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).
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Patent number: 12577821Abstract: An exemplary door control assembly includes a door control and an armature assembly. The door control includes a body and a pinion rotatably mounted to the body for rotation about a rotational axis. The pinion has a radially-outer periphery and a recess is formed in the radially-outer periphery. The armature assembly comprises an armature and a coupler. The armature is rotationally coupled with the pinion, and includes an opening in which the pinion is received. The coupler is movably mounted to the armature for movement between a coupling position and a decoupling position. With the coupler in the coupling position, the coupler projects into the recess and axially couples the armature and the pinion to prevent removal of the armature from the pinion. With the coupler in the decoupling position, the coupler axially decouples the armature and the pinion to permit removal of the armature from the pinion.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2023Date of Patent: March 17, 2026Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLCInventors: Brian C. Eickhoff, Nagesh Varadaraju, David V. Toloday, Subashchandra G. Rai, Chad Eagin, Benaka Gireesha
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Publication number: 20260071464Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2025Publication date: March 12, 2026Inventors: Aaron P. McKibben, Gregory Musselman, Brian C. Eickhoff, Benjamin L. Miller, Paul R. Arlinghaus, Vijayakumar Mani, Saagar Mohammed
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Patent number: 12560015Abstract: An example exit device includes a mounting assembly configured for mounting to a door, a pushbar movably mounted to the mounting assembly, a latchbolt mounted to the mounting assembly for movement between an extended position and a retracted position, and a rocker lever engaged between the pushbar and the latchbolt such that the pushbar is operable to move the latchbolt between the extended position and the retracted position. The exit device further includes impact dampener mounted to the exit device and configured to dampen impact between a first component of the exit device and a second component of the exit device during movement of the first component relative to the second component.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2019Date of Patent: February 24, 2026Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLCInventors: Aaron P. McKibben, Gregory Musselman, Brian C. Eickhoff, Paul R. Arlinghaus, Vijayakumar Mani, Benjamin L. Miller, Saagar Mohammed
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Patent number: 12467277Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 11, 2022Date of Patent: November 11, 2025Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLCInventors: Aaron P. McKibben, Gregory Musselman, Brian C. Eickhoff, Benjamin L. Miller, Paul R. Arlinghaus, Vijayakumar Mani, Saagar Mohammed
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Publication number: 20250270848Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2025Publication date: August 28, 2025Inventors: Dan Pfunder, Brian C. Eickhoff
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Publication number: 20250265880Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes determining, by a server, a location of a door in an architectural drawing and a room function of a room secured by the door based on an analysis of the architectural drawing, determining, by the server, proper access control hardware to be installed on the door based on the room function, a category of access control hardware, and a predictive machine learning model associated with the category of access control hardware, and generating, by the server, a specification based on the determined proper access control hardware.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2025Publication date: August 21, 2025Inventors: Robert S. Prostko, Robert C. Martens, Nick Heitzman, Kristin Day, Martin Madsen, Jason Kornaker, Daniel Langenberg, Brian C. Eickhoff, Scott Baxter, Joseph W. Baumgarte, Benjamin Hopkins, Steve J. Kottlowski, Jacob Scheib
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Publication number: 20250218238Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2024Publication date: July 3, 2025Inventors: Roger Barrett, Robert Prostko, Brian C. Eickhoff, Rockwood T. Roberts, III, Robert Martens, Scott Baxter, Joseph W. Baumgarte
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Patent number: 12293619Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes determining, by a server, a location of a door in an architectural drawing and a room function of a room secured by the door based on an analysis of the architectural drawing, determining, by the server, proper access control hardware to be installed on the door based on the room function, a category of access control hardware, and a predictive machine learning model associated with the category of access control hardware, and generating, by the server, a specification based on the determined proper access control hardware.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2021Date of Patent: May 6, 2025Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLCInventors: Robert S. Prostko, Robert C. Martens, Nick Heitzman, Kristin Day, Martin Madsen, Jason Kornaker, Daniel Langenberg, Brian C. Eickhoff, Scott Baxter, Joseph W. Baumgarte, Benjamin Hopkins, Steve J. Kottlowski, Jacob Scheib
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Patent number: 12247415Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 1, 2023Date of Patent: March 11, 2025Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLCInventors: Dan Pfunder, Brian C. Eickhoff
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Patent number: 12136305Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 10, 2023Date of Patent: November 5, 2024Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLCInventors: Roger Barrett, Robert Prostko, Brian C. Eickhoff, Rockwood T. Roberts, III, Robert Martens, Scott Baxter, Joseph W. Baumgarte
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Publication number: 20240263485Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2023Publication date: August 8, 2024Inventors: Ryan C. Kincaid, Brian C. Eickhoff
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Publication number: 20240229532Abstract: An exemplary door control assembly includes a door control and an armature assembly. The door control includes a body and a pinion rotatably mounted to the body for rotation about a rotational axis. The pinion has a radially-outer periphery and a recess is formed in the radially-outer periphery. The armature assembly comprises an armature and a coupler. The armature is rotationally coupled with the pinion, and includes an opening in which the pinion is received. The coupler is movably mounted to the armature for movement between a coupling position and a decoupling position. With the coupler in the coupling position, the coupler projects into the recess and axially couples the armature and the pinion to prevent removal of the armature from the pinion. With the coupler in the decoupling position, the coupler axially decouples the armature and the pinion to permit removal of the armature from the pinion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2023Publication date: July 11, 2024Inventors: Brian C. Eickhoff, Nagesh Varadaraju, David V. Toloday, Subashchandra G. Rai, Chad Eagin, Benaka Gireesha
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Publication number: 20240175293Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2023Publication date: May 30, 2024Inventors: Dan Pfunder, Brian C. Eickhoff
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Patent number: 11982105Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 5, 2022Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLCInventors: Brian C. Eickhoff, Brady Plummer, Benjamin L. Miller
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Patent number: 11846133Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 12, 2021Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLCInventors: Brady Plummer, Subashchandra G. Rai, Brian C. Eickhoff, Benjamin L. Miller, Prajna Poojary
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Publication number: 20230401918Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Roger Barrett, Robert Prostko, Brian C. Eickhoff, Rockwood T. Roberts, III, Robert Martens, Scott Baxter, Joseph W. Baumgarte
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Patent number: 11761234Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 6, 2020Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLCInventors: Ryan C. Kincaid, Brian C. Eickhoff
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Patent number: 11713592Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 7, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLCInventors: Dan Pfunder, Brian C. Eickhoff
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Patent number: 11661782Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 11, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLCInventors: Brian C. Eickhoff, Brady Plummer, Bradley May, Nagesh Varadaraju, Suresha Chandrasekharareddy, Vijayakumar Mani, Aditya Heblikar, Dharam Deo Prasad
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Publication number: 20230125306Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: Brian C. Eickhoff, Brady Plummer, Benjamin L. Miller