Abstract: A double slide arm spring mechanism for biasing a primary mechanism to home position after operation and retaining the primary mechanism in the home position pending further operation. The double slide arm spring mechanism includes a pair of slideably interlocking arms each having a longitudinal frame member and a spring engaging flange at each end. The frame members are a disposed to engage one another while permitting relative sliding of the arms. The slide arms are interlocked such that one flange of each arm is situated between the two flanges of the other arm. Two compression springs are retained between the flanges of the arms such that sliding of either arm toward the other necessarily compresses both springs. Potential energy stored in the springs returns the slide to its neutral position when the operator is released thereby also returning the operator to its neutral position.

Abstract: A double slide arm spring mechanism for biasing a primary mechanism to home position after operation and retaining the primary mechanism in the home position pending further operation. The double slide arm spring mechanism includes a pair of slideably interlocking arms each having a longitudinal frame member and a spring engaging flange at each end. The frame members are a disposed to engage one another while permitting relative sliding of the arms. The slide arms are interlocked such that one flange of each arm is situated between the two flanges of the other arm. Two compression springs are retained between the flanges of the arms such that sliding of either arm toward the other necessarily compresses both springs. Potential energy stored in the springs returns the slide to its neutral position when the operator is released thereby also returning the operator to its neutral position.

Abstract: A tubular latch assembly for a door and adapted for operation by either an “opener” such as a thumbpiece on one side and/or a knob on the other. The tubular latch comprises a central latch subassembly mounted inside the door and including a latch casing seated in the door, a bolt slidably mounted in said latch casing for extension/retraction (such as through an open face plate), a pivoting retraction lever coupled to the bolt, a spindle hub having a pair of offset cam surfaces, and a pivoting reversing lever engaged at one end with the bolt and at the other end with the second cam surface on the spindle hub for driving the bolt. The central latch subassembly allows opening by either the opener (e.g., thumbpiece) or by rotation of the knob, operation of the knob not affecting the opener and vice versa.

Abstract: A deadbolt assembly includes a bolt housing having a longitudinal sleeve defining a first axis. A bolt is located in the longitudinal sleeve. An elongate member has a first end and a second end portion opposite the first end, the first end being attached to the proximal end of the bolt and the second end portion having a first connector. A rotatable crank has a pivot member, a second connector and an arm. The second connector of the crank is operationally engaged with the first connector of the elongate member. A first actuator assembly has a body, a lock cylinder, and a tailpiece that extends from the lock cylinder and is rotatable around a second axis with respect to the lock cylinder. The tailpiece is engaged with the pivot member of the crank. At least a portion of the lock cylinder extends past a vertical plane of an outer side surface of the elongate member.

Abstract: A door handle assembly includes a door handle having an operator portion, and a shank extending from the operator portion, the shank having a first opening. A door latch mechanism has a rotatable actuator, the rotatable actuator having a second opening. A spindle assembly includes a spindle and a spring. The spindle has a first end and a second end. The spring is attached to the first end of the spindle. The spring and the first end of the spindle of the spindle assembly are inserted as a unit into the first opening of the shank of the door handle, and the second end of the spindle is inserted into the second opening of the rotatable actuator of the door latch mechanism.

Abstract: A lock cylinder includes a cylinder housing having a plurality of upper pin chambers and a plug disposed for rotation in the cylinder housing. The plug includes at least one truncated pin chamber and a recess extending circumferentially from the opposite sides of the truncated pin chamber. The lock cylinder further includes a slider disposed in the recess, wherein the slider includes an aperture that cooperates with an upper pin chamber and the truncated pin chamber to define a generally continuous pin chamber. The plug is disposed in the cylinder housing for rotation along a first shear interface between a locked position and an unlocked position. The slider is disposed in the recess for circumferential movement and forms a portion of the first interface. The slider cooperates with the plug to define a second shear interface, with the plug moving relative to the slider along the second shear interface between the locked position and an interference position.

Abstract: A spring retainer includes an annular ring portion and an arm extending outwardly from the ring portion. Two diametrically opposed lugs extend radially inwardly from the ring portion.

Abstract: A tubular latch assembly for a door and adapted for operation by either an “opener” such as a thumbpiece on one side and/or a knob on the other. The tubular latch comprises a central latch subassembly mounted inside the door and including a latch casing seated in the door, a bolt slidably mounted in said latch casing for extension/retraction (such as through an open face plate), a pivoting retraction lever coupled to the bolt, a spindle hub having a pair of offset cam surfaces, and a pivoting reversing lever engaged at one end with the bolt and at the other end with the second cam surface on the spindle hub for driving the bolt. The central latch subassembly allows opening by either the opener (e.g., thumbpiece) or by rotation of the knob, operation of the knob not affecting the opener and vice versa.

Abstract: A tubular latch assembly for a door and adapted for operation by either an “opener” such as a thumbpiece on one side and/or a knob on the other. The tubular latch comprises a central latch subassembly mounted inside the door and including a latch casing seated in the door, a bolt slidably mounted in said latch casing for extension/retraction (such as through an open face plate), a pivoting retraction lever coupled to the bolt, a spindle hub having a pair of offset cam surfaces, and a pivoting reversing lever engaged at one end with the bolt and at the other end with the second cam surface on the spindle hub for driving the bolt. The central latch subassembly allows opening by either the opener (e.g., thumbpiece) or by rotation of the knob, operation of the knob not affecting the opener and vice versa.

Abstract: A door handle assembly includes a door handle having an operator portion, and a shank extending from the operator portion. A mounting plate has a first bearing, the first bearing being sized to receive the shank of the door handle. An auxiliary bearing assembly includes an auxiliary bearing support and a second bearing. The auxiliary bearing support is connected to the mounting plate, wherein the second bearing is spaced apart a distance from the first bearing along an axis passing through the first bearing and the second bearing, the second bearing being sized to receive the shank of the door handle.

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: 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: 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: 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.