Patents by Inventor Mark D. Shultz

Mark D. Shultz 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: 20210197220
    Abstract: A spray gun includes a gun body and a handle removably connected to the gun body. A filter is disposed in the handle for filtering particulate from the spray fluid. A trigger guard is connected to the handle and gun body and includes a contour on a lower portion of the trigger guard for receiving one or more fingers of the user that are not interfacing with and contacting the trigger. The trigger guard can be disconnected from the gun body and rotated relative to the handle. The trigger guard can contact a portion of the handle and exert torque on the handle to connect the handle to and disconnect the handle from the gun body. The portion of the handle at least partially covers a fitting connecting to the handle to provide spray fluid to the spray gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Mark D. Shultz, Steven D. Becker, Brian M. Mulgrew, Tyler F. Sterner
  • Patent number: 10961668
    Abstract: A line striper having a spray control system includes a spray gun, a lever, first and second cables, a manual actuator, and an assisted control. The lever is configured to move between a spray position and an inactive position. The first cable is mechanically linked to the lever. The manual control is mechanically linked to the first cable and configured to pull the first cable rearward to move the lever into the spray position. The second cable is mechanically linked to the lever. The assisted control is configured to pull the second cable rearward to move the lever into the spray position. The lever is independently moveable relative to the first and second cables such that movement of the lever caused by the first cable does not compress the second cable and movement of the lever caused by the second cable does not compress the first cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Shultz, Daniel D. Rohling, David M. Larsen
  • Publication number: 20210039121
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to remote priming of a texture sprayer. The texture sprayer includes a main unit, a hose assembly and a spray gun, the main unit includes an air compressor, a sensor that senses a parameter of air compressed by the air compressor, and a texture material pump that is activated and deactivated in response to the parameter sensed. A spray gun can be remoted coupled to the main unit via the hose assembly. The spray gun includes a nozzle, from which the texture material is forcefully expelled as a spray, a trigger, and a prime valve. Actuation of the trigger causes the spray gun to mix the compressed air with the texture material and to forcefully expel the texture material as a spray from the nozzle, thereby causing flow of the compressed air. Opening the prime valve releases the compressed air thereby causing flow of the compressed air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Max Carideo, Steven D. Becker, August F. Legatt, Mark D. Shultz
  • Patent number: 10843211
    Abstract: A sprayer includes a spray gun and a hopper. An air source provides compressed air to the sprayer to both eject fluid from the spray gun as a spray and to pressurize the hopper. The spray gun includes an airflow controller for controlling the flow of the compressed air to a nozzle of the spray gun, a pressure regulator for regulating a pressure of the compressed air flowing to the hopper, and a relief valve between the pressure regulator and the hopper. The hopper receives the compressed air through a port in the hopper, and the compressed air assists the flow of material out of the hopper and into the spray gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Becker, David M. Larsen, Steve J. Wrobel, Mark D. Shultz, Robert J. Gundersen
  • Patent number: 10814340
    Abstract: A texture sprayer comprises an air compressor, a motor, a spray gun, an airflow switch, and a pressure switch. The air compressor is disposed to send the pressurized gas down a pneumatic line, and is driven by the motor. The spray gun receives pressurized gas from the pneumatic line, and expels the gas when actuated. The airflow and pressure switches are both disposed on the pneumatic line. The airflow switch is situated between the spray gun and the air reservoir, and powers the motor when gas flows through the airflow switch. The pressure switch powers the motor whenever pressure within the pneumatic line falls below a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Max Carideo, Steven D. Becker, August F. Legatt, Mark D. Shultz
  • Patent number: 10815990
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing system includes a motor housing and a piston pump assembly connected to the motor housing. A motor is mounted within the motor housing. The piston pump assembly includes a pump housing, a cartridge having a first end that extends into a second end of the pump housing, a piston that extends into a first end of the pump housing and the first end of the cartridge, and a packing stack within the cartridge and adjacent an inner surface of the cartridge and through which the piston extends. The cartridge is configured to be removed from the pump housing, and removal of the cartridge removes the packing stack from within the pump housing while leaving the pump housing connected to the motor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Shultz, David M. Larsen, Justin G. Johnston, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Publication number: 20200238318
    Abstract: A material sprayer includes a hopper module and a power module. The power module is mountable and dismountable from the hopper module. The hopper module includes a hopper frame and a hopper supported by the hopper frame. The power module includes a drive and a pump connected to and configured to be powered by the drive. The pump interfaces with the hopper with the power module mounted on the hopper frame such that the pump can draw material from the hopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Mark D. Shultz, David M. Larsen, Max Carideo, Bradley K. Voigt
  • 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: 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
  • 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: 20190232307
    Abstract: A sprayer includes a spray gun and a hopper. An air source provides compressed air to the sprayer to both eject fluid from the spray gun as a spray and to pressurize the hopper. The spray gun includes an airflow controller for controlling the flow of the compressed air to a nozzle of the spray gun, a pressure regulator for regulating a pressure of the compressed air flowing to the hopper, and a relief valve between the pressure regulator and the hopper. The hopper receives the compressed air through a port in the hopper, and the compressed air assists the flow of material out of the hopper and into the spray gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Steven D. Becker, David M. Larsen, Steve J. Wrobel, Mark D. Shultz, Robert J. Gundersen
  • Publication number: 20190232308
    Abstract: A sprayer includes a spray gun and a hopper. An air source provides compressed air to the sprayer to both eject fluid from the spray gun as a spray and to pressurize the hopper. The spray gun includes an airflow controller for controlling the flow of the compressed air to a nozzle of the spray gun, a pressure regulator for regulating a pressure of the compressed air flowing to the hopper, and a relief valve between the pressure regulator and the hopper. The hopper receives the compressed air through a port in the hopper, and the compressed air assists the flow of material out of the hopper and into the spray gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Steven D. Becker, David M. Larsen, Steve J. Wrobel, Mark D. Shultz, Robert J. Gundersen
  • Publication number: 20190203432
    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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: James C. Schroeder, Mark D. Shultz, Roland M. Bedard, Daniel D. Rohling
  • Publication number: 20180195241
    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: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Mark D. Shultz, David M. Larsen, James C. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20180195242
    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: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Mark D. Shultz, David M. Larsen, James C. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20170292506
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing system includes a motor housing and a piston pump assembly connected to the motor housing. A motor is mounted within the motor housing. The piston pump assembly includes a pump housing, a cartridge having a first end that extends into a second end of the pump housing, a piston that extends into a first end of the pump housing and the first end of the cartridge, and a packing stack within the cartridge and adjacent an inner surface of the cartridge and through which the piston extends. The cartridge is configured to be removed from the pump housing, and removal of the cartridge removes the packing stack from within the pump housing while leaving the pump housing connected to the motor housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Mark D. Shultz, David M. Larsen, Justin G. Johnston, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Publication number: 20170284550
    Abstract: A check valve comprises a housing, a fluid passage, a seat, a valve member and a stop. The fluid passage extends through the housing. The seat is disposed in the fluid passage. The valve member is positioned in the passage to engage the seat. The stop extends through the housing to engage the valve member. The stop is accessible from outside the housing to adjust a distance the valve member can travel from the seat. In one embodiment, the stop includes a variable stop feature, such as an offset pin or a cam. In another embodiment, the stop includes a pump control valve. In yet another embodiment, the housing includes markings to indicate a position of the stop. The valve member comprises a ball or a poppet in different embodiments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Bradley H. Hines, Jeromy D. Horning, Mariusz J. Luczak, William M. Blenkush, Mark D. Shultz
  • Patent number: 9732869
    Abstract: A check valve comprises a housing, a fluid passage, a seat, a valve member and a stop. The fluid passage extends through the housing. The seat is disposed in the fluid passage. The valve member is positioned in the passage to engage the seat. The stop extends through the housing to engage the valve member. The stop is accessible from outside the housing to adjust a distance the valve member can travel from the seat. In one embodiment, the stop includes a variable stop feature, such as an offset pin or a cam. In another embodiment, the stop includes a pump control valve. In yet another embodiment, the housing includes markings to indicate a position of the stop. The valve member comprises a ball or a poppet in different embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley H. Hines, Jeromy D. Horning, Mariusz J. Luczak, William M. Blenkush, Mark D. Shultz
  • Publication number: 20170209880
    Abstract: A texture sprayer comprises an air compressor, a motor, a spray gun, an airflow switch, and a pressure switch. The air compressor is disposed to send the pressurized gas down a pneumatic line, and is driven by the motor. The spray gun receives pressurized gas from the pneumatic line, and expels the gas when actuated. The airflow and pressure switches are both disposed on the pneumatic line. The airflow switch is situated between the spray gun and the air reservoir, and powers the motor when gas flows through the airflow switch. The pressure switch powers the motor whenever pressure within the pneumatic line falls below a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Max Carideo, Steven D. Becker, August F. Legatt, Mark D. Shultz
  • Patent number: D818006
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Shultz, David M. Larsen, James C. Schroeder