A mechanical clutch for mechanically connecting and disconnecting a rotational drive member and a rotational driven member of a locking mechanism. The mechanical clutch includes a drive and a driven member for rotation around an axis of rotation, a clutch pin which engages with the drive and or driven member to mechanically and rotationally link the drive and driven member to one another, and a clutch pin engagement surface provided on the or each clutch pin. A corresponding clutch pin engagement surface is also provided on the drive or driven members such that, when the engaged drive and driven members are rotated against a magnitude of rotational resistance (which is below a threshold magnitude of rotational resistance) the respective clutch pin engagement surfaces of the clutch pins and drive or driven members will co-act with one another to retain said rotational connection between the drive and driven member. When the drive and driven members are rotated against a magnitude of rotational resistance (which is above the threshold magnitude of rotational resistance) the respective clutch pin engagement surfaces of the clutch pins and drive or driven members will co-act with one another to urge the clutch pins out of rotational driving engagement between the drive and driven member.

An anti-barricading thumb turn assembly is configured for use with a lockset including a bolt movable to lock and unlock a door. The anti-barricading thumb turn assembly includes a spindle connected to a thumb turn with a biasing member on one side of the lockset. The lockset is also operable by a key from the other side of the door to lock and unlock the door. Under normal operation, the spindle and thumb turn rotate as the bolt is locked and unlocked. In a barricading situation in which the thumb turn is held in an attempt to prevent the spindle from rotating, the biasing member allows the spindle to rotate relative to the thumb turn upon application of sufficient force through rotation of the key to overcome the biasing force and unlock the bolt even if the thumb turn is held stationary.

An anti-barricading thumb turn assembly is configured for use with a lockset including a bolt movable to lock and unlock a door. The anti-barricading thumb turn assembly includes a spindle connected to a thumb turn with a biasing member on one side of the lockset. The lockset is also operable by a key from the other side of the door to lock and unlock the door. Under normal operation, the spindle and thumb turn rotate as the bolt is locked and unlocked. In a barricading situation in which the thumb turn is held to attempt to attempt to prevent the spindle from rotating, the biasing member allows the spindle to rotate relative to the thumb turn upon application of sufficient force through rotation of the key to overcome the biasing force and unlock the bolt even if the thumb turn is held stationary.

A latch for a cabinet door or drawer has a pawl movable to a plurality of positions such according to the cabinet's configuration and finger size wherein an optimal finger gap may be created between the cabinet and the door or drawer for accessing and releasing the latch to open the door or drawer.

Disclosed herein is a mechanism (10) for transmitting a torque applied to a handle (12). The mechanism (10) comprises a torque transmitter (18). The torque transmitter (18) is for transmitting the torque applied to the handle (12) coupled thereto. The mechanism (10) comprises a torque transmitter stop (40) within the housing (14). The torque transmitter (18) and the torque transmitter stop (40) are cooperatively arranged for the torque transmitter stop (40) and the torque transmitter (18) to engage to arrest a torque transmitter rotation. The torque transmitter (18) and the torque transmitter stop (40) are cooperatively arranged for the torque transmitter stop (40) and the torque transmitter (18) to disengage when the torque so applied exceeds a predetermined torque value. Also disclosed herein is a method for operating the mechanism (10) for transmitting a torque applied to the handle (12).

A clutch and handle for applying rotation to a lockable mechanism is disclosed. In particular, the handle is adapted to prevent damage to the handle or a lockable mechanism when excess pressure or torque is applied to the handle. The torque limiting clutch mechanism limits the torque which can be applied by the handle such as to a lockable mechanism for securing a leaf within a frame. The torque limiting clutch mechanism comprises first and second rotors in confrontation to transmit rotational drive from the handle to the lockable mechanism. The first and second rotors are arranged to slip against each other beyond a maximum transferred torque.

An exemplary torque-limiting spindle includes an input member, an output member, a clutch mechanism, and a bias mechanism. The input member extends along a longitudinal axis, is configured for connection with a handle, and includes a first engagement feature. The output member extends along the longitudinal axis, is configured for connection with a rotatable member of a lockset, and includes a second engagement feature. The clutch mechanism includes the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature. The bias mechanism is engaged with the input member and the output member and exerts a biasing force urging the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature into engagement with one another.

A handle assembly including a path of transmission of a force for releasing a latch through the handle assembly that can be broken under extreme loading conditions.

A lock can include attack-resistant and/or weather-resistant features. Attack-resistant features can include a sacrificial link between a locking mechanism and an external keyway covering an exterior face of the locking mechanism. The sacrificial link can break during a torque attack on the lock such that the full force of the torque attack is not applied to the locking mechanism. Weather-resistant features can include drain openings in one or more housing components external to the locking mechanism to facilitate drainage of liquid matter from the lock before the liquid matter reaches the locking mechanism.

Disclosed herein is a mechanism (10) for transmitting a torque applied to a handle (12). The mechanism (10) comprises a torque transmitter (18). The torque transmitter (18) is for transmitting the torque applied to the handle (12) coupled thereto. The mechanism (10) comprises a torque transmitter stop (40) within the housing (14). The torque transmitter (18) and the torque transmitter stop (40) are cooperatively arranged for the torque transmitter stop (40) and the torque transmitter (18) to engage to arrest a torque transmitter rotation. The torque transmitter (18) and the torque transmitter stop (40) are cooperatively arranged for the torque transmitter stop (40) and the torque transmitter (18) to disengage when the torque so applied exceeds a predetermined torque value. Also disclosed herein is a method for operating the mechanism (10) for transmitting a torque applied to the handle (12).