Patents by Inventor Joel Kramka

Joel Kramka 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: 11953198
    Abstract: A fire pit includes an engine having at least one wall defining an inner chamber. At least one primary air aperture is defined through the inner chamber wall at a first, lower level, and at least one secondary air aperture is defined through the inner chamber wall at a second, upper level. A fuel grate is supported within the inner chamber at a level between the lower level and the upper level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Lamplight Farms Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven Merrill Harrington, Michael Sawalski, Ryan Butrym, Robert Woodruff, Joel Kramka, Megan Piunti, Montel Caruthers
  • Patent number: 11571088
    Abstract: Portable grills are disclosed. An example portable grill movable between an erected configuration and a collapsed configuration includes a frame and a leg unit coupled to the frame. The leg unit includes a first leg, a second leg spaced apart from the first leg, and a support bar coupled to and extending between the first and second legs. The support bar further extends at an angle away from the first and second legs. The support bar is configured to contact an underlying surface to support the portable grill when the portable grill is in the collapsed configuration and oriented horizontally relative to the underlying surface. The support bar is further configured to provide a handle by which the portable grill can be hung when the portable grill is in the collapsed configuration and oriented vertically relative to the underlying surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Hunt, Karol Polaczek, Karol Polaczek, Jr., Simon Livingston-Jha, William R. Mathias, Evan Sparks, Joel Kramka, Montel Caruthers, Henry M. Hillstrom
  • Patent number: 11571087
    Abstract: Portable grills are disclosed. An example portable grill movable between an erected configuration and a collapsed configuration includes a frame and a leg unit coupled to the frame. The leg unit includes a first leg, a second leg spaced apart from the first leg, and a foldable foot pivotally coupled to and extending between the first and second legs. The foldable foot is movable relative to the first and second legs between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration. The foldable foot contacts an underlying surface to support the portable grill when the foldable foot is unfolded and the portable grill is erected and oriented horizontally relative to the underlying surface. The foldable foot provides a handle by which the portable grill can be picked up when the foldable foot is folded and the portable grill is collapsed and oriented horizontally relative to the underlying surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Hunt, Karol Polaczek, Karol Polaczek, Jr., Jerzy Latocha, Simon Livingston-Jha, William R. Mathias, Evan Sparks, Joel Kramka, Montel Caruthers, Henry M. Hillstrom
  • Patent number: 11510525
    Abstract: Portable grills are disclosed. An example portable grill movable between an erected configuration and a collapsed configuration includes a frame, a leg unit, and a leg lock assembly. The leg unit is movably coupled to the frame. The leg unit includes a first leg and a second leg spaced apart from the first leg. The leg lock assembly is operatively coupled to the leg unit and located partially within the frame. The leg lock assembly is configured to lock the leg unit in a first position relative to the frame when the portable grill is in the erected configuration, and to unlock the leg unit from the first position to enable movement of the portable grill from the erected configuration into the collapsed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Hunt, Karol Polaczek, Karol Polaczek, Jr., Jerzy Latocha, Jeffrey L. Crull, Simon Livingston-Jha, William R. Mathias, Evan Sparks, Joel Kramka, Montel Caruthers, Henry M. Hillstrom
  • Patent number: 11510526
    Abstract: Portable grills are disclosed. An example portable grill includes a cookbox, a lid, a cooking grate, and a grate retainer. The lid is movably coupled to the cookbox, and is movable relative to the cookbox between a closed position and an open position. The lid and the cookbox define a cooking chamber when the lid is in the closed position. The cooking grate is located within the cooking chamber and supported by the cookbox. The cooking grate is movable relative to the cookbox when the lid is in the open position. The grate retainer is coupled to the lid, and extends inwardly from an inner surface of the lid. The grate retainer is configured to restrict movement of the cooking grate relative to the cookbox when the lid is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Hunt, Karol Polaczek, Karol Polaczek, Jr., Jerzy Latocha, Jeffrey L. Crull, Simon Livingston-Jha, William R. Mathias, Evan Sparks, Joel Kramka, Henry M. Hillstrom
  • Patent number: 11503951
    Abstract: Portable grills are disclosed. An example portable grill movable between an erected configuration and a collapsed configuration includes a valve and regulator assembly and a tank blocker. The valve and regulator assembly includes a tank connector configured to removably couple a fuel tank to the valve and regulator assembly. The tank blocker is configured to prevent the portable grill from being moved from the erected configuration into the collapsed configuration when the portable grill is in the erected configuration and the fuel tank is coupled to the tank connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Hunt, Karol Polaczek, Karol Polaczek, Jr., Jerzy Latocha, Jeffrey L. Crull, Simon Livingston-Jha, William R. Mathias, Evan Sparks, Joel Kramka, Montel Caruthers, Henry M. Hillstrom
  • Patent number: 11503950
    Abstract: Portable grills are disclosed. An example portable grill movable between an erected configuration and a collapsed configuration includes a frame, a cookbox, a lid, and a lid lock assembly. The cookbox is coupled to the frame. The lid is movably coupled to the cookbox. The lid is movable relative to the cookbox between a closed position and an open position. The lid lock assembly is coupled to the frame. The lid lock assembly is configured to enable movement of the lid from the closed position into the open position when the portable grill is in the erected configuration, and to lock the lid in the closed position in response to the portable grill being moved from the erected configuration into the collapsed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Hunt, Karol Polaczek, Karol Polaczek, Jr., Jerzy Latocha, Jeffrey L. Crull, Simon Livingston-Jha, William R. Mathias, Evan Sparks, Joel Kramka, Montel Caruthers, Henry M. Hillstrom
  • Patent number: 11503952
    Abstract: Portable grills are disclosed. An example portable grill includes a frame, a leg unit, and a leg latch assembly. The leg unit is coupled to the frame. The leg latch assembly includes a post rigidly coupled to the leg unit, and a swing plate pivotally coupled to the frame. The swing plate includes an opening to receive the post when the portable grill is in a collapsed configuration. The opening includes a first post-receiving portion having a first diameter, and a second post-receiving portion having a second diameter less than the first diameter. The swing plate is pivotable to selectively locate the post in the first post-receiving portion or the second post-receiving portion. The swing plate is separable from the post when the post is located in the first post-receiving portion, and inseparable from the post when the post is located in the second post-receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Hunt, Karol Polaczek, Karol Polaczek, Jr., Jerzy Latocha, Simon Livingston-Jha, William R. Mathias, Evan Sparks, Joel Kramka, Henry M. Hillstrom
  • Patent number: 11385681
    Abstract: A docking computer storage system has a plurality of docking bays for receiving laptop computers. A male USB-C connector is provided at the rear of each bay such that, when a laptop computer is inserted into the docking bay, the male USB-C connector in the docking bay will automatically engage a corresponding female USB-C connector on the laptop computer. The male USB-C connector is disposed on a floating subassembly which enables vertical and horizontal relative movement of the male USB-C connector within the docking bay. The floating subassembly has self-orienting inactive “dummy” male connectors configured to engage one or more female connectors on the laptop computer other than the USB-C connector. The self-orienting inactive “dummy” male connectors cause the male USB-C connector of the docking station to be properly aligned with the female USB-C connector of the laptop computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Bretford Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Hough, Jeffrey Crull, Joel Kramka, William Mathias, Brett DeFever, Simon Livingston-Jha
  • Publication number: 20210340787
    Abstract: A torch pole having a top, a bottom, and a length between the top and bottom. A step is affixed to the torch pole and is free to pivot between a lower position where the step protrudes from the torch pole and an upper position where the step is folded to the torch pole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Lucas Henry Zeitler, Samantha Wisniewski, Simon Livingston-Jha, Ryan J. Hilderbrandt, Jeffrey L. Crull, William Mathias, Joel Kramka
  • Publication number: 20210212513
    Abstract: Portable grills are disclosed. An example portable grill movable between an erected configuration and a collapsed configuration includes a frame and a leg unit coupled to the frame. The leg unit includes a first leg, a second leg spaced apart from the first leg, and a support bar coupled to and extending between the first and second legs. The support bar further extends at an angle away from the first and second legs. The support bar is configured to contact an underlying surface to support the portable grill when the portable grill is in the collapsed configuration and oriented horizontally relative to the underlying surface. The support bar is further configured to provide a handle by which the portable grill can be hung when the portable grill is in the collapsed configuration and oriented vertically relative to the underlying surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Paul R. Hunt, Karol Polaczek, Karol Polaczek, JR., Simon Livingston-Jha, William R. Mathias, Evan Sparks, Joel Kramka, Montel Caruthers, Henry M. Hillstrom
  • Publication number: 20210212515
    Abstract: Portable grills are disclosed. An example portable grill includes a cookbox, a lid, a cooking grate, and a grate retainer. The lid is movably coupled to the cookbox, and is movable relative to the cookbox between a closed position and an open position. The lid and the cookbox define a cooking chamber when the lid is in the closed position. The cooking grate is located within the cooking chamber and supported by the cookbox. The cooking grate is movable relative to the cookbox when the lid is in the open position. The grate retainer is coupled to the lid, and extends inwardly from an inner surface of the lid. The grate retainer is configured to restrict movement of the cooking grate relative to the cookbox when the lid is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Paul R. Hunt, Karol Polaczek, Karol Polaczek, Jr., Jerzy Latocha, Jeffrey L. Crull, Simon Livingston-Jha, William R. Mathias, Evan Sparks, Joel Kramka, Henry M. Hillstrom
  • Patent number: D925264
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Derek Bennion, Evan Sparks, Joel Kramka, Montel Caruthers
  • Patent number: D925265
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Derek Bennion, Evan Sparks, Joel Kramka, Montel Caruthers
  • Patent number: D951000
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Derek Bennion, Evan Sparks, Joel Kramka, Montel Caruthers, Henry M. Hillstrom
  • Patent number: D953792
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Derek Bennion, Evan Sparks, Joel Kramka, Montel Caruthers, Henry M. Hillstrom
  • Patent number: D960319
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Julie L. Bates, James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Joel Kramka, Casey Frett, Katlyn Garcia, Richard A. Batton, Evan A. Sparks
  • Patent number: D971661
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Derek Bennion, Evan Sparks, Joel Kramka, Montel Caruthers
  • Patent number: D972360
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Derek Bennion, Evan Sparks, Joel Kramka, Montel Caruthers
  • Patent number: D979317
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Derek Bennion, Evan Sparks, Joel Kramka, Montel Caruthers, Henry M. Hillstrom