Lever handle support mechanism

A handle support mechanism for attachment to a mortise lock operable by first and second lever handles, the handle support mechanism comprising:

• a first friction disc connected to and rotationally driven by the first lever handle when the first lever handle is turned, the first friction disc having a first friction surface and at least one notch formed therein;
• a second friction disc connected to and rotationally driven by the second lever handle when the second lever handle is turned, the second friction disc having a second friction surface and at least one notch formed therein;
• a free-floating U-shaped spring bracket extending to opposite sides of the mortise lock, the spring bracket having first and second spring bracket friction surfaces held in frictional contact with the friction surfaces on the first and second friction discs by inward spring pressure applied by the spring bracket, the first and second spring bracket friction surfaces having at least one dimple formed thereon, the at least one dimple on the first spring bracket friction surface cooperatively engaging the at least one notch on the first friction disc to hold the first lever handle in a level position when the second lever handle is rotated, and the at least one dimple on the second spring bracket friction surface cooperatively engaging the at least one notch on the second friction disc to hold the second lever handle in a level position when the first lever handle is rotated.

A handle support mechanism for attachment to a lock operable by first and second handles, the handle support mechanism comprising:

• a first friction element having a friction surface, the first friction element being connected to and rotationally driven by the first handle when the first handle is turned;
• a second friction element having a friction surface, the second friction element being connected to and rotationally driven by the second handle when the second handle is turned;
• a first non-rotatable friction surface in frictional contact with the friction surface on the first friction element;
• a second non-rotatable friction surface in frictional contact with the friction surface on the second friction element, the first and second fixed friction surfaces being non-rotatable relative to the lock;
• and
• a spring bracket holding the friction surfaces on the first and second friction elements in frictional contact with the first and second non-rotatable friction surfaces, the spring bracket providing a first inward spring force between the friction surface on the first friction element and the first non-rotatable friction surface and a second, oppositely directed, inward spring force between the friction surface on the second friction element and the second non-rotatable friction surface.