Patents Assigned to Von Duprin, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5471792
    Abstract: A mullion assembly mountable in a door frame includes a bottom fitting attached to a floor and a top fitting attached to the door frame above the bottom fitting. The top fitting supports a latch engagement assembly for engaging a latch assembly positioned in a mullion cavity of a mullion. The latch assembly has a latch extendable from the mullion cavity to engage the latch engagement assembly supported by the top fitting and hold the mullion in a fixed position. Retraction of the latch is controlled by a key lock assembly connected to the latch assembly through an actuating link assembly. The key lock assembly permits key controlled disengagement of the latch from the latch engagement assembly, followed by temporary removal of the mullion from its position in the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony L. Higgins, Michael P. Fox
  • Patent number: 5464259
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a fire door having a pushpad for emergency exit is described. The pushpad is connected to a rod to transfer motion of the pushpad to the latch assembly. The latch assembly includes a platform attached to the fire door, a linkage assembly attached between the rod and a latch bolt, and a deadlock arm assembly attached to the platform. The deadlock arm assembly is movable between a first position to block movement of the linkage assembly and a second position to allow movement of the linkage assembly. A fire fuse assembly is also attached to the linkage assembly to move the deadlock arm assembly out of its first position blocking movement of the linkage assembly at normal room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Cohrs, Gerald E. Mader
  • Patent number: 5450651
    Abstract: An overhead mounted door holder assembly for attachment between a door jamb and a door, to hold the door in an open position, includes a jamb bracket attached to the door jamb and a jamb arm pivotally attached to the jamb bracket. A channel assembly having a longitudinally extending channel is attached to the door, and first and second end caps are attachable to opposing ends of the channel assembly, with each end cap being held by a retaining key in locked connection with the channel assembly. The first and second end caps are configured to allow alternate positioning of the channel assembly inset in a top of the door or attached to a side of the door. A hold open stop is fixably held in the channel of the channel assembly. The hold open stop is configured to have a stop element for engaging a slide assembly pivotally attached to the jamb arm and positioned for longitudinal movement in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Von Duprin, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Coleman, Paul J. Haeck, Herman M. Tilly
  • Patent number: 5450697
    Abstract: A mullion assembly mountable between a floor and a door frame includes an engagement assembly attached to either the floor or the door frame. A mullion defining a mullion cavity is positioned in removable attachment with the engagement assembly, and a cylinder lock assembly is positioned in the mullion cavity. The cylinder lock assembly has a key lock cylinder configured for positioning in either a locked position to engage the engagement assembly and hold the mullion in an upright position in the door frame, or in an unlocked position disengaged from the engagement assembly to permit removal of the mullion from the doorway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew S. Prucinsky, Richard B. Cohrs, Roger A. Vitt
  • Patent number: 5448798
    Abstract: An overhead mounted door holder assembly, for attachment between a door jamb and a door, to hold the door in an open position includes a jamb bracket attached to the door jamb and a jamb arm pivotally attached to the jamb bracket. A channel assembly having a longitudinally extending channel is attached to the door. A slide assembly is disposed within the channel and is pivotably connected to the jamb arm. A slide catch on the slide assembly is provided for the door holding function. First and second springs are attached to the channel assembly and positioned within the channel, and a spring mounted catch is attached to the first and second springs. In operation, the spring mounted catch is pivotably positioned in the channel to engage the slide catch and reversibly hold the door in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Coleman, Raymond A. Loturco
  • Patent number: 5448797
    Abstract: An adjustable overhead mounted door holder assembly for attachment between a door jamb and a door to hold the door in an open position includes a jamb bracket attached to the door jamb and a jamb arm pivotally attached to the jamb bracket. A channel assembly having a longitudinally extending channel is attached to the door, and a spring assisted assembly holds the door in an open position assisted by frictional force. The amount of friction is adjustable by altering a rotational position of an eccentric cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Coleman
  • Patent number: 5446944
    Abstract: A door holder assembly, for attachment between a door jamb and a door, to hold the door in an open position includes a jamb bracket attached to the door jamb and a jamb arm pivotally attached to the jamb bracket. A channel assembly having a longitudinally extending channel is attached to the door, and a hold open stop is fixed in the channel of the channel assembly. The hold open stop is configured to have a stop element with a first ramp and a second ramp engageable by a slide assembly. The slide assembly is pivotally attached to the jamb arm and positioned for longitudinal movement in the channel, with the slide assembly having a slide frame configured to support a rocker pivotably connected to the slide frame. The rocker has a catch on one side of a pivot and rocker face on the opposite side of the pivot, with the catch configured to slide over the first ramp for reversible engagement with the second ramp of the stop element to hold the door in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Coleman, Tammy S. Smith, Herman M. Tilly, Theodore J. Fritsch
  • Patent number: 5445423
    Abstract: A door lever assembly for disengaging an unlocked latch of a lockable door latch assembly includes a lever handle rotatably connected to a trim housing and a cam operably connected to the lever handle. The cam is positioned to rotate in response to rotation of the lever handle, converting its rotational movement to linear movement of a movable slider positioned adjacent to the cam. A lift arm is operably connected to vertical rods of the door latch assembly and an over-ride spring is connected between the slider and the lift arm. The over-ride spring transmits motion of the slider to the lift arm to lift the lift arm and the connected vertical rods when the door latch assembly is in an unlocked position. The over-ride spring compresses in response to slider movement when the blocking slide is positioned to block movement of the lift arm when the door latch assembly is in its locked position, preventing damage to components of the door lever assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald E. Mader
  • Patent number: 5435102
    Abstract: A mullion assembly mountable in a door frame includes a bottom fitting attached to a floor and a top fitting attached to the door frame above the bottom fitting. The top fitting supports a bolt engagement assembly for engaging a lock assembly positioned in a mullion cavity of a mullion. The lock assembly has a bolt extendable from the mullion cavity to engage the bolt engagement assembly supported by the top fitting and hold the mullion in a fixed position. Retraction of the bolt is controlled by a key lock assembly that allows controlled access disengagement of the bolt from the bolt engagement assembly, followed by pivoting movement of the mullion away from its upright position in the door frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter McCarthy
  • Patent number: 5426820
    Abstract: An overhead door holder assembly, for attachment between a door jamb and a door, to hold the door in an open position includes a jamb bracket attached to the door jamb and a jamb arm pivotally attached to the jamb bracket. A channel assembly having a longitudinally extending channel is attached to the door, and one of a group of modular slide assemblies that interchangeably fit into the channel assembly can be selected for pivotal attachment to the jamb arm. The slide assemblies have attached polymeric blocks that reduce wear caused by sliding components and may have door hold and door stop provisions as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Coleman, Theodore J. Fritsch, Herman M. Tilly
  • Patent number: 5412961
    Abstract: A mechanism for dogging a door latch assembly of a panic exit device having a retractible door latch biased to move outward from the door latch assembly, with inward movement of the door latch being activated by a push bar, includes a mechanism for holding a key cylinder positioned adjacent to the door latch assembly. A catch mechanism linked to the door latch is configured to move as the door latch is retracted, and a arm is pivotably mounted adjacent to the key cylinder holding mechanism. The arm is configured to retain the catch mechanism, with the door latch being prevented from outwardly moving with respect to the door latch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Cain, Marlin D. Austin
  • Patent number: 5372394
    Abstract: A pneumatically controlled exit device assembly for remote latching and unlatching of a door by controlling air pressure directed to the exit device from a pneumatic pressure source is described. The device includes a push bar operated exit device for retracting a latch of the emergency door, with the exit device having an air cylinder assembly biased to control retraction of the latch in response to changes in applied air pressure. In addition, a pneumatic transfer assembly is provided in fluid connection between the pneumatic pressure source and the air cylinder assembly, with the pneumatic transfer assembly having an air line and a mechanism for protecting the airline positioned between the door frame and the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Salter, Stephen C. Dean
  • Patent number: 5184855
    Abstract: An electromagnetic door lock assembly employs an electromagnet positioned in a frame adjacent to a door, power source for providing power to the electromagnet, and an adjustable armature assembly positioned in the door for interaction with the electromagnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Waltz, William P. Dye, Donald D. Baker
  • Patent number: 5184856
    Abstract: An electromagnetic door lock assembly employs an electromagnet positioned in a frame adjacent to a door, and an adjustable armature assembly positioned in the door for interaction with the electromagnet. The armature assembly includes an armature plate having a pair of shear low-cost, replaceable elements that initially engage the electromagnet. A backing plate is situated adjacent to the armature plate, and a stem coupling the backing plate to the armature plate includes a spring biasing the backing plate and armature plate toward each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin P. Waltz
  • Patent number: 5139293
    Abstract: An armature assembly for use with an electromagnetic door holder has a ball stud pivotably connected at one end to a mounting bracket and at the other end to an armature plate. The mounting bracket is mounted on a first structural member, a mounting body is secured to the bracket and connects with the ball stud, and the armature plate coacts with and is held against an electromagnet which is mounted on a second structural member. The pivotable attachments at both ends of the ball stud provide an almost universal adjustability to the armature assembly and, thus, accomodate complex misalignments between the first and second structural surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Zimmerman, Mark A. New
  • Patent number: 5133581
    Abstract: An electromagnetic lock assembly has longitudinally extending interlocking protrusions and recesses in the magnet and magnet housing surfaces. This permits longitudinal movement of the magnet within the housing, but prevents lifting of the magnet out of the housing. End caps and an electronic circuitry cover clamp the magnet longitudinally within the housing and provide the mounting bolt brackets. An armature, providing for distribution of separating forces, reduces bending tendencies in the armature contact plate and thereby increases the effective separation load bearing capability of the lock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael D. Coleman
  • Patent number: 5085475
    Abstract: A housing mounted to the frame of a panic exit device confines a translatable limb, and a pivotable arm. The limb has a lobe which obstructs the arm to prevent its pivoting and, as a consequence, the arm blocks the latchbolt linkage of the device to prevent unlatching. A rod joined to a time-delayed-operative solenoid is coupled to the limb for displacing the limb from arm-pivoting obstruction, to allow the arm to unblock the latchbolt linkage, whereby the latchbolt can unlatch following the time delayed deenergization of the solenoid. Under normal conditions, the solenoid is energized to prohibit immediate unlatching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventors: Marlin Austin, Michael Cain, Paul J. Haeck
  • Patent number: 5067757
    Abstract: The Device is of the push pad type having a translating action rod which is biased in the latch bolt-extended position. An abutment is fixed to the action rod to receive thereagainst the extending plunger of a shock absorber which is removably coupled to an open guide base. The base is mounted on a base plate to support action rod operating bellcranks, and to support the action rod therein also. A shock absorber holder is clasped to the guide base, and the cylinder of the shock absorber, in which a viscous fluid is confined, is engaged by the holder to direct the plunger toward the abutment. In the depicted embodiment, the plunger resists retraction, to decelerate and damp the return of the push pad and action rod to their at-rest positions and, consequently, to suppress the operating noise of the panic exit device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. Cohrs, Paul J. Haeck, Gary R. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 5042852
    Abstract: The assembly has a multi-tabbed bracket for fixing to a door behind, and parallel with, a latch-actuating rod, and a semi-circular rod guard with latching fingers for slidable engagement with the tabs of the bracket for enclosing and protecting the latch-actuating rod. In addition, the assembly has a shroud-like guard for emplacement over a rod-actuated latch. The shroud-like latch guard has a ramped surface which, when the guard is in place, presents an impingement surface for wheeled devices to facilitate an opening of the door. The shroud-like guard, then, both protects the latch over which it is emplaced and makes the opening of the door more facile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger A. Vitt, Jorge A. Navarro, Paul J. Haeck
  • Patent number: 5035450
    Abstract: In a first embodiment, the invention has a casing set in the frame of a door in confronting relationship to the latchbolt-confining housing of the door. A bolt, translatable in the casing, is extended, by a solenoid, and enters the housing to prevent opening of the door. A latchbolt position sensor, in the form of a dual-ended limb, monitors the position of the latchbolt. Upon withdrawal of the latchbolt, from latching closure of the door, the limb actuates a switch to operate a time delay circuit component. When the specified time delay set by the component has run its course, it cuts power to the solenoid. Compression springs withdraw the bolt from the latchbolt-confining housing, to permit the door to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Von Duprin, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter H. Muller