Exit device assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10648200-B2
Application number	US-201715443282-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 27, 2017
Priority date	Aug 23, 2011
Publication date	May 12, 2020
Grant date	May 12, 2020

Abstract

An exit device assembly for use in association with a door having a top, a bottom and a generally vertical surface. The exit door assembly includes an exit device configured to be mounted on the surface of the door, the exit device including a manually movable member, a latch mechanism configured to be mounted adjacent one of the top and the bottom of the door, the latch mechanism including a latch movable between a locking position and a non-locking position, and a non-rigid device for causing movement of the latch in response to movement of the manually movable member.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An exit device assembly for use with a door having a top, a bottom and a generally vertical surface, the exit device assembly comprising:
an exit device configured to be mounted on the vertical surface of the door, the exit device including a manually movable member;
a latch mechanism configured to be mounted adjacent one of the top and the bottom of the door, the latch mechanism including a latch movable between a locking position and a non-locking position;
a cable for causing movement of the latch in response to movement of the manually movable member; and
a slack removal mechanism connected to the cable;
wherein the slack removal mechanism is operably connected with the manually movable member such that movement of the manually movable member causes movement of the slack removal mechanism in a first manner to actuate the latch; and
wherein the slack removal mechanism is independently movable in a second manner distinct from the first manner to remove slack in the cable;
wherein movement of the slack removal mechanism in the first manner comprises translation of the slack removal mechanism; and
wherein movement of the slack removal mechanism in the second manner comprises rotation of a spool of the slack removal mechanism.

2. The exit device assembly of claim 1 wherein the slack removal mechanism includes a spool around which an end portion of the cable is wound.

3. The exit device assembly of claim 2 wherein the spool is operably connected to the latch and is connected to an end of the cable proximate the latch.

4. The exit device assembly of claim 2 wherein the spool is movable in response to movement of the manually movable member and is connected to an end of the cable remote from the latch.

5. The exit device assembly of claim 2 wherein the slack removal mechanism includes a ratchet device allowing rotation of the spool in a direction taking up slack in the cable and preventing rotation of the spool in the opposite direction.

6. The exit device assembly of claim 2 wherein the slack removal mechanism includes a gear arrangement.

7. The exit device assembly of claim 6 wherein gear arrangement allows rotation of the spool in opposite directions.

8. An exit device assembly for use with a door having a top, a bottom and a generally vertical surface, the exit device assembly comprising:
an exit device configured to be mounted on the vertical surface of the door, the exit device including a manually movable member;
a latch mechanism configured to be mounted adjacent one of the top and the bottom of the door, the latch mechanism having an actuated state and a deactuated state;
a cable connected between the manually movable member and the latch mechanism; and
a slack removal mechanism connected with the cable, the slack removal mechanism having an adjustment motion in which the slack removal mechanism adjusts a slack in the cable, and an independent driving motion in which the slack removal mechanism moves with the cable;
wherein the slack removal mechanism is operably connected with the manually movable member and is configured to move in the driving motion in response to movement of the manually movable member; and
wherein the latch mechanism is configured to move between the actuated state and the deactuated state in response to the driving motion of the slack removal mechanism and the corresponding movement of the cable.

9. The exit device assembly of claim 8 , wherein the slack removal mechanism comprises a yoke and a spool rotatably mounted to the yoke, wherein the adjustment motion comprises rotation of the spool relative to the yoke, and wherein the driving motion comprises joint movement of the yoke and the spool.

10. The exit device assembly of claim 9 , wherein an end portion of the cable is wrapped around the spool and has a length; wherein rotation of the spool in a first direction increases the length of the end portion that is wrapped around the spool, thereby decreasing the slack in the cable; and wherein rotation of the spool in an opposite second direction decreases the length of the end portion that is wrapped around the spool, thereby increasing the slack in the cable.

11. The exit device assembly of claim 10 , wherein the slack removal mechanism further comprises a ratchet mechanism, the ratchet mechanism permitting rotation of the spool in the first direction and inhibiting rotation of the spool in the second direction.

12. The exit device assembly of claim 10 , wherein the slack removal mechanism comprises a gear arrangement allowing rotation of the spool in each of the first direction and the second direction.

13. The exit device assembly of claim 12 , wherein the gear arrangement comprises a first gear rotationally coupled with the spool and a worm screw engaged with the first gear, the worm screw including a socket operable to receive a tool for rotating the worm screw.

14. The exit device assembly of claim 9 , wherein the exit device further comprises a slide member mounted proximate an end of the exit device, wherein the exit device is configured to translate horizontal movement of the manually movable member to vertical movement of the slide member, and wherein the cable is connected between the slide member and the latch mechanism.

15. The exit device assembly of claim 14 , wherein the slack removal mechanism is mounted to the slide member.

16. The exit device assembly of claim 14 , wherein the slack removal mechanism is connected between the cable and the latch mechanism, and wherein the cable is connected between the slide member and the slack removal mechanism such that the slack removal mechanism is operably connected with the manually movable member via the cable and the slide member.

17. An exit device assembly, comprising:
a manually movable pushbar;
a slide member operably connected with the pushbar;
a latch mechanism having an actuated state and a deactuated state;
a cable connected between the latch mechanism and the slide member; and
a slack removal mechanism comprising a spool, wherein the cable includes a portion that is wrapped around the spool, and wherein rotation of the spool in a first rotational direction increases a length of the portion that is wrapped around the spool, thereby removing slack from the cable;
wherein the slide member is configured to translate the cable and the slack removal mechanism in response to movement of the pushbar; and
wherein the latch mechanism is configured to move between the actuated state and the deactuated state in response to translation of the cable and the slack removal mechanism.

18. The exit device assembly of claim 17 , wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a gear arrangement allowing rotation of the spool in each of the first rotational direction and an opposite second rotational direction, wherein the gear arrangement comprises a first gear rotationally coupled with the spool and a worm screw engaged with the first gear, and wherein the worm screw includes a socket operable to receive a tool for rotating the worm screw.

19. The exit device assembly of claim 17 , wherein the spool comprises a helical groove, and wherein the portion of the cable that is wrapped around the spool is seated in the helical groove.

20. The exit device assembly of claim 17 , wherein the slack removal mechanism is mounted to the slide member, wherein the cable includes a first end portion and an opposite second end portion, wherein the first end portion includes the portion that is wrapped a

Assignees

• Schlage Lock Co Llc

Inventors

• Arlinghaus Paul R
• Schacht David M
• Coleman Michael D
• Shareef Abdur Rahman
• Phillips Matthew A
• Austin Marlin

Classifications

• E05B15/00

  Other details of locks; Parts for engagement by bolts of fastening devices · CPC title

• E05B53/005

  Bowden · CPC title

• E05B63/143 Primary

  Arrangement of several locks, e.g. in parallel or series, on one or more wings · CPC title

• E05B47/023

  the bolt moving pivotally or rotatively · CPC title

• Y10T292/1045

  Operating means · CPC title