System and method for adjusting the spring torque of a lock chassis

A latch assembly configured to attach to a door, the latch assembly comprising:

• a latch extending from the door;
• a housing coupled to the door and having an aperture defining a central axis therethrough;
• a spindle received and configured to rotate within the aperture and to extend and retract the latch;
• first and second biasing springs contained within the housing;
• an actuator selectively movable to an operable position in which rotation of the spindle deflects the first and second biasing spring, and an inoperable position in which rotation of the spindle deflects only the first biasing spring;
• and
• wherein the first and second biasing springs each have a first and second end, and wherein in the operable position, the actuator is centered between one of the first end and the second end of the first biasing spring and one of the first end and second end of the second biasing spring.

A latch assembly configured to attach to a door, the latch assembly comprising:

• a spindle rotatable about a central axis to move a latch from an extended position to a retracted position in the door;
• an annular plate fixed with respect to the door and including a slot, a plate face, and a plate projection extending from the plate face;
• a retainer member including a retainer face, a first retainer protrusion extending from the retainer face, and a second retainer protrusion extending from the retainer face, the retainer member coupled to the spindle and rotatable about the central axis;
• a first spring disposed between the plate face of the annular plate and the retainer face of the retainer member;
• a second spring disposed between the plate face of the annular plate and the retainer face of the retainer member, wherein the first spring and the second spring are movable with the plate projection, the first retainer protrusion, and the second retainer protrusion;
• and
• an actuator selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position through the slot to place the first spring and the second spring into a mechanically parallel relationship.