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: 9630196
    Abstract: A handheld sprayer includes a housing, a turbine, a spray tip, and a hopper. An air flow passage extends through the housing. The turbine is configured to generate an airflow within the air flow passage. The spray tip is positioned to receive airflow from the air flow passage. The hopper is connected to the housing and configured to discharge a fluid into the air flow passage. In one embodiment a valve is positioned within the air flow passage and configured to control the airflow from the turbine to the spray tip. In another embodiment, a voltage limiting circuit is configured to control voltage to an electric motor of the turbine to control speed of the turbine. In another embodiment, an air inlet control device is configured to control the air intake of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Finstad, Jeromy D. Horning, Robert W. Kinne, Bret A. Deneson, Steve J. Wrobel, David M. Larsen, Barry W. Mattson
  • Patent number: 9481000
    Abstract: A pump 24 with speed control is utilized. A dispenser 12 may have a trigger 14 which actuates a valve 16. Dispenser control 18 has “up” and “down” buttons, 20 and 22 respectively. The controls 28(comprising elements 18, 20 and 22) for the pump 24 are remote from pump 24. The controls communicate with the pump via wires or radio frequency (RF) 26 to regulate pump speed. Quick button (20 and 22) presses will incrementally change the flow setting while long button (20 and 22) presses will change the settings at a higher rate. This control method can also be tied to the controls located on the pump 24. The potentiometer 30 on the pump 24 will set a max setting, and any adjustments at the valve can go below this setting and back up to it, but never exceed it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignees: Graco Minnesota Inc., Axia Acquistion Corporation
    Inventors: Steve J. Wrobel, Jeromy D. Horning, Robert J. Gundersen, James M. Dalton, Christopher A. Lins, Grant E. Kurre
  • Publication number: 20160186743
    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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    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: 20160186788
    Abstract: A clamp is secured to a displacement pump, and the clamp includes an axial ring and a tightening ring. The axial ring is mounted above the tightening ring, and the axial ring is configured to align the displacement pump during mounting and to limit the stoke of a pump rod within the displacement pump. The tightening ring may be tightened such that the axial ring and the tightening ring exert a clamping force on a drive housing, which secures the displacement pump to the drive housing. The tightening ring may receive a projection extending from the drive housing to provide structural support to the drive housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Glen W. Davidson, Steve J. Wrobel, Chad R. Taszarek, William M. Blenkush, Chris W. Sydow, Andrew J. Kopel, Christopher A. Lins, David J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20160186744
    Abstract: A displacement pump includes a pump rod having a load concentrating feature extending from the head of the pump rod. The head of the pump rod is received within a slot of a drive link, and the drive link is configured to contact the load concentrating feature. Having the drive link contact the smaller diameter load concentrating feature reduces the misalignment between the driving force and the center of the pump rod and thereby reduces side-loading experienced by the pump rod. The displacement pump is configured to be used in a fluid dispensing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Glen W. Davidson, Steve J. Wrobel, Chad R. Taszarek, William M. Blenkush, Chris W. Sydow, Christopher A. Lins, Andrew J. Kopel, David J. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150367362
    Abstract: A handheld sprayer includes a housing, a turbine, a spray tip, and a hopper. An air flow passage extends through the housing. The turbine is configured to generate an airflow within the air flow passage. The spray tip is positioned to receive airflow from the air flow passage. The hopper is connected to the housing and configured to discharge a fluid into the air flow passage. In one embodiment a valve is positioned within the air flow passage and configured to control the airflow from the turbine to the spray tip. In another embodiment, a voltage limiting circuit is configured to control voltage to an electric motor of the turbine to control speed of the turbine. In another embodiment, an air inlet control device is configured to control the air intake of the turbine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Eric J. Finstad, Jeromy D. Horning, Robert W. Kinne, Bret A. Deneson, Steve J. Wrobel, David M. Larsen, Barry W. Mattson
  • Patent number: 9133631
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a handle system for use with finishing tools utilized to finish wallboard joints. A finishing tool may be connected to the handle system and moved relative to a wallboard joint to appropriately apply mastic over the joint. In one embodiment, the handle system includes an elongate handle body having a tear drop cross-sectional shape. The shape enables the handle body to fit ergonomically within a user's hand and improves the user's ability to resist torque tending to cause the handle body to twist and a connected finishing tool to come out of contact with wallboard during use. The handle system further includes a pivoting connector assembly that permits a connected finishing tool to rotate relative to the handle body and that has a unique pivot pin that allows mastic to flow through the handle body, through the pivoting connector assembly, and into the connected finishing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: AXIA ACQUISITION CORPORATION, GRACO INC.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jungklaus, David J. Castagnetta, Charles C. Somers, III, Christopher A. Lins, Jeromy D. Horning, Bret A. Deneson, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Publication number: 20130009395
    Abstract: A coupler utilizes a conventional sanitary clamp member 12 having a handle 14 releasably clamping first and second halves 16 and 18 together. The inner surface of halves 16 and 18 is provided with a groove 20 having angled sides 20a and 20b which serve to axially press together male 22 and female 28 members together as handle 14 is tightened. Male member 22 has a generally cylindrical plug 24 with end 30 which extends into socket 28b of female member 28. An O-ring 26 is located on the circumference of plug 24 and seals against the inner cylindrical surface of socket 28b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Jeromy D. Horning, Steve J. Wrobel, James M. Dalton, Christopher A. Lins, Craig T. Kurvers
  • Publication number: 20130008536
    Abstract: A pump 24 with speed control is utilized. A dispenser 12 may have a trigger 16 which actuates a valve 16. Dispenser control 18 has “up” and “down” buttons, 20 and 22 respectively. The controls 28 (comprising elements 18, 20 and 22) for the pump 24 are remote from pump 24. The controls communicate with the pump via wires or radio frequency (RF) 26 to regulate pump speed. Quick button (20 and 22) presses will incrementally change the flow setting while long button (20 and 22) presses will change the settings at a higher rate. This control method can also be tied to the controls located on the pump 24. The potentiometer 30 on the pump 24 will set a max setting, and any adjustments at the valve can go below this setting and back up to it, but never exceed it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Steve J. Wrobel, Jeromy D. Horning, Robert J. Gundersen, James M. Dalton, Christopher A. Lins, Grant E. Kurre
  • Publication number: 20130011176
    Abstract: A removable waterproof enclosure (20) houses an RF control (22) and two triggers (or buttons) (24) and (26) to start and stop a drywall feed pump (16). The enclosure attaches to the power-fed drywall box tool handle(s) (28). It has a manual clamp (30) to keep it in a desired position on the handle (28) when desired. The clamp (30) also has a neutral or released position to allow it to slide freely with the user's hand for more versatility. Two triggers or buttons (24) and (26) on opposite ends of the RF enclosure (20) are used to control the pump (16) on/off from multiple hand grip positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Jeromy D. Horning, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Publication number: 20110297326
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a handle system for use with finishing tools utilized to finish wallboard joints. A finishing tool may be connected to the handle system and moved relative to a wallboard joint to appropriately apply mastic over the joint. In one embodiment, the handle system includes an elongate handle body having a tear drop cross-sectional shape. The shape enables the handle body to fit ergonomically within a user's hand and improves the user's ability to resist torque tending to cause the handle body to twist and a connected finishing tool to come out of contact with wallboard during use. The handle system further includes a pivoting connector assembly that permits a connected finishing tool to rotate relative to the handle body and that has a unique pivot pin that allows mastic to flow through the handle body, through the pivoting connector assembly, and into the connected finishing tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicants: Graco Inc., Axia Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jungklaus, David J. Castagnetta, Charles C. Somers, III, Christopher A. Lins, Jeromy D. Horning, Bret A. Deneson, Steve J. Wrobel
  • Publication number: 20100294855
    Abstract: This invention allows a painter to use a sprayer 12 to reach objects or surfaces that would otherwise be out of reach for them. A step 10 is provided on the sprayer 12 which provides a quick and easy solution for users when prepping and cleaning a room. This feature would easily allow an average sized man to reach the ceiling in an 8 foot room and other similar heights. In this function the step 10 would allow the sprayer frame 14 to act as a step stool or step ladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Dale D. Johnson, Andrew J. Kopel, Steve J. Wrobel, Steven H. Fredrickson
  • Patent number: D747183
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Glen W. Davidson, Steve J. Wrobel, Chad R. Taszarek, William M. Blenkush, Chris W. Sydow
  • Patent number: D759199
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Steve J. Wrobel, Charles W. Dawson, Diane L. Olson