Trine Access Technology, Inc.

Fred H Schildwachter

Ferdinand E Orbeta

In one aspect the present invention provides a door strike which prevents the opening of an associated door when the door strike has been heated to an elevated temperature of at least about 1000&#xb0; F., preferably when the door strike is at higher temperatures such as are present during a fire in a building structure. The door strike includes a thermally responsive element which retards the normal operation of the door strike when it is at an elevated temperature. A further aspect of the invention is a method for controlling the undesired spread of a fire or smoke between adjacent spaces separated by the door wherein a fire or smoke condition exists in at least one of these spaces, via the provision of a door strike having a thermally responsive element which retards the normal operation of the door strike when it is at an elevated temperature.

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Johns Island, SC, United States of America

Fred H Schildwachter