Abstract: A dogging mechanism for an exit device may include a dogging indicator configured to pivot about a pivot axis over a travel path between a first position and a second position, where the travel path comprises a midpoint between the first position and the second position. The dogging mechanism may also include a spring coupled to the dogging indicator, where the spring is configured to bias the dogging indicator towards the first position when the dogging indicator is positioned on the travel path between the midpoint and the first position, and where the spring is configured to bias the dogging indicator towards the second position when the dogging indicator is positioned on the travel path between the midpoint and the second position.

Abstract: A vertical rod coupler includes a bracket, bolt, and cam lock. The bolt is disposed through the bracket and the cam lock, and includes a head and a transverse pin. When the bolt is rotated relative to the cam lock, a pin camming surface cams the transverse pin to adjust the tension in the bolt and/or a distance between the head and the bracket.

Abstract: A dogging mechanism for an exit device may include a progressive latching arrangement to allow for dogging at a plurality of positions of a push bar. An electronic latch retraction device may include a camming arrangement configured to provide mechanical advantage when retracting a push bar of an exit device.

Abstract: A door exit device may include a light source for indicating a status of the exit device. The light source may be capable of providing a first indication denoting that the exit device is in a first state (e.g., a dogged state) and a second indication denoting that the exit device is in a second state (e.g., an undogged state). Further, the exit device may include first and second parallel control systems capable of electronically controlling that status of the exit device. In some instances, a first parallel control system may supersede a second parallel control system.

Abstract: A dogging mechanism for an exit device may include a progressive latching arrangement to allow for dogging at a plurality of positions of a push bar. An electronic latch retraction device may include a camming arrangement configured to provide mechanical advantage when retracting a push bar of an exit device.

Abstract: A latching device may include a latch, and a blocker configured to reduce the operational force used to move the latch to a latch disengaged position when an associated door is loaded with a force in a direction of egress. In some embodiments, the blocker may resist the force in the direction of egress by transferring the load the latch in a manner which reduces resultant friction generated by the latch when it is moved to the latch disengaged position. In some embodiments, the blocker may resist the force in the direction of egress by direction the force away from the latch.

Abstract: A vertical rod coupler includes a bracket, bolt, and cam lock. The bolt is disposed through the bracket and the cam lock, and includes a head and a transverse pin. When the bolt is rotated relative to the cam lock, a pin camming surface cams the transverse pin to adjust the tension in the bolt and/or a distance between the head and the bracket.

Abstract: An electric latch retraction device for vertical rod door latches includes an automatic adjustment feature including a limit switch and a linear sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, which detects vertical position. A microcontroller monitors the vertical position of a pivoting retraction lever driven at the pivot by a linear driver. The housing for the electric latch retraction device is preferably external to the door and one end of the retraction lever extends into the door to drive a vertical rod door latch mechanism while an opposed end contacts the limit switch to signal that continued driving of the linear driver will begin to drive the vertical rod door latch. The microcontroller determines from the vertical position of the retraction lever when the limit switch is actuated whether the electric latch retraction device is mounted too high or too low.

Abstract: An anti-ligature handle and escutcheon for operating a lock. The handle and escutcheon are smoothly curved in all directions to eliminate hanging points and prevent suicide by preventing the attachment of a ligature to the handle or escutcheon. The handle is curved to allow fingers to be inserted behind the handle to pull on the handle. The handle is attached to a handle plate that slides behind an escutcheon plate portion of the escutcheon. Multiple ligature traps in the form of an inverted “V” are positioned in parallel offset rows between the handle plate and the escutcheon plate to prevent the insertion of a ligature around the handle and handle plate.

Abstract: An electric latch retraction device for vertical rod door latches includes an automatic adjustment feature including a limit switch and a linear sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, which detects vertical position. A microcontroller monitors the vertical position of a pivoting retraction lever driven at the pivot by a linear driver. The housing for the electric latch retraction device is preferably external to the door and one end of the retraction lever extends into the door to drive a vertical rod door latch mechanism while an opposed end contacts the limit switch to signal that continued driving of the linear driver will begin to drive the vertical rod door latch. The microcontroller determines from the vertical position of the retraction lever when the limit switch is actuated whether the electric latch retraction device is mounted too high or too low.

Abstract: A roseless trim for a mortise or tubular lock includes through bolts on a bolt circle of less than one inch (25.4 mm). Spindle hubs with a curved slot allow at least one of the through bolts to pass through the spindle hubs. A tubular lock embodiment uses arms with a cutout. The arms function as through bolts when screws attach the arms to mounting plates on opposite sides of the door. Each handle is attached to a corresponding handle base with a bushing. The handle base and small diameter bolt circle cooperate to provide the appearance that the handle extends directly into the door without a rose, escutcheon or any other attachment structure at the base of the handle.

Abstract: An anti-ligature handle and escutcheon for operating a lock. The handle and escutcheon are smoothly curved in all directions to eliminate hanging points and prevent suicide by preventing the attachment of a ligature to the handle or escutcheon. The handle is curved to allow fingers to be inserted behind the handle to pull on the handle. The handle is attached to a handle plate that slides behind an escutcheon plate portion of the escutcheon. Multiple ligature traps in the form of an inverted “V” are positioned in parallel offset rows between the handle plate and the escutcheon plate to prevent the insertion of a ligature around the handle and handle plate.

Abstract: A roseless trim for a mortise or tubular lock includes through bolts on a bolt circle of less than one inch (25.4 mm). Spindle hubs with a curved slot allow at least one of the through bolts to pass through the spindle hubs. A tubular lock embodiment uses arms with a cutout. The arms function as through bolts when screws attach the arms to mounting plates on opposite sides of the door. Each handle is attached to a corresponding handle base with a bushing. The handle base and small diameter bolt circle cooperate to provide the appearance that the handle extends directly into the door without a rose, escutcheon or any other attachment structure at the base of the handle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pin and tumbler cylinder lock and a retrofitted cylinder lock which minimizes unauthorized openings of the lock by bumping. The cylinder lock utilizes specially designed driver pins which are correlated in size to the largest possible stack height of the tumbler pins with a bump key inserted in the plug portion of the lock and the shear line height of the lock. All the driver pins are about the same height and preferably symmetrical with a lip on each end. The invention also provides a method for retrofitting existing locks by removing at least one of the driver pins and replacing the removed driver pin or pins with the driver pins of the invention.

Abstract: An electronic push retraction exit device includes a support rail, a push rail and a latch mechanism having a latch bolt operably connected to the push rail and movable between latched and unlatched positions. A control circuit in the exit device drives a linear actuator to retract and hold the push rail and the latch bolt in the unlatched position. The linear actuator preferably includes a stepping motor and is connected to the push rail through a lost motion connection allowing the exit device to be mechanically operated without moving the linear actuator. The control circuit preferably includes an electrical adjustment for the retraction distance of the latch bolt and an adjustable relatch timer. The exit device may be operated by a remote switch attached to a control connection, which may be permanently closed to simulate a prior art electrically operated exit device for compatibility with third party control systems.

Abstract: A fire plate for receiving a bored in lock assembly and preventing passage of fire through a lock opening bored perpendicularly through a fire door. The fire plate is particularly adapted for use with integrated lock and latch assemblies that are designed for installation through a latch opening bored from an edge of the door into the lock opening. The latch opening has a diameter less than the lock opening and the fire plate blocks the space above and below the lock assembly in the lock opening to prevent the passage of smoke and fire through the lock opening. The fire plate includes two fire stop barriers that may be formed by bending from a sheet of spring steel and which preferably snap into engagement with the lock assembly as it is inserted from the latch opening into the lock opening.

Abstract: An electronic push retraction exit device includes a support rail, a push rail and a latch mechanism having a latch bolt operably connected to the push rail and movable between latched and unlatched positions. A control circuit in the exit device drives a linear actuator to retract and hold the push rail and the latch bolt in the unlatched position. The linear actuator preferably includes a stepping motor and is connected to the push rail through a lost motion connection allowing the exit device to be mechanically operated without moving the linear actuator. The control circuit preferably includes an electrical adjustment for the retraction distance of the latch bolt and an adjustable relatch timer. The exit device may be operated by a remote switch attached to a control connection, which may be permanently closed to simulate a prior art electrically operated exit device for compatibility with third party control systems.