Patent ID: 6151934
Filing Date: 2000-11-28
Classification: E05B,Y10T

Abstract:
A lockset mechanism comprising:a handle subassembly including a rose member having an aperture formed therein, a sleeve received in said aperture and rotatably supported by said rose member, a handle secured to a first end of said sleeve, and a lock cylinder received in said handle;a latch bolt subassembly having a latch bolt positionable between an extended position and a retracted position;a spindle subassembly including a first spindle having a first end secured to said sleeve and a second end in driving engagement with said latch bolt for operably coupling said handle subassembly to said latch bolt subassembly, a lock mechanism secured to said first spindle between said sleeve and said latch bolt and having a locking slide positionable between a locked condition to engage said rose member for preventing rotation of said first spindle and an unlocked condition to disengage said rose member for permitting rotation of said first spindle, a second spindle having a first end in driving engagement with said lock cylinder and operably coupling said lock cylinder to said lock mechanism for manipulating said locking slide between said locked condition and said unlocked condition, and a spring operably disposed between said rose member and said lock mechanism for axially biasing said spindle subassembly away from said rose member; andsaid first spindle having a fracture mechanism for severing said first spindle between said first end and said second end when a predetermined torque level is applied thereto;wherein said first spindle fractures at said fracture mechanism when a torque in said first spindle is equal to or greater than said predetermined torque level causing said spring to axially move said spindle subassembly away from said handle subassembly such that said second end of said first spindle is uncoupled from said handle subassembly and said second spindle is out of driving engagement with said lock cylinder.