Single and double latch operating devices with improved rack-pinion operation and motion transfer

Claim 2

In a latch construction of the type mounted on a door or the like having a bolt extendable from the edge of said door, a latch driving mechanism mounted on the door operably connected to said bolt and movable for moving said bolt between extended and retracted positions, an interior operator assembly extending from an interior side of said door and having an interior operator operably connected to said latch driving mechanism actionable for moving said latch driving mechanism to move said bolt; the improvements including: an exterior operator assembly extending from an exterior side of said door and having a pinion and a rack, said pinion being rotatable about a stationary axis and being operably connected to said latch driving mechanism actionable for moving said bolt, said rack being slidable along said pinion engaged therewith to rotate said pinion in unlocked condition and slidable along said pinion but shifted to be spaced transversely therefrom in locked condition, a pivotal thumbpiece operable connected to said rack for sliding said rack along said pinion in either of said shifted unlocked and locked conditions; control means extending from said interior operator to said rack of said exterior operator, said control means having a control cam operably connected to said rack for shifting said rack from said interior operator between said unlocked and locked conditions.

Claim 3

In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said control means includes a spindle extending from said interior operator independently rotatable from said interior operator and having said control cam at an exterior end portion operably connected to said rack.

Claim 4

In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said interior operator is a rotatably mounted knob operably connected to said latch driving mechanism; and in which said control means is a spindle rotatably mounted relative to said knob and having a turn button centrally of said knob, said spindle extending to said rack of said exterior operator and having said control cam operably connected to said rack.

Claim 5

In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said cam of said control means is received in a cam housing and said cam housing is mounted on said rack, said cam shifting said cam housing and said cam housing shifting said rack.

Claim 6

In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said cam of said control means is received in a cam housing with control members of said cam housing abutting said cam and determining rotative positioning of said cam, said cam housing abutting said rack, said cam shifting said cam housing and said cam housing shifting said rack.

Claim 7

In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said thumbpiece is operably connected to said rack through a slidable rack extension between said thumbpiece and said rack.

Claim 8

In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said exterior operator assembly includes a lock operably connected to said control means cam for moving said cam to shift said rack between said unlocked and locked conditions.

Claim 9

In a latch construction as defined in claim 7 in which said lock is operably connected to said control means cam through a cross bar abutment between said lock and said cam.

Claim 10

In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said control means includes a spindle extending from said interior operator and having said cam thereon at said rack, said cam being received in a cam housing at said rack and said cam housing being operably connected to said rack, said cam shifting said cam housing and said cam housing shifting said rack.

Claim 11

In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said control means includes a spindle extending from said interior operator and having said cam thereon at said rack, said cam being received in a cam housing at said rack and said cam housing being operably connected to said rack, said cam shifting said cam housing and said cam housing shifting said rack; and in which said exterior operator assembly includes a lock operably connected to said control means cam for moving said cam to shift said rack between said unlocked and locked conditions.

Claim 12

In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said interior operator is a rotatable knob; and in which said control means includes a rotatable spindle extending from said cam at said rack to a turn button mounted centrally of said interior knob and rotatable relative thereto, said turn button being secured to said spindle and said cam being secured to said spindle, said cam being received in a cam housing which is operably connected to said rack, said cam shifting said cam housing and said cam housing shifting said rack.

Claim 13

In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said interior operator is a rotatable knob; in which said control means includes a rotatable spindle extending from said cam at said rack to a turn button mounted centrally of said interior knob and rotatable relative thereto, said turn button being secured to said spindle and said cam being secured to said spindle, said cam being received in a cam housing which is operably connected to said rack, said cam shifting said cam housing and said cam housing shifting said rack; and in which said exterior operator assembly includes a lock operably connected to said control means cam for moving said cam to shift said rack between said unlocked and locked conditions.

Claim 14

In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said interior operator is a rotatable knob; in which said control means includes a rotatable spindle extending from said cam at said rack to a turn button mounted centrally of said interior knob and rotatable relative thereto, said turn button being secured to said spindle and said cam being secured to said spindle, said cam being received in a cam housing which is operably connected to said rack, said cam shifting said cam housing and said cam housing shifting said rack; and in which said thumbpiece is operably connected to said rack through a slidable rack extension between said thumbpiece and said rack.

Claim 15

In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said latch construction is a first latch construction and there is a second latch construction for mounting on said door and the like having a bolt extendable from the edge of said door spaced from said first latch construction bolt, a latch driving mechanism for said second latch construction mounted on said door operably connected to said second latch construction bolt and movable for moving said bolt between extended and retracted positions, an exterior operator assembly for said second latch construction having a lock thereon operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction for moving said second latch construction bolt between extended and retracted positions; and in which a pivotal yoke is operably connected between said second latch construction lock and said first latch construction control means cam, said yoke being pivotal upon movement of said second latch construction lock from locked to unlocked positions to move said control means cam shifting said rack from said locked to said unlocked condition when said rack is in said locked condition.

Claim 16

In a latch construction as defined in claim 14 in which said second latch construction includes an interior operator assembly having an interior operator operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction actionable for moving said second latch construction bolt between said extended and retracted positions, said interior operator of said second latch construction simultaneously moving said exterior operator assembly lock between said extended and retracted positions but being free of moving said yoke.

Claim 17

In a latch construction as defined in claim 14 in which said yoke is operably connected to said first latch construction cam by a fork and is operably connected to said second latch construction lock by a fork.

Claim 18

In a latch construction as defined in claim 14 in which said yoke is operably connected to said second latch construction through a fork on said yoke transversely engaging a cam rotatably movable by said lock.

Claim 19

In a latch construction as defined in claim 14 in which said yoke is operably connected to said first latch construction cam by a fork on said yoke transversely engaging a cam rotatable on said exterior operator assembly of said first latch construction.

Claim 20

In a latch construction as defined in claim 14 in which said yoke is operably connected to said second latch construction by a fork which transversely engages a cam secured to a torque blade of said lock; and in which said yoke is operably connected to said first latch construction by a fork transversely engaging a cam which is secured to a spindle having said control means cam formed thereon.

Claim 21

In a latch construction as defined in claim 14 in which said yoke is operably connected to said first latch construction cam by a fork and is operably connected to said second latch construction lock by a fork; and in which said second latch construction includes an interior operator assembly having an interior operator operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction actionable for moving said second latch construction bolt between said extended and retracted positions, said interior operator of said second latch construction simultaneously moving said exterior operator assembly lock between said extended and retracted positions but being free of moving said yoke.

Claim 22

In a latch construction as defined in claim 14 in which said yoke is operably connected to said second latch construction by a fork which transversely engages a cam secured to a torque blade of said lock; in which said yoke is operably connected to said first latch construction by a fork transversely engaging a cam which is secured to a spindle having said control means cam formed thereon; and in which said second latch construction includes an interior operator assembly having an interior operator operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction actionable for moving said second latch construction bolt between said extended and retracted positions, said interior operator of said second latch construction simultaneously moving said exterior operator assembly lock between said extended and retracted positions but being free of moving said yoke.

Claim 23

In a latch construction as defined in claim 14 in which panic assembly means is mounted extending between said latch constructions operably connected to at least said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction and said interior operator of said first latch constuction, said panic assembly means transmitting movement from said interior operator of said first latch construction to at least said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction for moving said second latch construction bolt from extended to retracted position when said bolt is in said extended position, said panic assembly means being free of transmitting motion from said second latch construction to said first latch construction.

Claim 24

In a latch construction as defined in claim 22 in which said second latch construction includes an interior operator assembly having an interior operator operably connected to said latch driving mechanism and said lock of said second latch construction, said interior operator of said second latch construction moving said second latch construction bolt between said extended and retracted positions but being free of having any effect on said first latch construction through said panic assembly means.

Claim 25

In a latch construction as defined in claim 22 in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction through a gear sector on said panic assembly means operably engaged with a pinion operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction.

Claim 26

In a latch construction as defined in claim 22 in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction through an arcuate surface on said panic assembly means abutting an angled cam surface connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction, said angled cam surface pivoting said arcuate surface to actuate said panic assembly means.

Claim 27

In a latch construction as defined in claim 22 in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction through a gear sector on said panic assembly means operably engaged with a pinion operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction; and in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction through an arcuate surface on said panic assembly means abutting an angled cam surface connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction, said angled cam surface pivoting said arcuate surface to actuate said panic assembly means.

Claim 28

In a latch construction as defined in claim 22 in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction by a pair spaced arcuate surfaces on said panic assembly means each engagable with separate angled cam surfaces connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction, one of said arcuate surfaces on said panic assembly means and its angled cam surface being operable separately from the other of said arcuate surface and angled cam surface depending on the direction of rotation of said first latch construction, adjustment means for setting said direction of rotation of said first latch construction.

Claim 29

In a latch construction as defined in claim 22 in which said second latch construction is a deadbolt construction having a deadbolt movable by said latch driving mechanism to an extended position and remaining in said extended position until moved to said retracted position, said deadbolt remaining in said retracted position until once again moved to extended position; in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction through a gear sector on said panic assembly means operably engaged with a pinion operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction; in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction through an arcuate surface on said panic assembly means abutting an angled cam surface connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction, said angled cam surface pivoting said arcuate surface to actuate said panic assembly means; and in which said second latch construction includes an interior operator assembly having an interior operator operably connected to said latch driving mechanism and said lock of said second latch construction, said interior operator of said second latch construction moving said second latch construction deadbolt between said extended and retracted positions but being free of having an effect on said first latch construction through said panic assembly means.

Claim 30

In a latch construction as defined in claim 14 in which said yoke is operably connected to said first latch construction cam by a fork and is operably connected to said second latch construction lock by a fork; in which said second latch construction is a deadbolt construction having a deadbolt movable by said latch driving mechanism to an extended position and remaining in said extended position until moved to said retracted position, said deadbolt remaining in said retracted position until once again moved to extended position; and in which said second latch construction includes an interior operator assembly having an interior operator operably connected to said latch driving mechanism and said lock of said second latch construction, said interior operator of said second latch construction moving said second latch construction deadbolt between said extended and retracted positions but being free of having an effect on said first latch construction through said panic assembly means.

Claim 31

In a latch construction as defined in claim 14 in which said second latch construction is a deadbolt construction having a deadbolt movable by said latch driving mechanism to an extended position and remaining in said extended position until moved to said retracted position, said deadbolt remaining in said retracted position until once again moved to extended position; in which said yoke is operably connected to said second latch construction by a fork which transversely engages a cam secured to a torque blade of said lock; in which said yoke is operably connected to said first latch construction by a fork transversely engaging a cam which is secured to a spindle having said control means cam formed thereon; in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction through a gear sector on said panic assembly means operably engaged with a pinion operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction; in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction through an arcuate surface on said panic assembly means abutting an angled cam surface connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction, said angled cam surface pivoting said arcuate surface to actuate said panic assembly means; and in which said second latch construction includes an interior operator assembly having an interior operator operably connected to said latch driving mechanism and said lock of said second latch construction, said interior operator of said second latch construction moving said second latch construction deadbolt between said extended and retracted positions but being free of having any effect on said first latch construction through said panic assembly means.

Claim 32

In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said latch construction is a first latch construction and there is a second latch construction for mounting on a door and the like having a bolt extendable from the edge of said of said door spaced from said first latch construction bolt, a latch driving mechanism for said second latch construction mounted on said door operably connected to said second latch construction bolt and movable for moving said bolt between extended and retracted positions, an exterior operator assembly for said second latch construction having a lock thereon operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction for moving said second latch construction bolt between extended and retracted positions when unlocked and free of such movement when locked; and in which panic assembly means is mounted extending between said latch constructions operably connected to at least said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction and said interior operator of said first latch construction, said panic assembly means transmitting movement from said interior operator of said first latch construction to at least said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction moving said second latch construction bolt from extended to retracted position when said bolt is in said extended position, said panic assembly means being free of transmitting motion from said second latch construction to said first latch construction.

Claim 33

In a latch construction as defined in claim 31 in which said second latch construction has an interior operator operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction for moving said second latch construction bolt at least from said extended position to said retracted position, said interior operator of said second latch construction being free of transmitting motion through said panic assembly means to said first latch construction.

Claim 34

In a latch construction as defined in claim 31 in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction by a gear sector on said panic assembly means engaged with a pinion operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction.

Claim 35

In a latch construction as defined in claim 31 in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction by an arcuate surface on said panic assembly means in abutment with an angled cam surface operably connected with said interior operator of said first latch construction.

Claim 36

In a latch construction as defined in claim 31 in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction by a gear sector on said panic assembly means engaged with a pinion operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction; and in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction by an arcuate surface on said panic assembly means in abutment with an angled cam surface operably connected with said interior operator of said first latch construction.

Claim 37

In a latch construction as defined in claim 31 in which said second latch construction is a deadbolt construction having a deadbolt movable by said latch driving mechanism to an extended position and remaining in said extended position until moved to said retracted position, said deadbolt remaining in said retracted position until once again moved to extended position; in which an interior operator is mounted on said second latch construction and is operable for rotation with said latch driving mechanism, said second latch construction lock in movement from locked to unlocked positions moving said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction and said interior operator of said second latch construction from locked to unlocked positions, said interior operator of said second latch construction being free of transmitting motion through said panic assembly means to said first latch construction; and in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction by a gear sector on said panic assembly means engaged with a pinion operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction.

Claim 38

In a latch construction as defined in claim 31 in which said second latch construction is a deadbolt construction having a deadbolt movable by said latch driving mechanism to an extended position and remaining in said extended position until moved to said retracted position, said deadbolt remaining in said retracted position until once again moved to extended position; in which an interior operator is mounted on said second construction and is operable for rotation with said latch driving mechanism, said second latch construction lock in movement from locked to unlocked positions moving said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction and said interior operator of said second latch construction from locked to unlocked positions, said interior operator of said second latch construction being free of transmitting motion through said panic assembly means to said first latch construction; and in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction by an arcuate surface on said panic assembly means in abutment with an angled cam surface operably connected with said interior operator of said first latch construction.

Claim 39

In a latch construction as defined in claim 31 in which said second latch construction is a deadbolt construction having a deadbolt movable by said latch driving mechanism to an extended position and remaining in said extended position until moved to said retracted position, said deadbolt remaining in said retracted position until once again moved to exended position; in which an interior operator is mounted on said second latch construction and is operable for rotation with said latch driving mechanism, said second latch construction lock in movement from locked to unlocked positions moving said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction and said interior oprator of said second latch construction from locked to unlocked positions, said interior operator of said second latch construction being free to transmitting motion through said panic assembly means to said first latch construction; in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction by a gear sector on said panic assembly means engaged with a pinion operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction; and in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction by an arcuate surface on said panic assembly means in abutment with an angled cam surface operably connected with said interior operator of said first latch construction.

Claim 40

In a latch construction as defined in claim 31 in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction by means of spaced arcuate surfaces on said panic assembly means and two angled cam surfaces operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction, one of said arcuate surfaces and said angled cam surfaces operating for one direction of rotation and the other for the opposite direction of rotation, there being adjustment means on said angled cam surfaces for adjusting between said directions of rotation.

Claim 41

In a latch construction as defined in claim 39 in which said second latch construction has an interior operator operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction for moving said second latch construction bolt at least from said extended position to said retracted position, said interior operator of said second latch construction being free of transmitting motion through said panic assembly means to said first latch construction.

Claim 42

In a latch construction as defined in claim 39 in which said second latch construction has an interior operator operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction for moving said second latch construction bolt at least from said extended position to said retracted position, said interior operator of said second latch construction being free of transmitting motion through said panic assembly means to said first latch construction; and in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction by a gear sector on said panic assembly means engaged with a pinion operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction.

Claim 43

In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said latch construction is a first latch construction and there is a second latch construction for mounting on a door and the like having a bolt extendable from the edge of said door spaced from said first latch construction bolt, a latch driving mechanism for said second latch construction mounted on said door operably connected to said second latch construction bolt and movable for moving said bolt between extended and retracted positions, an interior operator assembly for said second latch construction operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction for moving said second latch construction bolt between extended and retracted positions; and in which panic assembly means is mounted extending between said latch constructions operably connected to at least said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction and said interior operator of said first latch construction, said panic assembly means transmitting movement from said interior operator of said first latch construction to at least said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction moving said second latch construction bolt from extended to retracted position when said bolt is in said extended position, said panic assembly means being free of transmitting motion from said second latch construction to said first latch construction.

Claim 44

In a latch construction as defined in claim 42 in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction by a gear sector on said panic assembly means engaged with a pinion operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction.

Claim 45

In a latch construction as defined in claim 42 in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction by an arcuate surface on said panic assembly means in abutment with an angled cam surface operably connected with said interior operator of said first latch construction.

Claim 46

In a latch construction as defined in claim 42 in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction by a gear sector on said panic assembly means engaged with a pinion operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction; and in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction by an arcuate surface on said panic assembly means in abutment with an angled cam surface operably connected with said interior operator of said first latch construction.

Claim 47

In a latch construction as defined in claim 42 in which said second latch construction is a deadbolt construction having a deadbolt movable by said latch driving mechanism to an extended position and remaining in said extended position until moved to said retracted position, said deadbolt remaining in said retracted position until once again moved to extended position; in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction by a gear sector on said panic assembly means engaged with a pinion operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction; and in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction by an arcuate surface on said panic assembly means in abutment with an angled cam surface operably connected with said interior operator of said first latch construction.

Claim 48

In a latch construction as defined in claim 42 in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction by a gear sector on said panic assembly means engaged with a pinion operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction; and in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction by means of spaced arcuate surfaces on said panic assembly means and two angled cam surfaces operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction, one of said arcuate surfaces and said angled cam surfaces operating for one direction of rotation and the other for the opposite direction of rotation, there being adjustment means on said angled cam surfaces for adjusting between said directions of rotation.

Claim 49

In a latch construction as defined in claim 42 in which said panic assembly means is operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction by means of spaced arcuate surfaces on said panic assembly means and two angled cam surfaces operably connected to said interior operator of said first latch construction, one of said arcuate surfaces and said angled cam surfaces operating for one direction of rotation and the other for the opposite direction of rotation, there being adjustment means on said angled cam surfaces for adjusting between said directions of rotation.

Claim 50

In a latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said latch construction is a first latch construction and there is a second latch construction for mounting on doors and the like with a bolt extendable from said door edge spaced from said first latch construction bolt, a latch driving mechanism for said second latch construction mounted on said door operably connected to said second latch construction bolt and movable for moving said bolt between extended and retracted positions, an exterior operator assembly for said second latch construction having a lock thereon operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction for moving said second latch construction bolt between extended and retracted positions; and in which a pivotal yoke is operably connected between said second latch construction lock and said first latch construction control means cam, said yoke being pivotal upon movement of said second latch construction lock from locked to unlocked positions to move said control means cam shifting said rack from said locked to said unlocked condition when said rack is in said locked condition, said yoke also being pivotal upon movement of said second latch construction lock from unlocked to locked positions to move said control means cam shifting said rack from said unlocked to said locked condition when said rack is in said unlocked condition.

Claim 51

In a latch construction as defined in claim 49 in which said second latch construction includes an interior operator assembly having an interior operator operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction actionable for moving said second latch construction bolt between said extended and retracted positions, said interior operator of said second latch construction simultaneously moving said exterior operator assembly lock between said extended and retracted positions but being free of moving said yoke.

Claim 52

In a latch construction as defined in claim 49 in which said yoke is operably connected to said first latch construction cam by a fork and is operably connected to said second latch construction lock by a fork.

Claim 53

In a latch construction as defined in claim 49 in which said yoke is operably connected to said first latch construction cam by a fork and is operably connected to said second latch construction lock by a fork; and in which said second latch construction includes an interior operator assembly having an interior operator operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction actionable for moving said second latch construction bolt between said extended and retracted positions, said interior operator of said second latch construction simultaneously moving said exterior operator assembly lock between said extended and retracted positions but being free of moving said yoke.

Claim 54

In a latch construction as defined in claim 49 in which said yoke is operably connected to said second latch construction by a fork with transversely engages a cam secured to a torque blade of said lock; in which said yoke is operably connected to said first latch construction by a fork transversely engaging a cam which is secured to a spindle having said control means cam formed thereon; and in which said second latch construction includes an interior operator assembly having an interior operator operably connected to said latch driving mechanism of said second latch construction actionable for moving said second latch construction bolt between said extended and retracted positions, said interior operator of said second latch construction simultaneously moving said exterior operator assembly lock between said extended and retracted positions but being free of moving said yoke.