Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a door closer having a pinion adapted to be operably coupled to a door and rotate in a first direction in response to opening the door and to rotate in a second direction in response to closing the door, and a power boost module operably coupled to the pinion. The power boost module includes a motor adapted to generate electrical energy via rotational movement of the pinion and supply a boost force to the pinion to assist closing the door, a gearing operably coupled to the pinion and the motor and structured to back drive the motor to generate the electrical energy in response to rotation of the pinion, and an energy storage device adapted to store the electrical energy generated by the motor and supply stored electrical energy to the motor for the boost force.

Abstract: A door closer system having a door closer that includes at least one sensor configured to sense an operating characteristic or condition relating to the door closer including a position or speed of displacement of at least a portion of the door closer or an associated entryway device. The sensor(s) can also provide information relating to the performance or condition of one or more components of the door closer, such as the operation of a backcheck mechanism, as well as tracking the number of door cycles. Information obtained by the sensor(s) of the door closer system can be communicated to a lockset device of an entryway control system. The lockset device can be configured to communicate information received from the door closer system to an access control system, which can in turn provide the communicated information to a management system.

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.

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 pinion direction and assist the spring in closing the door.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a door closer having a pinion adapted to be operably coupled to a door and rotate in a first direction in response to opening the door and to rotate in a second direction in response to closing the door, and a power boost module operably coupled to the pinion. The power boost module includes a motor adapted to generate electrical energy via rotational movement of the pinion and supply a boost force to the pinion to assist closing the door, a gearing operably coupled to the pinion and the motor and structured to back drive the motor to generate the electrical energy in response to rotation of the pinion, and an energy storage device adapted to store the electrical energy generated by the motor and supply stored electrical energy to the motor for the boost force.

Abstract: A door closer system having a door closer that includes at least one sensor configured to sense an operating characteristic or condition relating to the door closer including a position or speed of displacement of at least a portion of the door closer or an associated entryway device. The sensor(s) can also provide information relating to the performance or condition of one or more components of the door closer, such as the operation of a backcheck mechanism, as well as tracking the number of door cycles. Information obtained by the sensor(s) of the door closer system can be communicated to a lockset device of an entryway control system. The lockset device can be configured to communicate information received from the door closer system to an access control system, which can in turn provide the communicated information to a management system.

Abstract: A door closer system having a door closer that includes at least one sensor configured to sense an operating characteristic or condition relating to the door closer including a position or speed of displacement of at least a portion of the door closer or an associated entryway device. The sensor(s) can also provide information relating to the performance or condition of one or more components of the door closer, such as the operation of a backcheck mechanism, as well as tracking the number of door cycles. Information obtained by the sensor(s) of the door closer system can be communicated to a lockset device of an entryway control system. The lockset device can be configured to communicate information received from the door closer system to an access control system, which can in turn provide the communicated information to a management system.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a door closer having a pinion adapted to be operably coupled to a door and rotate in a first direction in response to opening the door and to rotate in a second direction in response to closing the door, and a power boost module operably coupled to the pinion. The power boost module includes a motor adapted to generate electrical energy via rotational movement of the pinion and supply a boost force to the pinion to assist closing the door, a gearing operably coupled to the pinion and the motor and structured to back drive the motor to generate the electrical energy in response to rotation of the pinion, and an energy storage device adapted to store the electrical energy generated by the motor and supply stored electrical energy to the motor for the boost force.

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.

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.