IP Library Granted Patent US 11,879,287
Granted Patent B2
US 11,879,287 · App. 18/124,066 · Granted Jan 23, 2024

Door closing device

Inventors: Joel Sellinger (Blaine, WA); Benjamin W. Docksteader (Custer, WA)
Assignee: MASONITE CORPORATION
E05F15/72E05F1/12G08B3/10E05Y2201/41E05Y2201/434E05Y2201/462E05Y2201/474E05Y2201/484E05Y2201/618E05Y2201/638E05Y2201/654E05Y2201/668E05Y2201/722E05Y2400/40E05Y2400/52E05Y2400/612E05Y2400/66E05Y2600/46E05Y2800/252E05Y2900/132E05Y2900/134
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,879,287
App. No.
18/124,066
Granted
Jan 23, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus comprises a base plate configured to be coupled to a door, the door configured to be positioned in an open position and a closed position; a closing mechanism coupled to the base plate and configured to be coupled to a hinge of the door and having an unprimed state and a primed state, the closing mechanism configured to be transitioned between the unprimed state and the primed state by a user; wherein in the unprimed state the closing mechanism is decoupled from operation of the door; and in the primed state the closing mechanism is configured to move the door into the closed position responsive to receipt of a signal, and the closing mechanism is configured to allow movement of the door between the open position and the closed position in absence of the signal.

Claims (35)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a base plate configured to be coupled to a front surface of a door, the door configured to be positioned in an open position and a closed position; and

a closing mechanism comprising a pivot cam and a closing bar;

the pivot cam configured to be coupled to a hinge of the door using a hinge pin and coupled to the base plate using a tension member;

the closing bar linearly movable and biasingly connected to the base plate and adapted to be releasably held in place via a pawl of a lever member;

the closing mechanism coupled to the base plate and having an unprimed state and a primed state, the closing mechanism configured to be transitioned between the unprimed state and the primed state by a user; wherein

in the unprimed state the closing mechanism is decoupled from operation of the door; and

in the primed state the closing mechanism is configured to move the door into the closed position responsive to receipt of a signal, and the closing mechanism is configured to allow movement of the door between the open position and the closed position in absence of the signal;

the closing bar including a plurality of gear teeth each adapted to releasably retain the pawl between any two of the plurality of gear teeth.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transition between the unprimed state and primed state provides a feedback to the user.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the closing bar including a plurality of gear teeth each adapted to releasably retain the pawl between any two of the plurality of the gear teeth.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the closing mechanism comprises a motor or solenoid.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the closing mechanism is configured to move the door into the closed position at least in part by exerting a stored energy within the closing mechanism onto the tension member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the closing mechanism comprises a biasing member pivotally coupled with the lever member and the closing bar.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the closing mechanism is positioned within the hinge of the door.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the closing mechanism is configured to receive the signal from at least one of the following: a smoke detector, a temperature detector, a carbon monoxide detector, a home alarm system, a mobile device, or a smarthome hub.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the closing mechanism comprises a receiver configured to receive the signal and a processor configured to trigger the closing mechanism to move the door into the closed position.

10. A door closing apparatus comprising:

a base plate configured to be coupled to a door, the door configured to be positioned in an open position and a closed position; and

a closing mechanism comprising a pivot cam, a closing bar and a cable;

the pivot cam is configured to be coupled to a hinge of the door using a hinge pin and coupled to the base plate using a tension member;

the closing bar is linearly movable and biasingly connected to the base plate and adapted to be releasably held in place via a pawl of a lever member;

the cable is connected at a distal end to the pivot cam and is connected at a proximal end to the closing bar, wherein when the door is pivoted into the open position the cable partially wraps around the pivot cam to move the closing bar;

the closing mechanism coupled to the base plate and having an unprimed state and a primed state, the closing mechanism configured to be transitioned between the unprimed state and the primed state by a user; wherein

in the unprimed state the closing mechanism is decoupled from operation of the door; and

in the primed state the closing mechanism is configured to move the door into the closed position responsive to receipt of a signal, and the closing mechanism is configured to allow movement of the door between the open position and the closed position in absence of the signal;

the closing bar including a plurality of gear teeth each adapted to releasably retain the pawl between any two of the plurality of the gear teeth.

11. The door closing apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the closing mechanism comprises a motor or solenoid.

12. The door closing apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a motor including a plunger member connected to the lever member, wherein the plunger member is adapted to pivot the lever member so as move the pawl out from in between the any two of the plurality of gear teeth of the closing bar.

13. The door closing apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the motor is connected to the base plate.

14. The door closing apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the tension member is coupled to the frame of the door.

15. The door closing apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the closing mechanism is configured to receive the signal from at least one of the following: a smoke detector, a temperature detector, a carbon monoxide detector, a home alarm system, a mobile device, or a smarthome hub.

16. The door closing apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the closing mechanism comprises a receiver configured to receive the signal and a processor configured to trigger the closing mechanism to move the door into the closed position.

17. The door closing apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the closing mechanism is configured to move the door into the closed position at least in part by exerting a stored energy within the closing mechanism onto the tension member.

18. The door closing apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the door closing apparatus is configured to be positioned adjacent the door.

Continuity (8)
Continuation 16608774
Continuation 15867628 · Jan 10, 2018
Provisional Application 62645515 · Mar 20, 2018
Provisional Application 62632790 · Feb 20, 2018
Provisional Application 62625449 · Feb 2, 2018
Provisional Application 62525717 · Jun 27, 2017
Provisional Application 62489641 · Apr 25, 2017
Related Publication 20230220721A1 · Jul 13, 2023