US3524333A - Door latch release apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 18, 1970 A. MEcKsTRoTf-l 3,524,333

DOOR LATCH RELEASE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28. 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet l SNO,

32 g/Jo /34 47 46 I 44 ya FIG-4 f. f f 5- 43/@ INVENTOR. ALAN F. MECKSTROTH ug- 18, 1970 A. F. MEcKsTRoTH 3,524,333

DOOR LATCH RELEASE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Figi-6 59 762:*/59

u'g. 18,1970. A F, MECKSTROTH 3,524,333

' y Doon LATCH RELEASE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 22.2 /BIO 2 42 2510 222 2/5 F IG- I6 /NVENTR ALAN E MEcKsTRoTH United States Patent O M 3,524,333 DOOR LATCH RELEASE APPARATUS Alan F. Meckstroth, Kettering, Ohio (2357 Shelterwood Drive, Dayton, Ohio 45409) Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 570,894,

Aug. 8, 1966. This application Aug. 28, 1968, Ser.

Int. Cl. Eb 37/16 U.S. Cl. 70-156 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A control panel is mounted on a door jamb and supports a combination control mechanism. A keeper is also mounted on the jamb and supports an actuating member which is pivotable in response to actuation of the combination control mechanism according to a predetermined combination to release a latch bolt from the keeper. The control panel and keeper are effectively locked on the jamb when the door is closed.

RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 570,894, liled Aug. 8, 1966, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When the key for unlocking the entrance door to a home, otlice, apartment or other room or space is lost, mislaid or forgotten, the aggravating problems which result are well known. Furthermore, the carrying and handling of keys for unlocking various door locks present a nuisance. While various combination lock devices have been suggested for mounting on a door to solve these problems, usually the devices have one or more disadvantages in that they are complex in construction, inconvenient to install or service, inconvenient to change the combination, or prevent opening of the door if the device fails or the combination is forgotten.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to improved door latch release apparatus which dispenses with the need for carrying a key and which is adapted to .be mounted on a door jamb to provide for releasing a locked door simply by activation of the apparatus according to a predetermined combination. The apparatus of the invention provides the desirable features of campactness, simplified and economical construction, convenient installation, selectable combinations, dependable operation and adaptability for use in conjunction with substantially all types of conventional door locks.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a control panel which is adapted to be mounted on a door jamb and which supports a plurality of push button electrical switches connected in series. Most of the switches are normally closed and a number of preselected switches are normally open so that closing of these latter switches is effective to energize a solenoid mounted on a keeper plate to pivot an actuating member for depressing the latch bolt out of enagement with the keeper plate and back into the door. The control panel and keeper plate are mounted on to the jamb when the door is open and are locked on the jamb when the door is closed.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the control panel supports a mechanism including a plurality of push buttons, a few of which are effective, when depressed according to a predetermined sequence,

3,524,333` Patented Aug. 18, 1970 ICC BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a fragmentary perspective View of a door closed against a jamb member and showing latch release apparatus constructed and installed on the jamb member in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a slightly reduced elevational view of the apparatus in FIG. 1 as seen when the door is open;

FIG. 3 is a section of the apparatus as generally taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a slightly reduced rear view of an assembled control panel as taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section of the apparatus as taken generally along the line 5 5 of FIG. 2 and showing the locked engagement of a latch bolt projecting from a closed door;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section view of the apparatus as taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged section view of the apparatus as taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section view similar to FIG. 5 and showing the released position of the latch bolt when the apparatus is actuated;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical circuit for operating the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 in accordance With a predetermined combination;

FIG. 10 is a section view similar to FIG. 3 and showing a modification of door latch release apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 1l is a perspective View of apparatus constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a section taken generally on the line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a section taken generally on the line 13-13 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a partial section taken generally on the line 14-14 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a partial section taken generally on the line 15-15 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a section taken generally on the line 16-16 of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 17 is a rear view of the code bar shown in FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ,PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention is shown installed on a vertically extending jamb member 15 of a door frame which supports a door 16 by suitable hinges (not shown). A handle 18 is mounted on the door 16 and spaced directly above the handle is a thumb actuated lever 19 which operates a latch mechanism to retract a latch bolt 20 (FIGS. 3 and 5 normally projecting from the edge portion of the door under a spring bias. In a conventional manner, the lever 19 may be made inoperable for locking the door by actuating toggle buttons (not shown) also forming a part of the latch mechanism mounted within the door.

A control panel 25, preferably formed of stainless steel or brass sheet metal, is mounted on the jamb member 15 so that the at front portion 26 lies substantially ush with the exposed face of the jamb member 15. The control panel also includes anv edge portion 28 extending at 90 from the front portion 26 and having an exposed surface lying flush with the step seating surface 29 (FIG. 2) of the jamb member 15.

A rectangular shaped cavity or pocket 30 (FIG. 3) is formed within the jarnb member directly behind the control panel 25 and preferably has a depth so that the inner surface 32 extends as a continuation of the door jamb surface 34 (FIG. 2) formed on the jamb member. As shown in FIG. 2, the end surfaces 35 and side surface 37 defining the pocket 30, are spaced somewhat inwardly of the corresponding edges of the control panel 25 so that the entire pocket 30 is covered by the control panel.

A rectangular sheet 40 of rigid electrical insulating material is mounted on the back side of the front portion 26 of the control panel 25 and is secured to the panel by corner rivets 42 which also retain a pair of hat brackets 44. The sheet 40 is substantially the same size as the pocket 30, and the brackets 44 are mounted adjacent the corresponding ends of the sheet 40 so that the brackets are received within the pocket 30 adjacent the corresponding end surfaces 35.

A portion 46 (FIG. 3) of each bracket 44 is spaced from the sheet 40 and is inclined therewith to form a carn surface 47. A slot 48 (FIG. 4) is formed within the portion 46 of each bracket 44 and extends from a slightly larger opening 49 formed within a leg portion 51. The opening 49 within each bracket 44 is slightly larger than the head of a wood screw 52 threaded into the jamb member 15 from the surface 32.

By properly adjusting the screws 52, the control panel can be mounted on the jamb member by sliding the panel to the left (FIG. 3) until the screw heads pass through the openings 49 within the brackets 44. Further lateral movement of the control panel 25 causes the panel to be cammed or pulled down tightly against the surface 27 of the jamb member 115 due to the sliding engagement of the screw heads on the inclined surfaces 47 of the brackets 44.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, a series of fteen holes 54 are formed within the portion 26 of the control panel 25 and the adjacent sheet 40. The holes are uniformly spaced in three parallel rows with live holes per row. A corresponding series of [fifteen switches 55 (FIGS. 4, 6 and 7) are mounted on the sheet 40 between the holes 54 and each switch includes a pair of flat metal stationary contact members 57 which are spaced apart by a movable contact member 59, a iiber washer 61 and a brass washer 62.

The assembly of a pair of stationary contact members 57, the movable contact member 59 for the adjacent switch along with the washer 61 and 62 are removably secured to the sheet 40 by a non-metallic or plastic screw 64. Each movable contact member 67 is formed of spring steel material and is cantileveredly retained at one end by a screw 64, and the movable opposite end portion is formed at a right angle so that it normally engages the stationary contact member 57 adjacent the sheet 40.

A push button of circular cross-section and including an enlarged head portion 66, extends through each hole 54 and has a reduced end portion `68 which is received within an aligned hole formed within the corresponding movable contact member 57. The end portion is secured to the contact member l57 by an expanding or deforming operation. Thus by depressing a push button 65, the corresponding movable contact member 59 breaks contact with the stationary contact member 57 adjacent the sheet 40 and makes contact with the opposing stationary contact member 57 adjacent the head of the screw 64.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the fteen switches 55 are arranged in series between a pair of end contact members 70. Preferably three or more preselected switches 5S are normally open and the remaining switches are normally closed by properly arranging the washers 61 and 62 which determine which stationary contact member 57 is normally electrically connected to the movable contact member 57 of the adjacent switch through the brass Washer 612. That is, the arrangement of each set of washers 61 and 62 determines which combinations of push buttons `65 must be depressed simultaneously to provide a closed electrical circuit between the end contact members 70.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 5 and 8, a keeper 7S includes a face portion '76 and is preferably formed of stainless steel or brass sheet metal. The keeper is mounted on the jamb member 15 by screws 78 (FIG. 2) so that the face portion 76 is substantially flush with the jamb surface 34. The face portion 76 of the keeper 75 extends angularly beyond the surface 34 and forms a lead portion 79 which provides in a conventional manner a cam surface for depressing the biased latch bolt 20 into the edge portion of the door when the door is closed. A rectangular shaped opening 80 is formed within the face portion 76 of the keeper 75 for receiving the latch bolt 20 and is defined along its side by opposing parallel flanges 82 (FIG. 3) formed inwardly at from the face portion 76. The anges 82 project into a rectangular opening 83 formed within the jamb member 15. Aligned holes are formed within the upper portion of the lianges 82 for receiving a cross pin 84.

An inverted generally U-shaped actuating member 85 including flat leg portions 87 and 88 extending from an integral web portion 89, is pivotally supported by the pin 84 extending through corresponding aligned holes formed within the leg portions 87 and 88 which interlit between the flanges 82. The pin 84 is headed on opposite ends adjacent the outer surface of the flanges 82 to retain the pin.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, the leg portion 88 of the actuating member 85 extends downwardly and includes an offset edge surface 91 which extends substantially vertically when engaged by the leading edge surface of the spring biased latch bolt extending from the door. The actuating member 85 is prevented from pivoting clockwise further from the position shown in FIG. 5 due to the engagement of the web portion 89 with the face portion 76 of the keeper 75 at 92. The lower corner edge surface 94 of the leg portion 88 is rounded as shown in FIG. 5, and a stop tab 95 extends laterally to engage the adjacent flange 82.

A solenoid including a coil 101 encased within a metal surrounding frame 102, is mounted on the back side of the face portion 76 of the keeper 75 by screws 103 and is positioned within the opening 83 directly under the anges 82 as shown in FIG. 5. A pin-like armature 104 projects upwardly from the center of the coil 101 and is provided with a slot 106 within its upper end portion for receiving a wire link 108. An eye forms the lower portion of the link 108 and is connected to the armature 104 by a cross pin 110 which extends through aligned holes formed within the upper end portion of the armature on opposite sides of the slot 106.

The ripper end portion of the link 108 is formed with an S-shaped hook 112 which extends through a hole 114 formed within the rear portion of the actuating member 85 to connect the actuating member to the armature 104. Thus when the solenoid 100 is energized and the armature 104 is retracted (FIG. 8), the actuating member 85 is pivoted from the position shown in FIG. 5 to the position shown in FIG. 8 causing the latch bolt 20 to be depressed back into the door thereby releasing the bolt from locking engagement with the keeper 75.

A tension spring 115 (FIG. 5) is connected between the hook 112 of the link 108 and the frame 102 of the solenoid 100 to assist the solenoid in pivoting the actuating member against the spring bias of the latch -bolt and thereby minimize the necessary capacity for the solenoid. It has been found, however, that the spring 115 can be omitted if a solenoid of su'icient capacity is used.

Referring to FIG. which shows a modification of the invention, a control panel 25', constructed substantially the same as the control panel 25 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 but without the brackets 44, is mounted on the jamb member by screws 52 extending through the panel 25 and into the jamb member 15 above and below the cavity 30. To lock the panel 25 to the jamb member 15 when the door is closed, the control panel 25 is connected directly to the keeper 75 (FIG. 10). That is, the face portion 76 of the keeper '75' is extended inwardly for attachment by a series of screws 120 to a return flange 122 formed as an integral part of the control panel 25.

Preferably, the face portion 76 of the keeper 75' is provided with slots for receiving the screws 120 to enable the keeper ange 82' to be adjusted laterally according to the precise position of the latch bolt within the door 16. Thus the control panel is adapted to be removed to change the combination required to close all of the switches 65 only by removing the control panel 25' and keeper 75 as a unit when the door is open. AS becomes apparent, the embodiment of FIG. 10 also provides for mounting of the control panel 25 and keeper 75' on the jamb member 15 as a unit instead of as separate components.

Referring to the schematic diagram of FIG. 9, the fifteen switches 55 are illustrated by reference characters S1 to S15. For purposes of illustration, S2, S9 and S13 are arranged normally open by placing the corresponding fiber or insulated washers 61 (FIG. 7) in contact with the stationary contact member 57 adjacent the insulating sheet 40. The remaining switches are arranged normally closed by a reversed arrangement of the fiber and brass washers 61 and 62 respectively.

The switches S1-S15 are connected as a group in a series with the solenoid 100 and a power supply transformer 130 which preferably converts 115 line voltage across the leads L1 and L2 to 24 volts. As shown in FIG. 9, the transformer 130 can also be used for providing a low voltage supply for a door chime 132 operable by a suitable door bell switch 133. Thus by simultaneously depressing the push buttons 65 for switches S2, S9 and S13, the solenoid is energized causing the latch bolt 20 to be released or ejected from the keeper 75. On the other hand, if any other combinations of push buttons 65 are depressed, the circuit remains open and the solenoid is not energized.

As becomes apparent, the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1-9 provides substantial security. That is, by providing at least nine switches 55 and preferably fifteen as shown in the drawings, in conjunction with a combination requiring the depression of three or four push buttons 65, the probability of someone finding the combination by chance is extremely remote.

For example, the chance of accidentally discovering the combination is illustrated by la formula where n represents the total number of switches and r represents the number of push buttons 65 to be actuated simultaneously. Thus, with fteen switches and employing a combination of four push buttons, the chances are l out of 1,365 of accidentally discovering the combination. From a practical standpoint, such odds will prevent anyone without knowledge of the combination from opening a locked door.

Referring to FIGS. 11417 which show another embodiment of the invention, a door latch release apparatus 158 is mounted on a wood door jamb 152 which is identical to the jamb 15 in cross sectional configuration. The apparatus includes a sheet metal control panel 155 having a right angle flange 156 which is secured to the jamb 152 by a pair of screws 157. A rectangular housing 160, preferably molded of a low friction plastic material, is secured to the panel 155 by a series of four rivets 161 and is received within a cavity 162 formed within the jamb 152.

A cavity 165 is formed within the housing 160 and includes six square pockets 166 which align with corresponding slightly smaller square holes 168 formed within the panel 155. A push button 170 is slidably mounted within each pocket 166 and projects outwardly from the face of the panel 155. The push buttons 170 are uniformly spaced in two vertical rows with three push buttons in each row. Each push button 170 has a peripheral shoulder 172 which is urged against the rear surface of the panel 155 by a compression spring 174 (FIG. 12) which is retained within a hole formed within the push button. An upwardly facing and downwardly sloping cam surface 175 is formed on each push button 170, and the cam surfaces 175 on each pair of laterally spaced push buttons are arranged so that they border opposite sides of a housing rib 177 (FIG. l2).

An elongated vertically extending code member or bar 180 of rectangular cross section is supported adjacent a flat surface 181 formed within the housing 160 and is confined for vertical sliding movement between the two vertical rows of push buttons 170 by upper and lower slots 182 (FIG. 15) forming part of the cavity 165. The code bar 180 includes a rearwardly projecting tab 184 (FIGS. 13 and 15 forming its lower end, and a group of four laterally extending small diameter holes 185 are formed within the code bar for each pair of laterally spaced push buttons 170. The holes 185 are vertically spaced at intervals of approximately JAG inch within each group.

Four small diameter pins 188 (FIG. 17) are pressed into four preselected holes 185 and project outwardly from opposite sides of the code bar 180. The pins 188 are positioned so that by depressing the four push buttons 170 located n front of the pins 188 in the proper sequence, the code bar 180 will shift or move upwardly in a step-by-step manner. For example, the code bar 180 shown in FIG. 17 would be progressively elevated by depressing push buttons l, 4, 5, 4 (FIG. 1).

A vertically extending cancel member or plate 190 is positioned within a slot 192 (FIG. 15 formed within the rear surface of the housing 160 and includes a dimplelike stud 192 which projects forwardly to engage the rear surface of the code bar 180. The cancel plate 190 is substantially wider than the code Abar 180 (FIG. 12), and a slot 194 is formed within the lower end of the cancel plate 190 for receiving the tab 184 of the code bar 180.

An upper at seat 196 (FIG. 13) and a lower at seat 198 are formed on the housing 160 for the corresponding ends of the cancel bar 190. A V-shaped wire spring 200 (FIG. l5) is retained by the two upper rivets 161 and has a center portion which presses forwardly on the cancel plate 190 adjacent the stud 192 to urge the ends of the cancel plate 190 towards the seats 196 and 198 and the stud 192 into friction engagement with the code bar 180.

A rectangular cavity 205 (FIGS. 13 and 16) is formed within the lower portion of the housing 160 and aligns with a slightly smaller rectangular opening 206 within the panel 155 for receiving a push member or bar 210 which projects outwardly from the panel 155. A pair of compression springs 212 is received within holes formed within the push bar 210 and urges the push bar forwardly so that a peripheral shoulder 213 seats on the rear surface of the panel 155.

The push -bar 210 includes a rearwardly extending plunger portion 215 (FIG. 16) which projects through a rectangular opening 216 (FIG. l5) Within the rear of the housing 160. An upper step 218 (FIG. 13) and a lower step 220 are formed on the push bar portion 215, and a force transfer member or plate 222 (FIG. 14) having 7 upper and lower rectangular openings 223 and 224 is mounted on the push bar portion 215 adjacent the rear surface of the housing 160. A headed stud 226 is press fitted into a hole within the push member portion 215 for retaining the plate 222.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 14, a sheet metal keeper plate 230 is mounted on the jamb 152 by a pair of screws 231 and includes a pair of horizontally extending integral flanges 232 Which cooperate with a vertical edge 234 to define a slot or opening 235 for receiving a door latch bolt in the same manner as illustrated in FIG. 5. An actuating member or lever 240 is pivotally supported between the flanges 232 by a vertical pin 241 and includes inwardly projecting vertically spaced legs 242 defining a slot 245 which receives the push bar portion 215 and the stud 226. While the actuating lever 24% illustrated is molded from a plastic material, it may be formed of sheet metal having inwardly projecting ears for receiving the pivot pin 241. This would enable the metal legs 242 to be bent slightly during installation for accommodating door jambs with steps of various thicknesses.

To illustrate the operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 11-17, four pins 188 (FIG. 17) are pressed into four preselected holes 185 within the code bar 130 so that by depressing the four corresponding push buttons 170 in the sequence of 1, 4, 5, 4 (FIG. l1), the code bar 180 will shift upwardly in a step-by-step manner as a result of the engagement of the cam surfaces 175 with the pins 188. The code bar 18@ is retained after each step of movement by the friction engagement of the stud 192 of the cancel member 190. During the final step of movement, the tab 184 of the code bar 130 engages the force transfer plate 222 and lifts it into the path of the step 220 on the push bar 210 so that depression of the push bar 180 moves the plate rearwardly thereby pivoting the actuating lever 240 causing the latch bolt to be pressed out of the opening 235 and back into the edge portion of the door.

Before the plate 222 is lifted, depression of the push bar 210 has no effect on the lever 240 as the plunger portion 215 of the push bar merely moves through the opening 224 (FIG. 14) and the slot 245 which is sufficiently long to provide for lateral positioning of the keeper plate 230 for accommodating doors of various thicknesses. If the preselected push buttons 17) are depressed in the wrong sequence or a wrong push button 170 is depressed, the code bar 180 drops by gravity to its home or normal position (FIGS. 13 and l5) since the end of each cam surface 175 engages and tilts the cancel plate 4190 when the corresponding push button 170 is depressed thereby moving the stud 192 out of friction retaining engagement with the code bar 180.

Whenever the push bar 210 is depressed, the step 218 engages the lower bifurcated end of the cancel plate 190 thereby tilting the cancel plate causing the code bar 180 to be released. Thus if the push bar 210 is depressed before the proper push buttons 170 are sequentially depressed, the movement of the code bar 180 is cancelled. Furthermore, when the push bar 210 is depressed after the plate 222 is lifted by the code bar 180 to effect pivoting of the lever 240, the cancel plate 190 is tilted causing the code bar 180 to drop. Thus when the push bar 210 is released, the plate 222 will drop to the position shown in FIG. 14 so that the apparatus is automatically reset.

From the drawings and the above description, it is apparent that door latch release appartus constructed in accordance with the invention provides several desirable features and advantages. For example, each embodiment of the invention is compact and simple in construction and can be easily installed on a jamb when the door is open so that when the door is closed the apparatus is locked on the jamb and cannot be removed. Its compactness also enables the apparatus to be recessed within a cavity formed within the jamb without significantly reducing the strength of the jamb.

Another important feature is that each embodiment provides for conveniently changing the combination when the door is open. For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9, the control panel is moved laterally toward the keeper to release the screws 52 from the brackets 44 thereby releasing the panel so that the washers 61 and 62 can be interchanged. In the embodiment of FIGS. 11- 17, the panel is released by removing the screws 157, and the cancel plate .194i and code bar 18@ are removed simply by lifting the spring 2610 slightly and sliding the plate 191i and bar 181) out of the housing 160. The pins 138 are then removed and inserted into other holes according to the newly selected combination. Instead of having the pins 188 removable from the code bar 181i, the code bar may be molded with six groups of four pins in each group; and the pins which are not used are broken off. However, this would require a new code bar for changing the combination.

Another feature of the invention is provided by the simplified construction of the assembled keeper '75 or 75 which operates to depress the latch bolt 20 back into the edge portion of the door 16 when the solenoid 10@ is energized. That is, the keeper 75 is lightweight and economical in construction and can be easily mounted on a door jamb in substantially the same manner as a conventional keeper plate.

lWhile the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, while six push buttons 170y have been found sucient to provide a substantial number of possible combinations, additional push buttons may be added simply by expanding the control plate 155, the housing 160, the code bar 18@ and the cancel plate 190 upwardly.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for mounting on a jamb member of a door frame to control the release of a spring biased latch bolt projecting from an edge portion of a door supported by the frame, said apparatus comprising a control panel, combination control means connected to said panel, a keeper having means defining an opening for receiving the latch bolt in locking engagement, an actuating member connected to said keeper and movable for releasing the latch bolt from said keeper, means for mounting said panel and said keeper on said jamb member when the door is open, said mounting means disposed to effect locking of said panel on the jamb member when the door is closed, and means operable in response to actuation of said control means according to a predetermined combination for moving said actuating member.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 and including means pivotally supporting said actuating member for depressing the latch bolt out of said opening and into the edge portion of the door for releasing said locking engagement of the bolt with said keeper.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said combination control means include normally open switch means and means for closing said switch means in response to actuation according to a predetermined combination, means for changing the combination by which actuation of said control means closes said switch means, said actuating member pivotally mounted on said keeper, a solenoid mounted on said keeper and including an armature connected to said actuating member, and means connecting said solenoid to said switch means.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said actuating member is pivotally mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis when said keeper is mounted on the jamb member, said solenoid mounted on said keeper for movement of said armature in a vertical direction, and spring means connected to said actuating member for normally urging the latch bolt into the door to minimize the capacity of said solenoid required for pivoting said actuating member to depress the latch bolt.

5. Apparatus as delined in claim 3 wherein said switch means include a plurality of switches each including at least two substantially stationary contact members and a spring biased movable contact member, said control means including a push button for each said switch and connected to the corresponding said movable contact member, said means for changing the combination include means for alternately connecting said contact members for each said switch to provide either normally open or normally closed condition, and means for connecting said switches in series with said solenoid.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim including at least fifteen said switches and wherein said movable contact member for each said switch normally engages only one of said stationary contact members, means for selectively connecting either of said stationary contact members to said movable contact member of the adjacent said switch according to the selected combination, and means for mounting said contact members adjacent said panel to provide a thin compact assembly so that said panel is adapted to be mounted within a pocket formed within the jamb member with said panel being substantially flush with the outer surface of the jamb member without significantly reducing the strength of the jamb member.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said control panel includes a front portion and an edge portion extending angularly therefrom, said means for mounting said panel on the jamb member including fastening means for engaging the jamb member, and means mounted on said front portion of said panel for slidably engaging said fastening means when the door is open so that said front portion lies substantially flush with the face of the jamb member and said edge portion abuts the door when closed to provide said locking 0f said panel onto the jamb member.

8. Apparatus as dened in claim 1 including means rigidly connecting said control panel to said keeper to provide a unit panel and 4keeper assembly adapted to be conveniently mounted on the jamb member when the door is open and to provide said locking of said panel on the jamb Vmember when the door is closed.

9. Apparatus for mounting on a jamb member of a door frame to control the release of a spring biased latch bolt projecting from an edge portion of a door supported by the frame, comprising a keeper having means defining an opening therein, means for mounting said keeper on the jamb member to position said opening for receiving and retaining the latch bolt in locking engagement when the door is closed, an actuating member movably mounted on said keeper and including means for engaging the end of the latch bolt, a combination control mechanism, means for mounting said mechanism on said jamb member, and means operable in response to actuation of said control mechanism according to a predetermined combination for moving said actuating member causing said engaging means to depress the latch bolt into the edge portion of the door and out of locking engagement with said keeper.

10. Apparatus as deiined in claim 9 wherein said actuating member is pivotally mounted on said keeper for rotation on a horizontal axis when said keeper is mounted on the jamb member, a solenoid mounted on said keeper adjacent said opening and including an armature movable in a vertical direction, and link means connecting said actuating member of said armature for pivoting said member when said solenoid is energized.

11. Apparatus for mounting on a jamb member of a door frame to control the release of a spring biased bolt retractable by a door latch mounted on an edge portion of a door supported by the frame, comprising an elongated keeper plate having a generally iiat face portion and a nose portion extending angularly from said face portion, means including a pair of parallel spaced integral flanges for defining an opening within said face portion of said keeper plate, means for mounting said keeper plate on the jamb member to position said opening for receiving and retaining said bolt in locking engagement when the door is closed, a solenoid mounted on said face portion and spaced longitudinally from said opening, said solenoid having an armature movable longitudinally in a direction substantially parallel to said face portion, an actuating member disposed between said flanges and including a portion adapted to engage said bolt, means connecting said actuating member to said anges for pivotal movement of said actuating member on a laterally extending axis, and means connecting said armature to said actuating member for pivoting said actuating member for pivoting said actuating member to depress said bolt from said opening back into the edge portion of the door in response to energization of said solenoid.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for moving said actuating member include a depressible push member supported by said control panel.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said combination control means include a plurality of depressible push buttons supported by said control panel, and means movable in response to actuation of said push buttons in accordance with a predetermined sequence for causing movement of said actuating member in response to movement of said push member.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said means movable in response to actuation of said push buttons includes a movable code member, means forming a cam surface on each said push button, a plurality of pins projecting from said code member and positioned to be successively engaged by said cam surfaces in response to a predetermined sequential depression of said push buttons to effect step-by-step movement of said code member, means movable in response to movement of said code member to effect movement of said actuating member in response to movement of said push member, a cancel member for retaining said code member after each step of movement, and said cancel member being movable by depression of each said push button to effect cancelling of said movement of said code member in response to depression of said push buttons in a manner different from said predetermined sequence.

15. Apparatus for releasing a latch member, comprising a housing, a plurality of depressible push buttons supported by said housing, means forming a cam surface on each said push button, a code member supported by said housing for movement from a normal position, a plurality of pins mounted on said code member and positioned to be successively engaged by said cam surfaces in response to a predetermined sequential depression of said push buttons to effect step-by-step movement of said code member from said normal position, means movable in response tosaid movement of said code member to effect release of said latch member, a cancel member for retaining said code member after each step of movement, and said cancel member being movable by depression of -each said push button to effect cancelling of said movement of said code member for return to said normal position in response to depression of said push buttons in a manner different from said predetermined sequence.

v16. Apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said code member comprises an elongated code bar, said cancel member frictionally retaining said code bar, and spring means for biasing said cancel member against said code bar.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein said push buttons are arranged in two parallel rows, and said code bar is supported between said rows for movement parallel to said rows.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 15 including a depressible push member supported by said housing, said means movable in response to said movement of said into the path of said push member, and said cancel member being movable by depression of said push member to provide for resetting said apparatus.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12 3,270,537 9/1966 Sanowskis 70-313 3,408,835 11/19681 Bauer 70-156 3,412,587 11/1968 Sanowskis 70-313 RICHARD E. MOORE, Primary Examiner R. L. WOLFE, Assistant Examiner U.S. C1. X.R.

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