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

Claim 18:
19. 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;
a first hub and a second hub, each rotatably mounted in the housing; 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;
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 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;
wherein the second return torque is in the first rotational direction and urges the spindle to return to the home position; and
wherein each of the first hub and the second hub includes a corresponding and respective opening sized and shaped to receive a portion of the spindle to thereby define a lost rotational motion connection with the spindle.