Abstract:
The exit device of the present invention has an elongated securing member, such as a deadbolt or the like, adapted to be mounted horizontally adjacent the free end of a door and a pivoting member inward of the door. The pivoting member has a peripheral portion which rolls against the securing member and serves as an anti-friction bearing and counters against the inward force on the securing member opposing the opening force on the door. In one embodiment, the pivoting member is pivoted by a press bar assembly, and engages and retracts the securing member. In another embodiment, the securing member is retracted by the actuating means. The pivoting member may also include a keeper contact surface which, as the door closes, is contacted by the keeper and the pivoting member is pivoted inward to retract the securing member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/476,345 filed Jun. 7, 1995, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/144,243, filed Nov. 1, 1993 abandoned, which is the parent of related U.S. application Ser. No. 08/527,101 which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,362, the contents of all of which I hereby incorporate by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to an exit device having an elongated securing member, and more particularly to an exit device including a press bar on the inside of a door. When the press bar is pushed, it retracts the securing member so that the door can be opened. 
     State and federal codes have required that exit doors for public buildings be equipped with devices so that occupants exiting a building can press a panic bar or press bar to actuate the latchbolt of the door. Such pressing—as opposed to turning a handle or knob—is natural, particularly with persons escaping a building in a panic or an emergency situation. 
     Devices of this sort are well known, an example being disclosed by the U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,931 to George E. Heid. The Heid patent describes the linkages between the press bar and a latchbolt which is pivotally mounted adjacent the open end of the door. 
     Such structures have been designed to function under extreme conditions such as, for example, a group of people rushing to exit a smoke-filled building. A large number of such persons arriving at a closed door can exert a great outward force on the door and the exit device. 
     A standard exit device test by Underwriters Laboratories replicating such conditions involves exerting a horizontal outward force of 250 pounds against a closed door to test the exit device installed thereon. A further test during the application of the 250 pound force described above, requires that the press bar operate at a force of less than  50  lbs. This press bar force augments the 250 pound force mentioned above so that the total outward force on the latch can be up to 300 pounds. To counter this enormous force in the opening direction, designers of exit devices have avoided the preferred, more secure reciprocating deadbolt due to the high lateral friction generated under such conditions, and have adopted pivoted latchbolts. 
     In other words, while rectangular or square deadbolts, as known in the lock industry, offer better strength and security, they require a substantial force to slide them to retracted position under the above extreme conditions because of the large perpendicular forces acting on the bearing surfaces. Because failure of an exit device to open could be catastrophic, the preference for square or rectangular deadbolt-type locking members has been cast aside for the easier-opening pivoted latchbolt. The latchbolts have strike-engaging latching surfaces which are curved or beveled, thereby easing the resistance to retraction in the keeper as the door and exit device are pressed outward, but exerting lateral forces when the door is under pressure which separate the door and the frame thereby reducing door security. As a result, doors equipped with pivoted latchbolts have been more vulnerable to vandalism. Also, in fire situations in which enormous heat has warped the door and frame, pivoted latchbolts have been known to fail and pop open during fire tests. 
     For the foregoing reasons there is a need for an exit device which provides the security of a deadbolt while at the same time being operable under conditions of high outward force. 
     SUMMARY 
     An exit device for a door comprising a securing member assembly overcomes the aforementioned problems through the provision of an elongated securing member, such as a deadbolt or the like, for extending into a keeper mounted adjacent a free end of the door, the elongated member moveable longitudinally from an extended position to a retracted position; a pivoting member having a peripheral surface, the peripheral surface engaging a surface of the elongated securing member as the pivoting member pivots for retracting and supporting the elongated securing member from a direction opposite the direction the door opens; and means for actuating the pivoting member for moving the elongated member from the extended to the retracted position, the elongated member returning to the extended position when the press bar is released. 
     The actuating means of the securing member assembly may comprise, for example, a press bar assembly operatively connected to the pivoting member or elongated member whereby the press bar, when pressed, will move the elongated member longitudinally from extended to retracted position. The pivoting member serves as an anti-friction bearing roller to shoulder the inward force of the elongated securing member during its retraction as the door is pushed open and the elongated securing member is pressed hard outward against its keeper in the door frame. 
     Further, the pivoting member may further comprise a keeper-engaging surface for engaging a keeper and pivoting the pivoting member to retract the elongated securing member as the door is closed. The pivoting member also serves as an anti-friction device as the door closes to retract the elongated securing member as the keeper-engaging surface on the pivoting member forces the pivoting member to pivot and in turn drives back the elongated securing member. 
     The securing member assembly for the exit device of the present invention may further comprise means for effecting deadlocking of the elongated securing member in the extended position and means for canceling deadlocking of the elongated member. 
     Using an elongated securing member gives a mortise-lock degree of security to a surface-mounted exit device. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an exit device having an elongated securing member, such as a deadbolt or the like, as its securing member. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide an exit device having a deadbolt as its securing member wherein the deadbolt is mounted adjacent a free end of the door for longitudinal movement from an extended to a retracted position. 
     A still further object of this invention is to provide an exit device having a deadbolt as its securing member which does not require substantial force to move the deadbolt from the extended to the retracted position. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide an exit device having a deadbolt as its securing member for a door having a press bar on the inside of the door to actuate the deadbolt. 
     Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved exit device having a deadbolt as its securing member which will meet the aforementioned requirement of opening under conditions of great outward force on the door and exit device. 
     A related object of this invention is to provide an improved exit device for a door having a press bar on the inside of the door to actuate the deadbolt, the door opening with minimal pressure on the press bar despite great outward force on the door. 
     Yet another object of this invention is to provide an exit device having an improved degree of security. 
     Similarly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved exit device which is less vulnerable to vandalism. 
     With more particularity, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved exit device having a deadbolt as its securing member with a deadlocking feature. 
     A feature of this invention is an elongated member, such as a deadbolt or the like, as the securing member of an exit device. 
     A further feature of this invention is a pivoting member which upon actuation drives the deadbolt into a retracted position. 
     A still further feature of this invention is linking means connecting the press bar and deadbolt whereby when the press bar is pressed the deadbolt will move longitudinally from extended to retracted position. 
     Another feature of this invention is the pivoting member, generically referred to herein as a retractor blade, which serves as an anti-friction bearing roller to bear the force against the deadbolt in the door opening direction during retraction of the deadbolt as the door is pushed open and the deadbolt is pressed against its keeper. 
     A related feature of this invention is a bearing surface on the retractor blade bearing against a surface of the deadbolt for progressively rolling along the deadbolt surface as the deadbolt is retracted. 
     Still another feature of this invention is a keeper-engaging surface on the retractor blade which progressively engages the keeper as the door is closed and forces the retractor blade to pivot and retract the deadbolt. 
     The present invention has many advantages, including providing a more secure exit device than previously known as a result of the use of the deadbolt as the securing member. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exit device embodying features of the present invention and shown in position on a cut-away portion of a door; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line  2 — 2  of FIG. 7 of an embodiment of the actuator of the exit device of FIG. 1 showing the deadbolt extended as with the door opened; 
     FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but showing the deadbolt retracted as when the press bar is depressed; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line  4 — 4  of FIG. 7 showing the deadbolt extended as in FIG.  2  and showing the deadlocking plunger extended; 
     FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 but showing the parts as with the exit device press bar depressed; 
     FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 4 but showing the parts as with the door closed and the deadbolt in the deadlocking position on the door frame and the deadlocking plunger abutting the strike plate; 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the parts of FIG. 2 with the deadbolt extended; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line  8 — 8  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line  9 — 9  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 10 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the exit device of FIG. 1 showing the deadbolt extended as with the door opened; 
     FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10 but showing the deadbolt retracted as when the press bar is depressed; 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view of still another embodiment of the exit device of FIG. 1 showing the deadbolt extended and showing the deadlocking plunger extended; 
     FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 12 but showing the parts as with the exit device press bar depressed; 
     FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the parts of FIG. 12 with the deadbolt extended; 
     FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line  15 — 15  of FIG. 12; and 
     FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line  16 — 16  of FIG.  12 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     As used herein, the term “deadbolt” means an exit device component having an elongated end which projects from a free end of a door in an extended position, is withdrawn into the exit device in a retracted position by action of the exit device, and extends into a hole provided in the strike or keeper when the door is closed for securing the door in the closed position. 
     An embodiment of to invention is shown in FIG.  1  and is generally designated  10 . The exit device of the present invention is adapted to be mounted on a surface door  11  which is the trailing surface  13  of the door as the door  11  pivots in a direction from a closed position to an open position. The exit device  10  comprises an elongated housing  12  with a press bar  14  and a latch cover  16 . Out of to latch cover extends a deadbolt  18 , a retractor blade  20 , as shown, and a deadlocking plunger  100 . 
     As seen in FIG. 2 with the latch cover  16  removed, the latch actuator comprises a base plate  22  having side plates  24  and  26 . Parallel to and spaced above the base plate  22  is a blade pivot pin  28  which is sturdily secured between the side plates  24 ,  26 . Pivotally mounted on the pin  28  is the retractor blade  20  which comprises an enlarged hub  30  with a transverse bore accepting the pin  28  and a thin blade portion  32  having a keeper contact surface  32   a.    
     Disposed under the retractor blade  20  and resting on the base plate  22  is the deadbolt  18  which has on its forward upper surface a separate longitudinal cut-out  34  loosely receiving the blade portion  32 . Spaced back from the front end of the deadbolt the cut-out  34  is enlarged laterally and receives an insert  36  preferably of sintered metal. As shown, the insert is formed with an inclined wall  38 . The rearward end of the retractor blade  20  is formed with a nose  40  which butts against the surface of the inclined wall  38 . The periphery of the blade portion  32  extends forward from the nose  40  in an arc  42  concentric with the axis of the pin  28 . The arc transforms partway forward from the nose into a straight line  44 . 
     The insert  36  backs up on a pair of spaced shoulders  46  on either side of a longitudinal cut-out  48  (FIG. 7) midway along the length of the deadbolt. The cut-out  48  is formed with opposed faces  50  which jog inward spaced from the bottom of the bolt to present flanges  52 . The flanges in their inner most faces are spaced from each other and parallel thereto. Upwardly facing shoulders  52   a  are presented on top of the flanges. 
     Spaced back from the front end of the deadbolt its undersurface is upwardly recessed as at  54  from its midsection to its rear end. The base plate  22  is formed with a window  56  and a bolt plate  58  having a downward offset  60  dipping into the window  56  which overlies the base plate  22  from the window  56  rearward. 
     Surmounting the bolt plate  58  is a T-shaped deadbolt stabilizer  62  (FIG.  9 ). The three elements: base plate  22 , bolt plate  58  and the T-shaped stabilizer  62  are clampingly secured together by a pair of bolts  64  which extend through apertures in the stabilizer  62  and the bolt plate  58  and are threaded into the base plate holes  66 . A mounting plate  68  (FIG. 7) is secured to the base plate  22  and has an opening  70  therein to pass the front end of the deadbolt  18 . 
     The retractor blade  20  has extending laterally form its nose area  40  a lug  72  (FIGS. 2,  8 ) which provides a connection for interrelated movement between the retractor blade  20  and the deadbolt  18 . As best shown in FIG. 7, the insert  36  which nestles in its recess in the deadbolt has rear wall  36   a , side wall  36   b  and a partial front wall  36   c.    
     While the front end of the deadbolt is partly retained in position by the configuration of the opening  70  in the mounting plate  68 , the rear end is stabilized by the stabilizer  62 . As shown best in FIG. 9, the flanges  62   a  comprising the upper portion of the T-shaped stabilizer  62  overlie at the upwardly facing shoulders  52   a  on flanges  52  in the cut-out  48  at the rearward end of the deadbolt. Thus, the deadbolt is able to travel in a controlled longitudinal direction from extended to retracted position and back again. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the retraction of the deadbolt may be driven by the retractor blade  20  as its lobe  30   a  is raised by linkages to be described. As the nose  40  of the retractor blade  20  drives into the rear wall  36   a  of the insert  36  it moves the deadbolt toward retracted position. Engagement of the lug  72  with the front wall  36   c  of the insert, assures that the retractor blade will not extend when the deadbolt is retracted. 
     When there is an inward force on the deadbolt all during the relative movement of the retractor blade  20  and the deadbolt  18 , the periphery surface  42  of the retractor blade bears on the bearing surface floor  34   a  of the cut-out  34 . Thus, the great bearing force tending as in the panic situation described above to move the deadbolt from its bolt plate  58  is countered by the reaction of the surface  42  of the retractor blade  20  against the floor  34   a  and the pivot pin  28 . 
     Part of the linkage between the press bar and the retractor blade  20  is a retractor lever  80 . This is pivoted intermediate its ends on a pin  82  sturdily bridging between the side plates  24 ,  26  rearward of the retractor blade. The upper surface of the leftward side (FIG. 2) of the retractor lever  80  is shaped to engage and press underneath the lobe  30   a  of the retractor blade  20  so that when the rightward side of the retractor lever  80  is depressed, the leftward side urges the lobe  30   a  upward, rotating the retractor blade in counter-clockwise motion as seen in FIG.  2 . 
     A parallel pair of ears  84  extend upward from the base plate  22  to the rightward side of the side plates  24 ,  26  (FIG.  2 ). These ears are formed with aligned openings in which is secured a pin  85 . To the pin  85  is pivotally secured a dog-bone lever  88  which has a leftward side through which extends a pin  90 . Pivoted links  92  extend on either side of the lever  80  and dog-bone lever  88  connecting the pin  90  and a pin  94 , the latter extending through the rightward end of the retractor lever  80 . 
     Downward motion of the rightward side of lever  80  is accomplished when the press bar is pushed in as in opening the door. The press bar has a pair of fingers  86  (FIG. 7) and these engage the upper side of the extensions of pin  90 . The downward side of the dog-bone lever  88  includes a headed projection  96  as is well known in the art by which the outside cylinder or other operator for the exit device may actuate the deadbolt. The connection between the outside cylinder and the headed projection  96  will not be described herein, it being well disclosed in the Heid patent mentioned above. 
     Deadlocking plunger  100  operates in a manner well known in the art. Briefly, it is an elongated element which is contiguous to a side of deadbolt  18  (FIG.  8 ). It moves or is moved from an extended position shown in FIG. 4 to a retracted position shown in FIG.  5 . Intermediate its ends it is formed with a foot  102  which fits into the recess  54  on the underside of the deadbolt  18  (FIG.  2 ). Otherwise, the deadlocking plunger is stabilized by the inner side of the side plate  26  and the shape of the opening in the cover  16  as shown in FIG.  1  and as is conventional. 
     The deadlocking linkage includes a pin  104  which extends between the side plates  24 ,  26  and journals the yoke  106  which is of U-shape having an elongated bight  108  (FIG. 9) and upward legs  110 ,  112 . The leg  112  has a long forward extension forming a deadlocking arm  114  for effecting deadlocking of the deadbolt (FIG.  4 ). For this purpose, the distal end of the deadlocking arm  114  has a downward toe  116  and a downwardly facing notch  118  which includes a blocking surface  120  for deadlocking of the deadbolt when the deadbolt is in the keeper as will be described below. Leg  112  also has an upward drive arm  122  (FIG. 4) terminating in a cam surface  124  including an inclined portion  124   a  and a generally vertical portion  124   b.    
     The deadlocking plunger  100  is formed with a trapezoidal upward cam  126  (FIG. 4) intermediate its ends, and the retractor lever  80  is formed with a transverse pin  128 , the trapezoidal cam  126  and the transverse pin  128  forming first and second actuator means, respectively, for the deadlocking linkage as will be explained. Beefy deadlocking pin  130  extends out transversely from the deadbolt  18  (FIG.  4 ). 
     Various springs are provided. A torsion spring  136  winds around the pin  28  on the leftward side of the deadbolt  18  (FIG.  7 ). One end of the spring  136  rests under the pin  82  and the other end engages under a pin  138  which extends out from the leftward side of the deadbolt  18  (FIG.  7 ). The spring  136  is under stress so that it biases the deadbolt  18  in the extended position, and pin  138  additionally provides a stop, hitting against the mounting plate  68  to limit the extension of the deadbolt. 
     Spacer  140  surrounds the pin  28  on the rightward side of the hub  30  of the retractor blade and a smaller spacer  142  (FIG. 8) is disposed between the spring  136  and the leftward side of the hub  30 , both to suitably position the retractor blade  20  so that the blade portion  32  is aligned with the cutout  34  in the deadbolt. 
     A second spring  144  (FIG. 7) is a torsion spring which is disposed about the deadlocking linkage pin  104 . Its purpose is to bias the deadlocking arm  114  downward so that the notch  118  receives the pin  130 . One end of the spring  144  engages over the top of the arm  114  while the other end engages the rear surface of the deadlocking plunger  100 . The spring  144  is under stress to bias the arm  114  as described. The other end of the spring  144  pushes outward against the deadlocking plunger  100 . 
     A third torsion spring  150  (FIG. 7) biases the dog-bone lever in a clockwise direction (FIG.  4 ). 
     The general operation of a deadlocking mechanism is well known to those skilled in the art. In the embodiment described, when both the deadbolt  18  and the deadlocking plunger  100  are extended (FIG.  4 ), the trapezoidal cam  126  of the plunger engages the toe  116  of the deadlocking arm  114  to hold the notch  118  and blocking surface  120  up clear for canceling the deadlocking action of the deadlocking arm  114  and allowing for the rearward movement of the deadbolt pin  130 . The deadbolt, thus, is free to retract on the closing of the door, being driven by the engagement of the keeper roller K (FIG. 2) with the curved front keeper contact surface  32   a  of the blade portion  32 . In this scenario, the keeper roller K forces the retractor blade in counterclockwise direction so that its nose  40  engages the surface of the inclined wall  38  of the insert  36  which is part of the deadbolt and drives the latter toward retracted position. Engagement of the front end surface of recess  54  in the underside of the retracting deadbolt with the foot  102  on the plunger drives back the deadlocking plunger  100 . Once the deadbolt is past the keeper roller K, it snaps outward being driven out by spring  136  to lock the door. 
     Because the opening in the keeper permits the intrusion of the deadbolt  18  but not the deadlocking plunger  100 , the latter cannot extend and, hence, the cam  126  is rearward of the toe  116  (FIG. 6) and the deadlocking arm  114  rests with the top of the notch  118  on the pin  130  so that attempts to violate the lock by forcing the deadbolt inward are frustrated as the pin  130  hits the blocking surface  120 . Recess  54  which encloses foot  102  on the deadlocking plunger  100  is long enough to permit the deadbolt to extend while the deadlocking plunger  100  is held by the strike in depressed or nearly depressed condition. 
     Upon the actuation of the press bar  14 , the pins  86  (FIG. 7) press the ends of the sturdy pin  90  downward, rotating the retractor lever  80  in a clockwise direction. This causes the transverse pin  128  to move against the cam surface  124   a ,  124   b  of the upward driver arm  122  and pivot the deadlocking arm  114  in a clockwise direction raising the arm  114  so that the notch  118  raises (FIG.  5 ), moving the blocking surface  120  out of the path of the pin  130  thereby canceling the deadlocking action of the deadlocking arm  114  and allowing for subsequent retraction with the deadbolt  18 . Continued movement of the press bar causes the top of the leftward side of the retractor lever  80  to work under the lobe  30   a  of the retractor blade  20  causing its counterclockwise rotation. As will be understood by now, the nose  40  works against the wall of the  38  of the insert  36 , part of the deadbolt  18 , to retract the deadbolt. Engagement of the front end surface of recess  54  in the underside of the retracting deadbolt with the foot  102  on the deadlocking plunger  100 , drives back the deadlocking plunger. 
     At all times during which pressure is put on the trailing face  13  of the door  11  with the deadbolt in its keeper, the bearing surface  42  of to retractor blade  20  bears against the surface  34   a  of the floor of the cutout  34  and the pivot pin  28 . This provides an anti-friction means for overcoming what can be a very substantial bowing force working to displace the deadbolt inward as force is exerted inward by the keeper roller K. 
     Clearly, once the front of the deadbolt  18  clears the keeper roller K, the door is free to move open. When pressure is released from the press bar, the spring  136  drives the deadbolt outward and spring  144  drives the deadlocking plunger  100  outward. The lock returns to the condition described and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In this embodiment, the arc  42  of the periphery of the blade portion  32  is formed with teeth  41  defining the arc segment of a gear. The surface  34   a  of the longitudinal cut-out  34  is also formed with teeth which define a toothed rack. The teeth  41 ,  34   a  provide a connection for interrelated movement between the retractor blade  20  and the deadbolt  18 . 
     In operation, the retraction of the deadbolt  18  is driven by the retractor blade  20  as its lobe  30   a  is raised by the linkages described above. As the teeth  41  of the retractor blade  20  progressively engage the teeth  34   a  of the deadbolt, the pivoting retractor blade  20  drives the deadbolt toward the retracted position. Engagement of the teeth  41 ,  34   a  assures that the retractor blade will not extend when the deadbolt is retracted. 
     Similarly, when the door is closed the keeper roller K forces the retractor blade  20  in a counter-clockwise direction so that the teeth  41 ,  34   a  progressively engage and drive the deadbolt toward the retracted position. Engagement of the front end surface of recess  54  in the underside of the retracting deadbolt with the foot  102  on the plunger drives back the deadlocking plunger  100 . Once the deadbolt is past the keeper roller K, it snaps outward being driven out by spring  136  to lock the door. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 12-16. In this embodiment, the deadbolt  18  is retracted by means of linkages between the press bar  14  and the deadbolt  18 . For this arrangement, a U-shaped deadbolt extension  165  is mounted on the rear end of the deadbolt  18 . Retractor links  151 ,  152  are slidingly mounted in longitudinal slots  157  in each of the rearwardly extending legs of the deadbolt extension  165  using a link pin  158 . The rearward ends of the retractor links  151 ,  152  are secured to a press bar lever  163  by means of a pivot pin  159 . The press bar lever  163  rotates on a pin  162  in a housing  164  which is mounted to the base plate  22  by screws  166 . A cross-pin  159  is fixed to depending sides of the press bar  14  and passes through an arcuate slot  168  in the housing  164 . 
     As seen in FIG. 13, when the press bar  14  is depressed, the retractor lever  163  rotates in a counterclockwise direction. This draws the retractor links  151 ,  152  rearward thereby retracting the deadbolt  18 . Engagement of the front end surface of recess  54  in the underside of the retracting deadbolt  18  with the foot  102  on the plunger  100  drives back the plunger. As described above, the retractor blade  20  is also drawn into retracted position since the retractor blade  20  and the deadbolt  18  are connected for interrelated movement by the engagement of the lug  72  with the front wall  36   c  of the insert. Alternatively, it is understood that interrelated movement between the retractor blade  20  and the deadbolt  18  may be accomplished by forming the arc  42  of the periphery of the blade portion  32  and the surface  34   a  of the longitudinal cut-out  34  with interengaging teeth. 
     The retractor blade  20  also functions as described above upon closing of the door to retract the deadbolt  18 . The slots  157  in the deadbolt extension  165  are long enough to allow the deadbolt  18  to move to the retracted position without the deadbolt extension  165  engaging the link pin  158 . 
     The deadlocking linkage pin  104  journals a yoke  156  which is of U-shape having forward legs  155 ,  114 . The long, forwardly extending leg  114  forms a deadlocking arm for effecting deadlocking of the deadbolt  18  as in the previously described embodiments. The shorter leg  155  defines a deadlocking release arm. One of the retractor links  152  includes an extension  153  having a release actuator  154  positioned above leg  155  of the yoke  156 . 
     Upon the actuation of the press bar  14 , the retractor links  151 ,  152  are drawn rearward causing the release actuator  154  to move against the leg  155  of the yoke  156  and pivot the deadlocking arm  114  in a clockwise direction raising the arm  114 . With the arm  114  raised, the blocking surface  120  is moved out of the path of the pin  130  thereby canceling the deadlocking action of the deadlocking arm  114  and allowing for subsequent retraction with the deadbolt  18 . Continued movement of the press bar draws the deadbolt  18  to the retracted position. 
     The provision of the retractor blade  20  and its bearing surface  42  make possible the use of a deadbolt in the present exit device. Repeating, the rolling surface  42  and pivot pin  28  effectively oppose the pressure (FIG. 1) exerted by the keeper roller K tending to displace the deadbolt inward against adjacent structures. By means of the retractor blade with its bearing surface and pivot pin, the industry is finally able to have an exit device featuring a deadbolt as its securing means with the concomitant improvement in security. If desired or necessary, anti-friction coatings may be used on the deadbolt and other parts to reduce friction and make the operation even smoother. 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood, of course, that I do not intend to limit the invention to that embodiment since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. For example, an exit device having a deadbolt as its securing is effective where any type of activating means is employed for pivoting the retractor blade, including vertical door rod exit devices. On the contrary, I intend to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as incorporating those features which constitute the essential features of these improvements within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiment contained herein.