|
Published: November 01, 2007 06:03 pm
BRIGHT IDEAS: Local inventors explore ways to market their ideas
By Michele Deluca/delucam@gnnewspaper.com
In the cartoons, when somebody has a great idea, a lightbulb goes off overhead. Listening to local inventors describe how they got their latest ideas, that image seems not too far off the mark.
Pete Hankinson of North Tonawanda was walking with his briefcase when he decided there should some light to guide his way.
Tom Penna was sitting in his Town of Tonawanda backyard daydreaming when the idea for a lawn game dropped into his head.
Desyl Beebe of Niagara Falls needed a more comfortable sling for her broken arm than the one she was issued at the hospital.
The world is not an easy place for inventors these days. Outside of the television show “American Inventor,” there aren’t too many places an inventor can go for support. The patent process especially, which can protect an invention, is expensive and confusing, according to a patent attorney, Michael Dunn of Cambria. “A patent does not give you the right to do anything, it gives you the right to stop someone else from doing something. You are free to market any of your inventions as long as someone else with a patent doesn’t stop you,” he said.
Dunn also said it can cost up to $8,000 to file an application.
Regardless, three local inventors were so inspired by their visions, they each went ahead and made prototypes and are now attempting to find backing for their creations.
Hankinson, a local teacher and musician, was walking in a dark parking lot with his briefcase and thought, “wouldn’t it be neat if you had a light in you briefcase that could illuminate your path?”
Hankinson has had some success with other inventions. He invented a watch for people who love music that, instead of numbers has 12 symbols on the music scale. “I sell them all over the world,” he said.
Tom Penna, a part-time mailroom employee for Greater Niagara Newspapers, created a game easy enough for a family to play while challenging enough that he believes it could be an Olympic sport.
Penna compared his inspirational method to that of a composer creating music. However, sometimes inspiration is born from a pressing need, as for Beebe.
Beebe was grabbing a cart at a local supermarket when a man drove a line of carts into her hand, causing a rotator cuff tear.
“When I got out of surgery I was bound clean up to here,” she said, putting an open hand by her neck. “I couldn’t adjust the straps by myself, I couldn’t get it over my head, I couldn’t even get it off.”
She had just bought some mircrofiber scarves and made a sling for herself out of the soft material and some tacking glue. When she brought it to her doctor and he saw how easy it was to use and wear, it got his nod of approval. Beebe later applied for a patent for what she calls her Ortho Support Sling.
All three inventors have some challenges before them.
Chris Thorpe, a marketing manager for Buffalo Games of Amherst, said his company meets regularly with inventors.
“We get inventors calls all the time from all walks of life. Sometimes the ideas stick,” he said. When his company is unable to work with an inventor, Thorpe has other suggestions, including an annual licensing show in New York City.
At inventorspot.com, inventors can learn about upcoming licensing shows and swap ideas with other inventors from all over the world. In such global communities, they can seek support that is so important to the creative process.
Meanwhile, Penna said he would be interested in creating a group locally where he could explore the creative process.
“I’d love to start a group of people who simply want to sit around and brainstorm and experiment with creativity,” he said.
Contact editor Michele DeLuca at 693-1000, ext. 157.
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|

 |
Culinary Arts
Culinary Arts (Baking and Pastry Instructor) NIAGARA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE is seeking applications for part-time inst...>MORE
MST Therapist
Catholic Charities has an excellent professional development opportunity available for the following position: MST ...>MORE
Youth Job Training
Niagara County YOUTH ages 18-21. Out of School? Looking for Work? We may have the program for YOU! Call Liz for fur...>MORE
Mechanic
MECHANIC Service company owned trucks, trailers, etc. 2 years experience and own tools. Apply at 490 Ohio Street or...>MORE
Medical Associate
MEDICAL ASSOCIATE Busy local Niagara Falls practice, strong computer skills, billing background helpful, $13-$14/ho...>MORE
Counselor
COUNSELOR, PART-TIME: NIAGARA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE is seeking a part-time counselor in student services to work in t...>MORE
Quality Control
QUALITY control, earn up to $100 per day, evaluate retail stores, training provided, no exp. req’d, call 1-888-702-9018...>MORE
RN Supervisor
RN SUPERVISORS/LPN Charge Nurse/CNA’s Full and Part Time Positions available. Apply in person Fa...>MORE
General Laborer
GENERAL LABORER to do yard work, pick papers etc. Competitive wages, 401k and medical. Apply Allied Waste Scale House, 5...>MORE
Home Care Aide
HomeCare Aide Certified Only. 3 overnights, transportation needed, $9.50-$11.50/hr. 298-4342 ...>MORE
See all ads |
1993 Chevy Silverado
CHEVY Silverado 4x4 1993 new alt, starter, exhaust, rebuilt trans., etc. Reliable. Call 282-0465....>MORE
1998 Dodge Dakota Sport
DODGE 1998 Dakota Sport 3.9 V6, regular cab, exc in & out, no rust, real sharp, $2750. 523-7102...>MORE
1991 Lincoln Executive Town Car
LINCOLN 1991 Executive Town Car, 42k miles, no rust, runs, needs work, $600. 990-8895....>MORE
Dodge 2001 Neon
DODGE 2001Neon, 4 dr, 4 cyl, auto, 58k mi. am/fm CD player, n o rust, like new, $3950. 525-7796...>MORE
Ford 1997 TAURUS
FORD 1997 taurus, runs exc. fully loaded, must see $1400 or best offer. 205-7711...>MORE
1986 Ford Mustang
FORD 1986 Mustang convertible, 5.0 body kit, 3.8L V6, 40k on new motor, runs but needs work. $700 or BO. 417-1611...>MORE
Chrysler 2000 Concord LXI
Chrysler 2000 Concord LXI, 4 door, one owner, exc. condition, power windows, power steering, power locks, $5000 or best ...>MORE
Ford 1999 Escort ZX2
FORD 1999 ESCORT, ZX2 Coupe, runs great, NYS inspected, exc. cond. $1650. 694-0441...>MORE
1999 Chevy Malibu
CHEVY 1999 Malibu, needs fuel pump, $700. 282-6141 or 990-6026....>MORE
Pontiac 2000 Grand Prix XL
PONTIAC 2000 Grand Prix XL, black, good condition 531-2669...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|