FITTING FOR AN OPENABLE ELEMENT

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a fitting for an openable element such as a door, locker, hatch, window, or the like, and an openable element preferably comprising the fitting. The fitting includes a housing arranged at one side of the openable element. A shaft extends extending from the housing, such that when the fitting is arranged to the openable element, the shaft extends through a hole image of the openable element. An actuation member is arranged on the shaft and rotatable relative to the housing. The fitting further includes a fixing member arranged axially along the shaft between the housing and the actuation member, such that the fixing member is rotatable relative to the housing and the shaft between an inserting position and a first fixing position.

Claims

1. A fitting (1) for an openable element (100) such as a door, locker, hatch, or window, the fitting comprising: a housing (2) arranged at one side of said openable element (100); a shaft (7) extending from the housing (2), such that when the fitting (1) is arranged to the openable element (100), the shaft extends through a hole image (110) of the openable element (100); and an actuation member (5) arranged on the shaft and rotatable relative to the housing (2), the fitting (1) further comprising a fixing member (4) arranged axially along the shaft (7) between the housing (2) and the actuation member (5), such that the fixing member (4) is rotatable relative to the housing (2) and the shaft (7) between: an inserting position allowing the fixing member (4) and the actuation member (5) to be inserted into the hole image (110) of the openable element (100) when said fitting (1) is being arranged to said openable element (100), and a first fixing position when the fixing member (4) is rotated in a first rotational direction, in which position the fixing member (4) engages with a fixing protrusion (21) extending from the housing (2) through the hole image (110), such that the fitting (1) is compressively fixed to said openable element (100).

2. The fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member (4) is rotatable between the inserting position and the first fixing position by the actuation member (5).

3. The fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member (4) is further rotatable between the inserting position and a second fixing position when the fixing member (4) is rotated in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, in which position the fixing member (4) engages with the fixing protrusion (21) extending from the housing (2) through the hole image, such that the fitting (1) is compressively fixed to said openable element.

4. The fitting (1) according to claim 3, wherein the fixing member (4) is rotatable between the inserting position and the second fixing position by the actuation member (5).

5. The fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member (4) comprises an axial protrusion (41) extending only partially in a circumferential direction about the shaft (7) by which the fixing member (4) is engageable with the actuation member (5).

6. The fitting (1) according to claim 5, wherein the axial protrusion (41) is arc shaped, with an arc length between 75-105 degrees.

7. The fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member (4) comprises one or more flanges engaging with an internal groove of the housing (2) by which the fixing member (4) is axially fixed to the housing (2) relative the shaft.

8. The fitting (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member (4) further comprises a main cylinder body, and at least one radial portion (43) extending from the main cylinder body by which the fixing member (4) is engageable with the fixing protrusion (21) corresponding to the first fixing position.

9. The fitting (1) according to claim 8, wherein the fixing member (4) further comprises at least two radial portions (43) radially extending from two opposite sides of the main cylinder body (42) by which the fixing member (4) is engageable with a respective fixing protrusion (21) corresponding to one of said fixing positions.

10. The fitting (1) according to claim 9, wherein at least one of said at least one radial portions (43) comprises a fixing recess for receiving said fixing protrusion (21), wherein said fixing recess is adjacent to an elevated region causing said at least one radial portion (43) to momentarily flex away from said fixing protrusion (21) when said fixing protrusion (21) is being received into said fixing recess.

11. The fitting (1) according to claim 10, wherein said elevated region tapers away in a radially perpendicular direction from said fixing recess.

12. The fitting (1) according to claim 11, wherein the fixing member (4) comprises one or more supporting portions (44) extending between the main cylinder body (42) and each of the at least one radial portions (43).

13. The fitting (1) according to claim 3, wherein a rotational angle of the fixing member (4) when rotated between the inserting position and the first fixing position and/or between the inserting position and the second fixing position is 90 degrees.

14. The fitting (1) according to claim 3, further comprising a push cylinder lock (6) coupled with the shaft and received, when in a locking position, in a push cylinder lock recess (23) of the housing (2), when the fixing member (4) is moved into the first fixing position or the second fixing position.

15. The fitting (1) according to claim 14, further comprising a rotational stop block (22) rotatably coupled with the actuation member (5) and configured to slide along a predetermined groove (24) of the housing (2) having a length substantially corresponding to a half revolution of the actuation member (5).

16. The fitting (1) according to claim 15, wherein the push cylinder lock recess (23) for receiving the push cylinder lock (6) is located on an opposite side of the shaft relative the predetermined groove (24) at a midpoint of a circular arc extending between endpoints of the groove (24) of the housing (2).

17. An openable element (100) comprising: a hole image (110) adapted in size and shape to receive a fitting (1), the fitting comprising: a housing (2) arranged at one side of the openable element (100); a shaft (7) extending from the housing (2), such that when the fitting (1) is arranged to the openable element (100), the shaft extends through the hole image (110) of the openable element (100); and an actuation member (5) arranged on the shaft and rotatable relative to the housing (2), the fitting (1) further comprising a fixing member (4) arranged axially along the shaft (7) between the housing (2) and the actuation member (5), such that the fixing member (4) is rotatable relative to the housing (2) and the shaft (7) between: an inserting position allowing the fixing member (4) and the actuation member (5) to be inserted into the hole image (110) of the openable element (100) when said fitting (1) is being arranged to said openable element (100), and a first fixing position when the fixing member (4) is rotated in a first rotational direction, in which position the fixing member (4) engages with a fixing protrusion (21) extending from the housing (2) through the hole image (110) such that the fitting (1) is compressively fixed to said openable element (100).

18. The openable element (100) according to claim 17, wherein the openable element is a door, locker, hatch, or window.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] The invention will in the following be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

[0055] FIG. 1a shows a front view of an openable element configured for left-hand operative use, the openable element comprising a fitting according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0056] FIG. 1b shows a front view of an openable element configured for right-hand operative use, the openable element comprising a fitting according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0057] FIG. 1c shows a partial front view of an openable element and the hole image according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the fitting according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0059] FIG. 3 shows a perspective front view of the fitting according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0060] FIG. 4 shows a perspective back view of the fitting according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0061] FIG. 5 shows a back view of the fitting according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0062] FIG. 6 shows a front view of the fitting according to one embodiment of the invention wherein the handle is omitted from view;

[0063] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the shaft of the fitting according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0064] FIG. 8 shows a side view of the shaft of the fitting according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0065] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the fitting according to one embodiment of the invention wherein the handle and shaft are omitted from view;

[0066] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the fixing member of the fitting according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0067] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the housing of the fitting according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0068] FIG. 12 shows a perspective back view when the fixing member is in a fixing position and the actuation member (in this case a cam member) is in an unlocking position;

[0069] FIG. 13 shows a perspective back view when the fixing member is in a fixing position and the actuation member (in this case a cam member) is in a locking position.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0070] The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

[0071] The fitting according to one embodiment of the invention is configured to be arranged to an openable element such as a door, locker, hatch, window or the like. In FIGS. 1a-1b, the fitting 1 is mounted to a mounting plane of an openable element, in this case a door 100. In FIG. 1a, the fitting is arranged to a door 100 configured for left-hand operative use, meaning it opens in the direction to the left. In FIG. 1b, the fitting 1 is arranged to a door 100 configured for right-hand operative use, meaning it opens in the direction to the right. The fitting 1 may be configured either as a handle arrangement 1 or a hinge arrangement 1* as indicated in FIGS. 1a-1b respectively. The openable element 100, in this case a door, is adapted with a hole image 110 for receiving the fitting 1.

[0072] The fitting 1 according to one embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 and is implemented as a handle arrangement. According to one embodiment, the fitting 1 comprises a housing 2 configured to be arranged at one side of said openable element. The fitting 1 comprises a shaft 7 extending from the housing 2 and configured so that when the fitting 1 is arranged to the openable element 100, the shaft 7 extends through a hole image 110 of the openable element 100. The fitting 1 further comprises an actuation member 5 arranged on the shaft and rotatable relative the housing 2. The fitting 1 further comprises a fixing member 4 arranged axially along the shaft 7 between the housing 2 and the actuation member 5 such that the fixing member 4 is rotatable relative the housing 2 and the shaft 7 between an inserting position allowing the fixing member 4 and the actuation member 5 to be inserted into the hole image 110 when said fitting is being arranged to said openable element 100, and a first fixing position when the fixing member 4 is rotated in a first rotational direction, in which position the fixing member 4 engages with a fixing protrusion 21 extending from the housing 2 through the hole image 110 such that the fitting 1 is compressively fixed to said openable element 100. The fixing member 4 is configured to be rotatable between the inserting position and the first fixing position by means of the actuation member 5.

[0073] Upon arranging the fitting 1 to an openable element 100, such as a door as illustrated in FIGS. 1a-1b, the fitting 1 is configured so that the fixing member 4 is positioned in an inserting position. In this position, the fixing member 4 together with the actuation member 5 may be inserted into the hole image 110, in particular through an insertion hole 111 of the hole image 110. In FIGS. 1a-1b, the insertion hole 111 of the hole image 110 is a rectangular opening. Moreover, upon arranging the fitting 1 to the openable element 100, the fixing protrusions 21 are also placed into the hole image, in particular so that they extend through a respective fixing protrusion hole 112. The respective fixing protrusion are arranged on opposing sides of the insertion hole 111. In FIGS. 1a-1b, the hole image 110 comprises two fixing protrusion holes 112 symmetrically arranged about the insertion hole 111.

[0074] Thus, when the fixing member 4 is rotated from the inserting position to a fixing position by means of the actuation member 5, in which position the fixing member 4 engages with at least one fixing protrusion 21, the fitting 1 is securely fixed to said openable element.

[0075] Thereby, the fitting 1 can be securely arranged to an openable element without attachment means such as screws or nuts and bolts. This allows for a toolless installation process. Thus, the fitting is easy to install to an openable element.

[0076] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the fitting 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 shows a perspective front view of the fitting 1 according to the same embodiment.

[0077] In this particular embodiment, the fitting 1 is a handle arrangement, wherein the actuation member 5 is a cam member configured to be operated between a locking position and an unlocking position by means of a handle 3 coupled to the cam member 5 via the shaft 7. In the locking position, when the fitting 1 is arranged to an openable element 100, the cam member 5 engages with a frame plate so as to keep the openable element 100 in a locked state. In the unlocking position, the cam member 5 does not engage with the frame plate, thereby allowing the openable element 100 to open.

[0078] Moreover, the fitting 1 further comprises a push cylinder lock 6 which can be operated between a locking state and an unlocking state. In the locking state, the push cylinder lock 6 engages with the housing 2, thereby rotationally locking the handle 3 to the housing 2. In the unlocking state, the push cylinder lock 6 does not engage with the housing 2 such that the handle 3 is rotationally locked with the housing 2. The push cylinder lock 6 may be moved between the locking state and the unlocking state by first pushing the push cylinder lock towards the housing 2 and then rotating the push cylinder lock 6 about its axis. Although not shown, the push cylinder lock 6 may be configured to only be moveable between the locking state and the unlocking state by means of a key.

[0079] FIG. 4 shows a perspective back view of the fitting 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 shows a back view of the fitting according to the same embodiment. In these figures, the fixing member 4 is in an inserting position, meaning it is in a position where it can be inserted through the hole image 110. When rotating the actuation member 5, in this case a cam member, in a counterclockwise direction about the rotational axis R, the fixing member 4 is actuated to rotate also about the rotational axis R from the inserting position shown in FIG. 4 to a fixing position wherein the fixing member 4 via radial portions 43 engages with a respective fixing protrusion 21 extending out from the housing 2.

[0080] The fitting 1 may also be embodied so that the fixing member 4 is further rotatable between the inserting position and a second position when the fixing member 4 is rotated in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, in which position the fixing member 4 engages with a fixing protrusion 21 extending from the housing 2 through the hole image 110 such that the fitting 1 is compressively fixed to said openable element. The fixing member 4 is configured to be rotatable between the inserting position and the second fixing position by means of the actuation member 5. This allows for the fitting to be reconfigurable for openable elements regardless whether they are configured for right-hand operative use or left-hand operative use. In FIG. 4, the second fixing position is reached by rotating the actuation member 5, in this case a cam member, in a clockwise direction about rotational axis R so that the actuation member 5 engages with the fixing member 4 from the opposite direction. The fixing member 4 comprises an axial protrusion 41 extending only partially in the circumferential direction about the shaft 7 by which the fixing member is engageable with the actuation member 5. As is shown in FIG. 4, the actuation member 5, in this case a cam member 5, will engage with the fixing member 4 when rotated in a counter-clockwise direction but is free to rotate in the opposite direction (until it engages with the fixing member 4 from the opposite direction). The axial protrusion 41 is arc shaped. The axial protrusion 41 is arc-shaped so that its curvature corresponds to a center rotation portion of the actuation member 4. The arc shaped axial protrusion 41 has an arc length of about 90 degrees. Regardless whether the actuation member 5 rotates in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction, it will during its rotation engage with the axial protrusion 41, thereby causing the fixing member 4 to rotate by means of the actuation member 5.

[0081] Thus, the fitting 1 is reconfigurable for being arranged to openable elements 100 which are either right-hand operated or left-hand operated.

[0082] Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fixing member 4 further comprises a main cylinder body 42, and two radial portions 43 extending from the main cylinder body 42 in opposite directions. The fixing member 4 is engageable with a respective fixing protrusion 21 via said radial portions 43. When the fixing member 4 engages with the fixing protrusions 21, it is in a fixing position. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the fixing member 4 can be rotated into a first fixing position and a second fixing position corresponding to the fixing members 4 orientation in the first fixing position but flipped 180 degrees. The two fixing positions correspond to two different configurations associated for openable element that are configured for right-hand operative use or left-hand operative use.

[0083] The fixing member 4 further comprises supporting portions 44 extending between the main cylinder body 42 and the radial portions. These provide support to the radial portions 43, thereby preventing them to flex away too much from the fixing protrusions 21 when interacting with these.

[0084] Moreover, the rotational angle of the fixing member 4 when rotated between the inserting position and the first fixing position is about 90 degrees. The rotational angle of the fixing member 4 when rotated between the inserting position and the second fixing position is also about 90 degrees.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 10, each of the radial portions 43 comprises a fixing recess 431 for receiving said fixing protrusion 21 when the fixing member 4 is rotated into a fixing position. The fixing recess 431 is adjacent to an elevated region 432 causing said radial portions 43 to momentarily flex away from said fixing protrusions 21 when said fixing protrusions 21 are being received in said fixing recesses 431. These fixing recesses 431 are shown in detail in FIG. 10 and have a circular shape. Moreover, said elevated region 432 tapers away in a radially perpendicular direction from said fixing recess 431.

[0086] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the fitting 1 according to one embodiment wherein the handle is omitted from view. The fitting 1 further comprises a rotational stop block 22 rotatably coupled with the actuation member 5 and configured to slide along a predetermined groove 24 of the housing 2 having a length substantially corresponding to a half revolution of the actuation member 5. The rotational stop block 22 is coupled to the shaft 7, thereby preventing the shaft 7 from rotation freely beyond the rotational range defined by the groove 24. Consequently, the actuation member 5, in this case a cam member, and the handle is also limited to the same rotational range as the shaft. The groove 24 may however be adapted to extend differently about the shaft, thereby defining a different rotational range for the shaft. Thus, this feature of limiting the shaft to a half revolution is optional.

[0087] As previously explained, the fitting 1 according to one embodiment further comprises a push cylinder 6. The push cylinder lock 6 is coupled with the shaft 7 and configured to be received, when in a locking state, in a push cylinder lock recess 23 of the housing 2, regardless whether the fixing member 4 is moved into the first fixing position or the second fixing position. As shown in FIG. 6, the push cylinder lock recess 23 for receiving the push cylinder lock 6 is located on an opposite side of the shaft 7 relative the predetermined groove 24 at a midpoint of a circular arc extending between the endpoints of the groove 24 of the housing 2. Although not shown in FIGS. 9-11, the push cylinder lock recess 23 comprises a slot extending into the cylindric wall surface, which slot is configured to receive a push cylinder lock member as the push cylinder lock is rotated into a locking state. This allows the push cylinder lock 6 to be kept in the locking state, which is otherwise biased to move into an unlocking state by means of a coil spring (not shown).

[0088] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the shaft 7 of the fitting 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 shows a side view of the shaft 7 according to the same embodiment. The shaft 7 comprises a first shaft portion 71 for engaging with the actuation member 5. The shaft 7 comprises a second shaft portion 72 for providing a surface along which the fixing member 4 may slide along as it is rotated about the shaft. The shaft 7 comprises a third shaft portion 73 for axially fixing the shaft 7 to the housing 2 while still being rotatable relative the housing 2. The second shaft portion 72 is arranged axially between the first shaft portion 71 and the third shaft portion 73. The rotational stop block 24 is arranged to the third shaft portion. The shaft 7 further comprises a radially extending shaft portion 74 comprising a recess for receiving the push cylinder lock 6. The first shaft portion 71 has two pairs of mutually parallel sides in an axial cross section. These allow the actuation member 5 to be rotationally fixed to the shaft 7. The second shaft portion 72 comprises two cylindric portions with a groove arranged therebetween for retaining a rubber gasket 75. The rubber gasket 75 is configured to provide friction to the fixing member 4 when rotated.

[0089] As can be seen in FIGS. 9-11, the fixing member 4 comprises two flanges 45 arranged on opposite sides of the main cylinder body 42, which flanges 45 are configured to engage with an internal groove 25 of the housing 2 by which the fixing member 4 is axially fixed to the housing 2 relative the shaft 7. The internal groove 25 substantially extends completely about the shaft 7 along an interior surface of the housing 2 apart from two open sections arranged opposite each other which are configured to define a path for the flanges 45 to move as the fixing member 4 is inserted into the housing 2 during assembly. The internal groove 25 and the predetermined groove 24 are offset relative each other in a direction parallel to the rotational axis defined by the shaft 7.

[0090] FIGS. 12 and 13 show the fitting 1 according to one embodiment. In both figures, the fixing member 4 is in a fixing position. However, the actuation member 5, in this case a cam member, is in an unlocking position in FIG. 12 while in a locking position in FIG. 13. The cam member 5 is rotatable about the rotational axis R between the locking position and the unlocking position by means of the handle 3 coupled to the cam member 5 by means of the shaft 7. Starting from the position in FIG. 4, the cam member 5 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 4 such that the cam member 5 pushes the fixing member 4 to the fixing position shown in FIG. 12, thereby engaging with the fixing protrusions 21 of the housing 2 extending through the hole image 110. After fixing the fitting 1 to the openable element 100 by the fixing member 4 in the fixing position, the cam member 5 may be operated in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 13 to open positions to open the openable element 100.

[0091] 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.