Patents by Inventor Andrew J. Kopel

Andrew J. Kopel 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).

  • Publication number: 20210277890
    Abstract: A pump rod has a head extending from a neck, and the head is received within a drive slot of a drive link. The head includes a projection, and has an area smaller than an area of the head. The projection contacts an inner surface of the drive slot. The drive link may include a projection aligned with a centerline of the drive link. The drive link projection contacts a head of the pump rod. The projections provide a reduced contact area between the pump rod and the drive link, thereby reducing any side-loading on the pump rod and increasing a lifespan of the wear parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: David J. Thompson, Christopher A. Lins, Andrew J. Kopel, Glen W. Davidson, Chad R. Taszarek, Chris W. Sydow, William M. Blenkush, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Publication number: 20210271272
    Abstract: A plural component dispensing system includes a dispensing device, first and second fluid component sources, a system controller, and an operator interface device. The first fluid component source is connected to the dispensing device to deliver the first fluid component to the dispensing device. The second fluid component source is connected to the dispensing device to deliver the second fluid component to the dispensing device. The system controller is connected to regulate operation of the first fluid component source and the second fluid component source to produce a target ratio of the first fluid component and the second fluid component at the dispensing device. The operator interface device is remote from and operatively connected to the system controller. The operator interface device is configured to output system state information received from the system controller and to receive operator input to control an operational state of the system controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas V. Vo, Jeffrey S. Armstrong, David Bordwell, Jonathan R. McMichael, Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas A. Pagano, Benjamin R. Godding, Mark T. Weinberger, Michael J. Manshiem, Andrew J. Kopel, Nicholas H. Reath
  • Publication number: 20210247784
    Abstract: A sprayer for spraying fluid includes a pump, a motor that drives the pump, a drive cycle indicator, a wireless module configured to send and receive information, and control circuitry. The drive cycle indicator outputs an indication of cycle status of the pump. The control circuitry is configured to receive the plurality of cycle status indications of the pump, determine a plurality of output values representing paint spray fluid output volume over a plurality of time windows based on the plurality of cycle status indications of the pump, store the plurality of output values in memory, and cause the wireless module to transmit one or more of the stored plurality of output values externally from the sprayer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas A. Pagano, Benjamin R. Godding, Mark T. Weinberger, Michael J. Mansheim, Nicholas H. Reath, Andrew J. Kopel, Daniel R. Johnson, Kevin C. Robb, Robert J. Gundersen
  • Publication number: 20210223802
    Abstract: A sprayer for spraying fluid includes a pump, a motor that drives the pump, a drive cycle indicator, a wireless module configured to send and receive information, and control circuitry. The drive cycle indicator outputs an indication of cycle status of the pump. The control circuitry is configured to receive the plurality of cycle status indications of the pump, determine a plurality of output values representing paint spray fluid output volume over a plurality of time windows based on the plurality of cycle status indications of the pump, store the plurality of output values in memory, and cause the wireless module to transmit one or more of the stored plurality of output values externally from the sprayer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Mansheim, Nicholas H. Reath, Daniel R. Johnson, Kevin C. Robb, Robert J. Gundersen, Andrew J. Kopel
  • Patent number: 11035359
    Abstract: A pump rod has a head extending from a neck, and the head is received within a drive slot of a drive link. The head includes a projection, and has an area smaller than an area of the head. The projection contacts an inner surface of the drive slot. The drive link may include a projection aligned with a centerline of the drive link. The drive link projection contacts a head of the pump rod. The projections provide a reduced contact area between the pump rod and the drive link, thereby reducing any side-loading on the pump rod and increasing a lifespan of the wear parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Thompson, Christopher A. Lins, Andrew J. Kopel, Glen W. Davidson, Chad R. Taszarek, Chris W. Sydow, William M. Blenkush, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Patent number: 10969805
    Abstract: A sprayer for spraying fluid includes a pump, a motor that drives the pump, a drive cycle indicator, a wireless module configured to send and receive information, and control circuitry. The drive cycle indicator outputs an indication of cycle status of the pump. The control circuitry is configured to receive the plurality of cycle status indications of the pump, determine a plurality of output values representing paint spray fluid output volume over a plurality of time windows based on the plurality of cycle status indications of the pump, store the plurality of output values in memory, and cause the wireless module to transmit one or more of the stored plurality of output values externally from the sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas A. Pagano, Benjamin R. Godding, Mark T. Weinberger, Michael J. Mansheim, Nicholas H. Reath, Andrew J. Kopel
  • Publication number: 20200102951
    Abstract: A pump rod has a head extending from a neck, and the head is received within a drive slot of a drive link. The head includes a projection, and has an area smaller than an area of the head. The projection contacts an inner surface of the drive slot. The drive link may include a projection aligned with a centerline of the drive link. The drive link projection contacts a head of the pump rod. The projections provide a reduced contact area between the pump rod and the drive link, thereby reducing any side-loading on the pump rod and increasing a lifespan of the wear parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: David J. Thompson, Christopher A. Lins, Andrew J. Kopel, Glen W. Davidson, Chad R. Taszarek, Chris W. Sydow, William M. Blenkush, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Publication number: 20200050223
    Abstract: A sprayer for spraying fluid includes a pump, a motor that drives the pump, a drive cycle indicator, a wireless module configured to send and receive information, and control circuitry. The drive cycle indicator outputs an indication of cycle status of the pump. The control circuitry is configured to receive the plurality of cycle status indications of the pump, determine a plurality of output values representing paint spray fluid output volume over a plurality of time windows based on the plurality of cycle status indications of the pump, store the plurality of output values in memory, and cause the wireless module to transmit one or more of the stored plurality of output values externally from the sprayer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher M. Lange, Nicholas A. Pagano, Benjamin R. Godding, Mark T. Weinberger, Michael J. Mansheim, Nicholas H. Reath, Andrew J. Kopel
  • Patent number: 10502206
    Abstract: A pump rod has a head extending from a neck, and the head is received within a drive slot of a drive link. The head includes a projection, and has an area smaller than an area of the head. The projection contacts an inner surface of the drive slot. The drive link may include a projection aligned with a centerline of the drive link. The drive link projection contacts a head of the pump rod. The projections provide a reduced contact area between the pump rod and the drive link, thereby reducing any side-loading on the pump rod and increasing a lifespan of the wear parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Thompson, Christopher A. Lins, Andrew J. Kopel, Glen W. Davidson, Chad R. Taszarek, Chris W. Sydow, William M. Blenkush, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Patent number: 10371145
    Abstract: A piston rod for pumping paint includes an elongated cylindrical stem and a piston rod cap connected to the cylindrical stem. The cylindrical stem is formed from metal and has an outer diameter that is uniform along most or all of a length of the cylindrical stem. The piston rod cap is cylindrical and formed from metal. The piston rod cap includes an annular top portion that has an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical stem, an annular bottom portion that has an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical stem, and an exterior recess located between the annular top and bottom portions. The recess has an outer diameter that is smaller than the outer diameters of the annular top and bottom portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Justin G. Johnston, Andrew J. Kopel, Brian M. Mulgrew, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Patent number: 10094375
    Abstract: A clamp is secured to a displacement pump, and the clamp includes an axial ring and a tightening ring. The axial ring is mounted above the tightening ring, and the axial ring is configured to align the displacement pump during mounting and to limit the stoke of a pump rod within the displacement pump. The tightening ring may be tightened such that the axial ring and the tightening ring exert a clamping force on a drive housing, which secures the displacement pump to the drive housing. The tightening ring may receive a projection extending from the drive housing to provide structural support to the drive housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Glen W. Davidson, Steve J. Wrobel, Chad R. Taszarek, William M. Blenkush, Chris W. Sydow, Andrew J. Kopel, David J. Thompson, Christopher A. Lins
  • Patent number: 10077771
    Abstract: A displacement pump includes a pump rod having a load concentrating feature extending from the head of the pump rod. The head of the pump rod is received within a slot of a drive link, and the drive link is configured to contact the load concentrating feature. Having the drive link contact the smaller diameter load concentrating feature reduces the misalignment between the driving force and the center of the pump rod and thereby reduces side-loading experienced by the pump rod. The displacement pump is configured to be used in a fluid dispensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen W. Davidson, Steve J. Wrobel, Chad R. Taszarek, William M. Blenkush, Chris W. Sydow, Christopher A. Lins, Andrew J. Kopel, David J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20170198690
    Abstract: A piston rod for pumping paint includes an elongated cylindrical stem and a piston rod cap connected to the cylindrical stem. The cylindrical stem is formed from metal and has an outer diameter that is uniform along most or all of a length of the cylindrical stem. The piston rod cap is cylindrical and formed from metal. The piston rod cap includes an annular top portion that has an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical stem, an annular bottom portion that has an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical stem, and an exterior recess located between the annular top and bottom portions. The recess has an outer diameter that is smaller than the outer diameters of the annular top and bottom portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Justin G. Johnston, Andrew J. Kopel, Brian M. Mulgrew, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Publication number: 20160186743
    Abstract: A pump rod has a head extending from a neck, and the head is received within a drive slot of a drive link. The head includes a projection, and has an area smaller than an area of the head. The projection contacts an inner surface of the drive slot. The drive link may include a projection aligned with a centerline of the drive link. The drive link projection contacts a head of the pump rod. The projections provide a reduced contact area between the pump rod and the drive link, thereby reducing any side-loading on the pump rod and increasing a lifespan of the wear parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: David J. Thompson, Christopher A. Lins, Andrew J. Kopel, Glen W. Davidson, Chad R. Taszarek, Chris W. Sydow, William M. Blenkush, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Publication number: 20160186744
    Abstract: A displacement pump includes a pump rod having a load concentrating feature extending from the head of the pump rod. The head of the pump rod is received within a slot of a drive link, and the drive link is configured to contact the load concentrating feature. Having the drive link contact the smaller diameter load concentrating feature reduces the misalignment between the driving force and the center of the pump rod and thereby reduces side-loading experienced by the pump rod. The displacement pump is configured to be used in a fluid dispensing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Glen W. Davidson, Steve J. Wrobel, Chad R. Taszarek, William M. Blenkush, Chris W. Sydow, Christopher A. Lins, Andrew J. Kopel, David J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20160186788
    Abstract: A clamp is secured to a displacement pump, and the clamp includes an axial ring and a tightening ring. The axial ring is mounted above the tightening ring, and the axial ring is configured to align the displacement pump during mounting and to limit the stoke of a pump rod within the displacement pump. The tightening ring may be tightened such that the axial ring and the tightening ring exert a clamping force on a drive housing, which secures the displacement pump to the drive housing. The tightening ring may receive a projection extending from the drive housing to provide structural support to the drive housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Glen W. Davidson, Steve J. Wrobel, Chad R. Taszarek, William M. Blenkush, Chris W. Sydow, Andrew J. Kopel, Christopher A. Lins, David J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20110236121
    Abstract: A writing instrument comprising: (a) a body having opposing first and second ends, (b) a first marking element extending from the first end, (c) a second marking element extending from the second end, and (d) at least one sheet dispenser coupled to the body between the first and second ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Barry W. Mattson, Andrew J. Kopel
  • Patent number: D742927
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Thompson, Christopher A. Lins, Andrew J. Kopel, Glen W. Davidson, Chad R. Taszarek
  • Patent number: D752648
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Kopel, Glen W. Davidson
  • Patent number: D753188
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Kopel, Glen W. Davidson