Patents by Inventor William Lane Ball

William Lane Ball 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: 11938989
    Abstract: A child seat includes a base and a seatback movable relative thereto between a retracted position, in which the seatback preferably is flush with a top of the base, and an extended position, in which a sitting area of the child seat is exposed for sitting and in which the seatback serves to support a child's back. The seatback of the child seat preferably includes a seat belt for restraint of a child when seated in the sitting area. A shopping cart includes the child seat. The seatback includes a gate movable between a retracted position, in which the gate preferably is flush with the seatback, and an extended position, in which the gate extends in a generally upright manner and partially blocks leg openings of the basket to keep items from falling there through when the seatback is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: ZIBRA, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Milton Sherman, William Lane Ball
  • Publication number: 20240059336
    Abstract: A cart includes a chassis and attached wheels; an upper basket attached to the chassis; and a lower basket attached to the chassis. In some embodiments, the cart includes no widthwise push bar in a rear of the cart such that access is unobstructed to the upper and lower baskets from the rear of the cart by a person. In some embodiments, the chassis defines on each lateral side of the cart a pair of vertically spaced handles, each handle surrounding and defining an opening. The handles preferably include handle bars shaped in an oval. On each cart side a curved elongate member extends between and connects the handles, and the curved elongate members represent the rearmost part of the cart. The rear area of the upper basket defines a seat for an infant, and a rear ledge of the lower basket defines a seat for a toddler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Milton SHERMAN, William Lane BALL
  • Publication number: 20240051705
    Abstract: Packaging for protecting a brush comprises a box and a brush. The brush has bristles forming a particular shape, and the box defines a nose with a corresponding shape for accommodating the bristles without bending or impacting the bristles, whereby the brush holds its form while packaged. The brush preferably is an angular brush. The box includes a lid by which the brush is secured, with a handle of the brush extending through an opening in the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Milton SHERMAN, William Lane BALL
  • Publication number: 20230347959
    Abstract: A child seat includes a base and a seatback movable relative thereto between a retracted position, in which the seatback preferably is flush with a top of the base, and an extended position, in which a sitting area of the child seat is exposed for sitting and in which the seatback serves to support a child's back. The seatback of the child seat preferably includes a seat belt for restraint of a child when seated in the sitting area. A shopping cart includes the child seat. The seatback includes a gate movable between a retracted position, in which the gate preferably is flush with the seatback, and an extended position, in which the gate extends in a generally upright manner and partially blocks leg openings of the basket to keep items from falling there through when the seatback is in the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Milton SHERMAN, William Lane BALL
  • Patent number: 11787593
    Abstract: Packaging for protecting a brush comprises a box and a brush. The brush has bristles forming a particular shape, and the box defines a nose with a corresponding shape for accommodating the bristles without bending or impacting the bristles, whereby the brush holds its form while packaged. The brush preferably is an angular brush. The box includes a lid by which the brush is secured, with a handle of the brush extending through an opening in the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: ZIBRA, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Milton Sherman, William Lane Ball
  • Patent number: 11745779
    Abstract: A cart includes a chassis and attached wheels; an upper basket attached to the chassis; and a lower basket attached to the chassis. In some embodiments, the cart includes no widthwise push bar in a rear of the cart such that access is unobstructed to the upper and lower baskets from the rear of the cart by a person. In some embodiments, the chassis defines on each lateral side of the cart a pair of vertically spaced handles, each handle surrounding and defining an opening. The handles preferably include handle bars shaped in an oval. On each cart side a curved elongate member extends between and connects the handles, and the curved elongate members represent the rearmost part of the cart. The rear area of the upper basket defines a seat for an infant, and a rear ledge of the lower basket defines a seat for a toddler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: ZIBRA, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Milton Sherman, William Lane Ball
  • Patent number: 11661095
    Abstract: A child seat includes a base and a seatback movable relative thereto between a retracted position, in which the seatback preferably is flush with a top of the base, and an extended position, in which a sitting area of the child seat is exposed for sitting and in which the seatback serves to support a child's back. The seatback of the child seat preferably includes a seat belt for restraint of a child when seated in the sitting area. A shopping cart includes the child seat. The seatback includes a gate movable between a retracted position, in which the gate preferably is flush with the seatback, and an extended position, in which the gate extends in a generally upright manner and partially blocks leg openings of the basket to keep items from falling there through when the seatback is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ZIBRA, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Milton Sherman, William Lane Ball
  • Publication number: 20230027903
    Abstract: Packaging for protecting a brush comprises a box and a brush. The brush has bristles forming a particular shape, and the box defines a nose with a corresponding shape for accommodating the bristles without bending or impacting the bristles, whereby the brush holds its form while packaged. The brush preferably is an angular brush. The box includes a lid by which the brush is secured, with a handle of the brush extending through an opening in the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Milton SHERMAN, William Lane BALL
  • Publication number: 20230015900
    Abstract: A cart includes a chassis and attached wheels; an upper basket attached to the chassis; and a lower basket attached to the chassis. In some embodiments, the cart includes no widthwise push bar in a rear of the cart such that access is unobstructed to the upper and lower baskets from the rear of the cart by a person. In some embodiments, the chassis defines on each lateral side of the cart a pair of vertically spaced handles, each handle surrounding and defining an opening. The handles preferably include handle bars shaped in an oval. On each cart side a curved elongate member extends between and connects the handles, and the curved elongate members represent the rearmost part of the cart. The rear area of the upper basket defines a seat for an infant, and a rear ledge of the lower basket defines a seat for a toddler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Milton SHERMAN, William Lane BALL
  • Patent number: 11396316
    Abstract: A cart includes a chassis and attached wheels; an upper basket attached to the chassis; and a lower basket attached to the chassis. In some embodiments, the cart includes no widthwise push bar in a rear of the cart such that access is unobstructed to the upper and lower baskets from the rear of the cart by a person. In some embodiments, the chassis defines on each lateral side of the cart a pair of vertically spaced handles, each handle surrounding and defining an opening. The handles preferably include handle bars shaped in an oval. On each cart side a curved elongate member extends between and connects the handles, and the curved elongate members represent the rearmost part of the cart. The rear area of the upper basket defines a seat for an infant, and a rear ledge of the lower basket defines a seat for a toddler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: ZIBRA, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Milton Sherman, William Lane Ball
  • Patent number: 11396397
    Abstract: Packaging for protecting a brush comprises a box and a brush. The brush has bristles forming a particular shape, and the box defines a nose with a corresponding shape for accommodating the bristles without bending or impacting the bristles, whereby the brush holds its form while packaged. The brush preferably is an angular brush. The box includes a lid by which the brush is secured, with a handle of the brush extending through an opening in the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: ZIBRA, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Milton Sherman, William Lane Ball
  • Publication number: 20220212704
    Abstract: A child seat includes a base and a seatback movable relative thereto between a retracted position, in which the seatback preferably is flush with a top of the base, and an extended position, in which a sitting area of the child seat is exposed for sitting and in which the seatback serves to support a child's back. The seatback of the child seat preferably includes a seat belt for restraint of a child when seated in the sitting area. A shopping cart includes the child seat. The seatback includes a gate movable between a retracted position, in which the gate preferably is flush with the seatback, and an extended position, in which the gate extends in a generally upright manner and partially blocks leg openings of the basket to keep items from falling there through when the seatback is in the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Milton SHERMAN, William Lane BALL
  • Patent number: 11279389
    Abstract: A child seat includes a base and a seatback movable relative thereto between a retracted position, in which the seatback preferably is flush with a top of the base, and an extended position, in which a sitting area of the child seat is exposed for sitting and in which the seatback serves to support a child's back. The seatback of the child seat preferably includes a seat belt for restraint of a child when seated in the sitting area. A shopping cart includes the child seat. The seatback includes a gate movable between a retracted position, in which the gate preferably is flush with the seatback, and an extended position, in which the gate extends in a generally upright manner and partially blocks leg openings of the basket to keep items from falling there through when the seatback is in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: ZIBRA, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Milton Sherman, William Lane Ball
  • Publication number: 20210053603
    Abstract: A cart includes a chassis and attached wheels; an upper basket attached to the chassis; and a lower basket attached to the chassis. In some embodiments, the cart includes no widthwise push bar in a rear of the cart such that access is unobstructed to the upper and lower baskets from the rear of the cart by a person. In some embodiments, the chassis defines on each lateral side of the cart a pair of vertically spaced handles, each handle surrounding and defining an opening. The handles preferably include handle bars shaped in an oval. On each cart side a curved elongate member extends between and connects the handles, and the curved elongate members represent the rearmost part of the cart. The rear area of the upper basket defines a seat for an infant, and a rear ledge of the lower basket defines a seat for a toddler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Milton SHERMAN, William Lane BALL
  • Patent number: 10829138
    Abstract: A cart includes a chassis and attached wheels; an upper basket attached to the chassis; and a lower basket attached to the chassis. In some embodiments, the cart includes no widthwise push bar in a rear of the cart such that access is unobstructed to the upper and lower baskets from the rear of the cart by a person. In some embodiments, the chassis defines on each lateral side of the cart a pair of vertically spaced handles, each handle surrounding and defining an opening. The handles preferably include handle bars shaped in an oval. On each cart side a curved elongate member extends between and connects the handles, and the curved elongate members represent the rearmost part of the cart. The rear area of the upper basket defines a seat for an infant, and a rear ledge of the lower basket defines a seat for a toddler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: ZIBRA, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Milton Sherman, William Lane Ball
  • Publication number: 20200255181
    Abstract: Packaging for protecting a brush comprises a box and a brush. The brush has bristles forming a particular shape, and the box defines a nose with a corresponding shape for accommodating the bristles without bending or impacting the bristles, whereby the brush holds its form while packaged. The brush preferably is an angular brush. The box includes a lid by which the brush is secured, with a handle of the brush extending through an opening in the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Milton SHERMAN, William Lane BALL
  • Publication number: 20200223466
    Abstract: A child seat includes a base and a seatback movable relative thereto between a retracted position, in which the seatback preferably is flush with a top of the base, and an extended position, in which a sitting area of the child seat is exposed for sitting and in which the seatback serves to support a child's back. The seatback of the child seat preferably includes a seat belt for restraint of a child when seated in the sitting area. A shopping cart includes the child seat. The seatback includes a gate movable between a retracted position, in which the gate preferably is flush with the seatback, and an extended position, in which the gate extends in a generally upright manner and partially blocks leg openings of the basket to keep items from falling there through when the seatback is in the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Milton SHERMAN, William Lane BALL
  • Publication number: 20190291763
    Abstract: A cart includes a chassis and attached wheels; an upper basket attached to the chassis; and a lower basket attached to the chassis. In some embodiments, the cart includes no widthwise push bar in a rear of the cart such that access is unobstructed to the upper and lower baskets from the rear of the cart by a person. In some embodiments, the chassis defines on each lateral side of the cart a pair of vertically spaced handles, each handle surrounding and defining an opening. The handles preferably include handle bars shaped in an oval. On each cart side a curved elongate member extends between and connects the handles, and the curved elongate members represent the rearmost part of the cart. The rear area of the upper basket defines a seat for an infant, and a rear ledge of the lower basket defines a seat for a toddler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Milton SHERMAN, William Lane BALL
  • Patent number: 10315677
    Abstract: A cart includes a chassis and attached wheels; an upper basket attached to the chassis; and a lower basket attached to the chassis. In some embodiments, the cart includes no widthwise push bar in a rear of the cart such that access is unobstructed to the upper and lower baskets from the rear of the cart by a person. In some embodiments, the chassis defines on each lateral side of the cart a pair of vertically spaced handles, each handle surrounding and defining an opening. The handles preferably include handle bars shaped in an oval. On each cart side a curved elongate member extends between and connects the handles, and the curved elongate members represent the rearmost part of the cart. The rear area of the upper basket defines a seat for an infant, and a rear ledge of the lower basket defines a seat for a toddler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: ZIBRA, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Milton Sherman, William Lane Ball
  • Patent number: D856622
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: ZIBRA, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Milton Sherman, William Lane Ball, Brent Mitchell Beggs