Side latch exit device
AssigneeSargent Manufacturing Company
InventorAndrew S. Geraci
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latching device for a door includes an actuator, a first rod, a second rod, a transom latch, and a side latch having a hook latch head. The actuator may include a rod holder including a lockout configured to inhibit disengagement of a rod from the rod holder. The side latch may be a mortise latch which may include a channel configured to receive a nut for alignment during installation. When installed in an associated door, the latching device may withstand multiple impacts from windborne objects or pressures induced by high winds.
Claims19
A rod holder for a latching device, comprising:
- a rod holder chassis configured to receive a rod;
- a pawl slidably disposed in the rod holder chassis, wherein the pawl is configured to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position, wherein the pawl is configured to engage the rod;
- a lockout disposed in the rod holder chassis, wherein the lockout is configured to move between a locking position and an unlocking position, wherein the lockout is configured to lock the pawl in the engaged position or the disengaged position when the lockout is in the locking position;
- and
- at least one notch or projection disposed on the pawl which is configured to engage the lockout when the lockout is in the locking position.
A method of operating a latching device comprising:
- disengaging a lockout from a locking position to an unlocking position by moving the lockout away from a pawl, wherein the pawl is moved via a bias from a disengaged position to an engaged position;
- and
- reengaging the lockout from the unlocking position to the locking position by releasing the lockout and engaging the lockout in a notch in the pawl, wherein the pawl is locked in an engaged position when the lockout is engaged with the notch in the locking position.
A method of operating a latching device comprising:
- disengaging a lockout from a locking position to an unlocking position by moving the lockout away from a pawl that is biased towards an engaged position;
- retracting the pawl from the engaged position;
- and
- reengaging the lockout from the unlocking position to the locking position by releasing the lockout and engaging the lockout in a notch in the pawl, wherein the pawl is locked in a disengaged position when the lockout is engaged with the notch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.