Heat-actuated door latch
AssigneeRixson-Firemark, Inc.
InventorsRichard E. D'Hooge, Frank S. Pasek
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A door control comprising a heat-actuated door latch and a combination door-closing-arm holder and release. An optional smoke detector is located within a holder-release housing. During normal conditions, the door-closing arm is set at a hold-open angle free of the door to permit an easy door swing. In response to an emergency or smoke condition, the closing arm is released to pick up and close the door. In the event of excessive heat, the door is latched in response to the separation of fusible link segments. Heat from the side of the door opposite the latch housing is conducted through the door by a heat conducting rod.
Claims6
A heat-actuated door latch adapted for mounting on or near a door to latch the door closed, comprising;
- an integral fusible element separable when subjected to intense heat, a heat conducting element fixed to a first portion of the fusible element and shaped to extend completely through a door, latching means, supporting means carrying the latching means for latching movement, means coupling a second portion of the fusible element to the latching means to retain the latching means in an unlatched position, and latch force means exerting a latching force upon the latching means which releases the latching means to effect a latch in response to the separation of the fusible element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.