Patents by Inventor Charles W. Dawson

Charles W. Dawson 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: 20230009701
    Abstract: An automated mobile sprayer (AMS) (10) applies fluid sprays to a target surface. The AMS can operate according to a wall-follow routine, where the AMS maintains a spacing and orientation relative to the target surface and shifts a set distance between each spray pass. The AMS is also operable in an overlap adjustment mode where a control module (24) of the AMS actively determines the distance that AMS shifts between each spray pass such that AMS applies the final orthogonal spray on the target surface at an end point of the target surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, John P. Saunders, Dale C. Pemberton
  • Publication number: 20230009566
    Abstract: An automated mobile sprayer (AMS) (12) is configured to apply stripes of fluid to target surfaces to coat those target surfaces with the fluid. A control module (24) of the AMS (12) controls movement and spraying by the AMS. The control module (24) causes the AMS (12) to follow a target surface based on distance data from distance sensors configured to detect the target surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Barry W. Mattson, Nicholas H. Reath, Dale C. Pemberton, John P. Saunders, Andrew V. Lindenfelser
  • Patent number: 11441551
    Abstract: A portable hydraulic power unit includes a frame, a fluid tank supported by the frame, and a manifold supported by the frame. The fluid tank is configured to store a supply of hydraulic fluid for powering a hydraulically-driven tool. A reciprocating pump is mounted on the exterior of the fluid tank and on the exterior of the manifold. The reciprocating pump is secured to the fluid tank and the manifold with fasteners extending through a cylinder body of the reciprocating pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Mariusz J. Luczak, Barry W. Mattson, Douglas S. Ryder, Bret A. Deneson, Christopher A. Lins
  • Patent number: 11162482
    Abstract: A portable hydraulic power unit includes a frame, a fluid tank supported by the frame, and a manifold supported by the frame. The fluid tank is configured to store a supply of hydraulic fluid for powering a hydraulically-driven tool. A reciprocating pump is mounted on the exterior of the fluid tank and on the exterior of the manifold. The reciprocating pump is secured to the fluid tank and the manifold with fasteners extending through a cylinder body of the reciprocating pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Mariusz J. Luczak, Barry W. Mattson, Douglas S. Ryder, Bret A. Deneson, Christopher A. Lins
  • Publication number: 20210291208
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a handheld paint sprayer for spraying a paint. The sprayer can comprise a shell body comprising a door that, when opened, exposes an opening into an interior of the shell body, the door configured to close over the opening. The sprayer can further comprise a trigger connected to a handle, a motor in the interior, and a paint reservoir connected to the shell body. The sprayer can further comprise a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir and a pump located in the interior of the shell body. The pump is operated by the motor, the pump configured to pump the paint from the reservoir out of the nozzle as a spray. The pump is removable from the interior of the shell body through the opening when the door is opened but is not removable through the opening when the door is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Diane L. Olson, Pamela J. Muetzel
  • Patent number: 11007545
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a handheld paint sprayer for spraying a paint. The sprayer can comprise a shell body comprising a door that, when opened, exposes an opening into an interior of the shell body, the door configured to close over the opening. The sprayer can further comprise a trigger connected to a handle, a motor in the interior, and a paint reservoir connected to the shell body. The sprayer can further comprise a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir and a pump located in the interior of the shell body. The pump is operated by the motor, the pump configured to pump the paint from the reservoir out of the nozzle as a spray. The pump is removable from the interior of the shell body through the opening when the door is opened but is not removable through the opening when the door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Diane L. Olson, Pamela J. Muetzel
  • Patent number: 10705554
    Abstract: A portable hydraulic power unit includes a fluid tank supported on a frame, a first pump configured to draw hydraulic fluid from the tank and a second pump configured to draw hydraulic fluid from the tank. The portable hydraulic power unit further includes a two-way valve disposed on a high-flow line extending from an output of the second pump, the two-way valve movable between an open state and a closed state. The two-way valve is electrically-actuated and configured to shift to the open state based on a hydraulic fluid pressure in a combined flow line downstream of the first pump and the second pump exceeding a threshold pressure level. The two-way valve directs the output of the second pump back to the fluid tank when the two-way valve is in the open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Mariusz J. Luczak, Barry W. Mattson, Douglas S. Ryder, Bret A. Deneson, Christopher A. Lins
  • Patent number: 10656669
    Abstract: A trigger guard for a pendant for controlling a hydraulic power unit includes a first prong extending from a front side of a handle of the pendant; a second prong extending from the front side of the handle; a groove disposed between the first prong and the second prong, the groove defined by the first prong, the second prong, and the handle; a first gap disposed between the first prong and a head of the pendant; and a second gap disposed between the second prong and the head. The trigger is disposed between the first prong and the second prong such that the trigger is accessible through the groove, the first gap, and the second gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Douglas S. Ryder
  • Publication number: 20180313342
    Abstract: A portable hydraulic power unit includes a frame, a fluid tank supported by the frame, and a manifold supported by the frame. The fluid tank is configured to store a supply of hydraulic fluid for powering a hydraulically-driven tool. A reciprocating pump is mounted on the exterior of the fluid tank and on the exterior of the manifold. The reciprocating pump is secured to the fluid tank and the manifold with fasteners extending through a cylinder body of the reciprocating pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Mariusz J. Luczak, Barry W. Mattson, Douglas S. Ryder, Bret A. Deneson, Christopher A. Lins
  • Publication number: 20180313344
    Abstract: A portable hydraulic power unit includes a frame, a fluid tank supported by the frame, and a manifold supported by the frame. The fluid tank is configured to store a supply of hydraulic fluid for powering a hydraulically-driven tool. A reciprocating pump is mounted on the exterior of the fluid tank and on the exterior of the manifold. The reciprocating pump is secured to the fluid tank and the manifold with fasteners extending through a cylinder body of the reciprocating pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Mariusz J. Luczak, Barry W. Mattson, Douglas S. Ryder, Bret A. Deneson, Christopher A. Lins
  • Publication number: 20180314288
    Abstract: A trigger guard for a pendant for controlling a hydraulic power unit includes a first prong extending from a front side of a handle of the pendant; a second prong extending from the front side of the handle; a groove disposed between the first prong and the second prong, the groove defined by the first prong, the second prong, and the handle; a first gap disposed between the first prong and a head of the pendant; and a second gap disposed between the second prong and the head. The trigger is disposed between the first prong and the second prong such that the trigger is accessible through the groove, the first gap, and the second gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Douglas S. Ryder
  • Publication number: 20180313350
    Abstract: A portable hydraulic power unit includes a fluid tank supported on a frame, a first pump configured to draw hydraulic fluid from the tank and a second pump configured to draw hydraulic fluid from the tank. The portable hydraulic power unit further includes a two-way valve disposed on a high-flow line extending from an output of the second pump, the two-way valve movable between an open state and a closed state. The two-way valve is electrically-actuated and configured to shift to the open state based on a hydraulic fluid pressure in a combined flow line downstream of the first pump and the second pump exceeding a threshold pressure level. The two-way valve directs the output of the second pump back to the fluid tank when the two-way valve is in the open state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Mariusz J. Luczak, Barry W. Mattson, Douglas S. Ryder, Bret A. Deneson, Christopher A. Lins
  • Publication number: 20180200743
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern a handheld paint sprayer for spraying a paint. The sprayer can comprise a shell body comprising a door that, when opened, exposes an opening into an interior of the shell body, the door configured to close over the opening. The sprayer can further comprise a trigger connected to a handle, a motor in the interior, and a paint reservoir connected to the shell body. The sprayer can further comprise a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir and a pump located in the interior of the shell body. The pump is operated by the motor, the pump configured to pump the paint from the reservoir out of the nozzle as a spray. The pump is removable from the interior of the shell body through the opening when the door is opened but is not removable through the opening when the door is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Diane L. Olson, Pamela J. Muetzel
  • Publication number: 20170326563
    Abstract: An adapter allows direct connection of a handheld spray device to paint cans of varying dimensions. The adapter includes a cage for holding the paint can, a cap that connects the cage to the handheld spray device, and a gasket that seals the open upper end of the paint can to the cap. The adapter may also include a suction tube extension that is connectable between the pump inlet and the suction tube of the spray device. A can spacer insert is positionable in the cage to elevate paint cans of varying heights so that the upper ring of the paint can engages the gasket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel R. Johnson, Dale C. Pemberton, Charles W. Dawson, Pamela J. Muetzel
  • Patent number: 9795978
    Abstract: An adapter allows direct connection of a handheld spray device to paint cans of varying dimensions. The adapter includes a cage for holding the paint can, a cap that connects the cage to the handheld spray device, and a gasket that seals the open upper end of the paint can to the cap. The adapter may also include a suction tube extension that is connectable between the pump inlet and the suction tube of the spray device. A can spacer insert is positionable in the cage to elevate paint cans of varying heights so that the upper ring of the paint can engages the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Johnson, Dale C. Pemberton, Charles W. Dawson, Pamela J. Muetzel
  • Patent number: 9764346
    Abstract: An adapter (14) allows direct connection of a handheld spray device (10) to paint cans (12, 12A, 12B, 12C), of varying dimensions. The adapter (14) includes a cage (60) for holding the paint can (12, 12A, 12B, 12C), a cap (62) that connects the cage (60) to the handheld spray device (10), and a gasket (64) that seals the open upper end of the paint can (12, 12A, 12B, 12C) to the cap (62). The adapter (14) may also include a suction tube extension 66 that is connectable between the pump inlet (52) and the suction tube (54) of the spray device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Johnson, Dale C. Pemberton, Charles W. Dawson, Pamela J. Muetzel
  • Patent number: D814610
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Diane L. Olson, Pamela J. Muetzel
  • Patent number: D844106
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Diane L. Olson, Pamela J. Muetzel
  • Patent number: D857162
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Dawson, Diane L. Olson, Pamela J. Muetzel
  • Patent number: D904318
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas S. Ryder, Charles W. Dawson