Design Notes for Low Cost "People-powered" Tools

FYI - Here's some information you might find useful in designing Low Cost "People-powered" Tools.

As a start, how about these old "People-powered" Tools patents that have expired due to age (generally more than 20 years old from the filing date). Expired patents are free to use by anyone.
PORTABLE DENTAL ENGINEUS Pat. 236080 - Filed Aug 24, 1880
TREADLE MECHANISM FOR DENTAL ENGINESUS Pat. 229614 - Filed Mar 30, 1880
DENTAL ENGINEUS Pat. 590246 - Filed Mar 17, 1896
DENTAL ENGINEUS Pat. 561561
DENTAL ENGINEUS Pat. 397556 - Filed Jul 30, 1888
COMBINATION DENTAL CHAIR AND ENGINEUS Pat. 1527475 - Filed Nov 22, 1924
DENTAL ENGINEUS Pat. 539645 - Filed Jun 9, 1894
DENTAL ENGINEUS Pat. 550114 - Filed Jan 30, 1895
DENTAL ENGINEUS Pat. 1649181 - Filed Jul 24, 1922
IMPROVEMENT IN DENTAL DRILLSUS Pat. 123559
SAW CHAIN GRINDERUS Pat. 3071026 - Filed May 21, 1959
MOTORUS Pat. 452832
SEWING-MACHINE OR OTHER MOTORUS Pat. 322422 - Filed Jun 1, 1885
MANUAL MOTORUS Pat. 364406
IMPROVEMENT IN SCROLL-SAWING MACHINESUS Pat. 170456 - Filed May 11, 1875
CIRCULAR SAWING MACHINEUS Pat. 355589
TREADLE-POWERUS Pat. 425571

To search for more "People-powered" Tools patents, try the following. Please remember that newer patents are probably not expired, and therefore active.

For a Worldwide search, go to esp@cenet.

1 - In the "International Patent Classification (IPC)" field, copy and paste in the following - a61 OR b25 OR b23 OR b24
2 - In the "Keyword(s) in title or abstract" field, copy and paste in the following - motorless
3 - Press SEARCH. View your results.

For another Worldwide search, go to esp@cenet.
1 - In the "International Patent Classification (IPC)" field, copy and paste in the following - a61 OR b25 OR b23 OR b24
2 - In the "Keyword(s) in title or abstract" field, copy and paste in the following - (treadle* OR human) AND (powered OR driven)
3 - Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the U.S. only, go to U.S. Issued Patents.
1- In the "Query" field, copy and paste in the following - (CCL/173/$ OR CCL/81/$ OR CCL/74/$ OR CCL/83/$ OR CCL/433/$) AND (ABST/(motorless OR treadle$) OR (TTL/motorless OR treadle$))
2 - Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the latest in U.S. only, go to U.S. Published Applications.
1- In the "Query" field, paste in the same search string above.
2- Press SEARCH. View your results.

In addition, here's some other information you might find interesting.
W.F. & John Barnes Patented Foot-Powered Machinery
Build an 1805 Treadle Lathe at Tools for Working WoodMake Your Own Treadle Lathe - Download How to Make a Treadle Operated Wood-Turning Lathe: Workshop Equipment Manual Number 6 (Workshop Equipment, 6) by Bob Ingham and Paul Smith (Paperback - Nov 1986)
How to Make and Use the Treadle Irrigation Pump by Carl Bielenberg and Hugh Allen (Paperback - Dec 1, 1995)
Handy Farm Devices: And How to Make Them by Rolfe Cobleigh (Paperback - Feb 1, 1996)
Treadle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

So what can you do with all this information? Here's some suggestions.
+ You could make and sell the device described in the expired patent. Please note that just because something is patented or written, it might not work all that well or might not be safe in today's standards. Use your own judgment, or seek help, to stay safe and out of trouble.
+ You could "translate" the expired patent into easy-to-understand instructions for others to make the device. These instructions could use easy-to-find materials, like trees, plants, rocks, people, scrap materials, etc.
+ You could recruit the inventors or authors to help you, since they are experts in their field. Some of the inventors of older patents might be retired now and might be looking for something to do.
+ Existing manufacturers of "People-powered" Tools could use this information to make their already fine products even better, more efficient, or less expensive.
+ You could use the information to brainstorm new ideas. Build on the work of others.

Here's some brainstorming ticklers to help you launch in new directions around the topic of "People-powered" Tools.
TOOL ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING-MACHINESUS Pat. 798299 - Filed Feb 21, 1905
WOOD-CARVING MACHINEUS Pat. 480524 - Filed Aug 24, 1891
ENGRAVING AND CARVING MACHINESUS Pat. 132594
ROTARY HAND TOOLUS Pat. 3908487 - Filed May 6, 1974
MACHINES FOR SCOURING THE BREAST FLAPS OF LOUIS HEELSUS Pat. 2724938 - Filed Feb 17, 1953
ROTARY CARVING TOOLUS Pat. 2569874 - Filed Jun 21, 1949
ETCHING TOOLUS Pat. D200732 - Filed May 28, 1964
MOTORIZED HAND TOOLUS Pat. 2242475 - Filed Jul 14, 1939
Choosing Rotary Tools
Buying Guide: Rotary Tools
Portable one-hand operated rotary torque producing toolUS Pat. 4249617 - Filed Oct 22, 1979
Squeeze-ratchet tool assemblyUS Pat. 4524650 - Filed May 18, 1983

That's about all for now. As background, the site "Design for the Other 90%" said to "GET INVOLVED", so I did. I plan to continue posting these LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS on my Blog for a while yet. Let me know if you have a topic you would like covered. I'm open to suggestions on improving my blog format, too. Please e-mail me directly.. I hope you find this helpful. I'm sure you can do much better though! Good Luck!!

For more of my LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS - Click on the tag below "design for the other 90%".

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Design Notes for Low Cost Dew Collectors or Solar Stills for Water

FYI - Here's some information you might find useful in designing Low Cost Dew Collectors or Solar Water Stills. As a start, how about these old Dew Collectors or Solar Water Stills patents that have expired due to age (generally more than 20 years old from the filing date). Expired patents are free to use by anyone.
DEW AND RAIN COLLECTOR...US Pat. 1284042 - Filed Dec 23, 1916
DEW COLLECTING METHOD AND APPARATUSUS Pat. 3318107 - Filed Aug 11, 1965
APPARATUS FOR SOLAR DISTILLATIONUS Pat. 3846251 - Filed Mar 2, 1971
Process and apparatus for solar distillationUS Pat. 4055473 - Filed Nov 4, 1974
Process and system for recovering water from the atmosphereUS Pat. 4146372 - Filed Mar 28, 1977
Solar stillUS Pat. 4141798 - Filed Jan 30, 1978
PNEUMATIC SOLAR STILLUS Pat. 3337418 - Filed Sep 21, 1964
DEW COLLECTING METHOD AND APPARATUSUS Pat. 3270515 - Filed Aug 9, 1965
SOLAR ACTIVATED DEHUMIDIFIERUS Pat. 2462952 - Filed Aug 3, 1945
WOODBURY COLLOIDAL DROPLET COLLECTORUS Pat. 3616615 - Filed Sep 11, 1969
ATMOSPHERIC WATER COLLECTORUS Pat. 3675442 - Filed Feb 12, 1971
Solar powered dehumidifier apparatusUS Pat. 4242112 - Filed Jun 1, 1979
Method and apparatus for abstracting water from airUS Pat. 4342569 - Filed Sep 4, 1980
Apparatus for extracting potable waterUS Pat. 4351651 - Filed Dec 12, 1980
IMPROVEMENT IN EVAPORATING AND DISTILLING BY SOLAR HEATUS Pat. 102633
SOLAR STILLUS Pat. 983424
IMPROVEMENT IN EVAPORATING AND DISTILLING BY SOLAR HEATUS Pat. 102633
LENS-DOME SOLAR DISTILLATION UNITUS Pat. 3351536 - Filed Dec 2, 1964
MOLDED PLASTIC SOLAR STILLUS Pat. 3655517 - Filed Oct 22, 1969
EDLIN AIR SUPPORTED SOLAR STILLUS Pat. 3174915 - Filed Jul 16, 1962

To search for more Dew Collectors or Solar Water Stills patents, try the following. Please remember that newer patents are probably not expired, and therefore active.

For a Worldwide search, go to esp@cenet.
1 - In the "International Patent Classification (IPC)" field, copy and paste in the following - b01d OR c02f OR e03b
2 - In the "Keyword(s) in title or abstract" field, copy and paste in the following - (dew OR fog) AND water AND collect*
3 - Press SEARCH. View your results.
4 - Repeat step 1, then step 2 with the following - (solar* OR sun) AND still AND water - Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the U.S. only, go to U.S. Issued Patents.
1- In the "Query" field, copy and paste in the following - ccl/62/$ AND abst/((dew OR fog) AND (collect$ OR condens$) AND (water))
2 - Press SEARCH. View your results.
3 - Repeat 1 with the following - ccl/202/$ AND abst/((solar$ OR sun) AND (still$ OR distill$) AND water) - Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the latest in U.S. only, go to U.S. Published Applications.
1- In the "Query" field, paste in the same search strings above.
2- Press SEARCH. View your results.

In addition, here's some other information you might find interesting.
Fog Collection
Solar Still
Journal of Arid Environments : A comparative study of two large ...
Large Scale Dew Collection as a Source of Fresh Water SupplyHow to Make Water from Thin Air - Water collection machine - Softpedia
Solar Distiller
How to Make a Solar Still for Purifying Water in the Wilderness ...
Desert Survival: The Solar Still (DesertUSA)
HOW TO BUILD - AND USE! - A SOLAR STILL
Solar StillHow to Make Water in the Desert - wikiHow
Modeling and testing of a dew collection system [An article from: Desalination] by P. Gandhidasan and H.I. Abualhamayel
Building a solar still.(water distillation)(Brief Article): An article from: Countryside & Small Stock Journal
The effect of using different designs of solar stills on water distillation [An article from: Desalination] by I. Al-Hayeka and O.O. Badran
Performance evaluation of a one-sided vertical solar still tested in the Desert of Algeria [An article from: Desalination] by M. Boukar and A. Harmim
How to build a solar still (Series 75 - Sea Water Conversion Laboratory ; issue 13) by Lee Edson
Plans for a glass and concrete solar still (Technical report) by T. A Lawand

So what can you do with all this information? Here's some suggestions.
+ You could make and sell the device described in the expired patent. Please note that just because something is patented or written, it might not work all that well or might not be safe in today's standards. Use your own judgment, or seek help, to stay safe and out of trouble.
+ You could "translate" the expired patent into easy-to-understand instructions for others to make the device. These instructions could use easy-to-find materials, like trees, plants, rocks, people, scrap materials, etc.
+ You could recruit the inventors or authors to help you, since they are experts in their field. Some of the inventors of older patents might be retired now and might be looking for something to do.
+ Existing manufacturers of Dew Collectors or Solar Water Stills could use this information to make their already fine products even better, more efficient, or less expensive.
+ You could use the information to brainstorm new ideas. Build on the work of others.

Here's some brainstorming ticklers to help you launch in new directions around the topic of Dew Collectors or Solar Water Stills.
Apparatus and method for automatically watering vegetationUS Pat. 4315599 - Filed Mar 3, 1980
RECOVERY OF POTABLE WATER FROM HUMAN METABOLIC WASTES BY DISTILLATION AND OXIDATION OF THE ...US Pat. 3127243 - Filed Aug 15, 1960
Namib Desert Beetle-based Dune Dew Collectors: Science Fiction in ...
Does Solar PV Still Make Sense for the Developing World?
Sneaky Uses for Everyday Things: How to Turn a Penny into a Radio, Make a Flood Alarm with an Aspirin, Change by Cy Tymony
Tom Brown's Field Guide to Wilderness Survival (Survival School Handbooks / Tom Brown, Jr) by Tom Brown
Tom Brown's Field Guide to Nature and Survival for Children by Tom Brown
Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Travel by Joshua Piven and David Borgenicht
Adventure Travel in the Third World: Everything You Need To Know To Survive in Remote and Hostile Destinations by Jeff Randall and Mike Perrin

That's about all for now. As background, the site "Design for the Other 90%" said to "GET INVOLVED", so I did. I plan to continue posting these LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS on my Blog for a while yet. Let me know if you have a topic you would like covered. I'm open to suggestions on improving my blog format, too. Please e-mail me directly.

I hope you find this helpful. I'm sure you can do much better though! Go for it! Good Luck!

For more of my LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS - Click on the tag below "design for the other 90%".

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Design Notes for Low Cost Solar Water Pumps

FYI - Here's some information you might find useful in designing Low Cost Solar Water Pumps.

As a start, how about these old Solar Water Pumps patents that have expired due to age (generally more than 20 years old from the filing date). Expired patents are free to use by anyone.
Pumping system using solar energyUS Pat. 3937599 - Filed Oct 11, 1974
Heat-powered water pumpUS Pat. 4177019 - Filed Mar 27, 1978
APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING ATMOSPHERIC OR SOLAR HEAT FOR RAISING WATERUS Pat. 433055 - Filed Feb 2, 1887
Solar powered liquid metering deviceUS Pat. 4407637 - Filed Jan 22, 1981
Heat-powered water pumpUS Pat. 4212593 - Filed Jan 25, 1979
SOLAR ENERGY PUMPUS Pat. 2688922 - Filed Oct 27, 1951
THERMAL-GRAVITY FLUID PUMPING METHOD AND APPARATUSUS Pat. 3765799 - Filed May 1, 1972
Passive solar powered plant watering systemUS Pat. 4304528 - Filed Oct 12, 1979

To search for more Solar Water Pumps patents, try the following. Please remember that newer patents are probably not expired, and therefore active.

For a Worldwide search, go to esp@cenet.
1 - In the "International Patent Classification (IPC)" field, copy and paste in the following - f04b OR f04f OR f03g
2 - In the "Keyword(s) in title or abstract" field, copy and paste in the following - (solar* OR sun) AND water AND pump*
3 - Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the U.S. only, go to U.S. Issued Patents.
1- In the "Query" field, copy and paste in the following - CCL/417/$ AND ABST/(solar$ OR sun) AND (water OR well OR wells)
2 - Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the latest in U.S. only, go to U.S. Published Applications.
1- In the "Query" field, paste in the same search string above.
2- Press SEARCH. View your results.

In addition, here's some other information you might find interesting.
Solar water pumping
A simple water pump, powered by solar energy
Water pumping: The solar alternative by M. G Thomas (Unknown Binding - 1987)
Understanding Solar Water Pumps (Understanding Technology) by C. J. Swet (Plastic Comb - May 1985)
Design of a cost effective solar powered water pump (Hydraulics and hydrology series) by Duane G Chadwick (Unknown Binding - 1980)
Solar-powered pumps

So what can you do with all this information? Here's some suggestions.
+ You could make and sell the device described in the expired patent. Please note that just because something is patented or written, it might not work all that well or might not be safe in today's standards. Use your own judgment, or seek help, to stay safe and out of trouble.
+ You could "translate" the expired patent into easy-to-understand instructions for others to make the device. These instructions could use easy-to-find materials, like trees, plants, rocks, people, scrap materials, etc.
+ You could recruit the inventors or authors to help you, since they are experts in their field. Some of the inventors of older patents might be retired now and might be looking for something to do.
+ Existing manufacturers of Solar Water Pumps could use this information to make their already fine products even better, more efficient, or less expensive.
+ You could use the information to brainstorm new ideas. Build on the work of others.

Here's some brainstorming ticklers to help you launch in new directions around the topic of Solar Water Pumps.
Solar water pumpUS Pat. 4409961 - Filed Mar 23, 1981
Pulsing steam solar water pumpUS Pat. 4309148 - Filed Dec 7, 1979
Solar diaphragm pumpUS Pat. 4427350 - Filed Jan 11, 1982
IMPROVEMENT IN WATER-ELEVATORSUS Pat. 116025
Solar driven power unitUS Pat. 4068476 - Filed Nov 14, 1974
Multiple-stage small temperature differential heat-powered pumpUS Pat. 4347045 - Filed Mar 10, 1981
Build your own solar-powered water pumping station by Jeffrey Yago ...

That's about all for now. As background, the site "Design for the Other 90%" said to "GET INVOLVED", so I did. I plan to continue posting these LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS on my Blog for a while yet. Let me know if you have a topic you would like covered. I'm open to suggestions on improving my blog format, too. Please e-mail me directly.

I hope you find this helpful. I'm sure you can do much better though! Go for it! Good Luck!

For more of my LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS - Click on the tag below "design for the other 90%".

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/,

Thanks!

Design Notes for Low Cost Eyeglasses

FYI - Here's some information you might find useful in designing Low Cost Eyeglasses.

As a start, how about these old Eyeglasses patents that have expired due to age (generally more than 20 years old from the filing date). Expired patents are free to use by anyone.
MAGNETIC BI-FOCAL LENS HOLDERUS Pat. 2737847 - Filed Oct 20, 1952
FLEXIBLE FRESNEL REFRACTING MEMBRANE ADHERED TO OPHTHALMIC LENSUS Pat. 3628854 - Filed Dec 8, 1969
OPHTHALMIC DEVICEUS Pat. 2273434 - Filed Jun 19, 1940 - f twenty
SOFT FRAME ADJUSTABLE EYEGLASSESUS Pat. 3378851 - Filed Jul 6, 1966
LENSLESS OPTHALMIC DEVICEUS Pat. 3876294 - Filed Aug 17, 1973
EYEGLASSES OR SPECTACLESUS Pat. 1230136
PORTABLE VISUAL FUNCTION TESTERUS Pat. H293 - Filed May 29, 1986
PORTABLE VISION TESTING DEVICEUS Pat. 2622474 - Filed Jan 9, 1952
Vision screening kitUS Pat. 4279479 - Filed May 29, 1980
TESTING VISIONUS Pat. 1500248 - Filed Aug 17, 1922
METHOD OF TESTING VISIONUS Pat. 1686962 - Filed May 28, 1921
EYE TESTING DEVICEUS Pat. 1384252 - Filed May 29, 1920

To search for more Eyeglasses patents, try the following. Please remember that newer patents are probably not expired, and therefore active.

For a Worldwide search, go to esp@cenet.
1 - In the "International Patent Classification (IPC)" field, copy and paste in the following - G02C OR A61B
2 - In the "Keyword(s) in title or abstract" field, copy and paste in the following - eyeglass* OR spectacle*
3 - Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the U.S. only, go to U.S. Issued Patents.
1- In the "Query" field, copy and paste in the following - CCL/351/$ AND ABST/(eyeglass$ OR spectacle$)
2 - Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the latest in U.S. only, go to U.S. Published Applications.
1- In the "Query" field, paste in the same search string above.
2- Press SEARCH. View your results.

In addition, here's some other information you might find interesting.
JP7. Make your own glasses. ( spectacles.)
Eyeglasses - especially history

So what can you do with all this information? Here's some suggestions.
+ You could make and sell the device described in the expired patent. Please note that just because something is patented or written, it might not work all that well or might not be safe in today's standards. Use your own judgment, or seek help, to stay safe and out of trouble.
+ You could "translate" the expired patent into easy-to-understand instructions for others to make the device. These instructions could use easy-to-find materials, like trees, plants, rocks, people, scrap materials, etc.
+ You could recruit the inventors or authors to help you, since they are experts in their field. Some of the inventors of older patents might be retired now and might be looking for something to do.
+ Existing manufacturers of Eyeglasses could use this information to make their already fine products even better, more efficient, or less expensive.
+ You could use the information to brainstorm new ideas. Build on the work of others.

Here's some brainstorming ticklers to help you launch in new directions around the topic of Eyeglasses.
DISPLAY CARDUS Pat. 2212596 - Filed Jun 14, 1939
MEANS FOR ATTACHING SUNSHADE GLASSES TO SPECTACLESUS Pat. 2065458 - Filed Mar 27, 1936
LAMINATED MULTI-FOCAL LENSESUS Pat. 3877798 - Filed Sep 3, 1970

That's about all for now. As background, the site "Design for the Other 90%" said to "GET INVOLVED", so I did. I plan to continue posting these LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS on my Blog for a while yet. Let me know if you have a topic you would like covered. I'm open to suggestions on improving my blog format, too. Please e-mail me directly.

I hope you find this helpful. I'm sure you can do much better though! Good Luck!

For more of my LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS - Click on the tag below "design for the other 90%".

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/,

Thanks!

Design Notes for Low Cost Hearing Aids

FYI - Here's some information you might find useful in designing a Low Cost Hearing Aid.

As a start, how about these old Hearing Aid patents that have expired due to age (generally more than 20 years old from the filing date). Expired patents are free to use by anyone.
IMPROVEMENT IN EAR-TRUMPETSUS Pat. 78493
IMPLANTABLE PIEZOELECTRIC HEARING AIDUS Pat. 3712962 - Filed Apr 5, 1971
IMPROVEMENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF EAR-TRUMPETSUS Pat. 12951
TRUMPETUS Pat. 2469254 - Filed Jan 15, 1946
ACOUSTIC DEVICEUS Pat. 3618698
AUDIPHONEUS Pat. 1897833 - Filed Jan 26, 1931
AUDIPHONE FOB DEAF MUTESUS Pat. 2018262 - Filed May 12, 1934
DEVICE FOR AIDING THE DEAF TO HEARUS Pat. 226902 - Filed Jan 20, 1880
EAR-TRUMPETUS Pat. 438369 - Filed Jun 9, 1890
APPLIANCE FOR ENABLING THE DEAF TO HEARUS Pat. 608255 - Filed Nov 18, 1897
AURAL INSTRUMENTUS Pat. 30688

To search for more Hearing Aid patents, try the following. Please remember that newer patents are probably not expired, and therefore active.

For a Worldwide search, go to esp@cenet.
1 - In the "International Patent Classification (IPC)" field, copy and paste in the following - H04 OR A61F11/04 OR G02C11/06
2 - In the "Keyword(s) in title or abstract" field, copy and paste in the following - (hear* OR deaf*) AND (aid* OR trumpet*)
3 - Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the U.S. only, go to U.S. Issued Patents.
1- In the "Query" field, copy and paste in the following - ccl/381/$ AND abst/((hear$ OR deaf$) AND (aid OR aids OR trumpet$ OR horn$))
2 - Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the latest in U.S. only, go to U.S. Published Applications.
1- In the "Query" field, paste in the same search string above.
2- Press SEARCH. View your results.

In addition, here's some other information you might find interesting.
Slashdot Build Your Own Bluetooth Hearing Aid
Hearing Aid or Ear Trumpet

So what can you do with all this information? Here's some suggestions.
+ You could make and sell the device described in the expired patent. Please note that just because something is patented or written, it might not work all that well or might not be safe in today's standards. Use your own judgment, or seek help, to stay safe and out of trouble.
+ You could "translate" the expired patent into easy-to-understand instructions for others to make the device. These instructions could use easy-to-find materials, like trees, plants, rocks, people, scrap materials, etc.
+ You could recruit the inventors or authors to help you, since they are experts in their field. Some of the inventors of older patents might be retired now and might be looking for something to do.
+ Existing manufacturers of Hearing Aid could use this information to make their already fine products even better, more efficient, or less expensive.
+ You could use the information to brainstorm new ideas. Build on the work of others.

Here's some brainstorming ticklers to help you launch in new directions around the topic of Hearing Aid.
STETHOSCOPEUS Pat. 8591
Sanguma - uses for a plastic vending cup
Convert old telephones into hearing aids?
Combine amplifier and ear trumpet? Inline amplifier?

That's about all for now. As background, the site "Design for the Other 90%" said to "GET INVOLVED", so I did. I plan to continue posting these LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS on my Blog for a while yet. Let me know if you have a topic you would like covered. I'm open to suggestions on improving my blog format, too. Please e-mail me directly.

I hope you find this helpful. I'm sure you can do much better though! Good Luck!

For more of my LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS - Click on the tag below "design for the other 90%".

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/,

Thanks!

Design Notes for Low Cost Treadle Pump

FYI - Here's some information you might find useful in designing a Low Cost Treadle Pump.

Here's some Treadle Pump patents that have expired due to age (generally more than 20 years old from filing date). Expired patents are free to use by anyone.

TREADLE-PUMPUS Pat. 818522 - Filed Jan 2, 1902
IMPROVEMENT IN TREADLE-OPERATED CONFLUENT PUMPSUS Pat. 194377 - Filed Jul 23, 1877
PUMPUS Pat. 344133 - Filed Nov 16, 1885
PUMP-ACTUATING MECHANISMUS Pat. 705425 - Filed Sep 20, 1901
TREADLE-PUMPUS Pat. 439992 - Filed Jan 6, 1890
ATTACHMENT FOR PUMPSUS Pat. 413669 - Filed Jun 12, 1889
DEVICE FOR OPERATING PUMPS BY MEANS OF TREADLESUS Pat. 482777 - Filed Aug 5, 1891 - JACOB GOETZ
PORTABLE PUMPING APPARATUSUS Pat. 517881
IMPROVEMENT IN LIFT-PUMPSUS Pat. 195253 - Filed Aug 18, 1877

To search for more Treadle Pump patents, try the following. Please remember that newer patents are probably not expired, and therefore active.

For a Worldwide search, go to esp@cenet.
In the "International Patent Classification (IPC)" field, copy and paste in the following - F04B
In the "Keyword(s) in title or abstract" field, copy and paste in the following - (tread* OR pedal*) AND water
Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the U.S. only, go to U.S. Issued Patents.
In the "Query" field, copy and paste in the following - ABST/(pump$ AND water$ AND (pedal$ OR tread$))
Press SEARCH. View your results.

For the latest in U.S. only, go to U.S. Published Applications.
In the "Query" field, paste in the same search string above.
Press SEARCH. View your results.

In addition, here's some other information you might find interesting:

Treadle Pump
How to Make and Use the Treadle Irrigation Pump by Carl Bielenberg and Hugh Allen (Paperback - Dec 1, 1995)
Treadle pumps - WCA Info Net

So what can you do with all this information? Here's some suggestions.

• You could make and sell the device described in the expired patent. Please note that just because something is patented or written, it might not work all that well or might not be safe in today's standards. Use your own judgment, or seek help, to stay safe and out of trouble.
• You could "translate" the expired patent into easy-to-understand instructions for others to make the device. These instructions could use easy-to-find materials, like trees, plants, rocks, people, scrap materials, etc.
• You could recruit the inventors or authors to help you, since they are experts in their field. Some of the inventors of older patents might be retired now and might be looking for something to do.
• Existing manufacturers of Treadle Pump could use this information to make their already fine products even better, more efficient, or less expensive.
• You could use the information to brainstorm new ideas. Build on the work of others.
  

Here's some possible brainstorming ticklers to help you launch in new directions around the topic of Treadle Pump.

COMBINED SEE-SAW AND WATER SPRAYERUS Pat. 3231269 - Filed May 5, 1964
BATHER'S PUMPUS Pat. 1628866 - Filed Apr 17, 1924
PUMP ATTACHMENT FOR BICYCLESUS Pat. 559418 - Filed Sep 23, 1896
WATER-ELEVATORUS Pat. 268086 - Filed Aug 17, 1882
ENDLESS-CHAIN WATER-ELEVATORUS Pat. 427997 - Filed Mar 3, 1890
PLASTIC PISTON PUMPUS Pat. 3684410 - Filed Sep 29, 1970
Can we learn anything from Exercise Machines?
Maybe disabled people could combine their efforts to pump water for the village - group effort.
Merry-Go-Round Pumps Water

That's about all for now. As background, the site "Design for the Other 90%" said to "GET INVOLVED", so I did. I plan to continue posting these LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS on my Blog for a while yet. Let me know if there is topic you would like to see covered.

I hope you find this helpful. I'm sure you can do much better though! Good Luck!

For more of my LOW COST DESIGN TOPICS - Click on the tag below "design for the other 90%".

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for Wireless Wall Switch

There seems to be many “wireless switches” these days but not any that look like a regular wall switch to control lights in a room. These wireless wall switches could be flat – maybe about a quarter of an inch thick – and have an adhesive backing. Stick anywhere – no wiring! The receiver could be in the light holder, in the light wiring, or in the cord from the light. Maybe these switches/receivers could be “solar” powered from the room lighting or at least lengthen the battery life.

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for Emergency Headlight-Out Device

How about an emergency headlight-out device? This device might be stored in the car for when a headlight goes out – temporary safety item. The manufacturers could even provide this device with vehicles.

Anyhow, the device could simply stick over burned out headlight. The device could have a reflector to reflect back light to oncoming drivers as well as a fiberoptic link over to the good headlight to “borrow light”. Half a light would be better than driving with one headlight. At least the dim light would give the oncoming driver an idea of what is coming – motorcycle, one-eyed vehicle, or what.

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for Warranty Helper

How about a warranty helper for the consumer? Many times, a consumer buys something that has a warranty – like appliances, vehicles, and roofing – and forgets about the warranty until after something goes wrong and the warranty has expired.

How about a helper system that would organize and remind the consumer of the various stages of the warranty. This could be a software program for the consumer to enter data and an internet link to the manufacturer for warranty details. Maybe this might be a way to get consumers to register their products – a plus for both manufacturers and consumers.

Anyhow, as the product ages, the consumer would be reminded of the imminence of the warranty expiration date, thereby giving them time to take care of problems while still under warranty. In addition, the system could give reminders for maintenance to fulfill the warranty conditions.

The consumer would get something in making the most use of the product over it’s lifetime – and the manufacturer has the benefit of happy customers, product marketing information, and an established link between consumer and manufacturer. Works for both sides – each side gets something.

The product could have a barcode for a personal computer to read to connect to the warranty and registration link. The consumer would just need to register the information once on name, address, etc. and this information would be used for all manufacturers. The only information that might need to be entered for each new purchase would be the date of purchase.

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for maximizing heat transfer...Hot Attraction!

It has been observed that high voltage attracts a flame.  How about using this concept to attract a heating flame to an object you want heated?  The flame bends to either go toward or away from the higher voltage.  By using electricity in this way, a heating system could be maximized.  

Some applications might be – furnaces, cooking, welding, etc.  Think of having the heat source at one electrical potential and the heat sink at another electrical potential, as shown below.









Thinking more along these lines, maybe electricity could be used to direct heat on a hot or cool surface – such as an automobile engine block, refrigerator, or a cooking stove surface.  Think of placing electrical charges on or in the heater to channel the heat where you want it to go, changing the path of heat transfer.  You could have a temperature profile within a heated or cooled body.  See below.








Maybe the transition metals in the periodic table that act like both an insulator and conductor could be used to block or direct heat flow – a heat traffic cop.

If interested in this concept, a good place to investigate might be the use of flame detectors (coherers) used in early radio years.  In these radios, a flame was actually used for extracting the audio signal from a carrier wave – an early diode.  Maybe combine this flame detector technology with what is known about the Peltier Effect – heating or cooling with electricity.
Possible Start Building Blocks –

• Existing concepts for furnaces, heat transfer, etc.


• USPTO Class/Subclasses for "How-To" ideas – 219/548, 361/234

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for PLC controller vehicle or appliance...Smart Stuff!

How about using an off-the-shelf programmable logic controller (PLC) in an automobile, appliance, etc.

It seems like many of these commodities are computer controlled; yet each company or product has their own computer chip, printed circuit board, etc.  
Why not use a standard PLC in these functions instead of designing new control assemblies for each product?  

In addition, how about having standard off-the-shelf control software?  There are standard PLC’s but there does not seem to be off-the-shelf control software to use in these PLC’s – similar to ready-to-purchase personal computer programs.  Many of the functions are similar from one machine to another.  With these software control modules, most of the programming grunt-work would be done already and only need to be slightly modified for each specific product application.  Example – every vehicle should not be started while in-gear (applicable for all vehicle manufacturers) – probably no need to duplicate software programming from one manufacturer or model to another.  

Goal is to offer an off-the-shelf software control module that would install on any PLC, similar to installing a word processing or budgeting program on a personal computer.  Would save time, money, and stop re-inventing the wheel.
Possible Start Building Blocks –

• Existing concepts for industrial control systems using PLC’s, etc.


• USPTO Class/Subclasses for "How-To" ideas – 68/12.01, 706/1, 318/138

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for Treadmill proximity detector and communicator...Keep in Touch!

For exercise treadmills, how about having a non-contact user proximity detector, instead of the usual clothing clip-on stop switch?  Would be automatic safety item to prevent people from not running fast enough – and not require runner to clip anything on.  

This new device could have an adhesive backing and fit right over the existing magnetic target on the treadmill.  No rewiring or complicated retrofit operations.  Example – stick on new device and treadmill would operate as long a person were sensed on the treadmill – plus give a warning to the runner to run a little faster if approaching the back of the treadmill track.  Maybe green, yellow, red color lights.

Also, there doesn’t seem to be headsets for folks to keep in touch while exercising – sweat/water proof, lightweight, wind-noise resistant, computer enhanced voice recognition to compensate for heavy breathing, etc.  Would make exercise more enjoyable.

Possible Start Building Blocks –

• Existing concepts for walkie-talkies, conveyor proximity detectors, car wash vehicle control systems, etc.


• USPTO Class/Subclasses for "How-To" ideas – 340/686, 340/556

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for Vehicle Distributed Control System...wire not?...

How about using the well-known distributed control technology in automobiles and other vehicles to replace conventional wiring harnesses?  

Maybe use the stick-on switch theme in this newsletter to have stick-on control panels going to a programmable logic controller in a vehicle.  Instead of having a wiring harness, use a single co-ax communication line running from various control points within the vehicle.

By using this concept, many costs could be saved – installation, design, maintenance, wiring harness assembly, and troubleshooting.  Instead of having many opportunities for wiring malfunction, there is only one communication cable going from point to point in the vehicle.

An automobile is a machine, yet this proven machine control technology does not seem to be used.

How about a coax cable with +12 volts and ground integral to the construction of the cable – all in one.
Possible Start Building Blocks –

• Existing concepts for industrial machine control, automated trains and trams, etc.


• USPTO Class/Subclasses for "How-To" ideas – 307/141, 700/3

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for Mailbox Scanner....Mail from home?...

For postal mail stations, how about a mailbox scanner to determine whether a mailbox has mail or not? – and automatically e-mail or call the box holder that they have mail.  These could be similar to those devices used for inventory in grocery stores – only adding the automatic notification feature.  The mail attendant would then just scan the device over the “filling side” of the mailbox to determine whether there is anything in the box and read a barcode on the box identifying the box holder.
Possible Start Building Blocks –

• Existing concepts for inventory control, automatic phone dialer, grocery store automatic checkout scanners, etc.


• USPTO Class/Subclasses for "How-To" ideas – 705/401, 232/35, 232/25

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for Shoe Repair Machine...fixing shoes is its sole function...

How about a shoe repair machine? This machine might look like the ball cleaning machine in a bowling alley. It seems shoes mostly wear out on the heels – usually worn more on one side than the other. How about putting these worn-out shoes in this machine to apply a molding composition to the worn side – and thus return the shoe heel to its original flat condition. The concept is similar to applying a patch or retread to a tire. The machine could match original color and tread so that it looks new when done. Maybe the machine could also clean, polish, deodorize and in general return the shoe to original condition. These machines might be placed in shopping malls, airports, health clubs, and the like. The machine would refurbish your shoes while you watch.

Possible Start Building Blocks –
· Existing concepts for bowling bar refurbishing machine, automatic skate sharpening machine, tire retreading, bone grafts, etc.
· USPTO Class/Subclasses for "How-To" ideas – 12/142Q, 36/72R, D15/199

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for Motorcycle or Bicycle Flashing Lights...Safety First!

How about a motorcycle flashing-headlight?  Sometimes this happens by chance when a motorcycle is going over a bumpy road or has a loose headlight mounting – but now do on purpose!  I recently have seen some motorcycles with flashing lights now, but what else could be done?  Maybe change colors?  Alternate one color to the next?

• Electrically – the headlight could be pulsed on and off – maybe the driver could vary the intensity or frequency of the pulsing when going through a hazardous area.


• Mechanically – the headlight could have a purposely-wobbly mounting similar to a walker or jogger waving a flashlight to catch the attention of a nearby motorist.

Possible Start Building Blocks –

• Existing concepts for flashlights, strobelights, flashing holiday lights, advertising signs, etc.


• USPTO Class/Subclasses for "How-To" ideas – 362/473, 362/475, 361/179

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for Rotating Rural Mailbox

How about a carousel rotating rural mailbox? There could be multiple boxes that rotate on the top of a pedestal – one for postal mail, another one or more for newspapers, and the like. Think of a turntable type device on a post. Convenience and “one-stop shopping” for folks. Would save space, be more attractive than a line of mail/newspaper boxes. Would offer safety feature too in that delivery would be on roadside and retrieval would be on home side of this box assembly.

Possible Start Building Blocks –
· Existing concepts for mailboxes, carousels, turntables, swivel heads, etc.
· USPTO Class/Subclasses for "How-To" ideas – 232/52, 232/39

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for cost effective bus or coach - Coaching you to bus(t) out of your ideas!

To maximize space and reduce energy consumption on little-used public transportation –

• 
  How about having partitions to keep most people to the front conserving heat, lights, and maybe offer better safety? Driver could open new sections as needed.
  
• How about having a café in one of the partitions, similar to a mini-dining car on a train?
  Maybe one of the partitions could be a mini-clinic picking up folks near their home, treating them in-transit, and dropping them off where desired. Particularly helpful for disabled or limited income folks who might not have other transportation to the doctor.
  
• How about having a partition between the front seat and back seat of an automobile. If there are no back seat passengers – keep heated or cooled air up front. Would decrease energy consumption and heat/cool the usable section faster. There could be an upper partition to keep the rising heat up front and/or a lower partition to keep the cool air up front.
  

Possible Start Building Blocks –
· Existing concepts for children’s toys to practice on, old time trains cars, movable partitions used in modular offices, etc.
· USPTO Class/Subclasses for "How-To" ideas – 180/89.1, 180/14.2, 180/14.1

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for more friendly rule or tape measure...giving a good measure!

How about a more friendly rule or tape measure?

Examples –

• Calculator and tape measure all in one device.  Handy for home construction projects that require measurements and calculations.  Example – door-molding miter cut angles.  Advanced version could have measurements enter automatically into calculator.

• Tape measure that speaks the measured distance to double check what your eyes measured.  Also helpful for blind folks.  Example – seeing 4 feet 3-5/8 inches and hearing 4 feet 5-3/8 inches would alert the person of a possible error.

• Combination tape measure and GPS.  The tape measure would measure distances and the global positioning system (GPS) would provide the relative position of the measurement.  Example – measure house window sizes with this automatic tape measure and the GPS would identify which window you’re measuring.  Plus the whole ball of information could be fed automatically into computer home design software.

• A tape measure with an attached marking device – instead of having to find a pencil when you’re ready to mark.  Think of a slide rule type slider.  How about a slider that would slide on the tape measure tape.  The slider on the topside would be transparent to show the ruler markings.  The slider on the bottom-side would have a punch or marking device.  Just line up the slider dial with the desired measurement and press the slider to make a mark.

Possible Start Building Blocks –

• Existing concepts for tape measuring wheels used by highway crews, punch as used with a hammer, GPS locators, tape measures, clocks that speak the time, etc.


• USPTO Class/Subclasses for "How-To" ideas – 33/761, D19/65, D10/72

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for Inside Pool...your own winter weekend get-away!

There are outside pools made of plastic or with a liner.  How about an inside pool, that could be setup and taken down as needed?  Maybe a good location could be the house or dorm basement.  Think of installing an above-ground outside pool in a house basement.  This could be as simple as an inflatable pool for children to a larger pool.  This concept might work for hot tub parties if the materials were heat resistant.
Possible Start Building Blocks –

• Existing concepts for children’s play pools, camp or military portable bathtubs, rural fire department portable water holder, etc.


• USPTO Class/Subclasses for "How-To" ideas – 4/494, 4/488, 4/513

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Funny you should ask...Idea for Fun Meter...

Are we having fun yet?  How about a fun meter?  The user could answer questions on what they are doing or not doing.  In addition, the unit could monitor body functions like eye drooping, respiration, heart rate, carbon dioxide content of breath, voiceprint, etc.  

From this data, the unit could evaluate whether the user is having fun or not.  The unit could also make recommendations on how to have more fun.  

The form could be wristwatches, PDA’s., etc.   In addition, this concept could be used to monitor fun devices like games and adjust itself to make more fun.  Also, concept might be used as an online tool to assist user’s in selecting a fun item – such as an automobile
Possible Start Building Blocks –

• Existing concepts for lie detectors, biofeedback monitors, medical monitoring equipment, etc.


• USPTO Class/Subclasses for "How-To" ideas – 273/430, 273/460

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for Automatic Voice Identification in Teleconferences

How about automatic voice identification of the person speaking in teleconference calls?  Usually one or more people start talking without identifying themselves.  This system would get a “voice-print” during introductions and then identify the speakers as they speak.  The speaker’s names could then be displayed on the computer screen, teleconference modules, cellular phone, or the like.  
Possible Start Building Blocks –

• Existing concepts for surveillance tools, door entry devices, security devices, polygraphs, etc.


• USPTO Class/Subclasses for "How-To" ideas – 7709/204, 379/202.01

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!

Idea for restaurant tray liners or placemats...just for you!

How about restaurants having one tray liner for adults and another for children?  It seems like there are only ones for children or those promoting contests.  How about a tray liner for adults with a calendar, area for notes, crosswords, etc.  In addition, there could be tray liner printers in restaurants to print liners on-site.  These liner printers could update with the latest news from the internet plus give updates on news at the restaurant.
Possible Start Building Blocks –

• Existing concepts for placemats, tray liners, double-sided printing, on-demand printing, on-site printing, newspapers, etc.


• /USPTO Class/Subclasses for "How-To" ideas – D7/543, 229/122.32, D6/613

See disclaimers on TG Ideas LLC publications and website - http://www.athenet.net/~ideas/, Thanks!