Patents by Inventor Michael W. Ballard

Michael W. 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).

  • Patent number: 11957369
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the systems, methods and devices are provided for breaking up calcified lesions in an anatomical conduit. More specifically, an electrical arc is generated between two spaced-apart electrodes disposed within a fluid-filled balloon, creating a subsonic pressure wave. In some embodiments, the electrodes comprise a plurality of points or extensions that allow the electrical arc to form at any one of the plurality of points to, among other things, extend the electrode life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Nextern Innovation, LLC
    Inventors: Sam Batchelder, John R. Ballard, Robert D'Agostino, Michael P. Brenzel, Jacon W. Staab
  • Patent number: 9857132
    Abstract: A rifle stock has a body defining a magazine well configured to closely and removably receive at least a portion of the magazine, the body including an actuation element proximate the magazine well, the magazine well being a passage defining an insertion axis, and the actuation element having an actuation surface portion angularly offset from the insertion axis, such that the cartridge retention element operably encounters and is moved by the actuation element upon insertion of the magazine. There may be a magazine having a body with an exterior profile sized to be closely and removably received in the magazine well, the body defining a central passage configured to receive a plurality of ammunition cartridges, the passage having an open upper end, a cartridge retention element attached to the body and movable between a first retention position, and a second released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: PRO MAG MFG., INC.
    Inventor: Michael W. Ballard
  • Patent number: 9410762
    Abstract: The firearm stock has a body including a forend. The bottom of the forend has an elongate slot. A bipod having a plurality of legs is pivotally attached at one end of the legs to the bottom of the forend. The bipod has an unfolded position in which an opposing end of the legs extends downwards beyond the exterior contour of the forend. The bipod has a folded position in which the opposing end of the legs is received within the elongate slot with the legs substantially within the exterior contour of the forend. The opposing end of the legs may each have a notch. There may be a latch having a cam surface that is spring biased to protrude into the slot. The notches may receive the cam surface when the bipod is in the folded position, thereby releasably securing the opposing end of the legs within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: PRO MAG MFG., INC.
    Inventor: Michael W. Ballard
  • Patent number: 9322626
    Abstract: Shell holders for firearms have a body including a plurality of bores, a plurality of elastomeric elements, each associated with a different selected one of the bores, each elastomeric element having a protruding portion that protrudes a selected distance into the bore, a plurality of movable adjustment elements, each connected to the body and each operably engaged to a different selected one of the elastomeric elements, wherein the selected distance the protruding portion of the elastomeric element protrudes into the bore is adjustable based on an adjustment position of each adjustment element, and the selected distance is independently adjustable for each elastomeric element. The shell holder may be for a shotgun. The movable adjustment elements may include a plurality of jaws movable with respect to the body. There may be a gap defined between the body and each jaw. The elastomeric elements may be received within the gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: PRO MAG MFG., INC.
    Inventor: Michael W. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20150192384
    Abstract: A rifle stock has a body defining a magazine well configured to closely and removably receive at least a portion of the magazine, the body including an actuation element proximate the magazine well, the magazine well being a passage defining an insertion axis, and the actuation element having an actuation surface portion angularly offset from the insertion axis, such that the cartridge retention element operably encounters and is moved by the actuation element upon insertion of the magazine. There may be a magazine having a body with an exterior profile sized to be closely and removably received in the magazine well, the body defining a central passage configured to receive a plurality of ammunition cartridges, the passage having an open upper end, a cartridge retention element attached to the body and movable between a first retention position, and a second released position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: PRO MAG MFG. INC.
    Inventor: Michael W. Ballard
  • Patent number: 8904692
    Abstract: A butt pad apparatus is disclosed herein. In various aspects, the butt pad apparatus includes a plate and a recoil pad attachable to the plate such that a chamber is defined therebetween. The recoil pad with plate attached thereto may be adapted for attachment to a butt of a stock. In various aspects, the butt pad apparatus includes an insert removably receivable within the chamber, and the insert may be formed of an elastomeric material. This Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) only. This Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Brookshire Tool & Mfg Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Ballard
  • Patent number: 8863422
    Abstract: Magazines with detachable feed lip elements have a tubular body having a lower end and an upper end that defines an elongated passage that receives a spring and a detachable feed element positioned on top of the upper end of the passage that has feed lips that retain cartridges in the magazine and permit the cartridges to be extracted forwardly. The feed element may be a U-shaped device having a main upper panel that defines a feed lip aperture. The feed element may have side walls with fasteners that connect the feed element to the body. The feed element may have opposed sides, the aperture may be defined by the opposed sides, and a spring may be attached to one of the opposed sides to provide a biasing force toward the other opposed side such that a cartridge cannot be extracted from the aperture except in a forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Brookshire Tool & Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20140190058
    Abstract: Shell holders for firearms have a body including a plurality of bores, a plurality of elastomeric elements, each associated with a different selected one of the bores, each elastomeric element having a protruding portion that protrudes a selected distance into the bore, a plurality of movable adjustment elements, each connected to the body and each operably engaged to a different selected one of the elastomeric elements, wherein the selected distance the protruding portion of the elastomeric element protrudes into the bore is adjustable based on an adjustment position of each adjustment element, and the selected distance is independently adjustable for each elastomeric element. The shell holder may be for a shotgun. The movable adjustment elements may include a plurality of jaws movable with respect to the body. There may be a gap defined between the body and each jaw. The elastomeric elements may be received within the gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Michael W. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20140190059
    Abstract: The firearm stock has a body including a forend. The bottom of the forend has an elongate slot. A bipod having a plurality of legs is pivotally attached at one end of the legs to the bottom of the forend. The bipod has an unfolded position in which an opposing end of the legs extends downwards beyond the exterior contour of the forend. The bipod has a folded position in which the opposing end of the legs is received within the elongate slot with the legs substantially within the exterior contour of the forend. The opposing end of the legs may each have a notch. There may be a latch having a cam surface that is spring biased to protrude into the slot. The notches may receive the cam surface when the bipod is in the folded position, thereby releasably securing the opposing end of the legs within the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventor: Michael W. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20140075808
    Abstract: Magazines with detachable feed lip elements have a tubular body having a lower end and an upper end that defines an elongated passage that receives a spring and a detachable feed element positioned on top of the upper end of the passage that has feed lips that retain cartridges in the magazine and permit the cartridges to be extracted forwardly. The feed element may be a U-shaped device having a main upper panel that defines a feed lip aperture. The feed element may have side walls with fasteners that connect the feed element to the body. The feed element may have opposed sides, the aperture may be defined by the opposed sides, and a spring may be attached to one of the opposed sides to provide a biasing force toward the other opposed side such that a cartridge cannot be extracted from the aperture except in a forward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: Michael W. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20130174461
    Abstract: A butt pad apparatus is disclosed herein. In various aspects, the butt pad apparatus includes a plate and a recoil pad attachable to the plate such that a chamber is defined therebetween. The recoil pad with plate attached thereto may be adapted for attachment to a butt of a stock. In various aspects, the butt pad apparatus includes an insert removably receivable within the chamber, and the insert may be formed of an elastomeric material. This Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) only. This Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventor: Michael W. Ballard
  • Patent number: 8453365
    Abstract: A firearm with movable cheek riser is a rifle stock having a stock body having a facility for receiving a rifle action and a rear extending portion, a stock butt portion telescopically connected to the rear extending portion, the butt portion being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, a cheek riser having a rear portion connected to the butt portion and a front portion connected to the stock body, and the cheek riser being movable between an elevated position and a lower position. The cheek riser may be pivotally connected to the butt portion. The cheek riser may include a downwardly-depending post received in a post bore defined in the stock body, wherein the post is curved such that a pivoting motion of the stock is facilitated. The invention may be a rifle including the rifle stock receiving a barreled rifle action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Brookshire Tool & Mfg Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Ballard
  • Publication number: 20020175193
    Abstract: A golf car-mounted beverage dispenser designed to be used by golf course operators not only as a means for dispensing chilled beverages to its patrons, but also as a advertising medium. The beverage dispenser includes an inner half-cylindrical-shaped housing which is closed at one end and covered with a golf bag-simulating outer cover. Disposed longitudinally inside the housing is a cylindrical or square inner sleeve designed to receive a beverage tank filled with a desired beverage. The inner sleeve has a smaller diameter than the housing thereby creating an intermediate cavity between the housing and the inner sleeve for ice. Attached to the back of the housing is a mounting bracket for selectively attaching the housing to the support surface on a standard gas or electric powered golf car. Mounted on the sides of the housing is a second tank holding bracket used to hold a pressurized CO2 tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Michael W. Ballard