George J Franks

US Patent:

6378822, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Jan 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/757296

Inventors:

George J. Franks - Inverness IL

Assignee:

Senior Industries, Inc. - Wood Dale IL

International Classification:

E06C 900

US Classification:

2482184, 182 92, 182 90

Abstract:

A step assembly for securing a step to hollow poles and like. The step assembly includes a lock bushing and a mounting base that have cooperating flats to prevent relative rotational movement between the pole-like structure and the step. More particularly, the step includes a first end portion with an arm and a flat. The first end portion extends through a hole in the pole-like structure to position the arm in the pole-like structure. The lock bushing also includes a flat that defines, in part, an interior hole that receives the first end portion of the step so that the flat can engage the flat on the step. The lock bushing also includes an exterior flat and can be received by a hole defined by the base such that a flat surface or edge on the base engages the exterior flat on the lock bushing. The flats prevent relative rotational motion between the pole-like structure and the step. The base also includes an arcuate surface that engage the pole-like structure to prevent relative rotational movement between the base and pole-like structure.

US Patent:

D459976, Jul 9, 2002

Filed:

Jul 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

29/145054

Inventors:

George J. Franks - Inverness IL

Assignee:

Senior Industries, Inc. - Wood Dale IL

International Classification:

0805

US Classification:

D 8356

US Patent:

6491272, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Aug 9, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/925855

Inventors:

George J. Franks - Inverness IL

Assignee:

Senior Industries, Inc. - Wood Dale IL

International Classification:

E06C 134

US Classification:

2482184, 248544, 2482319, 248507, 182 92

Abstract:

There is provided a pole step assembly with a removable step for hollow poles and the like. The step assembly includes a mounting subassembly with a mounting stud and a mounting plate with inter-engaging flat surfaces that limit relative rotational movement of the mounting stud and mounting plate about the axis of the subassembly. A clamp is provided to limit radial movement of the subassembly relative to the pole. The mounting stud of the subassembly also may include a handle portion that captivates the components of the subassembly and facilitates ease of installation of the subassembly. The handle also may break away and be removed after installation of the subassembly. The step is mounted to the subassembly and may include flat surfaces that inter-engage with further flat surfaces on the mounting plate to limit rotation of the step about its longitudinal axis.

US Patent:

6559387, May 6, 2003

Filed:

Sep 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/654249

Inventors:

George J. Franks - Inverness IL

Assignee:

Senior Industries, Inc. - Wood Dale IL

International Classification:

H01R 1346

US Classification:

174136, 174 65 G, 174 683, 174135, 174 55, 174138 E, 411175, 411174, 411176

Abstract:

A universal ground clamp having a clamping strap having a series of uniformly sized and spaced apertures to facilitate the installation of the clamp onto a wide range of structures of various shaped and sized cross-sections. A metal stud, through which the clamping strap is secured, includes a terminal portion adapted to accommodate and have secured therein a ground wire. A pair of curved plates supported upon the stud are used to form a tight clamping action of the strap about the structure to be grounded, without subjecting the strap to localized stresses or tearing, but permitting the strap to tightly encircle the structure. One of the curved plates is captivated on the strap with stops.

US Patent:

6732981, May 11, 2004

Filed:

Aug 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/225923

Inventors:

George J. Franks - Inverness IL
Isaac Jack Sachs - Montreal, CA

Assignee:

Senior Industries, Inc. - Wood Dale IL

International Classification:

F16L 312

US Classification:

248 741, 248 58

Abstract:

A clamp designed to accept and secure a cable with a securing wire. The clamp has a body portion that utilizes a plurality of slots designed and oriented to accept and guide the securing wire in a wrapping procedure. The permissible wrapping procedure allows the user to hold the clamp with one hand and wrap the support wire with the other, without alternating the clamp and wire between hands and without encircling the body portion.

US Patent:

20040129841, Jul 8, 2004

Filed:

Dec 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/738234

Inventors:

George Franks - Inverness IL, US

Assignee:

SENIOR INDUSTRIES, INC.

International Classification:

F16L003/00

US Classification:

248/058000

Abstract:

A clamp designed to accept and secure a cable with a securing wire. The clamp may include an insulating insert or insulator coating on at least a portion of the hanger portion of the clamp which electrically insulates the clamp at the attachment point to a structure. The insulator material has properties sufficient to withstand both the high weight loads and forces on the contact point between the drop wire clamp and the attachment point and the slight swinging or rubbing action between the drop wire clamp and the attachment point caused by the wind. The attachment structure, such as a hook or fastener, at the attachment point may also be provided with an insulator coating.

US Patent:

20040154818, Aug 12, 2004

Filed:

Nov 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/713442

Inventors:

George Franks - Inverness IL, US

Assignee:

SENIOR INDUSTRIES, INC.

International Classification:

H05K005/02

US Classification:

174/051000

Abstract:

A grounding connector having at least a first layer and a second layer. A conductor, such as a grounding wire, is secured between the first layer and the second layer. The first and second layers are made of a material with the same or similar galvanic potentials as the conductor such that galvanic corrosion between the conductor and the first and second layers is minimized.

US Patent:

20040177994, Sep 16, 2004

Filed:

Mar 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/808907

Inventors:

George Franks - Inverness IL, US

Assignee:

Senior Industries, Inc.

International Classification:

H01B007/24
A47H001/10

US Classification:

174/136000

Abstract:

A universal ground strap assembly including a strap having a series of uniformly sized and spaced apertures to facilitate the installation of the ground strap assembly onto a wide range of structures of various shaped and sized cross-sections is provided. A stud, through which the strap is secured, includes a terminal portion adapted to accommodate and have secured therein a ground wire. The stud includes a curved surface to engage the elongated strap with smooth transition. The stud may be captivated on the strap by at least one projection extending into the hole in the strap within which the stud is held. A curved sliding nut supported upon the strap and a curved surface of the stud are used to form a tight clamping action of the strap about the structure to be grounded, without subjecting the strap to localized stresses or tearing, but permitting the strap to tightly encircle the structure. The curved sliding nut is also captivated on the strap with stops and defines a hole to receive the stud. The strap may also include an abrading surface to penetrate the outer surface layer of the structure.