The Invention Corner

There is some profit potential here.  The first thing would be to
build all the elements and test, test, test.   You must feel
comfortable with all the parts of the invention.  The amount of time
and energy you put into this project will reflect the profit
potential.

I found an inventors candy store when I started looking.  At the time I
live north of Minneapolis.  The store I found was a surplus store
with everything from surplus electronics, motors of all sizes, nuts
and bolts, wheels, tubing and just about anything you could imagine.
The items changed from time to time.  It was fairly cheap and they
would haggle if you bought enough. 

I went to a local carpet store.  It was not a big outfit.  I talked to
the owner and he set me up with some samples of thick foam backed
carpet.  Because I would not need large pieces of carpet, he could
sell me left over pieces very cheap.

Keep your eyes open for some great deals.  One day I was in a local large
home improvement store.  They had a whole roll of foam backed carpet
for about $3 a yard.  This was all they had and could not get more so
they were selling it cheap.

Marketing is the next step after you are satisfied with your product.

1. One way would be to advertise in RV publications.

2. Take a sample to RV dealers and show them your stuff. You could make a
   deal where you would make and install your product in new RV’s for
   customers that wanted it.

3. You could set up a website and sell online.

4. Send a brochure to RV owners.

Even though RV’s could be your primary market, there are more places to use the
invention.  Truckers with sleepers have dishes etc. in their rigs.
Boats with kitchens could be another sales avenue.  Trains have
moving kitchens.  These should be a start of your brainstorming of
all the possibilities.

This invention could make a descent amount of money.  It will not take a
large capital investment to get started.  You don’t need a patent,
but you do need to check to make sure something like this is not
already out there that might be patented.  With an inventive mind, this product and others
could be the backbone of a company.

As an added note:  I did not pursue this myself because I got hired on
and went into Air Traffic Controller training.  That took all the
time I had and then some.

I would like to hear from anyone that might take on this project.

The refrigerator invention is a welcome addition to a problem.  When a
family leaves on a trip in their RV, the refrigerator is full.  Items
stay put pretty well.  As the items are used and discarded, lots of
roaming space is made.

With this invention, refrigerator items can be kept tucked in and kept
from moving and spilling or breaking while the vehicle is in motion.
When the vehicle is stopped for a while, the invention can be removed
for easy access to the contents.

The refrigerator shelves are normally made of coated metal slats.  The
opening between the slats is usually between ¼ to ½ inches wide.
The area between the slats is where the invention gets anchored.

Refrigerator posts at work

The picture shows the invention installed and doing it’s job.  The items
on the shelf are kept tight against the back of the refrigerator.
The posts can be removed easily when the RV is standing still.

The post consists of a hollow tube with a rod going down the center.  On
the bottom of the rod is attached a flat plate.  The metal or plastic
plate must be narrow enough to slip between the shelf slats.  The
plate must be long enough to straddle at least two shelf slats.  On
the other end of the rod is a washer, a spring and a knob.

To install the invention, the spring is pushed down with the knob.  The
rod pushes the plate away from the post.  The plate is let down
between the shelf slats and then turned 90 degrees.  The post is then
pushed up against the object it is to hold.  The spring is released
and the plate is held tight on the bottom of the shelf slats.

The post is completely self contained.  When the post is removed  it can
be stowed away in a drawer until it is needed again.

Even if you don’t have an RV, this invention might stir up new ways to use
it.  In the last part I talked about the way to hold dished in an RV
from moving around and breaking.  I will talk a little more about the
cabinet plate holder but then in the next post I will show you a
refrigerator invention.

Neat and Orderly

You will notice in the picture, cups hanging from above.  I came up with
a way to suspend the cups from a rod that went from one end of the
cabinet to the other.  I was not totally happy with the performance
so that part is up to you.  The glasses are inverted on posts with
water pipe insulation foam around them.  The cups have to be able to
swing free without hitting each other and also be easy to remove for
use.

There is one more part to the dishes invention.  The dishes have to have
something separating them while moving.  The constant motion of the
dishes would quickly grind away the surfaces.  The remedy is to use a
fairly thin non slip mesh.  This mesh is available in rolls where
shelf paper is found.

The non slip mesh needs to be cut.  By putting the plate or bowl up side
down on the mesh, you can draw a circle around the outside.  Cut as
many pieces of the mesh as you need for the amount of dishes plus a
couple.  If you can find different colors of the mesh, use a
different color for different size cutouts.

Now you have a complete picture of the elements of a RV cabinet set up
for safety and convenience.   The pieces are:

1. The carpet with thick foam backing.

2. The post that screws into the carpet.

3. The mesh to separate the dishes.

4. A way to hold the cups and glasses.

The individual pieces of the invention can be custom cut, fit and colored
for individual likes.  The carpet comes in a variety of colors, so
finding a complimentary one should not be a problem.  The posts can
be cut to whatever length is needed.  Four plates or four bowls would
take different lengths.  The posts can be stained or painted.  The
mesh and cup holders can also be coordinated.

What I am trying to get at is it doesn’t matter what we think about the
product, it’s what the buying public does makes the difference.  So
how do we still feel good about our invention even though it probably
won’t sell!

I know that I feel good anytime a come up with an invention that works.
If I get one that makes me money I am ecstatic.  I never feel bad if
an invention does not pan out to sell.

I read where the man that invented seat belts for the car probably
never got a penny for his invention.  The product was a great idea.
It saved many lives but the public did not want it.  It wasn’t until
the federal government mandated the use of them did they sell.

If your invention is not met with open arms, just chalk it up to
experience.  Keep all of the information.  At some point in time, you
might try to sell it again.  If the time is right, and you will get
your just reward. 

Let’s take an example: you invented a special small oven.  It went nowhere
at first.  Then came along the microwave oven and It grew in
popularity.  When you again approached companies to make your oven,
you were met with YES.  Resubmitting your product will not always
make a difference but it might!

I guess it come down to:  If you come up with an invention that works,
then be proud of yourself even if you can’t sell it.

Thought of an invention?  Do you think it’s the neatest thing since sliced
bread?  Do you think it will sell?  How much money are you willing to
risk to see if it will sell?

Lot’s of questions that need answers before an invention should be
patented.  Are you aware of how many patents end up as commercial
products”?

Only 2% of patented inventions make it commercially.  Just because they
are on the shelf, doesn’t mean that they will sell!  Did I put a dent
in your ego?

I like every other inventor think our product is the next big thing.
It has been a real shock to find out that my invention get’s a “
That’s Nice “.  It might be a product everyone should have but does
everyone want it?

A lot of people think that if they have gone without the invention this
long they can get along without it longer!  There are not many
products out there that had people say “ I need that “  In most
cases they have to be shown and sold.  Fads are different.

The Segway ( a registered trade mark ) is a wonderful product.  It does
some really neat things.  You don’t hear many people say that they
have to have it.  The company has to sell it, I mean talk people into
buying it.  If it was free but you had no use for it and you could
not sell it or give it away, would you take it?  Except for being an
unusual  toy, It would just take up space.

Continued in part 2

Looking for ideas for a new invention?  You will know it when you see it!
Keeping your eyes open to anything that could lead you to that new
invention.

One of the most self defeating ways to look at new ideas is to assess
each one when you think of it.  I suggest that when a new idea comes
to you write it down on a possible invention list.

Brainstorming by yourself or with someone you trust is the way to come up with
possibilities for new inventions.  Take your list of ideas and go
through each one.  Open your mind to many variations to your idea.
As an example:  You have come up with an idea for a windshield wiper.

Two ways to look at a challenge.  You could say that you want a
windshield wiper to do something that you don’t think is available
now.  Your self talk could be that there are so many windshield
wipers out there and nobody would buy your idea and nix the whole
thing before you even start.  On the other hand you could say that
you think this is worth checking out and then how would you do that.

One of the problems with getting someone interested in taking on your
invention is that it has no track record.  Someone with vision for
the products usefulness and saleability is the one that will take it
on.  Those people are few and far between, but they are out there.

To put the cards more in your favor, I have a suggestion.  First thing
to do is go to forums that talk about products.  Also check out
discussions on Amazon, Google, Yahoo, Bing and Ebay.  When a product
is discussed, there my be thing like – I really like this product
but I wish it had this– or I wish it would do that. 

This gives you a product that is already marketed.  If you improve on it,
and change it enough so it doesn’t infringe on a patent, you could be
in business.

Keep
these things in mind as you see things all around you.

What’s your definition of an invention?  One of Websters definitions is “
A Product Of The Imagination “.  If you think of something then it
must be an invention!  I feel that definition may be stretching it a
bit.

For me an invention is something new and different.  If you come up with
a product or service that is new to you, then it’s an invention to
you.  Even if the product or service is available somewhere else, but
you are not aware of it, then for all practical purposes you invented
it.

Let’s take an example of my definition.  Imagine you had a cast of your
leg.  For some reason you needed it up off the floor when you were
sitting.  There are a lot of things you could rest your leg on.  You
have something specific in mind.  You look at medical catalogs but
find nothing that would work.

You have a pretty good idea of what the thing would look like.  You draw
a rough sketch of your invention.  A friend takes it for you to have
it made.  You get it back and it works just like you imagined.

You are not aware of it, but in a small town on the other side of the
country, a fellow had the same problem as you and made and patented
the leg support.  Does that make your support less of an invention?
Because there is very little demand for such a support, it was never
made commercially.

Other then you are not able to make and sell your invention legally, you
made the invention.  You saw a need, and came up with a solution.

So, what’s your definition of an invention? 

 Read Parts 1 & 2 First

Now you have seen the two basic parts to the invention. The post that holds the dishes, and the carpet that holds the post.

The post is made up of three parts. I will talk in basic terms so that you can customize it to your specifications. I used a 3/4” dowel for the stick part. I found the 1 ½ “ round wooden discs at a hardware store. The screw is ¼ “ self tapping.

I made a jig for drilling holes in the post and the disc. I clamped the jigs into my drill press. I was able to make quick work out of the 20 or so posts I made for my camper.

The carpet was no big deal. I went to my local carpet dealer and went through his remnants. I found a tan tweed with heavy foam back. Remnants are very cheap and much easier to handle than a roll of carpet.

I measured the inside of the cabinets where I was going to install the carpet. Marking and cutting the back of the carpet was very easy. The only thing I was careful about was the edge the showed out of the front of the cabinet. I didn’t want a frayed edge showing. Test and make sure the carpet fits in the cabinet.

I made sure the cabinet was very clean inside. I first used a dust broom to get any larger items out. I then vacuumed the cabinet to get any small pieces. I then used a damp rag and went through the cabinet again. I knew now the cabinet was clean.

I shook out the piece of carpet that I was going to install. Laying the carpet foam side up I measured and cut three strips of carpet tape about ¼ “ shorter then the carpet. I put the tape down on the carpet back, one on each side and one strip in the middle.

The installation of all the pieces was pretty straight forward. The carpet went in easy. You do have to make sure to get the tape to adhere. I then set dishes in the cabinet in the arrangement I felt would be best. I then took the posts and screwed three of them around any dishes that were not against a cupboard wall. Dishes that were only required one or two posts.

I did do some testing before I made my camper parts. I made a cabinet with a Plexiglas front. I mounted a video camera taking video of the dishes in the cabinet. I took videos of the cabinet at various speeds and breaking pressures. The proof was there. The dishes without protection were in shambles. Some were broken but nothing stayed where it was placed. The posts told a different story. No matter how hard I braked, everything stayed put. I did this test with place settings for 6.

If you feel this is worth pursuing, then do your own testing.

There you have my invention. Good, bad or indifferent I am proud to have come up with the idea. I want to give it to anyone that wants it. There are no strings, but I would like to know if someone is working on it.

P. S. There are more places that I though this could be used for. A train or even a trucker with a sleeper might benefit from this.

P.S.S There is one invention that I am marketing myself, You can see it @ http://www.mailboxdooralert.com 

READ PART 1 FIRST

Now that you have seen the funny looking stick with a wooden ring around the bottom and a screw in the end, how does it work? The second part of this invention is available almost everywhere. You probably have some laying around right now, if you live in a home.

This other part you need is foam backed carpet. You want the thickest foam you can get. ¼ inch foam will not be enough. You want at least 3/8 foam backing.

I would suggest tans or golds if you decide to market this product. When installed in a cabinet you want it to blend in with the surroundings.

I would put in a picture of foam backed carpet, but that would be silly. If you don’t know what foam backed carpet is then go to a carpet retailer, they will show you.

If you notice the screw end of the stick in the other picture, let your mind put the two pieces together. The stick is the male part of this equation, and the carpet is the other.

Hopefully you can imagine in your mind the carpet on the base of the cabinet. All you have to do is screw the stick into the carpet in predetermined places so they hold the dishes from moving.

In the third part of this series I will put it all together.

Do you have a camper, like a motor home, trailer or bus?  If you do, you
know that keeping china dishes in the cupboard from breaking is a
chore.  Even if you don’t have a camper you could still make this
product.

Why don’t you just use paper plates and cups?  How about unbreakable
plates and plastic cups?  These options are great if you have a
couple of rug rats that break things!

That $40,000 trailer or that $200,00 motor home just looses some of it’s
charm when you are served on paper or plastic plates.  Baby boomers
are one of the largest segment of purchasers of luxury campers.  No
paper plates in those rigs.

My invention is very simple.  You only sell two parts.  In very basic
terms a male and a female.  This post will discuss the male piece.

I will show you what I came up with, so you have a starting point.  You
may very well find other materials or even a different design.  The
idea here is to get your mind working and inventing.

Not exactly sure how this has anything to do with dishes.  In the next
blog things will start to come together.  I can tell you that this
little gadget works like a charm.