I have 33 patents. Some are smaller innovations and some really changed the world in my industry and have benefitted countless people.
Most were welcomed by all, and some upset some people who were making money from the old way that my invention eliminated.
However, most of my novel ideas or creations are not patentable inventions, but had big benefits for customers, employees, or my businesses.
Anyone can come up with a new idea. It may be how a room is arranged, changes in a daily schedule, or how to pack a certain product in a box.
For example, my crew uses a can of PVC primer and a can of PVC glue to do their work in the field. Rather than moving each one around as they work, someone had the idea to duct tape the two cans together. Now it’s one item with both primer and glue. Great idea.
In another example, for their daily installs they use one size nut driver and one size screw driver. So they took the two tools and taped the handles together facing opposite directions. Now it’s one tool with both functions and less to chase down and keep track of on their particular jobsite amongst broken concrete, dirt, and low lighting.
What creative ideas can you come up with to make things better, faster, easier, better quality, more fun, happier, lighter, more energy efficient, cleaner, more valuable, and work better?
Creativity is one of the most valuable resources especially when resources are limited.
It seems like it would be a better tool, if you made a tool with one handle and the screw driver end on one side and the nut driver end on the other. Its probably patentable too. I take cash, check, cc and bitcoin for my share of the proceeds.☺️
I have developed two alternate techniques to a typical pocket door framing installation. The first prevents the studs from moving or twisting and the second allows the track to be adjusted inside of the wall after the house is completely finished and without disassembling anything. Both of these solved problems that we had and that I saw every other builder have. Both of these are very simple techniques that require almost no extra effort. It simply requires that we remember to do them. It gives us an edge in our field but one that most people will never notice. However, I will have very few pocket door call backs anymore!
I drive a Tesla and was at a remote non-Tesla charging station where a woman was almost in tears because she had 1 mile left and the Tesla cord didn’t fit the Chargepoint charger. I explained to her a workaround and got her going, but car cords should come with at least two connectors. I use a WD-40 “dry” lube for sliding doors and it sprays everywhere so I would like it to have a pad on the end that could dispense the product and rub it rather than always finding a paper towel to spray on and do that. And the biggest one will come when the nightly 15 minute bother over finding which streaming service has which program is solved by the industry setting a central entry point that directs you, or someone develops such a gangbuster app to do this.
We have created a simple twist on a tool that is used by every company in my industry. I approached a tool manufacturer in India, had them sign an NdA but backed out when I decided I wasn’t sure I could trust them. Would love to hear more ideas on how to get an invention off the ground
We are great full for you Larry l 🙏