Door handle arrangement with intermediate opening position

Abstract

The present application relates to a handle arrangement (1) for a door (10), comprising a handle (2) and a locking clamp (3) for engaging a locking element on a door frame (70). The locking clamp is arranged to rotate around a first axis (A) from a locking to an intermediate position and to move linearly along a second axis (B) from the intermediate to an open position, when the handle is moved between a closed, intermediate, and open state. The arrangement comprises a resilient means (8) arranged to keep the locking clamp from moving from the intermediate position towards the open position until a force applied in the direction of the linear movement of the locking clamp towards the open position exceeds a resilient force of the resilient means. With this arrangement, a handle arrangement which may be opened in several steps is provided such that the opening of a door may be performed in a controlled manner.

Claims

1. A handle arrangement for a door, comprising a handle and a locking clamp for engaging a locking element on a door frame, the locking clamp being arranged to move from a locking position to an intermediate position when the handle is moved from a closed state towards an intermediate state, and the locking clamp being arranged to move from the intermediate position to an open position when the handle is moved from the intermediate state towards an open state, wherein the locking clamp is arranged to move rotatably around a first axis from the locking position to the intermediate position when the handle is moved from the closed state towards the intermediate state, the locking clamp is arranged to move linearly along a second axis from the intermediate position to the open position when the handle is moved from the intermediate state towards the open state, wherein the handle arrangement comprises a resilient means arranged to, by a resilient force, keep the locking clamp from moving linearly along the second axis from the intermediate position towards the open position until the locking clamp has been rotated to the intermediate position and a force applied in the direction of the linear movement of the locking clamp towards the open position exceeds the resilient force of the resilient means.

2. A handle arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator, wherein the actuator is arranged between the handle and the locking clamp and arranged to move linearly along the second axis.

3. A handle arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the actuator is coupled to the locking clamp by a link.

4. A handle arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the link is rotatably arranged to the locking clamp at a first end and rotatably arranged to the actuator at a second end.

5. A handle arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the link enables the rotation of the locking clamp from the locking position to the intermediate position when the actuator moves linearly along the second axis.

6. A handle arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis.

7. A handle arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the locking clamp comprises at least one pin extending along the first axis.

8. A handle arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the at least one pin is arranged to interact with the resilient means.

9. A handle arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the resilient means is a flat spring.

10. A handle arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the locking clamp comprises at least one pin extending along the first axis arranged to interact with the flat spring, and wherein the flat spring comprises a flat portion and a curved portion, wherein the flat spring is arranged to keep the pin at the curved portion in the closed and intermediate positions of the locking clamp and wherein the pin is located at the flat portion when the locking clamp is in the open position.

11. A handle arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the flat spring comprises a shoulder connecting the flat portion and the curved portion.

12. A handle arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the locking clamp and the resilient means (8) are at least partially covered by a housing.

13. A handle arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the resilient means is in one end attached to the housing and in another opposite end moveable relative to the housing.

14. A handle arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the resilient means is a flat spring comprising a flat portion and a curved portion, and wherein the flat spring is moveable relative to the housing adjacent to the curved portion.

15. A handle arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the locking clamp in the locking position is configured to prevent movement of the door relative to the door frame and in the intermediate position is configured to enable a limited movement of the door relative to the door frame but prevent complete opening of the door relative to the door frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described more in detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing a currently preferred embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a door arrangement comprising a handle arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2a shows the handle arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention with the locking clamp in the locking position and the handle in the closed state.

(4) FIG. 2b shows the handle arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention with the locking clamp in the intermediate position and the handle in the intermediate state.

(5) FIG. 2c shows the handle arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention with the locking clamp in the open position and the handle in the open state.

(6) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the handle arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 4a shows a perspective view of the handle arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention with the locking clamp in the locking position.

(8) FIG. 4b shows an x-ray perspective view of the handle arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention with the locking clamp in the open position.

(9) FIG. 5 show a detailed perspective view of the resilient means according to an embodiment of the invention.

(10) FIG. 6a shows a cross-sectional view of the locking clamp in the locking position according to an embodiment of the invention.

(11) FIG. 6b shows a cross-sectional view of the locking clamp in the intermediate position according to an embodiment of the invention.

(12) FIG. 6c shows a cross-sectional view of the locking clamp in the open position according to an embodiment of the invention.

(13) FIG. 7a shows a cross-sectional view of the link and the locking clamp in the locking position according to an embodiment of the invention.

(14) FIG. 7b shows a cross-sectional view of the link and the locking clamp in the intermediate position according to an embodiment of the invention.

(15) FIG. 7c shows a cross-sectional view of the link and the locking clamp in the open position according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

(17) FIG. 1 illustrates a door arrangement comprising a door 10 arranged on a door frame 70. On the door 10 a handle arrangement 1 is arranged.

(18) FIGS. 2a-2c illustrate the handle arrangement 1 according to an embodiment comprising a locking clamp 3, a handle 2, an upper 5a and a lower 5b housing, and an actuator 4 coupled to the locking clamp 3 by a link 7. The handle 2 is rotatable around a third axis C as it is moved between its closed, intermediate, and open states.

(19) In FIG. 2a the handle arrangement is illustrated with the handle 2 in the closed state and the locking clamp 3 in the locking position. In the locking position, the locking clamp 3 has been rotated around the first axis A. The extending pins 31 are located under the curved portion 81 of the resilient means 8 and in a first corner of the lower housing 5b, as further illustrated in FIG. 6a. In the locking position, the locking clamp 3 is configured to be pressed towards a locking element on a door frame 70 (see FIGS. 7a-7c), thereby locking the door 10 to which the handle arrangement 1 is attached. Further, in the locking position, the actuator 4 is in a position along the second axis B, where it is stopped from further movement along the second axis B in the direction of the locking clamp 3 by the lower part 5b of the housing.

(20) The resilient means 8 may be a flat spring made of metal, hard plastics, or any other material capable of exerting a force on the extending pins 31 of the locking clamp. There may be two flat springs 8 in the handle arrangement 1, one on each side of the locking clamp 3 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

(21) The flat spring 8 is illustrated in FIG. 5 and comprises a curved portion 81 and a flat portion 82. The curved portion 83 has a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the extending pin such that the pin may rotate without any impact of the resilient force. The flat spring 8 further comprises an interacting portion 84 adapted to interact with the upper part 5a of the housing, further enhancing the resilient force exerted on the extending pins 31. The flat spring 8 also comprises a grasping portion 85 which is adapted to grasp around the lower part of the housing 5b and is fixated between the upper part 5a and the lower part 5b of the housing.

(22) In FIG. 2b, the handle 2 is in the intermediate state. As the handle 2 moves to the intermediate state, the actuator 4 moves along the second axis B and, via the link 7, pulls the locking clamp 3 to rotate around the first axis A into the intermediate position. As illustrated in FIG. 6b, in the intermediate position, the extending pin 31 is located under the curved portion 83 and in a first corner of the lower housing 5b.

(23) FIG. 2c illustrates the handle 2 in its open state. As the handle 2 is rotated around the third axis C into the open state, the actuator 4 moves along the second axis B and via the link pulls the locking clamp 3 to move along the second axis B. When the force exerted on the locking clamp 3 exceeds the force of the flat spring 8, the locking clamp 3 is moved along the second axis B into the open position. As the locking clamp 3 moves along the second axis B into its open position, the first axis A around which the locking clamp 3 rotates, moves with the extending pin 31 along this axis B into a second corner of the lower housing 5b and to a position under the flat 82 and interacting 84 portions of the flat spring 8, as further illustrated in FIG. 6c. Rotation of the locking clamp 3 around the first axis A is prevented by the upper part 5a of the housing in any other position than the locking position and the intermediate position.

(24) FIG. 3 illustrates an x-ray top view of the handle arrangement 1 in which the upper housing 5a is removed. The locking clamp 3 comprises two pins 31, extending along the first axis A on both sides of the locking clamp 3. The locking clamp 3 is illustrated in the open position where the extending pins 31 have been moved with the locking clamp 3 along the axis B such that they are located in the second corner of the lower housing 5b and under the flat 82 and interacting 84 portions of the spring 8.

(25) FIGS. 7a-7c illustrate the movement of the link 7 as the handle 2 moves between the open, intermediate, and closed states. In FIG. 7a, the handle is in the closed state and the locking clamp 3 in the locking position. A first end of the link 7 is rotatably connected to the locking clamp 3 and a second end of the link 7 is rotatably connected to the actuator 4. In the closed state of the handle 2, the second end of the link 7 is located with the actuator 4 on the second axis B and the first end of the link 7 has been rotated around the second end away from the second axis B.

(26) In FIG. 7b, the handle 2 has been moved into its intermediate position. When the handle 2 is moved into the intermediate position, the actuator 4 is moved along the second axis B. The movement of the actuator 4 initiates a movement of second end of the link 7 along the second axis B. As the second end is pulled along the second axis B, the first end rotates around the second end towards the second axis B. The rotation of the first end initiates the rotation of the locking clamp 3 around the first axis A, from the locking position to the intermediate position. Since the link 7 is arranged between the actuator 4 and the locking clamp 3, a force lower than the resilient force of the flat springs 8 is exerted on the locking clamp 3 when the handle 2 is moved from the closed state to the intermediate state. Instead, the locking clamp 3 rotates around first axis A.

(27) Further movement of the handle 2 into the open state moves the actuator further along the second axis B. Due to the force from the flat spring 8, a force greater than the resilient force is required to further move the locking clamp 3 from the intermediate position to the open position. When a force greater than the resilient force is applied on the actuator 4, the link 7 pulls on the end of the locking clamp 3 to which it is rotatably connected and thereby pulls the locking clamp 3 into the open position. Since no further rotation of the locking clamp 3 is possible when in the intermediate position, further pulling force from the actuator 4 provides force on the locking clamp 3 to exceed the resilient force and to move the locking clamp along second axis B to the open position.

(28) As an alternative, or in addition to the previously disclosed features, a handle arrangement 1 may comprise a locking means for engaging with a locking element on a door frame 70, a handle 2 arranged to move rotationally around a third axis C, between an open and a closed state, and which may comprise a connection element 21. The handle arrangement 1 may further comprise an intermediate link 6 arranged between the handle 2 and the locking means and for transforming the rotational movement of the handle 2 to a substantially linear movement of the locking means. The handle 2 may be connected to the intermediate link 6 by the connection element 21, and the intermediate link 6 may be arranged to perform a movement following an arcuate path when the handle 2 is moved between the open state and the closed state.

(29) The intermediate link 6 may be arranged to be moved between an open state and a closed state, each corresponding to the open and closed states of the handle respectively. In FIG. 4a, the intermediate link 6 is illustrated in its closed state.

(30) The intermediate link 6 may comprise at least one guide slot 61 arranged to receive the connection element 21, as illustrated in FIG. 4a.

(31) The connection element 21 is arranged to move along the at least one guide slot 61 when the handle 2 moves between the open and closed states. As illustrated in FIG. 4a, in the closed state of the intermediate link 6 and the handle 2, the connection element 21 is located at a first end of the guide slot 61. In the open state of the intermediate link 6 and the handle 2, illustrated in FIG. 4b, the connection element 21 has been moved along the guide slot 61 to a second end of the guide slot 61 as the handle 2 has moved from the closed state to the open state.

(32) The rotation of the handle 2 may result in a rotational movement of the intermediate link 6 via the connection element's 21 interaction with the guide slot 61. The handle arrangement 1 may further comprise a handle body 9, wherein the body 9 comprises an arced portion 91. The arced portion 91 as illustrated for example in FIG. 2a, provides a pocket between the handle 2 and the handle body 9, such that rotation of the handle 2 by hand or by other gripping means, is facilitated as an area for receiving for example fingers, for gripping the handle 2 when moving this between its open or closed states, is provided.

(33) The arcuate path of the intermediate link 6 may correspond to the curvature of the arced portion 91 of the handle body 9. As illustrated in FIG. 4a, the intermediate link 6 is located on the arced portion 91 of the handle body 9 in the closed state. As the handle 2 is moved to its open state, the intermediate link 6 follows its arcuate path corresponding to curvature of the arced portion 91 into its open state position as illustrated in FIG. 4b.

(34) The arced portion 91 of the handle body 9 may further comprise a guide track 92 arranged to guide the intermediate link 6 along its arcuate path. The guide track 92, illustrated in FIG. 2c, serves as a stabilizing guide when the intermediate link 6 is moved along its arcuate path as the handle 2 is moved between the open and closed states. The guide track 92 may be T-shaped. The intermediate link 6 may comprise a groove correspondingly shaped as the guide track 92 and configured to receive the guide track 92. The intermediate link 6 may be moveable along the guide track 92 and held in connection with the handle body 9 by means of the guide track 92 and the groove.

(35) The arcuate path may provide a rotation around a fourth axis D, wherein the fourth axis D is located in the cavity of the arced portion 91 of the handle body 9 as illustrated in FIG. 2b. The rotation along the arcuate path may in another embodiment be around an axis located outside the entire handle arrangement, due to a flatter arc in the arcuate path.

(36) The locking means may comprise an actuator 4 and a locking clamp 3. An example of such actuator 4 and locking clamp 3 are illustrated in FIG. 4a. The connection between the handle 2 and the intermediate link 6 and the rotational movement of these is transformed into a linear movement along axis B of the actuator 4 and the locking clamp 3.

(37) The intermediate link 6 may be shaped in a V-shape, wherein a first flange of the V-shape may comprise an end rotatably connected to the actuator 4 and a second flange comprising the guide slot 61 for receiving the connection element 21. The rotatable connection between the intermediate link 6 and the actuator 4 transforms the rotational movement of the intermediate link 6 to a linear movement of the actuator 4. The coupling between the guide slot 61 and the connection element 21 translates the rotational movement of the handle 2 around the third axis C into a rotational movement of the intermediate link 6 around the fourth axis D.

(38) A bottom portion of the V-shape may comprise an arc shaped surface configured to face the arced portion 91 of the handle body 91. The arc shaped surface has a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the arced portion 91 of the handle body 9.

(39) The handle 2 may comprise a locking cylinder 22 and wherein the locking cylinder 22 extends from the handle 2 along a curvature of a circle with a radius corresponding to the length of the handle 2. The connection element 21 may further be arranged on the locking cylinder 22. The curvature of the locking cylinder 22 facilitates the transformation of the handle's 2 rotation around the third axis C to the rotation of the intermediate link 6 around the fourth axis D.

(40) The connection element 21 may be formed as a pin extending into the guide slot 61 on the intermediate link 6.

(41) The movement of the handle 2 between its open and closed states, corresponds to an accelerated movement of the actuator 4, that is the distance moved on the second axis B by the actuator when the handle 2 is moved between the open and closed states is larger than the distance the handle is moved.

(42) The handle arrangement 1 according either embodiments of the disclosed invention may further comprise a lock arranged on the locking cylinder 22, which may be operated mechanically by for example a key or electrically. The lock may serve to lock the door 10 to which the handle arrangement 1 is attached when the locking clamp 3 is in its locking position and the handle 2 is in its closed state such that the door cannot be opened unauthorized without a key or to prevent unintentional opening of the door.

(43) 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.