GB2586334A - A panic hardware system - Google Patents

Abstract

A panic hardware system for double doors including a first and second lock devices 64, 66 with first and second operators such as panic bars 40, 30 controlling upper and lower locking members such as shoot-bolts (52, 58, 86, 92, fig.2). Operation of the second operator 70 unlocks the upper and lower locking members of the second lock device on the second/active door 6. Operation of the first actuator 40 unlocks the upper and lower locking members of the first lock device of the first/inactive door 2 and the locks of the second door via a link 68 such that operation of the first operator 40 unlocks both doors. The link 68 is preferably a two part bar with tapered ends attached to the drive bars of the locking mechanisms.

Description

A panic hardware system The present invention relates to a link for a panic hardware system. The present invention also relates to a panic hardware system for a pair of doors more particularly rebated double doors.

Known panic hardware systems, also known as crash bars or exit devices, employ operators, for example push pads, levers, touch bars or push bars to unlock doors, for example doors at emergency exits of a building. It is known to employ panic hardware systems on double doors, for example rebated double doors.

Rebated double doors have a pair of door leaves, one of the door leaves is known as an active door leaf and the other of the door leaves is known as an inactive door leaf. The first closing leaf is the inactive leaf and the second closing leaf is the active leaf.

Panic hardware systems for rebated double doors have operators on each of the door leaves. The operator on the first closing door leaf (the inactive leaf) is connected to a lock mechanism, which has an upper locking point (or bolt) for securing the top of the inactive door leaf and a lower locking point (or bolt) for securing the bottom of the inactive door leaf. The second closing door leaf (the active door leaf) has a horizontal latch that is actuated by an operator on the active door leaf. Some panic hardware systems include more than one horizontal latches on the active door as a so-called multi-point unit.

Pressing the operator of the active door leaf causes the one or more horizontal latches to be released and the active door leaf to be unlocked, allowing the active door leaf to be opened. The inactive door leaf remains closed and locked.

Pressing the operator of the inactive door leaf causes the upper and lower locking points (or bolts) on the inactive door leaf to be released and the one or more horizontal latches on the active door leaf to be pushed back into their respective mechanisms. This causes each of the inactive and active door leaves to be unlocked, allowing both of the inactive and active door leaves to be opened.

The rebated double doors are often exterior doors that provide a route by which people may egress a building quickly in the event of an emergency.

A disadvantage of known panic hardware systems is that the double rebated doors are insecure and vulnerable to break-ins as the active door leaf is not fastened at its top and bottom, so its free edge is only fastened in one or more positions horizontally.

At present rebated double doors are not fitted with vertical locking points or bolls at the top and bottom of both of the active and inactive door leaves, because actuation of the operator on the inactive leaf would not enable the inactive door to be opened (it would be held in position by the locked active leaf). In the event of an emergency, this would prevent egress of people from a building.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a link for a panic hardware system on rebated double doors, the link including a first link member and a second link member, the first link member including a first connector for connecting the first link member to a first lock on a panic hardware system and a first arm that extends from the first connector, the second link member including a second connector for connecting the second link member to a second lock on a panic hardware system and a second arm that extends from the second connector, and the link having a first configuration in which the first arm does not bias the second arm and a second configuration in which a portion of the first arm engages and biases a portion of the second aim, wherein, in use, movement of a first lock on a panic hardware system from a locked slate to an unlocked slate causes the link to move from the first configuration to the second configuration and the engagement of the portion of the first arm with the portion of the second arm causes a second lock on a panic hardware system to move from a locked state to an unlocked state.

The first lock may be a first bolt, for example a first panic bolt for an inactive door leaf. The second lock may he a second bolt, for example a second panic bolt for an active door leaf.

The link is particularly advantageous because it allows the provision of a panic hardware system with vertical locking points or bolts at the top and bottom of both of the active and inactive door leaves on rebated double doors, enabling each of the door leaves to be securely locked when not in use and quickly released in the event of an emergency.

The portion of the first man that engages the portion of the second arm may overlap the portion of the second arm when the link is in the second configuration. The portion of the first arm that overlaps the portion of the second arm may be at least 10 millimetres long, preferably at least 20 millimetres. The portion of the first arm that overlaps the portion of the second arm may be less than 30 millimetres long.

The first arm may be an upper connector for mounting on an inactive door leaf of a IS panic hardware system. The second arm may be a lower connector for mounting on an active door leaf of a panic hardware system.

A lower surface of the first arm may engage an upper surface of the second arm when the link is in the second configuration.

The overlap of the portion of the first arm with the portion of the second arm, facilitates the unlocking of the second lock in response to the unlocking of the firs( lock and the subsequent movement of the first arm of the link.

The first arm may have a base and the lower surface of the first arm may be at an angle relative to the base. The angle between the lower surface and the base may be less than 45 degrees, preferably less than 30 degrees. The angle between the lower surface and the base may be at least 20 degrees.

The second arm may have an upper face and the upper surface of the second arm may be at an angle relative to the upper face. The angle between the upper surface and the upper face may be less than 45 degrees, preferably less than 30 degrees. The angle between the upper surface and the upper face may be at leas( 20 degrees.

The angle surface of the first arm and/or the second arm reduces lhe force that is required to unlock the second lock in response to the unlocking of the first lock and the subsequent movement of the first arm of the link.

The first connector may include a first aperture that is arranged to receive a first locking member of a panic hardware system. The first aperture may have a diameter that is at least 5 millimetres. The diameter of the first aperture may be less than 20 millimetres, preferably less than 15 millimetres.

The second connector may include a second aperture that is arranged to receive a second locking member of a panic hardware system. The second aperture may have a diameter that is at least 5 millimetres. The diameter of the second aperture may be less than 20 millimetres, preferably less than 15 millimetres.

The apertures on the first and/or second connectors facilitate the connection of the first and second arms on locking members of panic hardware systems.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a panic hardware system for rebated double doors including a first locking device, a second locking device and a link as described in connection with the first aspect of the invention, the first locking device including a first operator and a first lock that is associated with a first door leaf, the second locking device including a second operator and a second lock that is associated with a second door leaf, the first lock having a locked state in which the first door leaf is locked closed and an unlocked state in which the first door leaf is unlocked and can be opened, the second lock having a locked state in which the second door leaf is locked closed and an unlocked state in which second door leaf is unlocked and can be opened, wherein, in use, actuation of the first operator causes the first lock to move from the locked state to the unlocked state and the link causes the second lock to move to the unlocked state.

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The first lock may be a first bolt, for example a first panic bolt for an inactive door leaf. The second lock may be a second bolt, for example a second panic bolt for an active door leaf.

The first door leaf may be a first closing door leaf, for example an inactive door leaf.

The second door leaf may be a second closing door leaf, for example an active door leaf.

The panic hardware system is particularly advantageous as it enables a pair of rebated door leaves to be securely locked when not in use and quickly released in the event of an emergency.

The first arm of the link may be arranged to extend over a portion of the second door leaf.

The first arm may be an upper connector for mounting on the first door leaf. The second arm may be a lower connector for mounting on the second door leaf.

The first arm of the link extending over a portion of the second door leaf facilitates the 20 movement of the second lock from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to the unlocking of the first lock.

The first operator may be a lever, a push bar, a touch bar or a push pad.

The firs( lock may include an upper fastener, for example a locking point, that is arranged to be adjacent to an upper edge of the first door leaf When the first lock is in the locked state, the upper fastener may be positioned beyond a top edge of the first door leaf and when the first lock is in the unlocked position, the upper fastener may be positioned below a top edge of the first door leaf.

The first lock may include a lower fastener, for example a locking point, that is anal-wed to be adjacent to a lower edge of the first door leaf When the firs( lock is in the locked state, the lower fastener may be positioned beyond a lower edge of the first door leaf and when the first lock is in the unlocked position, the lower fastener may be positioned above a lower edge of the first door leaf.

The second operator may be a lever, a push bar, a touch bar or a push pad.

The second lock may include an upper fastener, for example a locking point, that is arranged to be adjacent to an upper edge of the second door leaf.

When the second lock is in the locked state, the upper fastener may be positioned beyond a top edge of the second door leaf and when the second lock is in the unlocked position, the upper fastener may be positioned below a top edge of the second door leaf.

The second lock may include a lower fastener, for example a locking point, that is arranged to be adjacent to a lower edge of the second door leaf.

When the second lock is in the locked state, the lower fastener may be positioned 20 beyond a lower edge of the second door leaf and when the second lock is in the unlocked position, the lower fastener may be positioned above a lower edge of the second door leaf.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a panic hardware system for rebated double doors including a first lock device and a second lock device the first lock device including a first operator and a first lock for a first door leaf, the second lock device including a second operator and a second lock for a second door leaf, each lock including an upper locking point to lock the top of a door leaf, and a lower locking point to lock the bottom of a door leaf, operation of the first operator being arranged to unlock the upper and lower locking points of the first lock device, and operation of the second operator being arranged to unlock the upper and lower locking points of the second lock device, wherein the system includes link means to

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connect the first and second locks so that operation of one operator releases both locks.

The first lock may be a first bolt. The second lock may be a second bolt.

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Preferably the link means is above head height, for example, above 1.85m in height, so that people going through the doorway will not come into contact with it. The link means is conveniently adjacent the upper locking points.

The upper locking points are preferably bolts that move upwards to lock, and the link means is preferably an arm on the first upper locking bolt to engage an arm on the second upper locking bolt so that movement of the fitst upper locking bolt in the direction to unlock results in engagement of the two arms so that the second upper locking bolt is also moved in the direction to unlock, which in turn unlocks the whole of the second lock. The parts of the arms that engage one another may be at an acute angle to the direction of movement.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a panic hardware system having a link according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the panic hardware system of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the link of the present invention; Figure 4 is an alternative front view of the link of the present invention; Figure 5 is a top view of a first link member for the link of the present invention; Figure 6 is a side view of the first link member of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a top view of the second link member for the link of the present invention; and Figure 8 is a side view of the second link member of Figure 7.

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Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a panic hardware system 2 for a pair of rebated door leaves 4, 6. The pair of door leaves 4, 6 arc rebated such that the second door leaf 6 has a portion or lip 8 that overlaps the vertical edge 10 of the first door leaf 4. The first door leaf 4 is a first closing, or inactive, door leaf and the second door leaf 6 is a second closing, or active, door leaf.

The first (inactive) door leaf 4 has a slave unit 12 and a mechanism unit 14 mounted thereon. The slave unit 12 has an aperture 16 in the slave unit arm 18 for one end of an operator 40, in this example a push bar, to locate. The mechanism unit 14 has an aperture 20 in the mechanism unit arm 22 for the other end of the operator 40 to locate. The mechanism unit 14 has a through hole 24 that extends vertically relative to the height of the first door leaf 4.

The second (active) door leaf 6 has a slave unit 26 and a mechanism unit 28 mounted thereon. The slave unit 26 has an aperture 30 in the slave unit arm 32 to locate one end of an operator 70, in this example a push bar. The mechanism unit 28 has an aperture 34 in the mechanism unit arm 36 to locate the other end of the operator 70. The mechanism unit arm 36 has a through hole 38 that extends vertically relative to the height of the second door leaf 6.

The panic hardware system 2 includes a first lock device 64 mounted on the first door leaf 4, a second lock device 66 mounted on the second door leaf 6 and a link 68 The first lock device 64 has a push bar 40, a top shoot rod 42, a top shoot bolt 52, a 30 bottom shoot rod 44 and a bottom shoot bolt 58. The push bar 40 has a first end 60 and a second end 62. The top shoot bolt 52 has a threaded portion 53.

The second lock device 66 has a push bar 70, a top shoot rod 72, a top shoot bolt 86, a bottom shoot rod 74 and a bottom shoot bolt 92. The push bar 70 has a first end 76 and a second end 78. The top shoot bolt 86 has a threaded portion 87.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4. the link 68 has a first (upper) link member or connector 94 and a second (lower) link member or connector 96.

With particular reference to Figures 5 and 6, the first link member 94 has an arm 98 and a connector 100. The arm 98 has a lower surface 102 that has an angled portion 104. The connector 100 has a hole 106 for receiving the threaded portion 53 of the top shoot bolt 52. The connector 100 also has a threaded aperture 107 for receiving a grub screw or locking pin (not shown).

With particular reference to Figures 7 and 8, the second link member 96 has an arm 108 and a connector 110. The arm 108 has an upper surface 112 that has an angled portion 114. The connector 110 has a hole 116 for receiving the threaded portion 87 of the top shoot bolt 86.

In some embodiments, the first lock device 64 may include a guide plate 46 positioned adjacent to the top shoot bolt 52, as shown in Figure 4. Similarly, the second lock device 66 may include a guide plate 48 positioned adjacent to the top shoot bolt 86 as shown in Figure 4.

The panic hardware system 2 is installed on the pair of rebated door leaves 4, 6 as described below.

The first lock device 64 is assembled as follows.

The first end 60 of the push bar 40 is mounted in the aperture 16 in the slave unit arm 18 of the slave unit 12. The second end 62 of the push bar 40 is mounted in the aperture 20 in the mechanism unit arm 22 of the mechanism unit 14.

The top shoot rod 42 and the bottom shoot rod 44 are mounted in the through hole 24 of the mechanism unit 14.

A first locking nut 80, the first link member 94 and a second locking nut 82 are threaded on the threaded portion 53 of the top shoot bolt 52 such that the arm 98 of the first link member 94 projects away from the first door leaf 4. The two locking nuts are tightened adjacent to the connector 100 of the first link member 94 in order to secure it in the desired position. A grub screw or locking pin 84 is inserted into the threaded aperture 107 of the connector to further secure the position of the first link member 94 on the top shoot bolt 52.

The top shoot bolt 52 is mounted on the top shoot rod 42 and the bottom shoot bolt 58 is mounted on the bottom shoot rod 44.

In this way the top shoot bolt 52 is positioned adjacent to an upper edge of the first door leaf 4, the first link member 94 extends across the join between the first door leaf 4 and the second door leaf 6, and the bottom shoot bolt 58 is positioned adjacent to a lower edge of the first door leaf 4.

The second lock device 66 is assembled as follows.

The first end 76 of the push bar 70 is mounted in the aperture 30 in the slave unit arm 32 of the slave unit 26. The second end 78 of the push bar 70 is mounted in the aperture 34 in the mechanism unit arm 36 of the mechanism unit 28.

The top shoot rod 72 and the bottom shoot rod 74 are mounted in the through hole 38 of the mechanism unit 28.

A first locking nut 118, the second link member 96 and a second locking nut 120 are threaded on the threaded portion 87 of the top shoot bolt 86 such that the arm 108 of the second link member 96 extends across the second door leaf 6 towards the first door leaf 4. The two locking nuts are tightened adjacent to the connector 110 of the second link member 96 in order to secure it in the desired position.

The top shoot bolt 86 is mounted on the top shoot rod 72 and the bottom shoot bolt 92 is mounted on the bottom shoot rod 74.

In this way the top shoot bolt 86 is positioned adjacent to an upper edge of the second door leaf 6, the second link member 96 extends across the second door leaf 6 towards the first door leaf 4 and the bottom shoot bolt 92 is positioned adjacent to a lower edge of the second door leaf 6.

The link is mounted on the panic hardware system 2 such that a portion of the arm 98 of the first link member 94 overlaps, but is spaced apart from, a portion of the arm 108 of the second link member 96.

Guide plate 46 may be mounted on the first door leaf 4 and the guide plate 48 may be mounted on the second door leaf 6 to guide movement of the top shoot bolts 52, 86 in some embodiments as shown in Figure 4.

Use of the panic hardware system 2 will now be described.

In a locked state, the first and second door leaves 4, 6 are locked closed. In this locked state, the top shoot bolts bolts 52, 86 are engaged in recesses (not shown) in a frame (not shown) above the first aml second door leaves 4, 6 and the bottom shoot bolts 58, 92 are engaged in recesses (not shown) below the first and second door leaves 4, 6.

The second door leaf 6 is an active door leaf. Pushing the push bar 70 of the second lock device 66 causes the top shoot rod 72 to be moved downwards such that the top shoot bolt 86 is withdrawn from its recess and the bottom shoot rod 74 to be moved upwards such that the bottom shoot bolt 92 is withdrawn from its recess. The second door leaf 6 can then be pushed open. The first door leaf 4 remains closed and locked.

The first door leaf 4 is an inactive door leaf Pushing the push bar 40 of the first lock device 64 causes the top shoot rod 42 to be moved downwards such that. the top shoot bolt 52 is withdrawn from its recess and causes the bottom shoot rod 44 to be moved upwards such that the bottom shoot bolt 58 is withdrawn from its recess. The downward movement of top shoot bolt 52 and the top shoot rod 42 causes the first link member 94 to be moved downwards. The downward movement of the first link member 94 brings the angled portion 104 of the arm 98 of the first link member 94 into contact with and biases the angled portion 114 of the arm 108 of the second link member 96. As the top shoot rod 42 is moved downwards, the second link member 96 is thus moved downwards.

The downward movement of the second link member 96 causes the top shoot rod 72 to be moved downwards such that the top shoot bolt 86 is withdrawn from its recess and this in turn causes the bottom shoot rod 74 to be moved upwards such that the bottom shoot bolt 92 is withdrawn from its recess. The first and second door leaves 4, 6 can then be pushed open.

Advantageously, the first and second door leaves 4, 6 are securely locked when the doors are closed, as the free edges of both doors are locked in two positions, namely at top and bottom, and the link enables each of the first and second door leaves 4, 6 to be opened quickly in the event of an emergency.

In the embodiment described above, the operators 40, 70 for each of the lock devices 64, 66 are push bars. It will be understood that one or both of the actuators could be levers, push pads or touch bars in alternative embodiments.

1. A link for a panic hardware system on rebated double doors, the link including a first link member and a second link member, the first link member including a first connector for connecting the first link member to a first. lock on a panic hardware system and a first arm that extends from the firs( connector, the second link member including a second connector for connecting the second link member to a second lock on a panic hardware system and a second arm that extends from the second connector, and the link having a first configuration in which the first arm does not bias the second arm and a second configuration in which a portion of the first arm engages and biases a portion of the second arm, wherein, in use, movement of a first lock on a panic hardware system from a locked state to an unlocked state causes the link to move from the first configuration to the second configuration and the engagement of the portion of the first arm with the portion of the second arm causes a second lock on a panic hardware system to move from a locked state to an unlocked state.

2. A link according to clause 1, wherein the portion of the first arm overlaps the portion of the second arm when the link is in the second configuration.

3. A link according to clause 2, wherein the portion of the firs( arm that overlaps the portion of the second arm is at least 10 millimetres long.

4. A link according to clause 2 or clause 3, wherein the portion of the first arm that overlaps the portion of the second arm is at least 20 millimetres long.

5. A link according to clause 2 or clause 3 or clause 4, wherein the portion of the first arm that overlaps the portion of the second aim is less than 30 millimetres long.

6. A link according to any preceding clause, wherein a lower surface of the first aim engages an upper surface of the second arm when the link is in the second 25 configuration.

7. A link according to clause 6, wherein the first arm has a base and the lower surface of the first arm is at an angle relative to the base.

8. A link according to clause 7, wherein the angle between the lower surface and the base is less than 45 degrees.

9. A link according to clause 7 or clause 8, wherein the angle between the lower surface and the base is less than 30 degrees.

10. A link according to clause 7 or clause 8 or clause 9, wherein the angle between the lower surface and the base is at least 20 degrees.

11. A link according to any of clause 6 to 10, wherein the second arm has an upper face and the upper surface of the second arm is at an angle relative to the upper face.

12. A link according to clause 11, wherein the angle between the upper surface and the upper face is less than 45 degrees.

13. A link according to clause 11 or clause 12, wherein the angle between the upper surface and the upper face is less than 30 degrees.

14. A link according to clause 11 or clause 12 or clause 13, wherein the angle between the upper surface and the upper face is at least 20 degrees.

15. A link according to any preceding clause, wherein the first connector includes a first aperture that is arranged to receive a first locking member of a panic hardware system.

16. A link according to clause 15, wherein the first aperture has a diameter that is at least 5 millimetres.

17. A link according to clause 15 or clause 16, wherein the diameter of the firs( aperture is less than 20 millimetres.

18. A link according to clause 15 or clause 16 or clause 17, wherein the diameter of the first aperture is less than 15 millimetres.

19. A link according to any preceding clause, wherein the second connector includes a second aperture that is arranged to receive a second locking member of a panic hardware system.

20. A link according to clause 19 wherein the second aperture has a diameter that is at least 5 millimetres.

21 A link according to clause 19 or clause 20, wherein the diameter of the second aperture is less than 20 millimetres.

22. A link according to clause 19 or clause 20 or clause 21, wherein the diameter of the second aperture is less than 15 millimetres.

23. A panic hardware system including a first lock device, a second lock device and a link according to any of clauses 1 to 22, the first lock device including a first operator and a first lock that is associated with a first door leaf, the second lock device including a second operator and a second lock that is associated with a second door leaf, the first lock having a locked state in which the first door leaf is locked closed and an unlocked state in which the first door leaf is unlocked and can be opened, the second lock having a locked slate in which the second door leaf is locked closed and an unlocked state in which second door leaf is unlocked and can be opened, wherein, in use, actuation of the firs( operator causes the firs( lock to move from the locked state to the unlocked state and the link causes the second lock to move to the unlocked state.

24. A panic hardware system according to clause 23, wherein the first arm of the link is arranged to extend over a portion of the second door leaf.

25. A panic hardware system according to clause 23 or clause 24, wherein the first operator is a push bar.

26. A panic hardware system according to clause 23 or clause 24 or clause 25, wherein the first lock includes an upper fastener that is arranged to he adjacent to an upper edge of the first door leaf.

27. A panic hardware system according to clause 26, wherein when the first lock is in the locked state, the upper fastener is positioned beyond a top edge of the first door leaf and when the first lock is in the unlocked position, the upper fastener is positioned below a top edge of the first door leaf.

28. A panic hardware system according to any of clauses 23 to 27, wherein the first lock includes a lower fastener that is arranged to be adjacent to a lower edge of the firs( door leaf.

29. A panic hardware system according to clause 28, wherein when the first lock is in the locked state, the lower fastener is positioned beyond a lower edge of the first door leaf and when the first lock is in the unlocked position, the lower fastener is positioned above a lower edge of the first door leaf.

30. A panic hardware system according to any of clauses 23 to 29, wherein the second operator is a push bar.

31. A panic hardware system according to any of clauses 23 to 29, wherein the second operator is a push pad.

32. A panic hardware system according to any of clauses 23 to 31, wherein the second lock includes an upper fastener that is arranged to be adjacent to an upper edge of the second door leaf 33. A panic hardware system according to clause 32, wherein when the second lock is in the locked state, the upper fastener is positioned beyond a top edge of the second door leaf and when the second lock is in the unlocked position, the upper fastener is positioned below a top edge of the second door leaf.

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34. A panic hardware system according to any of clauses 23 to 33, wherein the second lock includes a lower fastener that is arranged to be adjacent to a lower edge of the second door leaf.

35. A panic hardware system according to clause 34, wherein when the second lock is in the locked state, the lower fastener is positioned beyond a lower edge of the second door leaf and when the second lock is in the unlocked position, the lower fastener is positioned above a lower edge of the second door leaf.

36. A panic hardware system according to any of clauses 23 to 35, wherein the link is arranged to lie at least 1.85m above the floor.

37. A panic hardware system according to any of clauses 23 to 35, wherein the link is arranged to lie adjacent the top of the door leaves.

38. A panic hardware system for double doors including a first lock device and a second lock device the first lock device including a first operator and a first lock for a first door leaf, the second lock device including a second operator and a second lock for a second door leaf, each lock including an upper locking member to lock the top of a door leaf, and a lower locking member to lock the bottom of a door leaf, operation of the first actuator being arranged to unlock the upper and lower locking members of the first lock device, and operation of the second operator being arranged to unlock the upper and lower locking members of the second lock device, wherein the system includes link means to connect the first and second locks so that operation of one operator releases both locks.

39. A panic hardware system according to clause 38, wherein the link means is above head height, 40. A panic hardware system according to clause 38, wherein the link means is above 1.85m in height.

41. A panic hardware system according to clause 38, 39 or 40, wherein the link means is adjacent the upper locking members.

42. A panic hardware system according to any of clauses 38 to 41, wherein the upper locking members are bolts that move upwards to lock, and the link means is an arm on or adjacent the first upper locking bolt to engage an arm on or adjacent the second upper locking bolt so that movement of the first upper locking bolt in the direction to unlock results in engagement of the two arms so that the second upper locking bolt is also moved in the direction to unlock, which in turn unlocks the lower locking bolt of the second lock.

43. A panic hardware system according to clause 42, wherein the parts of the arms that engage one another are at an acute angle to the direction of movement.

Claims (6)

19 Claims I. A panic hardware system for double doors including a first lock device and a second lock device the first lock device including a first operator and a first lock for a first door leaf, the second lock device including a second operator and a second lock for a second door leaf, each lock including an upper locking member to lock the top of a door leaf, and a lower locking member to lock the bottom of a door leaf, operation of the first actuator being arranged to unlock the upper and lower locking members of the firs( lock device, and operation of the second operator being arranged to unlock the upper and lower locking members of the second lock device, wherein the system includes link means to connect the first and second locks so that operation of one operator releases both locks.

2. A panic hardware system according to claim 1, wherein the link means is above head height,

3. A panic hardware system according to claim 1, wherein the link means is above 1.85m in height.

4. A panic hardware system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the link means is adjacent the upper locking members.

5. A panic hardware system according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper locking members are bolts that move upwards to lock, and the link means is an arm on or adjacent the first upper locking bolt to engage an arm on or adjacent the second upper locking bolt so (hat movement of the first upper locking bolt in the direction to unlock results in engagement of the two arms so that the second upper locking bolt is also moved in the direction to unlock, which in turn unlocks the lower locking bolt of the second lock.

6. A panic hardware system according to claim 5, wherein the parts of the arms that engage one another are at an acute angle to the direction of movement.