Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Douglas B. Farrow
  • Patent number: 6554204
    Abstract: A gun flush box is controlled by a plural component proportioning unit. When a color change is desired, the operator places the spray gun in the flush box. When a new color is selected, the control system automatically triggers the gun and flushes the gun with solvent with the flush material safely routed to a waste container. The control system automatically triggers the gun to refill the lines with new color paint without using excess paint as it displaces the flush solvent. This system is also capable of working with two guns in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Graco Inc.
    Inventors: Vu K. Nguyen, Lawrence P. Jeutter, Dennis J. Van Keulen
  • Patent number: 6543647
    Abstract: In a method for metering and mixing different components, more particularly resin and hardener, and for delivery through a spray device (6), with a first component standing under a preliminary pressure, a second component standing under a preliminary pressure and a solvent standing under preliminary pressure for the first component, the components flowing in through valves are detected through quantity measuring devices (8; 9) and supplied first to a mixer device (7) and then to the spray device (6). The one component is supplied in a predetermined quantity and the amount of the other component is controlled in dependence on the quantity of the one component by controlling the opening time of a shut-off valve (1b; 2b). Selectively the first or second component is controlled and the other component is supplied in a predetermined quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Graco Inc.
    Inventor: Norbert Buchholz
  • Patent number: 6533488
    Abstract: An airless spray pump has a drive train is comprised of a motor having an output gear thereon which drives a combination gear assembly comprised of two gears mounted on a shaft which in turn drives a crank assembly which is comprised of a one-piece eccentric end gear molded together and mounted on a shaft which is supported at both ends to prevent cantilevering and attendant stresses. The crank assembly is offset from the vertical axis of the displacement pump in order to reduce side-loading thereon. A connecting rod is mounted via a pin directly to the top of the displacement rod of the reciprocating pump. Retainer pin clippingly retains the pin in the connecting rod and enables the pin to be removed for servicing without the use of tools other than potentially a screwdriver or other generic tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Graco Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Blenkush, Alexander L. Kapelevich
  • Patent number: 6520190
    Abstract: A system for flushing an airless sprayer essentially reverses operation such that the spray gun is immersed in a container of water or other solvent and that fluid is pulled through the pump and flushed through the normal inlet tube. The preferred embodiment attaches a fluid bar to the front of the spray gun to redirect the fluid for flushing. This reverse flushing action allows quicker flushing using less fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Thompson, Diane L. Olson, Steven E. Durkee
  • Patent number: 6510966
    Abstract: An air driven vibrator is attached to a robotic applicator for sealants and adhesives. When the plane of vibration is normal to the axis of the dispenser, the vibration will impart a rotary motion to the applicator. When the plane of vibration is parallel to the axis of the dispenser and normal to the direction of motion of the dispenser (such dispensers are usually robot mounted), a side-to-side or pendulum action is provided. When the dispense tip is provided with a static mixer to mix plural component materials, the vibrator will enhance the mixer's action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Graco Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Perry, Martin P. McCormick
  • Patent number: 6499673
    Abstract: The apparatus is designed to dispense sealants and adhesives onto a workpiece in a robotic or manual application. The apparatus has a motor, a through shaft and a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is hollow and has an off-center aperture at the end thereof through which extends one end of the through shaft. By rotating the rotating shaft, the end of the through shaft has imparted to it an orbital motion which is capable of providing a swirl type pattern onto the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Arnold W. Braun, Jr., David J. Cliff, David G. Gonska, Masoud Amin-Javaheri, David C. Mandeville, Mark E. Ulrich, Stanley G. Karwoski
  • Patent number: 6478507
    Abstract: The bead dispenser is formed from rotational molded plastic such that a hole is cored through the center of the dispenser which allows the linkage to travel through the dispenser and locate the dispenser door on the opposite side of the dispenser from the spray gun. A number of panels across the slot opening may be adjusted upwardly and downwardly to vary the width as desired by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Schroeder, Bradley K. Voigt
  • Patent number: 6419165
    Abstract: A typical airless spray gun is provided with an extension pole having a reversible airless tip assembly at the end thereof. A parallel line holding a pressured source of beads is attached to the pole and has a terminating deflector which is located inside one of the loops of the tip guard of the airless reversible tip assembly. The beads are thus ejected into the spray pattern at approximately the locus of atomization of the sprayed paint thereby resulting in enhanced atomization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6357300
    Abstract: A preset fluid dispensing meter is provided with a trigger which pivots on the shaft operating the valve and which is capable of operating: (a) in a manual dispense mode; (b) in a mode where it may be latched on until unlatched manually; or (c) which may be set to dispense a predetermined amount of fluid before termination of dispensing. A solenoid operates a catch which rocks away from the trigger thereby allowing the spring loaded valve stem to close once the trigger is no longer restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Harold D. Johnson, Steven P. Plager
  • Patent number: 6293157
    Abstract: The output of a coriolis flow meter is corrected for motion by subtracting the motion portion of the signal from a lookup table or a second dry meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Yamin Ma, James D. Adams, Thomas J. Brennan
  • Patent number: 6227228
    Abstract: Modern hydro-softfeel lacquers have special characteristics which make the use of plural component mixing equipment difficult. To solve the problem with the hydro-softfeel lacquer, an additional valve is installed in the mixing block of the resin side, that is the single purge valve previously used on the resin side is replaced by an adapter block which has two valves so that the two separate purge materials can be flushed into the outer tube of the integrator and one purge material used on the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Arnd Füllenbach
  • Patent number: 6212998
    Abstract: A design for a packing assembly for a reciprocating piston pump is shown which allows for tighter tolerancing and increased packing life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Thompson, Thomas D. Lindblom
  • Patent number: 6212999
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston pump is provided with an automatic throat positive packing torque clip thereby providing consistent and extended pump life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6183225
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston pump is provided with angled flow ports to provide enhanced flow and reduced wear characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6168308
    Abstract: A mechanical proportioner is provided with two pump lowers which are connected together by a yolk underneath an air-operated reciprocating piston pump. The pumps are staggered axially so as to enable overlapping of certain portions thereof thereby enabling the center-to-center distance to be minimized. The mix manifold is constructed in a concentric fashion such that mixed material does not come into contact with the mix manifold until it enters the static mixer at the exit of the manifold which is an easily disposable and replaceable part. The purge solvent valves on the mix manifold are each provided with an extension of their respective handles. If either purge valve is in its open position, a separate interlock handle operating the A and B side valves at the manifold inlet is prevented from opening. Similarly, if the interlock handle operating the A and B side valves is open, the purge valves cannot be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Pittman, Kenneth E. Lehrke, John F. Isais, Vicky J. Peterson, Adam R. Friedrich
  • Patent number: 6138872
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing of two component adhesive utilizes a conventional static mixer which is supplied with an insert providing a reduced outlet diameter source to allow streaming of the adhesive from the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Graco Inc
    Inventors: Thomas J. Brennan, Timothy A. Ferguson
  • Patent number: D442607
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Mark L. Bauck
  • Patent number: D456819
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Sebion, Mark T. Weinberger
  • Patent number: D457599
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley G. Karwoski, Richard D. Anderson, Mark E. Ulrich, Roger E. Wiersma, Mark C. Richter
  • Patent number: D435048
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc
    Inventors: David L. Breeser, Glen W. Davidson, Ben G. Rogowski, Thomas A. Tedham