Assa Abloy Accessories and Door Controls Group, Inc.

Yale Security Inc.

Dustin Lawhon

Peter E Zasowski

Brian D Hass

David M Price

Henry Burnett Wallace

Lana Kirkpatrick

Kelli A Harper

Blue Houser

Robert Matthew Bell

Lisa Corte Lovejoy

Kenya A Moses

Robert M Bell

Kurt Dietrich

Tommy G McNally, Ii

Peter Zasoweski

A door closer may utilize a door closing device (e.g., spring) and a force adjustment device (e.g., a motor) in order to allow for manual door opening and assisted door closing. During operation, as a door is manually opened, the spring is loaded (e.g., compressed or tensioned) above its pre-loaded closed position state. Once manual opening is completed, the spring that is loaded during opening begins returning to the pre-loaded closed position state, and thus, moves the door automatically towards the closed position. Depending on the pre-loaded spring setting, the closing force of the door may not be enough to close the door, or to close the door with the preferred force. As such, during closing a controller may engage a motor not to drive the door directly, but to increase the pre-load of spring to increase the closing force in order to allow the door to close as preferred.

Door closer with power close

A door system includes a controller for controlling the door system. A user computer system transmits information to the controller over a wireless connection to modify operating parameters for controlling the operation of the door system. During installation of the door system sensors may be utilized to determine if the door system has been installed properly. The sensors may be used to identify if the door system is mounted level and plum, and to review the movement, vibration, speed, acceleration, force, or the like of the sensors, and thus, the components to which the sensors are operatively coupled in order to make adjustments to the door assembly. Furthermore, the operating parameters of the installed door system, may be cloned and provided to other door systems in order to quickly clone and distribute the operating parameters of one or more door systems to one or more other door systems.

Door system with improved installation, set-up, and cloning

A detection sensor or a user device is used to aid in providing authentication and activation of a door system when a user tries to access the door for ingress and egress. Operating parameters of the door systems may be set to allow ingress and egress only when a user is identified and authorized. As such, the operating parameters of the door systems may include authentication and activation parameters such that the door systems are controlled, at least in part, based on the presence of a user and/or a user device and the identification of the specific user. As such operating parameters may be different for different users or types of users. Moreover, the user device may be used to authenticate a user and control ingress and egress through the door automatically or through an authentication action taken by the user.

Door system with authentication and activation

During operation of the door system one or more sensors may be utilized in order to monitor the operation of the door assembly (e.g., door system, door, frame, etc.), review the operating parameters, troubleshoot potential issues, schedule and monitor service requests, review and take actions for potential security threats, and/or the like. Consequently, users may determine if the door system operates the door in accordance with the desired operating parameters by reviewing the movement, vibration, speed, acceleration, force, or the like based on the sensor information captured and use the information to adjust the door assembly. Notifications regarding the operation of the door systems may be sent automatically and/or in response to requests from users. The users may utilize one or more applications and interfaces thereof to remotely connect to the door systems in order to review and analyze the sensor information and take the desired actions.

Door system with active monitoring

A door closer with an electric motor-assisted closing feature, that may generate its own power to assist in closing, and controls the speed of opening and closing of the door during generation is disclosed. Embodiments of the present disclosure are realized by a motorized door closer that electrically creates a latch boost force for a closing door. The door closer includes a motor disposed to operatively connect to a door so that the door will be moved toward closed when the motor moves, and a position sensor to determine a position of the door. A processor is programmed to exert a closing force on the door in the latch boost region or when it otherwise detects that a motor assist is needed.

Door closer

A door operator includes a door driver for opening and closing a door, and a control system including a microprocessor having multiple microprocessor inputs. The microprocessor is connected to and controls the door driver. The microprocessor has multiple program modules corresponding to input functions to be performed by the door operator. The door operator includes a plurality of door operator inputs connected to corresponding ones of the microprocessor inputs, and a user interface connected to the microprocessor. The user interface allows a user to associate a selected door operator input and corresponding microprocessor input to a selected program module corresponding to a selected function to be performed by the door operator.

Methods and apparatus for increasing the range of digital inputs and outputs on a door operator or closer

A door closer, comprising a door closer housing mounted to one of a door frame or a door surface and a linkage arm for pivoting the door between open and closed positions. The linkage arm has a first and second end, the first end mounted to the other of the door frame or the door surface. The door closer includes a rotatable connector between the linkage arm and the door closer housing, the linkage arm second end engaging with the rotatable connector. The connector has a rotatable body portion and head protrusion substantially secured in a female receptor to transmit rotation about a longitudinal axis of the connector. One or both of the head protrusion or female receptor has a curved profile and is further movable with respect to the head protrusion to permit limited rotational misalignment of the linkage arm on any axis perpendicular to the connector longitudinal axis.

Apparatus for connecting door closer or operator to swing door

An apparatus for adjusting the force in a door operator or closer comprises an elongated housing and a spring therein connected to the door operator or closer. A spring collar is non-rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the housing and adapted to move linearly within the housing. A fixed adjusting screw extends along a longitudinal axis of the housing and the spring collar is slidable linearly along an outer surface of the adjusting screw. A nut is threadably engaged at a distal end of the adjusting screw and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the screw, the nut bearing on the spring collar during rotation. The spring collar bears on a distal end of the spring to vary the spring compression and thereby vary force applied by the door operator or closer. The housing has an opening in a sidewall through which the spring is visible, and the housing exterior surface includes markings indicating the degree of spring compression. An indicator is moveable along and visible from the exterior of the housing to indicate the compression of the spring.

Apparatus and method for control of spring force in a door closer or operator

A door closer or operator includes a pivoting pinion on the door closer housing for transmitting door motion, and a cam connected thereto. A connecting member extends along a spring and engages the peripheral edge of the cam. Rotation of the cam causes a change in length of the portion of the connecting member between the position tangent to the cam peripheral edge and the spring second end to expand or compress the spring, resulting in a force transmitted along a longitudinal axis of the connecting member as a result of spring deflection. The cam peripheral edge has a profile with a varying radial distance between the cam axis and the connecting member at the position tangent to the cam peripheral edge such that the radial distance is changed as the spring expands or compresses to maintain a desired constant torque about the axis of the cam and pinion.

Growing community of inventors

Lilesville, NC, United States of America

Dustin Lawhon