EXIT ALARM ESCUTCHEON

• US 20080258911A1
• Filed: 04/20/2007
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corbin Russwin Inc.
• Original Assignee: Yale Security Incorporated (Assa Abloy AB)
• Inventors: Gray, John Steven, Roy, Scott C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,990,280 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/08 by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/062 indicating emergency exits

Abstract

An exit alarm system housed in an escutcheon for activating upon movement of an interior latch operator. The system is mounted to the interior side of a door with a latch assembly including an interior latch operator. The system may include an alarm, a trigger, and an electronic module. The trigger is responsive to movement of the interior latch operator. The electronic module may be electrically connected to a power source for providing an input signal to the alarm. Upon motion of the interior latch operator, the trigger may cause the electronic module to send an activating input signal to the alarm. The alarm may be a sound transducer. A switch may be provide to arm the system. A tamper switch may be provided to cause the electronic module to activate the alarm upon removal of the escutcheon. The system may be applied to retrofit an existing door.

Claims

1. An exit alarm escutcheon system for a door latch assembly for a door, the door having an interior side, the latch assembly including an interior latch operator, the exit alarm escutcheon system comprising:

a housing adapted to be mounted to the interior side of the door;

an alarm disposed within the housing; and

a trigger disposed within the housing and adapted to be actuated by movement of the interior latch operator,

wherein actuation of the trigger causes a signal to be sent to the alarm to put the alarm into operation.

2. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic module disposed within the housing for providing an input signal to the alarm, wherein the movement of the interior latch operator causes the trigger to signal the electronic module, causing the electronic module to send an input signal to the alarm to put the alarm into operation.

3. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 2, further comprising a switch disposed in the housing that in a first position arms the system to be capable of putting the alarm into operation and in a second position disarms the system so that the system is incapable of putting the alarm into operation, wherein the electronic module is electrically connected to and signals the switch, such that in the first position the switch signals back to the electronic module, and in the second position the switch does not signal back to the electronic module.

4. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 3, wherein the switch is moved between first and second positions by a keyed actuator.

5. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 3, wherein the switch is moved between first and second positions by a keypad activated actuator.

6. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 3, wherein the switch is moved between first and second positions by a magnetic reader actuated actuator.

7. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 3, wherein the switch is a toggle switch.

8. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 7, further comprising a keyed actuator and a pronged ring that encircles and is rotated by the keyed actuator, wherein the pronged ring moves the toggle switch between first and second positions.

9. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 3, further comprising an indicator that is put into operation when the system is armed.

10. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 9, wherein the indicator comprises a lamp or light emitting diode that lights or flashes when put into operation.

11. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 9, wherein the indicator comprises a sound transducer that sounds when put into operation.

12. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 11, wherein the sound transducer generates an audible chirp when put into operation.

13. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 1, wherein the alarm comprises a sound transducer that sounds when put into operation.

14. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 1, wherein the alarm emits light when put into operation.

15. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 1, wherein the alarm generates a wireless signal receivable at a location outside of the housing when put into operation.

16. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 1, wherein the trigger comprises a microswitch.

17. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 1, further comprising a tamper switch disposed in the housing and adapted to be responsive to removal of the housing from the door, wherein the tamper switch signals the alarm to put the alarm into operation.

18. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 1, further comprising an electrical connection for a power source external to the housing.

19. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 1, further comprising a power source disposed within the housing, including at least one battery.

20. An exit alarm escutcheon system for a door latch assembly for a door, the door having an interior side, the latch assembly including an interior latch operator, the exit alarm escutcheon system comprising:

a housing adapted to be mounted to the interior side of the door;

an alarm disposed within the housing; and

a trigger adapted to be disposed within the door and adapted to be actuated by movement of the interior latch operator,

wherein actuation of the trigger causes a signal to be sent to the alarm to put the alarm into operation.

21. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 20, further comprising an electronic module disposed within the housing for providing an input signal to the alarm, wherein the movement of the interior latch operator causes the trigger to signal the electronic module, causing the electronic module to send an input signal to the alarm to put the alarm into operation.

22. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 21, further comprising a switch that in a first position arms the system to be capable of putting the alarm into operation and in a second position disarms the system so that the system is incapable of putting the alarm into operation, wherein the electronic module is electrically connected to and signals the switch, such that in the first position the switch signals back to the electronic module, and in the second position the switch does not signal back to the electronic module.

23. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 20, further comprising a tamper switch disposed in the housing and adapted to be responsive to removal of the housing from the door, wherein the tamper switch signals the alarm to put the alarm into operation.

24. An exit alarm escutcheon system for a door latch assembly for a door, the door having an interior side, the latch assembly including an interior latch operator, the exit alarm escutcheon system comprising:

a housing adapted to be mounted to the interior side of the door;

a sound transducer disposed within the housing;

an electronic module disposed within the housing for providing an input signal to the sound transducer;

a trigger disposed within the housing and adapted to be actuated by movement of the interior latch operator; and

a toggle switch disposed in the housing that in a first position arms the system to be capable of putting the sound transducer into operation and in a second position disarms the system so that the system is incapable of putting the sound transducer into operation, wherein the electronic module is electrically connected to and signals the toggle switch, such that in the first position the toggle switch signals back to the electronic module, and in the second position the toggle switch does not signal back to the electronic module;

wherein the movement of the interior latch operator causes the trigger to signal the electronic module, causing the electronic module to send an input signal to the sound transducer to put the sound transducer into operation.

25. The exit alarm escutcheon system of claim 24, further comprising a tamper switch disposed in the housing and adapted to be responsive to removal of the housing from the door, wherein the tamper switch signals the alarm to put the alarm into operation.

26. An exit alarm escutcheon system for a door latch assembly for a door, the door having an interior side, the latch assembly including an interior latch operator, the exit alarm escutcheon system comprising:

means for arming the system;

means for actuating a trigger;

means for signaling an electronic module; and

means for putting an alarm into operation.

27. An interior-side alarmed exit door system comprising:

a door having an interior side and including a latch assembly including an interior latch operator;

a housing adapted to be mounted to the interior side of the door;

an alarm disposed within the housing; and

a trigger disposed within the housing and adapted to be actuated by movement of the interior latch operator,

wherein actuation of the trigger causes a signal to be sent to the alarm to put the alarm into operation.

28. The interior-side alarmed exit door system of claim 27, further comprising an electronic module disposed within the housing for providing an input signal to the alarm, wherein the movement of the interior latch operator causes the trigger to signal the electronic module, causing the electronic module to send an input signal to the alarm to put the alarm into operation.

29. The interior-side alarmed exit door system of claim 28, further comprising a switch that in a first position arms the system to be capable of putting the alarm into operation and in a second position disarms the system so that the system is incapable of putting the alarm into operation, wherein the electronic module is electrically connected to and signals the switch, such that in the first position the switch signals back to the electronic module, and in the second position the switch does not signal back to the electronic module.

30. A method of operating an exit alarm escutcheon system, the method comprising:

arming the system;

actuating a trigger;

signaling an electronic module; and

putting an alarm into operation.

31. A method of making an exit alarm escutcheon system for a door latch assembly, the door having an interior side, the latch assembly including an interior latch operator, the method comprising:

providing a housing adapted to be mounted to the interior side of the door;

providing an alarm disposed within the housing;

providing a trigger adapted to be responsive to movement of the interior latch operator, disposed within the housing;

providing an electronic module disposed within the housing for providing an input signal to the alarm; and

electrically connecting the alarm and the trigger to the electronic module.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the door is an existing door including mechanical locking and latching, and further comprising:

removing an existing latch operator;

removing an existing escutcheon or plate;

replacing the existing escutcheon or plate with the housing.

32. A method of installing an exit alarm escutcheon system, the method comprising:

providing a door having an interior side and including a latch assembly including an interior latch operator;

mounting a housing to the interior side of the door, wherein an alarm and an electronic module are disposed within the housing, the electronic module for providing an input signal to the alarm;

providing a trigger adapted to be responsive to movement of the interior latch operator, disposed within the housing; and

electrically connecting the alarm and the trigger to the electronic module.