Patents by Inventor Robert David Black

Robert David Black 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: 20240095546
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to classification systems. More particularly this invention relates to a system, method, and computer program to dynamically generate a domain of information synthesized by a classification system or semantic network. The invention discloses a method, system, and computer program providing a means by which an information store comprised of knowledge representations, such as a web site comprised of a plurality of web pages or a database comprised of a plurality of data instances, may be optimally organized and accessed based on relational links between ideas defined by one or more thoughts identified by an agent and one or more ideas embodied by the data instances. Such means is hereinafter referred to as a “thought network”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Peter Sweeney, Robert Good, Robert Barlow-Busch, Alexander David Black
  • Publication number: 20230167647
    Abstract: An electrically insulated trellis comprises a first array of parallel tubular members 2 and a second array of parallel tubular members 4. Each of the second array of parallel tubular members 4 is pivotably connected to a plurality of the first array of parallel tubular members 2 whereby to form a trellis 1. Each of the tubular members is formed from glass-reinforced polymer. A first set of fibres in the glass-reinforced polymer are substantially parallel and aligned in a first direction and a second set of fibres in the glass-reinforced polymer, distinct from the first set, are substantially parallel and aligned in a second direction different to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: Oxford Safety Components Limited
    Inventors: John Alexander Black, Robert David Black
  • Patent number: 11549274
    Abstract: There is provided a railing post adaptor for a roof support apparatus. The roof support apparatus comprises an elongate member having a plurality of longitudinal sides. The railing post adaptor comprises a roof support apparatus connector for securing the railing post adaptor to the roof support apparatus. The roof support apparatus connector comprises a first connection portion arranged to engage, in use, with a first set of the plurality of longitudinal sides, and a second connection portion, movably mounted to the first connection portion and arranged to engage, in use, with a second set of the plurality of longitudinal sides, the second set being different from the first set. The roof support apparatus connector further comprises a railing connection portion extending from the roof support apparatus connector for detachably securing a proximal end of a railing post to the roof support apparatus via the railing post adaptor. The first set and the second set each comprise at least two longitudinal sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Oxford Safety Components Limited
    Inventors: John Alexander Black, Robert David Black
  • Publication number: 20190119933
    Abstract: An electrically insulated trellis comprises a first array of parallel tubular members 2 and a second array of parallel tubular members 4. Each of the second array of parallel tubular members 4 is pivotably connected to a plurality of the first array of parallel tubular members 2 whereby to form a trellis 1. Each of the tubular members is formed from glass-reinforced polymer. A first set of fibres in the glass-reinforced polymer are substantially parallel and aligned in a first direction and a second set of fibres in the glass-reinforced polymer, distinct from the first set, are substantially parallel and aligned in a second direction different to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: John Alexander Black, Robert David Black
  • Publication number: 20180328054
    Abstract: There is provided a railing post adaptor for a roof support apparatus. The roof support apparatus comprises an elongate member having a plurality of longitudinal sides. The railing post adaptor comprises a roof support apparatus connector for securing the railing post adaptor to the roof support apparatus. The roof support apparatus connector comprises a first connection portion arranged to engage, in use, with a first set of the plurality of longitudinal sides, and a second connection portion, movably mounted to the first connection portion and arranged to engage, in use, with a second set of the plurality of longitudinal sides, the second set being different from the first set. The roof support apparatus connector further comprises a railing connection portion extending from the roof support apparatus connector for detachably securing a proximal end of a railing post to the roof support apparatus via the railing post adaptor. The first set and the second set each comprise at least two longitudinal sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: John Alexander Black, Robert David Black
  • Patent number: 9540838
    Abstract: An access panel for a horizontal opening, the access panel (11) comprises a parallel array (12) of members (14, 15, 16) and a lateral extent (W) of the array (12) corresponding to a lateral extend (D) of the opening between first (17) and second (18) end members of the array (12) defining a length (L) of the panel (12). At least two pantograph units (20, 21) extend between the first (17) and second (18) end members and each member (14-16, etc.) in the parallel array (12) is pivotably linked to each pantograph unit. The members (14, 15, 16 etc) and units (20, 21) permit the panel (11) to function as a planar structure and enable the length (L) of the panel (11) to be varied between a minimum length (L1) and a maximum length (L2) and an intermediate configuration having a length between the minimum and maximum lengths (L1, L2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Inventors: Robert David Black, John Alexander Black
  • Patent number: 9422737
    Abstract: A retractable cover for use over an opening such as a swimming pool is described. The cover comprises a number i (i?3) of supporting joist means, each joist having a top and bottom surface; an even number j (j<i) of floor section means, each having a first and second end; the first end of a 1st floor section being pivotally fixed to the top surface of a 1st joist, and the first end of the jth floor section pivotally being fixed to the top surface of the ith joist, the first ends of the 2nd . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Inventors: Robert David Black, John Alexander Black
  • Publication number: 20140208501
    Abstract: A retractable cover for use over an opening such as a swimming pool is described. The cover comprises a number i (i?3) of supporting joist means, each joist having a top and bottom surface; an even number j (j<i) of floor section means, each having a first and second end; the first end of a 1st floor section being pivotally fixed to the top surface of a 1st joist, and the first end of the jth floor section pivotally being fixed to the top surface of the ith joist, the first ends of the 2nd . . .
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Robert David Black, John Alexander Black
  • Publication number: 20120144746
    Abstract: An access panel for use in conjunction with a horizontal opening; recesses (41, 42) incorporated in the sides of longitudinal edges of the horizontal opening the access panel (11) comprising a parallel array (12) of members (14, 15, 16) with a longitudinal axis; the lateral extent (W) of the array (12) corresponding to a lateral extent (D) of the opening and first (17) and second (18) end members of the array (12) defining a length (L) of the panel (12) characterised by at least two pantograph units (20, 21) extending between the first (17) and second (18) end members; each member (14 16, etc) in the parallel array (12) being pivotably linked to each pantograph unit; the combination of members (14, 15, 16 etc) and units (20, 21) providing for the panel (11) to function as a planar structure and enabling the (L) of the panel (11) to be varied between a first configuration wherein the panel has a minimum length (L1) measured between the first (17) and second (18) end members; a second configuration wherein the
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Robert David Black, John Alexander Black
  • Patent number: 7845119
    Abstract: A constructional unit comprising: a support frame which is O-shaped in plan bounding an open central region, the support frame including first and second members which are each U-shaped in plan, each member being in the form of a base frame from which extend two side arms; the first and second members having their side arms telescopically engaged to define sides to the open central region of the O-shaped support frame; the telescopic engagement providing for—the spacing of the first base frame from the second base frame to be adjustable over a range of distance; and the temporary securing of the first member to the second member at a predetermined spacing; the base frame of the first member being adapted for location at a first level at a first working location; the second member being adapted, at a position remote from the first member, for location at a second level at a second working location by way of at least one leg pivotably attached at or near one end of the, or each, leg to the base frame of the sec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventors: Robert David Black, John Alexander Black
  • Patent number: 6748715
    Abstract: A safety unit (11) in the form of a network or mesh for location across an opening to receive and restrain an object falling into the opening. The network or mesh is a trellis (12) comprising: a first array (13) of parallel rigid members (13A); a second array (14) of parallel rigid members (14A); and pivoting mechanism whereby each member (13A) of the first array (13) is pivotably attached to at least some of the members (14A) of the second array (14) so that the first and second array can be pivoted relative to one another between a first housed, configuration wherein the difference between the width (W′) of the trellis (12) and the length (L′) of the trellis (12) tends to a maximum; and a second, opened, configuration wherein the difference between the width (W) of the trellis (12) and the length (L) of the trellis (12) tends to a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: S Black Carpenters Limited
    Inventors: John Alexander Black, Robert David Black