Enhanced security catch assembly for retaining a handle on a spindle

A catch assembly for preventing a handle having a retaining opening from being removed from a spindle except when a disengage opening in a moveable lock element is in a predetermined position relative to the catch assembly, the catch assembly comprising:

• a base for attachment to the spindle, the base including a threaded opening axially aligned with the retaining opening in the handle when the handle is mounted on the spindle;
• and
• a retaining pin including:
• a head end adapted to receive a tool for rotating the retaining pin, the head end having a diameter less than the retaining opening,
• a bottom end opposite the head end, and
• a threaded body between the head end and the bottom end, the threaded body having a diameter greater than the retaining opening to prevent the threaded body from entering the retaining opening, the threaded body engaging the threaded opening in the base to threadedly move the retaining pin axially between an outward position wherein the head end enters and engages the retaining opening in the handle to prevent removal of the handle and an inward position wherein the bottom end extends into the disengage opening in the moveable lock element when the lock element is in the predetermined position;
• the retaining pin having sufficient length that the head end always engages the retaining opening when the bottom end is not in the disengage opening of the moveable lock element and the bottom end cannot enter the disengage opening of the moveable lock element unless the moveable lock element is in the predetermined position.

A catch assembly for preventing a handle having a retaining opening from being removed from a spindle except when a disengage opening in a moveable lock element is in a predetermined position relative to the catch assembly, the catch assembly comprising:

• a base for attachment to the spindle, the base including a threaded opening axially aligned with the retaining opening in the handle when the handle is mounted on the spindle;
• and
• a retaining pin including:
• a torque limiting head end adapted to receive a tool for rotating the retaining pin with a limited torque, the head end having a diameter less than the retaining opening and material properties causing the head end to mushroom into engagement with the retaining opening when subjected to impact,
• a bottom end opposite the head end, and
• a threaded body between the head end and the bottom end, the threaded body having a diameter greater than the retaining opening to prevent the threaded body from entering the retaining opening, the threaded body engaging the threaded opening in the base to threadedly move the retaining pin axially between an outward position wherein the head end enters and engages the retaining opening in the handle to prevent removal of the handle and an inward position wherein the bottom end extends into the disengage opening in the moveable lock element when the lock element is in the predetermined position;
• the retaining pin having sufficient length that the head end always engages the retaining opening when the bottom end is not in the disengage opening of the moveable lock element and the bottom end cannot enter the disengage opening of the moveable lock element unless the moveable lock element is in the predetermined position.