Patent ID: 11920375
Assignee: SCHLAGE LOCK COMPANY LLC
Field: Civil engineering (Other fields)
Classification: CPC E | IPC E

Claim 6:
7. A modular, self-contained spring cage operable to bias a spindle toward a home position in each of a first rotational direction about a rotational axis and a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, the modular, self-contained spring cage comprising:
a housing;
at least one hub rotatably mounted in the housing, wherein each hub of the at least one hub comprises an opening operable to receive the spindle; and
a clock spring engaged with the at least one hub, the clock spring including a body portion that is wound in a spiral about the rotational axis, and wherein the clock spring comprises a first leg and a second leg;
wherein rotation of the spindle from the home position in the first rotational direction causes pivoting of the first leg while the second leg remains stationary and thereby deforming the clock spring, wherein the clock spring is configured to exert a first return torque on the spindle in response to rotation of the spindle from the home position in the first rotational direction;
wherein rotation of the spindle from the home position in the second rotational direction causes pivoting of the second leg while the first leg remains stationary and thereby deforming the clock spring, wherein the clock spring is configured to exert a second return torque on the spindle in response to rotation of the spindle from the home position in the second rotational direction;
wherein the first return torque is in the second rotational direction and urges the spindle to return to the home position; and
wherein the second return torque is in the first rotational direction and urges the spindle to return to the home position.