Interchangeable decorative trim plate

A door hardware apparatus, comprising:

• a mounting plate configured for mounting to a door, the mounting plate comprising a first alignment feature, a first coupling member, and a first opening operable to receive a spindle;
• a cover plate configured for mounting to the mounting plate in a particular orientation, the cover plate comprising a second alignment feature, a second coupling member, and a second opening operable to receive the spindle, wherein the first opening and the second opening are aligned along a longitudinal axis when the cover plate is mounted to the mounting plate in the particular orientation;
• an alignment mechanism configured to facilitate alignment of the mounting plate to the particular orientation, the alignment mechanism comprising the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature, wherein one of the first alignment feature or the second alignment feature comprises a tapered recess, and wherein the other of the first alignment feature or the second alignment feature comprises a tapered protrusion sized and shaped for receipt in the tapered recess;
• and
• a magnetic coupler comprising the first coupling member and the second coupling member, wherein the first coupling member and the second coupling member are configured to form a magnetic coupling when the cover plate is in the particular orientation and the tapered protrusion is received in the tapered recess.

A door hardware apparatus configured for mounting to a door, the door hardware apparatus comprising:

• a mounting plate configured for mounting to the door, the mounting plate comprising a mounting area;
• a cover plate mounted to the mounting area;
• a spindle extending along a longitudinal axis through openings in the mounting plate and the cover plate;
• a releasable coupler selectively retaining the cover plate within the mounting area;
• and
• an alignment mechanism configured to facilitate alignment of the cover plate with the mounting area, the alignment mechanism comprising a tapered recess and a tapered protrusion sized and shaped to mate with the tapered recess when the cover plate is properly aligned with the mounting area.

A door hardware apparatus configured for mounting to a door, the door hardware apparatus comprising:

• a mounting plate configured for mounting to the door, the mounting plate comprising a first ramp;
• a cover plate mounted to the mounting plate, the cover plate comprising a second ramp;
• a spindle extending along a longitudinal axis through openings in the mounting plate and the cover plate;
• and
• a magnetic coupler selectively coupling the cover plate with the mounting plate;
• and
• wherein rotation of the cover plate about the longitudinal axis causes the first ramp and the second ramp to engage one another and urge the cover plate longitudinally away from the mounting plate, thereby releasing the magnetic coupler.