This disclosure relates generally to exit devices which are adapted for use in facilitating the egress from a building in an emergency situation such as fire. More particularly, this disclosure relates to exit bars which are mounted to exit doors and are depressible to retract a latch.
Conventional exit bars to which the present disclosure relates employ a pivoted latch which is attached to a door. A fixed strike is mounted to the door frame. A horizontal bar is disposed across the door and is configured to retract the latch upon depressing the bar. The pivoted latch is a Pullman-type mechanism which is pivoted so that when it is pressed against the strike, it tends to rotate the latch into a closed position. The contacting surface of the latch is defined by a constant radius from the pivot axis. When the horizontal bar is depressed, the latch rotates into an opposite direction and the rotational movement of the latch facilitates releasing the latch even under a considerable pressure.
The conventional-type of latching can be deficient when a substantial pulling force is applied from outside to the door. In this instance, the rounded surface of the latch pressed against the strike simply functions as a wedge, spreading apart the door and the door frame enough to disengage the strike and the latch essentially without moving anything else. In sum, the typical conventional latch can be fairly characterized as a compromise between a moderate degree of security and excellent safety.
There are, however, numerous applications in which it is required that the latching devices be capable of withstanding tremendous pressure, such as may be applied to doors by hurricanes and tornadoes, while still providing an efficient and easy egress from the inside of the structure. In addition, security has become a significantly greater consideration, and there is a growing concern that it should not be unduly compromised.
The subject exit system addresses problems associated with conventional devices by implementing a number of new approaches:
First, both the latch and the strike are pivoted. The latch is pivoted in a way that, when under pressure to open the door, the latch pressed against the strike, which is blocked from rotation in a direction allowing door opening, tends to rotate in a direction to allow the door to open. However, the latch is configured in a “claw” like configuration, so that any would be rotating force theoretically goes through the center of rotation, and therefore is not effective in causing any rotation. In practice, the relationships may deviate from the theoretical model and the force is somewhat offset from the center of rotation. Consequently, there is a back up feature, blocking the claw-like latch, until the slightly depressed bar releases the blocking allowing rotation. When released, the latch is subject to two retracting forces—the pressure by the continuous movement of the bar and any force applied to the door from the inside or the outside in the direction of the opening. After the door is open and the bar is no longer pressed down, the door could be relocked. The one way pivoted strike allows re-latching.
Second, the physical strength of a door/door frame system depends on the number of points where the door locks to the frame, regardless of the push bar design. Conventional related devices typically provide, at most, three points for a single door and two for a pair of doors. The proposed bar allows theoretically unlimited number of locking points all to be operated simultaneously by a single horizontal push bar. As practical constraints, the number of locking points would be limited by a force required for the bar to overcome resistance of the spring loaded latches and still be within activation force limits of regulatory codes.
Briefly stated, an exit bar system releasably secures a door to a door frame. The door is pivotal about a pivot axis between a closed and opened position and mounts a push bar on the secured side of the door. A door latching assembly mounted on the secured side of the door comprises a door latch mounted for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the pivot access. The door latch has a door latching surface movable between a retracted position and a projected position. A frame latching assembly mounted to the door frame comprises a frame latch mounted for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the frame. The frame latch has a frame latching surface movable toward a projected position. When the door is in the closed position relative to the door frame, the door and frame locking surfaces are projected and engaged in adjacent opposing surface-to-surface orientation such that a direction of force resulting from an attempt to externally forcibly disengage the latching surfaces is directed across or close to the axis of the door latch.
In one embodiment, the door latching surface has a claw-like configuration, and the frame latching surface is generally complementary to the claw-like configuration. The door and frame latching surfaces in projected positions engage along an interface generally parallel to the door. The door latching assembly comprises dual transversely spaced door latches and the frame latching assembly also comprises two transversely spaced frame latches generally opposite the door latches.
Upon depressing the push bar, the door latch is forced to a retracted position via a longitudinal translation of a slide assembly. The door latching assembly comprises a platform with a peripheral skirt defining a recess. A longitudinally reciprocating actuator is disposed in the recess. The actuator comprises a pair of transversely spaced extensions which each define a diagonal slot.
A pair of actuating rods extend vertically relative to the latching assembly. A pin is received in each of the slots for vertically moving the actuator rods upon longitudinal movement of the actuator. A pair of transversely spaced, substantially identical latch housings each have a pair of transversely spaced upright walls. Each of the housings has a latch pivotally mounted via a pin received in an aperture of the walls. A coil spring is wrapped around each pin. The spring biases each of the latches to a generally projected position.
A carrier is disposed between the housing walls and is longitudinally slidable relative to the housing. The carrier further connects with a contraction arm pivotally mounted to the door latch wherein longitudinal movement of the carrier forces the door latch to retract rearwardly into the latch housing. A longitudinally movable actuator is operatively connected to the push bar. The carrier is fastened to the actuator.
The frame latching assembly comprises a frame latch biasing mechanism to bias the frame latch to a projected position. The frame latching assembly further comprises an override assembly which is biasable to overcome the frame latch biasing mechanism to retract the frame latch to a retracted position. The override assembly comprises a biasable member. The door latching assembly comprises a trigger stop, engageable against the member. Upon disengagement of the member and the trigger stop, the override assembly forces the frame latch to the retracted position.
The trigger stop inhibits the overriding assembly when the door is in the closed position, thereby allowing the frame latch to project into engagement with the door latch. In one preferred embodiment, each door latch assembly and each frame latch assembly comprise a pair of transversely spaced cooperative latches. The overriding assembly comprises a coil spring with an intermediate U-shaped portion which rotatably biases the member which is one embodiment is a drive arm. The drive arm is engageable with a trigger stop to inhibit the overriding assembly.
A multi-point exit device assembly releasably secures a door to a door frame. A primary latch assembly comprises a projectable door latch located on a secured side of the door. A primary frame assembly is engageable by the door latch. A retraction assembly disengages the door latch from the frame assembly and comprises a set of first cams. Two auxiliary latch assemblies, one located above and one located below the primary latch assembly are mounted adjacent the vertical edge of the door. The auxiliary latch assemblies each comprises a projectable auxiliary latch and a second follower. Two auxiliary frame assemblies are each engageable by an auxiliary latch.
An electric dogging mechanism can be used with an exit device having a latch operatively connected to a push bar mechanism comprises a base plate. The push bar mechanism is mounted to a base plate and operates a latch with an extended latch position and a retracted latch position for the exit device. A holding sub-assembly is attached to the base plate for holding the push bar mechanism in a depressed position and thereby holding the latch in the retracted position. The holding sub-assembly comprises a solenoid plunger connected to the push bar mechanism and a solenoid for holding the push bar mechanism in a depressed position. The push bar is elongated and the plunger and push bar generally longitudinally align.
An electromechanical assembly is adapted for incorporation with an exit device having a latch and a push bar mechanism operatively connected to the latch for moving the latch into a retracted position when depressed. An electromechanical assembly comprises a solenoid plunger movable independently from the push bar mechanism and operatively connected to the latch the plunger upon power being supplied to the solenoid moves the latch into a retracted position without depressing the push bar. The latch can be retracted independently by the push bar assembly and the electromechanical assembly. The electromechanical assembly is located in a housing for the exit device.
With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several figures, an exit device which is adapted for heavy duty high security applications is generally designated by the numeral 10. The exit device 10 is installed on an exit door 12 at the secured side 14 and latches to a door frame 16. The exterior side 18 of the door 12 may include a key operated latch 19.
In general, the exit device 10 comprises a panic bar assembly 20 which operates a principal door latching assembly 22. The latching assembly 22 optionally, via a connecting rod 23, functionally connects with an auxiliary upper latching assembly 24 and via a connecting rod 25 with an auxiliary lower latching assembly 26. Each of the door latching assemblies 22, 24 and 26 latch with a corresponding frame latching assembly 32, 34 and 36, respectively, each of which is mounted to the inner portion of the door frame 16 adjacent the edge of the door when the door is in the closed position illustrated in
The panic bar assembly 20 includes an elongated base 28 (
A generally U-shaped bracket 52 is disposed in fixed relationship to the base 28 (and the door). The bracket 52 mounts a pin 54 with a transfer link 56 pivotally connected to an actuator 58 at an intermediate position thereof. A second end of the actuator 58 connects via a pin 62 to an upright bracket 64 of the slide member 60. The upper end of the transfer link 56 is pivotally connected to a panic bar mounting bracket 66. The panic bar 40 is mounted over the bar mounting bracket 66. When the bar 40 is depressed downwardly, the actuator 58 is forced to pivot downwardly thereby resulting in the slide member 60 moving to the left in
The panic bar assembly 20 is preferably mounted to the door via fasteners which extend through openings in the base 28. In addition, an anchor plate 70 connects with a standoff 72 extending through a bore (
The door latching assembly 22 comprises a platform 100 with a peripheral skirt 102. Upon installation, the peripheral edge of the skirt 102 engages against the secured side 14 of the door. The platform 100 has a rear extension 104 which is received by the forward end of the base 28 and is secured therewith. The underside of the platform 100 forms a recess 106 for a longitudinally reciprocating actuator plate 110. With reference to
The top side of the platform mounts a pair of substantially transversely spaced identical latch housings 120. Each housing 120 has a pair of transversely spaced upright walls 122. Each wall has a pair of longitudinal collinear slots 124 and 126 and an arcuate upper cam slot 128 which align with opposed substantially identical corresponding slots in the opposite walls. The latch 42 is pivotally mounted via a pin 130 which is received in a lower aperture proximate the forward edge of the frame. The latch has a limit shoulder 44 adjacent the pin mounting position. The latch preferably has a bifurcated claw-like form with a central recess 43. A coil spring 132 is received in a lower recess of the latch and wraps around the pin for biasing the latch to a generally forward position which projects through an upper frontal opening 134 in the housing 120. There is a significant central platform area 108 between the latch housings 120. The area 108 can be used to accommodate additional features as illustrated in
With reference to
An inverted U-shaped carrier 140 is nested between the housing walls 122 and is connected to each housing 120 through each wall via a pair of pins 142 and 144, one received in the rear slot and one received in the forward slot. The forward end of the carrier has an upper shoulder 141 which is engaged by the latch shoulder 44 to rigidly reinforce the projected position of the door latch 42. The rear pin 144 also exteriorly mounts a pair of spaced retraction arms 146 which are pivotally connected to the pin. The opposed end of each retraction arm 146 is pivotally mounted via a pin 148 which extends through a transverse bore in the bifurcated portions of the latch 42. The pin 148 follows the arcuate cam slot 128 in the walls of the opposed side.
The underside of the carrier is fastened to each wing 114 of the actuator plate 110 by screws 118. When the actuator plate is rearwardly retracted, the carrier 140 rearwardly moves and the retraction arms 146 each pull the latch in a coordinated action so that each latch 42 pivots and slides both rearwardly and downwardly.
It will be appreciated that there is an identical structure at the opposing sides of the platform so that each latching assembly 22 essentially provides for two transversely spaced controlled projectable and retractable latches 42.
With reference to
The top of the platform 100 includes two sets of transversely spaced, upstanding parallel flanges 170. Each set of flanges forms a receiver. Each of the flanges has a transverse slot 172. Each connector module 160 includes a carrier 162 with a restricted nose-end 164 defining a reduced opening. The carrier 162 is mounted to the flanges by a pair of pins 174 and 176 which slide along the slots 72 so that the carrier moves transversely relative to the upstanding flanges 170.
The end of the actuating rod 23 or 25 is connected to the carrier by means of an adjustable hex head screw 178. The hex head is received in the carrier 162. The shank threads into the end of the rod with the threaded shank of the screw extending through the restricted nose-end 164 while the hex head is limited or captured by the nose-end 164. Thus, movement of each carrier 162 causes the associated rod to transversely move. The proximal end of the carrier mounts the pins 153 or 155. The nose-end 164 defines the outer limit for movement of the rod. The inner movement is defined by the innermost position of the inner pin and the end of slot 172 subject to the threaded adjustment of screw 178.
As the actuator track plate 110 is retracted, the pins 153 and 155 traverse the corresponding diagonal slots 152 and cause the actuating rods 23 and 25 to reciprocate inwardly and outwardly to thereby retract a corresponding actuator plate of the upper and lower latching assemblies 24 and 26, as will be described below.
It will be appreciated that for installations wherein the auxiliary latching assemblies 24 and 26 are not required, the upstanding flanges on the platform 100 as well as the connecting assemblies for the rods, are not required, such as, for example, the embodiments illustrated in
Auxiliary latching assemblies 24 and 26 (and any other latching assemblies that may be employed) have substantially the same structure and function as latching assembly 22 except that the latches are not operated by the panic bar, but by a complementary orthogonally driven movement of a corresponding actuator rod 23 or 25.
A representative auxiliary latching assembly is illustrated in
The actuating plate 180 is fastened to the corresponding carriers 140 for the latches 42 by means of screws 184. The top of the corresponding platform 100A includes a pair of latch housings 120 and projectable latches 42 which are substantially the same structure and are retracted and extended in the same fashion as previously described for the corresponding structures for latch mechanism 22. A trigger 136 is also provided. Thus it will be appreciated that depressing the panic bar 40 which actuates latching assembly 22 correspondingly also results in a displacement of a connecting actuating rod 23 and/or 25 which functions to also retract the latches of each of the corresponding auxiliary latching assemblies 24 and/or 26.
It should be appreciated that additional auxiliary latching assemblies could be provided and operatively connected via an actuating rod and carrier assembly driven via an upper pin 192. Multiple additional auxiliary latching assemblies and actuating rods (which operatively connect with auxiliary latching assemblies 24 and/or 25 locking assemblies) could be employed to provide multiple latching locations.
With reference to
A cover 230 (
It will be appreciated that any attempt to separate the door from the latching engagement is generally distributed through or slightly offset from the latch pin 130. Consequently, the cooperative latch mechanisms do not exhibit the wedge-type separation susceptibility as is common in many conventional-type latching mechanisms. When the door latch 42 is retracted, the door is free to pivot relative to the door frame latch and the door can thus be opened.
With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15A-15H, for some preferred embodiments, the door frame latch assembly 32B includes an override assembly 250 which is functionally disposed between the projecting spring biased latches 220 and, upon triggering, functions to apply an override force for returning the latches 220 to a retracted position within the cover 230. In this regard, the override assembly 250 has a greater spring force than that provided by the torsion springs 224 which function to normally project the latches to the projected position. The override assembly 250 is positioned in the central frame cradle 212 between the yokes 210.
A U-shaped bracket 252 is attached to a sidewall 214 of the support frame 200. The bracket has a pair of opposed openings which receive a pin 254. A torsion spring 256 is configured to form a medial catch 258 is mounted about the rod and engages the back of a drive arm 260 to exert a pivotal biasing force on the drive arm 260. Spacers 262 may be placed at each of the ends of the springs to generally center the spring 256 with the bracket 252.
An actuator bar 270 fixed with the drive arm 260 has a pair of opposed flappers 272 which engage pins 274 projecting from the side of the latch members 220. A stop 276 projects into the recess to provide a limit for the flappers 272. When the drive arm 260 is activated by removing the blocking element from the latching assembly 22, the drive arm is free to project under the force of the spring 256 and moves the actuating member to pivotally move the pins 274, thereby causing the latch members 220 to overcome the bias of the springs 224 and retract into the housing. The drive arm 260 is accessible via a central slot 238 in the cover 230. The cover 230 is mounted over the door frame latch assembly base support frame. The slot 238 is positioned and dimensioned to receive and be engaged by the trigger 136 mounted with the door (see
With reference to
With reference to
With reference to
The solenoids 360 can be employed to provide for the remote actuation and automatic de-actuation (retraction) of the latches 42 at various times throughout the working day. The panic bar 40 for this assembly is also depressible throughout the implementation of the independent retraction by the engaged solenoids. The solenoids 360 can also be wired into the overall safety system for the building.
This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/468,016 filed on Mar. 27, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61468016 | Mar 2011 | US |