Abstract: A vertical door locking system includes a sliding latch mounted to a door that opens vertically, such as a garage door or corrugated self-storage door, and an electrically operated solenoid mounted at a fixed location on a guide rail for the door or the door frame. The latch includes a latchbolt that extends outward from the door to prevent the door from being raised vertically and the latchbolt has an opening at one end. The solenoid includes a spring operated solenoid rod that extends into the opening in the latchbolt to prevent the latchbolt from being retracted thereby preventing the door from being opened unless the solenoid is electrically operated to disengage the solenoid rod and release the latchbolt.

Abstract: A vertical door locking system includes a door lock with a deadbolt that moves horizontally, a striker with an upward facing strike opening that vertically receives the deadbolt and a lock controller. The striker includes an electrically operated catch to engage and release the deadbolt. The door lock and striker are mounted opposite each other, one to the vertical door and the other to an adjacent fixed mounting point. The lock controller electrically operates the striker to release the deadbolt and allow it to move vertically out of engagement with the striker for primary access to a secure area and the door lock allows the deadbolt to be retracted horizontally away from the striker for secondary access. A remotely located control system optionally controls the lock controllers of multiple doors and a central office control system is optionally connected to multiple remotely located control systems.

Abstract: A retracting spindle mechanism has a spindle that extends between a handle trim mechanism mounted on the face of a door and a mortised door lock. The spindle is rotated by the handle to operate the door lock and slides axially in a hub to accommodate doors of different thicknesses. A conical spring is used to urge the spindle to the extended position. The conical spring can be compressed until it is flat allowing the spindle mechanism to be used in trim mechanisms with paddle handles having limited space between the handle and the mortised lock mechanism. A pin extends transversely through the spindle and into a slot in the hub capturing the spring and holding the spindle mechanism together as an integral assembly.

Abstract: A free-wheeling lock mechanism for a cylindrical door lock includes inner and outer spindles directly connected to corresponding inner and outer lever handles, a latch retractor located between the spindles and a cylindrical outer cam located within the outer spindle. The outer cam has an ear on its perimeter that moves from a forward to a rearward position as the outer cam is rotated to operate the latch retractor. A cylindrical locking plug is located within the outer cam and has an outwardly projecting finger that connects and disconnects the outer cam from the outer spindle to lock and unlock the mechanism as the locking plug slides axially relative to the outer cam. In the unlocked position the finger projects outwardly through a slot in the outer cam into a longitudinally oriented portion of a T-shaped slot in the spindle. In the locked position the finger projects outwardly through the outer cam slot into a circumferential portion of the spindle slot.

Abstract: A motorized lock actuator adapted to replace a mechanical lock actuator in preexisting and installed lock assemblies to convert them to electronic operation includes an electrically insulated motor housing and at least one electrically insulated bushing on the motor shaft to prevent electrostatic discharge and EMI/RFI interference from damaging the electronic lock controller. An alignment spring is used to improve operation in misaligned lock assemblies, and a key cam of self lubricating and electrically insulating plastic provides reliable low friction operation for a sliding locking slide assembly.

Abstract: An arm for a door closer includes a shaft rotatable about a first axis. The arm includes a first arm member having a first end connected to the shaft and rotatable therewith. A second arm member has a first end pivotably connected to a second end of the first arm member and a second end pivotably connected to a mounting bracket. The second arm member includes an open ended axially movable housing member having radially inwardly extending detent. A clamp has a first end forming the first end of the second arm and a second and forming radially expandable jaws of the clamp. The detent on the housing when disposed in a first axial position maintains the jaws in a closed position and when moved to a second axial position permits the jaws to radially expand. A link has a first end forming the second end of the second arm and a second end. A joining member is connected to the second end of the link and extends towards the clamp.

Abstract: An electrically operated exit device comprises a low powered dogging assembly for a pushbar and an electrical actuator for a latch bolt. A latching bracket is attached to the pushbar for movement inwardly and outwardly along a path. A dogging plate of the dogging element is pivotally moveable between a retracted position out of the path of the latching element and an extended position in the path of the latching element. The dogging plate is spring biased toward the extended position and has a protruding shoulder. When the dogging plate is extended and the pushbar moved inward manually, the latching bracket strikes the dogging plate, retracts it slightly against the force of the spring bias and then continues slightly beyond the shoulder of the dogging plate. Then, the dogging plate again extends fully under the influence of the spring bias such that a bearing surface on the far side of the shoulder catches the latching bracket and thereby dogs the pushbar.

Abstract: An emergency exit device of the push bar type to control entry and exit of personnel, including a crossbar which may be pushed toward a door to actuate mechanisms which retract a latch bolt, and an alarm and key system for selective alarm actuation. The alarm and key system includes internal control mechanisms which are mounted in a tamper-proof housing, which may be accessed only by operating the push bar and actuating the alarm. A light emitting diode in the alarm assembly indicates alarm state, the presence of power, and a preset delay interval for alarm actuation. A variety of internal and external key operation configurations may be employed. A fastening arrangement for the exit device housing provides security against unauthorized manipulation of alarm components. Where mounting the alarm assembly within the exit device frame, an internal mounted guard member may include a protection flange to block access to the alarm.

Abstract: A method of thread rolling a cylindrical sintered P/M blank is provided comprising, forming a sintered cylindrical powder metal (P/M) blank of density ranging from about 75% to 92% of the actual density of said metal blank having a selected diameter larger than the final pitch diameter of a predetermined roll threaded product produced therefrom and not substantially exceeding the outside diameter of said predetermined roll threaded product. The P/M blank diameter selected is substantially inversely related to the density of the blank, the P/M diameter selected being correlated to produce a substantially full thread. The sintered P/M blank is then thread rolled using a threading die corresponding to the gage of the predetermined roll threaded product to be produced.

Abstract: A flanged bearing cartridge is provided comprising a sintered powdered steel flange housing formed of a steel composition consisting essentially by weight of up to about 6% Ni, up to about 3% Cu, up to about 2% Mn and/or Si, about 0.2 to 1.2% C and the balance at least about 90% iron. The sintered flange has a density ranging from about 80 to 92% of actual (theoretical) density of the composition and has a circular bore for receiving a bearing, the bore having a continuous inner wall of predetermined axial thickness located centrally of the housing and passing axially through the plane of the housing, the inner wall being configurated with a spherical groove and having inserted therein an annular anti-friction bearing comprising inner and outer rings with a complement of bearing elements held therebetween.

Abstract: A method is provided for partially densifying a selected surface portion of a sintered porous powder metal element while applying restraining pressure to other selected portions of said element in order to inhibit growth and cracking of said element during the partial cold deformation thereof. The method is particularly applicable to the production of annular bearing rings.