Abstract:
A curved panic guard for use with external vertical rod exit devices has no sharp, angled or flat projecting surfaces to interfere with the passage of a wheelchair.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the field of guards and covers for covering exposed vertical rod exit devices which are incorporated in horizontal bar operated panic latches. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Wheelchair bound individuals frequently have difficulty getting through doors equipped with exposed vertical rod exit devices. Such exit devices are commonly required to be used in public buildings and generally incorporate a horizontal bar or &#34;crash bar&#34; which, when pushed, releases latches engaged with a vertical bar and allows the door to open. Virtually all public buildings are equipped with &#34;panic latches&#34; of this general type. A drawback of panic latches is that the exposed vertical bar and related hardware can interfere with wheelchairs resulting in damage to the wheelchair, damage to the door, and difficulty to the wheelchair bound individual in getting through the door. 
     Prior art panic guards, while fit for their intended purpose, provide angled, sharp surfaces which may interfere with the passage of a wheelchair. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to an improved panic guard which employs continuously curved external surfaces at all points that it projects from the bottom of the door to minimize interaction with wheelchairs. The present invention is adapted to be retrofit to existing panic latch equipped doors without removal or disassembly of the door. 
     Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear hereinafter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the top and front of the panic guard. 
     FIG. 2 a top view of a first preferred embodiment of the pigment invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the interior of the panic guard. 
     FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the top and front of the panic guard. 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the interior of the panic guard. 
     FIG. 11 is a top view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the top and front of the panic guard. 
     FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 is a rear elevational view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the interior of the panic guard. 
     FIG. 16 is a top view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the interior of the panic guard. 
     FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of a modification of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a modification of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of a modification of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 21A is a front perspective view of a double door equipped with crash bars, vertical rods, and a modification of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 21B and 21C are front perspective views of a door equipped with a vertical rod and a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Wheelchair bound individuals have experienced difficulties in getting in and out of doors equipped with vertical rod exit devices. Shrouds or guards for these devices must cover the exposed mechanism from the floor to about 10 inches up the door 5. The guard should not further impede the passage of wheelchairs. Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention. The guard 10 is adapted to be mounted to the bottom of a vertical rod exit device equipped door. The first preferred embodiment (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 20, 21A, 21B, 21C) is not handed, i.e., the same unit may be used on a door with its hinges on the left or right. (None of the preferred embodiments are &#34;handed&#34;.) It is preferably mounted with fasteners such as countersunk screws or nails to the surface of a door. As shown in FIG. 1, side 20 is adapted to be mounted flush with the free edge of a swinging door, while side 30 is adapted to be mounted flush with the front surface of the swinging door and is in the shape of a continuously curved plane. All portions of the front surface 40 of the panic guard which project from the door are smooth and curved so as to minimize the likelihood that they will interact in any way with a wheelchair. The top 50 of the panic guard is preferably a piece of foam rubber cut to fit between the door and the projecting surface of the panic guard. A hole 60 is preferably provided in the foam rubber insert 50 to permit the vertical rod 330 of the vertical rod exit device to pass through. The panic guard is preferably fabricated from a piece of sheet metal. Aluminum, steel, other metals or tough plastics may be used and various surface treatments may be employed to provide appropriate aesthetics. 
     Turning to FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 18, a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In the second embodiment, a constant curve is provided in front surface 100 and the panic guard is adapted to be attached to pre-mounted fasteners such as screws or nails on which keyholes 110 may attach the panic guard to the door. Edge 120 or 130 is preferably mounted so that it is flush with the free edge of the door. Again, a foam rubber insert 140 is provided with a hole 150 therethrough for the vertical rod to pass. 
     Turning to FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 19, a third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In the third preferred embodiment, an &#34;S&#34;-shaped curve is provided in the front surface 200. The panic guard is adapted to be mounted at side 210 with keyhole type fasteners and at side 230 with more conventional nails or screws. As with the other embodiments, a foam rubber insert 240 is provided to fit between the door and the panic guard and a hole 250 is provided for the vertical rod to fit through. 
     Preferably a slit (shown in FIG. 2 only) may be cut in the foam rubber inserts 50, 140, 240 between the hole 60, 150, 250 and the outer periphery of the foam insert so that the foam insert may be fit over the vertical rod without the need to disassemble the door latch mechanism in any way. 
     Turning to FIGS. 18, 19 and 20, these drawings illustrate modifications of the three embodiments to include a kickplate (300, 310, 320) which may be attached to the door to provide additional strength and protect it from scratches. The kickplates are adapted to be attached to the door with conventional means such as screws, nails, or adhesives. 
     While embodiments and applications of this invention have been shown and described, it would be apparent to those of to skill in the art that many more modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.