U.S. patent application number 13/412961 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-13 for snap on cover, steel and plastic handle design with multiple material and mounting options.
Invention is credited to Clarke Kenton Crump, Douglas Michael Johnson.
Application Number | 20120227218 13/412961 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46794188 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120227218 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Douglas Michael ;
et al. |
September 13, 2012 |
Snap on Cover, Steel and plastic handle design with multiple
material and mounting options
Abstract
The objective of the invention is to solve problems relating to:
mounting handles quickly and easily; material requirements and
finishes; difficult shapes and sizes; cost; assembly and removal;
replacement options not current available to the consumer;
marketability; package and shipping. How it solves these problems:
mounts with or without fasteners; all plastics and steel material
design options; compliments difficult shapes because of plastic
molding options; cost is less because material content is less and
manufacturing is a standard process; assembles easy and is
removable to the consumer or manufacturer, offering ability to
replace for damage and/or consumer preference; marketability is
driven by these benefits; package and shipping is improved based
upon assembly by consumer options.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Douglas Michael;
(Dorr, MI) ; Crump; Clarke Kenton; (Byron Center,
MI) |
Family ID: |
46794188 |
Appl. No.: |
13/412961 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61450981 |
Mar 9, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
16/422 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 95/02 20130101;
E05B 1/0015 20130101; Y10T 16/469 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
16/422 |
International
Class: |
A47B 95/02 20060101
A47B095/02 |
Claims
1. We claim snap on cover, metal cover and plastic base handle
design with multiple material and mounting options.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of PPA application No.
61/450,981 filed Mar. 9, 2011 by the present inventors, which is
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Current designs are typically all plastic or steel material
and are limited on manufacturing, design and mounting options based
upon the material. Current designs using base and cover typically
include large steps and mismatch between components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a snap on cover, steel and
plastic handle design with multiple material and mounting
options.
[0004] The device is comprised of the following elements:
[0005] Handle design of this invention has a plastic base element
construction that will compliment the mounting required and the
overall handle construction for shape and appearance. The plastic
base fits to the mounting surface with the best mounting options
relative to the product requirements. A metal (can also be plastic
or laminate material, etc.) cover is manufactured to fit the
plastic base as required for fit, function and appearance. The
metal (plastic or laminate, etc.) cover snaps on with only the
required retention for the given product.
[0006] The handle design allows for minimal offsets and steps
between the two main elements. The covers can be changed or
replaced for appearance and damage. The cover can be removed to
access the mounting components for handle removal. The cover can be
positioned on the top, bottom or front of the handle as mounted on
the application for the most desirable seam location and
appearance.
[0007] The handle base element is constructed of plastic or other
materials that would be applicable to accommodate the attachment
options for the cover and overall design of the handle. The cover
is constructed and designed for the best suited materials for fit,
function and appearance for the desired finished product. The
handle base element is mounted to the product with the best
mounting option (screw on, snap on) allowing the manufacturer or
consumer the ability as well as the cover is snapped on by the
manufacturer or consumer to the handle base.
[0008] Said handle design offers the best option for mounting for
any handle design. The new handle offers multiple material and
finish options with easy snap on cover design, allowing the
manufacturer or consumer the option for the cover material. The
snap on cover design minimizes gaps, offset.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an appliance door-drawer
front including the door handle of this invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the door including handle of FIG.
1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG.
3
[0012] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG.
3
[0013] FIG. 4A is an enlarged view taken from FIG. 4.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG.
3.
[0015] FIG. 5A is an enlarged view taken from FIG. 5.
[0016] FIG. 5C is an enlarged pre-assembled sectional view along
line V-V of FIG. 3.
[0017] FIG. 5D is an enlarged assembled sectional view along line
V-V of FIG. 3.
[0018] FIG. 6 is an enlargement of view circle 5 of FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 6A is an enlargement of view circle 6A of FIG. 6.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a shaded perspective view of the handle of this
invention.
[0021] FIG. 7A is an enlargement of view circle 7A of FIG. 7.
[0022] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the handle of this
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an appliance door 4 has
the door-drawer handle 1, 2 of this invention attached to the door
4. Illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the handle has a base element 1
with appropriate boss and/or and hole provision for mounting
(screw, snap on, headed stud, spring clip, etc.). The handle has a
cover element 2 is manufactured from metal (can also be plastic or
laminate material, etc.) to fit the plastic base element 1 as
required for fit, function, and appearance. The cover 2 snaps over
the plastic base 1 with only the required retention for the given
product application. The cover 2 is manufactured with an over
formed profile. When installed as in FIGS. 5 and 5A, the
over-formed cover 2 pinches the softer plastic base 1. The offset
feature 6 of the plastic base 1 is manufactured to a depth so that
the edge of the plastic base 1 at feature 6 projects beyond the
edge of the cover 2. The plastic base 1 is manufactured with
reinforcing rib features 8 (FIGS. 5 and 5A) as needed for the
application. Where the application requires a positive catch, small
segments of the projection 5 (FIGS. 4 and 4A) are added for a
positive lock. In this embodiment, a release slot 10 (FIGS. 7 and
7A) is included in the cover 2. The configuration and geometry of
the catch feature 5 and release feature 10 is as suited to the
specific sectional shape of the handle. Referring to FIG. 4, the
cover 2 in its over-formed free state is flexed over the plastic
base 1 as it contacts the lead angle feature 11. The cover 2 is
sized so that its edge does not contact the face of the door 4
leaving the small gap 10 in FIG. 6A. Only the plastic base 1 is in
contact with the door 4. FIG. 8 represents the exploded view of
this embodiment.
[0024] Handle and cover mounting could be robotically or
automatically assembled.
[0025] The concept could apply to knobs, drawer pulls, conventional
door handles and any product that requires a cosmetic or functional
cover applied over a mounting base portion of a given product.
[0026] Handles, knobs, door fronts, drawer fronts, lids, covers,
drawer pulls are produced by the invention: Compositions: all
materials can apply to the base or covers as desired by the
manufacturer and/or consumer.
* * * * *