Patents Assigned to Formetco, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11916049
    Abstract: A LED light display having a plurality of LED bulb arrays and a louver panel defining a plurality of hole arrays. Each hole array can define openings that are sized and spaced to receive at least the distal end portions of the bulbs forming a single LED bulb array. The louver panel further has a plurality of shaped protrusions in the form of louvers that are configured to extend outwardly and forwardly from a front surface of the louver panel and are arranged in a plurality of columns and in a plurality of rows in regularly repeating patterns related to the pattern of the placement of a plurality of the plurality of hole arrays in the louver panel and are further configured to block at least a portion of the emission of light from the LED bulbs in both a horizontal and vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventor: Jim Shimmin
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11557575
    Abstract: A LED light display having a plurality of LED bulb arrays and a louver panel defining a plurality of hole arrays. Each hole array can define openings that are sized and spaced to receive at least the distal end portions of the bulbs forming a single LED bulb array. The louver panel further has a plurality of shaped protrusions in the form of louvers that are configured to extend outwardly and forwardly from a front surface of the louver panel and are arranged in a plurality of columns and in a plurality of rows in regularly repeating patterns related to the pattern of the placement of a plurality of the plurality of hole arrays in the louver panel and are further configured to block at least a portion of the emission of light from the LED bulbs in both a horizontal and vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: FORMETCO, INC.
    Inventor: Jim Shimmin
  • Patent number: 11480013
    Abstract: A fall protection system having a top bracket assembly that is mountable to a top portion of the ladder, a spaced bottom bracket assembly that is mountable to a bottom portion of the ladder, and a cable extending therebetween portions of the top bracket assembly and the bottom bracket assembly substantially parallel to a plane bisecting the vertical ladder at a desired distance from the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathon Christopher Adams
  • Patent number: 11125016
    Abstract: A ladder support attachment for spacing a ladder from a structure having a support member configured to mount to the structure and stabilizing the ladder; a spacing member integrally coupled to and extending outwardly from an upper edge of the support member; and a trough member integrally coupled to a distal edge of the spacing member and configured to receive a rung of the ladder. The trough member having a first planar member coupled to a distal edge of the spacing member at an acute angle relative to the support member, a second planar member coupled to a portion of a distal edge of the first planar member and extending transverse to the first planar member, and a third planar member being coupled to a distal edge of the second planar member and extending transverse to the first planar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Christopher Adams, Robert L. Franklin
  • Patent number: 10971482
    Abstract: A LED light display having a plurality of LED bulb arrays and a louver panel defining a plurality of hole arrays. Each hole array can define openings that are sized and spaced to receive at least the distal end portions of the bulbs forming a single LED bulb array. The louver panel further has a plurality of shaped protrusions in the form of louvers that are configured to extend outwardly and forwardly from a front surface of the louver panel and are arranged in a plurality of columns and in a plurality of rows in regularly repeating patterns related to the pattern of the placement of a plurality of the plurality of hole arrays in the louver panel and are further configured to block at least a portion of the emission of light from the LED bulbs in both a horizontal and vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventor: Jim Shimmin
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120159823
    Abstract: A trim base C-shaped channel having a front face, a bottom face, and a hanger face configured to form a trough or C-channel; one or more T-tracks and splice tracks positioned on the interior of the trough or C-channel for mounting a plurality of components of a cable tensioning system; a concave member positioned on the front face; a trim cap having a support extension and a contact extension configured to rotate about the concave member, wherein the trim cap is configured to cover the trough or open top of the C-channel; and a spring positioned between one hanger section and the support extension, wherein the spring is configured to rotate the trim cap about the concave member and, thus, functions to conceal the cable, pulleys, guides, and other individual components of a billboard cable tensioning system used to secure and stretch a printed display sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventors: John Dove Gibb, Thomas Stover, Christopher Jonathan Adams
  • Publication number: 20120159822
    Abstract: A border trim assembly for a billboard frame having a gap between the frame and a display sheet, the assembly comprising: a base member having a front face, and a hanger section configured to affix to the billboard frame; a concave member positioned on said hanger section; a trim cap having a support extension and a contact extension configured to rotate about said concave member, wherein said trim cap is configured to cover the gap; and a spring positioned between said hanger section and said support extension wherein said spring is configured to rotate said trim cap about said concave member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventors: John Dove Gibb, Thomas Stover
  • Patent number: 8042292
    Abstract: A cable tensioning system for mounting a vinyl sheet to a billboard frame, comprising a cable secured on a frame at one end and secured to a spring-loaded cable tensioning device at the other end. A plurality of cable guides are mounted at intervals around the frame, each of the cable guides having a channel adapted to receive the cable. Portions of the edges of a sheet are secured within a plurality of locking clips around the perimeter, each clip also having a channel to receive the cable. The sheet with the clips affixed is secured to the frame whereby cable travels through the channels in the locking clips and is guided around the perimeter of the frame by the channel guides and secured to the spring-loaded cable tensioning device. The spring-loaded cable tensioning device is deployed to tighten the cable around the frame and secure the sheet to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Gibb, Christopher Jonathan Adams
  • 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: 7896522
    Abstract: A plurality of lamp arrays (30A-30N) provide uniform lighting across the copy area of a billboard sign. The arrays (30) are arranged end-to-end horizontally along the length of the copy area. Each array (30) comprises a plurality of LEDs (34A-34N) and a plurality of lenses (36A-36M). The various lenses (36) direct and focus the light from the LEDs (34) at the various parts of the copy area so as to minimize dark and light spots. A “TOP” set of LEDs preferably illuminates the top part of the copy area, a “MIDDLE” set of LEDs preferably illuminates the middle of the copy area, and “FILLER” LEDs preferably serve to illuminate the bottom of the copy area. The lamp arrays are preferably mounted to a catwalk (14) at the bottom of the billboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Heller, Dewey T. Pitts
  • 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: 20090290338
    Abstract: A plurality of lamp arrays (30A-30N) provide uniform lighting across the copy area of a billboard sign. The arrays (30) are arranged end-to-end horizontally along the length of the copy area. Each array (30) comprises a plurality of LEDs (34A-34N) and a plurality of lenses (36A-36M). The various lenses (36) direct and focus the light from the LEDs (34) at the various parts of the copy area so as to minimize dark and light spots. A “TOP” set of LEDs preferably illuminates the top part of the copy area, a “MIDDLE” set of LEDs preferably illuminates the middle of the copy area, and “FILLER” LEDs preferably serve to illuminate the bottom of the copy area. The lamp arrays are preferably mounted to a catwalk (14) at the bottom of the billboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: FORMETCO, INC.
    Inventors: Todd R. Heller, Dewey T. Pitts
  • 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
  • Patent number: D880008
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Christopher Adams, Robert L. Franklin
  • Patent number: D882120
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Formetco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Christopher Adams, Robert L. Franklin