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).
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Publication number: 20230355858Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventors: Robert Sean Hensler, Thomas James Philpott, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Michael Starkey, Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Juan Carlos Perez, Thomas Eric Melin, Kenneth D. BALLARD
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Patent number: 11684710Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 11, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: H & M Innovations, LLCInventors: Robert Sean Hensler, Thomas James Philpott, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Michael Starkey, Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Juan Carlos Perez, Thomas Eric Melin, Kenneth D. Ballard
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Publication number: 20200268948Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Robert Sean Hensler, Thomas James Philpott, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Michael Starkey, Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Juan Carlos Perez, Thomas Eric Melin, Kenneth D. BALLARD
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Patent number: 10646628Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Inventors: Robert Sean Hensler, Thomas James Philpott, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Michael Starkey, Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Juan Carlos Perez, Thomas Eric Melin, Kenneth D. Ballard
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Patent number: 10517599Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 26, 2015Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kenneth D. Ballard, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Jason L. Harris
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Patent number: 10098642Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Ethicon LLCInventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kenneth D. Ballard
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Publication number: 20170290963Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Robert Sean Hensler, Thomas James Philpott, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Michael Starkey, Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Juan Carlos Perez, Thomas Eric Melin, Kenneth D. BALLARD
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Publication number: 20170055999Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kenneth D. Ballard, Jeffrey S. Swayze, Jason L. Harris
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Publication number: 20170055996Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Chester O. Baxter, III, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kenneth D. Ballard
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Publication number: 20140228817Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: H & M INNOVATIONS, LLCInventors: Robert Sean HENSLER, Thomas James Philpott, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Michael Starkey, Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Juan Carlos Perez, Thomas Eric Melin, Kenneth D. Ballard
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Patent number: 8636722Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 27, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: H & M Innovations, LLCInventors: Robert Sean Hensler, Thomas James Philpott, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Michael Starkey, Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Juan Carlos Perez, Thomas Eric Melin, Kenneth D. Ballard
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Patent number: 5188546Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 25, 1992Date of Patent: February 23, 1993Assignee: Molex IncorporatedInventors: 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