more clearly shown in fig2 6 the housing 10 is provided with a backing plate or cover 26 which may be secured to the housing 10 by threaded fasteners not shown or other suitable fastening means as illustrated in fig2 the latch assembly 14 includes a centrally disposed shaft 20 the outermost end of which is attached to a palm handle 22 or other suitable handle the palm handle 22 is operative to rotate the shaft 20 about the longitudinal axis thereof from the normal position shown in fig1 in full lines to the position illustrated in phantom lines to actuate a latch not shown of an associated entry system the outermost end of the key actuated locking mechanism 18 is adapted to receive a key 24 for selectively moving the locking mechanism 18 to a locking position or an unlocking position while the locking mechanism 18 may be of a variety of types it has been discovered that favorable results are attained using a self centering type locking mechanism the self centering type mechanism normally maintains the key receiving slot and the associated key 24 in the static position illustrated in fig1 spring means not shown may be employed to urge the mechanism 18 to the static position when any rotational torque being applied to the key 24 is released the locking mechanism 18 is provided with an integral radially outwardly extending arm 32 which terminates in a transversely extending end portion 34 as illustrated in fig3.