Patents by Inventor Steve J. Wrobel

Steve J. Wrobel 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: 11927183
    Abstract: A fluid spraying system includes a displacement pump configured to mount to a drive housing. A reciprocating drive is connectable to a pump rod of the displacement pump and includes a connecting rod and a drive link that receives a head of the pump rod. A tightening ring that includes threading is configured to rotate about a cylinder of the pump and shift axially along the cylinder and engage with a bottom side of the drive housing to secure the displacement pump to the drive housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    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: 11927184
    Abstract: A displacement pump is configured to mount to a drive housing. A reciprocating drive is connectable to a pump rod of the displacement pump and includes a connecting rod and a drive link that receives a head of the pump rod. A flange projects from a pump body of the pump and a ring projects from the pump body of the pump. A portion of the drive housing is received in a gap between the flange and the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    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: 11891991
    Abstract: A fluid spraying system includes a displacement pump configured to mount to a drive housing. A reciprocating drive is connectable to a pump rod of the displacement pump and includes a connecting rod and a drive link that receives a head of the pump rod. A tightening ring that includes threading is configured to rotate about a cylinder of the pump and shift axially along the cylinder and engage with a bottom side of the drive housing to secure the displacement pump to the drive housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    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: 11891992
    Abstract: A piston includes a piston cap and a piston rod with the piston cap being removable from the piston rod body. The piston cap includes a cap body and a socket extending into the cap body. A mounting portion of the piston rod body extends into the socket of the cap body to connect the piston rod body to the piston cap. A wear sleeve is mounted on the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Jeromy D. Horning, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Patent number: 11873810
    Abstract: A fluid spraying system includes a displacement pump configured to mount to a drive housing. A reciprocating drive is connectable to a pump rod of the displacement pump and includes a connecting rod and a drive link that receives a head of the pump rod. A tightening ring that includes threading is configured to rotate about a cylinder of the pump and shift along the cylinder and engage with a bottom side of the drive housing to secure the displacement pump to the drive housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    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: 11873809
    Abstract: A fluid spraying system includes a displacement pump configured to mount to a drive housing. A reciprocating drive is connectable to a pump rod of the displacement pump and includes a connecting rod and a drive link that receives a head of the pump rod. A tightening ring that includes threading is configured to rotate about a cylinder of the pump and shift axially along the cylinder and engage with a bottom side of the drive housing to secure the displacement pump to the drive housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    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: 11835038
    Abstract: A paint sprayer includes an end bell, a motor connected to the end bell, a pump drive connected to the end bell, a pair of protrusions attached to an extending from the end bell such that each protrusion is cantilevered from the end bell, and a pump assembly comprising a pair of mounting holes and containing a piston. The pair of mounting holes is adapted to receive and slide onto the pair of protrusions to mount the pump assembly on the end bell as well as slide off of the pair of protrusions to remove the pump assembly from the end bell. The pump drive is configured to covert rotational motion output by the motor to reciprocal motion. The pump assembly is configured to pump paint when reciprocated by the pump drive while mounted on the end bell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Max Carideo, James M. Dalton, Justin G Johnston, Steve J. Wrobel, Christopher A. Lins
  • Publication number: 20230383745
    Abstract: A displacement pump is configured to mount to a drive housing. A reciprocating drive is connectable to a pump rod of the displacement pump and includes a connecting rod and a drive link that receives a head of the pump rod. A flange projects from a pump body of the pump and a ring projects from the pump body of the pump. A portion of the drive housing is received in a gap between the flange and the ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    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: 20230383744
    Abstract: A fluid spraying system includes a displacement pump configured to mount to a drive housing. A reciprocating drive is connectable to a pump rod of the displacement pump and includes a connecting rod and a drive link that receives a head of the pump rod. A tightening ring that includes threading is configured to rotate about a cylinder of the pump and shift axially along the cylinder and engage with a bottom side of the drive housing to secure the displacement pump to the drive housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    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: 20230383746
    Abstract: A piston includes a piston cap and a piston rod with the piston cap being removable from the piston rod body. The piston cap includes a cap body and a socket extending into the cap body. A mounting portion of the piston rod body extends into the socket of the cap body to connect the piston rod body to the piston cap. A wear sleeve is mounted on the piston rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Jeromy D. Horning, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Patent number: 11819868
    Abstract: A spray gun includes a gun body and valves configured to control flow of material and air through the gun body. A trigger is mounted to the gun body and is disposed relative to the valves such that the trigger actuates the valves in sequence to begin air flow and material flow. A sensor senses when the trigger is in an actuated state and the sensor causes a pump to begin pumping material to the spray gun. Release of the trigger causes the trigger to leave the actuated state. A detent mechanism holes the trigger in a detent state intermediate the actuated state and a resting state. The sensor does not sense the trigger with the trigger in the detent state. The trigger maintains the valves open with the trigger in the detent state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy P. Jurmu, Douglas S. Ryder, Quincy A. Kesti, Robert J. Gundersen, Jeromy D. Horning, Steve J. Wrobel, Chad R. Taszarek
  • Publication number: 20230366396
    Abstract: A fluid spraying system includes a displacement pump configured to mount to a drive housing. A reciprocating drive is connectable to a pump rod of the displacement pump and includes a connecting rod and a drive link that receives a head of the pump rod. A tightening ring that includes threading is configured to rotate about a cylinder of the pump and shift along the cylinder and engage with a bottom side of the drive housing to secure the displacement pump to the drive housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    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: 20230349375
    Abstract: A fluid spraying system includes a displacement pump configured to mount to a drive housing. A reciprocating drive is connectable to a pump rod of the displacement pump and includes a connecting rod and a drive link that receives a head of the pump rod. A tightening ring that includes threading is configured to rotate about a cylinder of the pump and shift axially along the cylinder and engage with a bottom side of the drive housing to secure the displacement pump to the drive housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    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: 20230340955
    Abstract: A fluid spraying system includes a displacement pump configured to mount to a drive housing. A reciprocating drive is connectable to a pump rod of the displacement pump and includes a connecting rod and a drive link that receives a head of the pump rod. A tightening ring that includes threading is configured to rotate about a cylinder of the pump and shift axially along the cylinder and engage with a bottom side of the drive housing to secure the displacement pump to the drive housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    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: 11773842
    Abstract: A piston includes a piston cap and a piston rod with the piston cap being removable from the piston rod body. The piston cap includes a cap body and a socket extending into the cap body. A mounting portion of the piston rod body extends into the socket of the cap body to connect the piston rod body to the piston cap. A wear sleeve is mounted on the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Jeromy D. Horning, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Publication number: 20230278053
    Abstract: A spray gun includes a valve cartridge configured to be axially installed and removed as a single piece. The valve cartridge includes the wear components of the spray gun. A trigger of the spray gun is configured to actuate a slider of the valve cartridge to control spraying by the spray gun. The trigger can slide between a spray position, where the trigger prevents forward axial movement of the valve cartridge, and a repair position, where the valve cartridge can move axially forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Justin G. Johnston, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Patent number: 11732708
    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 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    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
  • Publication number: 20230234085
    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 passages for providing compressed air to the nozzle for spraying and to the hopper for pressurizing the hopper. The spray gun further includes a relief valve for venting pressurized air from 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: March 23, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Steven D. Becker, David M. Larsen, Steve J. Wrobel, Mark D. Shultz, Robert J. Gundersen
  • Publication number: 20230213029
    Abstract: A paint sprayer includes an end bell, a motor connected to the end bell, a pump drive connected to the end bell, a pair of protrusions attached to an extending from the end bell such that each protrusion is cantilevered from the end bell, and a pump assembly comprising a pair of mounting holes and containing a piston. The pair of mounting holes is adapted to receive and slide onto the pair of protrusions to mount the pump assembly on the end bell as well as slide off of the pair of protrusions to remove the pump assembly from the end bell. The pump drive is configured to covert rotational motion output by the motor to reciprocal motion. The pump assembly is configured to pump paint when reciprocated by the pump drive while mounted on the end bell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Max Carideo, James M. Dalton, Justin G. Johnston, Steve J. Wrobel, Christopher A. Lins
  • Patent number: 11684937
    Abstract: A spray gun includes a valve cartridge configured to be axially installed and removed as a single piece. The valve cartridge includes the wear components of the spray gun. A trigger of the spray gun is configured to actuate a slider of the valve cartridge to control spraying by the spray gun. The trigger includes arms that are mounted to the spray gun by a pivot mechanism. The pivot mechanism can be disengaged from the arms to allow the trigger to slide between a spray position, where the trigger prevents forward axial movement of the valve cartridge, and a repair position, where the valve cartridge can move axially forward. The trigger also includes upper and lower portions that are movable relative to each other, such that the length of the trigger can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Justin G. Johnston, Steve J. Wrobel