Abstract: A pin assembly includes a spring held in compression inside a case by a thermal fuse located at the back end of the pin. The fuse is thermally activated to collapse, which allows the back end of the pin to move forward. The spring drives the front end of the pin out of the case into latching engagement between a first object, such as a fire door, and a second object, such as a floor or a doorframe. The fuse and spring are located on opposite sides of a restrictive opening at the back end of the case. The fuse is preferably cylindrical, surrounds the back end of the pin and is provided with holes oriented perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of the fuse forming a web. The holes weaken the fuse and cause it to collapse in a controlled manner at the desired activation temperature.

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: 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: A pin assembly includes a spring held in compression inside a case by a thermal fuse located at the back end of the pin. The fuse is thermally activated to collapse, which allows the back end of the pin to move forward. The spring drives the front end of the pin out of the case into latching engagement between a first object, such as a fire door, and a second object, such as a floor or a doorframe. The fuse and spring are located on opposite sides of a restrictive opening at the back end of the case. The fuse is preferably cylindrical, surrounds the back end of the pin and is provided with holes oriented perpendicular to the cylindrical axis of the fuse forming a web. The holes weaken the fuse and cause it to collapse in a controlled manner at the desired activation temperature.

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 standard mortise latch lock escutcheon or trim plate having an aperture for housing an electroluminescent strip captured within a two-piece lens structure. A dc or ac external power supply converter is used in conjunction with the existing grid power. The converter is situated on the mortise lock casing. The electroluminescent strip is captured within the lens structure along with partially transparent, lettered signage. The lens structure has an outer lens with a protrusion to align the signage within the aperture. The lettered signage is reversed lettered, such that light emits through the letters and is blocked by an opaque background when the electroluminescent strip is supplied power. In instances where the mortise latch lock is used on doors for purposes other than egress, a switch may be used to toggle power to the signage when the thumb lever is turned in a locked position.

Abstract: A lever handle return spring assembly for a cylindrical lock mounted in a bored opening in a door includes support plates on opposite sides of the door. The support plates include cylindrically depressed inner regions that extend partially into the bored opening in the door to accommodate return springs and reduce the visual thickness of the return spring assembly. Spring housings containing compression springs turn within the support plate inner regions and are held in place by cover plates. The support plate, cover plate, spring housing and springs on each side of the door form complete assemblies that are attached to the door via through-bolts. At least one of the support plates preferably includes lock tabs that connect to the cylindrical lock to prevent rotation of the cylindrical lock relative to the door. The support plate and cover plate are designed for strength when stamped from a flat sheet.

Abstract: A lock mechanism operated by inner and outer lever handles provides a security classroom function and includes inner and outer lock mechanisms that are independently switchable between locked and unlocked states by inner and outer lock cylinders and keys. The inner handle always operates the lock mechanism to retract a latch bolt. The outer handle can only retract the latch bolt when both the inner and outer lock mechanisms are in the unlocked state. The outer key can retract the latch bolt when the inner lock mechanism is in the locked state, but cannot change the inner lock mechanism to the unlocked state or enable the outer handle, thereby ensuring positive control over the locked state of the outer handle from the inner side.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for use with lever handles includes a lock core and a latch mechanism that is rigidly connected to the lock core to prevent the lock core from rotating in the door. Through-bolts are not needed, allowing a small diameter rose to be used. Stops and a spring return mechanism are entirely located within the lock core, allowing the rose to be thin. The lock core defines the rest position for the lever handles at an angle slightly above horizontal. To avoid the necessity for producing different locks in left and right-hand configurations, the lock core is made substantially symmetrical about a vertical plane, instead of a horizontal plane, and the inner and outer sides of the lock mechanism can be interchanged. A heavy-duty locking piece, including a pair of locking lugs that directly engage the lock core near its inner perimeter, allow the lock to withstand abusive forces applied through the lever handle.

Abstract: A lock mechanism operated by inner and outer lever handles provides a security classroom function and includes inner and outer lock mechanisms that are independently switchable between locked and unlocked states by inner and outer lock cylinders and keys. The inner handle always operates the lock mechanism to retract a latch bolt. The outer handle can only retract the latch bolt when both the inner and outer lock mechanisms are in the unlocked state. The outer key can retract the latch bolt when the inner lock mechanism is in the locked state, but cannot change the inner lock mechanism to the unlocked state or enable the outer handle, thereby ensuring positive control over the locked state of the outer handle from the inner side.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for use with lever handles includes a lock core and a latch mechanism that is rigidly connected to the lock core to prevent the lock core from rotating in the door. Through-bolts are not needed, allowing a small diameter rose to be used. Stops and a spring return mechanism are entirely located within the lock core, allowing the rose to be thin. The lock core defines the rest position for the lever handles at an angle slightly above horizontal. To avoid the necessity for producing different locks in left and right-hand configurations, the lock core is made substantially symmetrical about a vertical plane, instead of a horizontal plane, and the inner and outer sides of the lock mechanism can be interchanged. A heavy-duty locking piece, including a pair of locking lugs that directly engage the lock core near its inner perimeter, allow the lock to withstand abusive forces applied through the lever handle.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for use with lever handles includes a lock core and a latch mechanism that is rigidly connected to the lock core to prevent the lock core from rotating in the door. Through-bolts are not needed, allowing a small diameter rose to be used. Stops and a spring return mechanism are entirely located within the lock core, allowing the rose to be thin. The lock core defines the rest position for the lever handles at an angle slightly above horizontal. To avoid the necessity for producing different locks in left and right-hand configurations, the lock core is made substantially symmetrical about a vertical plane, instead of a horizontal plane, and the inner and outer sides of the lock mechanism can be interchanged. A heavy-duty locking piece, including a pair of locking lugs that directly engage the lock core near its inner perimeter, allow the lock to withstand abusive forces applied through the lever handle.

Abstract: A lock mechanism for use with lever handles includes a lock core and a latch mechanism that is rigidly connected to the lock core to prevent the lock core from rotating in the door. Through-bolts are not needed, allowing a small diameter rose to be used. Stops and a spring return mechanism are entirely located within the lock core, allowing the rose to be thin. The lock core defines the rest position for the lever handles at an angle slightly above horizontal. To avoid the necessity for producing different locks in left and right-hand configurations, the lock core is made substantially symmetrical about a vertical plane, instead of a horizontal plane, and the inner and outer sides of the lock mechanism can be interchanged. A heavy-duty locking piece, including a pair of locking lugs that directly engage the lock core near its inner perimeter, allow the lock to withstand abusive forces applied through the lever handle.

Abstract: A multipoint mortise lock assembly includes an extended face piece mounted flush along the edge of a door, a mortise lock connected to the face piece, and a pair of hook bolt latch mechanisms mounted to the face piece above and below the mortise lock. An elongated actuator, which is preferably a flat rod slidingly mounted to the back of the face piece, acts to extend and retract the hook bolts in synchronism with a deadbolt in the mortise lock. The actuator is connected between a deadbolt arm in the mortise lock, which drives the deadbolt, and the hook bolt latch mechanisms. The deadbolt arm is driven conventionally, such as by a key or a thumb latch, and the design allows one hand operation of the multipoint mortise lock assembly.

Abstract: A free-wheeling lock mechanism for operating a door latch includes a body, a handle, a lock and a split shaft having two halves rotationally connected together along the shaft axis. One half of the shaft is connected to the handle and one half extends from the body to operate the door latch. The two halves of the shaft may be coupled and uncoupled via a shaft lock movable perpendicular between locked and unlocked positions. In the unlocked position the shaft lock connects the two halves of the shaft to rotate together when the handle is turned. In the locked position the shaft lock disengages the two halves of the shaft to rotate separately and allow the handle to free-wheel without operating the door latch.

Abstract: A mortise latch and vertical rod exit device latches at a center point between two doors and at top points between each door and the door frame. Optionally vertical rods may also be used to latch at bottom points between the doors and the floor. The latch includes an active and a passive latch mechanism operated by corresponding operating mechanisms. The mortise latch mechanisms cooperatively interact so that either door may be opened first, and either door may be closed first, without regard to the position of the other door. The active mortise latch mechanism includes a latch bolt and an activation bolt arranged so that one bolt is retracted when the other is extended, except when the doors are being opened or closed, when both bolts are retracted. The active mortise latch mechanism automatically retracts the latch bolt when the doors are not aligned and automatically extends the latch bolt when the doors are aligned.

Abstract: A free-wheeling lever handle controller for operating a mortise lock provides free-wheeling functionality while maintaining the full operational characteristics of various mortise lock functions. A lock mode receiving mechanism connectable to the lock output is used to detect the unlocked and locked conditions of the mortise lock, and correspondingly engage and disengage the free-wheeling mechanism. The free-wheeling mechanism has a split shaft connected between a handle on the controller and a handle input on the mortise lock. The two halves of the shaft may be coupled and uncoupled via a shaft lock movable perpendicular between locked and unlocked positions. In the unlocked position the shaft lock connects the two halves of the shaft to rotate together when the handle is turned. In the locked position the shaft lock disengages the two halves of the shaft to rotate separately and allow the handle to free-wheel with operating the door latch.