FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for testing the durability of handle and hinge systems. Particularly, the apparatus and method of the present invention simulate the real-life operating conditions for handle and hinge systems for providing a near accurate estimation of the operating life cycles of the tested handle and hinge systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Handle and hinge systems are commonly employed in situations wherein a door is deployed for opening and closing, for e.g. household doors, windows, almirahs, other furniture items and also in some consumer goods such as refrigerator, microwaves, freezers etc. After a period of use, there may arise problems in these handle and hinge systems including eccentric wear and tear, non-functioning of the door or handle and in severe cases may even cause the handle or the door itself to fall off.

The presently existing conventional devices for testing the door handle and hinge systems use complicated machinery, are not cost effective to manufacture and produce uneven force which itself is likely to cause uneven wear thereby affecting the accuracy of the reading. Some of such systems employ the use of multiple apparatus for testing the door handles and hinges separately. Furthermore, the existing devices for testing also exhibit other drawbacks such as they are not adapted to test for multiple sizes of doors, the door opening angle cannot be adjusted, the force applied on the handles and hinge systems cannot be measured, and the convention devices are not capable of testing for both, left and right handed usage of the door handles. Therefore, it is difficult, time consuming, expensive to test and accurately predict the estimated life cycles for the handle and hinge systems.

Hence, in order to overcome the disadvantages of the existing state of the art, there is a need for an apparatus and method for testing the handle and hinge systems which can simulate real life usage conditions to improve the accuracy of detection, and accurately predict the life of the door handles and hinges, while shortening new product development cycle, and reduce costs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention obviates the aforementioned problems and overcomes the drawbacks by providing an apparatus and method for testing the durability of handle and hinge systems. Particularly, the apparatus and method of the present invention simulate the real-life operating conditions for handle and hinge systems for providing a near accurate estimation of the operating life cycles of the tested handle and hinge systems. The present invention is particularly useful for the testing the real life operating life cycles of Rotary handles (left and right side opening), butt hinges, frictional hinges.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a handle testing unit as shown in Figure 1. A handle connector (1) is provided which connects with the handle of the door for testing. The handle connector (1) may also be configured with a force sensor which senses the amount of force being applied on the handle to open the door. Such force sensor may be adapted to continuously monitor the force values for handle opening and closing during the handle testing cycles. A first pneumatic cylinder (6) adapted to move in a linear motion towards a converter (5) to convert the linear motion of the first pneumatic cylinder (6) to rotary motion for rotating a linear rod (2) and the handle connector (1) thereby allowing the handle of the door to rotate. a second pneumatic cylinder (8) attached to a base plate (10) by means of a vertical mounting plate (9) wherein the second pneumatic cylinder (8) is configured to move in a linear motion in forward and backward direction from a second vertical plate (7) mounted onto the base plate (10) behind the first pneumatic cylinder (6) thereby allowing the linear rod (2) to move along the linear guides (4) resulting in opening of the door. Thereafter, the connecting rod (2) is pulled back towards the plate (3) along the linear guides (4) as the second pneumatic cylinder (8) retracts back. The first pneumatic cylinder (6) also retracts back thereby causing the linear to rotary convertor (5) to rotate the linear rod (2) in a retrograde rotation thereby closing the handle. When all the components of the invention are back to its stationary position then the cycle is said to be complete. The handle testing unit of the present invention may be adapted to be fixed onto a table (24) [not shown] via mounting pin (11) and mounting plate (12). A lower linear guide (13) may also be provided below the linear guides (4). In a preferred embodiment, the handle connector (1) stays in contact with the handle of the door throughout the testing cycle thereby closely resembling real life operating conditions of a handle.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a hinge (or slider) testing unit as shown in Figure 2. A crank linkage (25) is connected at its bottom end towards the base of the table (24) through bearing (26). The distal end of the connecting rod (27) is adapted to hold the door (31) through a heim joint (22) whereas its proximal end is connected with the top end of the crank linkage (25) through rotating knuckle (28). A pneumatic cylinder (29) connected towards the proximal section of the base of the table (24) is also connected near the bottom end of the crank linkage (25). As the pneumatic cylinder (29) pulls the crank linkage (25), the connecting rod (27) moves forward pushing the heim joint (22) resulting in the opening of the door (31). Thereafter as the pneumatic cylinder (29) pushes crank linkage (25), the connecting rod (27) and the heim joint (22) are pulled backwards resulting in the closing of the door (31) thereby completing one cycle of the hinge test.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for testing the durability of handle and hinge systems in a single machine by assembling the handle testing unit as shown in Figure 1 together with the hinge testing unit as shown in Figure 2 to form a complete assembly of the handle and hinge testing apparatus by combining
a) the hinge testing unit comprising of a crank linkage (25) connected at its bottom end towards the base of a table (24) through bearing (26); a connecting rod (27) having a distal end adapted to hold the door (31) through a heim joint (22) and the proximal end of the connecting rod (27) connected with the top end of the crank linkage (25) through rotating knuckle (28); and a pneumatic cylinder (29) connected towards the proximal section of the base of the table (24) and connected near the bottom end of the crank linkage (25); and
b) a handle testing unit mounted onto the table (24) the handle testing unit comprising a handle connector (1) for connecting with the handle of a door for testing; a first pneumatic cylinder (6) adapted to move in a linear motion towards a converter (5) to convert the linear motion of the first pneumatic cylinder (6) to rotary motion for rotating a linear rod (2) and the handle connector (1) thereby allowing the handle of the door to rotate; and a second pneumatic cylinder (8) attached to a base plate (10) by means of a vertical mounting plate (9) wherein the second pneumatic cylinder (8) is configured to move in a linear motion in forward and backward direction from a second vertical plate (7) mounted onto the base plate (10) behind the first pneumatic cylinder (6) thereby allowing the linear rod (2) to move along the linear guides (4).
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 3 wherein the handle testing unit is mounted on the table (24). The complete assembly of the apparatus according to the present invention, may be mounted on a frame (45) that is also configured to mount the door (31) within the main frame (30). The frame (45) may optionally include guides (46) to allow for the movement of the table (24) thereby allowing entire assembly of the present invention to move along the guide rails (46).

In another embodiment, the handle and hinge testing apparatus of the present invention is configured to actuate either one of the handle testing unit or the hinge testing unit. In another embodiment, the handle and hinge testing apparatus of the present invention is configured to actuate the handle testing unit and the hinge testing unit simultaneously.

The present invention provides, an apparatus and method for testing the handle and hinge systems wherein the apparatus is capable of mounting doors and windows of variable size including doors with size in the range of 3ft x 7ft to 4ft x 9ft and windows with size in the range of 2ft x4 ft to 4ft x 4ft.

The apparatus and method of the present invention are also suitable for testing handles and hinges of doors having weight upto 200kgs. The apparatus and method of the present invention are capable of testing both left and right-side opening handles. The handles for testing may have linear lengths in the range of 100 to 150mm. The hinges for testing may be tested at different angular positions of the door for example between 30° to 90°. The apparatus and method of the present invention are also capable for testing offset handles including door or window handles.

In an embodiment, the apparatus and method of the present invention are adapted to work with an electrical circuit as shown in Figure 4 to allow for complete automatic functioning with minimal human input. The apparatus and methods of the present invention may be configured to monitor and record the data associated with complete cycles of the handle testing unit and the hinge testing unit. Such data may include, among other things, the nature of the test, duration of the test, force, cycle mount etc. The data associated with the testing may be stored in any medium including paper or electronic storage formats.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus and method wherein the apparatus and method of the present invention are adapted for providing safety features during the operation of the apparatus. In an embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention is locked in its position once pressurized air supply is connected and any modifications to the assembly may only be done by an operator after cutting the air supply. In another embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention will only be stopped after completing its running cycle. After restoration of power, apparatus may be configured to be restarted manually by an operator after the indication of a buzzer sound. The apparatus of the present invention may be configured to allow either handle testing or hinge testing at a given time. Alternately, the apparatus of the present invention may be configured to allow handle and hinge testing simultaneously.

In another embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention is configured to automatically stop working in case the pressure values or force values are not within the pre-determined or specified range or limit. The apparatus of the invention may be configured to stop working if the pressure values are not within the range of 5-7 bar. The apparatus of the invention may be configured to stop working if the force value is above 60N.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the disclosure herein. Additionally, other combinations, omissions, substitutions, and modifications will be apparent to the skilled artisan in view of the disclosure herein. It is contemplated that various aspects and features of the invention described can be practiced separately, combined together, or substituted for one another, and a variety of combination and sub-combinations of the features and aspects can be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited by the recitation of the preferred embodiments.

We claim:
1. A handle testing unit comprising:
a. a handle connector (1) for connecting with the handle of a door for testing;
b. a first pneumatic cylinder (6) adapted to move in a linear motion towards a converter (5) to convert the linear motion of the first pneumatic cylinder (6) to rotary motion for rotating a linear rod (2) and the handle connector (1) thereby allowing the handle of the door to rotate; and
c. a second pneumatic cylinder (8) attached to a base plate (10) by means of a vertical mounting plate (9) wherein the second pneumatic cylinder (8) is configured to move in a linear motion in forward and backward direction from a second vertical plate (7) mounted onto the base plate (10) behind the first pneumatic cylinder (6) thereby allowing the linear rod (2) to move along the linear guides (4) .
2. The handle testing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle testing unit is adapted to be mounted onto a table (24) by means of a mounting pin (11) and a mounting plate (12).
3. The handle testing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lower linear guide (13) is provided below the linear guides (4).
4. The handle testing unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle connector (1) is configured with a force sensor for measuring the amount of force being applied on the handle.
5. The handle testing unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the force sensor is adapted to continuously monitor the force values for handle opening and closing during the handle testing cycles.
6. A hinge testing unit comprising:
a. a crank linkage (25) connected at its bottom end towards the base of a table (24) through bearing (26);
b. a connecting rod (27) having a distal end adapted to hold the door (31) through a heim joint (22) and the proximal end of the connecting rod (27) connected with the top end of the crank linkage (25) through rotating knuckle (28); and
c. a pneumatic cylinder (29) connected towards the proximal section of the base of the table (24) and connected near the bottom end of the crank linkage (25).
7. An apparatus for testing the durability of handle and hinge systems in a single machine by comprising;
a. a hinge testing unit comprising of a crank linkage (25) connected at its bottom end towards the base of a table (24) through bearing (26); a connecting rod (27) having a distal end adapted to hold the door (31) through a heim joint (22) and the proximal end of the connecting rod (27) connected with the top end of the crank linkage (25) through rotating knuckle (28); and a pneumatic cylinder (29) connected towards the proximal section of the base of the table (24) and connected near the bottom end of the crank linkage (25);
b. a handle testing unit mounted onto the table (24) the handle testing unit comprising a handle connector (1) for connecting with the handle of a door for testing; a first pneumatic cylinder (6) adapted to move in a linear motion towards a converter (5) to convert the linear motion of the first pneumatic cylinder (6) to rotary motion for rotating a linear rod (2) and the handle connector (1) thereby allowing the handle of the door to rotate; and a second pneumatic cylinder (8) attached to a base plate (10) by means of a vertical mounting plate (9) wherein the second pneumatic cylinder (8) is configured to move in a linear motion in forward and backward direction from a second vertical plate (7) mounted onto the base plate (10) behind the first pneumatic cylinder (6) thereby allowing the linear rod (2) to move along the linear guides (4);
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the apparatus may be mounted on a frame (45) that is configured to mount a door (31) within the main frame (30).
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the frame (45) includes guides (46) to allow for the movement of the table (24) thereby allowing entire assembly of the present invention to move along the guide rails (46).
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the apparatus is configured to actuate either one of the handle testing unit or the hinge testing unit or both handle testing unit and hinge testing unit simultaneously.