Patents by Inventor Kenneth D. Ballard

Kenneth D. Ballard 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: 20230355858
    Abstract: Various forms of anti-clog suction tips apparatus are disclosed. An exemplary anti-clog suction tip apparatus includes a suction tip assembly having a suction tip with a suction opening at a first end thereof for removing debris through suction, a hose attachment portion for attaching the suction tip assembly to a suction source, and an ejection wire channel. The apparatus further includes an ejection wire assembly having an ejection wire extending within the channel and an ejection button integral with or connected to the ejection wire. Applying a force to the ejection button advances the ejection wire through the channel such that an end portion of the ejection wire enters the suction tip and dislodges debris clogging the suction tip. The ejection wire may include an enlarged end portion such as, for example a ball tip. One or more of the components of the apparatus may be single-use and disposable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Sean Hensler, Thomas James Philpott, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Michael Starkey, Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Juan Carlos Perez, Thomas Eric Melin, Kenneth D. BALLARD
  • Patent number: 11684710
    Abstract: Various forms of anti-clog suction tips apparatus are disclosed. An exemplary anti-clog suction tip apparatus includes a suction tip assembly having a suction tip with a suction opening at a first end thereof for removing debris through suction, a hose attachment portion for attaching the suction tip assembly to a suction source, and an ejection wire channel. The apparatus further includes an ejection wire assembly having an ejection wire extending within the channel and an ejection button integral with or connected to the ejection wire. Applying a force to the ejection button advances the ejection wire through the channel such that an end portion of the ejection wire enters the suction tip and dislodges debris clogging the suction tip. The ejection wire may include an enlarged end portion such as, for example a ball tip. One or more of the components of the apparatus may be single-use and disposable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: H & M Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Sean Hensler, Thomas James Philpott, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Michael Starkey, Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Juan Carlos Perez, Thomas Eric Melin, Kenneth D. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20200268948
    Abstract: Various forms of anti-clog suction tips apparatus are disclosed. An exemplary anti-clog suction tip apparatus includes a suction tip assembly having a suction tip with a suction opening at a first end thereof for removing debris through suction, a hose attachment portion for attaching the suction tip assembly to a suction source, and an ejection wire channel. The apparatus further includes an ejection wire assembly having an ejection wire extending within the channel and an ejection button integral with or connected to the ejection wire. Applying a force to the ejection button advances the ejection wire through the channel such that an end portion of the ejection wire enters the suction tip and dislodges debris clogging the suction tip. The ejection wire may include an enlarged end portion such as, for example a ball tip. One or more of the components of the apparatus may be single-use and disposable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Sean Hensler, Thomas James Philpott, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Michael Starkey, Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Juan Carlos Perez, Thomas Eric Melin, Kenneth D. BALLARD
  • Patent number: 10646628
    Abstract: Various forms of anti-clog suction tips apparatus are disclosed. An exemplary anti-clog suction tip apparatus includes a suction tip assembly having a suction tip with a suction opening at a first end thereof for removing debris through suction, a hose attachment portion for attaching the suction tip assembly to a suction source, and an ejection wire channel. The apparatus further includes an ejection wire assembly having an ejection wire extending within the channel and an ejection button integral with or connected to the ejection wire. Applying a force to the ejection button advances the ejection wire through the channel such that an end portion of the ejection wire enters the suction tip and dislodges debris clogging the suction tip. The ejection wire may include an enlarged end portion such as, for example a ball tip. One or more of the components of the apparatus may be single-use and disposable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Sean Hensler, Thomas James Philpott, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Michael Starkey, Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Juan Carlos Perez, Thomas Eric Melin, Kenneth D. Ballard
  • Patent number: 10517599
    Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body including staple cavities and staples removably stored in the staple cavities. The staple cartridge further comprises a firing member configured to eject the staples from the staple cavities. The staples and staple cavities include features which reduce friction forces between the staples and the staple cavities when the firing member ejects the staples from the staple cavities. Each of the staples comprises a base including a drive portion and staple legs extending from the base and, in at least one instance, each of the staple cavities includes a proximal guide and a distal guide configured to guide the staple legs of the staple positioned therein as it is ejected from the staple cavity. In certain instances, each of the staple cavities further includes an intermediate guide offset from the proximal guide and the distal guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kenneth D. Ballard, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10098642
    Abstract: A surgical staple cartridge is disclosed comprising a plurality of staples removably stored within the surgical staple cartridge. The staples comprise staple legs which extend from a staple base portion. The staple legs comprise staple tips configured to pierce tissue and contact a corresponding forming pocket of an anvil of surgical stapling instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kenneth D. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20170290963
    Abstract: Various forms of anti-clog suction tips apparatus are disclosed. An exemplary anti-clog suction tip apparatus includes a suction tip assembly having a suction tip with a suction opening at a first end thereof for removing debris through suction, a hose attachment portion for attaching the suction tip assembly to a suction source, and an ejection wire channel. The apparatus further includes an ejection wire assembly having an ejection wire extending within the channel and an ejection button integral with or connected to the ejection wire. Applying a force to the ejection button advances the ejection wire through the channel such that an end portion of the ejection wire enters the suction tip and dislodges debris clogging the suction tip. The ejection wire may include an enlarged end portion such as, for example a ball tip. One or more of the components of the apparatus may be single-use and disposable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Sean Hensler, Thomas James Philpott, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Michael Starkey, Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Juan Carlos Perez, Thomas Eric Melin, Kenneth D. BALLARD
  • Publication number: 20170055999
    Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body including staple cavities and staples removably stored in the staple cavities. The staple cartridge further comprises a firing member configured to eject the staples from the staple cavities. The staples and staple cavities include features which reduce friction forces between the staples and the staple cavities when the firing member ejects the staples from the staple cavities. Each of the staples comprises a base including a drive portion and staple legs extending from the base and, in at least one instance, each of the staple cavities includes a proximal guide and a distal guide configured to guide the staple legs of the staple positioned therein as it is ejected from the staple cavity. In certain instances, each of the staple cavities further includes an intermediate guide offset from the proximal guide and the distal guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kenneth D. Ballard, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Jason L. Harris
  • Publication number: 20170055996
    Abstract: A surgical staple cartridge is disclosed comprising a plurality of staples removably stored within the surgical staple cartridge. The staples comprise staple legs which extend from a staple base portion. The staple legs comprise staple tips configured to pierce tissue and contact a corresponding forming pocket of an anvil of surgical stapling instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kenneth D. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20140228817
    Abstract: Various forms of anti-clog suction tips apparatus are disclosed. An exemplary anti-clog suction tip apparatus includes a suction tip assembly having a suction tip with a suction opening at a first end thereof for removing debris through suction, a hose attachment portion for attaching the suction tip assembly to a suction source, and an ejection wire channel. The apparatus further includes an ejection wire assembly having an ejection wire extending within the channel and an ejection button integral with or connected to the ejection wire. Applying a force to the ejection button advances the ejection wire through the channel such that an end portion of the ejection wire enters the suction tip and dislodges debris clogging the suction tip. The ejection wire may include an enlarged end portion such as, for example a ball tip. One or more of the components of the apparatus may be single-use and disposable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: H & M INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Sean HENSLER, Thomas James Philpott, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Michael Starkey, Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Juan Carlos Perez, Thomas Eric Melin, Kenneth D. Ballard
  • Patent number: 8636722
    Abstract: Various forms of anti-clog suction tips apparatus are disclosed. For example, an anti-clog suction tip apparatus includes a suction tip assembly having a suction tip with a suction opening at a first end thereof for removing debris through suction, a hose attachment portion for attaching the suction tip assembly to a suction source, and an ejection wire channel. The apparatus further includes an ejection wire assembly having an ejection wire extending within the channel and an ejection button integral with or connected to the ejection wire. Applying a force to the ejection button advances the ejection wire through the channel such that an end portion of the ejection wire enters the suction tip and dislodges debris clogging the suction tip. The ejection wire may include an enlarged end portion such as, for example a ball tip. One or more of the components of the apparatus may be single-use and disposable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: H & M Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Sean Hensler, Thomas James Philpott, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Michael Starkey, Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Juan Carlos Perez, Thomas Eric Melin, Kenneth D. Ballard
  • Patent number: 5188546
    Abstract: A carrier web of sheet metal material joining stamped and formed components of an electrical connector is disclosed. The component is carried through the stamping and forming process by the carrier web of the sheet metal material. The component is stamped and formed from the material such that at least a portion of the component projects from one side of the original plane of the sheet metal material. The carrier web is formed into a three-dimensional configuration to reduce the spacing between adjacent components. A portion of the web may project a sufficient distance from the one side of the original plane of the sheet metal material to protect the projecting portion of the component during subsequent manufacturing operations on the component. A retaining structure may also be provided to retain the components at a predetermined spacing on the carrier web. A method of manufacturing the carrier web is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Ballard, Ronald E. Bottino, Mark K. Labbe, John E. Lopata, Tom Malinski, Wilhelm Meier, Lou Morelli, Michael G. Pacyga, Mitch Primorac, Bernardus Roodnat, Shawn Simpson