Invention Discovery Scavenger Hunt 2

A Tornado of Ideas?

Using brainstorming (Rule 1. There are no bad ideas so all ideas count)

Use this page when you are ready to start working on one idea to solve a problem you found. This page will start the process of inventing. Write out your problem here:

Putting a baby or small child in a car when it is raining and the person is holding an umbrella.  It is hard to handle the baby and the umbrella at the same time.  It’s hard to put a baby in a car with one hand.

 

Solutions: write them below	Reasons this is a Good idea?	Reasons this is Bad idea?
1. There’s an umbrella clip that you put on the top of the door and you put the umbrella into that.	–          The person is covered –          You don’t drop the baby or the umbrella –          You don’t get wet –          It’s hands-free	–          You still have to clip in the umbrella while still holding the baby –          Could scratch the vehicle –          More movement from the door as the door can open wider
2.There’s an umbrella clip that is clipped to the frame of the vehicle	–          The person is covered –          You don’t drop the baby or the umbrella –          You don’t get wet –          More stable because the frame of the vehicle isn’t moving like a door can	–          You still have to clip in the umbrella while still holding the baby –          Could scratch the vehicle
3.
4.
5.

 

Are You a Solution Seeker?

By now, you have learned that many people are interested in solutions that allow them to live better lives. What kinds of solutions are important to you? Is there a special challenge that you’re working on solving? Read the questions in the chart below, then write your thoughts down.

My idea:

A device that a person can put an umbrella in when they are trying to get a baby or small child into a car while holding the child and the umbrella at the same time.

Problem I have identified to solve:

The same as I wrote above.

Things I will need to know in order to solve this problem:

Shape of vehicle doors or frames, differences between vehicles, design of umbrellas.

Who will I need to talk to? Who can help me with this invention?

My dad.

If I wanted to build a model of my invention, how would I try to do it?

Design the device using 3D printer software, and 3D print it.

What materials will I need to make my model?

Plastic filament

What equipment will I need to use to make my model?

Computer, 3D printer

What steps will I have to take to invent my model?

I’ll have to look at different umbrellas and their shapes and sizes and then look at vehicle frames and their design.  I can do some research on the internet.

What problems could come up (potentially)?

Umbrellas may not fit in the device because it’s not one size fits all.  Mounting the holder on different vehicles.

 

Who can I go to for help? (Besides Mr. Romani)

My dad.

Patently Perfect!

Going through the Trademark Process

Before you get too far along on your invention, it makes good sense to make sure that no one has come up with the same invention before.

I invented a means to view newborns in their baby seats. The problem I identified was baby seats for cars require you to place the baby facing towards the back of the vehicle. The problem here is you can’t see the baby directly, so it’s difficult to tell when the baby is choking, in an awkward position or may have torticollis. By inserting a mirror in the back corner of the car/vehicle and another one that clips onto the rear-view mirror, you can adjust them to see the baby easily from the front drivers seat. There’s a quick example for you…. And I had no idea until I became a father and experienced this situation.

To do this, you will need to visit the U.S. Patent Office online and search their patent database. The URL is https://www.uspto.gov/patents-application-process/search-patents

One you have found the site, quick on “quick search” Under – Searching Full Text Patents (Since 1976)

What is your invention about?

What words would you use to describe your invention? Using the answers to these two questions, generate 10 key words that relate to your inventive idea:

1.Smart	2.Innovative
3.Car	4.Handy
5.Vehicles	6.Umbrella
7.Holder	8.Child
9.Rain	10.Protection

 

Next, type these keywords into the search fields on the U.S. Patent Web site. Try different combinations of keywords two at a time. What patents so you find? Do any of them look like your invention? List the names of similar inventions below:

I found a patent for an umbrella holder that attaches to a backpack.  I didn’t find anything like my invention.