a linkage rod 265 to a second lever member 261b and the two linkage members 261a 261b are respectively biased by springs 263a and 263b a panic bar locking mechanism 266 267 depicted in fig1 b and 13 permits the panic device to be locked in a position in which the latch bolt 16 remains within the tumbler 20 such a locked position is used e g when the door is expected to be frequently opened and closed and the latching operation is not necessary such a locking mechanism is common in prior art panic devices and therefore need not be elaborated here suffice it to say that a key or allen wrench may be inserted at 266 and rotated to lock and unlock the panic bar as shown in fig1 the knob 14 is mounted on the door with a pair of screws 258 which may also be used to secure the panic device 210 39 to the door those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventive panic device is in some respects similar to known panic devices however the second embodiment of the present invention differs from known devices in the latch compression member 252 which is bolted to the plates 256 and 257 as shown in fig1 a in addition the invention involves the addition of rollers 250a and 250b to provide relatively frictionless support for the plates.