Patents by Inventor Charles E. Sauerbier

Charles E. Sauerbier 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: 8496403
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wave pool with a beach having a body of water and a wave generator that travels along a relatively shallow channel across from the beach. The wave generator is adapted to travel through the channel and displace the water in the channel to create primary waves on which surfing maneuvers can be performed. The primary waves in turn enter into the body of water to produce secondary waves that can be acted upon by the inclined pool floor so that they eventually break and spill onto the beach. The water in the channel is preferably provided with a reverse current to enable the absolute speed of the wave generator to be reduced, which allows the channel to be shorter in length without significantly impacting the wave effects that are created, which helps reduce the cost of construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas J. Lochtefeld, Charles E. Sauerbier
  • Publication number: 20100000014
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wave pool with a beach having a body of water and a wave generator that travels along a relatively shallow channel across from the beach. The wave generator is adapted to travel through the channel and displace the water in the channel to create primary waves on which surfing maneuvers can be performed. The primary waves in turn enter into the body of water to produce secondary waves that can be acted upon by the inclined pool floor so that they eventually break and spill onto the beach. The water in the channel is preferably provided with a reverse current to enable the absolute speed of the wave generator to be reduced, which allows the channel to be shorter in length without significantly impacting the wave effects that are created, which helps reduce the cost of construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas J. Lochtefeld, Charles E. Sauerbier
  • Patent number: 7625153
    Abstract: The present invention involves an apparatus, namely a reef, used to transform ocean wave energy into preferred surfing waves. The reef is comprised of a hull having a substantially flat top surface with a vertically convex shape that preferably creates about a seventy degree tangential bow angle with the ocean surface. The bottom portion is tri-hull shaped and includes two side hulls and a center hull. The preferred embodiment is connected to a master vessel by control arms. The control arms can control the depth of the reef in water, thus controlling the wave characteristics. The control arms can also provide a ducting means for ballast pumps on the master vessel. In an alternative embodiment, the reef can be self-supporting in water. A single reef or a multiple reef configuration can be placed near shore to help prevent beach erosion by wave action, and or cause beach sand to accumulate. Several reefs can be connected for longer-lasting waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Charles E. Sauerbier
  • Patent number: 6928670
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wave generating system comprising a wave generator that travels along the surface of a body of water, and preferably in the middle thereof, wherein the wave generator can create both primary and secondary waves that travel toward the shore. The primary waves are intended to allow surfing maneuvers to be performed in a relatively deep water environment. In the preferred embodiment, the body of water has opposing undulating shorelines upon which the secondary waves can break, wherein by modifying the shoreline's slope and curvature, and providing undulating peninsulas and cove areas, various multiple wave formations and effects can be created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Light Wave Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Lochtefeld, Charles E. Sauerbier
  • Publication number: 20030119592
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wave generating system comprising a wave generator that travels along the surface of a body of water, and preferably in the middle thereof, wherein the wave generator can create both primary and secondary waves that travel toward the shore. The primary waves are intended to allow surfing maneuvers to be performed in a relatively deep water environment. In the preferred embodiment, the body of water has opposing undulating shorelines upon which the secondary waves can break, wherein by modifying the shoreline's slope and curvature, and providing undulating peninsulas and cove areas, various multiple wave formations and effects can be created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas J. Lochtefeld, Charles E. Sauerbier
  • Patent number: 6105527
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a boat-activated wake enhancement method and system that extends from the boat. According to one aspect, a pair of protuberances is provided on the lower stem quarter of the boat's hull, primarily along the sidewalls. The protuberances are elongated and each has a rounded surface that extends substantially laterally outward in relation to the boat hull. The protuberances help to displace more water by increasing and shifting the effective width of the boat, causing the boat to travel deeper in the water, and creating additional interference that affects the natural wakes created by the boat. Additional inverted hydrofoil members and ballasts can also be provided to cause the boat to travel deeper in the water and therefore create larger waves. The present invention is used to increase the size and enhance the shape and location of the wake and/or waves for wakeboarding and wake surfing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Light Wave Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Lochtefeld, Charles E. Sauerbier
  • Patent number: 5911190
    Abstract: The present invention is primarily a boat activated wave generator that can be operated in a deep body of water. The wave generator is pulled or otherwise pushed through the water, and has wave generating portions that scoop up water, to form wave shapes thereon, upon which various surfing and skimming maneuvers can be performed. The shape of the wave generator is such that it forms wave shapes, and various wave formations, and remains in substantial equilibrium in the water. The wave generator also forms wakes, and enhances the boat's wake, such that various skimming maneuvers, i.e., wake-boarding and water skiing can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Light Wave, Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Lochtefeld, Charles E. Sauerbier
  • Patent number: 5860766
    Abstract: The present invention is a boat activated wave generating device for use in a body of water. The wave generating device preferably has wave forming sections that help to create wave shapes and wake formations upon which surfing and/or other skimming maneuvers can be performed. The wave forming sections are moved by the boat and have forward leading edges and upper flow forming surfaces. The device can be pivotally connected to the boat and pulled, or directly attached to the side of the boat hull. In operation, the device is moved through the water such that the forward leading edges are submerged to lift water onto the flow forming surfaces. Water flowing on and conforming to the surfaces is directed relatively upwardly and/or laterally across the surfaces, to create various wave shapes and wake formations thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Light Wave, Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Lochtefeld, Charles E. Sauerbier
  • Patent number: 5664910
    Abstract: The present invention is primarily a boat activated wave generator that can be operated in a deep body of water. The wave generator is pulled or otherwise pushed through the water, and has wave generating blades that scoop up water, to form wave shapes thereon, upon which various surfing and skimming manuevers can be performed. The shape of the wave generator is such that it forms wave shapes, and various wave formations, and remains in substantial equilibrium in the water. The wave generator also forms wakes, and enhances the boat's wake, such that various skimming manuevers, i.e., wake-boarding and water skiing, can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Light Wave, Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Lochtefeld, Charles E. Sauerbier
  • Patent number: 5171101
    Abstract: A wave-forming generator for generating inclined surfaces on a contained body of water. The water is propelled against the surface-shaping generator with sufficient force to impart the desired shape to the water surface, and the generated surfaces can include waves, such as tunnel waves, appropriate for surfing and other water skimming manuevers on the surface of a body of water. Surfaces generated can require a wide range of skills to negotiate, from beginning to advanced levels. The surfaces generated are substantially stationary with respect to the water containment means, the water itself moving with respect thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Light Wave, Ltd.
    Inventors: Charles E. Sauerbier, Thomas J. Lochtefeld
  • Patent number: 4954014
    Abstract: A wave-forming generator for generating inclined surfaces on a contained body of water. The water is propelled against the surface-shaping generator with sufficient force to impart the desired shape to the water surface, and the generated surfaces can include waves, such as tunnel waves, appropriate for surfing and other water skimming manuevers on the surface of a body of water. Surfaces generated can require a wide range of skills to negotiate, from beginning to advanced levels. The surfaces generated are substantially stationary with respect to the water containment means, the water itself moving with respect thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lochtefeld
    Inventors: Charles E. Sauerbier, Thomas J. Lochtefeld
  • Patent number: 4792260
    Abstract: A wave-forming generator for generating surfing waves of the tunnel-wave type on the surface of a body of water. The generator includes a generator hull which is partially submerged in the water, and a means for propelling the hull through the water in a direction of motion. The generator hull has a shaped face which faces generally in the direction of motion. The shaped face has concave curvature in section both parallel and normal to the surface of the water, is inclined with respect to both the surface of the water and the direction of motion, and also has an attitude with respect to said direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Inventor: Charles E. Sauerbier