Patents by Inventor John A. Wolfe

John A. Wolfe 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: 12595700
    Abstract: A door is coupled to a door operator assembly that includes a motor operable in a first mode of operation to open the door at a pre-defined speed. The first mode of operation is overridden in response to an output of the motor reaching a minimum threshold due to a force applied to the door. In the second mode of operation, the output of the motor is adjusted to assist manual opening of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: John A. Wolfe, Jake E. Meckley
  • Publication number: 20250347166
    Abstract: A door is coupled to a door operator that includes a motor operable in a predefined power assist mode to open the door from the closed position toward the open position. The assistance provided by the motor is reduced relative to the assistance in the power assist mode in response to the door opening angle being more than a threshold amount, and further in response to a speed of the door exceeding a threshold amount as the door is being opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2024
    Publication date: November 13, 2025
    Inventor: John A. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20250257601
    Abstract: An exemplary method involves operating a door operator coupled to a door. The door operator includes a motor operable to move the door in at least one direction and a controller operable to control the motor. The method generally involves a calibration procedure including: with the door at a first position and the door having an initial speed, initiating, by the controller, measurement of a time duration; in response to the door reaching a target speed different from the initial speed, ceasing, by the controller, measurement of the time duration; and determining, by the controller, a maximum speed based on the time duration. The method further includes performing at least one operation based upon the maximum speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2025
    Publication date: August 14, 2025
    Inventor: John A. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20250215739
    Abstract: A door is coupled to a door operator assembly that includes a motor operable in a first mode of operation to open the door at a pre-defined speed. The first mode of operation is overridden in response to an output of the motor reaching a minimum threshold due to a force applied to the door. In the second mode of operation, the output of the motor is adjusted to assist manual opening of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Publication date: July 3, 2025
    Inventors: John A. Wolfe, Jake E. Meckley
  • Publication number: 20250198220
    Abstract: A retrofit module configured for use with a door closer having a pinion. The retrofit module generally includes a case, an output shaft, a motor, and a control assembly. The output shaft is rotatably mounted in the case, and is configured for rotational coupling with the pinion. The motor is mounted to the case, and is operable to rotate the output shaft in a door-opening direction. The control assembly is mounted to the case, and is configured to operate the motor to drive the output shaft in the door-opening direction in response to an actuating signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2024
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Inventors: Daniel Langenberg, Jason Fodstad, Adithya Gangadhar Shetty, John A. Wolfe, David V. Toloday
  • Patent number: 12227979
    Abstract: An exemplary method involves operating a door operator coupled to a door. The door operator includes a motor operable to move the door in at least one direction and a controller operable to control the motor. The method generally involves a calibration procedure including: with the door at a first position and the door having an initial speed, initiating, by the controller, measurement of a time duration; in response to the door reaching a target speed different from the initial speed, ceasing, by the controller, measurement of the time duration; and determining, by the controller, a maximum speed based on the time duration. The method further includes performing at least one operation based upon the maximum speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventor: John A. Wolfe
  • Patent number: 12071803
    Abstract: A retrofit module configured for use with a door closer having a pinion. The retrofit module generally includes a case, an output shaft, a motor, and a control assembly. The output shaft is rotatably mounted in the case, and is configured for rotational coupling with the pinion. The motor is mounted to the case, and is operable to rotate the output shaft in a door-opening direction. The control assembly is mounted to the case, and is configured to operate the motor to drive the output shaft in the door-opening direction in response to an actuating signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Langenberg, Jason Fodstad, Adithya Gangadhar Shetty, John A. Wolfe, David V. Toloday
  • Publication number: 20240110431
    Abstract: A retrofit module configured for use with a door closer having a pinion. The retrofit module generally includes a case, an output shaft, a motor, and a control assembly. The output shaft is rotatably mounted in the case, and is configured for rotational coupling with the pinion. The motor is mounted to the case, and is operable to rotate the output shaft in a door-opening direction. The control assembly is mounted to the case, and is configured to operate the motor to drive the output shaft in the door-opening direction in response to an actuating signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel Langenberg, Jason Fodstad, Adithya Gangadhar Shetty, John A. Wolfe, David V. Toloday
  • Patent number: 11661786
    Abstract: A retrofit module configured for use with a door closer having a pinion. The retrofit module generally includes a case, an output shaft, a motor, and a control assembly. The output shaft is rotatably mounted in the case, and is configured for rotational coupling with the pinion. The motor is mounted to the case, and is operable to rotate the output shaft in a door-opening direction. The control assembly is mounted to the case, and is configured to operate the motor to drive the output shaft in the door-opening direction in response to an actuating signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Langenberg, Jason Fodstad, Adithya Gangadhar Shetty, John A. Wolfe, David V. Toloday
  • Publication number: 20230031967
    Abstract: An exemplary method involves operating a door operator coupled to a door. The door operator includes a motor operable to move the door in at least one direction and a controller operable to control the motor. The method generally involves a calibration procedure including: with the door at a first position and the door having an initial speed, initiating, by the controller, measurement of a time duration; in response to the door reaching a target speed different from the initial speed, ceasing, by the controller, measurement of the time duration; and determining, by the controller, a maximum speed based on the time duration. The method further includes performing at least one operation based upon the maximum speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventor: John A. Wolfe
  • Publication number: 20210372191
    Abstract: A retrofit module configured for use with a door closer having a pinion. The retrofit module generally includes a case, an output shaft, a motor, and a control assembly. The output shaft is rotatably mounted in the case, and is configured for rotational coupling with the pinion. The motor is mounted to the case, and is operable to rotate the output shaft in a door-opening direction. The control assembly is mounted to the case, and is configured to operate the motor to drive the output shaft in the door-opening direction in response to an actuating signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel Langenberg, Jason Fodstad, Adithya Gangadhar Shetty, John A. Wolfe, David V. Toloday
  • Patent number: 10790766
    Abstract: A dynamic energy harvesting and variable harvesting force system is disclosed. A boost converter increases a motor voltage as a motor current associated with the motor voltage propagates through the boost converter thereby generating a boost voltage associated with the changing motor current. A power storage device stores energy harvested by the boost converter when the boost voltage exceeds an energy storage threshold. A controller dynamically adjusts a harvesting force applied by the motor so that the harvesting force is relative to the force applied to the motor. The controller also dynamically adjusts the harvested energy stored by the power storage device by adjusting the charging of the power storage device, ensuring that the boost voltage threshold is maintained. The boost voltage when maintained within the boost voltage threshold enables the power storage device to store the harvested energy without impacting the harvesting force applied by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: John A. Wolfe, Daniel Langenberg, Michael Stock
  • Publication number: 20200007054
    Abstract: A dynamic energy harvesting and variable harvesting force system is disclosed. A boost converter increases a motor voltage as a motor current associated with the motor voltage propagates through the boost converter thereby generating a boost voltage associated with the changing motor current. A power storage device stores energy harvested by the boost converter when the boost voltage exceeds an energy storage threshold. A controller dynamically adjusts a harvesting force applied by the motor so that the harvesting force is relative to the force applied to the motor. The controller also dynamically adjusts the harvested energy stored by the power storage device by adjusting the charging of the power storage device, ensuring that the boost voltage threshold is maintained. The boost voltage when maintained within the boost voltage threshold enables the power storage device to store the harvested energy without impacting the harvesting force applied by the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: John A. Wolfe, Daniel Langenberg, Michael Stock
  • Patent number: 10348221
    Abstract: A dynamic energy harvesting and variable harvesting force system is disclosed. A boost converter increases a motor voltage as a motor current associated with the motor voltage propagates through the boost converter thereby generating a boost voltage associated with the changing motor current. A power storage device stores energy harvested by the boost converter when the boost voltage exceeds an energy storage threshold. A controller dynamically adjusts a harvesting force applied by the motor so that the harvesting force is relative to the force applied to the motor. The controller also dynamically adjusts the harvested energy stored by the power storage device by adjusting the charging of the power storage device, ensuring that the boost voltage threshold is maintained. The boost voltage when maintained within the boost voltage threshold enables the power storage device to store the harvested energy without impacting the harvesting force applied by the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC
    Inventors: John A. Wolfe, Daniel Langenberg, Michael Stock
  • Patent number: 5638055
    Abstract: Communication units organized into user groups are divided into user groups that distinguish whether a member of the user group may or may not interrupt active calls. Communications will not be interrupted (303) by units that are not allowed to interrupt active calls. Communications are interrupted (304) only by units that are allowed to interrupt active calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. McDonald, John A. Wolfe, Herbert R. Wolf
  • Patent number: 5491835
    Abstract: In a multi-site communication system (100), audience continuity of an established communication group call can be maintained by a central controller (116) in the following manner. Upon initial establishment of the call, the central controller (116) allocates a communication resource (105-108) of each site in a first set of sites (101-104) to the communication group and establishes an audience list of active communication units (111-115). The audience list is continually updated with information on newly transmitting communication units and relocation information of communication units already in the list throughout the group call. When the group call ends, the audience list is maintained for a predetermined period of time. If during this predetermined period of time, a subsequent group call is requested for the same communication group, the group call can be re-established based on the information contained in the audience list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Sasuta, John A. Wolfe