Granted Patent B2

US 12,312,852 · App. 18/418,749 · Granted May 27, 2025

Inventors: Cory J. Sorice (La Grange, IL); Steven B. Swartzmiller (Batavia, IL); Alex Bodurka (Portage, IL)

Assignee: Masonite Corporation

E05F15/611E05F15/40E05Y2201/41E05Y2400/612E05Y2400/654E05Y2900/132

Abstract

Claims (27)

1. A method of operating an entry system, comprising:

providing a door frame mounted within an entryway;

providing a door pivotally attached to the door frame;

providing an AC/DC converter in or on a portion of the door frame with an AC power unit operably associated with the door frame and electrically connected to the AC/DC converter to generate DC power;

providing a DC power distribution system operably associated with the door and electrically connected to the AC/DC converter;

providing a plurality of DC electric devices mounted to the door and electrically connected to the AC/DC converter through the DC power distribution block; and

providing a power transfer device interconnecting the AC/DC converter and the DC power distribution block.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the door frame includes a pair of parallel, spaced apart first and second jamb members, and a horizontally extending jamb rail member, wherein the AC/DC converter is mounted to one of the jamb members or the jamb rail member, and wherein the AC power unit is proximate one of the jamb members or the jamb rail member.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the door frame includes a pair of parallel, spaced apart first and second jamb members, and a horizontally extending jamb rail reminder, and wherein the AC/DC converter is mounted in or on one of the jamb members or the jamb rail member.

4. The method in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the AC power unit is proximate of the jamb rail member.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the DC electric devices include at least one of a powered lock, a video camera, and LEDs.

6. The method in accordance with claim 5 , wherein the DC power distribution system includes an electric wire system, and wherein the electric wire system is in electrical communication with the AC/DC converter and each of the DC electric devices.

7. The method in accordance with claim 6 , further comprising a power management controller, wherein the power management controller is mounted to the door and interfaces with the DC power distribution system and the DC electric devices.

8. The method in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the power management controller is adapted to provide DC power to the DC electric devices, receive data from the DC electric devices and to send commands to the DC electric devices.

9. The method in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the electrical wire system includes a wire harness having a plurality of electric wires.

10. The method in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the electrical wire system includes a wire having a plurality of electric wires.

11. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the electric power transfer device includes one of a power hinge, an armored cable, and an electrical wire system.

12. The method in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the electrical wire system has first and second ends, and wherein the first end is connected to the AC/DC converter and the second end is connected to the door.

13. The method in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a sensor operably associated with the door frame, wherein the sensor is configured to interact with at least one of the DC electric devices.

14. The method in accordance with claim 13 , further comprising an AC electric device operably associated with the door, wherein the AC electric device is electrically connected with the AC power unit.

15. The method in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the sensor determines the state of the door, wherein the AC electric device is a powered door closer, and wherein the sensor and the powered door closer interact to close the door when the sensor determines that the door is open.

16. The method in accordance with claim 15 , wherein the sensor is a Hall-effect sensor, the method further comprising:

providing an electric power operating mechanism pivotally mounted to the door frame;

positioning a source of AC power proximate the door frame;

generating DC power by rectifying and reducing the voltage of the AC power, and supplying low-voltage DC power to the door;

positioning at least one DC electric device on the door; and

operating the DC electric device.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (5)

References Cited (294)

Cited By (1)

US 12,624,592