Tubular exit device and method of installation

An exit device assembly for coupling to a door having a first side opposite a second side, comprising:

• a drive member positioned on the first side of the door and moveable between a first position and a second position;
• a main tube extending from a first end to a second end and comprising a first plurality of engagement features;
• a first adjustment tube coupled to the first end of the main tube and comprising a second plurality of engagement features, the first adjustment tube axially adjustable relative to the main tube along a first adjustment axis which extends longitudinally through the main tube and the first adjustment tube;
• and
• an actuator assembly supported by the main tube, the actuator assembly including an actuator positioned on the second side of the door and operatively coupled to the drive member through a circular aperture of the door, the actuator including a distal end having a curvilinear surface, the curvilinear surface is angled relative to the first adjustment axis of the first adjustment tube,
• wherein the actuator is moveable between a retracted position corresponding to the drive member in the first position and an extended position corresponding to the drive member in the second position;
• wherein the actuator assembly further includes a carriage supporting a roller engaged with the curvilinear surface of the actuator, the roller engaging a first portion of the curvilinear surface when the actuator is in the retracted position and the roller engaging a second portion of the curvilinear surface when the actuator is in the extended position, the actuator assembly further includes a first biasing member supported by the carriage and configured to bias the carriage in a first direction parallel to the first adjustment axis of the first adjustment tube, and a second biasing member supported by the carriage and configured to bias the carriage in a second direction parallel to the first adjustment axis of the first adjustment tube, the second direction opposite of the first direction;
• wherein the first plurality of engagement features and the second plurality of engagement features cooperate to set an overall length of the main tube and the first adjustment tube;
• and
• wherein the first plurality of engagement features and the second plurality of engagement features are closer to the first adjustment axis than both an exterior of the main tube and an exterior of the first adjustment tube.

A method of installing an exit device assembly, comprising:

• providing a door having a first side opposite a second side;
• providing an exit device comprising:
• a main tube extending from a first end to a second end and comprising a first plurality of engagement features;
• a first adjustment tube coupled to the first end of the main tube and comprising a second plurality of engagement features, the first adjustment tube axially adjustable relative to the main tube along a first adjustment axis which extends longitudinally through the main tube and the first adjustment tube;
• and
• an actuator assembly supported by the main tube, the actuator assembly including an actuator with a distal end having a curvilinear surface, the curvilinear surface is angled relative to the first adjustment axis of the first adjustment tube, the actuator assembly further including a carriage supporting a roller engaged with the curvilinear surface of the actuator;
• machining a circular aperture in the door, the circular aperture extending from the first side to the second side;
• positioning a drive member on the first side of the door, the drive member moveable between a first position and a second position,
• positioning the actuator on the second side of the door, the actuator moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the roller engages a first portion of the curvilinear surface when the actuator is in the retracted position and the roller engages a second portion of the curvilinear surface when the actuator is in the extended position, the carriage of the actuator assembly only translating linearly along an axis parallel to the first adjustment axis of the first adjustment tube when the actuator moves from the retracted position to the extended position;
• operatively coupling the drive member to the actuator only through the aperture in the door;
• and
• axially adjusting the first adjustment tube along the first adjustment axis relative to the main tube of the exit device;
• wherein the first plurality of engagement features and the second plurality of engagement features cooperate to set an overall length of the main tube and the first adjustment tube;
• and
• wherein the first plurality of engagement features and the second plurality of engagement features are closer to the first adjustment axis than both an exterior of the main tube and an exterior of the first adjustment tube.