Patents by Inventor K. Blair Milliken

K. Blair 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: 7487610
    Abstract: A framing member for use in a bleed sign construction assembly, the construction assembly including a projecting mounting surface and at least one construction light fixture arrayed proximate to the projecting mounting surface which is encased within a light permeable covering material. A substantially elongate and joinable member includes a body with a selected width and height in cross section and a longitudinally extending channel which reveals an interior cavity of the body. A first flange extends longitudinally from along a first side of the body and secures to the mounting surface to arrange the body at a spaced distance therefrom. A second flange extends longitudinally from along a second and opposite side of the body terminates along a remote extending edge. A plurality of the framing members are connected in end to end fashion to form a closed perimeter and the covering material is anchored within the interconnected channels and drawn across the framing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Milliken Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Les Milliken, K. Blair Milliken, Steven LaFountain
  • Patent number: 6976330
    Abstract: A hinged sign face assembly is provided for use on a standard sign box. The assembly may be retrofitted on an existing sign box to facilitate access to fluorescent light tubes and other components inside the sign box. The assembly pivots the face of a sign box to an open position to allow interior components to be accessed without the need for disassembling the sign box frame. The assembly includes a hinge adapter that mounts to a standard sign box. The hinge adapter is operable with commercially available components to convert a rigid standard sign box to a hinged sign box. The assembly may also include a hinge connector secured with the sign face that may be connected to the adapter in a hinged manner without fasteners. The hinge connector supports the sign face and cooperates with the adapter to allow the sign face to pivot on the sign box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Milliken & Milliken
    Inventor: K. Blair Milliken
  • Publication number: 20040035032
    Abstract: A hinged sign face assembly is provided for use on a standard sign box. The assembly may be retrofitted on an existing sign box to facilitate access to fluorescent light tubes and other components inside the sign box. The assembly pivots the face of a sign box to an open position to allow interior components to be accessed without the need for disassembling the sign box frame. The assembly includes a hinge adapter that mounts to a standard sign box. The hinge adapter is operable with commercially available components to convert a rigid standard sign box to a hinged sign box. The assembly may also include a hinge connector secured with the sign face that may be connected to the adapter in a hinged manner without fasteners. The hinge connector supports the sign face and cooperates with the adapter to allow the sign face to pivot on the sign box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: K. Blair Milliken
  • Publication number: 20030079434
    Abstract: A framing member for use in a bleed sign construction assembly, the construction assembly including a projecting mounting surface and at least one construction light fixture arrayed proximate to the projecting mounting surface which is encased within a light permeable covering material. A substantially elongate and joinable member includes a body with a selected width and height in cross section and a longitudinally extending channel which reveals an interior cavity of the body. A first flange extends longitudinally from along a first side of the body and secures to the mounting surface to arrange the body at a spaced distance therefrom. A second flange extends longitudinally from along a second and opposite side of the body terminates along a remote extending edge. A plurality of the framing members are connected in end to end fashion to form a closed perimeter and the covering material is anchored within the interconnected channels and drawn across the framing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Les Milliken, K. Blair Milliken, Steven LaFountain
  • Patent number: 6368011
    Abstract: A sign box joining device for slidable engaging and interlocking with at least one extrusion member. The joining device having an elongate, flat, top wall having downwardly extending side walls at opposite sides of the top wall and inwardly extending bottom wall flanges at bottom ends of the downwardly extending side walls. The extrusion member includes an elongate, flat, bottom wall having upwardly extending side walls at opposite sides of the bottom wall, one upwardly extending side wall having an inwardly extending top wall and the other upwardly extending side wall having and outwardly extending top wall. The joining device slidably engages and interlocks the pair of extrusion members when a portion of the top wall is in contact with a portion of the inwardly extending top wall of both extrusion members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Milliken Industries
    Inventors: Steven LaFountain, K. Blair Milliken
  • Patent number: 6112444
    Abstract: A framing member for use in a bleed sign construction assembly, the construction assembly including a projecting mounting surface and at least one construction light fixture arrayed proximate to the projecting mounting surface which is encased within a light permeable covering material. A substantially elongate and joinable member includes a body with a selected width and height in cross section and a longitudinally extending channel which reveals an interior cavity of the body. A first flange extends longitudinally from along a first side of the body and secures to the mounting surface to arrange the body at a spaced distance therefrom. A second flange extends longitudinally from along a second and opposite side of the body terminates along a remote extending edge. A plurality of the framing members are connected in end to end fashion to form a closed perimeter and the covering material is anchored within the interconnected channels and drawn across the framing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventors: Les Milliken, K. Blair Milliken, Steven LaFountain
  • Patent number: 5647176
    Abstract: A construction assembly for closures, including awnings, canopies, boat coverings, signs and displays having a frame composed of aluminum and the like including channelled, joinable members preferably for assembly by welding into a frame, a covering material formed from a textile, and flexible trim pads for interlocking the covering material into the channels of the joinable members. The assembly includes staples to act as anchors to hold the material into place before forced insertion of the flexible fasteners. The joinable members may have a square, rectangular, round, or triangular shape when viewed in cross section. In one embodiment, the joinable members may have one or more cantilevered flanges suspended therefrom for framing or to provide for attachment to another structure or to provide support for other structures such as a light diffuser. This construction also improves the overall integrity of the member. In cross section, the joinable members have a round or a multi-sided configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventors: Les Milliken, K. Blair Milliken
  • Patent number: 4926605
    Abstract: A construction assembly for closures, including awnings, canopies, boat coverings, signs and displays having a frame composed of aluminum and the like including channelled, joinable members preferably for assembly by welding into a frame, a covering material formed from a textile, and flexible trim pads for interlocking the covering material into the channels of the joinable members. The assembly includes staples to act as anchors to hold the material into place before forced insertion of the flexible fasteners. In cross section, the joinable members have a round or a multi-sided configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Inventors: Les Milliken, K. Blair Milliken
  • Patent number: D434084
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Milliken Industries
    Inventors: Steven LaFountain, K. Blair Milliken