Automatic astragal

Abstract

There is provided a retractable astragal particularly useful to project across the gap between double hung swinging doors. The astragal is operatively interconnected with the panic or emergency exit bar of the door and is automatically retracted if the door is panicked.

Parent Case Text

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of my application, Ser. No. 272,387, filed July 17, 1972.

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic astragal assembly, and particularly to a retractable astragal assembly useful with double hung swinging doors of the type provided with panic devices or emergency exit locks wherein the astragal projects across the gap between the doors to provide increased security for the closure.

Commercially available doors used in pairs are required to have operating clearance between them at the meeting rails so that either door may operate without disturbing the other door. Pairs of doors are preferred by architects to rows of single doors because of their better appearance, and because they will permit large objects to be brought into and out of the building. Accordingly, double hung swinging doors are commonly specified on buildings of all types.

The gap between the operating doors is normally closed either by pile weather stripping or by a rubber or plastic wiper type weather stripping. The resistance that this weather stripping can be allowed to offer, and hence its effectiveness in closing the gap is limited by the power of the door closer.

Generally, in pairs of double hung swinging doors, one door will be an inactive door or door leaf and the other door will be an active door or door leaf. Thus, ordinarily double doors such as those used on commercial buildings are locked against entry by first engaging bolts on the inactive leaf which fixes the inactive door leaf to the door frame members such as the transom bar and the threshold. Then the active leaf is locked in a conventional manner to the inactive leaf. Such arrangement, with certain reservations, provides acceptable security against unauthorized entry.

Public buildings require the provision of emergency exit locks, commonly known as "panic locks" and which take the form of a crash bar across the inside of the door leaf. Pressure of a crowd against the bar, such as when an emergency arises within the building, activiates the panic device to unlock the doors and permit the doors to swing outwardly under the pressure of the crowd. Of course, where panic exit devices are required, as in most public buildings and in buildings having dense occupancies, and where public safety requires that the doors must be operable from inside at all times, adequate security is not so readily obtained. In such entrances each door of the pair must be provided with its own panic device, which must operate independently of that of the other door. The light weather stripping closing the gap between the two doors now constitutes an invitation to insert a bent wire between the doors, hook onto the crash bar of the panic device, operate it, and enter the building. This operation is noiseless, leaves no mark, and leaves the building locked as effectively as it was before. Thus, panic devices generally suffer from this basic security flaw.

Custodians of buildings have developed their own practical expedient to protect the buildings and their contents. One expedient commonly used, is to chain and padlock the panic device at night. Not only is such procedure generally illegal under the buildings codes, it damages the doors and panic devices, and takes time and care to see if it is actually done. A slightly more sophistacted way of achieving the same result is to block the crash bars so that they cannot be depressed. This is frequently done on such exits as those to stair wells and fire escapes, that are not used in everyday traffic, and the blocks are permanently installed. This effectively negates the exit for emergency as well as normal use.

There are temporarily removable astragals that can be installed between pairs of doors so that at night or whenever the building is closed, the pairs of doors are converted into pairs of single doors. This is time consuming, is vulnerable to negligence, requires unsightly preparation of the frame, and invites damage to the frame in normal use. For these reasons temporary astragals are often left in place during normal traffic hours, and are removed only when the wider opening is actually needed for moving some bulky object.

In addition, there are also some pieces of applied hardware which will, when the doors are closed, cover the gap. These also tend to be flimsy, rather easy to circumvent, unsightly and expensive.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved automatic astragal assembly for the edge of a door.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved pair of double hung swinging doors.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an entrance having improved security.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description precedes and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

In accordance with these and other objects, there is provided an improved retractable astragal, particularly useful in combination with a pair of double hung swinging doors of the type provided with panic devices. The astragal is automatically projectable across the gap between the doors, and means operatively interconnect the astragal with one of the panic devices to automatically retract the astragal if the crash bar of the panic device is depressed.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a building entrance, viewed from inside the building;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the entranceway of FIG. 1 with the astragal projected, taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the entranceway taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the entranceway taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the entranceway, similar to FIG. 2, but illustrated with the crash bar of the panic device depressed so that the astragal has been retracted;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the astragal assembly of FIG. 5, taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the astragal of FIG. 5, taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of certain operating mechanism for the automatic astragal;

FIG. 9 is an elevational cross sectional view of the automatic astragal illustrating a lower bolt assembly;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the bolt assembly of FIG. 9, taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an exploded isometric view of the bolt assembly of FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of an alternate form of bolt assembly useful with the astragal of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the bolt assembly of FIG. 12, taken along line 13--13 of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is an exploded bottom view of the bolt assembly of FIG. 11.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, there is illustrated an entrance-way 20 having an improved automatic astragal according to the present invention. As therein disclosed, the entranceway 20 includes a door frame 21 having stiles or side members 22 and 23 interconnected by a threshold 24 and a transom member or header 25. The frame 21 forms an entrance opening normally closed by a pair of double hung swinging doors 28 and 29. The door 28 is what is referred to as an inactive door, and includes a bolt assembly 31 having projecting bolt members 32, 33 projectable respectively into the threshold 24 and transom member 25. The door 29 in an active door which locks or latches to the header and threshold in a conventional manner. Both of the doors 28 and 29 include suitable emergency exit locks or panic devices 34, 35 each having a crash bar 36, 37 which, when depressed will unlatch the respective door and permit the door to swing outwardly.

Each of the doors 28 and 29 in the illustrated embodiment is formed of suitable door frame members including hinge side members 39, upper and lower cross members 40 and 41, and lock or meeting stile members 42 and 43 respectively. The respective members 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43 define openings supporting panels 44 of glass or other suitable door material.

The stile members 42 and 43 are quite different in appearance, and may be formed of suitable extruded material such as aluminum. Referring first to the stile member 43 which can be referred to as the lock stile, the stile member 43 is a tubular extrusion with a projecting fin 43a on its outer face into which is inserted suitable weather strip 46. This fin 43a projecting from the stile member 43 produces a rather wide opening or space 47 between the two stiles 42, 43 on the inside.

The stile member 42, on the left, which may be called an astragal stile, is a two part member including a body portion 42a of channel shape, open on the side facing of the lock stile 43. This opening is closed by a second extrusion or astragal housing 42b which interlocks with the body portion 42a at the edges and which is secured by suitable fasteners such as screws 48. The astragal housing 42b has a deep slot 49 facing the lock stile 43 which will contain the astragal itself. With the door stiles as described, the two doors 28, 29 will operate independently of each other so that either may be opened without regard to the position of the other.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an automatic astragal 50 in the form of a continuous, heavy bar running from top to bottom of the door and fitting into the groove or slot 49 in the astragal housing 42b. With the astragal into the extended position shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it is obviously impossible for a wire or other instrument to be inserted between the meeting stile members 42 and 43. While the active door 29 will operate normally, it is obvious that for the inactive door 28 to open, the astragal 50 will have to be retracted into its slot 49, as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 so that it will clear the fin 43a.

To provide for retraction and projection of the astragal 50, the astragal extrusion is provided with a deep narrow slot 51 continuous for its entire length. This slot 51, in combination with the astragal housing 42b, will accommodate the means for retraction and projection of the astragal 50. Located in the slot 51 in the astragal is an actuating rod 52. This rod serves the same purpose and replaces the vertical rod of a conventional panic device. The actuating rod 52 is connected to the crash bar 36 in known manner, and may be of the type more fully illustrated and described in Muessel U.S. Pat. No. 2,910,857, granted Nov. 3, 1959. In the illustrated embodiment, depression of the crash bar 36 moves the actuating rod 52 upwardly to retract the bolt members 32 and 33. However, the present invention is readily adaptable for use with panic devices having split actuating rods wherein the two sections move toward each other upon depression of the crash bar.

Referring now to the motion translating means best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8, the motion translating means operatively connecting the actuating member and the astragal is effective to project or withdraw the astragal in response to vertical movement of the actuating rod 52. Suitable motion driving mechanism is provided for driving the astragal between its projected and retracted positions in response to vertical movement of the actuating rod 52, and additionally such motion driving mechanism constrains the actuating rod 52 to move only vertically. To this end, there is provided one or more driving pins 54 fixed to the actuating bar 52 and riding in vertical slots 55 in the astragal housing 42b. It is obvious that in order for the driving pins 54 to get from the actuating rod 52 to the astragal housing 42b, the driving pins 54 must pass through the astragal 50 itself. This passage is provided for by an angled slot 56 in the astragal 50.

The astragal 50 must be constrained to move only horizontally between its retracted and projected positions, whereby there is no vertical movement thereof. To this end there is provided suitable motion guiding mechanism guiding the astragal 50 and including one or more guide pins 58 fixed to the astragal 50 and riding in horizontal slots 59 in the astragal housing 42b. It is again obvious that if the guide pins 58 are to be integral, they must pass through the actuating rod 52. This passage is provided by angled slots 60 in the actuating rod 52.

Since the astragal 50 is now constrained to move only horizontally, an upward movement of the actuating rod 52 will cause the driving pins 54 to bear against and exert a force against the upper, left side of the slot 56 in the astragal 50, and will cause the astragal to move to the left, into the slot 49 and out of interference with the fin 43a. Reverse movement of the actuating rod 52 will project the astragal to its projected position.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 6, and 8, the angled slot 60 receiving the guide pins 58 are angled inwardly and downwardly and the angled slots 56 are parallel thereto, angled outwardly and upwardly at the same slope. Moreover, the angled slot 56 in the astragal 50 has a short vertical section 56a near its lower end into which the driving pin 54 rests when the astragal is extended. Similarly, the angled slot 60 in the actuating rod 52 has a short vertical section 60a near its upper end constituting a lost-motion connection which fits over the guide pin 58 when the astragal is extended. These straight portions 56a, 60a of the slots 56, 60, provide direct resistance to forceable movement of the astragal itself, and make it impossible to operate the device except through the panic device. In addition, it will be appreciated that the straight portion 56a, 60a permit initial movement of the actuating rod and associated retraction of the bolts upon initial depression of the crash bar 36 and later sequential retraction of the astragal 50 when the pins 54, 58 reach the end of the straight portions 56a, 60a to ride in the inclined portions of the slots 56, 60.

In the illustrated embodiment, the astragal 50 is provided with a longitudinal recess 50a along its outside edge, and the astragal housing 42b includes a longitudinal rib 42d extending into the recess 50a thereby providing a tortuous path along the outside surface of the astragal 50.

The vertical movement of the actuating rod 52 is exactly analogous to that of the concealed rod normally used with a panic device. It is therefore possible to use the automatic astragal in combination with the ordinary panic drive mechanisms. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating rod 52 moves as a unit, moving upwardly to retract the bolts 32, 33. The upper bolt 33 will, of course, include known mechanism for withdrawing the bolt downwardly upon upward movement of the actuating rod.

Advantageously, a lost motion arrangement is interposed between the respective bolts 32, 33 and the actuating rods 52. A typical embodiment thereof is shown in FIGS. 9-11. As therein illustrated, the threshold bolt 32 may drop by its own weight into a hole 62 in the threshold. The threshold bolt is attached to the actuating rod 52 by screws 63 which slide freely in a slot 64 in the lower end of the actuating rod 52. This permits the panic device to operate even if the threshold bolt hole 62 should be partially filled with dirt so that the threshold bolt 32 cannot go all the way in. However, more importantly, it makes it impossible for the actuating rod to be manipulated, and the door opened, by raising the threshold bolt, which in a typical installation is readily accessible from the outside between the bottom of the door and the threshold. The lost motion connection allows for sequential retraction of the astragal 50 and associated bolts 32, 33.

A spring driven version of a projecting bolt is illustrated in FIGS. 12-14. Similar parts of the embodiment of FIGS. 12-14 with those of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11 are designated by identical numerals. Referring now to the embodiment of FIGS. 12-14, there is illustrated the astragal housing 42b received within the body portion 42a of a meeting stile member 42. The astragal 50 is contained within the slot of the astragal housing 42b for retraction into and projection therefrom. The actuating rod 52 is contained within the slot 51 in the astragal 50 and enclosed by the astragal housing 42b. An identical system of pins 54, 58 and slots, such as slots 55 and 59, as heretofore described, interconnect the members of the astragal assembly. Moreover, suitable pins 65 extending through slots 66 and 67 in the body portion 42a and astragal housing 42b connect the actuating rod 52 with a known type of panic device.

Referring to the threshold bolt assembly 72 therein illustrated, the bolt assembly 72 includes a bolt member 73 projectable into a bolt hole 74 in the threshold. The bolt member 73 is connected to the actuating rod 52 by a suitable lost motion connection 75. A compression spring 76 acting between a ring 77 fixed to the bolt member 73, and a fixed collar 78 is effective to bias the bolt member 73 downwardly. A protective housing 79 covers the threshold bolt assembly and may be fixed to the astragal housing 42 by suitable screws 80. Guide rollers 81 and 82 serve to position the bolt member 73.

Although the present invention has been described by reference to several embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that numerous other modifications and embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art which will fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An automatic astragal assembly for attachment to the edge of a door comprising:

an elongated astragal housing member having a first edge slot;

an elongated astragal retractable relative to said slot and of generally U-shape cross-section having a pair of spaced side members defining a second edge slot confronting the first edge slot;

an elongated actuating member positioned at least in part within said second edge slot;

motion translating means operatively connecting said actuating member and said astragal for projecting said withdrawing said astragal in response to vertical movement of said actuating member;

projecting bolt means, said actuating member being operatively associated with said projecting bolt means;

a panic bar, said panic bar being operatively associated with said actuating member;

said motion translation means including a motion guiding mechanism guiding said astragal through projecting and retracting movement while preventing vertical movement thereof;

said motion guiding mechanism comprising a guide pin fixed to the astragal and horizontally movable in guide slots in said astragal housing member, said actuating member having a clearance slot for said guide pin angled inwardly and downwardly;

motion driving mechanism driving said astragal between its projected and retracted positions in response to vertical movement of said actuating member;

said motion driving mechanism comprising a drive pin fixed to one of said members and guided for vertical movement in a slot in the other of said members; and

said astragal being provided with a drive slot angled outwardly and upwardly at the same slope as said clearance slot and receiving said drive pin.

2. An astragal assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clearance and said drive slot each having a vertically directed portion receiving its respective pin when said astragal is projected thereby latching said astragal in its projected position.

3. An automatic astragal assembly for attachment to the edge of a door comprising:

an elongated astragal housing member having a first edge slot;

an elongated astragal mounted in said slot having an outer edge parallel of said housing member and of generally U-shape cross-section having a pair of spaced side members defining a second edge slot confronting said first edge slot;

an elongated actuating member positioned at least in part within said second edge slot and mounted for vertical movement only relative to said housing member;

projecting bolt means, said actuating member being operatively associated with said projecting bolt means;

a panic device operatively associated with said actuating member;

means supporting said astragal for horizontal movement only relative to said housing member for reciprocal extension and retraction relative to said first edge slot; and

motion translating means operatively interconnecting said actuating member and said astragal for extension and retraction of said astragal in response to vertical movement of said actuating member.

4. An astragal assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the outside edge of said astragal is provided with a longitudinal recess, and said astragal housing includes a longitudinal rib extending into said recess thereby providing a tortuous path along the outside surface of said astragal.

5. An automatic astragal assembly for attachment to the edge of a door comprising:

an elongated astragal housing member having a first edge slot;

an elongated astragal member mounted in said slot of generally U-shape cross-section having a pair of spaced side members defining a second edge slot confronting the first edge slot;

means supporting said astragal member for reciprocal horizontal movement only relative to said housing member inwardly and outwardly of said first edge slot;

an elongated actuating member positioned at least in part within said second edge slot for vertical movement only relative to said housing member;

projecting bolt means operatively associated with said actuating member;

a panic device operatively associated with said actuating member; and

motion translating means operatively interconnecting said members and including a plurality of slots of selective ones of said members and a plurality of pins fixed to selective ones of said members guided within said slots, said slots and pins engaging to move said astragal member horizontally in response to vertical movement of said actuating member relative to said housing member.

6. An automatic astragal assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said motion translating means includes a plurality of horizontal slots in said astragal housing member and a corresponding plurality of angled slots in said actuating member; and a plurality of pins fixed to said astragal member and each riding in a corresponding horizontal slot and angled slot.

7. An automatic astragal assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein each angled slot is provided with a short vertical section near at least one end.

8. The combination of a pair of outwardly swinging double hung doors of the type provided with panic devices, each of said doors having mating stiles, one of said doors being an active door with the said mating stile thereof provided with a projecting fin adjacent its outer edge to provide a stepped edge open at the inner edge, said active door including bolt members projecting upwardly and downwardly therefrom and a panic device operatively associated with said bolt members; the other of said doors being an inactive door and including a retractable astragal member of solid material projectable from its mating stile across the gap between the doors and past the inner surface of said projecting fin into the stepped portion of the stile of said active door, and further including bolt members projecting upwardly and downwardly therefrom, and a panic device operatively associated with the last mentioned bolt members and with said astragal member whereby operation of the last mentioned panic device retracts said last mentioned bolt members and said astragal member.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8 and including lost-motion linkage interconnecting said last mentioned panic device and its associated members to provide sequential initial retraction of the last mentioned bolt members and the astragal member.