Door latch actuator

A door latch actuator includes a housing, a latch bolt pin actuator, and a spring latch bolt actuator. The housing includes a strike plate defining a latch opening. The latch bolt pin actuator is mounted for movement in the housing between a first extended position and a second retracted position. The spring latch bolt actuator is mounted for movement in the housing between an extended position and a retracted position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A door latch actuator can be used to open a door's typical deadlatch lock assembly that includes a spring latch bolt and a latch bolt pin. To “lock” the deadlatch lock assembly, the spring latch bolt is extended and the latch bolt pin is retracted. To “unlock” the deadlatch lock assembly, both the spring latch bolt and the latch bolt pin are retracted. To move from “lock” to “unlock” the latch bolt pin must extend while the spring latch bolt is extended, the “intermediate” position. Next, both the spring latch bolt and the latch bolt pin must retract together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A door latch actuator includes a housing, a spring latch bolt actuator and a latch bolt pin actuator. The housing includes a strike plate defining a latch opening dimensioned to receive a spring latch bolt and a latch bolt pin of an associated door deadlatch lock assembly. The spring latch bolt actuator is movably mounted in the housing such that at least a portion of the spring latch bolt actuator moves in and out of the latch opening. The spring latch member can be biased away from the latch opening. The latch bolt pin actuator is movably mounted in the housing such that at least a portion of the latch bolt pin actuator moves in and out of the latch opening.

A door latch actuator includes a housing, a latch bolt pin actuator, and a spring latch bolt actuator. The housing includes a strike plate defining a latch opening. The latch bolt pin actuator is mounted for linear movement in the housing between a first extended position and a second retracted position. The spring latch bolt actuator is mounted for pivotal movement in the housing between an extended position and a retracted position.

A door latch actuator includes a housing, a spring latch bolt actuator, and a latch bolt pin actuator. The housing includes a strike plate defining a latch opening. The spring latch bolt actuator is movably mounted to said housing such that the spring latch bolt actuator moves between a first position wherein the spring latch bolt actuator is retracted in the housing and a second position wherein the spring latch bolt actuator is extended into the latch opening. The latch bolt pin actuator is movably mounted to the housing such that the latch bolt pin actuator moves between a first position wherein the latch bolt pin actuator is retracted in the housing and a second position wherein the latch bolt pin actuator is extended into the latch opening. At least one of the latch bolt pin actuator and the spring latch actuator can at least substantially cover the entire latch opening when at least one of the latch bolt pin actuator and the spring latch actuator is in the extended position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference toFIG. 1, a door latch actuator10includes a housing12, a spring latch bolt actuator14and a latch bolt pin actuator16. The housing12of the door latch actuator includes a strike plate22, which defines a latch opening24and fastener openings26. A strike lip28extends outwardly from the strike plate. The latch opening24is dimensioned to receive a spring latch bolt and a corresponding latch bolt pin from an associated deadlatch lock assembly. The fastener openings26are adapted to receive conventional fasteners that allow the housing12to be mounted to an associated conventional door jamb. The strike lip28is shaped similarly to a conventional strike lip.

Outermost lateral walls32extend from a rear surface of the strike plate22. A longitudinal wall34also extends from the rear surface of the strike plate22and connects the outermost lateral walls32. The longitudinal wall34is spaced from the latch opening24, such that the longitudinal wall does not intersect the latch opening so that the spring latch bolt and latch bolt pin can be received in the latch opening. Intermediate lateral walls36extend from the rear side of the strike plate22at the upper and lower sides (in reference to the housing being mounted in the door jamb) of the latch opening24. The intermediate lateral walls36include bearing notches38disposed on an end of each lateral wall adjacent the rear surface of the strike plate22. The intermediate lateral walls36also include receiving notches42spaced from the bearing notches38toward the longitudinal wall34. The housing12can include additional outer walls that are not shown to enclose the components of the door latch actuator10that will be described in more detail below.

Spaced from the intermediate lateral walls36and extending from the longitudinal wall34, a pair of mounting supports44align with the intermediate lateral walls36respectively. The mounting walls44each include a rounded bearing surface46. The longitudinal wall34also defines two riding surfaces48(only one visible inFIG. 1) and notches52(only one visible inFIG. 1) disposed underneath each of the intermediate lateral walls36. A rear wall54extends from the longitudinal wall34spaced from the latch opening24, nearly spanning the distance between the mounting walls44. A projection56extends from the rear surface of the strike plate22. The projection includes an opening58.

The spring latch bolt actuator14moves at least the spring latch bolt of the deadlatch lock assembly to a retracted position from an extended position. The spring latch bolt actuator includes an integral axle62attached to an end of a door64. The door64is similarly shaped to the latch opening24so that the door can cover the entire latch opening24, as seen inFIG. 5. An L-shaped appendage66depends from the axle62. The appendage66includes an opening68. An abutment70extends from a rear surface of the door64near the axle62. A notch72is disposed on the rear surface of the door64spaced at an opposite end of the door as the abutment70. The abutment70and the notch72run the width of the door64. The abutment70contacts a longitudinal wall (not shown) opposite the longitudinal wall34to limit further retraction of the door64in the housing12. The axle62is received in the bearing notches38of the intermediate lateral walls36. The spring latch bolt actuator14can rotate about the axle62to open and close the latch opening24, which will be described in more detail below.

The latch bolt pin actuator16moves or allows the movement of the latch bolt pin of the deadlatch lock assembly. The latch bolt pin actuator includes a cylindrical body74having concentric cylindrical extensions76protruding from the ends of the cylindrical body, and a blade78attached to the radial surface of the cylindrical body. A lower notch80(FIG. 3) is formed in a front surface of the blade78. The notch80receives a portion of the strike plate22when the spring latch bolt actuator16is positioned with its front surface in the latch opening24flush with the front surface of the strike face22, as seen inFIG. 4.

A spring latch bolt actuator ram82moves the spring latch bolt actuator14. The spring latch bolt actuator ram82includes a body84having concentric cylindrical extensions86extending from the body and a pair of hooks88attached to the body. A plurality of links92connect the latch bolt pin actuator16to the spring latch bolt actuator ram82. Each link92includes a substantially cylindrical body94having cylindrical extensions96, similar to the cylindrical extensions76and86, and hooks98, similar to the hooks88. The hooks98of the link92adjacent the latch bolt pin actuator16receive the cylindrical extensions76of the latch bolt pin actuator. The hooks98of the remaining two links92receive the cylindrical extensions96of the preceding link. The hooks88of the spring latch bolt actuator ram82receive the cylindrical extensions96of the preceding link92. Accordingly, the latch bolt pin actuator16is attached through a plurality of links92to the spring latch bolt actuator ram82.

Two sprocket wheels102are spaced from one another and concentrically attached to one another by an axle104. Each sprocket wheel102includes a plurality of recesses106, each adapted to receive the cylindrical extensions76,86and96. Bushings108(only one visible inFIG. 1) receive the axle104on outer sides of the sprocket wheels102. The bushings108rest on the rounded bearing surfaces46of the mounting supports44.

A motor112is received in the housing12interposed between one of the outermost lateral walls32and an adjacent intermediate lateral wall36. The motor112includes a drive shaft114which drives a pinion116. The pinion116drives a gear118received on the axle104of the sprocket wheels102. The motor and drive gear assembly move the sprocket wheels102to move the spring latch bolt actuator14and the latch bolt pin actuator16. The motor receives power from an associated AC and/or DC power source; however, the motor can receive power from another power source, for example batteries, solar power and the like.

In a first position of the door latch actuator, as seen inFIGS. 2,3and4, a front surface of the blade78of the latch bolt pin actuator16is substantially flush with a front surface of the strike plate22. This allows the latch bolt pin actuator16to depress the latch bolt pin of the deadlatch lock assembly into a retracted position. The door64of the spring latch bolt actuator14is positioned inside the housing12, allowing the deadlatch lock assembly's spring latch bolt to extend into the latch opening24. A spring124which is received in the opening58of the projection56on the housing12and the opening68of the L-shaped appendage66of the door64biases the spring latch bolt actuator14back into the housing12and away from the latch opening24. With the latch bolt pin of the deadlatch lock assembly in a retracted position and the spring latch bolt of the deadlatch lock assembly in an extended position, the deadlatch lock assembly is “locked.”

The motor112rotates the pinion116causing the gear118to rotate in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 2). Rotation of the sprocket wheel102moves the latch bolt pin actuator16out of the latch opening24. The cylindrical extensions76move linearly along the riding surface48moving out of the notch52below each intermediate wall and towards the rear wall54of the housing. Moving the latch bolt pin actuator16out of the latch opening24allows the latch bolt pin of the deadlatch lock assembly to move from a retracted position to an extended position so that the deadlatch lock assembly is in an “intermediate” position.

With reference toFIGS. 6 and 7, the rotation of the sprocket wheels102also causes the body84of the spring latch bolt actuator ram82to contact the rear surface of the door64of the spring latch bolt actuator14. The sprocket wheels102continue to rotate as the cylindrical extensions86of the spring latch bolt actuator ram82are received in the receiving notches42of the intermediate side walls36. With reference toFIG. 5, the front side of the door64of the spring latch bolt actuator14covers the latch opening24of the strike plate22and the latch bolt pin actuator16is now retracted inside the housing12. Accordingly, the spring latch bolt of the deadlatch lock assembly is retracted along with the dead latch pin so that now the door is “unlocked.”

A circuit board122can be provided to control the motor. Switches, such as limit switches, can be provided on or remotely connected to the circuit board to control the motor, through conventional circuitry, to move the sprocket wheels102accordingly. In an alternative embodiment, the circuit board can include sensors that can detect the location of the sprocket wheels, for example the sprocket wheels can include a mechanism that can emit a signal that is detected by a sensor on the circuit board.

With reference toFIG. 8an alternative embodiment of a door latch actuator210includes a housing212, a spring latch bolt actuator214and a latch bolt pin actuator216. The housing212includes a strike plate222, which defines a latch opening224and fastener openings226. A strike lip228extends outwardly from the strike plate. The latch opening224is dimensioned to receive a spring latch bolt and a corresponding latch bolt pin from an associated deadlatch lock assembly. The fastener openings226are adapted to receive conventional fasteners that allow the housing212to be mounted to an associated conventional door jam. The strike lip is similarly shaped to a conventional strike lip.

Outermost lateral walls232extend from a rear surface of the strike plate222. A longitudinal wall234also extends from the rear surface of the strike plate222and connects the outermost lateral walls232. The longitudinal wall234is spaced from the latch opening224such that the longitudinal wall does not intersect the latch opening so that the spring latch bolt and latch bolt pin can be received in the latch opening. A first intermediate lateral wall236extends from the rear side of the strike plate222at the lower side of the latch opening224. A second intermediate lateral wall238extends from the rear side of the strike plate222at the upper side of the latch opening224. The intermediate lateral walls236and238each include bearing notches240disposed on an end of each lateral wall adjacent the rear surface of the strike plate222. The second intermediate lateral wall238includes a receiving notch242spaced from the bearing notch240. The housing212is similar to the housing of the first embodiment. The housing212of this embodiment can also include additional walls that are not shown to enclose the components of the door latch actuator210that will be described below.

A central longitudinal wall244connects to the intermediate lateral walls236and238and is spaced from the longitudinal wall234. A post246connects to the central longitudinal wall244and to the longitudinal wall234near the back of the housing212. A hook248extends from the central longitudinal wall244away from the longitudinal wall234. A central abutment252extends from the central longitudinal wall244in the same direction as the hook248. The central abutment252closes off cavity that receives the spring latch bolt, as more clearly seen inFIG. 10.

The spring latch bolt actuator214contacts at least the spring latch bolt of the deadlatch lock assembly, similar to the spring latch bolt actuator14described with referenceFIGS. 1-7. The spring latch bolt actuator214includes an integral axle262attached to an end of a door264. The door is generally rectangular in configuration, similar in shape to the latch opening224. On a rear surface of the door264, a pin266is located in a recess268. The spring latch bolt actuator214also includes two appendages272extending from an end of the door264opposite the axle262. The appendages272define a central notch274. The appendages272are spaced from one another such that the central abutment252can be received in the notch274when the spring latch actuator214is retracted into the housing212. The spring latch bolt actuator214also includes an L-shaped protuberance276which includes a bearing surface278. The portion of the protuberance near the axle262performs a similar function to the abutment70on the door64of the first embodiment.

The latch bolt pin actuator216includes a front contact surface282(FIG. 10) shaped similarly to the front surface of blade78mentioned above (FIG. 3). The latch bolt pin actuator216also includes a pair of front side notches284dimensioned to receive the appendages272of the spring bolt latch actuator214. The latch bolt pin actuator216also includes a front lower notch286(FIG. 11) that receives a portion of the strike plate222. As more clearly seen inFIG. 12, the latch bolt pin actuator also includes a lower channel288having a pin292residing therein. On one side of the latch bolt pin actuator, a lower side notch294includes an arcuate bearing surface296(FIG. 13).

A motor312is received in the housing212interposed between an outermost lateral wall232and the second intermediate lateral wall238. The motor312drives a worm gear314, which drives a cylindrical gear316. The cylindrical gear includes a first arm318that actuates the spring latch bolt actuator214. The first arm has a ¼ pie shape and includes an arcuate surface322that contacts the bearing surface278of the protuberance276of the spring latch bolt actuator214. A second S-shaped arm324attaches to an opposite end of the cylindrical gear316. The second arm324includes a first arcuate surface326and a second arcuate surface328(FIG. 11). As seen inFIG. 13, the S-shaped arm324is received in the side notch294of the latch bolt pin actuator216. The arcuate surfaces326and328ride along the arcuate bearing surface296of the latch bolt pin actuator216.

When the deadlatch lock assembly is in a “locked” position, a spring332that is attached to the post266of the spring latch bolt actuator214and the hook248biases the spring latch bolt actuator away from the latch opening224, as seen inFIG. 9. With reference toFIG. 11, the first arcuate surface326of the S-shaped arm324engages the arcuate bearing surface296of the latch bolt pin actuator216holding the contact surface282of the latch bolt pin actuator in the latch opening224flush with the front surface of the strike plate. To allow the deadlatch lock assembly to move to the “intermediate” position the cylindrical gear316rotates about its axis. As seen inFIGS. 13 and 14, the first arcuate surface326moves out of the side notch294and no longer contacts the arcuate bearing surface296of the latch bolt pin actuator216. A spring334, which is connected to the lower pin292(FIG. 13) of the latch bolt pin actuator and the post246of the housing biases the latch bolt pin actuator216out of the latch opening224. This allows the latch bolt pin to extend so that the deadlatch lock assembly is now in the “intermediate” position.

With reference toFIG. 15, as the cylindrical gear316continues to rotate the first arm318contacts the bearing surface278of the protuberance276pivoting the spring latch bolt actuator214towards the latch opening224. As the cylindrical gear316continues to rotate the appendages272of the spring latch bolt actuator214also continue to move towards the latch opening224. As the cylindrical gear continues to rotate, the second arcuate surface328of the S-shaped arm324contacts the bearing surface296of the latch bolt pin actuator216moving the latch bolt pin actuator towards the latch opening224. As the latch bolt pin actuator216continues to move forward the side notches284receive the appendages272of the spring latch bolt actuator214. With reference toFIG. 16, the S-shaped arm324continues to drive the latch bolt pin actuator216forward. This action allows the door latch actuator210to move the spring latch bolt and the dead latch pin to a retracted position, which positions the deadlatch lock assembly in an “unlock” position. As seen inFIG. 18, the latch opening224is entirely covered by both the spring latch bolt actuator214and the latch bolt pin actuator216.

Since the latch bolt pin actuator216receives the appendages272of the spring latch bolt actuator214, the first arm318no longer has to drive the door264forward, as seen inFIG. 16. The notch242(FIG. 17) in the second intermediate lateral wall238can allow the first arm318to rotate freely away from the door264. As the cylindrical gear316continues to rotate, the second arcuate surface328will move out of the notch294and the springs332and334will bias the spring latch bolt actuator214and the latch bolt pin actuator216, respectively, out of the latch opening224. The motor can continue to rotate in the same direction to move the door latch actuator210back to where it can receive the deadlatch lock assembly in a “locked” position (FIGS. 9,10and11).

A circuit board338can be provided to control the motor, similar to the circuit board122described above with reference toFIGS. 1-7. The embodiment depicted inFIGS. 8-18need not use a reversible motor or clutch assembly to change the direction of rotation of the motor. The cylindrical gear316and its arms318and324cooperate with the actuators214and216such that the cycle of movement required to open a door's deadlatch lock assembly having a spring latch and latch bolt pin can be repeated without having the motor change its direction of rotation. Limit switches or other switching/sensing means can be provided on or remotely connected to the circuit board to control the rotation of the motor if it is desired.

In another alternative embodiment, a door latch actuator410includes a housing412, a spring latch bolt actuator414and a latch bolt pin actuator416. The housing412of the door latch actuator includes a strike plate422, which defines a latch opening424and fastener openings426. A strike lip428extends outwardly from the strike plate. The latch opening424receives a spring latch bolt and a corresponding latch bolt pin from an associated deadlatch lock assembly. The fastener openings426receive conventional fasteners that allow the housing412to be mounted to an associated door jamb. The strike lip is similarly shaped to a conventional strike lip.

Outermost lateral walls432extend from a rear surface of the strike plate422. A longitudinal wall434extends from the rear surface of the strike plate and connects the outermost lateral walls. Intermediate lateral walls436extend from the rear side of the strike plate422at the upper and lower sides of the latch opening424. The intermediate lateral walls436include bearing notches438disposed on an end of each of the intermediate lateral walls adjacent the rear surface of the strike plate. Mounting supports444extend from the longitudinal wall434and align with the intermediate lateral walls436. The mounting supports444include bearing surfaces446. A rear wall448extends from the longitudinal wall434spaced from the latch opening424. A riding notch452is defined in the housing underneath each intermediate side wall436and cut out of a portion of the rear wall448. A projection456also extends from the rear side of the strike plate422. The projection includes an opening458extending through the projection. The housing412is similar to the housing12described above with reference to the first embodiment and can include additional walls (not shown) to enclose the components that are described below.

The spring latch bolt actuator414is similarly shaped to the spring latch bolt actuator14described with reference to the first embodiment and includes an integral axle460attached near an abutment462which attaches to a rear side of a door464. An L-shaped appendage466depends from the axle460. The L-shaped appendage466includes an opening468extending through the appendage. A torsion spring470is received in the opening458of the projection456of the housing412and the opening468of the L-shaped appendage466to bias the spring latch bolt actuator414away from the latch opening424. When the door464is pivoted back into the housing412, the abutment462contacts a longitudinal wall (not shown) that is opposite the longitudinal wall434, stopping the door from pivoting further. The door464of the spring latch bolt actuator414has a front surface that is similarly shaped to the latch opening424, so that when the spring latch bolt actuator414moves into the latch opening424, the front surface of the door464can cover the opening, as will be described in more detail below. The axle460is received in the bearing notches438of the intermediate lateral walls436so that the spring latch bolt actuator414can rotate about the axle460.

With reference toFIG. 20, the latch bolt pin actuator416includes a front surface474having a lower front notch476. The front surface474has a length equal to that of the latch opening424. The lower front notch476receives the strike plate422when the latch bolt pin actuator416is extended such that the front surface474is flush with the front surface of the strike plate422in the latch opening424, as seen inFIG. 21. With reference back toFIG. 19, the latch bolt pin actuator416also includes lower rear channels478that receive biasing members482, which in this embodiment are springs. The springs482contact the rear wall448and bias the latch bolt pin actuator416toward the latch opening424. The latch bolt pin actuator416also includes four posts484, two on each side of the latch bolt pin actuator.

A motor492is provided to move the spring latch bolt actuator414and the latch bolt pin actuator416between first and second positions. The motor492drives a gear494, which drives a pinion496. The pinion496attaches to an actuating element498that moves the spring latch bolt actuator414and the latch bolt pin actuator416. The actuating element498includes a pair of cams500spaced from one another and connected by a brace502. Each of the cams includes a pair of receiving notches504that are adapted to receive the posts484of the latch bolt pin actuator416(FIGS. 20 and 26).

With the door latch actuator410in a “locked” position as seen inFIG. 20, the front surface474of the latch bolt pin actuator416is extended in the latch opening424flush with the front surface of the strike face422, as seen inFIG. 21. The motor492rotates the actuating element498as shown by arrow B (FIG. 19) and the receiving notches504of the actuating element498receives the posts484of the latch bolt pin actuator416(as more clearly seen inFIG. 20) and drives the latch bolt pin actuator away from the latch opening424.

With reference toFIG. 22, the actuating element498continues to rotate the cam500moving the latch bolt pin actuator416away from the latch opening424in a linear directional movement. The movement of the latch bolt pin actuator416into the housing allows the latch bolt pin of the deadlatch lock assembly to extend so that the deadlatch lock assembly is in an “intermediate” position. Further rotation of the actuating element498also moves the brace502towards a rear surface of the door464of the spring latch bolt actuator414. As can be seen inFIG. 22, the brace502includes an arcuate surface506that first contacts the rear surface of the door464. With reference back toFIG. 20, the brace502is appropriately shaped so that it does not contact the door464until the arcuate surface506contacts the upper portion of the door (FIG. 22). With reference toFIG. 24, the actuating element498continues to rotate and the arcuate surface506of the brace502is shaped such that the brace502can move the door464of the spring latch bolt actuator414into the latch opening424such that the front surface of the door464is flush with the strike plate422(seeFIG. 25). While the actuating element498rotates, the posts484disposed closest to the front surface474of the latch bolt pin actuator416are retained by a peripheral side on each cam500, as seen inFIG. 24.

To move the components of the door latch actuator410back so that the deadlatch lock assembly can return to a “locked” position, the motor492rotates the actuating element498in an opposite direction. The brace502moves away from the rear side of the door464and the spring470biases the door back into the housing412when the brace502is no longer in contact with the door. The springs482bias the latch bolt pin actuator416towards the latch opening424. The posts484engage the notches504on the cams500to continue to drive the latch bolt pin actuator towards the latch opening (FIGS. 20 and 26).

In an alternative embodiment, the actuating element can continue rotating in the same direction and the door latch actuator410can reset itself. In this embodiment, as the actuating element498continues rotating clockwise as shown inFIG. 23, the brace502will eventually no longer contact the back side of the door464of the spring latch actuator. In this embodiment, the cams would be appropriately dimensioned to allow the springs482to return the latch pin actuator416toward the latch opening424without contacting the cams.

An alternative latch pin actuator616is shown inFIG. 27. The latch pin actuator includes a base wall618having a pair of spaced lateral walls622extending from the base wall. Each lateral wall includes a plurality of notches624that are offset from the rear of the lateral walls. The notches624allow the lateral walls622to receive plates626that can change the height of the latch pin actuator616.

Each of the plates626includes two lateral tabs628that are dimensioned to be received in the notches624so that the plates626align with a front surface of the latch pin actuator, as seen inFIG. 28. The notches624are spaced approximately ⅛″ from one another.

The alternative pin latch actuator616allows for the door latch actuator to adjust without having to modify the jamb. With reference toFIG. 27, with the spring latch bolt in the extended position, the flat surface of the spring latch bolt sits flush against a top flat surface of the uppermost plate626. If the spring latch bolt does not extend fully into the latch opening, i.e., the spring latch bolt is caught by the latch pin actuator before extending fully, the door is not properly latched, thus the door can open. If the door and the jamb are not properly aligned, the jamb mounted door latch actuator10,210or410could be misaligned with the door deadlatch lock assembly's spring latch bolt. Removal of one or a few plates626in the pin latch actuator616provides an adjustment which can allow the spring latch bolt to fully extend to properly latch the door.

The alternative latch pin actuator also includes four posts632, similar to the posts484in the latch pin actuator416described above. Two posts632extend outwardly from each lateral wall622and attach to a spring retaining member634respectively. Each spring retaining member includes a channel636that can receive a spring638similar to the spring482described above.

The door latch actuator410also includes a circuit board520to control the movement of the motor492. The circuit board can include switches, one example being toggle-type limit switches that can control the direction of rotation of the motor. In an alternative embodiment, the circuit board520can include sensors that can detect the position of the actuating element498. For example, magnets can be located on one of the cams500and a sensor on or remotely connected to the circuit board can detect the location of the magnets and deliver appropriate instructions to the motor.

Each of the door latch actuators described above10,210and410include a component or components that can cover the entire or substantially the entire latch opening. Such a design can inhibit either the spring latch bolt or the latch bolt pin of the deadlatch lock assembly from getting caught in the latch opening as the door is being opened. Furthermore, by covering the entire latch opening, if the deadlatch lock assembly of the door does not exactly fit into the latch cavity (i.e. some space exists so that there is some “play” in the door latch actuator), the spring latch bolt and the latch bolt pin of the deadlatch lock assembly are both retracted so that they can both clear the ledge of the doorjamb.

The door latch actuator has been described with some degree of particularity directed to preferred embodiments of the apparatus. For example, the door latch actuator has been described actuating a deadlatch lock assembly that includes both a spring latch bolt and a latch bolt pin; however, the door latch actuator can actuate an assembly that only includes a spring latch bolt. It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. Furthermore, directional terms, such as “upper” and “lower” and the like have been used to describe the figures and are not meant to limit the placement of the components of the door latch actuator to only those positions described. The present invention is defined by the claims that follow as well as all equivalents within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.