Patent ID: 8978305
Filing Date: 2015-03-17
Classification: E05B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An exit device for use with a door pivotally mounted along one edge for movement about an axis, the exit device comprising: a housing having a longitudinal axis, the housing adapted to be secured to a surface of the door; a latch mechanism including a latch bolt disposed at one end of the housing adapted to be adjacent an edge of the door, the latch bolt movable relative to the housing between a projected position extending outwardly of the housing for latching the door in a closed position and a retracted position where the latch bolt is inside the housing for allowing the door to be opened; an actuator movably mounted on the housing for movement relative to the housing between a first position and a second position, the actuator operably connected to the latch mechanism for moving the latch bolt to the retracted position when the actuator is moved to the second position in response to application of manual force on the actuator; an electrically energizable retracting mechanism mounted to the housing, the retracting mechanism including a reciprocating plunger and connected to a source of electrical power for moving the plunger from an extended position to a retracted position when the retracting mechanism is energized and for releasing the plunger from the retracted position when the retracting mechanism is de-energized; a retractor element disposed in the housing, the retractor element including a controller adapted to control the operation of the retracting mechanism, wherein when the retracting mechanism is energized the plunger moves to the second position of the plunger causing movement of the slide to the second position of slide and the pin to enter the transverse end of the slot in the pivoting link against the biasing of the spring where a bearing surface defining at least a portion of the end of the slot intersects the path of movement of the pin such that significantly less current is required for retaining the plunger armature in the retracted position than to retract the plunger for blocking the return of the latch bolt to the projected position, and wherein upon de-energizing the retracting mechanism allows the pivoting link to move to the first position under force of the spring and the plunger to move to the extended position such that the latch moves to the projected position.