Return spring arrangement for handle

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a return spring arrangement for a handle in a door lock or door latch in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] This kind of return spring arrangement is often needed for the reason that the spring in the lock casing of a door lock or door latch is too weak in view of the size and weight of the door handle, so that the handle does not easily stay in horizontal position. One solution is disclosed in the Finnish patent 104007. In this case the handle spring arrangement is an integrated part of the handle plate itself, and the handle plate also needs to be replaced, if the spring force should be found too weak and is to be compensated by a return spring arrangement of the aforementioned kind.

[0003] DE9102683U discloses another example of a known return spring arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0004] An object of the invention is to provide such a novel return spring arrangement that may be applied with advantage also to retrofits, independently of the handle plate itself. A further aim is that the installation should be simple to carry out and should not require further machining of the door. The return spring arrangement should also be installable independently of whether the door is a right-hand or a left-hand door, and of the side of the lock casing, on which it will be installed.

[0005] The object of the present invention is achieved by return spring arrangement as set out in claim 1. Preferred or optional features of the invention are defined in the other claims. According to the invention, a spring casing is adapted, at least substantially, to be embedded in a body part so that it forms a compact unit, which is arranged to be installed entirely into a countersink made in a door or the like, between a handle plate and a door lock or door latch, and to be fastened by utilizing the fastening screws of the handle plate.

[0006] The basic idea of the invention relies on the fact that for installing a handle, the door is in any case provided with an opening of a particular size, typically having a diameter of 40 mm. When the return spring arrangement is dimensioned so that its diameter is suitable and its structure is in accordance with the invention, it may be installed into such an opening, whereby the space it requires is as small as possible in the direction of the spindle of the handle. Thus, it is simple to install the return spring arrangement even afterwards as a separate accessory.

[0007] In practice, the diameter of the return spring arrangement is preferably slightly shorter than that of the handle plate, whereby there is enough space for it under the handle plate and at the same time it can be ensured that the handle plate covers the installation opening. In addition, the return spring arrangement is provided with a number of openings for the lead-through of the fastening screws of the handle plate. In this way the installation into various kinds of operating environments can be secured.

[0008] The spring casing has, in a manner known per se, an opening provided with guide surfaces for the spindle of the handle. The spring is preferably a helical spring, which is installed around the said opening.

[0009] The periphery of the body part is preferably provided with at least one, preferably with two recesses, in which separate sleeve members have been arranged before the installation. During the installation a suitable sleeve member is released and mounted into position for the fastening screws of the handle plate, i.e. into one opening of a given pair of opposite openings, whereby one of the fastening screws passes through the sleeve member. Thus, the positioning of the return spring arrangement is provided by the sleeve member and the fastening screw therethrough, together with the spindle of the handle installed through the opening in the spring casing. The length of the inner diameters of the sleeve members may preferably vary so that they can be used conveniently in conjunction with screws of various diameters.

[0010] For guiding the ends of the spring, the shell surface of the spring casing preferably comprises an installation opening, which has separate branches for each end so that the branches have slightly different positions with respect to each other in the direction of the rotation axis of the spring casing. This, among other things, makes it possible to dimension the return spring arrangement so that it is as space saving as possible in the direction of the rotation axis of the spring casing, i.e. in the direction of the spindle of the handle.

[0011] In the following the invention is described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the attached drawings, in which

• Figure 1 is an exploded view of a return spring arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention; and
• Figure 2 shows the arrangement according to Figure 1 fully assembled.

[0012] In Fig. 1 the reference number 1 indicates the body part of the return spring arrangement, into which a spring casing 2 is installed so that a spring 3 is located between these parts. The body part 1 is provided with an opening 4 for the spindle of the handle, restricting members 5 and 6 for spring ends 3a and 3b, and holes 7 - 14 for the lead-through of fastening screws and for sleeve screws to be used in conjunction with them. The body part is also provided with recesses 15 and 16, into which releasable sleeve members 17 and 18 with different inner diameters may be installed. The spring casing 2 has a hole 19 provided with guiding surfaces for the spindle. In addition, the spring casing 2 has an installation opening 20, which comprises two branches 20a and 20b, onto which the spring ends 3a and 3b are supported.

[0013] The spring casing 2 may be turned with respect to the body part 1 (cf. the rotation axis A in Fig. 2) by means of the spindle of the handle (not shown) installed in hole 19, whereby the turning is effected against the force of the spring 3. The freedom of motion of the ends 3a and 3b of the spring 3 is determined and their return to the initial position effected by the restricting members 5 and 6, which guide the spring ends.

[0014] Since the return spring arrangement according to the invention is not as such a part of the handle plate, it may be sold and installed as a separate accessory. The installation into the opening in the door, under the handle plate, is carried out by utilizing the fastening screws (not shown) of the handle plate, which screws are mounted, depending on the situation, in one of the opposite pairs of openings 7 - 14. A suitable sleeve member 17 or 18 is installed into one of the openings of such an opening pair, through which sleeve member one of the fastening screws is inserted. In this manner, by means of the spindle of the handle installed into hole 19 and the screw inserted through the sleeve member 17 or 18 the installation clearances may be eliminated and a precise positioning of the return spring arrangement in the installation opening of the door accomplished.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 2, the thickness, i.e. the extent, of the return spring arrangement in the direction of the rotation axis A of the spring casing 2, i.e. in the direction of the spindle of the handle, corresponds to the thickness of the body part 1 and is typically about 7.5 mm, whereby it may be installed in various kinds of applications. The optional openings 7 - 14 make the arrangement installable in conjunction with several kinds of lock casings and latches. The variety of installation angles is further increased by the fact that the arrangement is symmetric and it enables the elimination of clearances. The invention is not limited to the above-described application, but several other modifications are conceivable within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A return spring arrangement for a handle in a door lock or a door latch, the arrangement comprising a return spring (3) of the handle, a body part (1) provided with restricting members (5, 6) for the spring (3), and a spring casing (2) to be rotatably connected to the body part, which spring casing, when installed, encloses both said restricting members (5, 6) and the return spring (3) of the handle, the ends (3a, 3b) of which spring are arranged to cooperate with said restricting members (5, 6), wherein the spring casing (2) is arranged to be embedded in the body part (1) so that it forms a compact unit, the thickness of which in the direction of the rotation axis (A) of the spring casing (2) corresponds at least substantially to the thickness of the body part (1) and which is arranged to be installed, in use, entirely into a countersink made in a door or the like, between the handle plate and the door lock or the door latch and to be fastened by utilizing the fastening screws of the handle plate, the spring casing (2) having, in a manner known per se, an opening (19) provided with guide surfaces for the spindle of the handle, and the spring (3) being a helical spring, which is installed around said opening (19), characterised in that the arrangement comprises a sleeve member (17, 18), which is arranged to be installed for the fastening screws of the handle plate into one opening (7 - 14) of a given pair of opposite openings (7-, 14), provided in the body part (1), whereby said sleeve member (17, 18) together with the fastening screw and the spindle of the handle installed through the opening (19) in the spring casing effects the positioning of the return spring arrangement.

2. A return spring arrangement according to claim 1 in combination with a handle plate, characterised in that the diameter of the return spring arrangement is slightly shorter than that of the handle plate, and that the return spring arrangement is provided with a number of openings (7 - 14) for the lead-through of the fastening screws of the handle plate.

3. A return spring arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the periphery of the body part (1) is provided with at least one, preferably with two recesses (15, 16) for keeping the separate sleeve members (17, 18) before the installation.

4. A return spring arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that for guiding the ends (3a, 3b) of the spring the shell surface of the spring casing (2) comprises an installation opening (20), which has separate branches (20a, 20b) for each end (3a, 3b) so that the branches (20a, 20b) have slightly different positions with respect to each other in the direction of the rotation axis (A) of the spring casing (2).

5. A system comprising a return spring arrangement according to claim 4, and at least two sleeve members (17, 18), characterised in that said sleeve members (17, 18) have inner diameters of various lengths for screws of various sizes.

Ansprüche

1. Rückholfederanordnung für einen Handgriff in einem Türschloss oder einem Türriegel, wobei die Anordnung eine Rückholfeder (3) des Handgriffs, einen Körperteil (1), der mit Begrenzungselementen (5, 6) für die Feder (3) versehen ist, und ein Federgehäuse (3), das drehbar mit dem Körperteil zu verbinden ist, umfasst, wobei das Federgehäuse, wenn es installiert ist, sowohl die Begrenzungselemente (5, 6) als auch die Rückholfeder (3) des Handgriffs umgibt, wobei die Enden (3a, 3b) der Feder eingerichtet sind, um mit den Begrenzungselementen (5, 6) zusammenzuwirken, wobei das Federgehäuse (2) eingerichtet ist, um in dem Körperteil (1) derart eingebettet zu werden, dass es eine kompakte Einheit bildet, deren Dicke in der Richtung der Drehachse (A) des Federgehäuses (2) mindestens im Wesentlichen der Dicke des Körperteils (1) entspricht, und welches eingerichtet ist, um bei seiner Verwendung ganz in einer Versenkung, welche in einer Tür oder Ähnlichem eingebracht ist, zwischen der Handgriffplatte und dem Türschloss oder dem Türriegel eingebracht zu werden, und durch Verwendung der Befestigungsschrauben der Hangriffplatte zu befestigen ist, wobei das Federgehäuse (2) in einer an sich bekannten Art und Weise eine Öffnung (19) aufweist, die mit Führungsflächen für die Spindel des Handgriffs versehen ist, und die Feder (3) eine Schraubenfeder ist, welche um die Öffnung (19) herum installiert ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Anordnung ein Hülsenelement (17, 18) umfasst, welches eingerichtet ist, um für die Befestigungsschrauben der Handgriffplatte in eine Öffnung (7 - 14) eines gegebenen Paars von gegenüberliegenden Öffnungen (7 - 14) eingebracht zu werden, die in dem Körperteil (1) vorgesehen sind, wobei das Hülsenelement (17, 18) zusammen mit der Befestigungsschraube und der Spindel des Handgriffs durch die Öffnung (19) in dem Federgehäuse die Positionierung der Rückholfederanordnung bewirkt.

2. Rückholfederanordnung nach Anspruch 1 in Kombination mit einer Handgriffplatte, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Durchmesser der Rückholfederanordnung leicht kürzer als jener der Handgriffplatte ist, und dass die Rückholfederanordnung mit einer Anzahl an Öffnungen (7 - 14) für das Durchführen der Befestigungsschrauben der Handgriffplatte versehen ist.

3. Rückholfederanordnung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Umfang des Körperteils (1) mit mindestens einer, vorzugsweise mit zwei Aussparungen (15, 16) zum Beibehalten der separaten Hülsenelemente (17, 18) vor der Installation versehen ist.

4. Rückholfederanordnung nach einem der vorherigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass zum Führen der Enden (3a, 3b) der Feder die Mantelfläche des Federgehäuses (2) eine Installationsöffnung (20) umfasst, welche separate Abzweigungen (20a, 20b) für jedes Ende (3a, 3b) aufweist, so dass die Abzweigungen (20a, 20b) leicht unterschiedliche Positionen zueinander in der Richtung der Drehachse (A) des Federgehäuses (2) aufweisen.

5. System umfassend eine Rückholfederanordnung nach Anspruch 4, und mindestens zwei Hülsenelemente (17, 18), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hülsenelemente (17, 18) Innendurchmesser mit verschiedenen Längen für Schrauben mit verschiedenen Größen aufweisen.

Revendications

1. Ensemble de ressort de rappel pour une poignée dans une serrure de porte ou un verrou de porte, l'ensemble comprenant un ressort de rappel (3) de la porte, une partie de corps (1) pourvue d'éléments de restriction (5, 6) pour le ressort (3), et un logement de ressort (2) destiné à être relié de façon rotative à la partie de corps, ledit logement de ressort entourant à la fois lesdits éléments de restriction (5, 6) et le ressort de rappel (3) de la poignée à l'état installé, les extrémités (3a, 3b) dudit ressort étant arrangées de manière à coopérer avec lesdits éléments de restriction (5, 6), dans lequel le logement de ressort (2) est arrangé de manière à être incorporé dans la partie de corps (1) de façon à former une unité compacte, dont l'épaisseur dans la direction de l'axe de rotation (A) du logement de ressort (2) correspond au moins substantiellement à l'épaisseur de la partie de corps (1), et laquelle est arrangée de manière à être installée entièrement dans une fraisure réalisée dans une porte ou autre pendant l'utilisation, entre la plaque de poignée et la serrure de porte ou le verrou de porte, et de manière à être fixée à l'aide de vis de fixation de la plaque de poignée, le logement de ressort (2) présentant une ouverture (19) réalisée de façon connue en soi et pourvue de surfaces de guidage pour la tige de la poignée, et le ressort (3) étant un ressort hélicoïdal, lequel est installé autour de ladite ouverture (19), caractérisé en ce que l'ensemble comprend un élément de manchon (17, 18),
lequel est arrangé de manière à être installé pour les vis de fixation de la plaque de poignée dans une ouverture (7 - 14) d'une paire donnée d'ouvertures opposées (7 - 14), prévu dans la partie de corps (1), moyennant quoi ledit élément de manchon (17, 18) ensemble avec la vis de fixation et la tige de la poignée installée à travers l'ouverture (19) dans le logement de ressort assure le positionnement de l'ensemble de ressort de rappel.

2. Ensemble de ressort de rappel selon la revendication 1 en combinaison avec une plaque de poignée, caractérisé en ce que le diamètre de l'ensemble de ressort de rappel est légèrement inférieur à celui de la plaque de poignée, et en ce que l'ensemble de ressort de rappel est pourvu d'un certain nombre d'ouvertures (7 - 14) pour le passage des vis de fixation de la plaque de poignée.

3. Ensemble de ressort de rappel selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la périphérie de la partie de corps (1) est pourvue d'au moins un, de préférence de deux évidements (15, 16) pour maintenir les éléments de manchon (17, 18) séparés avant l'installation.

4. Ensemble de ressort de rappel selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que pour le guidage des extrémités (3a, 3b) du ressort, la surface d'enveloppe du logement de ressort (2) comprend une ouverture d'installation (20) présentant des branches séparées (20a, 20b) pour chaque extrémité (3a, 3b), de telle façon que les branches (20a, 20b) présentent des positions légèrement différentes l'une par rapport à l'autre dans la direction de l'axe de rotation (A) du logement de ressort (2).

5. Système comprenant un ensemble de ressort de rappel selon la revendication 4 et au moins deux éléments de manchon (17, 18), caractérisé en ce que lesdits éléments de manchon (17, 18) présentent des diamètres intérieurs de différentes longueurs pour des vis de différentes tailles.

Drawing