Patent ID: 6398274
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: E05B,E05C,Y10T

Abstract:
A retracting spindle mechanism for operating a door lock comprising:a spindle having an end shaped to engage and operate the door lock; a pin mounted in the spindle transverse to an axis of the spindle; a hub for mounting a fixed distance from the door lock, the hub having a slot and an axial opening formed therein for constantly engaging and rotating the spindle whenever the hub rotates, the axial opening allowing the spindle to slide axially therein relative to the hub between a partially retracted position to decrease an effective length of the spindle relative to the hub and a maximum engagement position to increase the effective length of the spindle relative to the hub and the transversely mounted pin engaging the slot in the hub to retain the spindle in the axial opening; and a spring surrounding a first portion of the hub, the spring exerting an outward force on the spindle through the pin to urge the spindle outward towards the maximum engagement position and increase the effective length of the spindle, the spindle moving the pin and the pin compressing the spring as the spindle slides towards the partially retracted position.