Patents by Inventor Robert A. MacDonald

Robert A. MacDonald 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).

  • Publication number: 20160242364
    Abstract: An edging unit comprises a structure having opposed top and bottom surfaces, opposed first and second side surfaces extending between the opposed top and bottom surfaces, and opposed first and second end surfaces extending between the opposed top and bottom surfaces and between the first and second side surfaces. The top surface comprises at least one pair of opposed segments. Each pair of segments includes first and second segments respectively opposing one another with respect to a center of the edging unit. The first segment defines a first upward or downward slope between the first side surface and the second side surface and the second segment defines a second upward or downward slope between the first side surface and the second side surface generally opposite in direction to the first slope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas S. Riccobene, Robert A. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20160237638
    Abstract: A retaining wall block and a setback connector for use in forming retaining walls having a desired setback between adjacent courses of blocks in a retaining wall. The method of constructing a retaining wall with a plurality of the blocks and setback connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, Thomas S. Riccobene
  • Publication number: 20160186555
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for generating pressure pulses in a drilling fluid flowing within coiled tubing assembly is described that includes; a flow throttling device longitudinally and axially positioned within the center of a main valve actuator assembly that allows main exit flow fluid to flow past a drive shaft and motor such that the pilot fluid and the main exit flow fluid causes one or more flow throttling devices to generate large, rapid controllable pulses. The pulses generated by the flow throttling device thereby allow transmission of well-developed signals easily distinguished from any noise resulting from other vibrations due to nearby equipment within the borehole or exterior to the borehole, or within the coiled tubing assembly wherein the signals also provide predetermined height, width and shape of the signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: TELEDRILL, INC.
    Inventors: Robert MacDonald, Gabor Vecseri, Benjamin Jennings
  • Patent number: 9309762
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system described for generating pressure pulses in drilling fluid utilizing a flow throttling device which includes a controllable pulser operating sequentially within a downhole assembly within a drill string of a drill pipe. The system includes drilling fluid, fluid flow, and fluid drilling pump which when combined creates fluid flow into a bore pipe annulus within the downhole assembly creating a base line bore pipe pressure wherein bore pipe pressure is sensed via a sensor and information is sent to a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) that interprets the information. The DSP also receives information from an annulus pressure sensor that senses drilling fluid pressure as it returns to the pump. The DSP recognizes pressure variation input from the annulus pressure sensor and bore pipe pressure sensor and detects pressure variation providing signals as data information to the DSP, determining required action to adjust pulser operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Teledrill, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert MacDonald, Gabor Vecseri, Benjamin Jennings
  • Publication number: 20160069078
    Abstract: Wall blocks, veneers, veneer connectors, walls, and methods of constructing walls are provided. More particularly, the invention relates to constructing walls in which a veneer panel is attached to a wall block with a connector and in which the front faces of the veneers have a desirable texture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 9267260
    Abstract: A wall block comprises an upper surface and an opposed lower surface. A front face and an opposed back face, and a first side face and an opposed second side face, are disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. The first side face and the second side face generally extend from the front face to the back face. The block includes one or more features that define a horizontal alignment direction. The front face extends from the first side face to the second side face generally along a direction that is slanted with respect to the horizontal alignment direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, Thomas S. Riccobene
  • Publication number: 20160010307
    Abstract: A wall block, wall block system and method of making a wall block. The wall block including at least one core extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, the at least one core having opposed front and rear surfaces and first and second side surfaces the wall block also including at least one pin hole opening onto the top surface of the block and extending at least a portion of the distance from the top surface to the bottom surface. The at least one pin hole may open onto at least a portion of at least one surface of the at least one core. The block may be provided with channels; the pin hole, channels and core may all be formed to in a mold box by a single forming member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 9181714
    Abstract: A landscaping block, patio block, wall block and/or retaining wall block having a multi-textured or patterned exposed surface that can be used in landscaping, retaining wall, and/or patio block systems utilizing a plurality of blocks with a multi-textured or patterned exposed surface. The blocks having the multi-textured or patterned exposed surface can be used in landscaping, retaining wall, and/or patio block systems having a first block type and a second block type. The multi-textured or patterned exposed surface blocks can be used in the construction of walls, fences, and patios to create a geometric design or pattern or a repeating geometric design or pattern in a visually exposed surface of the wall, fence and/or patio constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, Thomas S. Riccobene
  • Publication number: 20150300153
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for generating pressure pulses for enhancing and completing a well bore within a coiled tubing assembly including: a CT-MWD-FTD tool longitudinally and axially positioned within the center of a main valve assembly including a main valve. The drilling fluid is subsequently split into both an inlet main fluid stream and a pilot fluid stream, wherein the pilot fluid stream subsequently flows such that the pilot fluid recombines with the main flow stream to become a main exit fluid flow. The main exit fluid flow then proceeds toward a motor housing wherein one or more annular pressure sensors measure the pressure of fluid flow with sensors that send signals to a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) that controls flow throttling devices which generate controllable, large, rapid and measurable energy pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: TELEDRILL, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert MacDonald, Gabor Vecseri
  • Patent number: 9133664
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for generating pressure pulses in a drilling fluid flowing within coiled tubing assembly is described that includes; a flow throttling device longitudinally and axially positioned within the center of a main valve actuator assembly that allows main exit flow fluid to flow past a drive shaft and motor such that the pilot fluid and the main exit flow fluid causes one or more flow throttling devices to generate large, rapid controllable pulses. The pulses generated by the flow throttling device thereby allow transmission of well-developed signals easily distinguished from any noise resulting from other vibrations due to nearby equipment within the borehole or exterior to the borehole, or within the coiled tubing assembly wherein the signals also provide predetermined height, width and shape of the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Teledrill, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert MacDonald, Gabor Vecseri, Benjamin Jennings
  • Publication number: 20150132057
    Abstract: A connection surface that is disposed on at least a portion of a face of a structural unit comprises a first convex surface and a first concave surface arranged substantially along a first line. The shape of the first concave surface is complementary to the shape of the first convex surface. A second convex surface and a second concave surface are arranged substantially along a second line that is substantially parallel to the first line. The shape of the second concave surface is complementary to the shape of the second convex surface. The concave-convex order of the second line is reversed relative to the first line, such that the second convex surface corresponds with the first concave surface and the second concave surface corresponds with the first convex surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas S. Riccobene, Robert A. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 9021761
    Abstract: A building unit including upper and lower surfaces, and a plurality of side surfaces extending between the upper and lower surfaces defining a generally trapezoidal shape in plan view. The unit includes a first pair of the side surfaces, located on opposite sides of the unit and extending non-linearly and generally obliquely with respect to each other in plan view, where each side surface of the first pair has a midpoint bisecting it into two portions. The portions on each side of the midpoint are a 180° rotational image of the other portion about the midpoint. One side surface of the first pair is longer than the other, and the longer side surface includes a midsection of the same length and configuration as the other, shorter side surface. Each of the shorter and longer side surfaces interlocks with either the shorter or longer side surface of another like building unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC
    Inventors: Thomas S. Riccobene, Robert A. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20150116119
    Abstract: A device is provided for detecting blockages in a pipe connecting a sewer to a structure. The device includes an acoustic energy sensor, a transmitter for transmitting a signal from the sensor, and a receiver for receiving the signal transmitted from the sensor and indicating to a user the strength of the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Macdonald
  • Publication number: 20150097312
    Abstract: A block, block system and method of making a wall block. A block with multiple embodiments of a visually exposed surface having three dimensional shaped areas and three dimensional angular valleys or joints that can be used to construct a patio, wall, fence or the like; the multiple embodiments creating a more random and natural appearance. A mold box having a moveable liner and a stripper shoe that impart three dimensional shaped areas and three dimensional angular valleys or joints onto an exposed surface of a block. The moveable liner and stripper shoe also impart a parting line onto the exposed surface of the block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, Thomas S. Riccobene
  • Publication number: 20150042015
    Abstract: A retaining wall block having a rear flange and a mold box and method of making the block. The mold box is configured with a mold cavity that includes a vertical flange forming cavity extending from the top of the mold box to the bottom of the mold box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, David M. LaCroix
  • Publication number: 20150040507
    Abstract: A wall block comprises an upper surface and an opposed lower surface. A front face and an opposed back face, and a first side face and an opposed second side face, are disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. The first side face and the second side face generally extend from the front face to the back face. The block includes one or more features that define a horizontal alignment direction. The front face extends from the first side face to the second side face generally along a direction that is slanted with respect to the horizontal alignment direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, Thomas S. Riccobene
  • Patent number: D722707
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, Thomas S. Riccobene
  • Patent number: D725795
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems LLC
    Inventors: Thomas S. Riccobene, Robert A. MacDonald
  • Patent number: D743055
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, Thomas S. Riccobene
  • Patent number: D749752
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, Thomas S. Riccobene