U.S. patent number 3,829,138 [Application Number 05/301,663] was granted by the patent office on 1974-08-13 for remotely controlled latch system for fire doors and the like.
Invention is credited to Yoshio Morita.
United States Patent |
3,829,138 |
Morita |
August 13, 1974 |
REMOTELY CONTROLLED LATCH SYSTEM FOR FIRE DOORS AND THE LIKE
Abstract
A remotely controlled latch system for releasably retaining a
fire door or the like in a position in readiness for automatic
closing to close a passage or opening. The latch system comprises
latch apparatus including a dead bolt which is operable to a
retracted and a projected position in which it unlatches or unlocks
the door and locks it respectively. A bolt-release mechanism,
operated remotely, has a latched operator or actuator that is
released from a retracted position to assume a projected position
in which it engages the dead bolt and causes it to assume its
retracted or unlatched position. The remote control signal is
applied by a sensor that senses physical conditions indicative of
the presence or existence of a fire. The position of the actuator
is continuously sensed and when it assumes its projected position
an electrical signal is generated by a sensing switch. This signal
is employed for de-energizing a solenoid that controls the
unlatching or release of the actuator and may be used to indicate
the operative unlatched condition of the latch system and thereby
indicate that the fire door associated with the system is
closed.
Inventors: |
Morita; Yoshio (Chuo-ku, Tokyo,
JA) |
Family
ID: |
27298078 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/301,663 |
Filed: |
October 27, 1972 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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272346 |
Jul 17, 1972 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jul 17, 1971 [JA] |
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46-63197 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
292/254;
49/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B
63/248 (20130101); E05B 47/00 (20130101); Y10T
292/18 (20150401); E05C 17/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E05B
63/00 (20060101); E05B 63/24 (20060101); E05C
17/00 (20060101); E05B 47/00 (20060101); E05c
001/16 () |
Field of
Search: |
;292/254,144,341.16
;49/1,2 ;70/281,282 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Moore; Richard E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Burns; Robert E. Lobato; Emmanuel
J. Adams; Bruce L.
Parent Case Text
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This is a continuation-in-part application of my copending Ser. No.
272,346 entitled "Lock Control System" and filed July 17, 1972, now
abandoned.
Claims
What I claim is:
1. In a door latch system, a latch automatically opened by remote
control comprising, a dead bolt operable to a retracted position
and biased to a projected position corresponding to a latching
position, a bolt-release mechanism having a bolt-release member
operable to a retracted position and a projected position and
mountable opposed to the dead bolt, biasing means biasing the
bolt-release member to a projected position for engaging the dead
bolt in its projected position and biasing it to a retracted
position, electrically actuated actuator means releasably latching
said bolt-release member in its retracted position, means in said
actuator means for receiving an electrical command signal to effect
release of said bolt-release member for actuation to its projected
position under control of said biasing means, and an electrical
switch having a sensor sensing the position of said bolt-release
member to control de-energization of said actuator means when the
bolt-release member assumes its projected position and for
initiating a signal indicating the bolt-release member is in a
projected state thereby indicating the lock is unlocked.
2. In a door latch system, according to claim 1, including biasing
means continuously biasing the dead bolt to its projected
position.
3. In a door latch system, according to claim 2, in which said
means in said actuator means for receiving said electrical command
signal comprises a solenoid.
4. In a door latch system, according to claim 3, in which said
actuator comprises a latch actuatable by said solenoid for
releasing said bolt-release member.
5. In combination, a fire door, biasing means biasing said door to
a closed position, a latch system releasably retaining said door in
a position of readiness for release by remote control for movement
to a closed position under control of said biasing means comprising
a latch means mounted on the door biased toward a projected
position latching the fire door in said position of readiness, an
actuator mechanism mounted in an area framing the door and having
means in a retracted position operable to a projected position by
remote control in response to a control command signal for engaging
said latch means in its projected position and unlatching the door
by activating said latch means to its retracted position, means for
generating said control command signal upon detection of a physical
quantity indicating the presence of burning of a substance.
6. The combination according to claim 5, in which said latch means
comprises a rod in said door mounting a roller actuated to a
projected position latching the door and to a retracted position
unlatching the door, means constantly biasing said rod for
maintaining said rod in a position retaining said roller in its
projected position, said actuator means in a retracted position
being disposed for engaging the periphery of said roller and
actuating said rod for retracting said roller to its retracted
position.
7. The combination according to claim 5, in which said latch means
comprises a dead bolt biased to a projected position corresponding
to a position in which said fire door is releasably latched in said
position of readiness, said actuator mechanism comprising a
bolt-release mechanism having a bolt-release member operable to a
retracted position and a projected position corresponding to a
position in which said bolt-release member engages the dead bolt in
its projected position and biases it to a retracted position, said
actuator means including means actuated electrically for latching
and unlatching said bolt-release member.
Description
This invention relates generally to emergency and fire door locks
and more particularly to a remotely controlled latch system for
such doors.
Remotely controlled lock systems for emergency exits and fire doors
are known. These locks may be actuated selectively as desired but
are generally controlled by command signals generated automatically
by sensors which detect the presence of smoke or heat indicating
the presence of a fire. These locks are generally complex and
bulky.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a simply constructed
emergency lock or latch system for emergency exits and fire doors
that is highly reliable.
Another object is to provide remotely controlled emergency lock or
latch system which is compactly constructed so that the part
thereof not mounted on the door can be readily mounted in the door
frame or jamb.
The remotely controlled door latch system according to the
invention comprises a dead bolt operable to a retracted position
and biased to a projected position corresponding to a position in
which a door is latched thereby. A bolt release mechanism is
mounted in the door frame or jamb and has a bolt-release member
operable to a retracted position and biased to a projected position
in which it engages the dead bolt and moves it to its retracted
position. An actuator mechanism in the bolt-release mechanism has a
solenoid receptive of an electrical signal commanding the
unlatching of the latch system and the bolt-release member or
actuator is released so that it retracts the dead bolt to unlock or
unlatch the system.
A sensor senses the presence of a fire or smoke to generate the
command electrical signal applied to the solenoid. A switch
automatically controls the de-energization of the solenoid and
initiates the generation of an indicating signal indicating that
the system is an unlocked or unlatched state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fire door provided with a latch
system according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-section view taken along section line
2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section view taken along section line 3--3
in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-section view of another embodiment of
the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-section view taken along section line
5--5 in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an element of the apparatus shown
in FIG. 3 .
Other objects and advantages will appear from the following
description of an example of the invention, and the novel features
will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The latch system embodying the invention will be described
hereinafter as applied to a fire door. However, it will be
understood that it is applicable to emergency exit doors, devices
or "doors" for closing passages, ducts and the like.
As seen in the drawings, a fire door 1 is mounted on a wall 2 by
automatic closing devices such as spring loaded hinges 3, 4. The
fire door is retained, as later described, in a rest position in a
recess 5 in the wall 2 and is framed by a door frame 6. The fire
door has a door knob 7 having a manually actuated push-button 8 as
part of a lock or latch system, later described, for latching the
fire door.
The latch or lock system comprises a dead bolt mechanism 9 mounted
in the door and a bolt-release mechanism 10 mounted in the door
frame 6. The door frame 6 has a vertical member 11 on which is
secured a plate 13 and top and bottom plates 14, defining a space
15 embedded in the wall 2.
The dead bolt mechanism 9 comprises a dead bolt 16 biased by a
spring 17 to a projected position in which it extends out of the
door through an opening in a removable inspection plate 18 mounted
by mounting clips or lugs 20, 22 in an opening in the frame part
11. A casing 12 for the bolt-release mechanism is secured by screws
26, 27 to the removable inspection plate 18. Threaded screws 29, 30
removably mount the inspection plate 18 on the door frame lugs. By
removing these screws the casing or box 12 containing the
bolt-release mechanism can be readily removed from the space 15 and
restored thereto. Thus, the entire bolt-release mechanism can be
readily placed in the space 15, or removed therefrom for inspection
and work thereon.
Within the casing or box 12, has within it two partitions 32, 33
that divide the interior of the box 12, as shown, into three
compartments. Within a center compartment is disposed a
bolt-release member or actuator 34 that is operable to a retracted
position shown in FIG. 3 and has an extension 35 that forms a
shoulder 36 in conjunction with the main body of the actuator 34.
The actuator is held in its retracted position, as later described
and is biased constantly by a spring 37 to a projected position in
which its extension 35 engages the dead bolt 16 and displaces the
dead bolt to a retracted position in which the latch system is
unlatched or opened. The shoulder 36 on the actuator limits its
travel, to the left in the drawing, by abutting against the plate
18. The extension 35 is dimensioned to move the dead bolt out of
the door frame and will itself not extend outwardly of the frame to
a position where it might impede the unlatching. In the unlatched
condition, the fire door 1 is actuated by the spring-loaded hinges
3, 4 to a position closing an opening or passage 38.
The bolt-release mechanism has a spring latch 40 secured to the
lower partition 33 with a latch extension 40a that extends through
an opening in the lower partition and engages a shoulder 41 on the
actuator 34 holding it releasably in its retracted position. A
bracket 42 secured to the inspection plate 18 mounts a solenoid 43
that has an armature 45 connected to the latch 40. When the
solenoid is energized, as later described, the armature is operated
to a retracted position in which it withdraws the latch 40a from
engagement with the actuator so that the biasing spring 37 projects
the bolt-release member or actuator to its projected position,
guided on the partitions, engaging the dead bolt 16 and overcoming
the force of the biasing spring 17 so that the latch system is
unlatched and the fire door is then free to move.
The latch system makes provision for remote control of the actuator
for unlatching the system by use of a sensor device 47 that senses
heat and smoke. This device is provided with the known type cells
that senses heat or smoke for detecting the presence of a fire.
When a detection takes place, a command signal is generated and a
control circuit, not shown, applies the command signal to the
solenoid 43 so that the latch system is unlatched as described
above.
Moreover, once the fire door has been released, so that it can
assume its operative position closing a passageway, it is desirable
to indicate the condition. This is accomplished by a switch 50 that
has a sensor 51 in the form of a follower configured as a roller
mounted on a resilient support biasing the roller through an
opening in the upper partition 32 into contact with an upper
surface of the actuator 34. When the bolt-release member or
actuator 34 is in a retracted position the sensor is deflected
upwardly and it holds a contact on the underside of the switch
deflected upwardly. The actuator is provided with a beveled surface
53 that assumes a position in alignment with the sensor 51 when the
actuator 34 assumes its projected position. This allows the roller
of the sensor to move dounwardly so that the resilient sensor is
disengaged from the switch contact and an indicating signal is
developed by the switch 50. The signal is transmitted, to a control
circuit, not shown, through leads 54 which extend through a conduit
56 in the wall 2 and into the box 12. The indicating signal
indicates that the latch system is unlatched and therefore the fire
door has assumed its intended operative position. A visual
indication of the condition established is effected by having the
signal control the lighting of an indicating lamp connected in the
control circuit, not shown. Furthermore this same signal developed
by the switch 50 and its sensor 51 is applied to the control system
to control the deenergization of the solenoid 43.
A second embodiment of a latch system according to the invention is
illustrated in FIG. 4 in which the parts corresponding to those of
the embodiment in FIG. 3 have corresponding reference numerals but
which are primed in FIG. 4. Those reference numerals primed in FIG.
3 are double primed in FIG. 4 whereby the second embodiment is more
easily understood and need not be described in as great detail. The
second embodiment operates in about the same manner as the first
embodiment.
In the second embodiment a bolt-release member 34' is hollow and
has its biasing spring 37' housed therein. The latch for the
actuator 34' is constructed differently instead of the latch being
resilient a spring 55 biases the armature 45' mounting a latch
member 56 so that a latch 57 engages the shoulder 36' of the
actuator 34' and it is this shoulder that limits the projected
position of the actuator 34' and cooperates with the latch 57 to
releasably retain the actuator in a retracted position. When the
solenoid 43' is energized, the biasing spring 55 is overcome and
the bolt-release member 34' is released.
The switch sensor 51' in this embodiment is in a lowered position
when the actuator 34' is in a retracted position. When the actuator
34' assumes its projected position, the sensor 51' is deflected
upwardly so that the switch 50' generates a signal as before
described which can be used to control indication of the condition
and/or to control de-energization of the solenoid 43' as described
with respect to the first embodiment.
The system according to the invention is constructed so that it
will function with the corresponding electrical power either a.c.
or d.c. For example, the first described embodiment may be made for
use with direct current. Moreover, the apparatus can be made so
that it functions with either alternating current or direct current
by using a converting element 60 that converts direct current to
alternating current.
In this second embodiment, the construction of the bolt-release
mechanism is that of an integral unit easily removed from a door
frame as a unit by easily removing an inspection plate 18' as
before described. The mechanism on the door itself is different
from the first embodiment. A dead bolt 16' is connected to a rod
62' slidably guided by a fixed guide 63 which also acts as a stop
for an end of a biasing spring 17' disposed between the stop and
the dead bolt 16'. The rod has fixed thereto a cam plate 65. A
pivoted cam operated by a knob or a pin tumbler lock, not shown, is
provided for contacting the cam plate and manually operating the
dead bolt 16' to a retracted position. The dead bolt 16' can be
locked in the retracted position by use of a key in the tumbler pin
lock, not shown. However, when the dead bolt is in its projected
position illustrated in FIG. 4 is is retracted by remote control by
application of a command signal to the solenoid 43' energizing it
and retracting the latch 57. The command signal is developed by a
sensor as before described.
As stated above, the latch system mechanism mounted on the fire
door 1 itself is provided with suitable elements for manually
retracting the dead bolt 16' and locking it manually in its
retracted position by depressing the pushbutton 8 on the door
knob.
The latch system according to the invention provides for simplified
latches for releasably securing "doors." The latch illustrated in
FIG. 5 may be used in conjunction with the apparatus disclosed in
FIGS. 3 and 4 and may be used alone in releasably retaining a
"door." It will be described in conjunction with the fire door 1.
The simplified latch is generally designated by the reference 70.
The door 1 is provided along an upper edge with a plate 71 to which
is secured a casing 73 within which is mounted a latch mechanism
comprising a roller 76 corresponding to the dead bolts of the two
embodiments heretofore described. The roller is carried on a rod 77
pivoted on a support 78. The rod 77 is axially guided by two fixed
guides 80, 81 and is provided with a collar 77a. A biasing spring
82 is mounted between the collar and one fixed guide 81 constantly
biasing the dead bolt 76, in the form of a roller, to a projected
position in which it is received in a latch opening provided in a
plate 83 in the underside of the door frame 11 above the fire door.
The dead bolt mechanism is mounted in the fire door similarly to
the dead bolts of the other apparatus before described.
The latch apparatus disclosed in FIG. 5 is provided with a
bolt-release mechanism similarly to those before described except
that instead of being arranged in a vertical position the elements
thereof are disposed horizontally. In order to simplify the
drawings, the bolt-release mechanism is illustrated fragmentally by
a bolt-release member or actuator 85 that is constructed similarly
to the actuator 34 of the first embodiment. The actuator is
releasably latched and is operable to a retracted position shown in
the drawing and is actuated by a spring, not shown, to a projected
position in which it engages the periphery of the roller-type dead
bolt and overcomes the force of its biasing spring 82 to move the
dead bolt to a retracted position in which an unlocked or unlatched
condition is established.
Those skilled in the art will understand that the actuator in this
third embodiment is remotely controlled by a sensor when the
presence of a fire is detected. Furthermore, the locks or latches
described may be used on emergency exit doors which are always
locked and opened by remote control when an emergency, such as a
fire, exists. Moreover, the various apparatus may be used on smoke
discharge windows, air condition duct dampers, automatic smoke
shutters, for suspended partitions that drop into position to form
fire screens and the like.
Furthermore, the compactness of the apparatus allows mounting in
frames where easy access to is provided for inspection or removal
by use of inspection plates that are removable to provide access to
the apparatus.
The system of the invention can be used in conjunction with a
control system of the type disclosed in my copending application
Ser. No. 301,651 filed concurrently herewith. Thus, provision can
be made for sequencing the unlocking of emergency exits and the
closing of fire doors as described in my copending application.
* * * * *