Retracting spindle for mortise lock

1. Field of the Invention A retracting spindle mechanism has a spindle that extends between a handle trim mechanism mounted on the face of a door and a mortised door lock. The spindle is rotated by the handle to operate the door lock and slides axially in a hub to accommodate doors of different thicknesses. A conical spring is used to urge the spindle to the extended position. The conical spring can be compressed until it is flat allowing the spindle mechanism to be used in trim mechanisms with paddle handles having limited space between the handle and the mortised lock mechanism. A pin extends transversely through the spindle and into a slot in the hub capturing the spring and holding the spindle mechanism together as an integral assembly.