Panic bar latch system and method
OwnerToby Jack Simsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A panic bar latch (PBL) system and method is disclosed that provides for the temporary functional disablement of a panic bar assembly (PBA) that controls passage through a door and associated door frame. The PBL system utilizes a panic latch handle (PLH) coupled to a panic latch body (PLB). The PLB incorporates a panic latch void (PLV) that is configured to mechanically conform and couple (MCC) to a panic bar base (PBB) on a PBA via a panic bar ridge (PBR) located on the PBB. A panic latch edge (PLE) on the PLB rests on the PPB when the MCC is engaged. The MCC prevents the PPB from being depressed or released by maintaining a fixed separation between the PPB and the PBB.
Claims20
A panic bar latch (PBL) system for disabling the operation of a panic push bar of a panic bar assembly (PBA) of an exit door latch assembly, the panic bar latch (PBL) comprising:
- (a) panic latch handle (PLH);
- and
- (b) panic latch body (PLB);
- wherein:
- said PLH is integrally mechanically coupled to said PLB;
- said PLH comprises an open handle void (OHV) configured for receiving a user's hand for operating the PLH;
- said PLB comprises a panic latch void (PLV) that is configured to mechanically conform and couple (MCC) to a panic bar base (PBB) on a panic bar assembly (PBA) via a panic bar ridge (PBR) located on said PBB;
- said PBA is mechanically coupled to a door and controls passage through a door frame in which said door is attached via a door latching assembly;
- said PBL is configured to temporary disable function of said panic bar assembly (PBA) and prevents a panic push bar (PPB) on said PBA from being depressed or released when said PBL is installed on said PBB by placing said PBR within said PLV, such that the PBL blocks movement of the PPB;
- and
- said PBL temporary disables function of said panic bar assembly (PBA) by maintaining a fixed separation between said PPB and said PBB of said PBA when said PBL is installed on said PBB by placing said PBR within said PLV.
A panic bar latch (PBL) method operating on a panic bar latch (PBL) system, for disabling the operation of a panic push bar of a panic bar assembly (PBA) of an exit door latch assembly, said panic bar latch system comprising:
- (a) panic latch handle (PLH);
- and
- (b) panic latch body (PLB);
- wherein:
- said PLH is mechanically coupled to said PLB;
- said PLH comprises an open handle void (OHV);
- said PLB comprises a panic latch void (PLV) that is configured to mechanically conform and couple (MCC) to a panic bar base (PBB) on a panic bar assembly (PBA) via a panic bar ridge (PBR) located on said PBB;
- said PBA is mechanically coupled to a door and controls passage through a door frame in which said door is attached;
- said PBL temporary disables function of said panic bar assembly (PBA) and prevents a panic push bar (PPB) on said PBA from being depressed or released when said PBL is installed on said PBB by placing said PBR within said PLV;
- and
- said PBL temporary disables function of said panic bar assembly (PBA) by maintaining a fixed separation between said PPB and said PBB of said PBA when said PBL is installed on said PBB by placing said PBR within said PLV;
- wherein said method comprises the steps of:
- (1) forming a panic latch handle (PLH) and mechanically coupling the PLH to a panic latch body (PLB) (0201);
- (2) forming a panic latch void (PLV) within the panic latch body (PLB) that conforms to a panic bar ridge (PBR) on a panic bar base (PBB) contained within a panic push bar assembly (PBA) (0202);
- (3) mating the PBR with the PBV on the PLB (0203);
- and
- (4) separating a panic push bar (PPB) on said PBA from said PBB with said PLB so as to prevent activation of said PBA (0204).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.