Patents by Inventor Robert Lee Franklin
Robert Lee Franklin 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).
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Patent number: 11900833Abstract: An adaptive billboard frame mount system, and methods of use thereof, that is configured to mount to a plurality of fixedly positioned pre-existing poles. The billboard frame mount system includes a frame assembly and a plurality of mount assemblies configured to be coupled to the plurality of fixedly positioned pre-existing poles and the frame assembly such that a formed frame of the frame assembly can be positioned in a display plane that is oriented at a desired angle relative to vertical.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Formetco, Inc.Inventors: Robert Lee Franklin, Jonathon Christopher Adams, Brian David Jeffries
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Publication number: 20230026421Abstract: An adaptive billboard frame mount system, and methods of use thereof, that is configured to mount to a plurality of fixedly positioned pre-existing poles. The billboard frame mount system includes a frame assembly and a plurality of mount assemblies configured to be coupled to the plurality of fixedly positioned pre-existing poles and the frame assembly such that a formed frame of the frame assembly can be positioned in a display plane that is oriented at a desired angle relative to vertical.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Inventors: Robert Lee Franklin, Jonathon Christopher Adams, Brian David Jeffries
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Patent number: 10550869Abstract: A locking clamp for use in a cable system for stretching a sheet across a surface and maintaining it under tension, the locking clamp having a base member defining a first grasping surface; an elongate tongue member rotatively coupled to a first portion of the base member and defining a second grasping surface, and a locking member that is rotatively coupled to a second portion of the base member and that is configured to selectively rotate the tongue member to urge at least a portion of the second grasping surface of the tongue member into engageable contact with the first grasping surface of the base member. The base member of the locking clamp also has a hook configured to removably engage a cable of a tensioning system.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Formetco, Inc.Inventors: John D. Gibb, Jonathon Christopher Adams, Brian David Jeffries, Robert Lee Franklin
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Publication number: 20180258964Abstract: A locking clamp for use in a cable system for stretching a sheet across a surface and maintaining it under tension, the locking clamp having a base member defining a first grasping surface; an elongate tongue member rotatively coupled to a first portion of the base member and defining a second grasping surface, and a locking member that is rotatively coupled to a second portion of the base member and that is configured to selectively rotate the tongue member to urge at least a portion of the second grasping surface of the tongue member into engageable contact with the first grasping surface of the base member. The base member of the locking clamp also has a hook configured to removably engage a cable of a tensioning system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: John D. Gibb, Jonathon Christopher Adams, Brian David Jeffries, Robert Lee Franklin
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Patent number: 9995325Abstract: A locking clamp for use in a cable system for stretching a sheet across a surface and maintaining it under tension, the locking clamp having a base member defining a first grasping surface; an elongate tongue member rotatively coupled to a first portion of the base member and defining a second grasping surface, and a locking member that is rotatively coupled to a second portion of the base member and that is configured to selectively rotate the tongue member to urge at least a portion of the second grasping surface of the tongue member into engageable contact with the first grasping surface of the base member. The base member of the locking clamp also has a hook configured to removably engage a cable of a tensioning system.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2017Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Formetco, Inc.Inventors: John D. Gibb, Jonathon Christopher Adams, Brian David Jeffries, Robert Lee Franklin
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Publication number: 20170261018Abstract: A locking clamp for use in a cable system for stretching a sheet across a surface and maintaining it under tension, the locking clamp having a base member defining a first grasping surface; an elongate tongue member rotatively coupled to a first portion of the base member and defining a second grasping surface, and a locking member that is rotatively coupled to a second portion of the base member and that is configured to selectively rotate the tongue member to urge at least a portion of the second grasping surface of the tongue member into engageable contact with the first grasping surface of the base member. The base member of the locking clamp also has a hook configured to removably engage a cable of a tensioning system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: John D. Gibb, Jonathon Christopher Adams, Brian David Jeffries, Robert Lee Franklin
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Patent number: 8371002Abstract: A clip for use in a cable system for stretching a sheet across a surface and maintaining it under tension, the clip comprising a base plate and a top plate. The base plate has a pair of opposing retaining arms extending from the top surface and a recessed area defined in the base plate. The top plate has a hook protruding from the top surface having a channel defined therein. The top plate slides between the arms of the base plate and is removably retained therein and the plates engage the edge of a sheet. The hook removably engages a cable and the sheet is stretched when the cable is tensioned. The clip can be retained on the cable when a sheet is to be replaced by partially separating the two plates.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2009Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Formetco, Inc.Inventors: Robert Lee Franklin, John Dove Gibb, Robert B. McMurray
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Patent number: 8020260Abstract: A locking clip for a cable tensioning system, comprising (i) a base plate having a top surface having a gripping portion, tensioning arms extending from the top surface, a cable retaining arm and posts extending from the bottom surface, and, at least one slot in the base plate; and, (ii) a tapering top member including a cable tensioning hook with a channel and extending from the top surface, and at least one nub extending from the bottom surface to slidingly engage the slot. The clip can hold a portion of a sheet between the base plate and the top member when the top member and the base plate are in an engaged relationship. The cable tensioning arm holds the cable and allows tension to be placed on the sheet. When the clip is disengaged from the sheet it can be temporarily attached to the cable by the cable retaining arm.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Formetco, Inc.Inventors: Robert Lee Franklin, Christopher Jonathan Adams, John Dove Gibb
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Patent number: 7836562Abstract: A clip for use in a cable tensioning system, comprising (i) a base plate comprising a generally flat base member having a top surface having a plurality of surface irregularities, a bottom surface, a front edge and a rear edge, and a pair of opposing tensioning arms extending from the top surface; and, (ii) a top plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge and a rear edge, a lip protruding from a top surface thereof having a channel defined therein, wherein the top plate is adapted to secure an edge of a substantially flat medium between the base plate and the top plate when the top plate and the bottom plate are in an engaged relationship, and wherein the channel can receive a portion of a cable.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2008Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Formetco, Inc.Inventors: Robert Lee Franklin, Christopher Jonathan Adams, Perry Steve Hart, Jack Bishop
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Publication number: 20090229085Abstract: A clip for use in a cable system for stretching a sheet across a surface and maintaining it under tension, the clip comprising a base plate and a top plate. The base plate has a pair of opposing retaining arms extending from the top surface and a recessed area defined in the base plate. The top plate has a hook protruding from the top surface having a channel defined therein. The top plate slides between the arms of the base plate and is removably retained therein and the plates engage the edge of a sheet. The hook removably engages a cable and the sheet is stretched when the cable is tensioned. The clip can be retained on the cable when a sheet is to be replaced by partially separating the two plates.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: FORMETCO, INC.Inventors: Robert Lee Franklin, John Dove Gibb, Robert B. McMurray
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Publication number: 20090038124Abstract: A locking clip for a cable tensioning system, comprising (i) a base plate having a top surface having a gripping portion, tensioning arms extending from the top surface, a cable retaining arm and posts extending from the bottom surface, and, at least one slot in the base plate; and, (ii) a tapering top member including a cable tensioning hook with a channel and extending from the top surface, and at least one nub extending from the bottom surface to slidingly engage the slot. The clip can hold a portion of a sheet between the base plate and the top member when the top member and the base plate are in an engaged relationship. The cable tensioning arm holds the cable and allows tension to be placed on the sheet. When the clip is disengaged from the sheet it can be temporarily attached to the cable by the cable retaining arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: FORMETCO, INC.Inventors: Robert Lee Franklin, Christopher Jonathan Adams, John Dove Gibb
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Publication number: 20080250613Abstract: A clip for use in a cable tensioning system, comprising (i) a base plate comprising a generally flat base member having a top surface having a plurality of surface irregularities, a bottom surface, a front edge and a rear edge, and a pair of opposing tensioning arms extending from the top surface; and, (ii) a top plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge and a rear edge, a lip protruding from a top surface thereof having a channel defined therein, wherein the top plate is adapted to secure an edge of a substantially flat medium between the base plate and the top plate when the top plate and the bottom plate are in an engaged relationship, and wherein the channel can receive a portion of a cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2008Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: Formetco, Inc.Inventors: Robert Lee FRANKLIN, Christopher Jonathan ADAMS, Perry Steve HART, Jack BISHOP
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Publication number: 20070247860Abstract: A pivotable light pole apparatus comprising a first and a second pole section, a portion of the first pole section being fittable within a portion of the second pole section, with one end of each pole section being pivotably connected to each other by a pin. The apparatus further comprises a slidable cover which fits over both pole sections and locks in place when the pole sections are collinear so that the pole sections form a single pole, yet when the cover is retracted over the second pole section the first pole section can be pivoted by a technician to be generally perpendicular to the first pole section. When in the pivoted position a light fixture mounted to the first pole section is brought closer to the technician for easier inspection or repair.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: October 25, 2007Inventors: ROBERT LEE FRANKLIN, William R. Cole