Patents by Inventor Bruce McFarland

Bruce McFarland 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: 8303213
    Abstract: The teachings herein are directed to a wave forming apparatus and method including a channel directing a flow of water over modular forms in the bed of the channel, such as aerofoils, that can be changed, repositioned or removed to create various effects such as barrel waves for surfing. Also disclosed is a water smoothener system and method for reducing turbulence in water flowing through such an apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: American Wave Machines, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce McFarland
  • Patent number: 8006843
    Abstract: A stackable food and beverage service tray includes a substantially planar tray bottom and a sloping side wall extending upwardly and outwardly from an inner peripheral edge of the tray bottom so as to surround said tray bottom. The tray bottom has an upper floor surface and an underside surface. The tray's sloping side wall has an inner surface and an outer surface with the side wall's outer surface adjoining the tray's underside surface at a peripheral bottom edge of the tray. A raised rib is provided on the inner surface of the sloping side wall. Feet are also provided on the tray's underside surface along the bottom edge of the tray. The tray's raised rib and feet cooperate to define a space between stacked trays through which air can flow to facilitate drying of the stacked trays after they have been washed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Gadsen Coffee Co., Inc.
    Inventor: David Bruce McFarland
  • Publication number: 20110188937
    Abstract: The teachings herein are directed to a wave forming apparatus and method including a channel directing a flow of water over modular forms in the bed of the channel, such as aerofoils, that can be changed, repositioned or removed to create various effects such as barrel waves for surfing. Also disclosed is a water smoothener system and method for reducing turbulence in water flowing through such an apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: AMERICAN WAVE MACHINES, INC.
    Inventor: Bruce McFarland
  • Publication number: 20110052322
    Abstract: The teachings herein are directed to a wave forming apparatus including a bed form that may include a plurality of sections at different angles, including a base section adjacent to a wave forming channel, the base section having an exterior profile defining a first, non-abrupt angle to the direction of flow of water in the channel, and an upper section that forms an exterior profile defining a second, steeper angle to the direction of water flow. Also disclosed is a twistlock mechanism adapted to removably fasten a bed form to a water channel, and a method of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Bruce McFarland
  • Publication number: 20100135727
    Abstract: The teachings herein are directed to a wave forming apparatus and method including a channel directing a flow of water over modular forms in the bed of the channel, such as aerofoils, that can be changed, repositioned or removed to create various effects such as barrel waves for surfing. Also disclosed is a water smoothener system and method for reducing turbulence in water flowing through such an apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN WAVE MACHINES, INC.
    Inventor: Bruce McFarland
  • Publication number: 20080107486
    Abstract: A wave forming apparatus has a channel for containing a flow of water with an inlet end connected to a water supply, a base, and spaced side walls, a first bed form or weir at the inlet end of the channel, and a second bed form in the channel downstream of the first bed form. Each bed form has an upper portion and a downwardly inclined downstream face extending from the upper portion to a trailing end. The trailing end of at least the first bed form is an extended, horizontal tail portion which extends up to an upwardly inclined leading face of the second bed form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: AMERICAN WAVE MACHINES, INC.
    Inventor: Bruce McFarland
  • Publication number: 20060026746
    Abstract: A wave forming apparatus has a channel for containing a flow of water with an inlet end connected to a water supply, a base, and spaced side walls, a weir bed form in the base at the inlet end of the channel, and at least one additional bed form in the channel downstream of the weir. Each bed form has an upper portion and a downwardly inclined downstream face extending from the upper portion to the trailing end. A spoiler is provided at or near to the trailing end of each bed form. A primary flow path for water extends over the bed forms. The trailing end of each bed form may be an extended, flat tail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventor: Bruce McFarland
  • Publication number: 20050207845
    Abstract: A wave forming apparatus has a channel for containing a flow of water with an inlet end connected to a water supply, a base, and spaced side walls, a weir in the base at the inlet end of the channel, and at least one bed form in the channel downstream of the weir. The bed form has an upwardly inclined upstream face extending downstream of the leading end, an upper portion, and a downwardly inclined downstream face extending from the upper portion to the trailing end. A primary flow path for water extends over the weir and bed form. A secondary flow passageway extends through the bed form, with a first end adjacent the trailing end of the bed form, and a second end in the bed form upstream of the first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventor: Bruce McFarland
  • Patent number: D575989
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Gadsden Coffee Company, Inc.
    Inventor: David Bruce McFarland