Patents by Inventor Robert MacDonald

Robert 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).

  • Patent number: 7641178
    Abstract: A system of blocks is configured to be compatible with each other in the construction of a columnar structure. Each block has four faces and all four faces may generally have the same dimensions. The width of the blocks may generally be about twice their height. The faces of the block also may contain a slot to add an aesthetic appearance to the column. The blocks have certain constructions features that mate with specially constructed brackets in attaching a fence panel to the completed column. The blocks have interlocking elements or projections that permit positive connection between courses of blocks. Projections of one block extend into the core another block. Adjacent blocks can be rotated 90 degrees relative to each other about a vertical axis of each block with each course. The blocks can be used to construct a column that is easy to install and structurally sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, William B. Dawson
  • Publication number: 20090313936
    Abstract: A veneer panel system is used with a wall or a retaining wall to provide a natural stone appearance and/or to improve the appearance of an existing wall. Panels can be interlocked to form a stable veneer structure. The structure is attached to a wall by various attachment means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, William B. Dawson
  • Publication number: 20090308015
    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: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, David M. LaCroix
  • Publication number: 20090304459
    Abstract: A method of making a retaining wall including a plurality of wall blocks and geogrid. A veneer panel system is used with a wall or a retaining wall to provide a natural stone appearance and/or to improve the appearance of an existing wall. Panels can be interlocked to form a stable veneer structure. The structure is attached to a wall by various attachment means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, William B. Dawson
  • Publication number: 20090188196
    Abstract: A corner block and a wall block system with a corner block for forming in multiple courses a wall which includes first and second visible wall portions which meet at a corner and where the corner block has a front face and at least one side surface having a texture or pattern matching the texture or pattern of a front face of a first block of the wall system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20090151281
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method of constructing walls or fence systems from panels. More particularly, the invention relates to constructing such walls or fence systems wherein a back face of one panel connects to a back face of another panel and further wherein the front faces of the panels have a desirable texture and further wherein a concrete footing of the wall or fence system is poured after courses of panels have been stacked one upon the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, Blaine French, David M. LaCroix
  • Publication number: 20090120029
    Abstract: A wall block having at least one weight bearing pad on an upper or lower surface of the block and a compression head and methods of making the block and making walls with the block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: David M. LaCroix, Robert A. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20090103987
    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 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20080313988
    Abstract: Veneers for walls, retaining walls, retaining wall blocks, gabions, wire faces, and other structures are provided. Various methods of attaching the veneers are also described. A combination of a wall block and a veneer is provided. The wall block has a front face with a block connection space, and the veneer has a front face with a veneer connection portion. The veneer is attached to the front face of the wall block by the veneer connection portion, which is disposed in the block connection space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20080307740
    Abstract: The present invention relates a mold box method of manufacturing a block, and a wall block with a stepped-back strata and ledges imprinted on one or more faces of the block. A mold box is provided with a block face liner that is machine cut to create a particular strata and ledge pattern that is widest at the top of the liner and steps back over a plurality of planes to a narrower width at the bottom of the liner. Masonry material is allowed to form in the mold box around the liner to produce the strata and ledges imprint onto one or more faces of the block. The invention also relates to the mold box, multiple embodiments of the block face liner with differing strata and ledge patterns, and to blocks formed in the mold box and methods of constructing walls with the blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20080289282
    Abstract: Wall blocks and methods of constructing walls from the wall blocks which have a side connection system interlocking adjacent blocks whereby a side of the block is provided with a channel or slot that is configured to engage a corresponding projection on the adjacent block. The side connection system may alternatively have a connection receiving cavity formed by channels or slots on the sides of the blocks which are configured to align with a channel or slot from adjacent blocks where a connector may be received to interlock the blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20080277561
    Abstract: A mold box with an angled division plate and methods for making blocks of various shapes and sizes and columns and walls constructed with the blocks. Multiple embodiments of the mold box are disclosed for enabling different numbers of blocks and sizes of blocks to be formed in a single mold box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert A. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 7448830
    Abstract: A retaining wall block (1) has parallel top and bottom faces (2, 3), a front face (4), a rear face (5), first and second side wall faces (6, 7) and a vertical plane of symmetry (S) extending between the front and rear faces (4, 5). The block (1) is formed as a body portion (8) including the front face (4), a head portion (9) including the rear face (5) and a neck portion (10) connecting the body portion (8) and the head portion (9). The body, head and neck portions (8, 9, 10) each extend between the top and bottom faces (2, 3) and between the first and second side wall faces (6, 7). An opening (13)? extends through the neck portion (10) from the top face (2) to the bottom face (3), dividing the neck portion (10) into first and second neck wall members (14, 15) extending rearwardly from the body portion (8) to the head portion (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Keystone Retaining Wall Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, Robert J. Race
  • Publication number: 20080190057
    Abstract: A retaining wall block has parallel top and bottom faces, a front face, a rear face, first and second side wall faces and a vertical plane of symmetry extending between the front and rear faces. The block is formed as a body portion including the front face, a head portion including the rear face and a neck portion connecting the body portion and the head portion. The body, head and neck portions each extend between the top and bottom faces and between the first and second side wall faces. An opening extends through the neck portion from the top face to the bottom face, dividing the neck portion into first and second neck wall members extending rearwardly from the body portion to the head portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, Robert J. Race
  • Publication number: 20080185032
    Abstract: A system may provide an element including a curved surface and a first reflective material disposed on the curved surface, and a substantially transparent core. The substantially transparent core may include a first surface coupled to the element, a second surface opposite from the first surface, and a second reflective material disposed on the second surface. Some aspects provide obtaining of an element including a curved surface and a first reflective material disposed on the curved surface, and coupling of the element to a first surface of a substantially transparent core, the core including a second surface opposite from the first surface and a second reflective material disposed on the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventor: Robert MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20080172970
    Abstract: A system of columnar blocks and stacking blocks interlock with each other in the construction of a pilaster or column and a fence panel, respectively, for use in a fence. The columnar blocks are generally square and the stacking blocks are generally rectangular. The columnar block faces may contain one or more slots to give a column an appearance of a masonry joint. Blocks have at least one interlocking element that permits a positive connection between courses of the blocks when the interlocking element is received in an overlying block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: KEYSTONE RETAINING WALL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. MacDonald, William B. Dawson
  • Publication number: 20070122239
    Abstract: A retaining wall block (1) has parallel top and bottom faces (2, 3), a front face (4), a rear face (5), first and second side wall faces (6, 7) and a vertical plane of symmetry (S) extending between the front and rear faces (4, 5). The block (1) is formed as a body portion (8) including the front face (4), a head portion (9) including the rear face (5) and a neck portion (10) connecting the body portion (8) and the head portion (9). The body, head and neck portions (8, 9, 10) each extend between the top and bottom faces (2, 3) and between the first and second side wall faces (6, 7). An opening (13)? extends through the neck portion (10) from the top face (2) to the bottom face (3), dividing the neck portion (10) into first and second neck wall members (14, 15) extending rearwardly from the body portion (8) to the head portion (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Robert MacDonald, Robert Race
  • Publication number: 20070119105
    Abstract: The invention provides a dry joint wall panel attachment system, applying the rainscreen principle. Interlocking components are used to attach aluminum wall panels to an exterior wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: Robert MacDonald, Philip MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20070110524
    Abstract: The invention provides a pin comprising a rod and a tapered cap, wherein the rod is a cylinder with a constant diameter and the tapered cap is a cylinder with a variable diameter, the rod and the tapered cap having a common cylindrical axis, the tapered cap having a diameter adjacent to the rod that is greater than the diameter of the rod and the diameter of the tapered cap adjacent to the rod is greater than a diameter of the tapered cap more distant from the rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Publication date: May 17, 2007
    Inventor: Robert MacDonald
  • Publication number: 20070061969
    Abstract: A fitted sheet for a mattress comprises a rectangular panel of knit material having a central rectangular area extending from one end of said panel to the other end thereof. Side margins flank the central area, and folded under said central area and joined thereto by seams extending across each end of the central rectangular area. The sheet is characterized in that the seams at each end of said central rectangular area are arcuate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Macdonald