DOOR ACTUATOR

• US 20150020350A1
• Filed: 07/29/2014
• Published: 01/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC (Allegion PLC)
• Original Assignee: Schlage Lock Company LLC (Allegion PLC)
• Inventors: McKibben, Aaron Patrick, Eickhoff, Brian Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 9,482,041 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/72
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/10 for swinging wings , e.g. counterbalance
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/105 with a compression spring
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 1/1246 with a coil spring perpendicular to the pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/00 Closers or openers with braking devices, e.g. checks; Construction of pneumatic or liquid braking devices construction of non-pneumatic or non-liquid braking devices E05F5/00; friction devices in hinges E05D11/08
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/104 with cam-and-slide transmission between driving shaft and piston within the closer housing
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 3/227 mounted at the top of wings, e.g. details related to closer housings, covers, end caps or rails therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/41 for closing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/412 for the final closing movement
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/42 for locking
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/638 Cams; Ramps
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/205 forming a unit
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/22 of not identical elements of the same category, e.g. combinations of not identical springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/70 Retrofitting of elements
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/72 Sets of mutually exchangeable elements
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/132 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49716 Converting

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.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a power boost package configured as an attachable module for use with a spring-damper door actuator to move a door including a chassis and having a portion configured to be in power communication with the door actuator for movement of the door, the chassis of the package forming a structure to retain;

an actuation member structured to contribute a power in the movement of the door; and

an energy storage device capable of being energized by movement of the actuation member, the energy storage device operable to store a boost energy as a result of a first movement of the actuation member, and configured to release the boost energy at a release position of the actuation member, the boost energy released through the actuation member as a result of a second movement of the actuation member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachable module is releasably attachable to the spring-damper door actuator.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the attachable module can be affixed to the spring-damper door actuator using an elongate threaded shaft, and wherein the attachable module includes an opening to receive a pinion of the spring-damper door actuator.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the attachable module is configured for attachment to the spring-damper door actuator on a free end of a pinion of a non-handed door actuator.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first movement of the actuation member to store the boost energy occurs over a first range, and wherein the second movement of the actuation member to release the boost energy occurs over a second range different than the first range.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes a first reaction member and a second reaction member configured to be in contact with the actuation member, the first reaction member configured to energize the energy storage device as a result of the first movement of the actuation member, the second reaction member configured to receive the boost energy from the energy storage device as a result of the second movement of the actuation member.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the power boost package includes an outer surface to enclose the energy storage device, the first reaction member, and the second reaction member, and wherein the attachable module is releasably attachable to the spring-damper door actuator by contacting the outer surface with an exterior of the spring-damper door actuator.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the actuation member includes a first eccentric surface and a second eccentric surface each capable of rotating about an axis, the first reaction member and the second reaction member in the form of cam followers to the first eccentric surface and second eccentric surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the actuation member includes a periphery having the second eccentric surface and a constant radius surface such that upon rotation of the actuation member the second reaction member moves when in contact with the second eccentric surface and remains relatively static when in contact with the constant radius surface.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, which further includes a keeper structured to permit independent movement of the first reaction member and second reaction member during the first movement, and couple the first reaction member and second reaction member to have sympathetic movement during the second movement.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the power boost package includes a trigger to decouple the first reaction member and the second reaction member from the keeper.

12. An apparatus comprising:

an add-on supplemental door actuation module having an outer housing structured for engagement to a door closer device and having an actuator configured to be in force communication with the door closer device, the add-on supplemental module structured to activate an energy storage device of the actuator to store an energy along a swing of a door when the door closer is actuated in a first direction and structured to maintain the stored energy via a power modulator of the actuator when the door closer is actuated in a second direction until the door reaches a boost location wherein the stored energy is released from the actuator to deliver a boost to a door to supplement the door closer device.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the actuator includes a connecting member coupled to move with a first actuation member and a second actuation member, the connecting member structured to activate the energy storage device by encouraging movement of the first actuation member, the connecting member structured to receive the stored energy released from the energy storage device via the second actuation member.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the power modulator links the first actuation member and the second actuation member to move together over a range of motion of the connecting member.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first actuation member and the second actuation member are in the form of cam followers, the connecting member having cam lobes configured to interact with the first actuation member and second actuation member.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first actuation member includes a wider range of motion than the second actuation member.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein a connecting member is configured to receive an energy from a pinion of the door closer device when it is actuated in the first direction and store the energy with the energy storage device, and wherein the connecting member can impart an energy from the energy storage device to the pinion of the door closer device when the door closer is actuated in the second direction.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second direction is in a door closing direction and the boost location is in a latch region of the door, and wherein the pinion is a free pinion of a non-handed door closer device.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the outer housing of the add-on supplemental door actuation module is structured for engagement to an outer portion of the door closer device.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, which further includes a casing configured to enclose the add-on supplemental door actuation module and the door closer device.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the casing and add-on supplemental door actuation module are packaged as a kit for use with a door installation.

22-31. -31. (canceled)