Panic-type device having fusible section in push rod to avoid unintentional opening of door in event of fire

Claim 1

A latching device operable by a panic member and including a waist-level housing pivotally mounting a lever terminating outwardly in said panic member; a yoke element engaged by the lever and adapted to raise when the panic member is pushed toward the door, the yoke element comprising a pair of spaced horizontal fingers; a latch at the upper end of the door and a push rod extending between the housing and the latch adapted on the actuation of the lever to move upward to actuate the upper latch, the lower portion of the push rod terminating in a fusible section, said section being formed with an upward axial opening in its lower end; and a headed element having a reduced shank extending up into the opening, the head being spaced from said end, the head and end being disposed respectively closely below and above the fingers and the shank being disposed between the fingers thereby linking the up and downward movement of the yoke and the push rod whereby under extreme heat the fusible section will melt to prevent the thermal expansion of the rod from inadvertently unlatching the upper latch.