Patents by Inventor Steven J. Wrobel

Steven 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: 10000048
    Abstract: A taping apparatus includes an elongate body portion having a moveable control member for controlling the advancement of tape and a head portion connected to the elongate body portion for advancing the tape. The head portion includes a first stop, a second stop, a guide extending from the first stop to the second stop, and a tape advance mechanism moveable along the guide. The tape advance mechanism and the control member are coupled to one another such that the tape advance mechanism is moveable in response to movement of the control member. The tape advance mechanism includes a rotatable cam and a needle that rotates with the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignees: AXIA ACQUISITION CORPORATION, GRACO INC.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jungklaus, Steven J. Wrobel, Jeromy D. Horning
  • Publication number: 20160279919
    Abstract: A taping apparatus includes an elongate body portion having a moveable control member for controlling the advancement of tape and a head portion connected to the elongate body portion for advancing the tape. The head portion includes a first stop, a second stop, a guide extending from the first stop to the second stop, and a tape advance mechanism moveable along the guide. The tape advance mechanism and the control member are coupled to one another such that the tape advance mechanism is moveable in response to movement of the control member. The tape advance mechanism includes a rotatable cam and a needle that rotates with the cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jungklaus, Steven J. Wrobel, Jeromy D. Horning
  • Patent number: 9359777
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a taping tool for taping gaps, seams, and/or joints between wallboard members that includes a simplified tape advance/actuation assembly. The taping tool has an elongate body portion with first and second ends, and a connected head portion that directs dispensed tape toward a joint between wallboard members. The tape advance/actuation assembly has a control member forming part of the tool's elongate body portion and a tape engagement member housed by the tool's head portion. The tape engagement member moves in substantial unison with and in response to movement of the control member. The tape engagement member engages or disengages the tape depending at least in part on the position and/or direction of movement of the control member. The extent of the engagement between the tape engagement member and the tape may be adjusted though manipulation of a single fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignees: AXIA ACQUISITION CORPORATION, GRACO INC.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jungklaus, Steven J. Wrobel, Jeromy D. Horning
  • Patent number: 8863807
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a taping tool for dispensing tape and mastic over gaps, seams, and/or joints between wallboard members that includes improved creaser wheel operation. The taping tool comprises an elongate body having first and second ends, and a creaser wheel pivotally mounted near the second end thereof for creasing dispensed tape. The creaser wheel is pivotable into a plurality of positions between a first position farthest away from the elongate body's first end and a second position nearest the elongate body's first end. The taping tool also includes an actuator for receiving user input indicative of a position of the creaser wheel desired by a user. In the absence of user input, the creaser wheel is configured to reside substantially in the first position. The creaser wheel is configured to pivot from the first position toward the second position in response to the receipt of user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignees: Axia Acquisition Corporation, Graco Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jungklaus, Steven J. Wrobel, Jeromy D. Horning
  • Publication number: 20140283997
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a taping tool for taping gaps, seams, and/or joints between wallboard members that includes a simplified tape advance/actuation assembly. The taping tool has an elongate body portion with first and second ends, and a connected head portion that directs dispensed tape toward a joint between wallboard members. The tape advance/actuation assembly has a control member forming part of the tool's elongate body portion and a tape engagement member housed by the tool's head portion. The tape engagement member moves in substantial unison with and in response to movement of the control member. The tape engagement member engages or disengages the tape depending at least in part on the position and/or direction of movement of the control member. The extent of the engagement between the tape engagement member and the tape may be adjusted though manipulation of a single fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jungklaus, Steven J. Wrobel, Jeromy D. Horning
  • Patent number: 8783322
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a taping tool for taping gaps, seams, and/or joints between wallboard members that includes a swivel joint. The taping tool has a first portion for receiving a flow of mastic, and a second portion for receiving the flow of mastic and for dispensing tape and mastic. The first and second portions define fluid communication paths therein for the flow of mastic therethrough. The taping tool also has a swivel joint intermediate the first and second portions that defines a fluid communication path therein allowing mastic to flow from the taping tool's first portion, through the swivel joint, and into the taping tool's second portion. The swivel joint also allows the taping tool's first portion to rotate relative to the taping tool's second portion through an angle of 360 degrees about the taping tool's longitudinal axis, while mastic is flowing through the taping tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jungklaus, Steven J. Wrobel, Jeromy D. Horning
  • Publication number: 20110297302
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a taping tool for taping gaps, seams, and/or joints between wallboard members that includes a simplified tape advance/actuation assembly. The taping tool has an elongate body portion with first and second ends, and a connected head portion that directs dispensed tape toward a joint between wallboard members. The tape advance/actuation assembly has a control member forming part of the tool's elongate body portion and a tape engagement member housed by the tool's head portion. The tape engagement member moves in substantial unison with and in response to movement of the control member. The tape engagement member engages or disengages the tape depending at least in part on the position and/or direction of movement of the control member. The extent of the engagement between the tape engagement member and the tape may be adjusted though manipulation of a single fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicants: Graco Inc., Axiz Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jungklaus, Steven J. Wrobel, Jeromy D. Horning
  • Publication number: 20110290425
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a taping tool for dispensing tape and mastic over gaps, seams, and/or joints between wallboard members that includes improved creaser wheel operation. The taping tool comprises an elongate body having first and second ends, and a creaser wheel pivotally mounted near the second end thereof for creasing dispensed tape. The creaser wheel is pivotable into a plurality of positions between a first position farthest away from the elongate body's first end and a second position nearest the elongate body's first end. The taping tool also includes an actuator for receiving user input indicative of a position of the creaser wheel desired by a user. In the absence of user input, the creaser wheel is configured to reside substantially in the first position. The creaser wheel is configured to pivot from the first position toward the second position in response to the receipt of user input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicants: Graco Inc., Axia Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jungklaus, Steven J. Wrobel, Jeromy D. Horning
  • Publication number: 20110290426
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a taping tool for taping gaps, seams, and/or joints between wallboard members that includes a swivel joint. The taping tool has a first portion for receiving a flow of mastic, and a second portion for receiving the flow of mastic and for dispensing tape and mastic. The first and second portions define fluid communication paths therein for the flow of mastic therethrough. The taping tool also has a swivel joint intermediate the first and second portions that defines a fluid communication path therein allowing mastic to flow from the taping tool's first portion, through the swivel joint, and into the taping tool's second portion. The swivel joint also allows the taping tool's first portion to rotate relative to the taping tool's second portion through an angle of 360 degrees about the taping tool's longitudinal axis, while mastic is flowing through the taping tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Matthew W. Jungklaus, Steven J. Wrobel, Jeromy D. Horning
  • Patent number: D550715
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Glen W. Davidson, Steven J. Wrobel, Andrew J. Kopel, Barry W. Mattson, David J. Thompson, James C. Schroeder
  • Patent number: D580515
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Wrobel, Steven H. Fredrickson