IE41937B1 - Push bar latch operating devices for doors - Google Patents

Abstract

1487337 Linkwork NEWMAN-TONKS Ltd 14 Nov 1975 [29 Nov 1974] 51716/74 Heading F2K A push-bar latch operating device, for operating "panic bolts" axially provided in exit doors of public buildings for emergency exit purposes, comprises a tubular push-bar 19 connected to one or, as shown, two levers 14, 18 for operating a pair of door frame engaging elongated bolt rods 12, 13 via the lever 14, each lever 14 and 18 being rigidly connected to the push-bar 19 by a screw 24 which engages and deforms a portion of the tubular push-bar 19 into a grooved or irregularly shaped plug 21 contained within the push-bar 19. As shown, each lever has a keyhole shaped slot 20 into which the tubular push-bar 19 and the cylindrical plug 21, having a correspondingly keyhole shaped flanged head, are fitted from opposite sides, a nut 25 being trapped in the lower part of the keyhole slot 20, the screw 24 being screwed through the nut 25 to deform a portion of the tubular push-bar 19 into a groove 22 in the plug 21. The nut 25 may be rectangular, hexagonal or some other non-circular form, or may be cast in the lever, or the nut may be omitted and the lever directly threaded to receive the screw 24. The plug 21 may, instead of the groove 21, have a flattened or oval section defining a zone into which the tubular bar 19 may be locally deformed.

Description

This invention relates to push bar devices for operating latch bolts. Such apparatus are usually known as panic bolts and are frequently provided on exit doors of buildings to which the public has access. The push bar extends across a large part of the width of the door, at or near one edge of which the latch bolt is provided. The bar is mounted at one end, usually at the position of the latch bolt, on a lever which pivots about a horizontal or substantially horizontal axis, the lever being connected to the latch bolt to operate it, the other end of the bar being mounted in a similar lever pivotable about an axis coincident with that of the latch bolt lever.

On older forms of such devices, the end of the bar remote from the latch bolt is adapted for mounting on the door on a single swivel connection. The Invention is also applicable to this form, though the advantages gained are less significant. It is usual for the latch bolt to be operated by downward and inward movement of the bar and the pivoting lever mounting of the bar at both its ends enables the door to be opened by pressure at any point along the length of the bar.

It is necessary particularly with the form having two - 2 41937 pivoting levers, that the bar shall be secured not only against lengthwise movement, to prevent its release from either of the lovers, but also against rotation in the levers so that it can be reliably grasped and forced inwards to operate the latch bolt and thus open the door.

It is the object of the invention to provide a push bar device in a form which has the bar firmly secured in a lever at least at one of its ends.

According to the invention, a push bar latch operating device comprises a tubular bar connected to a pivotal lever, the connection between them including a screw carried in the lever engageabie transversely of the length of the bar, with a portion of the bar occupying a bore in the lever, the end of the bar containing a plug defining a zone into which a portion of the bar within the lever is deformed by the screw, to lock the bar to the lever.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a push bar latch operating device constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 2-2 in Figure 3, Figure 3 is an end view in the direction of arrow 3 in Figure 2, and, Figure 4 is a part cross seotional view on the line 4-4 in Figure 2.

Figure 1 illustrates a door 10, on one face of which is mounted a latch bolt mechanism indicated generally at 11. This has two elongated bolt rods 12,13 extending out of it and arranged to engage in respective sockets at the top and the bottom of the door frame respectively. This mechanism 11 is actuated by a lever 14, pivotally mounted thereon - 3 419 37 about a horizontal axis indicated at 15. The lever 14 has a part (not illustrated) which operates the mechanism 11, when the lever 14 is pivoted in a downward and inward direction as indicated by the arrows 16 in Figure 1.

At the opposite side of the door from the mechanism 11, there is mounted a block 17, on which is pivotally mounted a further lever 18. The pivotal axis is the same axis 15 as that of the lever 14.

The levers 14 and 18 are connected by a push bar 19 Ιθ which thus extends across substantially the whole width of the door 10. The parallel action of the two levers 14,18 permit actuation of the latch bolt mechanism 11, upon application of pressure at any point along the length of the bar 19.

Figures 2,3 and 4 show the connection between the bar and the two levers 14 and 18 (the lever 14 only being illustrated).

The bar 19 is tubular and extends into a bore 20 in the lever 14. The bore is of generally keyhole shape as illus,0 trated particularly in Figure 3. A major part of the bore is however, of a diameter only slightly larger than the outside diameter of the tubular bar 19, so that this engages therein with small clearance.

Engaged in the end of the tubular bar 19 is a flanged >5 plug 21. The flange of the plug is of corresponding keyhole shape to the bore 20 and substantially fills this bore to provide a flush surface at the side of the lever 14, remote from that at which the tubular bar 19 extends. The plug is generally cylindrical. Afca position aligned with the 0 centre of the generally rectangular extension formed by the keyhole shape of the flange, there is a groove 22, formed lengthwise of the plug 21. This recess 22 extends over the whole of the length of the cylinder of the plug 21, and is - 4 41937 of approximately semi circular section.

In the centre of the outer end of the lever 14 is a drilling 23, occupied by the head of a screw 24. The screw head is provided with an internal hexagonal socket ,. (not illustrated) for engagement by a wrench whereby the screw may be turned. This is usually known as an 'Allen' screw and it is preferably formed from a high tensile steel.

Engaging in the rectangular extension of the bore 20 I is a nut 25 engaged by the shank of the screw 24. The screw shank end furthermore engages in the tubular bar 19, to deform it locally into the recess 22 of the plug 21.

This arrangement ensures security of the bar 19 in the lever 14, both against axial movement of the bar and also against rotation thereof in the lever so as to allow it to be reliably grasped for the purpose of operating the latch bolt mechanism.

The securement of. the bar 19, in the lever 18, may be the same as that illustrated in the lever 14, or alternat20 ively other connecting means may be used therein.

The device is also applicable to the type of bar connected at one by the lever 14, and at the other by a single swivel connection replacing the block 17 and lever 18 at the other end.

In an alternative construction the nut 25 which is shown rectangular is hexagonal or other non-circular form.

In a further construction the nut 25 is cast in to the lever 14.

In relatively soft materials the nut is provided in one of these forms, but if the material is sufficiently hard to withstand the strains upon it the screw 24 is engaged in a screw threaded drilling which is formed directly in the lever 14.

The recess in the plug may be omitted and instead the plug is provided with a cross sectional form such as flattened or oval section defining a zone into which the tubular bar may be locally deformed.

Claims (4)

1. CLAIMS;

1. A push bar latch operating device comprising a tubular bar connected to a pivotal lever, the connection between them including a screw carried in the lever engageable transversely of the length of the bar, with a portion of the bar occupying a bore in the lever, the end of the bar containing a plug defining a zone into which a portion of the bar within the lever is deformed by the screw, to lock the bar to the lever.

2. A push bar latch operating device as claimed in claim 1 in which the plug is generally cylindrical but has a lengthwise recess into which the portion of the bar is deformed by the screw.

3. A push bar latch operating device as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2 in which the screw is engaged in a nut held captive within an extension of the bore in the lever.

4. A push bar latch operating device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.