Folding firedoor lead post assembly

Abstract

In order to reduce heat transfer from one side of a folding fire door lead post assembly to the other side, the lead post assembly includes a central lead post which forms the leading edge of the assembly. In one embodiment of the invention, wing panels extend from the sides of the central lead post and the receiving recess for the door when in closed condition is adapted to receive the central lead post and adjacent portions of the wing panels so that no portion of the central lead post is open to a room on either side of the door when the door is in closed condition. Heat transfer is from one wing panel to the central lead post to the other wing panel rather than directly from the fire to the central lead post. In a second embodiment of the invention, lead post side extensions are secured to the central lead post with heat insulating material therebetween. The central lead post leading edge which extends forwardly of the side extensions is adapted to be completely received within a mating female recess when the door is closed so that the only heat transfer through the lead post assembly from a fire on one side of the door is from the side extension on that side of the door, to the central lead post, to the side extension on the other side. In addition, where biparting doors are used and latching of the doors is desired, a temperature sensitive latch is provided to mechanically latch the doors together upon the fire side of the door reaching a predetermined temperature. The latch includes at least one latching element biased to locking position and normally held in unlocked position. The latching element is released from its unlocked position upon sensing of the predetermined temperature. The temperature may be conveniently sensed by the melting of a material of the predetermined temperature which, upon melting, releases the latching element.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.