Patents by Inventor Robert B. Aiken

Robert B. Aiken 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: 5983546
    Abstract: A changeable scrolling web sign for selectively displaying a variety of menu items and pricing information in a viewing window includes a scrolling web adapted to receive interchangeable information panels. The mounting means for mounting the information panels on the web permits the information panels to move relative to the web in a direction substantially parallel to the scrolling direction of the web for permitting the web and panels to be wound on and paid out from cylindrical take-up rolls. A cover is placed over the information panel when positioned in the viewing window of the menu board for maintaining the information panel in a flat, planar viewing position. The sliding movement permitted between the information panel and the web accommodates the varying radii created as the web and information panel are wound on and unwound from the web take-up rolls. The scrolling web sign is adapted to be backlighted to enhance the aesthetics of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Milwaukee Sign Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Aiken, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5896688
    Abstract: A scrolling sign that includes a plurality of webs each having indicia which are displayed through a window on the sign face. The plurality of webs are disposed in vertical and horizontal alignment with one another. Each of the webs are disposed between a forward and a reverse web roll. A plurality of forward and reverse web rolls are rotatably mounted to a modular unit such that the individual web rolls are aligned. A drive shaft passes through each of the web rolls and is engageable with only one of the web rolls at a time. The engagement of the drive shaft with the web rolls, as well as rotation of the individual web rolls is manual. The drive shaft includes a driving mechanism which prevents the drive shaft from being rotated in an improper direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Milwaukee Sign Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Aiken, Robert C. Clapper
  • Patent number: 5755050
    Abstract: A sign for selectively displaying a variety of information in a viewing window includes a web extending between a pair of spaced rollers and moveable by rolling and unrolling on the rollers. A base panel is releasably secured to a surface of the web. The base panel has an outer surface and an inner surface facing the web. Pockets are provided on the inner surface of the base panel for receiving the ends of display panels containing the information to be displayed in a viewing area of the sign. The pockets retain the display panels on the base panel while permitting relative movement therebetween as the web is rolled up and unrolled. The attachment of the base panels to the web also permits such relative movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventor: Robert B. Aiken
  • Patent number: 5678333
    Abstract: A changeable scrolling web sign for selectively displaying a variety of menu items and pricing information in a viewing window includes a scrolling web adapted to receive interchangeable information panels. The mounts for mounting the information panels on the web permits the information panels to move relative to the web in a direction substantially parallel to the scrolling direction of the web for permitting the web and panels to be wound on and paid out from cylindrical take-up rolls. A cover is placed over the information panel when positioned in the viewing window of the menu board for maintaining the information panel in a flat, planar viewing position. The sliding movement permitted between the information panel and the web accommodates the varying radii created as the web and information panel are wound on and unwound from the web take-up rolls. The scrolling web sign is adapted to be backlighted to enhance the aesthetics of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Milwaukee Sign Co.
    Inventor: Robert B. Aiken, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5598651
    Abstract: A side sign with a traversable web has a web roll mechanism mounted at each end of a frame member contained in signage apparatus. Each of the web roll mechanism contains a web roll rotatably mounted therein. A hand crank journaled in the web roll mechanism is connected to the web roll so that rotation of the hand crank will rotate the web roll and traverse the web across a window in the signage apparatus to display desired indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Milwaukee Sign Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Aiken, Robert C. Clapper
  • Patent number: 5412893
    Abstract: A scrolling sign includes a plurality of webs each having indicia which is displayed through a window on a sign face. The webs are disposed in alignment with one another. A switch controls a clutch associated with each of the scrolling webs for selectively connecting a manual crank mechanism with one of the scrolling webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Milwaukee Sign Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Robert B. Aiken, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5410830
    Abstract: A changeable scrolling web sign for selectively displaying a variety of menu items and pricing information in a viewing window includes a scrolling web adapted to receive interchangeable information panels. The mounts for mounting the information panels on the web permits the information panels to move relative to the web in a direction substantially parallel to the scrolling direction of the web for permitting the web and panels to be wound on and paid out from cylindrical take-up rolls. A cover is placed over the information panel when positioned in the viewing window of the menu board for maintaining the information panel in a flat, planar viewing position. The sliding movement permitted between the information panel and the web accommodates the varying radii created as the web and information panel are wound on and unwound from the web take-up rolls. The scrolling web sign is adapted to be backlighted to enhance the aesthetics of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Milwaukee Sign Co.
    Inventor: Robert B. Aiken, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5174055
    Abstract: A scrolling sign apparatus is suitable for incorporation in existing sign enclosures. Brackets are inserted in the enclosure. A web and web roll assembly is removably fastened to the brackets. The web and web roll assembly include a pair of spaced web rolls with a web extending between them. The web may extend between a pair of transparent sheets for displaying graphic or alpha-numeric information provided on the web. The information may be provided on separate sheets that are taped to the web. Or an inner transparent sheet is mounted in the module behind the web. Guide flanges are mounted on the other side of the web to form a gap through which the web extends between the rolls. The gap has a narrowed portion along the path. The slack occurring in the sheets when said panel appears in the window is forced to the ends of the panel by the narrowed portion of the gap, thereby to present a highly aesthetic appearance to the sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Inventor: Robert B. Aiken
  • Patent number: 5016371
    Abstract: A scrolling sign apparatus is suitable for incorporation in existing sign enclosures. Brackets are inserted in the enclosure. A web and web roll assembly is removably fastened to the brackets. The web and web roll assembly includes a pair of spaced web rolls with a web extending between them. The web may extend between a pair of transparent sheets for displaying graphic or alpha-numeric information provided on the web. The information may be provided on separate sheets that are taped to the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Inventor: Robert B. Aiken
  • Patent number: 4995183
    Abstract: An improved guide means suitable for use in a scrolling sign having an internal frame work and a sign face with a window in which indicia may appear. A web containing serial indicia is wound on web rolls. The web extends along a path between the web rolls and across the window for selectively displaying indicia on the window as the web is unwound and rewound on the rolls by a motor. The guide means includes a pair of plate-like guide members lying normal to the path of the web and spaced along the path. The guide members receive the web, at least along their edges so that the web extends between the guide members and across the window in the sign face and may contain baffles to eliminate light leaks. The guide members may be formed of translucent or transparent material to avoid shadows on the sign face. A brace member and adjustment bar may extend between the guide members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Inventor: Robert B. Aiken, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4741118
    Abstract: A scrolling sign has a sign face member with windows in which indicia appear. A framework is mounted proximate the interior surface of the sign face member. A pair of shafts are mounted on the framework to contain a plurality of web rolls between which webs containing indicia extend. Guides adjacent the windows guides the web and prevent light leaks. The guides are so formed as to avoid shadows on the sign face member. A drive mechanism simultaneously rotates the shafts. Clutches, interposed between the web rolls and the shafts, are selectively operable to move the webs in one or the other direction across the window to alter the displayed indicia. A constantly applied differential brake is also coupled to said web rolls to maintain tension on the webs and to assist in their movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Milwaukee Sign Company, Inc
    Inventors: Robert B. Aiken, Dennis M. Bauer, James R. Hogan
  • Patent number: D317924
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Inventor: Robert B. Aiken, Sr.