Patents by Inventor Randy Franks

Randy Franks 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: 11745043
    Abstract: A lock mechanism which can be placed on a shaft, such as a bar or pole, in either a first direction or second direction, is secured to the shaft using two sets of balls which project out of apertures in an inner cylinder to frictionally engage the shaft. The balls are selectively retractable from their projecting position to allow the inner cylinder to slide on and/or be removed from the shaft. Biasing members, such as wavy springs, bias the two sides of the lock mechanism towards one another. In the locked configuration, the balls are forced by inclined surfaces within the two sides to project outwardly from the inner hollow cylinder. The inclined surfaces are aligned with two rows of apertures in the inner hollow cylinder, and they are inclined in opposite directions. Thus, either way the lock mechanism is installed or placed on the shaft, the balls will project out of the apertures in the inner hollow cylinder and will securely engage the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: SpeedClips USA, LLC
    Inventors: David Robert Davies, Hugh Anderson, Randy Franks
  • Publication number: 20210361996
    Abstract: A lock mechanism which can be placed on a shaft, such as a bar or pole, in either a first direction or second direction, is secured to the shaft using two sets of balls which project out of apertures in an inner cylinder to frictionally engage the shaft. The balls are selectively retractable from their projecting position to allow the inner cylinder to slide on and/or be removed from the shaft. Biasing members, such as wavy springs, bias the two sides of the lock mechanism towards one another. In the locked configuration, the balls are forced by inclined surfaces within the two sides to project outwardly from the inner hollow cylinder. The inclined surfaces are aligned with two rows of apertures in the inner hollow cylinder, and they are inclined in opposite directions. Thus, either way the lock mechanism is installed or placed on the shaft, the balls will project out of the apertures in the inner hollow cylinder and will securely engage the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: David Robert Davies, Hugh Anderson, Randy Franks
  • Publication number: 20210283453
    Abstract: A lock mechanism which can be placed on a shaft, such as a bar or pole, in either a first direction or second direction, is secured to the shaft using two sets of balls which project out of apertures in an inner cylinder to frictionally engage the shaft. The balls are selectively retractable from their projecting position to allow the inner cylinder to slide on and/or be removed from the shaft. Biasing members, such as wavy springs, bias the two sides of the lock mechanism towards one another. In the locked configuration, the balls are forced by inclined surfaces within the two sides to project outwardly from the inner hollow cylinder. The inclined surfaces are aligned with two rows of apertures in the inner hollow cylinder, and they are inclined in opposite directions. Thus, either way the lock mechanism is installed or placed on the shaft, the balls will project out of the apertures in the inner hollow cylinder and will securely engage the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: David Robert Davies, Hugh Anderson, Randy Franks
  • Patent number: 11117013
    Abstract: A lock mechanism which can be placed on a shaft, such as a bar or pole, in either a first direction or second direction, is secured to the shaft using two sets of balls which project out of apertures in an inner cylinder to frictionally engage the shaft. The balls are selectively retractable from their projecting position to allow the inner cylinder to slide on and/or be removed from the shaft. Biasing members, such as wavy springs, bias the two sides of the lock mechanism towards one another. In the locked configuration, the balls are forced by inclined surfaces within the two sides to project outwardly from the inner hollow cylinder. The inclined surfaces are aligned with two rows of apertures in the inner hollow cylinder, and they are inclined in opposite directions. Thus, either way the lock mechanism is installed or placed on the shaft, the balls will project out of the apertures in the inner hollow cylinder and will securely engage the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SpeedClips USA, LLC
    Inventors: David Robert Davies, Hugh Anderson, Randy Franks
  • Patent number: 5445373
    Abstract: A portable lighting system that is disclosed for use in coordination with a glow-in-the-dark golf ball. Various predetermined locations on the golf course are illuminated so that a golfer can see the general layout and various hazards of each golf hole on the golf course. The golf course, other than the predetermined illuminated locations, however, remains substantially unlit so that a high contrast is created between the glow-in-the-dark golf ball and the golf course backdrop. The lighting system comprises various portable recharged lights that are hauled between different golf courses in a trailer. The trailer contains a power supply that recharges the illumination units after a night golf session. A light-stick is used to illuminate the area around a golfer while navigating around the golf course. The carrying stick is inserted into the ground before a golf shot to illuminate the area immediately surrounding the golf ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Night Golf, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy Franks