US 11,982,109 B2
Exit device force adjustment mechanisms
Jack R. Lehner, Jr., Indianapolis, IN (US); Paul R. Arlinghaus, Fishers, IN (US); and Aaron P. McKibben, Fishers, IN (US)
Assigned to Schlage Lock Company LLC, Carmel, IN (US)
Filed by Schlage Lock Company LLC, Carmel, IN (US)
Filed on May 10, 2018, as Appl. No. 15/976,159.
Application 15/976,159 is a division of application No. 14/713,624, filed on May 15, 2015, granted, now 10,072,444.
Prior Publication US 2018/0258667 A1, Sep. 13, 2018
Int. Cl. E05B 65/10 (2006.01); E05B 15/04 (2006.01); E05F 11/54 (2006.01)
CPC E05B 65/1053 (2013.01) [E05F 11/54 (2013.01); E05B 2015/0431 (2013.01)] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An exit device configured for mounting to a door, the exit device comprising:
a mounting assembly configured for mounting to an external surface of the door;
a drive assembly movably mounted to the mounting assembly, the drive assembly comprising:
a pushbar having an extended position and a retracted position;
wherein the drive assembly has an extended state in which the pushbar is in the extended position, and wherein the drive assembly has a retracted state in which the pushbar is in the retracted position; and
wherein the drive assembly in the extended state is configured to resist movement of the pushbar from the extended position to the retracted position with a net resistive force;
a first spring engaged between the mounting assembly and the drive assembly and urging the drive assembly toward the extended state with an extensive biasing force, the extensive biasing force contributing to the net resistive force; and
a force adjustment mechanism operable to adjust the net resistive force, wherein the force adjustment mechanism has a first state and a second state;
wherein, with the exit device mounted to the door, the first spring is external to the door;
wherein, with the drive assembly in the extended state and the force adjustment mechanism in the first state, the net resistive force resisting movement of the pushbar from the extended position to the retracted position has a first net resistive force value; and
wherein, with the drive assembly in the extended state and the force adjustment mechanism in the second state, the net resistive force resisting movement of the pushbar from the extended position to the retracted position has a second net resistive force value different from the first net resistive force value.