Panic Bolt Units

This invention relates to improvements in door locks and panic bolts release mechanism.

According to the invention a door lock and panic bolt release mechanism comprises a box section member housing two vertically sliding bolts formed in two parts adapted to move in opposite directions, a pair of U shaped slotted plates to which the parts of the bolts are respectively secured, pegs extending from the channel member and passing through the slots in the slotted plates, a T member mounted on pins projecting from the slotted plates, a square spindle engaging a square bore in the T member, a cam keyed on to the spindle and a lever engaging the cam and by which the latter is rotated by pressure on the lever to release the bolts from a door.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a door fitted with a panic bolt;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the operating mechanism partly in section;

FIG. 3 is a section on line 3--3 FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section at right angles to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the operating mechanism on the door;

FIG. 6 is a detail view of the door about to close;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a door lock.

A door A is provided with a panic operating bar B.

The door A may be recessed along the closing edge to house the operating mechanism or the operating mechanism may be built on to the door and is enclosed in a box section or channel member A.

The operating mechanism housed in the channel member A.sup.1 extends vertically of the closing edge of the door.

A pair of operating bolts 1,2 divided into two portions are connected at their adjacent ends to the ends of U shaped plates 3,4 respectively connected together by a T shaped member 5 pivoted on pins 6 to the plates 3,4.

The T shaped member 5 is formed with a leg having a square bore 7 extending there into to receive a square spindle 8 carrying at its opposite end a cam 9.

The plates 3,4 are each mounted on two pegs 11,12 passing through slots 13,14 in the plates so that as the T member pivots from the position shown in FIG. 2 the plate 3 is moved upwards and with it the bolt 1 and the plate 4 is moved downwards and with it the bolt 2.

The upward movement of the bolt 1 releases the lower end from the door jamb and the downward movement of the bolt 2 is released from the upper end of the door jamb, A stop 5 a is provided to limit the movement of the T member 5.

The cam 9 is operated by a lever 15 pivoted on a plate 16 carried by the channel member A.sup.1 and moves at 90.degree. to the movement of the lever. Also pivoted on the plate 16 is the operating bar B. Thus pressure on the operating bar B actuates the lever 15 to rotate the cam 9 as shown by the arrow to release the bolts 1,2.

In order to reset the bar B the Bolt 2 locking the upper end of the door A and to reset the bolt 1 locking locking the bottom of the door each bolt has screwed thereon a small sleeve 17 formed with notches 18,19.

A spindle 21 passes transversely through the channel member A.sup.1 and at one end supports a catch 22 loaded by a spring 23 (FIG. 6) and at the other end is form with a button 24. As the door A approaches the closed position the bolt 2 is arrested by the catch 22 engaging the notch 18 and as the door closes against the jamb A.sup.2 on the door frame the push button 24 engages the jamb and moves the spindle 21 to release the catch 22 from the notch 18 thereby allowing the bolt 2 to enter a slot 25 in the jamb against the action of springs 1a, 2a to relock the door. A similar sleeve 17 is provided on the bolt to allow the bolt 1 to relock the bottom of the door.

The bar B is mounted to slide on a plate 26 for ease of installation which engages the lever 15, pivoted on a pin 26a. A similar mechanism may be provided at the hinge edge of the door to balance the movement of the bar B.

The mechanism may be employed to operate a door latch (FIG. 7) in which pressure on the lever 15 operates the T member to release a latch 30. By pressure from similar mechanism on the opposite side of the door with the cam 9 reversed a pull on the lever 15 will actuate the latch from the other side of the door. Where a lock 27 is fitted the turning of the key allows the lever 15 to be activated to free the door. Alternatively a card (not shown) may be employed instead of a key, to enter a slot 29 to operate a locking mechanism by a micro circuit to release the lever 15 to free the door.