Abstract: To lock the head of a latchbolt in extended, or locked position therein to prevent opening of a door in case of fire the latch bolt head is provided with a spring driven locking pin reciprocatably mounted in a transverse direction. In the extended locked position of the latch bolt head the locking pin is in alignment with but withdrawn clear of a hole in the latch bolt case. At the inside end of the locking pin is a groove and a fusible pin normally engages the groove holding the locking pin in withdrawn position. This permits normal latch bolt action. When the fusible pin melts because of heat from a fire the locking pin is released and driven by spring action into the hole in the latch bolt case to physically bar withdrawal of the latch bolt, and consequent opening of the door.

Abstract: A latch for ovens and the like includes a latch subassembly movable between latching and unlatching positions, a high temperature locking pawl engageable with the latch subassembly at a preselected elevated temperature to block its movement to unlatching position, and a thermal element which moves the locking pawl into blocking position. First adjustment means is provided to engage the locking pawl during its movement from a nonblocking position to the blocking position so as to locate its abutment surface in a predetermined position in the path of movement of the latch subassembly. Second adjustment means is also provided and is engageable with the locking pawl during its movement from blocking position to non-blocking position so as to locate the abutment surface on the pawl in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A sterilizer or aseptor for contact lenses and the like is disclosed, which provides a capsule adapted to both carry and sterilize a single set of contact lenses. The sterilizer includes a well adapted to receive the capsule, and when the well is heated, sterilizing action occurs within the capsule. A cover is locked into a closed position to prohibit access to the capsule and well when the well is heated to an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A door control comprising a heat-actuated door latch and a combination door-closing-arm holder and release. An optional smoke detector is located within a holder-release housing. During normal conditions, the door-closing arm is set at a hold-open angle free of the door to permit an easy door swing. In response to an emergency or smoke condition, the closing arm is released to pick up and close the door. In the event of excessive heat, the door is latched in response to the separation of fusible link segments. Heat from the side of the door opposite the latch housing is conducted through the door by a heat conducting rod.

Abstract: A surface mounted rim type lock set assembly for use on fire doors wherein a latch bolt is adapted for release by operation of a cross-bar on one side of the door and for release independently by manual operation of a lever-type handle on the other side, the assembly including a locking slide which is held out of engagement with the handle hub by heat responsive means adapted to release the slide when a portion of said means is melted. Normal locking and unlocking of the handle is effected by a key in a cylinder lock.

Abstract: This invention relates to a locking device having a latching element movable between a locking position and an inoperative position, operating means for moving the latching element, a blocking member movable to a blocking position for mechanically preventing the latching element from moving to its inoperative position. According to the invention, a plurality of thermally responsive elements are arranged or are individually bendable to form thermally responsive holding means for adopting a holding condition to temporarily hold the blocking member in the blocking position and, preferably, also to form thermally responsive safety means for normally adopting an inoperative condition.

Abstract: An electrically operated door lock has a bolt movable into locking and unlocking positions; a generally cylindrical, positive temperature coefficient resistor; and a bimetal strip formed of a generally circular, open collar continuing in two spaced legs extending away from the resistor. The collar surrounds the resistor along its generally cylindrical surface. One of the two spaced legs constitutes a bolt-actuating terminus connected, directly or indirectly, with the bolt for moving the bolt upon deformation of the bimetal strip resulting from temperature changes caused by the resistor.

Abstract: A lock housing is adapted to be mounted at the free vertical edge of the inactive one of a pair of hinged doors that have adjacent vertical edges when both doors are closed. Slidably mounted in the housing is an axially movable shaft that extends vertically therefrom and has a normally retracted latch bolt mounted on its outer end. Operatively connected to the opposite end of the shaft is the inner end of a rocker arm, the central part of which is pivotally connected to the housing on a horizontal axis. A cam pivotally connected on a vertical axis to the housing normally projects from it for engagement by the free vertical edge of the active door for swinging the cam into the housing to swing the rocker arm vertically in order to project the latch bolt from a horizontal edge of the inactive door. The rocker arm is so mounted in the housing that it will be moved by the cam bodily away from the free edge of the door if the shaft cannot move, whereby the mechanism will not be damaged.

Abstract: A catch mechanism for installation in a door frame to cooperate with a door lock on a fire door. The mechanism includes a catch member pivotable between an operative position in which to serve as a door catch and an inoperative position to enable release of the door no matter what the condition of the door lock. The mechanism includes a heat responsive locking device which locks the catch member in its catch position in the event of a fire generating high temperatures. The locking device may comprise a biased locking plunger mounted in a cavity within the catch member and normally held in a retracted position by a heat fusible metal plug but extendible on melting of the plug to engage the catch body and so lock the catch member.

Abstract: A lock assembly for automatically dead bolting a closure to a closure frame when the ambient temperature is raised above a predetermined temperature by fire comprises a striker plate, which defines a bolt hole, mounted on the closure frame. A cooperating latching mechanism, installed in the closure, includes a housing and a bolt assembly mounted in housing for reciprocal movement to and from a latched position projecting into the striker plate bolt hole and for movement to an extreme dead bolted position projecting further into the bolt hole beyond the latched position. A stop pin mechanism associated with the bolt assembly prevents the bolt assembly from being moved out of the dead bolted position once this position is assumed and a spring urges the bolt toward the dead bolted position.

Abstract: A latch bolt mechanism of the push-pull type which includes a stop lever maintained normally in an inactive position by means of a fusible pin, the lever being adapted to drop into a position where it blocks the movement of the latch-withdrawing mechanism when the pin melts at a predetermined temperature due to a fire condition.

Abstract: A flush bolt mechanism is disclosed for latching the inactive one of a pair of swinging doors, the mechanism functioning to latch the closed inactive door in response to closing of the other door. The latch mechanism includes a bolt that is driven home by cam and spring assemblies. A heat-responsive mechanism is provided for retaining the bolt in its extended position when the heat-responsive mechanism is subjected to a temperature and for a time sufficient to melt one of its components. A release mechanism may be provided for retracting the extended bolt in response to a force of preselected magnitude applied against the inside of the inactive door.

Abstract: A push door-latch opener suitable for hospital rooms including a door mounting plate, a horizontal pivoting rod attached to the plate, a vertical pivoting rod attached to said plate and located above the horizontal rod, a horizontal bell crank pivoted about said vertical rod and having a first arm projecting into the plane of the door and a second arm being substantially parallel to the plane of the door, a torsion spring for biasing said bell crank in a direction so that the second arm is biased in the direction of the first arm, and a downwardly-directed push handle pivoted about said horizontal rod and being biased to a first out position and being adapted to be pushed to a second in position, the push handle having above the horizontal rod an upwardly-directed projection which engages the inner surface of the second arm of the bell crank so that when the push handle is pushed, the projection turns the second arm away from the door and simultaneously turns the first arm, thereby operating a latching mechan

Abstract: A locked enclosure may be eventually automatically unlocked by a simple pin element in a hasp-lock which drops out of the hasp-lock in case of temperatures associated with a fire.

Abstract: A control damper is mounted in a building duct system for closing a control opening through a housing or frame and includes a linkage connected to the housing and to a vane positioned in the control opening and is operative for moving the vane between a flow permitting position and a position closing the control opening. The linkage includes a fusible portion permitting a resilient member to move the vane to the position closing the control opening in the event of temperature above the melting point of the fusible portion. Cooperating latch members are mounted on the housing and on the vane and are moved into vane holding engagement after melting of a fusible portion and movement of the vane to the position closing the control opening through the housing.

Abstract: A control damper is mounted in a building duct system for closing a control opening through a housing or frame and includes a linkage connected to the housing and to a vane positioned in the control opening and is operative for moving the vane between a flow permitting position and a position closing the control opening. The linkage includes a fusible portion permitting a resilient member to move the vane to the position closing the control opening in the event of temperature above the melting point of the fusible portion. Cooperating latch members are mounted on the housing and on the vane and are moved into vane holding engagement after melting of a fusible portion and movement of the vane to the position closing the control opening through the housing.