Patents by Inventor Gary Stenz

Gary Stenz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11644115
    Abstract: A valve member provides for the flow of vapors from a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine to escape the fuel tank. The valve member may include a valve and a boss or spacer. The valve is configured to selectively control the flow of vapor from the fuel tank. The boss or spacer is positioned in a predetermined relationship to the valve, and the boss or spacer prevents a deformation of the valve from disrupting the selectively controlled flow of vapor from the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventors: Gary Stenz, Mark Huibregtse, Brian Hartwig
  • Patent number: 11614060
    Abstract: A carburetor includes a carburetor bowl, a fuel supply pipe, a fuel drain pipe, and a valve. The carburetor bowl is configured to store fuel and provide the fuel to an air passage. The fuel supply pipe is connected a fuel tank and the carburetor bowl. The fuel drain pipe is connected to the carburetor bowl and the fuel supply line. The valve for the fuel drain pipe is configured to open and close in response to an orientation of the carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventors: Terrence Rotter, Todd Baumann, Gary Stenz
  • Publication number: 20220341381
    Abstract: A carburetor includes a carburetor bowl, a fuel supply pipe, a fuel drain pipe, and a valve. The carburetor bowl is configured to store fuel and provide the fuel to an air passage. The fuel supply pipe is connected a fuel tank and the carburetor bowl. The fuel drain pipe is connected to the carburetor bowl and the fuel supply line. The valve for the fuel drain pipe is configured to open and close in response to an orientation of the carburetor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Terrence Rotter, Todd Baumann, Gary Stenz
  • Patent number: 11408382
    Abstract: A carburetor includes a carburetor bowl, a fuel supply pipe, a fuel drain pipe, and a valve. The carburetor bowl is configured to store fuel and provide the fuel to an air passage. The fuel supply pipe is connected a fuel tank and the carburetor bowl. The fuel drain pipe is connected to the carburetor bowl and the fuel supply line. The valve for the fuel drain pipe is configured to open and close in response to an orientation of the carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventors: Terrence Rotter, Todd Baumann, Gary Stenz
  • Publication number: 20220154836
    Abstract: A valve member provides for the flow of vapors from a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine to escape the fuel tank. The valve member may include a valve and a boss or spacer. The valve is configured to selectively control the flow of vapor from the fuel tank. The boss or spacer is positioned in a predetermined relationship to the valve, and the boss or spacer prevents a deformation of the valve from disrupting the selectively controlled flow of vapor from the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Gary Stenz, Mark Huibregtse, Brian Hartwig
  • Patent number: 11274757
    Abstract: A valve member provides for the flow of vapors from a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine to escape the fuel tank. The valve member may include a valve and a boss or spacer. The valve is configured to selectively control the flow of vapor from the fuel tank. The boss or spacer is positioned in a predetermined relationship to the valve, and the boss or spacer prevents a deformation of the valve from disrupting the selectively controlled flow of vapor from the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Gary Stenz, Mark Huibregtse, Brian Hartwig
  • Publication number: 20210363949
    Abstract: A carburetor includes a carburetor bowl, a fuel supply pipe, a fuel drain pipe, and a valve. The carburetor bowl is configured to store fuel and provide the fuel to an air passage. The fuel supply pipe is connected a fuel tank and the carburetor bowl. The fuel drain pipe is connected to the carburetor bowl and the fuel supply line. The valve for the fuel drain pipe is configured to open and close in response to an orientation of the carburetor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Terrence Rotter, Todd Baumann, Gary Stenz
  • Patent number: 11125195
    Abstract: A carburetor includes a carburetor bowl, a fuel supply pipe, a fuel drain pipe, and a valve. The carburetor bowl is configured to store fuel and provide the fuel to an air passage. The fuel supply pipe is connected a fuel tank and the carburetor bowl. The fuel drain pipe is connected to the carburetor bowl and the fuel supply line. The valve for the fuel drain pipe is configured to open and close in response to an orientation of the carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Terrence Rotter, Todd Baumann, Gary Stenz
  • Publication number: 20210003106
    Abstract: A carburetor includes a carburetor bowl, a fuel supply pipe, a fuel drain pipe, and a valve. The carburetor bowl is configured to store fuel and provide the fuel to an air passage. The fuel supply pipe is connected a fuel tank and the carburetor bowl. The fuel drain pipe is connected to the carburetor bowl and the fuel supply line. The valve for the fuel drain pipe is configured to open and close in response to an orientation of the carburetor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Terrence Rotter, Todd Baumann, Gary Stenz
  • Patent number: 10823124
    Abstract: A carburetor includes a carburetor bowl, a fuel supply pipe, a fuel drain pipe, and a valve. The carburetor bowl is configured to store fuel and provide the fuel to an air passage. The fuel supply pipe is connected a fuel tank and the carburetor bowl. The fuel drain pipe is connected to the carburetor bowl and the fuel supply line. The valve for the fuel drain pipe is configured to open and close in response to an orientation of the carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Terrence Rotter, Todd Baumann, Gary Stenz
  • Publication number: 20200240535
    Abstract: A valve member provides for the flow of vapors from a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine to escape the fuel tank. The valve member may include a valve and a boss or spacer. The valve is configured to selectively control the flow of vapor from the fuel tank. The boss or spacer is positioned in a predetermined relationship to the valve, and the boss or spacer prevents a deformation of the valve from disrupting the selectively controlled flow of vapor from the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Gary Stenz, Mark Huibregtse, Brian Hartwig
  • Patent number: 10663069
    Abstract: A valve member provides for the flow of vapors from a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine to escape the fuel tank. The valve member may include a valve and a boss or spacer. The valve is configured to selectively control the flow of vapor from the fuel tank. The boss or spacer is positioned in a predetermined relationship to the valve, and the boss or spacer prevents a deformation of the valve from disrupting the selectively controlled flow of vapor from the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Gary Stenz, Mark Huibregtse, Brian Hartwig
  • Publication number: 20190390637
    Abstract: A carburetor includes a carburetor bowl, a fuel supply pipe, a fuel drain pipe, and a valve. The carburetor bowl is configured to store fuel and provide the fuel to an air passage. The fuel supply pipe is connected a fuel tank and the carburetor bowl. The fuel drain pipe is connected to the carburetor bowl and the fuel supply line. The valve for the fuel drain pipe is configured to open and close in response to an orientation of the carburetor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Terrence Rotter, Todd Baumann, Gary Stenz
  • Patent number: 10465642
    Abstract: A carburetor includes a carburetor bowl, a fuel supply pipe, a fuel drain pipe, and a valve. The carburetor bowl is configured to store fuel and provide the fuel to an air passage. The fuel supply pipe is connected a fuel tank and the carburetor bowl. The fuel drain pipe is connected to the carburetor bowl and the fuel supply line. The valve for the fuel drain pipe is configured to open and close in response to an orientation of the carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Terrence Rotter, Todd Baumann, Gary Stenz
  • Publication number: 20190162322
    Abstract: A valve member provides for the flow of vapors from a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine to escape the fuel tank. The valve member may include a valve and a boss or spacer. The valve is configured to selectively control the flow of vapor from the fuel tank. The boss or spacer is positioned in a predetermined relationship to the valve, and the boss or spacer prevents a deformation of the valve from disrupting the selectively controlled flow of vapor from the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Gary Stenz, Mark Huibregtse, Brian Hartwig
  • Publication number: 20180274503
    Abstract: A carburetor includes a carburetor bowl, a fuel supply pipe, a fuel drain pipe, and a valve. The carburetor bowl is configured to store fuel and provide the fuel to an air passage. The fuel supply pipe is connected a fuel tank and the carburetor bowl. The fuel drain pipe is connected to the carburetor bowl and the fuel supply line. The valve for the fuel drain pipe is configured to open and close in response to an orientation of the carburetor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Terrence Rotter, Todd Baumann, Gary Stenz
  • Patent number: 10054081
    Abstract: An automatic starting system includes a choke or similar apparatus. The apparatus includes at least a choke plate, a choke arm, and a control arm. The choke plate is configured to control a ratio of fuel and air for an engine. The choke arm is fixedly coupled with the choke plate. The control arm adjustably coupled with the choke arm. The control arm and the choke arm cooperate to move the choke plate into multiple positions, which correspond to multiple ratios of fuel and air for the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Terrence Rotter, Gary Stenz, Anthony Freund, David Torres
  • Patent number: 9739214
    Abstract: A combination lever for a carburetor is an integrated shutoff lever and fuel valve. The combination lever includes a longitudinal portion for a handle and a cylindrical portion including a fuel path for the fuel valve. A carburetor casing is shaped to form a valve chamber and a carburetor chamber. The valve chamber supports the cylindrical portion. A directional cavity formed in the cylindrical portion of the combination lever regulates a flow of fuel to the carburetor chamber according to a rotation of the combination lever. At one position the directional cavity opens the fuel path so that fuel flows into the carburetor chamber. At another position the directional cavity closes the fuel path so that the flow of fuel is blocked. The combination lever may also include an abutment portion to engage a switch for completing an electrical shutoff path to an engine coupled to the carburetor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Kohler, Co.
    Inventors: Chris Mitchell, Gary Stenz, Daniel F. Krueger
  • Publication number: 20160131047
    Abstract: A combination lever for a carburetor is an integrated shutoff lever and fuel valve. The combination lever includes a longitudinal portion for a handle and a cylindrical portion including a fuel path for the fuel valve. A carburetor casing is shaped to form a valve chamber and a carburetor chamber. The valve chamber supports the cylindrical portion. A directional cavity formed in the cylindrical portion of the combination lever regulates a flow of fuel to the carburetor chamber according to a rotation of the combination lever. At one position the directional cavity opens the fuel path so that fuel flows into the carburetor chamber. At another position the directional cavity closes the fuel path so that the flow of fuel is blocked. The combination lever may also include an abutment portion to engage a switch for completing an electrical shutoff path to an engine coupled to the carburetor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Chris Mitchell, Gary Stenz, Daniel F. Krueger
  • Publication number: 20160108856
    Abstract: An automatic starting system includes a choke or similar apparatus. The apparatus includes at least a choke plate, a choke arm, and a control arm. The choke plate is configured to control a ratio of fuel and air for an engine. The choke arm is fixedly coupled with the choke plate. The control arm adjustably coupled with the choke arm. The control arm and the choke arm cooperate to move the choke plate into multiple positions, which correspond to multiple ratios of fuel and air for the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Terrence Rotter, Gary Stenz, Anthony Freund, David Torres