Patents by Inventor James C. Schroeder

James C. Schroeder 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: 20240060252
    Abstract: A ground tape applicator is configured to apply adhesive tape to ground surfacers. The ground tape applicator includes a plurality of rollers that guide the adhesive tape to the ground surface and apply the adhesive tape to the ground surface. The ground tape applicator includes a blade configured to engage with the adhesive tape to cut the adhesive tape to a desired length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Joshua D. Roden, Dennis D. Kemmetmueller, August F. Legatt, James C. Schroeder, Michael D. Vangstad
  • Patent number: 11896987
    Abstract: This disclosure presents several options for spraying paint on large elevated surfaces. In a first example, a lift is equipped with sensors to move a painter along the wall in a serpentine pattern while maintaining a constant separation distance and orientation to facilitate spraying of the wall. In a second example, a spray stamp frame is positioned on the wall in a plurality of different positions to spray discrete portions of the wall by a slide bar that moves along the spray stamp frame at each position. In a third example, one or more cables are strung between vertical supports along the wall and a spray module is moved along or by the cables to spray the horizontal stripe, and this process is repeated to spray a plurality of horizontal stripes at different elevations to spray the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Kinne, James C. Schroeder, William M. Blenkush, Barry W. Mattson
  • Patent number: 11821154
    Abstract: A ground tape applicator is configured to apply adhesive tape to ground surfacers. The ground tape applicator includes a plurality of rollers that guide the adhesive tape to the ground surface and apply the adhesive tape to the ground surface. The ground tape applicator includes a blade configured to engage with the adhesive tape to cut the adhesive tape to a desired length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Roden, Dennis D. Kemmetmueller, August F. Legatt, James C. Schroeder, Michael D. Vangstad
  • Publication number: 20230123506
    Abstract: A bead flow sensor module includes a housing, a beam, and a sensor. The beam extends into a flow channel of the housing through which a flow of beads and compressed air flows. The sensor outputs a signal indicative of bead impacts on the beam. A system incorporating the bead flow sensor module includes a compressed air source, a bead hopper, and a bead dispenser. The compressed air source delivers a flow of compressed air to the bead hopper. A flow of beads carried by the compressed air discharges from the bead hopper along a flow pathway connecting the bead hopper to the bead dispenser. The bead flow sensor module positioned along the flow pathway outputs the signal from which a bead flow volume through the bead dispenser is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel D. Rohling, James C. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20230059159
    Abstract: A battery powered driver for propelling a wheeled ground surface modifying machine includes at least one wheel contacting a ground surface, a battery powered electric motor, control circuitry configured to manage delivery of electrical battery power to the electric motor to control a sped of the driver, at least one pedal attached to a pedal axle and tiltable in each of a forward and rearward direction with respect to the pedal axle, and at least one pedal tilt sensor configured to output one or more signals to the control circuitry indicating a degree of tilt of the at least one pedal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Joshua D. Roden, Tyler J. Kruzel, James C. Schroeder, Mark D. Shultz, David M. Larsen
  • Patent number: 11518253
    Abstract: A battery powered driver for propelling a wheeled ground surface modifying machine includes at least one wheel contacting a ground surface, a battery powered electric motor, control circuitry configured to manage delivery of electrical battery power to the electric motor to control a sped of the driver, at least one pedal attached to a pedal axle and tiltable in each of a forward and rearward direction with respect to the pedal axle, and at least one pedal tilt sensor configured to output one or more signals to the control circuitry indicating a degree of tilt of the at least one pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Roden, Tyler J. Kruzel, James C. Schroeder, Mark D. Shultz, David M. Larsen
  • Publication number: 20220325483
    Abstract: A ground tape applicator is configured to apply adhesive tape to ground surfacers. The ground tape applicator includes a plurality of rollers that guide the adhesive tape to the ground surface and apply the adhesive tape to the ground surface. The ground tape applicator includes a blade configured to engage with the adhesive tape to cut the adhesive tape to a desired length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Joshua D. Roden, Dennis D. Kemmetmueller, August F. Legatt, James C. Schroeder, Michael D. Vangstad
  • Publication number: 20220008944
    Abstract: A ground sprayer includes a front portion and a rear portion. A marking fluid is stored in a fluid reservoir removably mounted in the front portion. A pump disposed in the front portion draws the marking fluid from the fluid reservoir through a manifold, and the pump drives the marking fluid out of a nozzle. An actuator is disposed in the rear portion and can activate the pump based on a command from the user. The rear portion includes a handle such that the user can fully support and operate the ground sprayer with a single hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Barry W. Mattson, James C. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11220797
    Abstract: A ground marking apparatus is configured to apply marking material to a ground surface. The ground marking apparatus includes a beam supported by a beam mount and extending along a beam axis. A carriage is disposed on the beam and movable on the beam along the beam axis. A carriage motor operably interfaces with the beam and is configured to move the carriage along the beam. A dispense arm is supported by the carriage and is configured to move relative to the beam as the carriage moves along the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Schroeder, Mark D. Shultz, Roland M. Bedard, Daniel D. Rohling
  • Patent number: 11123760
    Abstract: A ground sprayer includes a front portion and a rear portion. A marking fluid is stored in a fluid reservoir removably mounted in the front portion. A pump disposed in the front portion draws the marking fluid from the fluid reservoir through a manifold, and the pump drives the marking fluid out of a nozzle. An actuator is disposed in the rear portion and can activate the pump based on a command from the user. The rear portion includes a handle such that the user can fully support and operate the ground sprayer with a single hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Barry W. Mattson, James C. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20210154691
    Abstract: A handheld sprayer (10) includes a fluid module (12?) mounted to a drive module (14?) at a static connection (16) and a dynamic connection (18?). The static connection (16) supportably attached the fluid module (12?) to the drive module (14). The dynamic connection (18?) connects a drive (84) of the drive module (14?) to a pump (24) of the fluid module (12) such that the drive (84) can power the pump (24) by the dynamic connection (18). The fluid contacting components of the handheld sprayer (10?) are in the fluid module (12?). The fluid module (12?) can be mounted to and dismounted from the drive module (14?) by a sliding motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: James C. Schroeder, Aaron R. Laho, Steve J. Wrobel, Joshua D. Roden
  • Patent number: 10882063
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic actuation system for a sprayer comprises a hydraulic system, a hydraulic actuator, an electric actuator and a sprayer. The hydraulic system is for pressurizing a hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic actuator is powered by the hydraulic system. The electric actuator controls actuation of the hydraulic actuator by the hydraulic system. The sprayer is actuated by the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Schroeder, Christopher A. Lins, Steven R. Kuczenski
  • Patent number: 10669679
    Abstract: A pump for a striping machine includes dual check valves within its piston. At least one of the dual check valves is closed during an upstroke of the piston, thereby ensuring that the pump drives fluid during both its upstroke and its downstroke to maintain a desired ratio between a fluid output by the pump and a material solution output by another pump of the striping machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Nelson, Dennis Dingmann, Mike Flander, James C. Schroeder, Peter Thomassen
  • Publication number: 20200164752
    Abstract: A battery powered driver for propelling a wheeled ground surface modifying machine includes at least one wheel contacting a ground surface, a battery powered electric motor, control circuitry configured to manage delivery of electrical battery power to the electric motor to control a sped of the driver, at least one pedal attached to a pedal axle and tiltable in each of a forward and rearward direction with respect to the pedal axle, and at least one pedal tilt sensor configured to output one or more signals to the control circuitry indicating a degree of tilt of the at least one pedal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Joshua D. Roden, Tyler J. Kruzel, James C. Schroeder, Mark D. Shultz, David M. Larsen
  • Patent number: 10563364
    Abstract: A line striping system comprises a chassis, wheels, a spray system, a propulsion system and a steering system. The wheels are mounted under the chassis. The spray system is mounted on the chassis. The propulsion system is mounted on the chassis to drive a wheel. The steering system is coupled to the chassis. The steering system comprises a handlebar rotatatable to steer a wheel, and a speed bar pivotable to control the propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Lins, Thomas L. Triplett, James C. Schroeder, Steven R. Kuczenski, Barry W. Mattson, Brian M. Mulgrew, Douglas S. Ryder
  • Patent number: 10415196
    Abstract: A line striper includes a frame supported by a plurality of wheels, a spray gun supported by the frame and positioned for ground spraying, a pump for supplying line striping fluid to the spray gun, the pump supported by the frame, an electric motor for driving the pump, the motor supported by the frame, a motor control attached to the motor and electrically connected to the motor, an inverter electrically connected to the motor control, the inverter supported by the frame, a first battery electrically connected to the inverter, the first battery supported by the frame, and a power switch electrically connected to the inverter, the motor control, and the first battery, the power switch supported by the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Shultz, David M. Larsen, James C. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20190264401
    Abstract: A striper can apply a polymer-based marking material comprised of a mixture of a material solution and a catalyst. The material solution and catalyst are mixed according to a desired ratio. A first pump drives the material solution and a second pump is slaved to the first pump and drives the catalyst. The second pump includes dual check valves within its piston, thereby ensuring that the second pump drives fluid during both its upstroke and its downstroke to maintain the desired ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew Nelson, Dennis Dingmann, Mike Flander, James C. Schroeder, Peter Thomassen
  • Patent number: 10392757
    Abstract: A line striper for ground marking with a sprayable fluid includes a horizontal frame, a front wheel mounted to the horizontal frame, a left rear wheel and a right rear wheel mounted to the horizontal frame, a rear axle extending from one or both of the left rear wheel and the right rear wheel, a mounting arm assembly connected to the horizontal frame, a spray gun mounted on the mounting arm assembly and positioned for spraying the ground, a pump mounted on the horizontal frame, the pump configured to pump the sprayable fluid to the spray gun, and a fluid reservoir support stage removably positioned over the horizontal frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Shultz, David M. Larsen, James C. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20190240690
    Abstract: A ground sprayer includes a front portion and a rear portion. A marking fluid is stored in a fluid reservoir removably mounted in the front portion. A pump disposed in the front portion draws the marking fluid from the fluid reservoir through a manifold, and the pump drives the marking fluid out of a nozzle. An actuator is disposed in the rear portion and can activate the pump based on a command from the user. The rear portion includes a handle such that the user can fully support and operate the ground sprayer with a single hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Barry W. Mattson, James C. Schroeder
  • Patent number: D885993
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Roden, James C. Schroeder, Anthony J. Shakal, Aaron R. Laho