle, and may be mounted on the handle shaft portion 71 of the operating handle 70. However, there is substantially no limitation in shape and size in the above-mentioned larger handle member (not shown).
[0028] Figs. 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the operating handle 70 of the door lock handle assembly of the present invention. In this second embodiment, a T-shaped grip 80 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed arm portions 81, 82 forming a grip portion of the operating handle 70, wherein these arm portions 81, 82 are arranged perpendicular to a leg portion 83 and have their connected portion integrally connected with a proximal end portion of the leg portion 83 using a suitable connecting means such as welding, lock pins, lock screws and like fasteners to form the T-shaped grip 80 of the operating handle 70. On the other hand, a distal end portion of the leg portion 83 of the T-shaped grip 80 receives the handle shaft portion 71 of the operating handle 70. Incidentally, in the second embodiment of the present invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the leg portion 83 of the T-shaped grip 80 is constructed of a steel pipe. It is also possible to integrally form the T-shaped grip 80 with the operating handle 70.
ACTION AND EFFECTS OF FIRST EMBODIMENT
[0029] The door lock handle assembly of the present invention having the above construction has the following action and effects: namely,
in a condition in which: the catch plate 17 fixedly mounted on the axially inner portion of the rotating shaft 10 is engaged with the receiving portion (not shown) of the stationary frame element (not shown) to which the door or lid 1 is mounted, so that the door or lid 1 is closed; and the operating handle 70 is completely disengaged from the annular shutter member 40, the annular shutter member 40 has its axially outer end surface substantially flush with the corresponding axially outer end surface of the spline shaft portion 12 of the rotating shaft 10.
[0030] In a condition in which the catch plate 17 is latched described above: the click ball 4 is urged to enter the click recess 20 of the rotating shaft 10 under the influence of a resilient force exerted by a radial coil spring 5, as shown in Fig. 4; the operating handle 70 is completely disengaged and therefore withdrawn from the annular cover member 50 fixedly mounted on the fixed main body 2; and, as a result, the annular shutter member 40 is axially moved outward to have its axially outer end surface substantially flush with the corresponding axially outer end surface of the spline shaft portion 12 of the rotating shaft 10, wherein the annular shutter member 40 has its second projections 44 fitted in the axial slots 52 of the annular cover member 50, the second projections 44 and the axial slots 52 cooperate with each other to serve as a clutch means for firmly and reliably fixing the rotating shaft 10 to the annular cover member 50. This prevents the catch plate 17 from being disengaged from the receiving portion of the stationary frame element even when external torque is directly applied to the catch plate 17, which prevents the rotating shaft 10 from rotating, and therefore prevents the door or lid 1 from being illegally opened.
[0031] Under such circumstances, since the annular shutter member 40 has its axially outer end surface substantially flush with the corresponding axially outer end surface of the spline shaft portion 12 of the rotating shaft 10, it is not possible to grip the spline shaft portion 12 of the rotating shaft 10 unless the annular shutter member 40 is axially moved inwardly relative to the rotating shaft 10. Even if the annular shutter member 40 is axially moved inwardly relative to the rotating shaft 10, it is hard for pliers to grip the spline shaft portion 12 of the rotating shaft 10 since the number of axial grooves 11 of the spline shaft portion 12 is an odd number (i.e., 3 or 5), i.e., since there is no pair of diametrically opposed axial grooves 11, which makes it difficult for the pliers to grip and rotate the spline shaft portion 12 of the rotating shaft 10. Further, it is also impossible for the pliers to grip the annular shutter member 40 through its concave portions 41 formed in an axially outer end surface of the shutter member 40, as shown in Fig. 2.
[0032] In order to disengage the catch plate 17 from the receiving portion (not shown) of the stationary frame element (not shown) to which the door or lid 1 is mounted, it is necessary to have the front end surface 73 of the handle shaft portion 71 of the operating handle 70 axially aligned with the radially inner peripheral surface 51 of the annular cover member 50 and engaged with at least one of the rotating shaft 10 and the annular shutter member 40.
[0033] After completion of the above engagement in which the second projections 72 of the handle shaft portion 71 of the operating handle 70 are axially aligned with the axial slots 52 of the annular cover member 50, the annular shutter member 40 is moved inwardly relative to the rotating shaft 10 against the resilient force exerted by the axial coil spring 43 until the handle flange portion 77 of the operating handle 70 abuts on the axially outer end surface of the annular cover member 50.
[0034] As a result, the spline shaft portion 12 of the rotating shaft 10 is completely inserted into and engaged with the corresponding spline recess 74 of the handle shaft portion 71 of the operating handle 70 At this time, the third projections 75 provided in the front end portion of the handle shaft portion 71 of the operating shaft 10 are also fitted in the corresponding concave portions 41 of the annular shutter member 40, respectively.
[0035] Then, the operating handle 70 is rotated on its handle shaft portion 71 toward its unlocking (i.e., relief) position. More specifically, when the operating shaft 70 is rotated on the handle shaft portion 71 in a direction opposite to the stopper member 54 (shown in phantom lines in Fig. 2), both the rotating shaft 10 and the catch plate 17 are also rotated together with the operating handle 70.
[0036] As a result, the click mechanism of the door lock handle assembly of the present invention is disabled to permit further rotation of the rotating shaft 10, which makes it possible for the catch plate 17 to be disengaged from the receiving portion (not shown) of the stationary frame element (not shown) to which the door or lid 1 is mounted. More specifically, the click ball 4 is disengaged from the click recess 20 of the rotating shaft 10 forming the click mechanism, and circumferentially rolls on the radially outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 10 toward the unlocking position of the catch plate 17 so that the catch plate 17 is disengaged from the receiving portion (not shown) of the stationary frame element (not shown) to which the door or lid 1 is mounted. After that, when the rotating shaft 10 further rotates an angle of from 1 to 2 degrees in the same direction, the click ball 4 enters another click recess 20 of the rotating shaft 10 forming the click mechanism.
[0037] On the other hand, in the locking operation of the door lock handle assembly of the present invention having the above construction, the door or lid 1 is closed. Then, the operating handle 70 is rotated on its handle shaft portion 71 in a direction opposite to that of the unlocking operation, so that the click mechanism of the rotating shaft 10 is temporarily disabled, whereby the rotating shaft 10 further rotates together with the catch plate 17 toward its locked position and eventually reaches the locked position to have the catch plate 17 latched.
[0038] After that, when the rotating shaft 10 is further rotated in the same direction, the click mechanism thereof is effected again to make it possible for the user to recognize through a feeling of a click the fact that the door lock handle assembly of the present invention is locked. Then, the operating handle 70 is withdrawn from the annular cover member 50 to complete the locking operation of the door lock handle assembly of the present invention. As described above, the rotating shaft 10 serves as the click mechanism at the termination of rotational stroke in each of the locking and the unlocking operations of the catch plate 17 to enable the user to recognize through a feeling of a click whether the catch plate 17 is engaged with or disengaged from the receiving portion (not shown) of the stationary frame element (not shown) to which the door or lid 1 is mounted.
[0039] Due to the provision of the click mechanism in the door lock handle assembly of the present invention, there is no risk that the catch plate 17 stops in motion on the midway of its latching operation. Consequently, there is no risk that the catch plate 17 of the door lock handle assembly of the present invention is damaged in operation.
[0040] As described above, in the door lock handle assembly of the first embodiment according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the operating handle 70 is disengaged from the annular cover member 50, i.e., in a condition in which the door lock handle assembly of the present invention is locked, it is substantially impossible for pliers to rotate the rotating shaft 10 illegally. Further, in a condition in which the operating handle 70 is disengaged from the annular cover member 50, even if the catch plate 17 itself is subjected to external torque, there is no risk that the rotating shaft 10 can be rotated.
[0041] In the door lock handle assembly of the first embodiment according to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above actions, the following actions are obtained: namely,
when the operating handle 70 is withdrawn from the annular cover member 50, the annular shutter member 40 is axially moved outward under the influence of the resilient force exerted by the axial coil spring 43 so that the second projections 44 of the shutter member 40 are received by the axial slots 52 of the annular cover member 50, wherein the second projections 44 and the axial slots 52 cooperate with each other to serve as a clutch means for firmly and reliably fixing the rotating shaft 10 to the annular cover member 50 which prevents the catch plate 17 from being disengaged from the receiving portion of the stationary frame element even when external torque is directly applied to the catch plate 17. This prevents the rotating shaft 10 from rotating, and therefore prevents the door or lid 1 from being illegally opened.
[0042] In the door lock handle assembly of the first embodiment according to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above actions, the following actions are obtained: namely,
[0043] The operating handle 70 has its second projections 72 pass through the axial slots 52 of the annular cover member 50, so that the annular shutter member 40 is axially moved inwardly by the operating handle 70 to permit the second projections 72 of the operating handle 70 to axially slidably move along the inner peripheral surface of the annular cover member 50 and also permit the annular shutter member 40 to be rotatable together with the operating handle 70.
[0044] In the door lock handle assembly of the second embodiment according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above actions of the first embodiment of the present invention, the following actions are obtained: namely,
[0045] The operating handle 70 is provided with the T-shaped grip portion 80, wherein the outer peripheral surface 76 (shown in Fig. 5) of the handle shaft portion 71 of the operating handle 70 is fitted in the shaft portion of the T-shaped grip portion 80 to form the second embodiment of the detachable operating handle 70. Due to the presence of the T-shaped grip portion 80, it is possible for the second embodiment of the operating handle 70 to exert larger torque on the operating handle 70 in an easy manner so as to rotate the operating handle 70 on its handle shaft portion 71.
[0046] In the door lock handle assembly of the first embodiment according to a second aspect of the present invention, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, in addition to the above-mentioned action and effects, the following effects are obtained: namely, since the annular shutter member 40 is resiliently urged toward the annular cover member 50 by means of the spring axial coil spring 43, the first projections 44 of the annular shutter member 40 are fitted in the axial slots 52 of the annular cover member 50 to serve as a clutch means. Consequently, even when the catch plate 17 of the door lock handle assembly of the present invention is subjected to external torque, there is no risk that the rotating shaft 10 can be rotatably driven.
[0047] In the door lock handle assembly of the first embodiment according to a third aspect of the present invention, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, in addition to the above-mentioned action and effects, the following effects are obtained: namely, since the operating handle 70 is simple in construction, it is possible to axially align the front end portion of the operating handle 70 with the annular shutter member 40 in an easy manner, which makes it possible for the operating shaft 70 to push the annular shutter member 40 axially inwardly against the resilient force exerted by the axial coil spring 43, whereby the first projections 44 of the annular shutter member 40 are disengaged from the axial slots 52 of the annular cover member 50 in a condition in which the operating handle 70 is directly or indirectly engaged with the rotating shaft 10. Under such circumstances, i.e., in a condition in which the operating handle 70 is pushed into the annular cover member 50 as shown in Fig. 3, it is possible to rotate the operating handle 70, whereby both the rotating shaft 10 and the catch plate 17 are reliably rotated.
[0048] In the door lock handle assembly of the second embodiment according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, as shown in Figs. 7 to 8, in addition to the effects obtained in the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the following effect is further obtained: namely, it is possible for the second embodiment of the door lock handle assembly of the present invention to apply larger torque to the operating handle 70 through the its arm portions 81, 82, which facilitates the locking and unlocking operations of the door lock handle assembly of the present invention.
[0049] Further, in the door lock handle assembly of the present invention having the above construction, the click mechanism of the assembly is effected at the termination of rotational stroke of the operating handle 70, which makes it for the user to recognize, through a feeling of a click, whether the catch plate 17 is latched or unlatched. Consequently, due to the provision of the click mechanism in the door lock handle assembly of the present invention, there is no risk that the catch plate 17 stops in motion on the midway of its latching operation. Consequently, there is no risk that the catch plate 17 of the door lock handle assembly of the present invention is damaged in operation.
said rotating shaft (10) is provided with a spline shaft portion (12) and has an outer peripheral surface of said spline shaft portion (12) exposed in the side of an axially outer surface of said fixed main body (2), wherein said outer peripheral surface of said spline shaft portion (12) is provided with a plurality of axial grooves (11) each assuming a semicircular shape in cross section, the number of said axial grooves (11) being an odd number;
an annular ring-shaped shutter member (40) is provided with a spline bore which is engaged with said spline shaft portion (12) of said rotating shaft (10) in a manner such that said spline shaft portion (12) is axially slidable but not rotatable relative to said spline bore, wherein said annular shutter member (40) is provided with a pair of first projections (44) in its outer peripheral surface, and further provided with a flange portion (42) in its rear portion adjacent to its rear surface, wherein said first projections (44) of said annular shutter member (40) are diametrically opposed to each other and extend radially outwardly;
an annular ring-shaped cover member (50) is fixedly mounted on an axially outer end surface of said fixed main body (2) to cover said flange portion (42) of said annular shutter member (40);
said annular shutter member (40) is brought into press-contact with an axially inner surface of said annular cover member (50) under the influence of a resilient force exerted by a spring (43), wherein said annular shutter member (40) has its axially outer surface substantially flush with an axially outer surface (13) of said rotating shaft (10);
said rotating shaft (10) is provided with a click recess (20) which cooperates with said fixed main body (2) to form a click mechanism, wherein said click mechanism is effected in an insertion manner each time said rotating shaft (10) is in its locked angular position, and also effected at the termination of rotational stroke of said rotating shaft (10) necessary to fully unlock said rotating shaft (10); and
said detachable operating handle (70) is provided with a handle shaft portion (71), and has its end surface non-rotatably engaged with and completely disengaged from at least one of said rotating shaft (10) and said annular shutter member (40), wherein said detachable operating handle (70) is engaged with one of said rotating shaft (10) and said annular shutter member (40) when said detachable operating handle (70) pushes said annular shutter member (40) axially inwardly relative to said annular cover member (50), so that said detachable operating handle (70) may rotate together with one of said rotating shaft (10) and said annular shutter member (40), wherein said operating handle (70) may be disengaged from said rotating shaft (10) and said annular shutter member (40) when said rotating shaft (10) is in its locked angular position.
a pair of diametrically opposed and radially outwardly extending axial slots (52) are provided in an inner peripheral surface (51) of said annular cover member (50), said axial slots (52) axially extending from an axially outer surface to an axially inner surface of said annular cover member (50); and
said axial slots (52) of said annular cover member (50) are capable of being engaged with and disengaged from said first projections (44) of said annular shutter member (40).
said second projections (72) are diametrically opposed to each other, extend radially outwardly, are capable of axially passing through said axial slots (52) of said annular cover member (50), and are also capable of rotating and axially sliding relative to an inner peripheral surface of said annular cover member (50).
said detachable operating handle (70) is provided with a T-shaped grip (80).