TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a handle assembly for a locking device having at least one bolt operated by rotation of a shaft in connection with the handle assembly. In particular, the invention relates to a handled assembly having stop washer rotational fixed to a handle and provided with an outer engaging member. The outer engaging member is arranged to engage with an engaging member of a connector which in turn is arranged to be rotationally fixed to the shaft.

BACKGROUND

Within the field of locking devices, adapters and additional assemblies may be used as separate components that are added to an existing locking device in order to alter functions of the locking device with only minimal modifications to the locking device itself.

One type of such adapters is used as emergency exit devices and are mounted on the locking device on the inside of a door to enable evacuation. Often, it is desirable to allow evacuation from an inside of a building while at the same time preventing undesired entrance from outside.

A problem with existing solutions within this field is that evacuation is sometimes hindered when a person using the door also pushes on the door, causing a load on the locking device. The transfer of forces from the adapter to the locking device may in such cases jam the locking bolt so that retracting the bolt is rendered difficult or even impossible. It is also vital that the desired functions can be achieved simply by using the adapter so that both unlocking and opening of the door may be caused by a single action of a user.

The emergency operation may further be hindered if the movement of an outside handle is blocked in any way. Objects blocking an outgoing door could in many cases be moved by the relatively great force that can be applied to an outgoing door, for example. However, the obstacle caused by an object blocking the downward motion of a handle, could be very difficult to overcome, as the downward force a person can assert on a handle is fairly limited. In addition, the mechanisms of a locking device are not meant to transfer forces of that magnitude that could be needed. Of course, an emergency door should never be blocked by any objects. However, such situations do occur and anything that would mitigate the consequences are highly sought for.

There is a need within this field for improved adapters that are stable and convenient and that allows for modification of function in a locking device without requiring substantial structural modifications to the locking device itself. There is also a need for an emergency exit device that is always able to unlock and open a door when needed and that still prevents unauthorized access from an outside of the door.

SUMMARY

The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks associated with prior art locking devices. This is achieved by a handle assembly and a handle assembly kit as defined by the independent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention a handle assembly for use with a locking device is provided. The locking device comprises at least a first bolt and a first bolt operating mechanism arranged to operate the first bolt, the handle assembly arranged for transmitting rotational moment to the first bolt operating mechanism of the locking device in a first rotational direction, Ri. The handle assembly comprises in the order from the outside and towards the locking device: a handle, a rotationally fixed housing, a stop washer and a connector. These parts have a common rotational axis, A , and wherein at least the connector is arranged to receive a shaft centered to the common rotational axis, A.

The connector comprises:

- an opening arranged to receive the shaft such that the connector is rotationally fixed to the shaft, and

- at least one connector engaging member.

The stop washer comprises:

- an inner engaging member directly connected to the handle and arranged such as the stop washer is rotationally fixed to the handle, and

- at least one outer engaging member, and the outer engaging member is arranged to engage with the connector engaging member and bring the connector in rotational movement in the first rotational direction Ri.

According to one embodiment of the invention the outer engaging member of the stop washer is positioned radially outwards of the inner engaging member of the stop washer. According to one embodiment of the invention the handle comprises a protruding portion arranged to be accommodated by the opening of the stop washer, the protruding portion having a cross section of non-circular shape and the opening of the stop washer having a corresponding geometry and arranged to provide a tight fit engagement with the protruding portion of the handle. The cross section of the protruding portion of the handle may have at least one flat portion and wherein the opening of the stop washer has a corresponding flat portion.

According to one embodiment of the invention the stop washer comprises an opening arranged to receive a portion of the shaft and the opening being dimensioned such that the shaft can rotate freely around the rotational axis within the opening.

According to one embodiment of the invention the handle comprises an opening arranged to receive a portion of the shaft; the opening being dimensioned such that the shaft can rotate freely around the rotational axis within the opening of the handle.

According to embodiments of the invention the outer engaging member of the stop washer is arranged in relation to the connector engaging member of the connector so that upon the stop washer rotating in the first rotational direction, Ri , the outer engaging member will engage with the connector engaging member and bring the connector into rotation, while the connector rotating in the first rotational direction, Ri , will not bring the stop washer into rotation. The outer engaging member may be provided with a leading surface and a trailing surface, and the connector engaging member provided with a contact surface and a free surface, The leading surface of the outer engaging member faces the contact surface of the connector and the trailing surface faces the free surface of the connector engaging member, and the rotational movement in the first rotational direction, Ri , is transmitted from the stop washer by the leading surface being in contact with the contact surface. According to one embodiment the handle assembly has a rested position corresponding to the handle being in its upper end position and the bolt being extended. In the rested position the outer engaging member is arranged in a relative position with the connector engaging member with a first arc length provided between leading surface of the outer engaging member and the contact surface of the connector engaging member, and a second arc length provided between the free surface of the connector engaging member and the trailing surface 132b of the outer engaging member. The second arc length defines a clearance which the connector engaging member may rotate in the first rotational direction, Ri , before meeting the trailing surface. The bolt operating mechanism of the lock device typically has an activation angle associated to the corresponding bolt being fully retracted. The angle of rotation that the connector may rotate freely starting from the rested position in the first rotational direction, Ri , which is given by the length of the clearance is at least the same as the activation angle. The first arc length is typically design to be as small as possible and may be at least 5 times, and even more preferably at least 10 times shorter than the second arc length. According to one embodiment the leading surface of the stop washer is arranged to, in the rested position, abut the contact surface of the connector.

According to one embodiment of the invention the handle assembly is adapted to receive and partly engage with a shaft provided with a cross-sectional shape selected from: square with rounded comers, polygonal and star-shaped, and wherein the opening of the connector is provided with a corresponding shape.

According to one embodiment of the invention the handle assembly is adapted to receive and partly engage with a shaft that has a first longitudinal portion with a first cross-sectional shape adapted to engage with a bolt operating mechanism of the locking device and a second longitudinal portion with a second cross-sectional shape adapted to engage in a tight fit arrangement with the opening of the connector. The first cross-sectional shape of the shaft may be a square and the second cross-sectional shape may be a square with rounded comers, star-shaped or a polygon. The area of the second cross-sectional shape is smaller than the area of the first cross-sectional shape. The cross-section of the opening of the connector should have a corresponding shape.

According to one embodiment of the invention the outer engaging member of the stop washer extends in the direction given by the rotational axis towards the handle. The rotationally fixed housing is provided with a depression open to the side facing the stop washer, the depression having an extension in the first rotational direction, Ri , defining the maximum angle of rotation of the handle around the rotational axis. The outer engaging member of the stop washer is arranged to extend into the depression of the rotationally fixed housing.

According to one aspect of the invention the handle assembly is adapted to be used with a locking device comprising also a second bolt and a second bolt operating mechanism operating the second bolt and an adapter comprising a coupling mechanism that is arranged to transfer rotational movement from second bolt operating mechanism to the first bolt operating mechanism. The stop washer of this handle assembly comprises an activation arm which is arranged to engage with the second bolt operating mechanism.

According to one aspect of the invention the handle assembly is adapted to be used with a locking device comprising also a second bolt and a second bolt operating mechanism operating the second bolt and an adapter comprising a coupling mechanism that is arranged to transfer rotational movement from second bolt operating mechanism to the first bolt operating mechanism. The connector of this handle assembly comprises an activation arm which is arranged to engage with the second bolt operating mechanism.

According to one aspect of the invention a handle assembly kit is provided and intended for use with a locking device with at least a first bolt and a first bolt operating mechanism. The handle assembly kit comprises a first handle assembly comprising a first handle and a second handle assembly comprising a second handle, and wherein the first handle assembly (420) and the second handle assembly are adapted to operate on the first bolt operating mechanism from opposite sides. Both the first handle assembly and the second handle assembly are according to the handle assembly described above, thereby a rotational movement of the first handle is not transferred to the second handle and the rotational movement of the second handle is not transferred to the first handle.

Thanks to the invention a handle assembly is provided that can be used with commercially available parts of various types such as locking devices and shafts. In particular the handle assembly according to the invention provides a secure transfer of rotational movement from the handle to a bolt of the locking device via the stop washer, connector and a shaft. Further the handle assembly may be used with shafts of different lengths and/or doors of different thickness without modifications of either the handle assembly or the other parts.

The rotational decoupling according to embodiments of the invention provide for individual operation of a handle mounted on one side of the door, for example the inside, and the handle mounted on the other side of the door. Utilizing one handle assembly on one side decouples in one direction and having a further handle assembly on the other sides decouples the handles in both directions. Thereby, in for example an emergency situation opening of the door from the inside can not be hindered by an object (or person) blocking the downward motion av the handle on the outside. The handle assembly according to the inventio may advantageously be used with adapters providing the functionality of operating a first and n on one side of the door. This has the benefit that the locking device is modified through the adapter so that a handle on one side of the locking device (corresponding to an inner side of a door) can be used both for unlocking the door through the activation unit operating the second bolt and for opening the door through the first shaft operating the first bolt. At the same time, a handle on the other side of the locking device (corresponding to an outer side of the door) can be used only for operating the first bolt to open the door but cannot operate the second bolt for unlocking.

The handle assembly according to the inventio may also advantageously be used with adapters providing dual handles on one side of the door. By selecting if the rotational movement from the second bolt should be transmitted to the stop washer or the connector the operation of the handles is selected to be coupled and decoupled, respectively.

Thus, the present invention provides an adapter that modifies a conventional locking device so that different functions on different sides of the door are achieved. Many additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood by the skilled person in view of the detailed description below and accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, wherein Figures la-c schematically illustrate an embodiment of the handle assembly according to the invention in various exploded perspective views and in c) including a locking device which the handle assembly typically is mounted to;

Figures ld-f schematically illustrate in planar front view the connector and the stop washer according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure lg schematically illustrates in planar front view the connector and the stop washer according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2a-c schematically illustrate embodiments of the handle assembly according to the invention in exploded perspective views;

Figures. 3a-c schematically illustrate embodiments of the handle assembly according to the invention in planar front views;

Figure 4 schematically illustrates one embodiments of the handle assembly according to the invention in exploded perspective view;

Figures. 5a-b schematically illustrate embodiments of the handle assembly kit according to the invention in exploded perspective views. All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the respective embodiments, whereas other parts may be omitted or merely suggested. Any reference number appearing in multiple drawings refers to the same object or feature throughout the drawings, unless otherwise indicated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Terms such as ’’top”, “bottom”, upper”, lower”, “below”, “above” etc are used merely with reference to the geometry of the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings and/or during normal operation of the device/devices and are not intended to limit the invention in any manner.

The term “handle” should be interpreted to also include knob, bar (emergency bar), lever and other parts commonly associated to the operation of a locking device. In some instances, for example utilizing a bar or a lever, the rotational movement typically used for operating a bolt is typically provided by the bar/lever interacting with intermediate members, transforming the linear motion to a rotational movement. Also such intermediate members are included in the term “handle”. “Handle being pressed down” and similar expressions referring to the operation of the locking mechanism should be understood to also apply to for example a knob being turned in the direction associated with maneuvering the locking device, pressing the bar towards the door etc.

The term “door” is used herein as a non-limiting example in illustrating how the adapter assembly and locking device according to the invention is commonly utilized. All types of parts or elements wherein a locking device is known to be found is included in “doors”, including but not limited to gates, lids and housings.

In the description and common to all embodiments the term “rested position” is used to describe a handle assembly used with a locking device being in a non-activated position, typically characterized by the handle being in its upper position and the bolt which the handle directly operates being in its extended (locking) position. The term “activated position” refers to the position wherein the handle has been pressed down to its and position and the associated bolt being fully retracted into the locking device. “First rotational direction Ri” is used to describe the rotational direction associated with the handle being pressed down to retract the associated bolt and “second rotational direction Ri” is used to describe to opposite rotational direction.

The handle assembly 100 according to the invention is schematically illustrated in Figures la- g, wherein a-b) illustrates the parts of the handle assembly 100, b) the handle assembly 100 in relation to a locking device 110 which the handle assembly 100 typically is mounted to and interacts with, and d-g) details of interaction between certain parts. The locking device 110 may be a conventional and commercially available prior art locking device that is suitable for use with a handle assembly 100 according to the invention.

The handle assembly 100 comprises, from the outside and in towards the locking device 110: a handle 120, a rotationally fixed housing 125, a stop washer 130 and a connector 140. These parts have a common rotational axis, A. The handle assembly 100 is operational with a first bolt operating mechanism 115 operating the first bolt 116 of the locking device 110 via a shaft 150. The shaft 150 shares the common rotational axis A with the handle assembly 100 and the shaft 150 may according to one embodiment, in the mounted state, extend from the locking device 110 through the connector 140, the stop washer 130 and the rotationally fixed housing 125 and may end within an opening 121 of the handle 120. There is a first rotational direction Ri associated with the handle 120 being pressed downwards and causing the first bolt 116 to retract from an extended position and making it possible to open the door.

The opening 121 of the handle 120 is arranged to receive a portion of the shaft 150 and dimensioned such that the shaft 150 can rotate freely around the rotational axis A within the opening 121.

The opening 131 of the stop washer 130 is similarly to the opening 121 of the handle 120 dimensioned such that the shaft 150 can rotate freely around the rotational axis within the opening 131. The stop washer 130 is further provided with an inner engaging member 135 directly connected to the handle 120 and arranged such as the stop washer 130 is rotationally fixed to the handle 120. The stop washer 130 is preferably detachably fixed to the handle 120, which may be achieved in different ways. According to one embodiment the handle 120 comprises a protruding portion 122 arranged to be accommodated by and match the opening 131 of the stop washer 130. The handle protruding portion 122 may have a cross section of non circular shape and the opening 131 of the stop washer 130 having a corresponding geometry so that a tight fit engagement is achieved. One embodiment of a suitable geometry is a semi circular cross-section with at least one, preferably two, flat portions as depicted in Figure la. This would assure a secure transfer of the rotational movement and force, yet the parts could be easily mounted and demounted. Another embodiment is illustrated in Figure 2b, wherein the protrusion 122 of the handle 120 has polygonal cross-section and the opening 131 of the stop washer 131 a corresponding shape. The stop washer 130 further comprises at least one outer engaging member 132 which is arranged to engage with a part of the connector 140 and bring the connector 140 in rotational movement in the first rotational direction Ri. A tight fit engagement, tight fit connection or tight fit arrangement between two components as mentioned herein is to be understood as the components being arranged together and having corresponding geometries such that a rotation of one of the components causes a force, rotation or torque to be transferred to the other. Thus, in other words the tight fit engagement, tight fit connection or tight fit arrangement may alternatively be referred to as a torque transferring engagement/connection/arrangement, a force transferring engagement/connection/arrange ment, or a rotation transferring engagement/connection/arrangement.

The connector 140 is provided with an opening 141 arranged to at least partly receive the shaft 150 such that the connector 140 is rotationally fixed to the shaft 150. The connector further comprises at least one connector engaging member 142. The connector engaging member 142 is arranged to engage with the outer engaging member 132 of the stop washer 130.

According to one embodiment of the invention the outer engaging member 132 of the stop washer 130 is positioned radially outwards of the inner connecting member 125 of the stop washer 130. The stop washer may, as illustrated in Figure la, be an essentially flat washer with a non-circular opening 131 for receiving and engage with the protruding portion 122 of the handle 120, and the outer engaging member 132 provided on the outer perimeter of the stop washer and extending inwards from the inner surface of the stop washer 130 towards the locking device. This can be seen as the rotational force produced by pressing part of the handle 120 downwards is transmitted from the handle 120 from the outside of the rotating part of the handle 120 via the stop washer and the connector 130 to the shaft 150. This is in contrast to prior art assemblies wherein the rotational force is transmitted from inside a handle directly to a shaft.

According to embodiments of the invention the stop washer 130 and the connector 140 are arranged so that the stop washer 130 rotating in the first rotational direction Ri will bring the connector 140 into rotation, while the connector 140 rotating in the first rotational direction Ri will not bring the stop washer 130 and hence not the handle 120 into rotation, at least not during the rotational distance/angle associated with going from the rested position to the activated position.

According to the embodiment schematically illustrated in Figures la-g the stop washer 130 is arranged to transmit rotational movement to the connector 140 only via the outer engaging member 132 being in contact with the connector engaging member 142. The outer engaging member 132 has a leading surface 132a and a trailing surface 132b and the connector engaging member 142 has a contact surface 142a and a free surface 142b, wherein leading and trailing should be understood in relation to the first rotational direction Ri. The leading surface 132a of the outer engaging member 132 faces the contact surface 142a of the connector 140 and the trailing surface 132b faces the free surface 142b of the connector engaging member 142. The rotational movement is transmitted from the stop washer 130 by the leading surface 132a being in contact with the contact surface 142a. During normal operation, i.e going from the rested position to the activated position the free surface 142b of the connector 140 is not brought into contact with the trailing surface 132b of the outer engaging member 132.

Figures Id and lg Illustrates the connector 140 and stop washer 130 being in the rested position wherein the outer engaging member 132 is arranged in a relative position with the connector engaging member 142 so that, in the first rotational direction Ri, a first arc length di is provided between leading surface 132a of the outer engaging member 132 and the contact surface 142a of the connector engaging member 142. A second arc length d2 is provided between the free surface 142b of the connector engaging member 142 and the trailing surface 132b of the outer engaging member 132. The second arc length d2 defines a clearance 145 which the connector engaging member 142 may rotate in the first rotational direction Ri before meeting the trailing surface 132b and preferably without engaging with any part of the stop washer 130. The clearance 145 may be provided for example as a portion of the connector 140 having a smaller radius giving a peripherical depression or a as cut-out in the main body of the connector 140 and/or in the stop washer 130.

Figure Id illustrates further, in a front view of the connector 140 as seen from the locking device 110, an embodiment with two connector engaging members 142’ and two outer engaging members 132 wherein a first clearance 145 is formed between the free surface of the first connector engaging member and the trailing surface of the second outer engaging member, and the second clearance is formed between the free surface of the second connector engaging member and the trailing surface of the first outer engaging member’ .

Figure lg illustrates, in a front view of the connector 140 as seen from the locking device 110, an embodiment wherein a cut-out 148 in form of a semi-circular path is provided in the connector 140. The cut-out 145b is arranged to receive the outer engaging members 132 of the stop washer 130. The leading surface 132a of the outer engaging member 132 meets one end of the cut-out 145 providing the contact surface 142a and the clearances 145 is formed by the arc length between the other end, the free surface 142b, of the cut-out 145. As realized by the skilled person one or more cut-outs could equally well be provided in the stop washer 130 and the connector engaging member 142 extending from a main body of the connector 140 into the cut-outs of the stop washer 130. Alternatively to providing a cut-out, both the connector engaging member 142 and the outer engaging member 132 may be provide as protrusions on respective otherwise flat surfaces facing each other.

According to one embodiment the stop washer 130 has a main body 130b and the outer engaging member 132 extending both radially out from the main body 130b and in a longitudinal direction towards the connector 140. The main body 130b of the stop washer 130 may be essentially circular with the connector engaging member 142 extending from the otherwise circular periphery _. The connector engaging member 142 is provided with contact surface 142a arrange to face the leading surface 133 of the of the stop washer 130 and a free surface 142b facing the trailing surface 132b. Preferably, the first arc lengths di between leading surface 132a of the outer engaging member 132 and the contact surface 142a of the connector engaging member 142 is significantly shorter than second arc length d2 provided between the free surface 142b of the connector engaging member 142 and the trailing surface 132b of the outer engaging member 132. More preferably, the first arc length di is at least 5 times and even more preferably at least 10 times shorter than the second arc length d2.

According to one embodiment the leading surface 132a of the stop washer 130 is arranged to, in the rested position, abut the contact surface 143a of the connector 140. Thereby the outer engaging member 132 directly brings the connector (140) in rotation upon rotation in the first direction Ri. It is typically an advantage to not have a delay, which may be the result if the leading surface 132a does not abut, or at least is very close to, the contact surface 143a in the rested position, in the transmission of the rotational movement from the handle 120, via the stop washer 130 to the connector 140.

According to one embodiment the stop washer 130 has an essentially circular main body 130b and at least two outer engaging members 132 that each extends radially out from the main body 130b and also in the longitudinal direction to encompass at least part of the connector 140 in then mounted. Each outer engaging members 132 is provided with a leading surface 132a and a trailing surface 133b. The leading surface 132a and the trailing surface 133b defines the extension of the engaging members 133 in the circumferential direction of the stop washer 130. The connector 140 is provided with a corresponding number of connector engaging members 142 with contact surfaces 143a and free surfaces 143b. With reference to the rested position the leading surface 132a of a first outer engaging member 132 abuts, or is close to, the contact surface 133a of a first connector engaging member 143. Consecutive connector engaging members 142 are arranged with an arc length in-between them and the arc length is chosen in relation to the circumferential extension of the outer engaging members 142 so that a predetermined clearance is provided in-between the free surface 142b of the first connector engaging member 140 and the trailing surface 133b of the next outer engaging member 132 in the rotational direction Ri.

As appreciated by the skilled person, the details of engaging members of the stop washer 130 and the connector 140 may be varied in many ways and provide the function of direct engagement in the first rotational direction Ri and engagement only after a predetermined arc length, or angle, in the opposite rotational direction R2. In particular, the skilled person would appreciate that the design of engaging members could be interchanged between stop washer 130 and the connector 140, with regards to, for example, a cut-out being provided in the stop washer 130 instead of in the connector 140 and the connector engaging members 132 extending into, or over, the stop washer 130.

An activation angle may be associated to the first bolt operating mechanism (115) and corresponding to the first bolt (116) being fully retracted. According to embodiments the outer engaging member or members 132 of the stop washer 130 and the connecter engaging member or members of the connector 140 are arranged so that the length of the clearance 145 corresponds to an angle of rotation that the connector 140 may rotate freely starting from the rested position in the first rotational direction Ri is at least the same as the activation angle. It could be advantageous to have a margin so that the angle of the rotation is about 10% or even about 20% larger than the activation angle.

According to one embodiment the rotationally fixed housing 125 is provided with a depression 126 open to the side facing the locking device 110. The depression 126, which also could be in the form of a cut-out, is extended a distance in the first rotational direction Ri. The outer engaging member 132 of the stop washer 130 is extended in the direction given by the rotational axis A towards the handle 120 and part of outer engaging member 132 is received in the depression 126. Hence, the dimensions of the depression will define the maximum angle of rotation of the handle 120 around the rotational axis A. As an alternative embodiment the stop washer 130 may be provided with members extending towards the handle which are separate from the outer engaging members 132 and which extending members extends into the depression 126. According to one aspect of the invention the handle assembly 100 is adapted to receive and partly engage with a shaft 150 that has different cross-sectional geometries along its length, which is schematically illustrated in Figures la, 2a-c and 3a-c. This is to achieve the functionality of certain parts of the assembly engaging with the shaft 150, while other parts should not. Additionally, the shape of the shaft may be optimized to ensure a tight fit connection and/or optimize the torque that can be transmitted via the shaft 150. According to one embodiment, schematically illustrated in Figure la the shaft 150 has a first longitudinal portion 151 with a first cross-sectional shape adapted to engage with a bolt operating mechanism of the locking device 110 which operates the first bolt 116 and a second longitudinal portion 152 with a second cross-sectional shape adapted to engage in a tight fit arrangement with the opening 141 of the connector 140. Figures 3a-c, illustrates embodiments of corresponding openings of a) the bolt operating mechanism 301 of the locking device 110 with a quadratic opening which corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the first longitudinal portion 151 of the shaft 150, b) the opening 141 of the connector 140, quadratic with rounded corners, which corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the second longitudinal portion 152 of the shaft 150 and c) the opening 121 of the handle 120 which has an essentially circular opening in which the second longitudinal portion 152 of the shaft can rotate freely. As illustrated the opening 121 of the handle 120 may have cross-sectional shape that additionally may receive a prior art shaft with quadratic geometry. This enables to use a handle for different purposes. The shaft 150 may be a part of handle assembly product but may also be provided separately. The opening 121 of the handle 120 may be dimensioned with a play to the shaft 150, so that the shaft may rotate without any contact with the handle 120. Alternatively, the shaft 150 is supported in the opening 121, for example with a bearing provided in the opening 121 to ensure a rotation without substantial friction. In certain implementations the added rigidness of the design afforded by the uses of a bearing to support the outer end of the shaft may be advantageous.

Various first and second first cross-sectional shapes may be envisaged. It is also possible to have a shaft with only one cross-sectional shape and only provide different shape and/or size of the openings of the bolt operating mechanism 301 and the parts of the handle assembly 100. Figures 2a-b illustrates shafts with one cross-sectional shape, in a) a quadratic shape with rounded corners and in b) polygonal shape (hexagon). Quadratic shape with rounded corners should be understood all essentially quadratic shapes wherein the corners are filleted, chamfered or forming a circle sector. Figures 2c illustrate a shaft 150 with a first cross-sectional quadratic shape in form of a star adapted to engage with a bolt operating mechanism 301 and a second cross-sectional shape in form of a star adapted to engage in a tight fit arrangement with the opening 141 of the connector 140. An advantageous version of a star shape is a so called torx-shape which are well known for transmitting large torques.

In the embodiments described with references to Figures la-g and 2a-c the shaft 150 extends through the connector 140, through the stop washer 130 and into the handle 120. The opening 121 in the handle 120 may extend a significant distance into the handle 120, for example 2-5 cm. This allows for a variation in how long distance the shaft 150 will extend into the handle assembly 100. This allows for the use of the handle assembly 100 with different lengths of shafts and/or for mounting in doors with varying thickness without having to adjust the length of the shafts. Alternatively, the shaft 150 does not extend through all parts of the handle assembly 100. According to one embodiment the opening 141 of the connector 140 is not a through opening, i.e. the opening is closed on the side of the connector facing the stop washer 130 and the shaft ends withing the opening 141. In that case the stop washer vl 30 and the handle 120 do not need to have openings, at least not openings arranged to receive a shaft. Also the handle assembly 100 may be arranged to receive a shaft not extending further than the stop washer in the direction towards the handle 120, in which case the handle 120 may not be provided with an opening.

According to one aspect of the invention a handle assembly kit 400 is provided, which is schematically illustrated in Figure 4. A first handle assembly comprising a first handle 420a, a first stop washer 430a and a first connector 440a, is provided and arranged to be mounted on one side of a door and operating a first bolt operating mechanism 416 operating the bolt 416 of a locking device 410. A second handle assembly, comprising a second handle 420a, a second stop washer 430b and a second connector 440b, is provided and arranged to be mounted on the outer side of the door and operate on the first bolt 415 of a locking device 410 from the other side relative the first handle assembly 400a. The first handle assembly 400a and the second handle assembly 400b are configured according the above described with reference to Figures 1-3. The first handle assembly 400a and the second handle assembly 400b may operate via respective separate shafts 450a, 450b in a so called split arrangement as depicted in Figure 4. Alternatively, a common shaft extends all the way from the from the handle 420a of the first handle assembly 400a to the handle 420b of the second handle assembly 400b. The handle assembly kit 400 provides a double decupling of the first and second handles 420a, 420b in that the first handle assembly 400a does not transmit the rotation caused by the second handle 420b being pressed down to the first handle 420a. In the same manner the second handle assembly 400b does not transmit the rotation caused by the first handle 420a being pressed down to the second handle 420b. The decoupling of the handles is of importance for security reasons as described in the background section.

The handle assembly 100 and the handle assembly kit 400 described above may with some modifications advantageously be combined with a locking device comprising a first and second bolt, wherein the second bolt is, at least on one side operated by a lock cylinder. Figures 5a-b schematically illustrate an adapter 570 to be mounted in connection with a locking device (not shown) with a first (lower) bolt and a second (upper) bolt. The adapter 570 comprises a coupling mechanism 571 that is arranged to transfer the rotational movement from second bolt to the first bolt. The coupling mechanism 571 may, as depicted, comprise at least a first 572 and a second 573 activation member. The first activation member 572 may be in connection with, and activated by, an upper handle 520b and acting on the pivoted second activation member 573 by a meshing arrangement 574. The second activation member 573 may in turn engage with to a part of the mechanism involved in the operation of the first bolt. Thereby, the operation of the second bolt 115’ is coupled to the operation of the first bolt. As appreciated by the skilled person arrangements for transferring of rotational movement from the second bolt to the first bolt and vice-versa and thereby coupling the operation of the two bolts together are well known in the art. The coupling mechanism may for example, as alternative to the above described pivoting members, utilize rods, wires and racks.

According to one embodiment of the invention, schematically illustrated in Figure 5a, the coupling mechanism 571 is arranged to engage with a part of the stop washer 530. The stop washer 530 may be provided with an activation arm 537 which is brought in rotational movement by the coupling mechanism 571, typically the second activation member 573. The second activation member 573 may be arranged to engage with only one side of the stop washer activation arm 537 so that pressing down of the lower handle 520 and thereby a rotation of the stop washer 530 is not transmitted to the coupling mechanism 570. With the arrangement according to Figure 5a pressing down the upper handle 520b will operate the second and first bolt and cause the lower handle to rotate.

According to one embodiment of the invention, schematically illustrated in Figure 5b, the coupling mechanism 571 is arranged to engage with a part of the connector 540. The connector 540 may be provided with an activation arm 547 which is brought in rotational movement by the coupling mechanism 571, typically the second activation member 573. The second activation member 573 may be arranged to engage with only one side of the connector activation arm 547 so that a rotation of the connector 540 in the second rotational direction R2 is not transmitted to the coupling mechanism 570. With the arrangement according to Figure 5b pressing down the upper handle 520b will operate the second and first bolt but not cause the lower handle to rotate.

In the description with reference to Figures 5a-b the terms upper and lower handles have been utilized for clarity of the description only. As appreciated by the skilled person, the function of the handles may be reversed. Also, the position of the upper handle could be varied. The upper handle 520b could for example operate directly on the second activation member 573 instead of on the cylinder. In both embodiments described with references to Figures 5a-b an outer handled (not shown) will not operate the second (upper) bolt, either by the decupling of the stop washer 530 from the connector 540 or the decoupling of the connector activation arm 547 from the second activation member 573.

One of the handles may be connected to, or being part of a push bar, which are commonly utilized in emergency exit arrangements.

The embodiments described above are to be understood as illustrative examples of the system and method of the present invention. It will be understood that those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations and changes may be made to the embodiments. In particular, different part solutions in the different embodiments can be combined in other configurations, where technically possible.