Patents by Inventor Thomas B. Ballard

Thomas B. 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: 5330283
    Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting a bicycle seat to a bicycle seat post. The assembly includes a housing defining a hollow opening downwardly to allow the upper end of the bicycle seat post to be passed upwardly into the hollow; a generally horizontal bore in the housing opening in the opposite side faces of the housing and sized to pass a fastener to facilitate fastening of the connector member to the frame of the bicycle seat; a circumferential array of serrations on each of the opposite side faces of the housing concentric with the bore for coaction with circumferentially arrayed serrations on the bicycle seat frame to allow adjustment of the angular position of the seat relative to the seat post upon loosening of the fastener; a vertical clamping surface defined in the housing in confronting relation to the hollow; and a clamping jaw slidably mounted in the hollow of the housing and having a vertical clamping surface coacting with the housing clamping surface to clamp the bicycle post therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Thomas B. Ballard
  • Patent number: 5074618
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bicycle, or other two-wheel vehicles, seat which utilizes a concave base to distribute the weight, and corresponding pressure, in a comfortable manner. The base, configured as a section of a hollow spheroid, provides for the distribution of pressure and minimizes the central pressure which would be transmitted to the perineal region of the rider. Further, the seat is cushioned by a spring bracket which serves as the site for attachment to the bicycle. The spring bracket includes a plurality of limbs which slideably bear upon and support the bicycle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Inventor: Thomas B. Ballard
  • Patent number: 4572944
    Abstract: An adjustable welding furnace includes a gimbal-mounted furnace housing within which a workpiece may be preheated and subsequently welded. A removable cover is mounted over an access opening in the housing for pivotal movement along either of two edges of the opening. A rotatable spit assembly, which may be mounted in any of several positions on the housing, suspends the workpiece within the housing for rotation independent of pivotal movement of the housing. A drawer-mounted heating assembly may be easily removed from the housing for servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Inventor: Thomas B. Ballard
  • Patent number: 4456819
    Abstract: An adjustable welding furnace includes a gimbal-mounted furnace housing within which a workpiece may be preheated and subsequently welded. A removable cover is mounted over an access opening in the housing for pivotal movement along either of two edges of the opening. A rotatable spit assembly, which may be mounted in any of several positions on the housing, suspends the workpiece within the housing for rotation independent of pivotal movement of the housing. A drawer-mounted heating assembly may be easily removed from the housing for servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Inventor: Thomas B. Ballard
  • Patent number: 4217920
    Abstract: A cleaning machine of the type utilized for the cleaning and degreasing of parts, in which the item to be cleaned is positioned within a cleaning chamber mounted on a turntable platform and cleaning sprays directed at the part. The part is conveniently loaded by movement of the turntable platform on a trolley towards the front of the machine through an access door to the cleaning chamber to be positioned in a loading station. An externally mounted operating mechanism for the turntable trolley is disclosed consisting of a cable cylinder mounted along side the cleaning machine cabinet operating a system of cables secured to the front and rear of the trolley and causing the trolley to be moved between its loading and cleaning positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Inventor: Thomas B. Ballard
  • Patent number: 4133340
    Abstract: A cleaning machine of the type in which a cleaning fluid spray is directed at an article supported in the interior of a machine cabinet structure and rotated while being sprayed by a plurality of cleaning fluid jets. The cleaning machine disclosed includes a central spray pipe, extending through an article supporting rotary table and adapted to spray the interior of the workpiece simultaneously with the directing of cleaning fluid spray at the exterior of the part, to clean the interior and the exterior of the article simultaneously. The rotary table is adapted to be supported on a bearing assembly, carried by the central spray pipe, the bearing assembly functioning both as the rotational support for the rotary table and also acting to form a fluid coupling between the central spray pipe and cleaning fluid distribution manifolding disposed beneath the rotary table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1979
    Inventor: Thomas B. Ballard
  • Patent number: D365913
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas B. Ballard