Patents by Inventor Brian C. Eickhoff

Brian C. Eickhoff has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11982105
    Abstract: An exemplary latchbolt assembly includes a latchbolt, a locking sleeve, and a roller engaged between the latchbolt and the locking sleeve. The latchbolt is configured to drive the roller from a first position to a second position as the latchbolt moves from a projected position to a depressed position. The locking sleeve includes a blocking surface and a recessed portion. When the blocking surface is aligned with the roller, the locking sleeve retains the roller in the first position, thereby retaining the latchbolt in the projected position. When the recessed portion is aligned with the roller, the locking sleeve permits movement of the roller from the first position to the second position, thereby enabling depression of the latchbolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Eickhoff, Brady Plummer, Benjamin L. Miller
  • Patent number: 11846133
    Abstract: An exemplary method relates to operating a door closer assembly including a closer body, a pinion rotatably mounted to the closer body, a motor including a motor shaft, and a bidirectional clutch connected between the pinion and the motor shaft. The method generally involves permitting, by the clutch, rotation of the pinion in each of a first direction and a second direction without transmitting rotation of the pinion in either direction to the motor shaft; sensing, with a sensor, a rotational position of the pinion; comparing, by a controller, the rotational position of the pinion with a desired rotational position; based upon the comparing, driving the motor to rotate the motor shaft; and by the clutch, coupling the motor shaft with the pinion in response to rotation of the motor shaft, thereby transmitting torque from the motor shaft to the pinion and urging the pinion toward the desired rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brady Plummer, Subashchandra G. Rai, Brian C. Eickhoff, Benjamin L. Miller, Prajna Poojary
  • Publication number: 20230401918
    Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes transmitting, by a handler device associated with package handler, a message to an access control system requesting access to a secure container secured by an electronic lock mechanism; determining, by the access control system, whether the package handler is authorized to access the secure container based on the received message; transmitting, by the access control system, an unlock command to the secure container in response to a determination that the package handler is authorized to access the secure container; and unlocking the electronic lock mechanism of the secure container in response to successful authentication of the unlock command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Roger Barrett, Robert Prostko, Brian C. Eickhoff, Rockwood T. Roberts, III, Robert Martens, Scott Baxter, Joseph W. Baumgarte
  • Patent number: 11761234
    Abstract: An exemplary Internet of Things (IoT) module for a lockset includes a housing assembly configured for mounting with the lockset, a controller, a wireless transceiver, and a sensor array, and may further include an LED array. The controller is in communication with an external device via the wireless transceiver, and is configured to transmit to the external device information received from the sensor array. The controller is further configured to control operation of the LED array based on information received from at least one of the sensor array or the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Ryan C. Kincaid, Brian C. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 11713592
    Abstract: An exemplary system includes a mechanical key and an access control device. The access control device includes a housing defining a keyway that has a fixed position within the housing. The access control device further includes a root depth sensor assembly, an insertion depth sensor assembly, a control assembly in communication with the sensor assemblies, and an electronic lock device. The control assembly is configured to determine the bitting code of the mechanical key based upon information received from the sensor assemblies, to compare the bitting code of the mechanical key to a lock/unlock bitting code; and to transmit a lock/unlock command in response to the bitting code matching the lock/unlock bitting code. The electronic lock device is configured to transition between a locked state and an unlocked state in response to receiving the lock/unlock command and without requiring rotation of the mechanical key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Dan Pfunder, Brian C. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 11661782
    Abstract: An exemplary armature assembly is configured for use with a door control mounted to one of a door or a doorframe. The door control includes a rotatable pinion, and the armature assembly includes an armature, a shoe, and an elastic component. The armature has a first end and an opposite second end, and the first end includes an opening sized and shaped to receive the pinion at a first interface. The shoe is configured for mounting to the other of the door or the doorframe, and the second end of the armature is pivotally connected to the shoe at a second interface. In certain forms, the elastic component coupled with the armature and configured to absorb mechanical shocks at one of the first interface or the second interface. In certain forms, the elastic component is configured to absorb mechanical shocks along the length of the armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Eickhoff, Brady Plummer, Bradley May, Nagesh Varadaraju, Suresha Chandrasekharareddy, Vijayakumar Mani, Aditya Heblikar, Dharam Deo Prasad
  • Publication number: 20230125306
    Abstract: An exemplary latchbolt assembly includes a latchbolt, a locking sleeve, and a roller engaged between the latchbolt and the locking sleeve. The latchbolt is configured to drive the roller from a first position to a second position as the latchbolt moves from a projected position to a depressed position. The locking sleeve includes a blocking surface and a recessed portion. When the blocking surface is aligned with the roller, the locking sleeve retains the roller in the first position, thereby retaining the latchbolt in the projected position. When the recessed portion is aligned with the roller, the locking sleeve permits movement of the roller from the first position to the second position, thereby enabling depression of the latchbolt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Brian C. Eickhoff, Brady Plummer, Benjamin L. Miller
  • Patent number: 11594088
    Abstract: A method of access control for emergency responders according to one embodiment includes transmitting, by an access control server, an access credential to an emergency responder server over a first network, transmitting, by the emergency responder server, the access credential to an emergency responder mobile device over a second network different from the first network, wherein the second network includes a dedicated emergency responder network, and transmitting the access credential by the emergency responder mobile device to an access control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Eickhoff, Daniel Hughes, Mark Nichols, Brady Plummer
  • Patent number: 11581830
    Abstract: A door closer system is provided that includes a motor, a spring, a reduction gear set, and a rack and a pinion mechanism. The spring and pinion may be coupled to the rack, and the pinion may be selectively coupled to the gear set. The motor may be selectively mechanically coupled to the gear set. The pinion may rotate in a first direction via the rack as the spring is compressed in a second direction opposite the first direction as the spring is expanded. The motor is operable to rotate and act upon the pinion through the gear set, thereby rotating the pinion in the second direction and assist the spring in closing the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: William P. Dye, Ian K. Heckman, Yong Kwan Lacy, Brendon M. Allen, Brian C. Eickhoff, Ron M. Kielkowski, Dale M. Collins, David V. Toloday
  • Patent number: 11572727
    Abstract: Certain embodiments relate to an adjustment indicator mechanism for a door closer including a tubular portion and an adjustment screw mounted to the tubular portion. A housing is configured for mounting to the door closer, and includes a channel and indicia adjacent the channel, each of the indicia corresponding to a respective size of the door closer. An adjustment transmission includes a first component configured for coupling with the adjustment screw. An indicator transmission is engaged with the adjustment transmission and mounted in the housing. An indicator is movably mounted to the housing such that a portion of the indicator is visible via the channel. The indicator is engaged with the indicator transmission such that movement of the indicator transmission causes the indicator to selectively align with the indicia to thereby indicate the current size of the door closer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Eickhoff, David V. Toloday, Nagesh Varadaraju, Aditya Heblikar, James W. Overbey
  • Patent number: 11551499
    Abstract: A method includes transmitting, by a handler device associated with a package handler, a message to an access control system requesting access to a secure container secured by an electronic lock mechanism; determining, by the access control system, whether the package handler is authorized to access the secure container based on the received message; transmitting, by the access control system, an unlock command to the secure container in response to a determination that the package handler is authorized to access the secure container; and unlocking the electronic lock mechanism of the secure container in response to successful authentication of the unlock command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Joseph W. Baumgarte, Robert Prostko, Brian C. Eickhoff, Rockwood T. Roberts, III, Robert Martens, Scott Baxter, Roger Barrett
  • Publication number: 20220396974
    Abstract: An exemplary trim lock device is configured for use with a trim comprising a lift finger, and generally includes a housing, a blocking member, and a lock actuator. The blocking member includes a projection, and is rotatably mounted to the housing for rotation between a blocking position in which the projection blocks actuating movement of the lift finger and an unblocking position in which the blocking member does not block actuating movement of the lift finger. The lock actuator is operable to rotate the blocking member between the blocking position and the unblocking position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Zachary Holtgrewe, Brian C. Eickhoff
  • Publication number: 20220349212
    Abstract: An exemplary noise-reducing mechanism for door hardware includes a housing, a damper, and a stop. The door hardware includes a first component and a second component, and an operational movement of the door hardware causes relative movement of the first and second components. The housing is mounted to the first component, and the damper is mounted to the housing. The stop is mounted to the second component such that the stop engages the damper during the operational movement. The damper is configured to slow the operational movement, thereby reducing noise generated by operation of the door hardware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron P. McKibben, Gregory Musselman, Brian C. Eickhoff, Benjamin L. Miller, Paul R. Arlinghaus, Vijayakumar Mani, Saagar Mohammed
  • Publication number: 20220268056
    Abstract: An exemplary system includes a mechanical key and an access control device. The access control device includes a housing defining a keyway that has a fixed position within the housing. The access control device further includes a root depth sensor assembly, an insertion depth sensor assembly, a control assembly in communication with the sensor assemblies, and an electronic lock device. The control assembly is configured to determine the bitting code of the mechanical key based upon information received from the sensor assemblies, to compare the bitting code of the mechanical key to a lock/unlock bitting code; and to transmit a lock/unlock command in response to the bitting code matching the lock/unlock bitting code. The electronic lock device is configured to transition between a locked state and an unlocked state in response to receiving the lock/unlock command and without requiring rotation of the mechanical key.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Dan Pfunder, Brian C. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 11414892
    Abstract: An exemplary trim lock device is configured for use with a trim comprising a lift finger, and generally includes a housing, a blocking member, and a lock actuator. The blocking member includes a projection, and is rotatably mounted to the housing for rotation between a blocking position in which the projection blocks actuating movement of the lift finger and an unblocking position in which the blocking member does not block actuating movement of the lift finger. The lock actuator is operable to rotate the blocking member between the blocking position and the unblocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Zachary Holtgrewe, Brian C. Eickhoff
  • Patent number: 11397117
    Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to generating, by at least one motion sensor of a data acquisition device that is mounted to a door having a door closer, motion data indicative of motion as the door is moved from an open position to a closed position, generating, by at least one load cell of the data acquisition device, load data as the door is being opened, analyzing the motion data and load data by a central processing device, determining at least one adjustment to the door closer based on at least one of a duration the door was in each of a plurality of door movement zones, as determined using the motion data, and a force applied to open the door, as determined using the load data, and displaying at least one installation instruction corresponding with the at least one adjustment on a graphical user interface of the central processing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Eickhoff, Joseph W. Baumgarte, Christopher Eubel, Jonathan Coyle
  • Patent number: 11393270
    Abstract: A method including transmitting, by a handler device associated with package handler, a message to an access control system requesting access to a secure container secured by an electronic lock mechanism; determining, by the access control system, whether the package handler is authorized to access the secure container based on the received message; transmitting, by the access control system, an unlock command to the secure container in response to a determination that the package handler is authorized to access the secure container; and unlocking the electronic lock mechanism of the secure container in response to successful authentication of the unlock command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Chris R. Snider, Brian C. Eickhoff, Robert Prostko, Rockwood T. Roberts, III
  • Patent number: 11377873
    Abstract: An exemplary latchbolt assembly includes a latchbolt, a locking sleeve, and a roller engaged between the latchbolt and the locking sleeve. The latchbolt is configured to drive the roller from a first position to a second position as the latchbolt moves from a projected position to a depressed position. The locking sleeve includes a blocking surface and a recessed portion. When the blocking surface is aligned with the roller, the locking sleeve retains the roller in the first position, thereby retaining the latchbolt in the projected position. When the recessed portion is aligned with the roller, the locking sleeve permits movement of the roller from the first position to the second position, thereby enabling depression of the latchbolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. Eickhoff, Brady Plummer, Benjamin L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20220170308
    Abstract: An exemplary method relates to operating a door closer assembly including a closer body, a pinion rotatably mounted to the closer body, a motor including a motor shaft, and a bidirectional clutch connected between the pinion and the motor shaft. The method generally involves permitting, by the clutch, rotation of the pinion in each of a first direction and a second direction without transmitting rotation of the pinion in either direction to the motor shaft; sensing, with a sensor, a rotational position of the pinion; comparing, by a controller, the rotational position of the pinion with a desired rotational position; based upon the comparing, driving the motor to rotate the motor shaft; and by the clutch, coupling the motor shaft with the pinion in response to rotation of the motor shaft, thereby transmitting torque from the motor shaft to the pinion and urging the pinion toward the desired rotational position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Brady Plummer, Subashchandra G. Rai, Brian C. Eickhoff, Benjamin L. Miller, Prajna Poojary
  • Publication number: 20220065017
    Abstract: An exemplary armature assembly is configured for use with a door control mounted to one of a door or a doorframe. The door control includes a rotatable pinion, and the armature assembly includes an armature, a shoe, and an elastic component. The armature has a first end and an opposite second end, and the first end includes an opening sized and shaped to receive the pinion at a first interface. The shoe is configured for mounting to the other of the door or the doorframe, and the second end of the armature is pivotally connected to the shoe at a second interface. In certain forms, the elastic component coupled with the armature and configured to absorb mechanical shocks at one of the first interface or the second interface. In certain forms, the elastic component is configured to absorb mechanical shocks along the length of the armature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Brian C. Eickhoff, Brady Plummer, Bradley May, Nagesh Varadaraju, Suresha Chandrasekharareddy, Vijayakumar Mani, Aditya Heblikar, Dharam Deo Prasad