IP Library Granted Patent US 12,359,490
Granted Patent B2
US 12,359,490 · App. 18/595,948 · Granted Jul 15, 2025

Compact door closer

Inventors: Joel Sellinger (Blaine, WA); Benjamin Wesley Docksteader (Custer, WA)
Assignee: Masonite Corporation
E05F15/63E05Y2201/216E05Y2201/41E05Y2201/624E05Y2201/688E05Y2400/612E05Y2400/66E05Y2900/132
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,359,490
App. No.
18/595,948
Granted
Jul 15, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus comprising a baseplate configured to be coupled to an interior side of an inswing door adjacent a pivot edge of the door; a rotatable closing arm with a first end and a second end, the second end coupled to a motor, the motor configured to be engaged in response to receipt of a signal from a remote electronic device; and circuitry electrically coupled between a power supply and the motor, the circuitry configured to wirelessly send and receive information to and from the remote electronic device.

Claims (35)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a baseplate configured to be coupled to an interior side of an inswing door adjacent a pivot edge of the door;

a rotatable closing arm with a first free end and a second end, the second end coupled to a motor, the motor configured to be engaged in response to receipt of a signal from a remote electronic device; and

circuitry electrically coupled between a power supply and the motor, the circuitry configured to wirelessly send and receive information to and from the remote electronic device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein in response to receipt of the signal from the remote electronic device, the motor is configured to rotate the closing arm to contact an adjacent surface separate from the door.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the closing arm is configured to exert a closing force on the adjacent surface that repositions the door.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the motor is configured to transmit a rotational force through the closing arm to exert the closing force on the adjacent surface, and the closing force repositions the door to a closed position.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the adjacent surface is generally parallel to a plane extending through a door frame the door is coupled to.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the adjacent surface is generally normal to a plane extending through a door frame the door is coupled to.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the adjacent surface is a door trim surrounding a portion of the door.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a proximity sensor configured to determine a position of the closing arm.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a proximity sensor configured to determine a position of the door.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein in response to receipt of a signal from the proximity sensor indicating the door is in a closed position, the motor is disengaged.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first end of the closing arm is coupled to a roller.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the closing arm has a maximum travel distance from a home position, and the maximum travel distance is used to determine when the door is in a closed position.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a clutch coupling the motor to the closing arm.

14. An apparatus comprising:

a baseplate configured to be coupled to an interior side of an inswing door, the door configured to be positioned in an open position, a closed position, and a plurality of positions in between the open position and the closed position;

a closing arm with a first free end biasedly coupled to a second end, the second end coupled to a motor, the closing arm configured to be positioned in a home position and an engaged position;

the motor coupled to the baseplate and configured to be activated in response of a signal from a remote electronic device;

a first proximity sensor configured to determine a position of the closing arm;

a second proximity sensor configured to determine a position of the door; and

circuitry electrically coupled to a power supply, the motor, the first proximity sensor and the second proximity sensor, the circuitry configured to wirelessly send and receive information to and from the remote electronic device.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein in the home position, the first end of the closing arm is adjacent the baseplate and the door may be positioned in the open position, the closed position, or a plurality of positions in between the open position and the closed position.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein in response to receipt of the signal from the remote electronic device, the motor is configured to reposition the closing arm from the home position to the engaged position, wherein in the engaged position the closing arm contacts an adjacent surface and exerts a closing force on the adjacent surface that is translated through the closing arm to the door.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein in response to a signal from the second proximity sensor indicating the door is in the closed position, the motor is deactivated.

18. A method comprising:

receiving a signal from a remote electronic device at an apparatus, the apparatus coupled to an inswing residential door;

rotating a closing arm of the apparatus from a home position to an engaged position;

contacting a free end of the closing arm with an adjacent surface;

exerting a closing force on the adjacent surface with the closing arm;

rotating the door from an open position to a closed position; and

rotating the closing arm from the engaged position to the home position.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising sending and receiving a signal from a first proximity sensor and determining a position of the closing arm.

20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising sending and receiving a signal from a second proximity sensor and determining a position of the door.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 8, 2025
From: SELLINGER, JOEL; DOCKSTEADER, BENJAMIN WESLEY
To: MASONITE CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 071628/0546 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17903265 · Sep 6, 2022
Continuation 17042366
Provisional Application 62650694 · Mar 30, 2018
Related Publication 20240209671A1 · Jun 27, 2024
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