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).

  • Patent number: 11900833
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Franklin, Jonathon Christopher Adams, Brian David Jeffries
  • Publication number: 20230026421
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Robert Lee Franklin, Jonathon Christopher Adams, Brian David Jeffries
  • Patent number: 10550869
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Gibb, Jonathon Christopher Adams, Brian David Jeffries, Robert Lee Franklin
  • Publication number: 20180258964
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: John D. Gibb, Jonathon Christopher Adams, Brian David Jeffries, Robert Lee Franklin
  • Patent number: 9995325
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Gibb, Jonathon Christopher Adams, Brian David Jeffries, Robert Lee Franklin
  • Publication number: 20170261018
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: John D. Gibb, Jonathon Christopher Adams, Brian David Jeffries, Robert Lee Franklin
  • Patent number: 8371002
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Franklin, John Dove Gibb, Robert B. McMurray
  • Patent number: 8020260
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Franklin, Christopher Jonathan Adams, John Dove Gibb
  • Patent number: 7836562
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Franklin, Christopher Jonathan Adams, Perry Steve Hart, Jack Bishop
  • Publication number: 20090229085
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: FORMETCO, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Franklin, John Dove Gibb, Robert B. McMurray
  • Publication number: 20090038124
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: FORMETCO, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Franklin, Christopher Jonathan Adams, John Dove Gibb
  • Publication number: 20080250613
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lee FRANKLIN, Christopher Jonathan ADAMS, Perry Steve HART, Jack BISHOP
  • Publication number: 20070247860
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: ROBERT LEE FRANKLIN, William R. Cole