Apparatus for delaying opening of doors
First Claim
1. Apparatus for securing an emergency exit door wherein the door is hinged along one edge to a door frame;
- means for latching the door;
panic bar means connected to the latching means for unlatching the latching means when force is applied to the bar;
delay means, separate from the latching means and panic bar means, said delay means including a closure operated bolt means which extends between the door and door frame for preventing the door from opening when projected and allowing the door to open when retracted, and means for retarding movement of the bolt means from the projected to the retracted position, andmeans for indicating that an attempt is being made to open the door while retraction of the bolt is being retarded.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In order to secure an emergency exit door against unauthorized opening from the inside, a retrofit delay mechanism is attached to the door frame. The delay mechanism includes a retractable bolt which projects behind a strike mounted on the door. A piston is attached to the bolt and a hydraulic circuit is connected to the piston. The hydraulic circuit includes a throttle and a normally open valve. The normally open valve is held closed by a solenoid. Upon attempting to open the door, fluid in the hydraulic circuit is throttled slowing down retraction of the bolt and delaying opening of the door. The solenoid which releases the normally open valve is connected to a timing circuit which de-energizes the solenoid after a predetermined time interval thus providing a redundant delay arrangement. Smoke detectors, fire pull-boxes and a remote reset switch are also connected to the solenoid via a dropout relay. Upon the occurrence of an emergency situation, the dropout relay de-energizes the solenoid allowing fluid to flow freely in the hydraulic circuit so that the door opens immediately. The retrofit delay mechanism operates in conjunction with existing panic hardware.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. Apparatus for securing an emergency exit door wherein the door is hinged along one edge to a door frame;
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means for latching the door; panic bar means connected to the latching means for unlatching the latching means when force is applied to the bar; delay means, separate from the latching means and panic bar means, said delay means including a closure operated bolt means which extends between the door and door frame for preventing the door from opening when projected and allowing the door to open when retracted, and means for retarding movement of the bolt means from the projected to the retracted position, and means for indicating that an attempt is being made to open the door while retraction of the bolt is being retarded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for securing an emergency exit door wherein the door is hinged along one edge to a door frame;
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means for latching the door; panic bar means connected to the latching means for unlatching the latching means when force is applied to the bar; delay means, separate from the latching means and panic bar means, said delay means including a closure operated bolt means which extends between the door and door frame for preventing the door from opening when projected and allowing the door to open when retracted, and means for retarding movement of the bolt means from the projected to the retracted position; means for indicating that an attempt is being made to open the door while retraction of the bolt is being retarded; means for bypassing the retarding means wherein the bolt means can move immediately from the projected position to the retracted position upon operating the bypassing means, and at least one emergency condition indicator connected to the bypassing means for operating the bypassing means upon occurrence of the emergency situation to allow the door to open upon pressing against the door. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. Apparatus for securing an emergency exit door wherein the door is hinged along one edge to a door frame;
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means for latching the door; panic bar means connected to the latching means for unlatching the latching means when force is applied to the bar; delay means mounted on the door frame and separated from the latching means and panic bar means, said delay means including a closure operated bolt means which extends between the door frame and door for preventing the door from opening when projected and allowing the door to open when retracted, and means for retarding movement of the bolt means from the projected to the retracted position; means for indicating that an attempt is being made to open the door while retraction of the bolt is being retarded; means for bypassing the retarding means wherein the bolt means can move immediately from the projected position to the retracted position upon operating the bypassing means, and at least one emergency condition indicator connected to the bypassing means for operating the bypassing means upon occurrence of an emergency situation to allow the door to open upon pressing against the door.
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Specification