Patent ID: 7523971
Filing Date: 2009-04-28
Classification: E05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A door handle assembly, comprising: a latch mechanism having a split hub, said split hub having a first hub portion and a second hub portion, each of said first hub portion and said second hub portion being configured to independently operate said latch mechanism; first and second door handles; a spindle assembly including: a first spindle operatively connected to said first door handle, having a shaft portion located between a first head portion and a first coupling end, said first head portion having a larger cross section than the shaft portion, said shaft portion having a first hub drive portion, said first hub drive portion being configured to engage said first hub portion when inserted into said split hub in a first direction; a second spindle operatively connected to said second door handle, having a second head portion, a second hub drive portion and a second coupling end, said second coupling end being configured to slidably engage said first coupling end of said first spindle to provide independent rotational engagement of said first spindle with said second spindle, said second hub drive portion being configured to engage said second hub portion when inserted into said split hub in said first direction; a retainer device attached to said shaft portion of said first spindle; and a spring positioned over said shaft portion of said first spindle between said first head portion of said first spindle and said retainer device attached to said shaft portion of said first spindle, said first head portion restraining said spring on said first spindle to be captive between said first head portion cross section and said retainer device.