Door latch operator apparatus

A mortise lock operable with a latch operator, the mortise lock comprising:

• a housing;
• a latch bolt disposed at least in part in the housing for reciprocal linear movement;
• a first hub defining a central opening about an axis of rotation, the first hub in operative communication with the latch bolt to transmit force to retract the latch bolt;
• a first spindle having a longitudinal axis, a first end, a second end, and a first peripheral groove proximate to the first end, the first end of the first spindle received in the opening in the first hub to apply rotational force to the first hub, the second end of the first spindle adapted to be in operative communication with the latch operator;
• a linearly moveable securing element having
• a first end,
• a second end, and
• two spaced parallel sides extending from the first end, each side defining opposing slots aligned with the direction of linear movement of the securing element, and each side including a lip portion spaced from the first end,
• wherein the securing element is moveable between a first position where a portion of the securing element is received in the first peripheral groove of the first spindle and the first spindle is secured to the first hub, and a second position where the securing element is spaced from the first peripheral groove and the securing element is disengaged from the first spindle and the first spindle may be freely removed from the opening in the first hub;
• a retaining element slidably mounted to the securing element between the two sides and in the slots of the securing element and mounted to the housing;
• and
• means for biasing the first end of the securing element away from the retaining element,
• wherein the securing element is capable of being moved from the first position to the second position by an implement inserted through an opening in the housing.