Dogging device for panic exit latch and actuator assembly

Claim 2

A panic exit latch and actuator assembly comprising a housing means, a latchbolt movable between a projected position and a retracted position an actuator element, means supporting said actuator element for movement between a first position and a second position, first means providing an operative connection between said actuator element and said latchbolt to move said latchbolt toward its retracted position in response to movement of said actuator element from its first position to its second position, a panic bar supported for movement outwardly and inwardly relative to said housing means, second means providing an operative connection between said panic bar and said actuator element to move said actuator element from its first position to its second position in response to movement of said panic bar inwardly, control means including a control member movable between a first position and a second position and cooperating means for locking said actuator element in its said first position when said control member is moved to its said second position, and third means providing an operative connection between sad control member and said latch bolt to move said latchbolt to its retracted position when said control member is moved from its first position to its second position.

Claim 3

The invention of claim 1 in which said first connection means includes a lost-motion connection permitting movement of said latchbolt to its retracted position without moving said actuator element from its first position to its second position, and in which said third connection means includes a lost-motion connection permitting movement of said latchbolt to its retracted position without moving said control member from its first position to its second position.

Claim 4

The invention of claim 2 including spring means yieldably biasing said actuator element toward its first position, and in which said second connection means includes toggle means drivingly connecting said panic bar to said actuator element, said toggle means being constructed so that, when said actuator element is locked in its first position said panic bar is restrained against movement inwardly.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 2 in which said actuator element provides a rigid portion extending outwardly relative to the direction of movement of said element, and in which said locking means includes a locking member mounted for movement into a blocking position engaging said rigid portion.

Claim 6

The invention of claim 4 in which said control member provides an elongated slot inclining outwardly relative to the path of movement said control member and including a pin rigidly connected to said locking member and engaged in said slot, the direction of extension of said slot being such that, when said control member moves from its said blocking position by the camming action of said pin in said slot.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 1 in which said control means includes a solenoid arranged, when operated, to move said control member from its first position to its second position.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 5 in which said control means includes a solenoid arranged when operated, to move said control member from its first position to its second position.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 1 in which said control means includes a cylinder lock mounted in Said housing means and a shifter mechanism operably connected to said lock, said shifter mechanism being connected to said control member and arranged to move said member between its first and second position.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 5 in which said control means includes a cylinder lock mounted in said housing means and a shifter mechanism operably connected to said lock, said shifter mechanism being connected to said control member and arranged to move said member between its first and second positions.

Claim 11

A panic exit latch and actuator mechanism comprising a retractor element rectilinearly movable between a latch-projected position and a latch-retracted position, means yieldably biasing said element normally toward its latch-projected position, push bar elongated in the direction of the movement of said element, means guiding said push bar for rectilinear bodily movement outwardly and inwardly in a direction perpendicular to the line of movement of said element, toggle means providing an operative connection between said push bar and said element to move said element in opposition to said biasing means away from its said latch-projected position when said push bar is moved inwardly toward said element, a latchbolt movable between a projected position and a retracted position, means providing an operative connection between said latchbolt and said element to move said latchbolt toward its retracted position when said element is moved away from its said latch-projected position, said connection means including a lost-motion connection permitting movement of said latchbolt toward its retracted position without moving said element in opposition to said biasing means from its latch-projected position, and control means for dogging said latchbolt in its said retracted position and simultaneously locking said element in its said latch-projected position.

Claim 12

A panic exit latch and actuator mechanism comprising a retractor element rectilinearly movable between a latch-projected position and a latch-retracted position, means yieldably biasing said element normally toward its latch-projected position, push bar elongated in the direction of the movement of said element, means guiding said push bar for rectilinear bodily movement outwardly and inwardly in a direction perpendicular to the line of movement of said element, toggle means providing an operative connection between said push bar and said element to move said element in opposition to said biasing means away from its said latch-projected position when said push bar is moved inwardly toward said element, a latchbolt movable between a projected position and a retracted position, means providing an operative connection between said latchbolt and said element to move said latchbolt toward its retracted position when said element is moved away from its said latch-projected position, said connection means including a lost-motion connection permitting movement of said latchbolt toward its retracted position without moving said element in opposition to said biasing means from its latch-projected position, and control means for dogging said latchbolt in its said retracted position and simultaneously locking said element in its said latch-projected position.

Claim 13

The invention of claim 10 in which said control means includes a control member movable between a latch-projected positions and a latch-retracted position and a cooperating locking member for engaging said retractor element and holding it in its latch-projected position, and including means providing an operative connection between said latchbolt and said control member to move said latchbolt toward its retracted position when said control member is moved away from its said latch-projected position, the last said connection means including a lost-motion connection permitting movement of said latchbolt toward its retracted position without moving said control member from its latch-projected position.

Claim 14

The invention of claim 11 in which said retractor element is provided with a rigid shoulder portion extending outwardly relative to the direction of movement of said element, and in which said locking member is mounted for movement into blocking engagement with said shoulder portion.

Claim 15

The invention of claim 12 in which said control means includes means providing an operative connection between said control member and said locking member to move said locking member into engagement with said shoulder portion when said control member is moved from its latch-projected position to its latch-retracted position.

Claim 16

The invention of claim 13 in which the means providing an operative connection between said control member and said locking member includes means providing a camming surface carried on said control member and means carried on said locking member and arranged to engage said camming surface.

Claim 17

The invention of claim 11 in which said control means includes solenoid means for moving said control member from its latch-projected position to its latch-retracted position.

Claim 18

The invention of claim 11 in which said control means includes a key-operated shifter mechanism for moving said control member from its latch-projected position to its latch-retracted position.