What have you invented/patented/started?

[Profreedomokie]

In the refinery where I work,we use many Sundyne Pumps. There was a problem with the gearbox oil foaming up which made it hard to see a true oil level. So I made a special baffle that gave the oil an area to settle out . Then you could read a real oil level. The early model I made was fitted to the gearbox of the pump when they were rebuilt. My later version could be fitted from the outside to the gearbox within about 5 minutes of downtime. Sometimes when we rebuild these pumps and they would be too costly to repair and we would do an exchange with Sundyne for a new gearbox. Sometimes the old ones were sent back with my baffle left in them. One day my boss called me and told to bring one of my baffles to his office. I met the Sundyne factory rep with their new sightglass that they were starting to sell. My boss told him " This guy invented this six years ago." We now buy theirs and I don't have to build them anymore. I got a $1000 award for mine but,I sure Sundyne is making millions with theirs.

 

[reade]

I made an invention and went for a patent but found out it was more trouble than it was worth and gave up. My invention was a device that would alert the driver of a car if a child was left in a car seat when the ignition was turned off. I have a working prototype. It would also alert the driver if a rear seat belt was undone while the ignition was on (car running) this would help keep those with special needs from unbuckling and possibly trying to get out of the car while in motion.

Anyway, I found after doing a patent search, there is a lady who has no device but has been granted a patent on the idea. So she would get a part of anyone's working device if it went to market. There also is a working product with a patent made by NASA that has never been brought into production. I'm sure they want to sell the rights and their price would be astronomical (ha ha). My devise worked in a different manner than theirs and could have been a low cost alternative.

Why I passed was the liability issue. If I sold my device to someone and in the event for any reason a child was left and was injured or died from their irresponsibility I would be liable to have been sued out the wazhoo.

I do have a record of invention on file. I'd recommend this to anyone who has an idea or makes a working prototype. The ROI is cheap and gives you some protection from being ripped off by establishing a time line.

 

[RyanSixer]

Exactly what it sounds like a lamp made out of a camshaft

Maybe that's the problem. I didn't know what a camshaft was.

 

[stick4]

I came up with an automotive DIY Alcohol Injection System 16 yrs ago. It's posted on a website & has had about 200,000 visitors since then. Quite a few of the alky kits being marketed today were copied from it. I am not into marketing & running a sales business. Anybody can do that. I trained as a machinist in the Navy and I still do that today. Sometimes for a little $ too.

 

[RidgeHunter]

One time at 3:30 a.m. I was like "Hey guys! I poured pancake batter in the toaster, turned it on its side, and invented, like, square pancakes or something!" and the girl whose house I was at was all like "That's my waffle maker. You made waffles." and sure enough it was a waffle maker but I was all "no, I used pancake batter! THEY'RE AMAZING!" and then it was explained that that's how waffles are made, I didn't invent anything, and I need to go to bed. I think society just wasn't ready for my creativity that morning. Or they were jealous of my square pancakes, which do contain orange juice IT'S MY RECIPE I WOULD KNOW.

 

[flatwins]

Maybe that's the problem. I didn't know what a camshaft was.

Gotta get you up to speed, man. There's plenty of gearheads on OSA so ask away. Essentially, a cam in an engine is turned by the crankshaft and it opens/closes the intake and exhaust valves. The crankshaft is connected to the rods which are in turn connected to the pistons. The pistons and valves create compression of air/gas which is ignited by spark plugs.

We're here to help!

 

[RyanSixer]

I see. I've always been fascinated with mechanic-type stuff. I just suck at it.

 

[gfercaks33]

I see. I've always been fascinated with mechanic-type stuff. I just suck at it.

Just buy a beat up old car you learn fast haha

 

[flatwins]

Just buy a beat up old car you learn fast haha

Several years back I worked with a software developer who wanted a muscle car. I don't think the guy owned a set of wrenches. He ended up with a nice '69 GTO and quickly learned his way around an engine compartment!

 

[RyanSixer]

Haha!
Sounds good to me. Next month is the 16th birthday..