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US 8,793,838 B2Granted
Door actuator
AssigneeSchlage Lock Company LLC
InventorsAaron Patrick McKibben, Brian Christopher Eickhoff
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power boost assembly is disclosed that can be used with a door actuator, such as a door closer. The power boost assembly is structured to store an energy during a first movement of a door and release the stored energy during a second movement of the door. In one form the power boost assembly can be structured as a module that can be added to an existing door and door closer installation. In one form the power boost assembly is used to increase a closing force imparted to a door to ensure a latching event.
Claims31
An apparatus comprising:
- a power boost package configured to be coupled with a door pinion of a door, the power boost package structured as an attachable module for use with a spring-damper door actuator that itself is coupled to and used to move a door through a coupled relationship with the door pinion, the power boost package including a chassis and having a portion configured to be in power communication with the spring-damper door actuator for supplemental power boost movement of the door to aid the door spring-damper door actuator when the door is closed, the chassis of the power boost package forming a structure to which is coupled:
- an actuation member structured to contribute a power in the movement of the door;
- and
- an energy storage device capable of being energized by movement of the actuation member, the energy storage device operable to store a boost energy as a result of a first movement of the actuation member, and configured to release the boost energy at a release position of the actuation member, the boost energy is released through the actuation member as a result of a second movement of the actuation member.
1 more element
An apparatus comprising:
- an add-on supplemental door actuation module having an outer housing structured for engagement to a door closer device, the door closer device used to provide a closing force to a door through a pinion connected to the door, the add-on supplemental door actuation device further structured for powered engagement to the door through the pinion of the door, the add-on supplemental door actuation module having an actuator configured to be in force communication with the door closer device through the pinion to provide additional force beyond that provided by the door closer when the door is closed, the add-on supplemental module is structured to activate an energy storage device of the actuator to store an energy along a swing of the door when the door closer is actuated in a first direction and structured to maintain the stored energy via a power modulator of the actuator when the door closer is actuated in a second direction until the door reaches a boost location, wherein the stored energy is released from the actuator to deliver a boost to the door to supplement the door closer device.
An apparatus comprising:
- a door closer add-on module that includes fastening provisions structured for use with a door closer having an actuation member for receiving a load through a pinion of a door to which the door closer is coupled and storing the load in an energy storage device in a build-up mode, the actuation member configured to distribute load from the energy storage device in a draw down mode;
- means for storing the load according to a first profile of movement of the actuation member;
- and
- means for distributing the load according to a second profile of movement of the actuation member.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- retrofitting a door and door closer installation, the door closer of the door and door closer installation coupled to the door through a pinion, the retrofitting including:
- procuring a door closer add-on device structured to contribute of a boost power to the pinion beyond that provided by the door closer over a swing of the door, the door closer add-on device capable of building an energy over a first movement of a swing of the door, storing the energy over a second movement of a swing of the, and dispensing the energy over a third movement of a swing of the;
- coupling the door closer add-on device to be in force communication with the door to contribute a power to the door in addition to the door closer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.