2002 FORUM HOST
The Forum was hosted by Australian Inventor, George Lewin - Inventor of the Triton Workbench.
In 1975, George Lewin - then a 25-year old journalist living in Melbourne - invented the original Triton saw bench, while struggling with his first woodwork project since schooldays, a coffee table. Unable to cut straight and square with a hand saw, he'd bought a power saw thinking it would solve his problems. The cuts were even worse, so he cobbled up a crude but ingenious saw bench to safely mount his power saw. Realising the potential of the idea, and after some cursory market research, he applied for a Provisional Patent. Totally lacking in experience or training in woodwork, engineering, manufacturing or business, and with virtually no capital, he tried for the next 12 months to interest various manufacturers, marketers, wholesalers and retailers in the concept. Many expressed interest, but no-one took it on. Running out of patience and money, and faced with letting the idea die, he turned his home and garage into a workshop, found sub-contractors prepared to work mostly on credit, and started making the first batch of 100 units, to sell door-to-door if necessary. Midway through the first nightmarish production run, George Lewin had his big break. In July 1976, he appeared on 'The Inventors' on ABC-TV and suddenly found he had the hottest new idea in hardware. The demand was phenomenal. The range expanded, new markets were found, and a virtually 100% Australian infrastructure was built up, creating many jobs and producing about $250 million in domestic and export sales from 1976 to 1999. Triton today is a subsidiary of Hills Industries Ltd, and is a dynamic local tool designer and manufacturer, with a string of national and international awards, an annual turnover approaching $20m - some 30% of it from export markets - and a devoted following of Triton owners in Australia and overseas. In addition, George has gone on to found The Triton Foundation, a not-for-profit organization committed to assisting Australian inventors to commercialise their innovations. He is also working frantically on a new television series - The Clever Country - building on the success of the ABC's Inventors Program and later productions such as Beyond 2000.
2002 FORUM RESULTS
The 2002 Forum attracted 22 formal expressions of interest from Australia and overseas. Ten of the most impressive and highly developed inventions were showcased at the Forum event. These included:
Invention: Xtreme Beam
Inventor: Robert Lancellotti, Xenon Technologies, Melbourne, VIC
The
Strobe Safety System (Xtreme Beam) concept came to mind in 1995 when Robert
and a life long friend discussed protecting their survival space in low light
or adverse conditions. A year later, whilst in Europe, Robert received the news
that the same friend had died, whilst riding at night in a built up area and
in close proximity to a major hospital. He had lost control of his motorcycle
and was thrown into shadow; he was forced to crawl about 150m for assistance,
before dying where he lay. The Xtreme Beam Strobe Safety System has received
widespread community support, offering a solution in minimising the risk associated
with riding a motorcycle in adverse or low light conditions, whilst also assisting
crash victims to be located during time-critical exposure. The System consists
of a specific amber hazard strobe light, which is waterproof and mounted in
a unique position, placed on an angle beneath the rear of the motorcycle. It
is securely protected by the motorcycle's surrounding frame structure, and,
given its robust construction the Strobe Safety System remains intact in most
crashes where lights are damaged or destroyed. The safety light emits a high
contrasting amber flash (not more than 120 per minute) to the road surface and
produces a pool of aura light in a 360 degree radius. The vulnerable rider requires
an effective means of establishing a visual presence to protect his/her survival
space when placed in difficulty by hazardous conditions. The motorcyclist receives
little benefit from the implementation of most road-going safety equipment compared
with drivers of motor vehicles (eg, air bags, side impact bars etc) so it could
be argued that at least the basic need for hazard warning lights should be compulsory
on motorcycles. This is not the case, however, although such is compulsory for
all other motorised road-going vehicles. The Victorian Police Force (Special
Solo Squad) was asked to evaluate the Xtreme Beam Strobe Safety System. It identified
a need from within the police force along with a recommendation that all motorcycles
should share the benefits of the system, under the Australian Design Rule.
The Xtreme Beam seems to be a world first and manufacturing the system is cost effective utilizing available technology - the approximate cost of the basic system fitted will be $180. Receiving interest from the USA, Japan, UK, and also featured in a Swedish road safety report, the Xtreme Beam offers the potential of becoming a future Australian export earner. Xenon Technologies Pty Ltd developed the Xtreme Beam for motorcycles, although it acknowledges there are additional markets that can be addressed with this innovative design and application. The patent has undergone three world searches by the Canberra IP office, including an international preliminary examination, concluding the patent 1- 25 claims, of novelty inventive step and industrial application, are valid. Although prototypes exist, nothing is in production at present due to lack of seed capital.
Invention: McConnell Educator 2-3 seat belted seat
Inventor: Denis McConnell, McConnell Seats Australia, Melbourne, VIC
Denis
McConnell redesigned the Company's original standard (ADR68) belted coach
seat to accommodate three primary age children by making the seat wider
with a one piece cushion. This allows 300mm per child and the seat is
supplied with an easily fitted child harness that clips into the centre
of the seat. It aims to provide school buses with seat belts for all students,
create school buses with the same carrying capacity as current buses and
ensure versatile vehicles that can be used for both schoolbus operation
and general charter. The 2-3 Educator seat allows the safe operation of
the school bus with all students seated in seat belts. With this innovation
in school bus safety it allows a school bus to be fully utilised with
the same seating capacity as an existing school bus without seatbelts.
(ie. 3 primary students or 2 secondary students to a double seat with
the only extra cost being the initial purchase of seat belted seats of
approximately $12,000). The final testing has been completed and passed
and the seat is now being manufactured.
Update (November 2003): "We
have had great success with the seat and to date have sold a total of
2,784 passenger places. The total of sales in dollar value is $1.28 million."
Invention: Datalogger System to monitor driver behaviour
Inventor: Ian Haynes & Bob Gibson, Vigil Systems, Brisbane, QLD
Using highly advanced sensors and an in-car electronic logger system together with associated embedded and PC software, the incidence of inappropriate driver behaviour is recorded and analysed. By identifying high risk and heavy handed drivers and their associated habits and behaviour, individual counselling, training and behaviour modification programs can be designed and their continuous improvement consistently monitored. The Vigil System can be installed in 5 minutes in a driver's own vehicle with no modification or wiring to the vehicle and provides information which can identify aggressive behaviour, inappropriate driving habits and periods and places when these mostly occur. The actual measurement and designed remedial programs (agreed with the driver and enhanced with incentives) can be monitored periodically leading to fewer accidents and a lower incidence of injury and fatalities. A completed business plan includes viable strategic and marketing plans based on selling a service (units will not be sold in first two years). Contact and demonstrations with a range of Queensland organisations, and trials with Q Fleet (control 12,000 cars) indicate a high level of interest. Initial product and service costs indicate that this service could be delivered with a significant cost benefit advantage over driver training approaches. An assessment of the products and services available together with patent searches confirm there is no known alternative device with the utility of the Vigil system or with the ability to compare driver patterns cost effectively to give credible behavioural benchmarks. The Vigil system has been completed, units produced, and field trials conducted. Demonstrations have been given to service corporations (Blue Care, Rentokil), large logistic/trucking groups (Toll), leasing organistaions (Q Fleet), automotive clubs (RACQ), driver trainers (Mt Cotton), Universities (USQ, QUT) and research organisations (CARRS-Q). All have responded favourably to the Vigil Philosophy and Technology. Proposals for commercial trials have been submitted to two organisations and the technology is ready for commercial production and deployment.
Invention: Newly Developed Absorbo-foam Liner for helmets
Inventor: Don Morgan, Brisbane, QLD
This
invention is a newly designed shock-absorbing liner for helmets which
incorporates low-density foam embedded in a unique configuration into
the currently used high-density foam. It aims to absorb and dissipate
an impact force more effectively than the currently used hard single density
helmet liners. The purpose is to reduce fatality and brain contusions.
The road safety advantage of the product is that better designed motorcycle
and bicycle helmets incorporating the new designed liner will result in
reducing the number of head injuries and fatalities. The cost to the community
will also be reduced. A newly developed foam-processing procedure and
a newly manufactured innovative tool was established to manufacture flat
samples of absorbo-foam. The production of a complete helmet liner incorporating
the new design will require several manufacturing steps compared with
the manufacture of current liners. The newly developed shock absorbing
liner is unique in its design and processing procedure. A utility patent
is secured in the USA and funding and investors are being sought to proceed
with the commercial production of either the motorcycle helmet or the
bicycle helmet incorporating the absorbo-foam liner.
Update (October 2003):
"In the last three months we have made great progress in the development
of a helmet incorporating the newly developed shock absorbing liner. This
progress includes the:
- formation of a company called Absorbo-Liner Ltd,
- commencement of drawings for a tool by a well qualified pattern maker/technical
drawer,
- submission of several start up funding applications (both state and
federal),
- revision of the business plan, and
- diversification in the use of the liner.
In the new year we'll also be looking for major investors in the company.
If everything goes to plan we hope to be marketing a safer motorcyclist
helmet by the end of the next year."
Invention: New Road Marking System
Inventor: Robert Carnaby, Potters Industries, Grafton, NSW
This invention principally involves wet night visible sized glass beads (1mm) of specifically formulated glass that provides much improved night time visibility because of the optical properties (such as optical transmission, sphericity, colour and refractive index). Newly developed methods of application enhance both the visible night time performance and the durability. These methods include paint gun geometry that improves the application of the paint to improve glass bead embedment and a method to place the glass beads in a simulated "static" environment that provides improved distribution placement and embedment. The invention aims to delineate more clearly the road during both dry night and wet night driving conditions and provides a longer road preview distance which does not require the driver to look away for other clues. The system retains current specified waterborne traffic paint, but increases the dry film thickness. It duplicates spray guns on roadmarking equipment for improved application methods. The system specifies the 1mm diameter optically improved glass beads as a replacement for the current smaller sized glass beads and fits "static" bead drop equipment for improved glass bead placement. The system is available on the market and the bead application equipment is patented.
Invention: Flexidrive MKII
Inventor: Karon Morgan, Rondo Ezy-Drive, Yatala, QLD
The invention is a low maintenance, safe and cost effective guidepost that returns to an upright position upon impact by vehicles, cyclists, wide loads, long loads, etc. Road maintenance crews are continually replacing guide posts and this flexible post, when installed correctly, will return to its upright position almost immediately after every impact, therefore, not only performing its rightful task of delineating the road each time, but greatly reducing the risk of injury to the motoring public involved in the impact. It is safe, quick and easy to install even in extremely hard ground, and requires virtually no maintenance. The polyurethane hinge has been tested to 7.5million impacts and, unlike other flexible products, the hinge has no mechanical parts and therefore will never wear out. It is smooth and free of any sharp edges and has also been tested in extreme temperatures. In the case of a fire, the joint will scorch but not burn and the post is made from galvanised steel, leaving the post in its upright position. The safety advantages are that, in all extreme cases of weather conditions, fire hazards, or vehicle impacts, the post remains upright to delineate the road, unlike all other rigid posts which may be bent over after impact and face oncoming traffic thus creating a traffic hazard. Another safety feature of the post is the rolled edges and safety end cap, leaving no exposed edges. This benefits maintenance crews during the installation process ie. they won't be cut or injured by an inferior product, and also minimises extreme injury in the event of a motoring accident. This product is the first of its type on the market, was designed and tested in Yatala, Queensland, is now under production and the cost savings should be calculated on: the lower i) maintenance costs ii) labour costs iii) replacement costs iv) insurance savings - reduces the risk of possible litigation against property and personal injury from pedestrians and the motoring public.
EXHIBITION ONLY
Invention: Post Connector
Inventor: Peter Jun, Rewarding Industries, Southport, QLD
The "post connector" provides an alternative post assembly system for use in conjunction with signs and barriers. The connector aims to reduce damage to vehicles and injuries to persons during a crash. On impact, the sign breaks off at the connection site falling flat to the ground. As the connector absorbs the force of the impact, the sign and the pavers or concrete surrounding the sign are left undamaged. Within 5 minutes, maintenance services can simply replace the connector reinstating the sign to a vertical position. The inventor strongly believes that the connector will greatly reduce maintenance time and costs and will be of particular interest to local government. It is currently being trialed by the Gold Coast City Council.
Invention: Interactive Knight-Warrior Sleep Alarm
Inventor: Shane Knight, Murrarie, QLD
The Knight Warrior is a computer controlled driver-fatigue alert and car-alarm all in one. The device works by a computer controlled timer that counts down a selected time interval during driving. Once the time interval has passed, the driver is alerted by a primary minor alarm and the driver has approximately 1-3 seconds to respond to reset the system before a main wakeup siren is activated. If the main wake-up alarm goes off, it is more than likely the driver has fallen asleep and the alarm will hopefully wake him/her up. This 'interaction' process is not new and has been used on trains for years. It is commonly known as the 'deadmans' switch. The main difference between this device and the train type 'deadmans' switch, is that it has variable time periods between 1-30 seconds. If the device is applied correctly, a driver can self-monitor his/her tiredness closely. As the driver gets more tired he/she can manually adjust the time intervals to be shorter, requiring a more frequent response. As they respond more frequently it should become apparent to them that their fatigue condition is worsening. To assist the driver further, the remote controller time period knob has a section on it that is colour highlighted. When the knob is turned to the colour highlighted section (where the selected time period is getting very short) it strongly recommends that the driver should pull over and take a rest. The system can also be turned off if the driver feels they do not require it. Shane believes the device provides an affordable off-the-shelf aid in helping drivers to manage their fatigue.
Invention: PaveLite Inset Road Light
Inventor: Pavelite Technology, South Australia
The Pavelite Inset Road Light is a road lighting system that is fitted into the road surface. Using high intensity light emitting diodes, the lights are inset into the bitumen to delineate road markings. The system provides guidance and clear delineation of the road for drivers and is designed for ease of installation and maintenance. What is particularly innovative about the system is that it can be solar-powered, making it useful for rural areas.
Invention: The Driver Card
Inventor: Philip Paley, Driver Card Systems, Gold Coast, QLD
The Driver Control and Registration Digital System is expected to offer driver accountability, flexible registration and improved road safety. The system works in a similar manner to the aircraft "black box" storing information about the driver and the car's use. A smartcard driver's licence and relevant pin number, only available to registered drivers, is required to activate the system (and hence the car). When the smart card is inserted, information such as the vehicle owners' details, named driver's particulars and registration identification is recorded. The car's digital number plates display 3 items - the speed the vehicle is traveling at, the registration number and the driver's licence number. Philip believes the system offers of host of benefits including major reductions in vehicle theft, registration costs and unlicensed driving.
If you wish to make contact with any of the 2002 invention presenters, please contact CARRS-Q for contact details.
