Patents by Inventor Nick Ballard

Nick 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: 11959714
    Abstract: A method of assembling a bolt handle to a bolt assembly of a firearm includes inserting the bolt handle through a handle opening defined by a bolt body. A distal end of the bolt handle is inserted through the handle opening until the distal end extends past an outer perimeter of the bolt body. At least a portion of a bolt shroud is inserted through a first portion of an aperture defined by the bolt handle. A force is applied to the bolt shroud while the bolt handle is retracted within the handle opening of the bolt body so that the bolt shroud is positioned within a second portion of the aperture. The bolt shroud is held in connection with the bolt handle when the bolt shroud is positioned within the second portion of the aperture to secure the bolt handle to the bolt body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Springfield, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Ballard, Charles David Williams, Christopher Martin Baumbach
  • Publication number: 20240093965
    Abstract: Sights of the present disclosure comprise a housing supporting an optical sighting element, such as one or more lenses or iron sights. A first lateral side of the housing has a laterally-extending protrusion and a lead-in portion forward of the laterally-extending portion. In some arrangements the lead-in portion is laterally-inward of an outermost surface of the laterally-extending protrusion and has a surface roughness of less than 50 ?m. In some instances, the laterally-extending protrusion has a width of at least 1 mm and the lead-in portion has a length of at least five times the width of the laterally-extending protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Springfield, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Reese, Stephen H. McKelvain, Nick Ballard, Peter J. Leach
  • Patent number: 11846491
    Abstract: Sights of the present disclosure comprise a housing supporting an optical sighting element, such as one or more lenses or iron sights. A first lateral side of the housing has a laterally-extending protrusion and a lead-in portion forward of the laterally-extending portion. In some arrangements the lead-in portion is laterally-inward of an outermost surface of the laterally-extending protrusion and has a surface roughness of less than 50 ?m. In some instances, the laterally-extending protrusion has a width of at least 1 mm and the lead-in portion has a length of at least five times the width of the laterally-extending protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Springfield, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Reese, Stephen H. McKelvain, Nick Ballard, Peter J. Leach
  • Patent number: 11747112
    Abstract: Sights of the present disclosure comprise a housing supporting an optical sighting element, such as one or more lenses or iron sights. A first lateral side of the housing has a laterally-extending protrusion and a lead-in portion forward of the laterally-extending portion. In some arrangements the lead-in portion is laterally-inward of an outermost surface of the laterally-extending protrusion and has a surface roughness of less than 50 ?m. In some instances, the laterally-extending protrusion has a width of at least 1 mm and the lead-in portion has a length of at least five times the width of the laterally-extending protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Springfield, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Reese, Stephen H. McKelvain, Nick Ballard, Peter J. Leach
  • Publication number: 20230213294
    Abstract: A method of assembling a bolt handle to a bolt assembly of a firearm includes inserting the bolt handle through a handle opening defined by a bolt body. A distal end of the bolt handle is inserted through the handle opening until the distal end extends past an outer perimeter of the bolt body. At least a portion of a bolt shroud is inserted through a first portion of an aperture defined by the bolt handle. A force is applied to the bolt shroud while the bolt handle is retracted within the handle opening of the bolt body so that the bolt shroud is positioned within a second portion of the aperture. The bolt shroud is held in connection with the bolt handle when the bolt shroud is positioned within the second portion of the aperture to secure the bolt handle to the bolt body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: Springfield, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Ballard, Charles David Williams, Christopher Martin Baumbach
  • Patent number: 11624568
    Abstract: A method of assembling a bolt handle to a bolt assembly of a firearm includes inserting the bolt handle through a handle opening defined by a bolt body. A distal end of the bolt handle is inserted through the handle opening until the distal end extends past an outer perimeter of the bolt body. At least a portion of a bolt shroud is inserted through a first portion of an aperture defined by the bolt handle. A force is applied to the bolt shroud while the bolt handle is retracted within the handle opening of the bolt body so that the bolt shroud is positioned within a second portion of the aperture. The bolt shroud is held in connection with the bolt handle when the bolt shroud is positioned within the second portion of the aperture to secure the bolt handle to the bolt body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Springfield, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Ballard, Charles David Williams, Christopher Martin Baumbach
  • Publication number: 20220244016
    Abstract: Sights of the present disclosure comprise a housing supporting an optical sighting element, such as one or more lenses or iron sights. A first lateral side of the housing has a laterally-extending protrusion and a lead-in portion forward of the laterally-extending portion. In some arrangements the lead-in portion is laterally-inward of an outermost surface of the laterally-extending protrusion and has a surface roughness of less than 50 ?m. In some instances, the laterally-extending protrusion has a width of at least 1 mm and the lead-in portion has a length of at least five times the width of the laterally-extending protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Dennis J. Reese, Stephen H. McKelvain, Nick Ballard, Peter J. Leach
  • Publication number: 20220170718
    Abstract: Sights of the present disclosure comprise a housing supporting an optical sighting element, such as one or more lenses or iron sights. A first lateral side of the housing has a laterally-extending protrusion and a lead-in portion forward of the laterally-extending portion. In some arrangements the lead-in portion is laterally-inward of an outermost surface of the laterally-extending protrusion and has a surface roughness of less than 50 ?m. In some instances, the laterally-extending protrusion has a width of at least 1 mm and the lead-in portion has a length of at least five times the width of the laterally-extending protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Dennis J. Reese, Stephen H. McKelvain, Nick Ballard, Peter J. Leach
  • Publication number: 20220163275
    Abstract: A method of assembling a bolt handle to a bolt assembly of a firearm includes inserting the bolt handle through a handle opening defined by a bolt body. A distal end of the bolt handle is inserted through the handle opening until the distal end extends past an outer perimeter of the bolt body. At least a portion of a bolt shroud is inserted through a first portion of an aperture defined by the bolt handle. A force is applied to the bolt shroud while the bolt handle is retracted within the handle opening of the bolt body so that the bolt shroud is positioned within a second portion of the aperture. The bolt shroud is held in connection with the bolt handle when the bolt shroud is positioned within the second portion of the aperture to secure the bolt handle to the bolt body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: Springfield, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Ballard, Charles David Williams, Christopher Martin Baumbach
  • Publication number: 20220099406
    Abstract: A stock assembly for a firearm including an integrally molded accessory attachment housing and a method of forming the accessory attachment housing. The integrally molded accessory attachment housing is formed by molding a material in the form of a stock assembly around the accessory attachment housing. A stock slot is formed through the material around the accessory attachment housing and an opening corresponding to the position of the stock slot is defined through the accessory attachment housing. The stock assembly may additionally or alternatively include a cheek riser that has an adjustable cheek rest. The cheek rest may be configured to be adjustable in at least four different directions including rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Martin Baumbach, Nick Ballard, Charles David Williams
  • Patent number: D865897
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Springfield, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Reese, Charles David Williams, Christopher Martin Baumbach, Nick Ballard
  • Patent number: D963780
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Springfield, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. McKelvain, Peter J. Leach, Nick Ballard
  • Patent number: D1002781
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Springfield, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Reese, Stephen H. McKelvain, Nick Ballard
  • Patent number: D1025275
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Springfield, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen H. McKelvain, Peter J. Leach, Nick Ballard