Abstract: An electronic lock housing for the inside surface of a door with an opening therethrough has an interior portion for receiving electronic components for a door lock, a back portion with channels, a bracket, a plug, and a front portion. The back portion is meant for securing onto the door surface and has an opening meant for alignment with the door opening. The channels in the back portion permit air from the outside of the door to flow through the door opening and housing back opening to the inside of the door without passing through the housing interior. The bracket secures the back portion to the door and receives the plug to create an air-tight seal within the housing interior. The housing front portion is secured over the assembled back portion, bracket, and plug once they are installed to the door surface, fully encasing the electronic components.

Abstract: A mount is provided for securing an escutcheon on a door. The mount comprises a plate member having a central aperture and an upper pair of elongated slots and a lower pair of elongated slots. Each of the elongated slots extends parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the plate member. A mounting stud is slidably received in at least one of the upper pair of elongated slots and the lower pair of elongated slots for positioning of the stud relative to the central aperture, wherein the studs can be located at selected distances from the central aperture for alignment with a hole through the door.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An access control system cooperates with a security system. The access control system may be used to control aspects of the security system and the security system may be used to control aspects of a lockset used to lock or unlock an access point (e.g., door). A user can choose to arm or disarm the security system via the access control system and similarly the user may choose to lock or unlock the access point via the security system.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the force in a door operator or closer includes a tube rotatable about a longitudinal axis and a coil spring therein connected to door operator/closer. A fixed adjusting screw extends along the longitudinal axis of the housing through the coil spring and a spring collar is threaded onto the adjusting screw and rotatable with the tube. The spring collar bears on the distal end of the spring to vary the spring compression upon rotation of the housing and thereby vary force applied by the door operator or closer. The housing has an opening though which the spring is visible, and the tube has markings indicating the degree of spring compression. An indicator is moveable along and visible outside the housing to indicate the compression of the spring.

Abstract: A bracket is provided for use in installing door hardware on a support surface. The bracket comprises a rigid member having a longitudinal axis, a front surface, a substantially planar rear surface for engaging the support surface, and a peripheral edge extending between and joining the front and rear surfaces. A spirit bubble level is disposed on the rigid member such that the rigid member can be oriented relative to a horizontal line or a vertical line, the level having the bubble centered only when the level is horizontal or vertical. At least a portion of the peripheral edge of the rigid member provides a mounting surface for the door hardware when the rigid member is secured to the support surface.

Abstract: A door closer comprises a piston cooperating with a rotating pinion. Upon rotation of the pinion in the door opening direction, the piston moves toward the second end of the housing forcing fluid from a second variable volume chamber through a passage to a first variable volume chamber and compressing a spring assembly for storing energy. The spring assembly urges the piston toward the first end of the housing for forcing fluid from the first variable volume chamber to the second variable volume chamber and rotating the pinion in the door closing direction. A controller controls the position of a valve in the passage based on the sensed angular position of a door and the position of the valve for determining the amount of hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve.

Abstract: A door closer assembly is provided, including a valve regulating an amount of hydraulic fluid that flows through the valve. The amount of hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve controls a force generated by the door closer assembly on a door. A first sensor measures an angular position of the door, and a second sensor measures an angular position of the valve. The angular position of the valve determines the amount of hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve. A controller controls the adjustment of the valve based on the angular position of the door and the angular position of the valve.

Abstract: 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 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.

Abstract: A device for securing a spindle to a hub in a mortise lock for a door. The device includes a hub defining a central opening about an axis of rotation and a spindle with a first end adapted to be received in the opening in the hub to apply rotational force to the hub. A securing element is moveable between a first position in which the securing element engages the spindle and the spindle is secured to the hub, and a second position in which the securing element is disengaged from the spindle and the spindle may be freely removed from the opening in the first hub. The securing element may be adapted for reciprocal linear movement in the housing, and may engage the first spindle by part of the securing element being received in a peripheral groove in the spindle.

Abstract: A door control apparatus and methods for controlling a door motion device for a hinged door and, optionally, illuminating a designated area on the floor. During the time the designated area is illuminated, a person can expect that the door will not close. The door control apparatus may include control circuitry, and a sensor, and optionally a light emitter and/or a sound emitter. The sensor detects a person proximate to the door and signals the control circuitry upon a detection event. The light emitter is also connected to the control circuitry. Upon a detection event, the control circuitry signals the light emitter to produce light and signals the door motion device to hold the door open. The light emitter directs light to form an image on the floor in the designated area. The light emitter may be, for example, a laser generator or a light emitting diode lamp.

Abstract: A bracket is provided for use in installing door hardware on a support surface. The bracket comprises a rigid member having a longitudinal axis, a front surface, a substantially planar rear surface for engaging the support surface, and a peripheral edge extending between and joining the front and rear surfaces. A spirit bubble level is disposed on the rigid member such that the rigid member can be oriented relative to a horizontal line or a vertical line, the level having the bubble centered only when the level is horizontal or vertical. At least a portion of the peripheral edge of the rigid member provides a mounting surface for the door hardware when the rigid member is secured to the support surface.

Abstract: A retractor element includes a rigid slide connected between a latch bolt and a solenoid plunger for movement between a first position and a second position, the slide operably connected to plunger. A pivoting link defines a slot having an inner end portion extending transversely, the slot configured for pivoting the link when the slide moves between the first position and the second position of the slide. When the retracting mechanism is energized the plunger retracts causing movement of the slide to the second position of slide and the pin to enter the transverse end of the slot in the link. A bearing surface intersects the path of movement of the pin such that significantly less current is required for retaining the plunger in the retracted position than to retract the plunger for blocking the return of the latch bolt to the projected position.

Abstract: A virtual key ring is disclosed. A graphical representation of a key ring or keychain having a plurality of keys is displayed on a computing device, and a pre-determined gesture input from a user indicative of an interaction with the key ring or chain, or one of the keys is received. The wireless operation of a lock can be managed by then accessing stored information associated with a virtual key or the lock in accordance with the pre-determined gesture. Pre-determined gestures can include, for example, movement along a predefined path on a touch screen in order to select a virtual key from among the plurality of virtual keys. The computing device can be a wireless mobile computing device such as a smartphone. The computing device can use any wireless communication technology, NFC and Wi-Fi being examples.

Abstract: A door closer assembly is provided, including a valve regulating an amount of hydraulic fluid that flows through the valve. The amount of hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve controls a force generated by the door closer assembly on a door. A first sensor measures an angular position of the door, and a second sensor measures an angular position of the valve. The angular position of the valve determines the amount of hydraulic fluid flowing through the valve. A controller controls the adjustment of the valve based on the angular position of the door and the angular position of the valve.

Abstract: A communicating apparatus comprises a base unit connected to a door operator, the base unit including a processor, a display coupled to the processor, a user input device coupled to the processor to allow the processor to read the state of the input device, the state of the input device being selected by the user, and a memory module coupled to the processor, the memory module storing code executed by the processor. The processor code displays to the user various menu items, enables the user to scroll among the menu items using the input device, and enables the user to select the menu item such that the processor derives a control signal. A circuitry is configured to receive the control signal from the processor and to carry the control signal to the door operator.

Abstract: A door closer with dynamically adjustable latch region parameters is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention include a door closer with a control unit to intelligently control a valve to vary the operating characteristics of the door closer as needed. The control unit can repeatedly determine whether a door has reached jamb upon closing. A setting or settings for the latch region of the door can be adjusted when the door does not reach jamb. These adjustments are such that the likelihood of the door reaching jamb upon closing is increased. Jamb successes can also be monitored, so that once there have been enough successful closes, settings can be adjusted to decrease the force on the door so that the latch region parameters are constantly adjusted for changing conditions to achieve closing success with the minimum closing force necessary.

Abstract: A door closer with a teach mode is disclosed. The door closer that can be self powered and includes a control unit to intelligently control a valve within the door closer to vary the operating characteristics of the door closer as needed. The control unit includes a teach mode that can be invoked at installation time, or any other time, so that appropriate information can be stored in memory regarding an installation configuration, relative jamb position, swing (right or left handed) and other parameters. These values can be accessed by control circuitry in the controller for use in controlling the door closer during operation.