Patents by Inventor Franklin L. Milliken

Franklin L. Milliken 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: 6977584
    Abstract: A vehicle-in-motion warning apparatus having one or more warning device and a light source in a housing. The warning device may be an audible, visual, or objecting-sensing device, and is mounted behind a grill which is integrally formed with the housing face. The light source is mounted in front of the housing face and covered with a removeable transparent cover. The housing may be either formed to fit a vehicle recess or alternatively formed to fit into a trailer hitch receiver. The associated wiring harness is terminated with a standard connector which allows the apparatus to be plugged into the existing vehicle wiring harness without modification, or a pigtail for splicing into the wiring harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventor: Franklin L. Milliken
  • Publication number: 20040046653
    Abstract: A vehicle-in-motion warning apparatus having one or more warning device and a light source in a housing. The warning device may be an audible, visual, or objecting-sensing device, and is mounted behind a grill which is integrally formed with the housing face. The light source is mounted in front of the housing face and covered with a removeable transparent cover. The housing may be either formed to fit a vehicle recess or alternatively formed to fit into a trailer hitch receiver. The associated wiring harness is terminated with a standard connector which allows the apparatus to be plugged into the existing vehicle wiring harness without modification, or a pigtail for splicing into the wiring harness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Franklin L. Milliken
  • Publication number: 20010043142
    Abstract: A vehicle back-up alarm in combination with a vehicle back-up light in any of several embodiments: a single housing containing an alarm, a single housing containing an alarm and a light source, a single housing containing an alarm or other warning device and another sensor, or a housing containing a sensor and light. Included in the first combination is an alternative of a light adapted to be used with an existing vehicle alarm. Other embodiments comprise any combination of one or more of audible warning device, distance-sensing device, warning lights, video and/or audio systems, communication systems or other devices, lighting device, and a standard housing to contain them and mount to a vehicle without modification. The housing includes mounting aids such as resilient grommets or flanges with holes therein which are designed to match either a specific vehicle or a variety of vehicles, and further includes a housing adapted for a vehicle trailer hitch receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventor: Franklin L. Milliken
  • Patent number: 4994800
    Abstract: An improved housing for an electrically operated vehicle backup alarm for mounting on a vehicle bumper or other structural component in preformed, standard size receptacles. A tubular body fabricated of plastic or nylon composite includes internal mounting lugs for removeably mounting modular electronic components and sound transducer. A removable rear cover and epoxy potting material seals the alarm components against dirt and moisture intrusion. Resilient mounting lugs or fingers external to the housing allow the housing to be mounted within preformed mounting receptacles. The mounting lugs or fingers are deformed slightly when the housing is inserted into the mounting receptacle and snapped into engagement with the edges of the mounting receptacle securely holding the housing in place within the mounting receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Inventor: Franklin L. Milliken