From: Alex Richards
To: Inventors’ Association president
Hi, I have created a few invention ideas. But I don't know how to show these ideas on a broader scale. So I have wondered if you could help me, I have a few technical drawings with measurements of my ideas, I was thinking maybe I could show you these to get some analysis and constructive criticism.
Thanking you
Alex Richards
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Alex
Your e-mail seems to come from England.
Where are you and how did you find me?
And yes I can look at what you have and provide lots of resources and questions.
___________________________________
Hi
Thank you for your swift reply. I found you on the website *****************.
I am emailing you from Wales; a country within the United Kingdom, located next to England. I have tried contacting
the Inventors Association of the United Kingdom, but I seem to get no reply. So I decided to take my voyage to a different country; the
United States of America. When I searched for inventors associations in the USA, ******* was the first result to return.
I apologise if you feel that a contact from the United Kingdom has made uncomfortable in any way.
Below are two invention ideas I have briefly thought of, along with detailed technical drawings, I'm not sure whether the drawings
will be instantly understandable, but after reading them thoroughly I (hope and) feel you will get the general idea. I would be very willing to answer any questions you have. Looking forward to a response
Thanking you
A. Richards
Invention 1: The meanderer <Click here to see attached picture>
The meanderer is an alternative to the fictional "Hover board". Obviously this board will not float 6ft in the air like you see in the movies, but it can keep you up in the air. The board is a carbon fibre board measuring 1.35m long and 30cm wide. Underneath the board are two desktop fans, these must be place with precision upon the board, so there is an even balance. The fans have had their electrical plugs replaced with 4 Li-Ion batteries, which can be charged electrically through 19v DC. The board in the picture will probably not last long on one charge, but if my idea takes off (no pun intended) i'm sure there are people who can help me extend battery life, or even use a source of energy.
Invention 2: Cathands <Click here to see attached picture>
The cat hands are intended to protect a cat's paws when maybe crossing dangerous terrain, or just general protection for a cat. The "hands" are made of thick rubber and measure 50cm long and 19cm wide. I have tried these on my cat at home (I have cathands prototypes) and the cathands lasted 28 hours before my cat found them a bit uncomfortable, but then after about 4 hours, he was ready to wear them again. So there is a lot of use to be had out of these.
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Alex
I just didn't know if you were in the states with a UK email from the past..
Do a Google search Hoverboard scooter airboard video
inventor Kevin Inkster arbortech Industrusties
You will find lots of other folks working on a board that works.
It takes a minimum of a leave blower motor to work on a gymnasium
smooth floor and a motorcycle motor to run on a street. The AirBoard
is on the market for $14,000
As for cat shoes. What kinds of problems do you see cats having with
walking anywhere?
Two of the pet industry trade magazines and websites are
www.petproductnews.com www.petstylenews.com
And I just found a whole world of sites when I Googled luxury cat products
Attached are articles and resources for you to learn and confirm info
needed for any inventors journey.
I'm available for you to fly me to the UK for consulting anytime. (smile) ------------------------------------------------- Hello there,
Thank you for the documents, they made for a helpful read. I researched the
'AirBoard' and had a look at the technology used.
I have noticed that it hovers well, but my invention is designed to meander,
not hover (hence the name; meanderer). I feel that the meanderer could be used
in training tightrope walkers, as the meanderer has no real steering apart from
balancing the weight of your body; you could say there is a steep learning curve
in riding the meanderer, but it is worthwhile. I'm sure the meanderer will be a huge
worldwide name in the field of circus act training.
I came up with the idea of cathands when my cat and I walked through muddy wayward forest,
and I noticed that his paws were damaged from the dangerous terrain (which I was unaware of pre-walk)
and his nails were also damaged, this required a few visits to the vet and a hefty bill. The cathands
are designed to protect the paws. The inside of the cathands are carefully designed, so that the
paws of growing cats can develop strongly.
I do notice that I am aiming my inventions at a small majority, but I'd probably say circus acts
and walking my cat are my favourite things to do (along with inventing) and I would greatly
appreciate these inventions if they were already created and marketed.
I would like to see what you have to say on this matter, and any verbal (through E-mail)
contributions in terms of my next steps on developing the inventions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanking You
A. Richards ----------------------------------------------------
Alex
I'm on both Skype video for the PC nd AIM video on the MAC. This a
great way to communicate in such matters. Both are free. Do you have
a web camera?
Wow I'd say cats that go for walks on a leash is a very small
(specialized) market.
You development costs have got to be very low to make any profit.
There is probably a website for cat walkers. If not that is an
opportunity to create one and advertise your product and share
catwalking advice and experiences.
As for yor board, you saw or heard the size of the engine to get the
Airboard a fw inches off the ground. I'd like to see your electric
motor version. The energy consumption would seem to be so much that
any batteries needed to run more than a minute would be far too heavy.
Testing for needed air flow and then reserching motor & batteriy specs
will quickly tell you if technology is ready for you.
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I do have a web camera and skype video, but unfortunately I do not have enough free time these days to talk on such things. All the free time I do have is aound 8am; time difference is a harsh foe. I do also usually get regular 10 minute breaks, but they are usually spent checking and replying to emails. I have added you nonetheless , it will say I'm online all the time, but that is because I leave my laptop on when I work, for time efficiency, so please don't feel unneeded if I don't accept your call. This morning I searched for a cat walkers' website, but unfortunately I couldn't quite get round the waves of fashion catwalkers' websites, one day I will maybe find a community of people who enjoy walking their cats, and maybe we'd be able to discuss different brands of cat leads (leashes), customised collars and maybe I could even introduce my cathands, although I'm not sure, I wouldn't want to rock them too much.
I am aware of the fact that if I wish to have more power to get the meanderer off the ground, it will counteract by having a much heavier energy source. I'm considering scrapping the whole fan idea, and putting space hoppers underneath, the only energy they need is air to inflate them! Using space hoppers will also cut costs by around 90%. I may create the space hopper version as a subproduct of the meanderer; and call it the 'Meanderer: BoUnCe!'. This product could then be interesting to both circus acts and children, which is a considerably larger market. I'm still really weighing out the pros and cons of the space hopper, and I will provide a technical drawing soon.
A. Richards
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I have attached my technical drawing to this email. And also I have some GOOD NEWS!
Today I went to the shop and purchased three 24" space hoppers for £11.99 and a huge sheet of carbon fibre for a bargain price of £15 from my mate Trev. I will spend all night attempting to create The Meanderer:BoUnCe and show you the results tomorrow. I may even give it a test run. I'm not sure whether I will get it done in one night, as I am a bit of a perfectionist, but I will follow my drawing and see what happens. Let's just hope I don't get lost up s*** creek without a paddle. Wish me Luck!(Please reply and let me know what you think)
A. Richards
P.S. This drawing may not be as clearly drawn as the others, as my cat ate my best HB pencil. And I'm just not as technically astute with a 3B.
(The attached drawing is here)
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Alex,
Just think about the cost of liabilty insurance and legal costs when
folks suit you when they injure themselves when using the product
correctly or incorrectly. It's all in trial and error and attracting the 13-19 year olds to like
it a much as the skate boards.
Be careful practicing on it.
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I have created a prototype of the Meanderer:BoUnCe, but have taken note of the health and safety warnings, so I added a little something to give the person on the board a bit more stability, I've decided to either call it the Vengeance cage, the bearer of solitude, or the instant death resistor, because children like that sort of stuff. This is shown in my new technical drawing which should be attached to this email. I will be trying out the 'Meanderer:BoUnCe with the VENGEANCE CAGE/BEARER OF SOLITUDE/INSTANT DEATH RESISTOR' within the next hour, results will be forwarded ASAP. (If you are wondering about the flag in my drawing, it is the welsh flag; the best flag, no arguments, it has a fire breathing dragon on it...)
A. Richards
(The attached drawing is here)
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And now you have really big packaging, wharehousing space and shipping costs with the bigger size.
How many units will fit on a wooden pallet? One?
How much will it cost to ship, due to weight and size?
How much will a box that size cost in small volume?
Packing material to hold it securely in the box? -------------------------------------------------
Events have taken a turn for the worst, i tried out my prototype of the 'Meanderer:BoUnCe with the VENGEANCE CAGE/BEARER OF SOLITUDE/INSTANT DEATH RESISTOR', and only now I have returned from hospital with my right arm in a cast. Whilst trying out my prototype, I fell out and the cage fell on my arm, breaking it in two places. I've decided to scrap the idea totally and place all my attention on the cat hands. I am afraid to use the prototype of cathands, just incase I break my other arm whilst walking my cat. Not only have I suffered a broken arm, I have suffered broken dreams. Maybe inventing is not for me; thank you very much
Thanking you for the final time
A. Richards
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Alex
Sorry about the arm.
Valuable lessons learned.
One day I'll cross the pond and come for a spot of tea.
What is your address?
Attached is the list of projects that run around in my head that I
look to make connections about to move along the invention path
I just typed "cat humor" into the Google search window and found a
very long list of fun and heart warming stuff.
Also check out TED.com for amazing presentations on science and
technology subjects''
I'll look out for you--------------------------------------End of correspondence 
