Patents by Inventor Steven R. Kuczenski

Steven R. Kuczenski 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: 11035085
    Abstract: A method of mounting at least one spray gun assembly onto an arm of a line striper includes installing a first clamp onto the arm with the first clamp being connected to a first spray gun assembly and the first clamp having an opening. The first clamp is installed onto the arm by placing the arm within the opening of the first clamp without sliding the first clamp onto an end of the arm. The method also includes securing the arm of the line striper within the opening of the first clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Kuczenski
  • Patent number: 10882063
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic actuation system for a sprayer comprises a hydraulic system, a hydraulic actuator, an electric actuator and a sprayer. The hydraulic system is for pressurizing a hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic actuator is powered by the hydraulic system. The electric actuator controls actuation of the hydraulic actuator by the hydraulic system. The sprayer is actuated by the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Schroeder, Christopher A. Lins, Steven R. Kuczenski
  • Patent number: 10857561
    Abstract: A material sprayer includes a hopper and a shaker assembly mounted onto a sidewall of the hopper. The hopper includes at least one sidewall that extends along a first plane. The shaker assembly includes a resilient bracket, an electromagnetic coil, and an armature. The resilient bracket is mounted to the sidewall of the hopper and includes first and second ends and a curved portion. The electromagnetic coil is mounted to a portion of the resilient bracket and is configured to generate a magnetic field in response to a current from a power source. The armature is mounted to a portion of the resilient bracket such that the armature is able to move relative to the electromagnetic coil along an acceleration axis that is orthogonal to the first plane of the sidewall of the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Jeromy D. Horning, Thomas E. Pauly, Steven R. Kuczenski
  • Publication number: 20200181858
    Abstract: A method of mounting at least one spray gun assembly onto an arm of a line striper includes installing a first clamp onto the arm with the first clamp being connected to a first spray gun assembly and the first clamp having an opening. The first clamp is installed onto the arm by placing the arm within the opening of the first clamp without sliding the first clamp onto an end of the arm. The method also includes securing the arm of the line striper within the opening of the first clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventor: Steven R. Kuczenski
  • Patent number: 10584452
    Abstract: A line stripe includes a frame, a mounting arm extending from the frame, a G-shaped clamp, a vertical bar, an extension bar, and a spray gun. The G-shaped clamp has an opening through which the mounting arm is able to extend and a fastener configured to secure the mounting arm within the opening. The opening allows the first clamp to be mounted and then secured on the mounting arm without relative sliding between the first clamp and the mounting arm. The vertical bar is attached to and extends from the clamp. The extension bar is attached to and extends from the vertical bar, and the spray gun is attachable to the extension bar. The clamp is configured to be installable upon and removable from the mounting bar without having to remove similar G-shaped clamps from the mounting bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Kuczenski
  • Patent number: 10563364
    Abstract: A line striping system comprises a chassis, wheels, a spray system, a propulsion system and a steering system. The wheels are mounted under the chassis. The spray system is mounted on the chassis. The propulsion system is mounted on the chassis to drive a wheel. The steering system is coupled to the chassis. The steering system comprises a handlebar rotatatable to steer a wheel, and a speed bar pivotable to control the propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Lins, Thomas L. Triplett, James C. Schroeder, Steven R. Kuczenski, Barry W. Mattson, Brian M. Mulgrew, Douglas S. Ryder
  • Patent number: 10358781
    Abstract: A line striper comprises a sprayer secured to a frame, and a guided wheel assembly rotatably mounted to the frame. The guided wheel assembly includes an adjustment disk with screw notches along its outer diameter, an alignment plate coaxially surrounding and abutting the adjustment disk, alignment screws threaded through the alignment plate to engage screw notches on the adjustment disk, and an antirotation lock. The screws set a rotational alignment of the alignment plate relative to the adjustment disk, and the adjustment disk is coupled via a spindle axle to a guide wheel. The antirotation lock engages a locking feature on the alignment plate, thereby fixing the orientation of the guide wheel relative to the wheeled frame at an angle determined by the rotational alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventor: Steven R. Kuczenski
  • Publication number: 20190024330
    Abstract: A line striping system comprises a chassis, wheels, a spray system, a propulsion system and a steering system. The wheels are mounted under the chassis. The spray system is mounted on the chassis. The propulsion system is mounted on the chassis to drive a wheel. The steering system is coupled to the chassis. The steering system comprises a handlebar rotatatable to steer a wheel, and a speed bar pivotable to control the propulsion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher A. Lins, Thomas L. Triplett, James C. Schroeder, Steven R. Kuczenski, Barry W. Mattson, Brian M. Mulgrew, Douglas S. Ryder
  • Patent number: 10087590
    Abstract: A line striping system comprises a chassis, wheels, a spray system, a propulsion system and a steering system. The wheels are mounted under the chassis. The spray system is mounted on the chassis. The propulsion system is mounted on the chassis to drive a wheel. The steering system is coupled to the chassis. The steering system comprises a handlebar rotatatable to steer a wheel, and a speed bar pivotable to control the propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Lins, Thomas L. Triplett, James C. Schroeder, Steven R. Kuczenski, Barry W. Mattson, Brian M. Mulgrew, Douglas S. Ryder
  • Publication number: 20180207666
    Abstract: A material sprayer includes a hopper and a shaker assembly mounted onto a sidewall of the hopper. The hopper includes at least one sidewall that extends along a first plane. The shaker assembly includes a resilient bracket, an electromagnetic coil, and an armature. The resilient bracket is mounted to the sidewall of the hopper and includes first and second ends and a curved portion. The electromagnetic coil is mounted to a portion of the resilient bracket and is configured to generate a magnetic field in response to a current from a power source. The armature is mounted to a portion of the resilient bracket such that the armature is able to move relative to the electromagnetic coil along an acceleration axis that is orthogonal to the first plane of the sidewall of the hopper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Jeromy D. Horning, Thomas E. Pauly, Steven R. Kuczenski
  • Patent number: 9861999
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing device includes an electrostatic discharge protection system. Accumulation and discharge of electrostatic energy created by operation of the device is reduced or prevented by the electrostatic discharge protection system without an earth ground connection. The electrostatic discharge protection system may include a number of features, such as a static wick, nonconductive components that electrically isolate the spray tip of the device, nonconductive isolation barriers, nonconductive fluid reservoir and suction tube components, a nonconductive coating of a control valve component, and a nonconductive spring retainer of the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Kinne, Steven R. Kuczenski, Bradley H. Hines, Dale C. Pemberton, Jimmy W. Tam
  • Publication number: 20180001333
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic actuation system for a sprayer comprises a hydraulic system, a hydraulic actuator, an electric actuator and a sprayer. The hydraulic system is for pressurizing a hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic actuator is powered by the hydraulic system. The electric actuator controls actuation of the hydraulic actuator by the hydraulic system. The sprayer is actuated by the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: James C. Schroeder, Christopher A. Lins, Steven R. Kuczenski
  • Publication number: 20170284041
    Abstract: A line striping system comprises a chassis, wheels, a spray system, a propulsion system and a steering system. The wheels are mounted under the chassis. The spray system is mounted on the chassis. The propulsion system is mounted on the chassis to drive a wheel. The steering system is coupled to the chassis. The steering system comprises a handlebar rotatatable to steer a wheel, and a speed bar pivotable to control the propulsion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher A. Lins, Thomas L. Triplett, James C. Schroeder, Steven R. Kuczenski, Barry W. Mattson, Brian M. Mulgrew, Douglas S. Ryder
  • Patent number: 9764343
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic actuation system for a sprayer comprises a hydraulic system, a hydraulic actuator, an electric actuator and a sprayer. The hydraulic system is for pressurizing a hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic actuator is powered by the hydraulic system. The electric actuator controls actuation of the hydraulic actuator by the hydraulic system. The sprayer is actuated by the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Schroeder, Christopher A. Lins, Steven R. Kuczenski
  • Publication number: 20170204570
    Abstract: A line striper comprises a sprayer secured to a frame, and a guided wheel assembly rotatably mounted to the frame. The guided wheel assembly includes an adjustment disk with screw notches along its outer diameter, an alignment plate coaxially surrounding and abutting the adjustment disk, alignment screws threaded through the alignment plate to engage screw notches on the adjustment disk, and an antirotation lock. The screws set a rotational alignment of the alignment plate relative to the adjustment disk, and the adjustment disk is coupled via a spindle axle to a guide wheel. The antirotation lock engages a locking feature on the alignment plate, thereby fixing the orientation of the guide wheel relative to the wheeled frame at an angle determined by the rotational alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventor: Steven R. Kuczenski
  • Publication number: 20170204572
    Abstract: A line stripe includes a frame, a mounting arm extending from the frame, a G-shaped clamp, a vertical bar, an extension bar, and a spray gun. The G-shaped clamp has an opening through which the mounting arm is able to extend and a fastener configured to secure the mounting arm within the opening. The opening allows the first clamp to be mounted and then secured on the mounting arm without relative sliding between the first clamp and the mounting arm. The vertical bar is attached to and extends from the clamp. The extension bar is attached to and extends from the vertical bar, and the spray gun is attachable to the extension bar. The clamp is configured to be installable upon and removable from the mounting bar without having to remove similar G-shaped clamps from the mounting bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventor: Steven R. Kuczenski
  • Patent number: 9695557
    Abstract: A line striping system comprises a chassis, wheels, a spray system, a propulsion system and a steering system. The wheels are mounted under the chassis. The spray system is mounted on the chassis. The propulsion system is mounted on the chassis to drive a wheel. The steering system is coupled to the chassis. The steering system comprises a handlebar rotatable to steer a wheel, and a speed bar pivotable to control the propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Lins, Thomas L. Triplett, James C. Schroeder, Steven R. Kuczenski, Barry W. Mattson, Brian M. Mulgrew, Douglas S. Ryder
  • Publication number: 20170056909
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing device includes an electrostatic discharge protection system. Accumulation and discharge of electrostatic energy created by operation of the device is reduced or prevented by the electrostatic discharge protection system without an earth ground connection. The electrostatic discharge protection system may include a number of features, such as a static wick, nonconductive components that electrically isolate the spray tip of the device, nonconductive isolation barriers, nonconductive fluid reservoir and suction tube components, a nonconductive coating of a control valve component, and a nonconductive spring retainer of the control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Robert W. Kinne, Steven R. Kuczenski, Bradley H. Hines, Dale C. Pemberton, Jimmy W. Tam
  • Patent number: 9475073
    Abstract: A fluid dispensing device includes an electrostatic discharge protection system. Accumulation and discharge of electrostatic energy created by operation of the device is reduced or prevented by the electrostatic discharge protection system without an earth ground connection. The electrostatic discharge protection system may include a number of features, such as a static wick, nonconductive components that electrically isolate the spray tip of the device, nonconductive isolation barriers, nonconductive fluid reservoir and suction tube components, a nonconductive coating of a control valve component, and a nonconductive spring retainer of the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Kinne, Steven R. Kuczenski, Bradley H. Hines, Dale C. Pemberton, Jimmy W. Tam
  • Patent number: D822794
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Blenkush, Jeromy D. Horning, Brett J. Carlson, Joshua D. Roden, Steven R. Kuczenski