Miscellaneous hardware (e.g. – bushing – carpet fastener – caster – Handle – handle component – or handle adjunct – Door handle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-08
2001-09-18
Mah, Chuck Y. (Department: 3626)
Miscellaneous hardware (e.g., bushing, carpet fastener, caster,
Handle, handle component, or handle adjunct
Door handle
C016S413000, C016S901000, C016S904000, C016S430000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289557
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to handles for doors and, in particular, to handles which can be operated so as to minimize or prevent the spread of hand-borne contaminants.
Door handles, especially those in public spaces, tend to be soiled with many substances transferred from people's hands, especially the hands of those who may not practice optimum hygiene. Among these contaminants are skin oils and common dirt, and potentially more harmful substances such as bacteria, fungi and other pathogens. The contaminants easily can be transmitted to the hand of anyone who grasps the handle to open the door.
If the epidermis of the hand is not intact (e.g., due to lacerations, abrasions, allergies, etc.), there is a high probability that percutaneous (i.e., through the skin into the bloodstream) exposure to pathogens can occur. If the epidermis of the hand is intact, it serves as a barrier to prevent a percutaneous exposure from occurring. However, the contaminants may remain viable on the hand and cause infection through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth if these areas are contacted before thorough washing of the hand takes place.
In facilities where a high degree of sanitation is essential, such as in hospitals, many doors are opened by mechanisms which are activated either automatically by sensors which detect an approaching person, or by a push-button near the door which can be pressed by an elbow or shoulder. However, the high cost of these door opening devices precludes their use on every door in a sanitary facility.
Simpler and less costly solutions have been proposed. See, for example, Ward U.S. Pat. No. 2,238,513, and Campbell U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,239 which disclose hook-like door handles that are intended for engagement by a person's forearm. However, it would seem that such handles are not well adapted for natural and comfortable engagement by a wrist, or natural and easy disengagement once the door has been pulled open.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention to provide a sanitary door handle assembly which can be readily engaged by the inner curvature of a person's wrist or forearm so as to permit hands-free inward opening of a door for sanitary passage, followed by passive, easy release. Hand operation of the door is possible but the sanitation benefit is lost.
The invention also provides a sanitary door handle assembly which easily can be mounted on a door and take the place of existing conventional door hardware.
This invention further provides a sanitary door handle assembly which can accommodate persons of different height or strength.
More specifically, this invention includes a door and sanitary door opener assembly for opening the door, the door having an inner hinged edge, an outer swinging edge and faces extending between those edges. These faces are generally but not necessarily parallel. The door may have many shapes. The assembly comprises a mounting arm having a proximal portion supported on one face of the door, and a distal portion spaced from the face of said door; and a handle joined to the distal portion of the mounting arm and extending outwardly toward the outer swinging edge of the door to a free end spaced from the face of the door. The free end of the handle and the face of the door define therebetween a gap at least large enough to permit an operator's hand to pass therethrough. The handle is arcuate with the dished side thereof generally facing the face of the door for natural engagement by the operator's wrist or forearm when pulling the door open, and natural disengagement when the door is open.
A sanitary door opener assembly is adapted for mounting on and opening a door having an inner hinged edge, an outer swinging edge and generally parallel faces extending between those edges. The assembly comprises a mounting arm having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion having a base with a mounting surface adapted to be supported on one face of the door. The distal portion is spaced from the plane of the mounting surface so that the distal portion is spaced from the surface of the door when the base in supported on the door.
The assembly further comprises a handle joined to the distal portion of the mounting arm and extending therefrom to a free end spaced from the plane of the mounting surface by a distance greater than the width of an operator's hand. Thus, when the assembly is mounted on the door, the free end of the handle and the face of the door define therebetween a gap at least large enough to permit the operator's hand to pass therethrough, with the free end of the handle projecting toward the outer swinging edge of the door.
The handle is arcuate with the dished side thereof generally facing the base so that the dished side generally faces the face of the door when the base is supported on the door. This allows for natural engagement by the operator's wrist or forearm when pulling the door open, and natural disengagement when the door is open.
The dished side of the handle includes a reentrant portion which an operator's wrist or forearm may work against. This enhances positive engagement of the handle even though it is not gripped by hand.
In one of the illustrated embodiments, the handle assembly is arranged for resilient deflection from its normal mounted or operating position if unexpected movement of the door occurs during opening operation by an operator. For example, when the assembly is engaged for operation from one side of the door and the door is unexpectedly opened from the other side, the assembly or elements thereof deflect to accommodate the unexpected movement instead of applying potential injurious loads to the engaged wrist or forearm.
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Manson Barry F.
Ridenour Ralph G.
Mah Chuck Y.
Pearne & Gordon LLP
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