US4065164A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fire-safe lever handle
Assignee: Schlage Lock Co LLC
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Filing: 1976-11-26
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Granted: 1977-12-27
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Expires: 1996-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A fire-safe lever handle is for use with a lock having a bolt retractable by rotation of a spindle about an axis. The lever handle has a center of gravity off of said axis and has a hub surrounding the spindle. Disposed between the hub and the spindle is a body of meltable or fusible material, such as lead. Under ordinary temperatures the fusible material is solid and connects the spindle and hub for rotation together about the axis. Under fire conditions, the fusible or meltable material melts and disconnects the hub from the spindle so that a fire fighting water jet impinging against the lever handle cannot rotate the spindle and retract the bolt. A drain in the hub releases the melted material from the interior of the hub and permits the hub freely to rest on the spindle at a downwardly inclined angle. This assures that the melted material does not resolidify and reconnect the hub and spindle.
Inventors
- 👤 Vernon A. Bartels
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:42
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B65/00; E05B65/10; E05B65/104; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S292/00; Y10S292/66; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/82; Y10T292/85; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/20834; Y10T74/20864
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A fire-safe lever handle comprising a lock spindle, means for supporting said spindle for rotation about a horizontal axis, a lever handle having a center of gravity off of said axis, a hub on said lever handle, a meltable material when solid interposed between and engaging said hub and said spindle against relative rotation, and means on said lever handle forming a drain for said material when melted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A fire-safe lever handle comprising a lock spindle, means for supporting said spindle for rotation about a horizontal axis, a lever handle having a center of gravity off of said axis, a hub on said lever handle, a meltable material when solid interposed between and engaging said hub and said spindle against relative rotation, and means on said lever handle forming a drain for said material when melted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as in claim 1 in which said means forming a drain is substantially vertical when said center of gravity is vertically beneath said axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device as in claim 1 in which said means forming a drain is an open passage extending from the interior of said hub to the exterior thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as in claim 1 in which said center of gravity is disposed substantially below said spindle when said meltable material is melted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 4 in which said hub is inclined downwardly and said means forming a drain is at the low point thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fire-safe lever handle comprising a hub symmetrical about an axis, a lever handle extending eccentrically from said axis, and a meltable material lining said hub.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A fire-safe lever handle comprising a hub symmetrical about an axis, a lever handle extending eccentrically from said axis, and a meltable material lining said hub.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as in claim 6 in which said lining has a shape adapted to interfit with a spindle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as in claim 6 including a drain through the wall of said hub in a generally radial direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a lock set having a bolt retractable by rotation of a lock spindle about an axis and having a handle rotatable around said spindle and about said axis by an impinging jet of water, a meltable interconnection between said spindle and said handle effective to couple said spindle and said handle for rotation together at normal temperatures and effective to uncouple said spindle and said handle at fire temperatures.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a lock set having a bolt retractable by rotation of a lock spindle about an axis and having a handle rotatable around said spindle and about said axis by an impinging jet of water, a meltable interconnection between said spindle and said handle effective to couple said spindle and said handle for rotation together at normal temperatures and effective to uncouple said spindle and said handle at fire temperatures.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
A device as in claim 9 in which said handle has a center of gravity movable between one position to one side of said axis and another position below said axis, and a drain through said handle between and substantially in alignment with said axis and said center of gravity and below said axis when said spindle and said handle are uncoupled.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-26 | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-26 | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-26 | 1989-06-27 | 1989-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |