Welcome to the Forum for InventorSpot.com, the most popular invention related website in the world. Read our welcome message.
Moderators: Michelle, Scrupulous, Roger Brown, citizen
by bottleslingguy » Mon Aug 06, 2007 7:56 pm
-
bottleslingguy - Black Belt
- Posts: 1770
- Joined: Sun Oct 22, 2006 7:41 am
What NDA? What website? 
Thanks for the comments!
by robhoski » Tue Aug 07, 2007 10:36 am
- robhoski
- White Belt
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:50 am
Hey everyone, Thanks for the comments and suggestions on my product. The website isn't meant to entirely stop infringement via a NDA, its just there to help people think twice and to buffer some ambitions. The whole login to view idea is also a way to create curiosity. I thought that would be a fun way to attract the curious minds and add a small layer of protection since the referring IP info stored in a log. Of course its not server side protected which is what you would want of the info was super secret. No product is ever entirely safe but if we never divulge any info then we have little chance of success. I'm a firm believer in first securing a pending patent and trademark status and then holding your nose and jumping into the market. If you can move the idea along at a decent rate then you will capitalize on the early market sales. That's where the money is anyway. Once you get the copycats rolling in then move on and don't spend your time and money fighting cuz that is just a waste of time and only makes lawyers wealthy. Let it go and move onto what you love to do ... which is invent your next product.
On the topic of the curved mast idea, for the mast it becomes a matter of trying to incorporate a telescopic section for different user heights and that's hard to do with a curved section. The straight sections provide for telescoping as well as folding flat. Many configurations were tried and tested before this design was chosen but it's always great to hear outside suggestions because they help tweak the details. The paint chipping worry was also a concern for us and we decided to make a foam protector to slip over the mast (simpilar to how foam pipe insulation works).
Thanks again to all of you and feel free to discuss my product here. I try to remain open and not paranoid about the details once I expose them. If I saw a direct rip off, I would of course pursue my rights of patent but I don't worry about that unless it happens.
Robert
On the topic of the curved mast idea, for the mast it becomes a matter of trying to incorporate a telescopic section for different user heights and that's hard to do with a curved section. The straight sections provide for telescoping as well as folding flat. Many configurations were tried and tested before this design was chosen but it's always great to hear outside suggestions because they help tweak the details. The paint chipping worry was also a concern for us and we decided to make a foam protector to slip over the mast (simpilar to how foam pipe insulation works).
Thanks again to all of you and feel free to discuss my product here. I try to remain open and not paranoid about the details once I expose them. If I saw a direct rip off, I would of course pursue my rights of patent but I don't worry about that unless it happens.
Robert
by makeworldbetter » Tue Aug 07, 2007 11:24 am
-
makeworldbetter - Black Belt
- Posts: 1496
- Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:15 am
- Location: Silicon Valley
Now we are talking.
Also you want to consider pricing. Price it too high will make people take a look and build their own ones. Especially all your customers supposely are pretty handy.
Also you want to consider pricing. Price it too high will make people take a look and build their own ones. Especially all your customers supposely are pretty handy.
Last edited by makeworldbetter on Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
by Road Show » Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:35 pm
-
Road Show - Brown Belt
- Posts: 962
- Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 5:39 pm
- Location: SoCal
Michelle wrote:If you publish your idea in a public domain, it is no longer patentable.
Be careful what you publish on the web, and even with an NDA, unless its bee bless by a GOOD patent attorney.
Michele,
This is not quite true. In the US an inventor can take up to 12 months to file after public disclosure. In the international arena, I believe you are correct. I know that we are the only patent system that recognizes "first to invent" rights.
RSG
True but too costly ...
by robhoski » Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:38 pm
- robhoski
- White Belt
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:50 am
When I built my first one of these out of aluminum I paid $150 just for the TIG welding work and the aluminum parts cost me over $100 too. So it would be tough to build one cheaper than buying one. That's due of course to purchasing your raw materials in bulk vs by small quantities.
Of course your time must be worth something also. Running around for all the parts should factor into the price and logic will tell you it's not worth it to build rather than buy. And lastly. the dimensions of the tubes are not standard so if you really wanted a duplicate the device you would need the custom sized extrusions. Certainly you don't want to shell out the cash for having an extruder make you the dies.
I dig the discussions though.
Fun
Robert
Of course your time must be worth something also. Running around for all the parts should factor into the price and logic will tell you it's not worth it to build rather than buy. And lastly. the dimensions of the tubes are not standard so if you really wanted a duplicate the device you would need the custom sized extrusions. Certainly you don't want to shell out the cash for having an extruder make you the dies.
I dig the discussions though.
Fun
Robert
by mojo62 » Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:46 pm
-
mojo62 - Black Belt
- Posts: 1101
- Joined: Tue May 08, 2007 4:54 pm
- Location: Texas
As long as you don't mind open discussion. Sounds like you did your homework and thought out your design until you had it the best you could get it in your mind. That is good and that's what it takes to have a shot. I really don't like to give suggestions on other people's stuff, realizing that they were the one's who thought everything out and busted thier tail to get where they are on thier project. You probably considered this, but how about an implanted magnet (s) for easily reaching down to grab or place a tool or bolt.
Regards,
JM
Regards,
JM
Implated Magnet
by robhoski » Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:56 pm
- robhoski
- White Belt
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:50 am
Hey thanks again for the suggestions! I like hearing them. Originally I planned on placing a high power magnet on the bottom of the resting pad for mechanics to store a wrenches or bolts out of the way until needed. Then I realized that for $5 you can buy a magnetic parts tray at WalMart and attach it however you wish to the device. Knowing that mechanics are generally pretty crafty with upgrading their tools, I felt I would leave those sort of options up to each user to customize as they wished. I did make sure the aluminum plate which holds the rest pad was big enough to accommodate add-on features if the user so felt the need. I'm sure eventually you will see a beer can holder attached to the side as well:) Another suggestion was to put foot pegs on the mast so the user could really "get out on a limb" with it, but that sounded a little bit dangerous and increased the liability factor greatly. For customizations and modifications I felt I would leave that sort of thing to the crafty users.
Thanks again ....
Robert
Thanks again ....
Robert
by mojo62 » Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:03 pm
-
mojo62 - Black Belt
- Posts: 1101
- Joined: Tue May 08, 2007 4:54 pm
- Location: Texas
Again, looks like you thought everyting out and more. A beer can holder, now who would have thought of that addition? O.K., maybe BSG. Sorry BSG, couldn't help it ! But I only pick on people I like!!! 
21 posts
• Page 2 of 3 • 1, 2, 3