Abstract: A retainer for preventing abrasion of a lock spindle of a lock mechanism by a torsion spring used to return the lock assembly the center position. The lock mechanism includes an axial spindle operably connected to the knob and the lock bolt for selective operation. The torsion spring which returns the lock assembly to the center or at-rest position is coaxially mounted about the spindle. The retainer includes tabs disposed between the spring and the spindle to prevent contact therebetween and thereby eliminate abrasion of the spindle by the spring which can result in premature failure of the lock mechanism.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multilayer coating comprising a nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a palladium strike layer deposited on the nickel layer, a palladium/nickel alloy layer deposited on the palladium strike layer, a refractory metal, preferably zirconium, strike layer deposited on the palladium/nickel alloy layer, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride, deposited on the refractory metal strike layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and corrosion protection.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multilayer coating comprising a semi-bright nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a bright nickel layer deposited on the bright nickel layer, a palladium strike layer deposited on the semi-bright nickel layer, a ruthenium layer deposited on the palladium strike layer, a refractory metal, preferably zirconium, strike layer deposited on the ruthenium layer, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride, deposited on the refractory metal strike layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and corrosion protection.

Abstract: A spring-biased detent to provide selective securement of a door knob assembly to a spindle of a lock mechanism. The detent is inserted transversely in the spindle and biased by a spring clip. The detent may be depressed within the spindle allowing the door knob assembly to slide onto the spindle and subsequently is biased into an aperture of the knob to lockingly attach the knob assembly to the spindle. The detent includes a central aperture for receiving a tailpiece of the lock mechanism. The aperture is configured to allow depression of the detent only when the tailpiece is oriented in an unlocked position preventing removal of the door knob assembly when the latch is locked.

Abstract: A door knob construction featuring a knob and cover to incorporate decorative detail. The knob construction consists of an oval knob body, a shank fastened to the knob body and a cover which fits over the shank to complete the decorative knob assembly. The knob body is hollow to accommodate the lock cylinder and includes a small diameter hole through which the cylinder protrudes. The knob body is secured to the knob shank by fasteners. The shank includes longitudinal ridges to form an interference fit with the decorative shank cover.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating comprising at least one nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a palladium/nickel alloy layer deposited on the nickel layer, a refractory metal, preferably zirconium, strike layer deposited on the palladium/nickel alloy layer, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride layer, deposited on the refractory metal strike layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and corrosion protection.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multilayer coating comprising a semi-bright nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a bright nickel layer deposited on the bright nickel layer, a gold layer deposited on the semi-bright nickel layer, a ruthenium layer deposited on the gold layer, a refractory metal, preferably zirconium, strike layer deposited on the ruthenium layer, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride, deposited on the refractory metal strike layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and corrosion protection.

Abstract: A lock assembly with a lock spindle extending perpendicular from the internal lock mechanism and the door. A knob or lever is operably connected to the spindle such that rotation thereof operates the lock mechanism. In order to eliminate any movement between the spindle and knob or lever and thereby eliminate rattle or inoperative rotation of the knob, a bow spring is longitudinally mounted to the spindle. The ends of the spring are retained on the spindle as the spring bows radially outwardly from the spindle to frictionally engage an inner wall of the knob or lever.

Abstract: A door knob construction featuring a machined knob and cover to incorporate decorative detail. The knob construction consists of a knob body, a shank threadably connected to the knob body and a cover which fits over the shank to complete the decorative knob assembly. The knob body is hollow to accommodate the lock cylinder and includes a small diameter hole through which the cylinder protrudes. The back of the knob body includes threads to accept the knob shank. Upon assembly, a bore is drilled across the threads and a pin is inserted to prevent disassembly of the knob body from the shank. The shank includes longitudinal ridges to form an interference fit with the decorative shank cover.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multilayer coating comprising a nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a tin-nickel alloy layer deposited on the nickel layer, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride, deposited on the tin-nickel layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and corrosion protection.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multilayer coating comprising a tin-nickel alloy layer deposited on the surface of the article, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride, deposited on the tin-nickel layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and wear protection.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multilayer coating comprising a nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a tin-nickel alloy layer deposited on the nickel layer, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride, deposited on the tin-nickel alloy layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and corrosion protection.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multilayer coating comprising a nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a palladium strike layer deposited on the nickel layer, a palladium/nickel alloy layer deposited on the palladium strike layer, a refractory metal, preferably zirconium, strike layer deposited on the palladium/nickel alloy layer, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride, deposited on the refractory metal strike layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and corrosion protection.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating comprising at least one nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a palladium/nickel alloy layer deposited on the nickel layer, a refractory metal, preferably zirconium, strike layer deposited on the palladium/nickel alloy layer, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride layer, deposited on the refractory metal strike layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and corrosion protection.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multilayer coating comprising a nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a nickel-tungsten-boron alloy layer deposited on the nickel layer, a chrome layer deposited on the nickel-tungsten-boron alloy layer, a refractory metal, preferably zirconium, strike layer deposited on the chrome layer, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride, deposited on the refractory metal strike layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and corrosion protection.

Abstract: The adjustable latch bolt of this invention features a novel cam actuating assembly which permits election of one of two door knob spindle backsets which are in standard usage. The cam assembly is comprised of two half hubs, each having one arm so that one half hub operates the drawbar in one direction of rotation and the other in the opposite direction of rotation. The half hubs are formed so that a portion of one half hub nests in a depression in the other in such a way that the two half hubs can rotate relative to each other. When the hubs are set to one of two backsets and are in a position to actuate the drawbar, non-circular openings passing through the axis of rotation of the two hubs are aligned so that a complementary shaped spindle can pass through both hubs and engage them for rotation. With the spindle in place the two half hubs are prevented from rotation relative to each other.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multilayer coating comprising a nickel layer deposited on the surface of the article, a tin-nickel alloy layer deposited on the nickel layer, a refractory metal, preferably zirconium, strike layer deposited on the tin-nickel alloy layer, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride, deposited on the refractory metal strike layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and corrosion protection.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multilayer coating comprising a nickel-tungsten-boron alloy layer deposited on the surface of the article, a refractory metal, preferably zirconium, strike layer deposited on the nickel-tungsten-boron alloy layer, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride, deposited on the refractory metal strike layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion protection.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multilayer coating comprising a nickel-tungsten-boron alloy layer deposited on the surface of the article, and a refractory metal compound, preferably zirconium nitride, deposited on the nickel-tungsten-boron layer. The coating provides the color of polished brass to the article and also provides abrasion and wear protection.