Support structure for handle assembly

A method of increasing the security of a handle assembly, the method comprising:

• providing a handle assembly including:
• a removable handle including a positioning hole;
• a lock core positioned within the handle;
• a spindle connector connected to the lock core, the spindle connector having a first end with an axially extending projection and a second end with an axially extending recess, the projection of the first end mated with the lock core such that rotation is transferred from the lock core to the spindle connector;
• a sleeve sized and shaped to receive the handle therearound and the lock core at least partially therein;
• a catch positioned within the sleeve, the catch having an extended position and a retracted position, wherein when in the extended position, a protrusion of the catch interfaces with a portion of the positioning hole of the handle so as to prevent relative movement between the handle and the sleeve, and when in the retracted position, the handle is movable relative to the sleeve;
• a spindle positioned within the sleeve and connected to the lock core via the recess of the second end of the spindle connector, the spindle having a longitudinal axis, wherein the spindle is rotatable by the lock core between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when in the locked position, the sleeve is not rotatable and wherein when in the unlocked position, the sleeve is rotatable;
• and
• resisting deflection of the spindle transverse to the longitudinal axis of the spindle by way of a support structure when the catch is in the extended position and the spindle is in the locked position, wherein the support structure is movable with respect to the spindle, and wherein the support structure is in a fixed rotational relationship with respect to the handle, and wherein the support structure is integral with a blocking element of the second end of the spindle connector, and wherein the blocking element has the recess defined therein and the support structure is a radially exterior surface of the blocking element that forms an outermost surface of the second end of the spindle connector.

A handle assembly comprising:

• a removable handle including a positioning hole;
• a lock core positioned within the handle, wherein the lock core includes a keyway at a first side;
• a spindle connector coupled to an opposite, second side of the lock core, the spindle connector having a first end with an axially extending projection and a second end with an axially extending recess, the projection of the first end mated with the lock core such that rotation is transferred from the lock core to the spindle connector;
• a sleeve sized and shaped to receive the handle therearound and the lock core at least partially therein;
• a catch positioned within the sleeve, the catch having an extended position and a retracted position, wherein when in the extended position, a protrusion of the catch interfaces with a portion of the positioning hole of the handle so as to prevent relative movement between the handle and the sleeve, and when in the retracted position, the handle is movable relative to the sleeve;
• a spindle positioned within the sleeve and connected to the recess of the second end of the spindle connector of the lock core, wherein the spindle is rotatable by the lock core between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when in the locked position, the sleeve is not rotatable, and wherein when in the unlocked position, the sleeve is rotatable;
• and
• a support structure configured to resist deflection of the spindle transverse to a longitudinal axis of the spindle when the catch is in the extended position and the spindle is in the locked position, wherein the support structure is integral with a blocking element of the second end of the spindle connector, and wherein the blocking element has the recess defined therein and the support structure is a radially exterior surface of the blocking element that forms an outermost surface of the second end of the spindle connector. of the sleeve or the spindle connector of the lock core.