I'm an Idea Man:Anypne Else?

[Robert Coats]

Mrs. Robert does ultrasounds for OB-GYN physicians. Back in 1990, she got hired away from a full-time hospital job to a 3-day a week job about an hour north of ATL where we live. We decided she'd make more if she became a traveling/hired gun. Fast-forward one year, and I met her at an office for lunch, as the General Electric Rep was buying and demoing a new ultrasound system. I helped him move it afterwards, and saw how he simply wheeled it to his full-size Ford van, unfolded a wheelchair lift, and rolled it inside with a fat cargo strap/E-clips to a secure bulkhead rail.

Hmmmm....

"Mrs. Robert, how about we start a mobile ultrasound service to small private offices that could not justify the cost of the equipment?" She was onboard. I checked with GE; sure, they'd be THRILLED to lease us a machine, as long as we promised a doctor would supervise its use. So, I printed up a brochure and mailed it out to every OB-GYN doc within 75 miles of Atlanta; I got back a whopping two return calls. But, it would be enough.

Sold my '84 Scirocco, bought a used Ford rental van, and found a used Ricon wheelchair lift. Signed a two-year lease on the ultrasound machine, and we were in business. I'd drop off a machine after hours, then she'd arrive the next day and do scans; we charged a 'wholesale' price to the practice, and they'd bill 'retail' to the patient's insurance. It worked. We were profitable out the gate, and it lasted almost 20 years. We shut down around 2010, as the double-whammy of recession and ultrasound machines were (then) the size of laptops, there was little justification to deploy a mobile service. Mrs. Robert kept going, just without the equipment. It was a great ride, especially when we took turns who'd get to drive the 911 that day.

[FA-18C]

Interesting concept, DARPA is a strange mistress. I worked a couple of projects for them in the late 90s. Two were implemented - a Star Trek like interpretation handheld that became the Phraselator - crap, now every phone can do that. And they worked a basic FA-18 simulator into a laptop. We pressed hard on the concept that there were PC games that had sufficient fidelity to provide at least a good, if not very good representation for scenario and decision-based training, and part-task training for some rarely used sensor, weapons and the like.

You really need a hard-core sponsor and champion in the program. Sometimes they tie into SBIRs with broader language to see if there are other options, but always seems as if they have their per rocks they want to support.

Look forward to reading about this!

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by FA-18C

Interesting concept, DARPA is a strange mistress. I worked a couple of projects for them in the late 90s. Two were implemented - a Star Trek like interpretation handheld that became the Phraselator - crap, now every phone can do that. And they worked a basic FA-18 simulator into a laptop. We pressed hard on the concept that there were PC games that had sufficient fidelity to provide at least a good, if not very good representation for scenario and decision-based training, and part-task training for some rarely used sensor, weapons and the like.

You really need a hard-core sponsor and champion in the program. Sometimes they tie into SBIRs with broader language to see if there are other options, but always seems as if they have their per rocks they want to support.

You are spot on. DARPA can be "interesting" but I worked as a SME for them, UAS, after I retired so I know exactly what you are referring to. We would not have bid unless a larger company brought us on, which happened.

We have a number of active SBIR II and will be graduating to a SBIR III on one by the end of summer. For a small company like ours, the SBIR data rights, combined with other IP protection, is essential.

Hopefully more to follow!

[Zeke]

More than I can count. Many turned into patented winners for others. That's life. Working on the lastest one now.

Note: I misspelled that word but I kinda like it. I might be washed up.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by john70t

Usually I have to experience something and then a latent subliminal ego thing kicks in:"I could do that better".
A few decades ago back in automotive classes, my first thought was half the pressure of combustion was wasted on the head. Why not two pistons in opposition? A ring of spark plugs and electric valves in the center.
It seems someone else thought up that same idea a century before. And why isn't it used today? Lots of those.

The thing is, if it's an idea it will be instantly stolen. That's the thing about computer laws these days. IP theft and profiling happen daily in the name of "security". Like a ho or dresser everyone is going through those drawers. Or, if it has any potential, it will be copied 95% and sold. The remaining 5% is a matter of who can write off the most legal fees and send the judge's kid to college.

In the early days of aviation, the Wright Brothers had a patent on airplanes. Curtis made and airplane but had Henry Ford as an backer. Ford told them to make the airplane, change a few things, and wait to get sued. They were indeed sued, and drug the lawsuit out, and would eventually lose. The Wright bros were busy with the lawsuit, and spending money on the lawyers. Curtis would change a few things, and go right back into making airplanes. Another lawsuit, same results.

The Wright brothers eventually were broke, and Curtis bought the company and today we have Curtis Wright that is mostly an investment company.

[john70t]

Curtis Wright. In that order lol. But with their lost fortune they bought the history books...
(There is a JN-4 Jenny in MSFS2020 flight sim which is a joy to fly.)
There were previous flights and ideas going back to DaVinci: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claims_to_the_first_powered_flight

I's more of a grey area, and not a solid milestone in history all nicely packaged up for the kiddies.
The human mind wants to cut off those extra pieces and solidify every idea.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I always say I have more ideas than time, sense or money. Couple that with not knowing what you can't do means you do everything you think of and life gets both exciting and vexing at the same time.

A few ideas I've had over the years.

I didn't like being locked onto a snowboard and thought it would be a lot more fun if you could move around the board to "surf while snowboarding." I screwed steel plates to snowboard and then bolted magnets to the bottom of my work boots. Worked great for exactly one run. And it was everything I hoped for. But snow caked into the cup mounted donut disc magnets and was very hard to get out. I thought of heating elements but then you've got big batteries (this was over 20 years ago when drills had cords) to worry about and it just seemed like a fun project more than an actual invention. I bet it could work today with lawnmower batteries on the board, or maybe even smaller ones would work.

I've been working a new pillow concept for the last 3 months. Need to learn how to sew. And just bite the bullet and get a few $100 worth of foam. I keep ordering this and that and it's not quite right so just buying everything may be key. And learning how to sew. This one has potential as it's not been done before, and there may be a reason for that.

Motion detector shelf at conference room doors. The tiny amount of time I spent working in Corporate America, I have been asked to open the door to a room by someone with their hands full, and I've been there myself. Thought a sensor mounted inches up from the floor you swiped your foot under would fold up a shelf from the wall so you could put your stuff down and open the door. 10 second delay after weightless and it would fold down. I am pretty sure some Minivan design engineers hacked my computer because it showed up on Minivan rear hatches years later.

Poblano (or other kinds of chilis) pepper pasta to make Mexican lasagna and ravioli. I have to get a KitchenAid mixer for this one.

I am not a fan of most modern art for a variety of reasons but I do love Richard Serra. Richard Serra art

While derivative, I would create a fresh idea modeling his pieces using carbon fiber. But not in the extremely obvious way you would immediately think. My idea combines Serra's massive sculpture with a delicate interpretation that allows for many dimensions in terms of experiencing the art. I've only modeled the concept and it works. PNow I just have to make a real version if even at 50% scale. Time and space, and cost I am sure, are prohibitive at this time.

Other doodles like brisket takoyaki (really any kind of takoyaki you want to experience). Savory bread pudding as with grilled lamb, feta, olives, tomato (really need the acid) in fresh rosemary bread.

My honey candy bar turned out well but decided a honey nougat was a better option using some type of biscuit either around it or the honey around the biscuit. I don't think there's a market for it but it was tasty and fun to try to make an actual candy bar.

Then there's Modern Dad, FirstTime Dad/DadsWorld, G9Girl and CAM. More on those later.

[oldE]

Shaun, I would just use the motion sensor to open the door.
Don't make things more complicated than they need to be.

Best
Les

[Captain Ahab Jr]

I just make up the ideal solution in my head and search around in Google Images to see if anyone sells or does what I'm looking for

For example I wanted to create a coloured logo on titanium so I made up Titanium Anodising, found that which led me into Titanium Laser Etching. This can be done in a wide range of colours depending on laser power, wave length, number passes, feed speed etc Laser etching then led me into adding curvature to a thin flat Titanium sheet using localised laser heat and down the rabbit hole I keep going

If I can find it I use, if I can't find it, I find ways to create it using other ideas I can find

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by oldE

Shaun, I would just use the motion sensor to open the door.
Don't make things more complicated than they need to be.

Best
Les

Agreed for the vast majority of doors Les. One of the rooms we had you needed to swipe a card though so for those you get the shelf. This was in 2000-2004. I bet door technology has changed a lot since then and wouldn't doubt if there are voice activated doors by now.

[oldE]

Yes, now you could just use a proximity card scan.

Best
Les

[island911]

Oooh...

automatic doors...

Sounds Smart.

[FA-18C]

I am surprised that there has not been a slam dunk definitive valve adjustment tool or solution to perfecting the process. I have a snap gap kit, but do not plan to install it this go around, maybe next. I made an adjustment screw driver with an adjustable length flathead with nails in the handle to mark the rotation to set the appropriate gap based on screw pitch. I have half a dozen sheets of paper with ideas on using a modified 13mm tall socket and a passthrough wratchet for the lock nut, and a version of the screwdriver that clearly delineates the degrees to set the gap.

Many say that this is a solution looking for a problem, but most of the tools used seem to be close, but just missing something.

I have a Burger G50 slave cylinder bleeding tool, and am slowly adding to my various non-factory tools that make life easier...

I am personally jealous of those that have metalsmithing tools and capabilities. I think if has a small system I would be making stuff all of the time. Am looking at various 3D printers just for the fun of it...

[wdfifteen]

I'm brainstorming over a product that will make ruler work on a long arm quilting machine easier.
Skip to about the 7 minute mark in this video and you can see a guy talking about how to hold a guide ruler to control the stitching pattern.



Vicki, and a lot of other quilters, have told me what a pain in the neck holding the ruler is. Most rulers aren't as large as the one he has which makes them even harder to hold.
The ruler is held down against a 1/4 plexiglass platen under the quilt. I'm thinking if I could develop a way to attach the ruler to the platen underneath it would make it easier to hold. I'm looking for something like a cork board so pins could be pushed through holes in the plastic ruler, through the quilt, and into the board. There are thickness limitations though. Also exploring a steel platen and placing magnets on the ruler.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by FA-18C

I am surprised that there has not been a slam dunk definitive valve adjustment tool or solution to perfecting the process. I have a snap gap kit, but do not plan to install it this go around, maybe next. I made an adjustment screw driver with an adjustable length flathead with nails in the handle to mark the rotation to set the appropriate gap based on screw pitch. I have half a dozen sheets of paper with ideas on using a modified 13mm tall socket and a passthrough wratchet for the lock nut, and a version of the screwdriver that clearly delineates the degrees to set the gap.

Many say that this is a solution looking for a problem, but most of the tools used seem to be close, but just missing something.

I have a Burger G50 slave cylinder bleeding tool, and am slowly adding to my various non-factory tools that make life easier...

I am personally jealous of those that have metalsmithing tools and capabilities. I think if has a small system I would be making stuff all of the time. Am looking at various 3D printers just for the fun of it...

The main problem is the various angles and positions to adjust valves with the engine in the car. I think I used to use a couple different set ups. A VW push rod motor was certainly much easier and a great way to find the "feel."

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Today reminded me of this thread, with more to post. How do you get large 700 lb objects up 2 flights of stairs by yourself? With 2 winches, some plywood, aluminum tubing and 8 feet of steel 2" square tube. New compressor, been a dream to get a rotary screw for years now. New technician came in to help today, great kid.

















8 years ago the now dead Dewalt going up. I was concerned a dolly would make it unstable and easy to tip over so I put a sheet of polycarbonate under its pallet and it slid right up the plywood




Welded a steel plate onto 8' of steel tube and hung it out the window using the building as a brace







911 and 928 motor




Motors are cake compared to compressors and other huge things I've dragged upstairs

[oldE]

Shaun, didn't you post about moving the deWalt up the stairs at the time?
It sounds so familiar.
I used the same principle to get the old water tank out of my basement.

Best
Les

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by oldE

Shaun, didn't you post about moving the deWalt up the stairs at the time?
It sounds so familiar.
I used the same principle to get the old water tank out of my basement.

Best
Les

Yes, almost 8 years ago.

[Zeke]

That's pretty amazing. You do need some help.

[island911]

I once saw a really tricky way some people got a whole bunch of car parts, engines and even cars into a shop.

Elevator? Nope.

Yeah, they put the shop on the ground floor. Creative!

Originally Posted by FA-18C

I am surprised that there has not been a slam dunk definitive valve adjustment tool or solution to perfecting the process. ...

Actually, there is.

Sure, back ~2002 I made a lot of people happy with the island911 valve adjustment tool, but as I have said since the real helpful bit for adjusting 911 valves is knowing the tolerance on the gap. 0.004" (.1mm) is the gap and the tolerance is 50% of that either way. - that's huge. The problem most have is in thinking they have to have that right on the nuts of .004" But no, they can be down to .002" or up to .006 and still function fine.(maybe a bit rattily over .004" )

Anyway, adjust a few and you can get the feel of the gap, just by rocking the gap.