Patents by Inventor Steven B. Swartzmiller

Steven B. Swartzmiller 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: 11920405
    Abstract: The present invention relates to shaker doors with solid cores and methods for making the same. The shaker doors contain different core materials at the recessed panel than the raise peripheral region to provide dimensional stability and reduced distortion when the doors are exposed to high humidity. The devices and methods also provide for easy assembly of solid core shaker doors, including fire rated doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: MASONITE CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Robinson, Steven B. Swartzmiller, Steven Gutkowski, Robert C. Allen, Roland Karsch, Michael Macdonald
  • Patent number: 11879285
    Abstract: A door system comprises a door frame adapted to be mounted within an opening, a door pivotally attached to the door frame, a power converter such as an AC/DC converter operably associated the door frame, and a DC electric device mounted to the door and electrically connected to the AC/DC converter. The AC/DC converter is configured to be electrically connected to an AC power unit operably associated with the door system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: MASONITE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cory J. Sorice, Steven B. Swartzmiller, Alex Bodurka
  • Publication number: 20230406020
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an article, especially a door and a door component, such as a door facing (or door skin), having a pattern, preferably a woodgrain pattern. This invention also is directed to a method of making the door and the door component such as the door facing (or door skin) by inkjet printing of a pattern on the door facing (or door skin). The printing direction and ink droplets are provided to deliver a high quality image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Darshit THAKKAR, Steven B. SWARTZMILLER, Steven GUTKOWSKI
  • Publication number: 20230366254
    Abstract: A door system comprises a door frame adapted to be mounted within an opening, a door pivotally attached to the door frame, an AC/DC converter operably associated with the door frame, a DC electric device mounted to the door, at least one sensor mounted to the door frame or the door, and a power management controller configured to receive an input from the at least one sensor and send a command to the DC electric device. The AC/DC converter is configured to be electrically connected to an AC power unit disposed outside the door system. The DC electric device is electrically connected to the AC/DC converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Cory J. SORICE, Steven B. SWARTZMILLER, Alex BODURKA
  • Patent number: 11781372
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a doorframe, an insulated glazing unit (IGU), door skins, and a gas passageway. The IGU includes a substantially sealed IGU cavity and a hole communicating with the IGU cavity. The door skins are secured to opposite sides of the doorframe and have openings between which the IGU is provided. The gas passageway provides gas communication between the IGU cavity and the atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway contains a gas passage conduit that includes a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the hole and a second end communicating with atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway may contain a gas passage conduit having a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the first hole and a second end communicating with an air pocket, and a channel connects the air pocket with atmosphere outside of the door assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Abhishek Vaidya, Steven B. Swartzmiller, Wendell S. Yoder, Robert C. Allen, Jan H. Ettrich
  • Patent number: 11739586
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a doorframe, an insulated glazing unit (IGU), door skins, and a gas passageway. The IGU includes a substantially sealed IGU cavity and a hole communicating with the IGU cavity. The door skins are secured to opposite sides of the doorframe and have openings between which the IGU is provided. The gas passageway provides gas communication between the IGU cavity and the atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway contains a gas passage conduit that includes a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the hole and a second end communicating with atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway may contain a gas passage conduit having a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the first hole and a second end communicating with an air pocket, and a channel connects the air pocket with atmosphere outside of the door assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Abhishek Vaidya, Steven B. Swartzmiller, Wendell S. Yoder, Robert C. Allen, Jan H. Ettrich
  • Patent number: 11739583
    Abstract: A door system comprises a door frame adapted to be mounted within an opening, a door pivotally attached to the door frame, an AC/DC converter operably associated with the door frame, a DC electric device mounted to the door, at least one sensor mounted to the door frame or the door, and a power management controller configured to receive an input from the at least one sensor and send a command to the DC electric device. The AC/DC converter is configured to be electrically connected to an AC power unit disposed outside the door system. The DC electric device is electrically connected to the AC/DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: MASONITE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cory J. Sorice, Steven B. Swartzmiller, Alex Bodurka
  • Patent number: 11739587
    Abstract: This invention relates to doors having internal blocking components that reduce or eliminate telegraphing of the outer surface of the door facings. In particular, the invention relates to steel-edge steel doors that have internal solid wood blocks that have one or more integral cantilever beams formed into the blocks to interact with the adjoined oppositely arranged door facings in order to eliminate visually apparent door telegraphing. The blocks are modified to contain notches formed therein to form the cantilever beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt L. Balthazor, Michael J. Marvel, Dale W. Mayfield, Steven B. Swartzmiller
  • Patent number: 11701910
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an article, especially a door and a door component, such as a door facing (or door skin), having a pattern, preferably a woodgrain pattern. This invention also is directed to a method of making the door and the door component such as the door facing (or door skin) by inkjet printing of a pattern on the door facing (or door skin). The printing direction and ink droplets are provided to deliver a high quality image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Darshit Thakkar, Steven B. Swartzmiller, Steven Gutkowski
  • Publication number: 20220389756
    Abstract: This invention relates to doors having internal blocking components that reduce or eliminate telegraphing of the outer surface of the door facings. In particular, the invention relates to steel-edge steel doors that have internal solid wood blocks that have one or more integral cantilever beams formed into the blocks to interact with the adjoined oppositely arranged door facings in order to eliminate visually apparent door telegraphing. The blocks are modified to contain notches formed therein to form the cantilever beams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Kurt L. BALTHAZOR, Michael J. MARVEL, Dale W. MAYFIELD, Steven B. SWARTZMILLER
  • Patent number: 11480009
    Abstract: A door includes a door frame, first and second door skins having rectangular outer peripheries and inner openings, and a frameless glazed unit received at the openings. The door skins include exterior surfaces facing away from the door frame and opposite interior surfaces facing and secured to opposite sides of the door frame. The exterior and interior surfaces of the first and second door skins establish integral lips and grooves of the first and second door skins. Opposite sides of the frameless glazed unit directly contact and are sealed by the integral lips and sealant and/or adhesive contained in the grooves of the first and second door skins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy D. Gouge, Abhishek Vaidya, Robert C. Allen, Steven B. Swartzmiller, Jason M. Walsh
  • Publication number: 20220263297
    Abstract: An exterior, residential door system comprises an outer door frame adapted to be mounted within an exterior opening of a residence, an exterior residential door pivotally attached to the outer door frame, at least one electric device installed on the door, a main controller mounted to the door, an electric power supply unit operably associated with the door, and a wire harness integrated into the door for transmitting electric power and electrical signals between the electric device, the controller and the source of electric power. The main controller is configured to cooperate with the wire harness to supply power to the at least one electric device and to supply operating signals to the at least one electric device for operating the at least one electric device and to receive operational signals from the at least one electric device responsive to the operating signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: Alex BODURKA, Steven B. SWARTZMILLER, Cory J. SORICE
  • Patent number: 11414920
    Abstract: This invention relates to doors having internal blocking components that reduce or eliminate telegraphing of the outer surface of the door facings. In particular, the invention relates to steel-edge steel doors that have internal solid wood blocks that have one or more integral cantilever beams formed into the blocks to interact with the adjoined oppositely arranged door facings in order to eliminate visually apparent door telegraphing. The blocks are modified to contain notches formed therein to form the cantilever beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt L. Balthazor, Michael J. Marvel, Dale W. Mayfield, Steven B. Swartzmiller
  • Publication number: 20220228427
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a doorframe, an insulated glazing unit (IGU), door skins, and a gas passageway. The IGU includes a substantially sealed IGU cavity and a hole communicating with the IGU cavity. The door skins are secured to opposite sides of the doorframe and have openings between which the IGU is provided. The gas passageway provides gas communication between the IGU cavity and the atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway contains a gas passage conduit that includes a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the hole and a second end communicating with atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway may contain a gas passage conduit having a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the first hole and a second end communicating with an air pocket, and a channel connects the air pocket with atmosphere outside of the door assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Abhishek VAIDYA, Steven B. SWARTZMILLER, Wendell S. YODER, Robert C. ALLEN, Jan H. ETTRICH
  • Publication number: 20220178196
    Abstract: The present invention relates to shaker doors with solid cores and methods for making the same. The shaker doors contain different core materials at the recessed panel than the raise peripheral region to provide dimensional stability and reduced distortion when the doors are exposed to high humidity. The devices and methods also provide for easy assembly of solid core shaker doors, including fire rated doors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: John ROBINSON, Steven B. SWARTZMILLER, Steven GUTKOWSKI, Robert C. ALLEN, Roland KARSCH, Michael MACDONALD
  • Publication number: 20220136317
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a doorframe, an insulated glazing unit (IGU), door skins, and a gas passageway. The IGU includes a substantially sealed IGU cavity and a hole communicating with the IGU cavity. The door skins are secured to opposite sides of the doorframe and have openings between which the IGU is provided. The gas passageway provides gas communication between the IGU cavity and the atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway contains a gas passage conduit that includes a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the hole and a second end communicating with atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway may contain a gas passage conduit having a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the first hole and a second end communicating with an air pocket, and a channel connects the air pocket with atmosphere outside of the door assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Abhishek VAIDYA, Steven B. SWARTZMILLER, Wendell S. YODER, Robert C. ALLEN, Jan H. ETTRICH
  • Patent number: 11293212
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a doorframe, an insulated glazing unit (IGU), door skins, and a gas passageway. The IGU includes a substantially sealed IGU cavity and a hole communicating with the IGU cavity. The door skins are secured to opposite sides of the doorframe and have openings between which the IGU is provided. The gas passageway provides gas communication between the IGU cavity and the atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway contains a gas passage conduit that includes a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the hole and a second end communicating with atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway may contain a gas passage conduit having a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the first hole and a second end communicating with an air pocket, and a channel connects the air pocket with atmosphere outside of the door assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Abhishek Vaidya, Steven B. Swartzmiller, Wendell S. Yoder, Robert C. Allen, Jan H. Ettrich
  • Patent number: 11261652
    Abstract: The present invention relates to shaker doors with solid cores and methods for making the same. The shaker doors contain different core materials at the recessed panel than the raise peripheral region to provide dimensional stability and reduced distortion when the doors are exposed to high humidity. The devices and methods also provide for easy assembly of solid core shaker doors, including fire rated doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: John Robinson, Steven B. Swartzmiller, Steven Gutkowski, Robert C. Allen, Roland Karsch, Michael MacDonald
  • Patent number: 11225827
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a doorframe, an insulated glazing unit (IGU), door skins, and a gas passageway. The IGU includes a substantially sealed IGU cavity and a hole communicating with the IGU cavity. The door skins are secured to opposite sides of the doorframe and have openings between which the IGU is provided. The gas passageway provides gas communication between the IGU cavity and the atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway contains a gas passage conduit that includes a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the hole and a second end communicating with atmosphere outside of the door assembly. The gas passageway may contain a gas passage conduit having a first end communicating with the IGU cavity through the first hole and a second end communicating with an air pocket, and a channel connects the air pocket with atmosphere outside of the door assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Masonite Corporation
    Inventors: Abhishek Vaidya, Steven B. Swartzmiller, Wendell S. Yoder, Robert C. Allen, Jan H. Ettrich
  • Publication number: 20210277706
    Abstract: A door includes a door frame, first and second door skins having rectangular outer peripheries and inner openings, and a frameless glazed unit received at the openings. The door skins include exterior surfaces facing away from the door frame and opposite interior surfaces facing and secured to opposite sides of the door frame. The exterior and interior surfaces of the first and second door skins establish integral lips and grooves of the first and second door skins. Opposite sides of the frameless glazed unit directly contact and are sealed by the integral lips and sealant and/or adhesive contained in the grooves of the first and second door skins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy D. GOUGE, Abhishek VAIDYA, Robert C. ALLEN, Steven B. SWARTZMILLER, Jason M. WALSH