Sargent Manufacturing Company

Daniel J Picard

Scott B Lowder

Robert C Hunt

Jon Hulse

Jay Krajewski

Darren C Eller

Donald T Shamp

Thanasis Molokotos

Electrified access-control technology devices for a door, particularly electrified locks for a door, having embedded circuitry therein, and methods of making the same. One or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) having various electronic circuitry are secured inside a housing that encases an access-control device, particularly a lock, for a door. The one or more PCB(s) may be embedded on an internal surface of the housing such that the embedded PCB resides inside the housing along with the lock itself. The embedded PCB(s) avoid interference of both any working components of the lock inside the housing and any openings residing in the housing.

Locking device with embedded circuit board

An exit device for latching a door in tornado-prone areas keeps the door closed when the door is subjected to tornado debris impact by incorporating a blocking arm that swings outward away from the door as impact energy is transferred through the door to the blocking arm in the exit device. The blocking arm prevents a pushbar actuator from moving towards the door during impact or rebound which would allow the door to open. The blocking arm is biased close to the door in a non-blocking position where it initially receives the transferred impact energy. During the impact event the blocking arm rapidly rotates on a pivot from the non-blocking position to a blocking position away from the door. After the impact event, the blocking arm returns to the non-blocking position so that the exit device operates normally.

Exit pushbar with blocking mechanism

A fire exit alert system, preferably integrated into an exit device or automatic fire exit door closer, uses sound and light to signal the location of a fire exit in darkness and smoke-obscured rooms. The alert system includes a voice signal, such as 'EXIT LOCATED HERE,' to signal that the location of the voice is also the location of the exit. A white noise signal generator is used to supplement the voice signal and produces a sound that is particularly localizable by the human ear. A strobe light and a laser are used to produce a visual guide to the location of the exit. The strobe light is flashed when the word 'HERE' is used in the voice signal. The laser is used to produce a cone of light that points towards the fire exit alert system.

Integrated fire exit alert system

An exit device includes an electroluminescent exit sign assembly, preferably mounted on a push rail actuator of the exit device. An electroluminescent illuminator, an opaque material and a transparent protective cover form the electroluminescent sign assembly. The push rail actuator operates a latch mechanism and opens an associated exit door when pressure is applied. An inverter may be located within the exit device to power the electroluminescent illuminator with an AC or voltage. The electroluminescent sign assembly is preferably removable for repair or replacement without removing the exit device from the exit door and is located within a surface cavity in an electrically insulating touchpad on the exit device actuator. Additional transparent nonconductive material surrounds the electroluminescent material to provide further electrical insulation.

Exit device with lighted touchpad

A mortise latch and exit device includes active and passive mortise latch mechanisms with corresponding concealed vertical rods operated by links mounted within the mortise latch mechanisms. The mortise latch mechanisms latch double doors at a center point between the doors and at top points between each door and the door frame. Lower vertical rods may also be used to latch at bottom points between the doors and the floor. The active and passive mortise latch mechanisms are operated by corresponding push handle mechanisms and rotary handles. The mortise latch mechanisms cooperatively interact so that either door may be opened first, and either door may be closed first, without regard to the position of the other door. The active mortise latch mechanism includes a latch bolt and an activation bolt arranged so that one bolt is retracted when the other is extended, except when the doors are being opened or closed, when both bolts are retracted. The active mortise latch mechanism automatically retracts the latch bolt when the doors are not aligned and automatically extends the latch bolt when the doors are aligned. The passive mortise latch mechanism ejects the latch bolt as needed to allow the passive door to be opened first.

Mortise latch and exit device with concealed vertical rods

A mortise latch and vertical rod exit device latches at a center point between two doors and at top points between each door and the door frame. Optionally vertical rods may also be used to latch at bottom points between the doors and the floor. The latch includes an active and a passive latch mechanism operated by corresponding operating mechanisms. The mortise latch mechanisms cooperatively interact so that either door may be opened first, and either door may be closed first, without regard to the position of the other door. The active mortise latch mechanism includes a latch bolt and an activation bolt arranged so that one bolt is retracted when the other is extended, except when the doors are being opened or closed, when both bolts are retracted. The active mortise latch mechanism automatically retracts the latch bolt when the doors are not aligned and automatically extends the latch bolt when the doors are aligned. The passive mortise latch mechanism ejects the latch bolt as needed to allow the passive door to be opened first.

Growing community of inventors

Watertown, CT, United States of America

Daniel J Picard