US2824440A - Panic exit lock - Google Patents

Description

5 Sheets-Shree?l 1 PANIC EXIT LOCK Feb. 25, 1958 F11-ed March 5, 195s Feb. 25, v1958 D. N. .JEwl-:TT ETAL 2,824,440

' PANIC EXIT LocK Filed March 5, 195s 5 sheets-sheet 2 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 s/'yg I PANIC EXIT LOCK D. N. JEWETT rAL Feb. 25, 195s* Filed March 5, 1953 Fb. 25, 1958 D. N. JEWETT ET AL 2,824,440

PANIC EXIT Loox v Filed March 5, 195s 'slieets-sheet 4 JNVENTOR.

United States Patent yOffice 2,824,440 Patented Feb. ,25,v v1958 `PANIC .EXIT LOCK Deane N. Jewett, Fraser, `Mic`h., and' John H. Gesing, Cleveland, Ohiog'said `lewett assignor of one-half te Detroit Hardware ManufacturingfCo., Detroit, Mich., a corporationof Michigan Application March 5, 1953, Serial.No.,340,432

1 Claim. (Cl. 74P-92) This invention rel-ates to closure devices and, in particular, to panicV exit devices or locks for doors of Apublic buildings.

One object of this invention is tosprovide `a panic exit device or lock which is operated merely by the use of a key to retract the locking bolts, without requiring the provision and operation of separate knobs, leversor the like in addition to the key, thereby eliminating'projections which catchon clothing and give an unsightly appear-ance, as well as simplifying the construction by the use of fewer parts.

Another objec-t is to providea panic exist device-orl lock operated from the outside of the enclosure solely by a single lock key in a single operation, and which is automatica-lly self-'locking when closed either manually or by afconventional door check.

Another object is to provide'apanic exit vdevice or 'lock wherein the locking bolts and their associated rods reengage bygravity after retraction, thereby eliminating the need for the operating springs required in prior panic exit locks, otherthan theoptional usefof a weightcounterbalancing spring for cross arm stabilizing.

Another object is to provide a panic exit device orlock wherein thelatches and control rods vare capable ofV being mounted either internally within or externally upon the door.

Another object is to provide a panicexit device which can be used interchangeable for either'right-hand or lefthand doors, the parts being either'symrnetrical or reversible without requiring separate parts for right-hand and left-hand doors.

Another kobject iis' toliprovidea `panic exit device orlock having an 'improved `means lfor attaching the tubular portion of the panic bar to the arms of the `center or Ioperating hous'ingand the support 'orhinge edge housing respectively.

Another object .is to provide; apanic exit` deviceor'lock wherein the clogging screw forsholding the panicbar in its retracted lposition-during the daytime yis incapable of accidental removal andwl'oss, which occurs frequently in prior panic hardware.

Another object is to provide a panic exit deviceorlock which is free from the externally-projectinglatchereleasing pins ofprior devices or locks lof this character,fsuch pins being easily bent, broken or lost.

Another object is to provide a panic exit .device:,orz1ock, particularly forsuchdevices or'. locks attachedexternally on the door, wherein the attachment, screws for the housing and guides are. concealed, thereby enabling the use of as many screws as are desired, :without the unsightlyappearance of such screws, this construction also enabling the panic exit lock tobemounted ondoors with narrow stiles yet withrample rigidity.

Another object is to provide a panic exit device for lock which is operated from outside the enclosure bya single operation of a single lock key, instead of requiring two or more .separate operations asin prior rpanic exitlocks which must first-be unlocked byaa key and thenactuated by means of a knob' or lever, means also being provided to prevent scarring of the floor after the door is unlocked and is being swung open.

Another object is to provide a panic exity device orlock wherein the operating parts are mounted 4in lhousings which may be interchangeably usedeither for internal ,or external installations within or upon the door respectively, thereby reducing the number of parts necessary, as well as enabling the manufacturer and dealerto reduce their inventories kof parts and completed assemblies.

Other objects and advantages of the yinvention Willfbecome apparent during the course V,of the following description ofthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l Vis a front elevation of a door equipped -with an internally-mounted panic exit lock according to one form of the invention, cer-tain portions ofthe door and operating rods being omitted for conciseness of showing;

Figure 2 is a left-hand side elevation of the doorand panic exit lock shown in Figureil;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary central vertical section taken along the line 3-3 inFigure 1, through the central housing and parts associated therewith;

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken along the line 4 4 in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken along lthe yline 5 5 in Figure r3;

-Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical section takenalong thelinelin Figure 3; l

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical sectiontaken along the line 7-7 in Figure l, through theupper bolt operating mechanism shown in itslocked position; v

Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical section taken along the line 8-S in Figure l, through the lower bolt Yoperating mechanism shown in its locked position;

Figure 9 is a vertical section at right angles to Figure 7, taken along the line 9-9 therein; v

Figure 10 is a vertical section at right angles .to Figure 8, taken along the line lil-l0 therein;

Figure 11 is a vertical -section similar to Figure 7, but showing the parts in their unlocked` positions;

Figure l2 is a vertical section similar 'to Figure 8, but showing the partsl in their unlocked` positions;

Figure 13 is a horizontal section taken `along theline 13-13-in Figure 7;

Figure 14 is a lhorizontal 14-41'4 in Figure 7;

Figure 15 is a horizontal section taken along theline 15-15 in Figure v8;

Figure 16 is an` enlargedfragmentary vertical section taken along the line 16-16 in Figure 31 throughl the. edgek housing and parts associated therewith;

Figure 17 is a vertical section at right angles to Figure 16, taken along the line 17-17 therein;

Figure 18 is an enlarged vertical 4section ftaken along the line ISL-18 in Figure 16, showing the, improved means for connecting the tubular cross bar tothe cross bararms;

Figure 19 is a front `elevation ofra slight modification of the panic exit lockof Figures l to l8vinclusive, as mounted externally on the door, certain portions ofthe door and operating rods being alsoomitted foreconciseness of showing;

Figure'ZO isa vertical section, partlyinside elevation, taken alongthe line 'Ztl-20 in Figure 19;

section taken along theline Figure 21 is a top plan view of the upper portion ofV General descriptionk of the invention Hitherto, the locking and unlocking of doors of public buildings, such as banks, theaters, schools, ofce buildings, governmental buildings and the like, has presented the difficult problem of maintaining free access into and out of the building during the daytime or business hours, yet properly securing and safeguarding the building to prevent entrance of intruders outside such hours. This problem has been further complicated by the diiculty of the lock` ing and unlocking of such doors when equipped with socalled panic hardware which automatically unlocks the door from the inside when anyone pushes against it. The mechanisms previously employed in connection with such hardware have been complicated and heavy, with the result that the ordinary door key lacks suicient strength and the door locking devices exert insufficient mechanical power to actuate the heavy bolts of such panic exit locks without danger of twisting off the key in the door lock.

The result has been that prior panic exit locks on such doors have employed the key and ordinary cylinder lock to merely operate a latch which releases the door locking bolts, the actual shifting of the bolts being accomplished by a second operation consisting of turning an independent knob or lever in order to shift the bolts and unlock the door. These additional knobs or levers are not only unsightly and likely to catch on the clothing of persons passing by, but also are a nuisance to the operator in that they require the operator, after using his key in the ordinary way, to remove his hand from the key and separately actuate the knob or bolt.

The present invention solves these problems by providing a panic exit lock in which the door locking bolts themselves are shifted by the door key so that unlocking of the door is accomplished directly in a single operation simultaneously with the turning of the door key without the necessity of turning or swinging any additional knob or lever, the bolt-operating mechanism operating so smoothly that the danger of twisting the key oi in the lock is eliminated. The invention also provides mechanism which automatically latches the locking bolts when they are retracted, so as to prevent them from scoring or otherwise damaging the oor or oor covering while the door is being swungopen, yet at the same time automatically unlatches the bolts so that they move into locking positions as the door closes the door opening. The present invention also operates by gravity without the need for operating springs.

Internally-mounted panic exit lock Referring to the drawings in detail, Figures l to 18 inclusive show a panic exit lock. generally designated 3G, shown as installed in the interior of a door. generally designated 31, of any suitable and conventional type. The door shown is of hollow metal construction but the invention is also obviously applicable to doors of wood or other material where space is provided within the outer stile or vertical bar at the outer edge of the door, for receiving the mechanism.v As will be seen from the description of Figures 19 to 24 inclusive, the panic exit lock of the present invention is equally applicable to mounting on the exterior of the door.

The door 31 is of conventional construction having outer and inner stiles 32 and 33 respectively (Figure 1), the former serving to receive the locking mechanism, including the upper and lower bolt units, generally designated 34 and 35 respectively, and the center unit or boltoperating assembly, generally designated 36, this in turn being connected by the panic bar unit 37 to the edge unit 38 mounted on the inner stile 33 upon which thehinges (not shown) are customarily mounted. The outer and inner stiles 33 and 34 are interconnected by the upper and lower rails 39 and 40 respectively, the Stiles 33 and 34 and rails 39 and 40 forming the usual framework for receiving the center panel 41 which in public buildings is usually of glass or other transparent material.

Edge unit construction The edge unit 38 which supports the inner end of the panic bar unit 37 includes a so-called hollow edge housing 45 having upper and lower anges 46 by which it is secured as at 47 to the inner stile 33 (Figure 16), the housing 45 on its inner side being closed by a closure plate 48 which is recessed into the bottom thereof as at 49. The edge housing 45 has a front Wall 50 from which a hollow boss or bracket 51 extends outwardly. The housing 45 contains an oblong chamber 52 in which a block 53 is reciprocably mounted. The block 53 at its upper end contains a socket 54 (Figures 16 and 17) which receives the lower end of a compression spring 55, the upper end thereof being seated against the upper wall of the housing 45. The block 53 at its lower end and at the lower limit of its reciprocation engages the lower wall of the housing 45 `as a limiting stop, and contains a recess or notch 56 extending inwardly from one side thereof and having ared or tapered upper and lower entrance surfaces 57 and w 58 respectively.

y ears 74 (Figure l) of the bracket 51.

The housing 45 is hollow and provided with an extension 59 of the chamber 52, and is also provided with a vertical threaded bore 60 having a larger diameter coaxial counterbore 61 at the lower end thereof. Threaded into the bore 60 is a headless stop screw 62 having its upper end 63 projecting into the chamber extension 59 while its lower end 64 is provided with the usual recess 65 for receiving the ordinary screw driver or so-called Allen wrench. The stop screw 64 is retained in position and prevented from being lost through accidental unscrewing by a threaded stop ring or bushing 66 threaded into the counterbore 61 and having a bore 67 through which the above-mentioned wrench or screw-driver may be freely inserted and removed. The stop screw 62, as will be seen below, is actuated during the daytime to render the panic bar unit 37 temporarily inoperative, yet is rotated in the reverse direction at night or outside business hours to place the panic bar unit 37 back in operation. For this reason, the frequent actuation of the stop screw 60, together with a similar companion stop screw described below in connection with the center unit 36, does not result in the loss of these stop screws, as frequently occurs in prior panic hardware not equipped with the retaining bushings or rings 66.

Projecting into the recess 56 of the block 53 and engaging the tapered surface 57 is the correspondingly tapered nose portion 70 of the inner panic bar supporting lever 71 which is bored as at 72 to receive a pivot pin 73 extending into the aligned bores 69 in the spaced The nose portion 70 is provided with a bore 75 opening into the bore 72 at right angles thereto and the outer end of the bore 75 opens into a threaded counterbore 76 receiving a threaded stud or set screw 77 having an Unthreaded nose portion 78 engaging an annular retaining groove 79 in the pivot pin 73.

The outer arm 80 of the supporting lever 71 terminates in a boss 81 (Figure 18) which is recessed or countersunk yas at 82 to receive a tubular panic bar 83. The inner bore 84 of the panic bar 83 receives a split clamping ring 85 having a conical inner surface or recess 86 engaged by the correspondingly conical outer surface 87 of an internally-threaded expanding nut 38 which is threaded upon the end or threaded shank 89 of an expanding screw 90 which passes through a hole 9i of the boss 81 and is provided with the usual wrench socket or screw slot 92. By rotating the expanding screw 92 in a clockwise direction, the expanding nut 88 is drawn inwardly intol the conical recess 86 in the split clamping ring 85, expanding the latter and widening the gap or split therein, This in turn tightly expands the end of the panic baij ,83 against the side walls of the -struction tothe 'inner' lever 71 and is-similarly-.mounted upon the central housngl95'iof the center unit-or boltoperating assembly 36,- hence similartpartsare provided with the= same referencemumerals (Figure 3) as inthe previously-described construction for ythe edge unit 38.

Thestop screw lconstruction-andfretention for the outer arm-94 isalso the Asame asffor-the inner armf71, iand-is ltherefore similarly designated. TheA outer or lcentral lhousing '95, however, ist-slightly longer than-the inner `or edge housing 45 and r instead of the reciprocating block 53and spring155'of-the. latter, ithas an elongated chamber'f96 reciprocably receiving af-socalled-operating fork, generally designated 97, shown in more detail in `FigureZS. YThe fork 97 isfprovidedfwith averticallydisposed elongated base 98 having upper and lower elongated lrectangular slots 99 and 100.

Immediately adjacent the lowerend oftheupper slot 99 and the upper end of the lower-slot.100,lthe ibase 98 is provided with a pair of transverse ribs or ridges 101 `and 102 respectively. yProjecting outwardly lfrom 'the base y98 at its opposite ends adjacent the'outer ends of theslots 99- and 100 are-upper andlower larms1-03`and 104 respectively,`lthese having reducedywidth'end portions 105 and 106 respectively (Figure 25). The reduced width portions 105 and106-are offset in the same direction-and the 'upperand lower. slots 99and 100l and ribs or ridgesll and102 are disposed symmetrically with respect to'the center of the base `98,- so thatithe fork 97 may be usedieither for a right-handl or left=hand door `merely rby being inverted v:from the position shownin Figures 3, and 25.

The tapered lnose portion or vinner-arm-70 of-the outer panic bar supporting -lever 94,instead of-,engaging the walls-fof the'recess 56 in the yblock 53\as..inFigures 16 and l7, engages onef'end-of onel of the slots 99 or 100, whichever happens to be lowermost. Only one of these slots is in use'at a given time, because of the provision for interchangeability inA right-hand and left-hand operation. The'fork '97fis also shiftedverticallyfbyttheuengagement of the crank pin'110k (Figures 3 and f4) 'on the outer Aend of .a crank '111, the hub 112 of which is journaled in' a-"bore 113 in amounting plate114 secured as at 115 to'thefinner wall 117 of theiouter stile 34. The hub `112.is"held in position bya snap ring'V 118 engaging an annularffgroove '119 thereiniand. seated in a counterbore 120 in theimountingplate 114'zatf thetinner end .of/the bore 113. The crank v111 isLprovided with a vcross-shaped aperture 121 for receiving .a conventional motion-transmitting member 122,"usually in 4the form of anfelongated at'metal strip which at its other end engagesa recess123 in the output member 1,24 of aconventional 'rim lock cylinder, generally designated 12S (Figure u3). Theihub 112 is provided witha couuterbore 126extending'inwardly to the cross-shaped apertured 121 andjoinsnit;atitheibottoml127 of the'counterbore 126. rIlhe rim lock 'cylinderi125 is conventional and its details'.v are outside the-scope' of the" present invention.

Itismountedias usual in a hole 128 inthe outer wall 1291er the outer'stilei34 and has aniescutcheon plate or disc l130'through .which the key-receiving'portion 131 projects. VThe key-receiving portion `131 as its name indicateslisordinarily in the'form of a cylindrical'plug with azfdiametrical key recess congured to receive the ordinary key (not shown) by which the panic exit lock isnot only unlatched but also actuated from outside theenclosure in gaining entrance by a key.

Lower bolt unit construction "Secured as at 135 tothe wall 117 of the stile 34.0fthe door-31,isa-'channel-shaped lower boltk housingA 136 (Figures 8 Aand-l5), .the opposite sides of which are vertically .slotted as at 137 to receive the opposite ends of a pin ,138 carrying spaced washers 139 between vwhich lis lmounted the lower bolt-operating rodV 140 having a transverse'holef141 inwhich-the pin 138 is seated. The

lupper endof the rod4 140 is threaded as at 142 to .enter thecorrespondingly-threaded socket 143 (Figure 3) in `like lowerhe-ad 147. The head 147 is. provided with a notch 143 extending inwardly from one side thereof and 'oosely receiving-the reduced width outer end 106 of the lower arm 104of the operating'fork 97 (Figure 3). The notch 148 vertically 4is-considerably wider than the end 106 to allow independent motion therebetween.

The lower endof the rod 140 is slotted as at 149 (Figure l0) fanddrilled transversely as at 150 to receive a pivot pin 151-upon-which the upper. end of a link 152 is pivotally supported in the slot 149, the link 152 being suitably bored las at 153 for the passage of the pin 151. The'lower end of the link 152 is similarly bored as at 154 to receive a pivot pin 155, the ends of which are seated in aligned bores 156 in spaced ears 157 onthe upper side-of a swinging lower bolt 158. The

lower bolt'158 is bored as at 159 to receive a pivot pin 160, the opposite ends of which are seated in aligned bores 161 (Figures 10 and 15) in the opposite side walls ofthe channel-shaped housing 136. The bores 161 are so located relatively to the bottom of the housing 136 andthe latter soy located adjacent the bottom of the ls'tile'34 of the door 31 thatthe bolt 158 swings downwardly intothe projecting position of Figure 8 and is retracted upwardly into the position shown in Figure l2. Tire housing i136 viits into the chamber 162 in the interior of the outeror lock stile 34 (Figure l5). In its `downward or locked position, the bolt 158 engages the recessed lower keeper 164 (Figures l and 2) which is seated in and Iiush with the oor.

Upper bolt'unt construction Secured as at 165 to the inner wall 117 of the outer stile 32 within the upper end of the chamber 162 thereof is the upper bolt housing 166 (Figures 7 and 13). The latter is of channel shape similar to the lower bolt housing 136. Projecting into the space between the side walls of the housing 166 is the upper "end of the upper boltoperating rod 167, the lower end of which is4 threaded as at 168 to enter the correspondingly threaded socket 169 in a tubular coupling 170 somewhat similar to the coupling'144 and similarly havinga threaded projection 171 on the closed end thereof threaded into a correspondinglyv threaded socket 172 in a block-like upper head 173. Thefhead 173 has a notch 174 extending inwardly from one side thereof and this notch loosely receives the reduced width end portion 105 of the upper arm 103 of the operating fork 97.

The upper end of the rod 167 is transversely bored (Figure 14) as at 175 to receive a cross pin 176, the opposite ends of which project outwardly beyond the rod 167. The oppositeends of the'pin 176 are guided in aligned vertically-elongated*slots 177 in the side walls of the channel-shaped'housing 166. The opposite side walls of the channel-shaped housing 166 near their lower ends are provided with aligned bores 180 in which a pivot pin151 is seatedat its opposite ends. Pivotally mounted asfat 179 near one'end of the pivot pin 181 .is an upperbolt-operating lever 182 of roughly triangular shape (Figures 7 andV ll). Intermediate its upper and lowerends, the bolt-operating v-lever 182 is provided with an upwardly-inclined.notch 183 slidably receiving one end of thecross pin 176. As a consequence, when the upper bolt-operating rod 167.isreciprocated vertically by the fork 97, it swings the upper bolt-operatinglever 'the pivot pin 192.

7 182 in one direction or the other around the pivot pin 181 by reason of its engagement with the notch 183.

The upper end of the bolt-operating lever 182 is pro vided with a vertically-elongated slot 185 which is engaged by a pin 186 guided in an arcuate slot 187 in one of the side walls of the channel-shaped housing 166 (Figure 1l). The pin 186 is mounted in a transversely bored boss 189 (Figure 9) which projects downwardly from the lower side of the upper bolt 190 which is bored as at 191 to receive a pivot pin 192, the opposite ends of which are mounted in aligned bores 193 (Figure 9) in the opposite side walls of the channel-shaped housing 166. 1n this manner, as the upper bolt-operating rod 167 moves upward or downward in response to the reciprocation of the operating fork 97, it acts through the linkage between the pin 176 in notch 183 and the bolt-operating lever 182 lo swing the latter inward or outward around the pivot pin 181 and thus swing the upper bolt 190 upward into its locking position (Figure 7) or downward into its unlocked position (Figure 1l).

In order to latch the upper and lower bolts 190 and 158 in their retracted positions so as to prevent scarring of the tloors, door frame or other parts as the door is swung open after being unlocked, the upper bolt unit 34 is provided with a latch lever` 195 (Figures 7 and 1l) which, like the upper bolt-operating lever 182, is roughly in the shape of a triangular plate, and likewise bored as at 196 to pivotally receive the pivot pin 181. The

`lowermost portion 197 of the latch lever 195 extends downwardly below the bore 196, whereas the upper edge 198 thereof is provided with an inclined cam portion 199 above which is a vertical edge portion 200 leading to a notch 201 releasably receiving one end of the pin 176 carried by the rod 167. The extreme upper end 202 o the latch lever `195 (Figures 7 and ll) is rounded to engage the similarly rounded projection 203 extending downwardly from the lower edge of a latch-releasing lever or pivoted dog 204 which is` pivotally mounted on In its upward or locked position, the upper bolt 190 engages the recessed upper keeper 286 (Figures l and 2) which is seated in and llush with the door frame head jamb.

LxernaIIy-nzounted panic exit lock The externally-mounted panic exit lock, generally desig- `nated 230, shown in Figures 19 to 24 inclusive, is of generally similar construction to the panic exit lock of Figures l to 18 and 25, but diters in certain details for mounting upon the inner side surface 231 of the outer or lock stile 232 of a door, generally designated 233, having an inner or hinge stile 234 and upper and lower rails 239 and 240 interconnecting the same and framing a panel 241 of glass or other suitable material. The form of the invention shown in Figures 19 to 25 inclusive is suitable for mounting upon a solid door, such as a wooden door, lacking an internal chamber for aecomrnodating the mechanism. The center unit 236, panic bar unit 237 and edge unit 238 are of generally similar construction to the corresponding units 36, 37 and 38 of the internally-mounted panic exit lock 30, the units 237 and 238 being of substantially 'identical construction thereto and consequently bearing the same reference numerals for similar parts. The top jarnb and floor are recessed to receive upper and lower keepers 242and 243 respectively, the former having a downwardly-projecting operating lug 244.

The outer or central housing 245 which corresponds to the housing 95 of Figure 3 and apertures 246 and 247 in the lower and upper ends thereof. An operating fork 248 (Figure 20) of somewhat dierent construction from the operating fork 97 (Figure 3) is reciprocably mounted within the chamber 249 in the housing 245 and has an upper ledge 250 at its upper end threaded as at 251 to receive the threaded lower end 252 of a tubular coupling 253.

Upper bolt unit construction The upper end of the coupling 253 is internally threaded as at 254 to receive the threaded lower end 255 of the Vupper bolt-operating rod 256, the upper threaded end 257 of which is threaded into a correspondingly threaded socket 258 of a tubular head 259. The head 259 is bored transversely to receive a cross pin 260 which reciprocates vertically in guide slots 261 (Figures 19 and 20) in the opposite side walls of an upper bolt housing 262 of U- shaped cross-section. Also mounted in the head 259 and extending across a slot 263 in the upper end thereof is a pivot pin 264 upon which is pivotally mounted the lower end of a link 265, the upper end of which is bored to receive a pivot pin 266 similarly mounted in the hole 267a in the boss 267 of the upper bolt 268 which is slotted as at 269 to receive the link 265. The upper bolt 268 is bored to receive a pivot pin 270 which is mounted in bores 271 in the opposite side walls of the housing 262. The upper bolt 268 is provided with an additional hole 272 to make it interchangeable with the lower bolt described below.

The opposite side walls of the housing 262 are also bored to receive and support a headed pivot pin 273 upon which is pivotally mounted a roughly triangular latch lever 274 having a hook portion or ledge 275 at its lower end and an arm 276 projecting upwardly from its upper end. The third corner portion 277 is rounded and extends outwardly, away from the pivot pin 273, providing a counterweight effect to swing the hook 275 to the left under the influence of gravity (Figure 20). The lever 274 is mounted between bosses 278.

Thehousing 262 at the opposite edges of its side walls is provided with parallel vertical ribs 279 which are notched intermediate their ends as at 280 (Figure 24). The ribs 279 engage corresponding grooves 281 in a mounting plate 282 which is secured as at 283 to the inner surface 231 of the door 233. Pins 284 extend through the suitably bored side walls adjacent the grooves 281 of the mounting plate 282 and enter the notches 280 (Figure 24), securing the assembly in position so that the screws 283 are completely concealed.

Lower bolt unit construction The fork 248 immediately adjacent the ledge 250 is provided with a vertically-elongated approximately rectangular aperture 285, at the lower end of which there is a laterally-projecting ridge 286 corresponding to the ledge or ridge 101 (Figure 3) of the fork 97 and similarly intended for engagement by the crankpin of the key-operated crank 111 of the cylinder lock 125, as described in connection with Figure 3. The lower end of the fork 248 is provided with an upwardly-extending elongated notch 287, the upper end 288 (Figure 23) of which is engaged by the nose portion 70 of the panic bar supporting lever 94, as in Figure 3. The lower end of the fork 248 is thus bifurcated, with lingers 289 extending laterally inward parallel to the ledge 250 and ridge 286. The lingers 289 extend on opposite sides of a lower head 290 and engage laterally-projecting shoulders 291 thereon (Figure 22) on an extension 292 of the head 290 and containing a vertically-elongated slot 293 which also receives the tapered nose portion 70 of the panic bar supporting lever 94 (Figure 20) after it has passed through the notch 287. The slot 293 is considerably longer vertically than the vertical height of the end of the nose portion 70 in order to provide compensation between the top and bottom latch assemblies so as to permit independent locking action of the upper and lower bolts 268 and 306 such as, fior example, if the lower keeper becomes clogged with irt.

The lower head 290 is provided with an internallythreaded socket 294 which receives the threaded upper end 295 of the lower bolt-operating rod 296, the lower end 297 of which is similarly threaded and threadedly engages a. correspondingly-threaded socket 298 in a coupling.299. The lowerend of the coupling/.299 is slotted as at 300 and transversely drilled to receive a pivot pin 301 which passes through the correspondingly bored upper end of a link 302. The correspondingly bored lower end of the link 302 receives a pivot pin 303 (Figure 19) extending vthrouglrholes 304 in the boss 305 on the upper side of the lower bolt 306 andy having a notch 307 therein. VThe holes'304 in the lower bolt 306 correspond to the holes '272 in the upper bolt 268, with which it is interchangeable. "The lower bolt 306 isbored as at 308 to receive apivot pin 309 mounted at-its opposite ends in bores`310 in'the `opposite side walls of the lower housing 311. "Thelower bolt 306 also has a boss 312 containing a hole '313 which corresponds to the hole 267:1 in the interchangeable upper bolt 268.

Operation `1`he :operation of the invention isgenerally the same whether itis embodiedpin the internally-mounted panic exitlockof-Figures l'to 18 inclusive or in the externallymounted panic exit lock'ofFigures 19 to 24 inclusive, the two embodiments differing in operation only in minor details. Considering first the internally-mounted panic exit lock `30, letit beassumed that it is applied to the interiorot` adoor 31 of apublic building, such as a bank, but that the building has closed for the day and is for the time being `open only to persons provided with the properkey forthe cylinder lock 125. `Since the buildingiscl'osedl to the public, at closing time an employee has `applied :a suitable wrench to'the stop screws 62 to lower them in their threaded bores 60 untilth'ey encounter the'threaded retaining bushings 66. This action permits the panic bar unit 37 to be swung into operating position of Figures 2, 3 and 16 by L.the spring 55 (Figure 16). The threaded retaining bushings 66, however, prevent loss of the stop screws 62-which in conventional panic barlunits of -prior design occurs frequently because of these screws being actuated at least twice daily in opening the'. building for business and inclosing it to the public at *.night. 'At opening time, the stop screws k6) are of course rotated to move them and the forward arms 70 of thepanicbar supporting leven-94 upward intoinoperative ,position wherein the panic bar 83vmoves closer to the door and does not actuate the lock because at this time the lock is latche'd out of lockingposition, as will appearmore fully fronmthe discussion below.

With the parts in the positions shown Vin Figures l, 2, 3, 7'and 18, the building being closed tothe public, the lock bolts S-and 190 are swung downward and upward respectivelyinto their respective recesses 164 and 206 by the weightof the rods 140 and 167 vand .their 'connected mechanisms, under the force of gravity. An authorized person, seeking to unlock the door311ror 231 inserts the proper'key in the cylinder lock 125 and rotates'it in the usual manner, this rotational motion being transmitted through'the member 122 ,(Figure 3) `to the crank 111, swinging the latter against the abutment 101 (Figure 3) or 286 (Figure and thereby moving the operating fork 97 or 248 upward.

The upward motion of the operating fork 97 causes its arms 105 and 106 to lift the upper and lower heads 173 and 147 respectively, carrying with them the upper and lower rods 167 and 140 respectively. The upward rnotion of the lower rod 140, acting through the link 152, swings the lower bolt 158 upward out of its lower keeper 164, unlocking the lower end of the door. The upward motion of the upper rod 167 and its cross pin 176 causes the latter to exert a camming effect upon the upwardlyinclined notch 183 in the bolt-operating lever 182, swinging the latter in a clockwise direction around its pivot pin 181 from the position shown in Figure 7 to that shown in Figure 1l. As a consequence, the engagement of the elongated slot 185 in the upper end of the bolt-operating lever 182 with the end of the pin 186 mounted in the depending boss 189 of the upper bolt 190 swings the upper bolt 190 downwardly arounditspivotpinr192 in 'alcouterclockwise direction fromk the position shown. in Figure 7 to that shown in Figure 11, withdrawing ,the `upper' bolt 190 from its recessed upper keeperf206 (Figures 1 and 2) and unlocking theupper end of the door as weil;

Meanwhile, as the cross pin 176 in the upper end of the upper bolt-operating rod 167 moves upward, as described above in unlocking 'the door, it ymoves upward past the vertical portion 200 of the latch lever `195 to the top thereof, permitting the-latch'lever 195 to swing downwardly by gravity in a counterclockwise direction around its pivot pin 181 as the cross pin 176 .cornes opposite the notch 201 in the lever 195 4(Figure 11). As a result of this motion, the upperendv 2'02of the latch lever 195 pushes' to the left the projection 203 depending from the latch-releasing lever or dog 204, swinging the latter upward in a clockwise direction around its pivot pin 192 as the door' 31 is swung open. Thus, even when vthe operator removes his key from the cylinder lockvafter performingthe foregoing unlocking operation, the upper rod 167 will remain in Vits raised yposition with the cross pin 176 resting in thenotch 201 of thelatch lever 195, likewise holding the-lower rod and lowerbolt 158 in their raisedpositions through the connection between the upper and lower rods 167 and 140 afforded by the operating fork'97. 1n this manner, the upper and lower bolts 190 and 1.58 are latched in their unlocked or retracted positio-ns of Figures 1l and 12 respectively, as the door is swung open .by the operator, thereby preventing scarring theioor or other damage.

After the operator has passed through the doorway and the door31'is again swungk into its closed position, either bythe operator or by a conventional door check, as the door '31 Vreaches its closed position, the latch-releasing lever'204 engages the upper keeper 206 and is pushed downwardly thereby in afcounterclockwise direction from the Aposition of Figure 1l to theposition of Figure 7. This action causes the projection 203 to swing the upper end 202 of the latching lever 19S to the right rotating the latter in a clockwise direction around its pivot 181 and withdrawing the notch 201from beneath the cross pin 176 on the upper rod .1'67. Whenthus released, the upper rod 167 drops downward and at the same time its cross pin 176 engages and cams the upwardly inclined notch 183 on the bolt-operating lever 182 to swing the latter in a counterclockwise direction around its pivot 181. The consequent engagement of the upper end slot 185 of the bolt-operating lever 182 with the pin 186 onthe bolt projection 1897swings the upperbolt upwardly in a clockwise direction around its pivot pin 192 and engages it withthe recessedupperkeeper 206, relocking the upper end of the door 31 in its closed position.

Meanwhile, the dropping of the upper rod 167 in the above-described manner permitsthe operating fork 97 to drop (Figure 3), the. downward motion of ythe lower arm 106 thereof .permitting the'lower rod 140 to drop under the iniluenceof gravity. This action, transmitted through the link 152, swings the lower bolt 158 downwardly around its pivot pin 160 into engagement with the recessed lower keeper 164, locking the lower end of the door 31. In this manner, the door is automatically relocked at both its upper and lower ends when it swings into its closed position in its doorway. The vertically widened notch 148 in the lower head 147 permits the lower rod 140 and lower bolt 158 to move upwardly independently of the operating fork 97 to permit independent locking action of the upper and lower latch assemblies.

The operation of the externally-mounted panic exit lock 230 occurs in a similar manner to that described above 'for the internally-mounted panic exit lock 30. As the fork 248 is moved upward in response to the rotation of the crank 110 against the ridge 286 as the result of the rotation of the key in the cylinder lock 125 by the operator, the consequent upward motion of the upper boltoperating rod 256 (Figure 20) swings the upper bolt 268 downwardly around its pivot pin 270 in a counterclockwise direction as a result of the motion-transmitting effect of the link 265 interconnecting the pivot pins 264 and 266. As the cross pin 260 on the upper end of the upper head 259 moves upward, it exerts a camming action on the inclined lower edge of the hook portion 275 of the latch lever 274, pushing the hook portion 275 aside to the right (Figure 20) and swinging the latch lever 275 counterclockwise around its pivot pin 273. As soon as the cross pin 260 passes by the end of the hook portion 275, however, the latter moves underneath the cross pin 260 in response to the action of gravity upon the latch lever 274, latching the upper rod 256 in its raised position.

The same upward motion of the operating fork 248 lifts the lower rod 296 through the engagement of the fingers 289 with the laterally-projecting shoulders 291 on the lower head 290 (Figures 20 and 22), swinging the lower bolt 306 upward into its retracted position through the intermediate action of the link 302. Thus, both the upper and lower bolts 268 and 306 are latched by the hook portion 275 of the latch lever 274 in their retracted or unlocked positions.

The bolts 268 and 306 are released and the door 231 relocked when the door nears its closed position by the engagement of the lug 244 projecting from the upper keeper with the upper arm 276 of the latch lever 274, swinging the hook portion 275 out from beneath the cross pin 260 and consequently releasing the upper rod 256 and operating fork 248, permitting them to drop downward. As a consequence, the upper bolt 268 is swung upward into its keeper through the intermediate action of the link 265, whereas the lower bolt 306 is permitted to swing downward into its respective keeper by the downward motion of the lower rod 296 and link 302 permitted by the downward motion of the lingers 289 engaging the shoulders 291 on the lower head 290, relooking the door in its closed position.

Meanwhile, if a lire or other emergency occurs inside the building while the door 31 or 231 is locked, a person seeking to unlock the door from the inside merely needs to lean against the panic bar 83 of the panic bar unit 37 or 237, pushing the latter toward the door and consequently swinging the panic bar supporting levers 71 clockwise around their pivot pins 73. This action swings the forward portion or arm thereof upward, lifting the operating fork 97 or 248 and actuating the abovedescribed mechanism to raise the upper and lower operating rods 167 and 140 or 256 and 296 to retract the tions of the panic bar supporting levers 94 upward and unlocking the device in the same manner just described above, but holding the mechanism in its unlocked position. The door can thus be swung freely open without interference by the lock during business hours.

What we claim is:

A lock bolt-shifting mechanism for a hollow door having a chamber therein and a key-actuated rim lock cylinder projecting into the chamber and also having a panic-bar-operated exit lock with upper and lower lock bolts, said bolt-shifting mechanism comprising verticallydisposed upper and lower bolt-shifting rods reciprocably mounted in the chamber of the door respectively above and below the rim lock cylinder and extending toward one another and operatively connected to said upper and lower lock bolts respectively, a housing mounted on the door, a rod coupling device including a vertically-disposed elongated base reciprocably mounted within said housing and vertically-spaced upper and lower arms projecting substantially horizontally from said base into the door chamber above and below the rim lock cylinder and connected respectively to said upper and lower rods, said base having a pair of spaced parallel abutments disposed transversely thereon, a panic bar supporting lever pivotally mounted on said housing and operatively engaging one of said abutments, and motion-transmitting means operatively connected to the rim lock cylinder and operatively engaging the other of said abutments, said coupling device being selectively movable in response to the motion of the rim lock cylinder by the door key and of said panic bar supporting lever by the panic bar to shift said rods and bolts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 958,353 Arens May 17, 1910 1,047,900 Voight Dec. 17, 1912 1,130,266 Gold Mar. 2, 1915 1,163,795 Voight Dec. 14, 1915 1,180,024 Dyer Apr. 18, 1916 1,203,965 Bogenberger Nov. 7, 1916 1,225,795 Frazer May 15, 1917 1,324,181 Smith Dec. 9, 1919 1,357,007 Smith Oct. 26, 1920 1,458,013 Tampier June 5, 1923 1,496,319 MacDonald June 3, 1924 1,518,187 Dyer Dec. 9, 1924 1,585,167 Palmer May 18, 1926 1,613,023 Diete Jan. 4, 1927 1,639,086 Frederick Aug. 16, 1927 1,898,505 Soemer Feb. 21, 1933 1,990,898 Forman Feb. 12, 1935 2,128,116 Boone Aug. 23, 1938 2,222,667 Kitzelman Nov. 26, 1940 2,457,697 Lum Dec. 28, 1948

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