Final IP

The School of Design, Engineering & Computing
Bournemouth University
Talbot Campus
Dorset
BH12 5BB
20 March 2014,
Dear DEC Students,
Application for product protection
Following our previous conversations Id like to issue the following advice.
There are multiple ways to protect your intellectual property relating to your products, they have
respective strengths and weaknesses but all should be given consideration.
The first avenue to explore is patenting. When you acquire a patent you are acquiring a strong legal
right to exclusively use your invention for 20 years, it will also give you the right to take legal action
should somebody exploit your invention without consent.
To be patentable, your invention must not have been seen anywhere prior to your application. It is
for this reason that it is vitally important that you do not publish or present your invention to the
public before submitting an application. You must also demonstrate inventive step by illustrating
that your invention is not an obvious one, or not an invention that a person in the relevant field
would consider to be obvious. Some inventions, such as some methods of medical treatment, cannot
be patented, a full list of non-patentable inventions can be found at the UKIPO website.
A patent needs to be registered; you can do this at the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) in
England, with other jurisdictions using their own offices. If youre unsure as to where you require
protection, it could be prudent to remember that you have a one year grace period to file
internationally after applying in the UK.
Its worth noting that while a patent does confer solid legal rights, there are negatives to be aware
of. It can take thousands of pounds and many years to successfully file a patent, and an application
for a patent doesnt necessarily guarantee acceptance. Furthermore, any information contained in
your patent will be accessible to the general public.

You may also want to look into trademarks. Trademarks can cover the words, designs, logos, ect.
Providing they distinguish your invention/company from others. Theyre useful because they can
create a link between you and your clients while suggesting quality and distinguishing yourself from
competitors. They also infer a title which makes legal proceedings simpler. Once registered you can
defend your trademark against unauthorised use relatively easily.
You can register your trademark at the UKIPO, the process usually takes around 9 months. Once
registered you will have your trademark for 10 years, this can be renewed indefinitely assuming you
are continuing to extensively use it.
Our ref: 40235
Please check the UKIPO website to find an appropriate class for your trademark, there are 45 classes
which group trademarks based on their subject-area, you can apply to more than one class, however
its worth noting that applying to multiple classes will increase the cost of registration. It costs just
under 200 to register your trade mark, with another 50 per additional class. Its worth applying for
multiple classes in order to increase your protection.
When registering make sure that your trademark is a distinctive one which cant be confused with
other products .
Once registered, you may use the symbol where your trademarked IP is shown. This will illustrate
your protection over your IP and should prevent copying.
You also have the option of copyrighting your work. Copyright can cover your literary, typographic or
similar creative works with rights arising automatically when that work is created. Copyright is useful
because it solidifies your legal right to identify yourself as the creator of your works as well as
protecting your works from unauthorised use. Copyright doesnt stop anybody from borrowing your
ideas or producing similar works but it does prevent copying.
Your work may qualify for protection assuming your work is published in the UK first or within 30
days of publishing abroad, if you dont do this the other countrys copyright law will apply.
You cant copyright an idea because copyright is intended to protect the skill and labour you put in
to your idea, so youll need something tangible such as a written document or packaging design. You
can copyright anything that has been written down or published, assuming that it was published in
the UK and not copied from another party. The work needs to have taken some judgement or skill
in its creation.
Your works need to be original, that is to say that it must originate from you or your company
without copying any other works.
In the UK there is no requirement to register your copyright, the rights arise as soon as pen is put to
paper or fingers to keyboard. However, there are companies where you can register your copyright
should you wish, these companies will store a copy of your works which can be used as evidence of
your ownership over them. This can cost anywhere from 40 upwards.
You can express your copyright by using the symbol on your works.
Copyright protection will apply for 70 years after the creator dies in most circumstances, sound
recordings are protected for 50 years following the creators death.
Although it is essentially free to copyright your work, its worth remembering that there will be costs
associated with enforcing your copyright, and that it is your duty to prove infringement on the
balance of probabilities.

You may also be able to protect your invention's design. UKIPO defines a registered design as a 'legal
right which protects the overall visual appearance of a product or a part of a product in the country
or countries you register it'. Protection is given to the appearance of the product, taking into account
factors like shape, colour, size, ect.
To successfully register your design it must be new and appear to be different from other known
designs. It can't be too similar to anything seen before in the UK or European Economic Area, if the
product has been disclosed publicly by the designer there is a 1 year window to register.
You needn't necessarily register your design to afford protection. The UK Design Right provides an
exclusive right against copying for 15 years. It would cover the appearance of your product, but not
the product itself. The right is automatically created when the product is so there is no requirement
for registration. It's arguably harder to enforce, however, as it is up to you to prove that your design
was intentionally copied. Registered designs do not carry this requirement. By registering your
design you can an extra 10 years of protection (registered designs can be renewed every five years
up until 25 years) and monopoly protection for your design, it is for these reasons I suggest
registering your design. It costs 60 to register.

You are able to use multiple kinds of protection for the same product. So you could patent your
product, register a trademark and design rights, as well as registering copyright protection. This is
called bundling and is common practice. One example would be the iPod. Apple have a registered
design which covers the appearance of the product, copyright covers the name and branding which
are also registered trademarks, and the actual functionality and workings of the device are patented.
It is a very good idea to try and protect your product in as many different ways as possible as this will
support any legal action you may need to take in the course of protecting your product.

Kind regards,

Jamie Koronkiewicz

(1222 words)

Legal References

Patents in the UK are regulated by the Patents Act 1977 (PA) and the Copyright,
Designs and Patents act 1988, although the Patent Act 1949 and related judgements
are still used for interpretation. The European Patent Convention is also applicable.
S25 PA 1977 provides that a granted patent provides a monopoly for an invention for
20 years
Section 1 of PA 1977 provides the four requirements for a patentable invention. The
invention must be new (not part of the state of the art/without prior art), have
inventive step (not obvious to a person skilled in the art), be capable of industrial
application, and not involve any excluded material (described in s1(1) PA 1977).
In order to avoid being part of the state of the art, I have advised DEC students to
take care to avoid making their invention public until after a patent application has
been submitted.
All of the inventions from DEC students are product inventions rather than process
inventions.
Methods of medical treatment are not patentable. The 2004 Patents Act added to the
PA 1977 by providing that the invention of medical treatment...by therapyis not
patentable (section 4A(1)). However, this only applies to methods of treatment, not
the materials or tools used in the course of treatment (Section 4A(2)). This applies
directly to the Dyspraxia wristband, which is used to help make writing easier for
children who suffer from Dyspraxia. Were it not for the explicit exclusion in Section
4A(2) this product would not be patentable.
It is likely that as DEC students invented their products independently they will own
the patent themselves, however if they have been given help they may have to
accept joint ownership. This seems unlikely to be the case as it appears they have
only sought information about the problem rather than help with designing or
inventing products which solve the problem.

Copyright Law in the UK is largely governed by the Copyright, Designs and Patents
Act (CDPA) 1988, with the Copyright Act 1911 and Copyright Act 1956 continuing to
give some legal guidance. Copyright covers literary, dramatic, artistic or musical
works, the typographical arrangement of published editions, sound recordings, films,
or broadcasts
1
. The DEC students will likely use copyright to protect their branding,
logo and packaging.
A work may qualify for protection if it is published in the UK (s155). Under s175 (1)
issuing copies of the work to the public constitutes publication, but merely distributing
to a small class of people is insufficient (Infabrics Ltd v Jaytex Shirt Ltd [1982]
2
).
Green v New Zealand Broadcasting
3
held that an idea alone cannot be copyrighted;
it is the labour and skill used with the idea which is protectable. Even if the idea is
mundane and uninspired, there will be protection assuming that some skill or effort is
used in the works creation.
4

The work must be original only in the sense that it should originate from the author.
5

One of the students is using sound recordings in their invention to help blind children
learn numbers. These recordings will be protected for 50 years .

Registered trademarks are governed by the Trade Marks Act 1994 (replacing the
1938 Act) which gives effect to the Madrid Protocol for the Registration of Marks
Internationally. They are used as a guarantee of the origin of goods, covering most
identifiers of a business such as logo, branding, use of colours, etc.
The registered trademark is protected from unauthorised use under s 103(2).

1
Section 1(1) Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
2
Infabrics Ltd v Jaytex Shirt Ltd [1982] AC 1.
3
[1989] 2 All ER 1056.
4
Independent Television Productions v Time Out [1984] FSR 64
5
University of London Press Ltd v University Tutorial Press [1916] 2 Ch 601.
The Trade Mark Rules 1994 established the 42 classes of goods/services. I
recommended applying to multiple classes to maximise protection.
Phillips Electronics BV v Remington Consumer Products
6
held that a trade mark
must indicate where the product originated, not just the nature of the product. It must
also have distinctive character
7
and not only show descriptive elements
8
.
Section 9 of the TMA 1994 gives the trademark owner exclusive rights to the trade
mark in the UK. Infringement cannot occur until the mark is registered
9
.

Designs can be registered under the Registered Designs Act 1949 (RDA). Section 1
of the RDA defined a registrable design as features of shape, configuration, or
ornament applied to an article by an industrial process, being features which in the
finished article appeal to and are judged by the eye. Isaac Oren v Red Box Toy
Factory
10
held that the eye is the eye of customers or potential customers. Ford
Motor Co Ltds Design Applications [1995]
11
held that the design must be an
independent article rather than a part of a larger article, however the EC Design
Directive made this redundant by including any item intended to be assembled into
a complex product.
S 2(1) RDA provides that the person who created the design owns the design right.
Unregistered designs are protected under s 213(2) CDPA and give the owner of an
unregistered design exclusive rights to reproduce their design, but during litigation
they must establish copying. To be protected a design must be recorded in a
document.
It should also be original and come from the designer
12
, not be subject to exclusion,
and qualify for protection under s 213(5).

6
(1999) 91 FCR 167.
7
Froot Loops Trade Mark [1998] RPC 240.
8
Re Jeryl Lynn Trade Mark (1999) 49 BMLR 92.
9
Origins Natural Resources Inc v Origin Clothing Ltd [1995] FSR 280.
10
[1999] FSR 785.
11
RPC 167.
12
C and H Engineering v Klucznic [1992] FSR 421
Bibliography
Statutes
Copyright Act 1911.
Copyright Act 1956.
Copyright and Related Rights Regulations 2003.
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Digital Economy Act 2010.
Patent Act 1949.
Patent Act 1977.
Patent Co-operation Treaty.
Patent Law Treaty.
Patents Act 2004.
Registered Designs Act 1949.
Trade Mark Rules 1994.
Trade Marks Act 1938.
Trade Marks Act 1994.
Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights 1994.
International
Council Directive 89/04/EEC.
EC Design Directive (98/71).
European Patent Convention.
Madrid Protocol for the Registration of Marks Internationally.

Cases
Actavis UK Ltd v Novartis AG [2010] EWCA Civ 82.
C and H Engineering v Klucznic [1992] FSR 421.
Conor Medsystems Inc. v Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc. [2008] UKHL 49.
Ford Motor Co Ltds Design Applications [1995] RPC 167.
Green v New Zealand Broadcasting Corp [1989] 2 All ER 1056.
Haberman v Jackel International [1999] FSR 683.
Independent Television Productions v Time Out [1984] FSR 64.
Isaac Oren v Red Box Toy Factory [1999] FSR 785.
Molnycke v Procter & Gamble [1994] RPC 49.
Phillips Electronics BV v Remington Consumer Products (1999) 91 FCR 167.
Raychem Corporations Patent [1998] RPC 31.
Research Corporation/Publication T381/87 [1989] EPOR 138.
Schering AG's Application [1971] F.S.R. 383.
Stafford-Miller Ltd's Applications [1984] F.S.R. 258.
Technograph Printed Circuits Ltd v. Mills & Rockley (Electronics) Ltd [1972] PPC 346, HL.
Windsurfing v Tabur Marine [1985] RPC 5.
Wyeth (John) & Brother Ltd's Application, Schering AG's Application [1985] RPC 54.
Actavis UK Ltd v Novartis AG [2010] EWCA Civ 82.
C and H Engineering v Klucznic [1992] FSR 421.
Conor Medsystems Inc. v Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc. [2008] UKHL 49.
Ford Motor Co Ltds Design Applications [1995] RPC 167.
Green v New Zealand Broadcasting Corp [1989] 2 All ER 1056.
Haberman v Jackel International [1999] FSR 683.
Independent Television Productions v Time Out [1984] FSR 64.
Isaac Oren v Red Box Toy Factory [1999] FSR 785.
Molnycke v Procter & Gamble [1994] RPC 49.
Phillips Electronics BV v Remington Consumer Products (1999) 91 FCR 167.
Raychem Corporations Patent [1998] RPC 31.
Research Corporation/Publication T381/87 [1989] EPOR 138.
Schering AG's Application [1971] F.S.R. 383.
Stafford-Miller Ltd's Applications [1984] F.S.R. 258.
Technograph Printed Circuits Ltd v. Mills & Rockley (Electronics) Ltd [1972] PPC 346, HL.
Windsurfing v Tabur Marine [1985] RPC 5.
Wyeth (John) & Brother Ltd's Application, Schering AG's Application [1985] RPC 5455.

IPL/DEC Collaboration project enquiry form
Group E

This form is designed to give us a general idea of the nature of your product to help us to
identify the kind of intellectual property protection that may be available to you. Please go
into as much detail as you can and return the completed form to
i7085015@bournemouth.ac.uk by Friday February 28
th
2014 at the latest.

Name
Haytam Abdelmouttalib

1. Your product name (if applicable).

2. Description.
(Please give a brief description outlining the problem the product/design solves, how
it works etc.)

The Warehouse Trolley Lift is a warhouse/stockroom trolley that has a built in load lifting system. Its
function is to allow the user to lift loads onto warehouse shelves.

3. Briefly explain how the idea for the design/product came about and how the
product was developed.

Throughout visits to different companies warehouses, including Sainsburys, M&S, Debenhams, John
Lewis, and others. I noted that workers in charge of loading and unloading goods had to manually lift
the boxes, typically in this method. Warehouse workers would unload boxes at the loading bay onto
a trolley. This meant that they had to pick up a box take a few steps and bend down to the level of
the trolley to place it. Once the trolley is loaded, they push the trolley to the required shelf and once
again bend down to pick up the box/s and lift them to a shelf. Lower level and higher shelves were
more difficult to put the boxes in. The workers complained of back pain and knee pain.

Larger warehouses tend to use forklifts and that was mainly for very large loads, furthermore a
trained forklift operator must be present. Smaller and medium size warehouses cannot contain a
forklift.

4. How far into the development of your design/product are you?
The final design is in final CAD model

5. Please briefly detail any resources used in the development of your
design/product.
Solidworks

6. Has the product been wholly designed by you? If not please provide details.
(Any persons who contributed to the design and or development and the nature of
their involvement)
Yes

7. Have you published or disclosed your design/product publically or plan to do
so? If so please provide details.
(includes posters, magazine and web articles, oral presentations, discussions)

Graded Presentation in front of staff and student.
8. Are you aware of any competing or similar inventions, products or services? If
so, please provide details.

The closest that I have found would be:

"POWER STOCKER" LIFT -http://vistamation.com/products/lifts/power-stocker-lift/

FOOT PUMP SCISSOR TABLE LIFT - http://vistamation.com/products/lifts/foot-pump-
scissor-table/

9. How does your design/product differ from any competing inventions, products
or services?

Includes many features in one:
Has lifting mechanism, rollers on the top platform, rubber around the trolley to absorb impact
in case of collision, has a fold out step to give user extra height.

10. Have you conducted any searches for existing IP using the relevant
databases?
(For example through the Intellectual Property Office)

No

11. Which specific aspects of your design/product require protection?

All the technologies/mechanisms used in the trolley exist in some form in another product,
however The combination of all features into one does not exist.

12. Would you prioritise any one aspect of your design/product above another?

From most important to least:
Scissor lift mechanism,
Rollers on platform
Fold out step
Rubber around

13. Is your design/product easily reverse-engineered or copied?

yes

14. Have you already taken any steps to protect your design/product? If so please
provide details.
no

15. For how long will you be seeking protection for your design/product?

20 years

16. In which jurisdictions will you be seeking protection for your design/product?
(UK only, European or worldwide)

UK only

17. Do you have any initial thoughts on how you see the IP in your design/product
being exploited?
(IP licensing, IP sale, own manufacturing and sale etc.)
Licencing, ip sale

18. Have you or will you be using any pre-existing IP in your design/product? If so
please provide details.
(Sounds, images, circuit diagrams etc.)

no

19. Approximately how much money are you prepared to spend in order to protect
your product?

5-8 K

20. Are you looking for financial assistance for the marketing or continuing design
of your product?

No, to pitched to companies that already sell similar items

21. Please disclose any other information that may be relevant to the protecting of
this product.

IPL/DEC Collaboration project enquiry
form
Group E

th
2014 at the latest.
Name
Joanna Bond

Early Learning Braille- Number blocks

2. Description.
it works etc.)

Help to introduce reading braille as a skill at a younger age to help development later on for
a quicker progression. Due to lack of visual stimuli to aid learning, focusing on other senses
audio and tactile. Product introduces braille numeral sign and numbers 1-10, the product
consists of 10 blocks and a base with 10 buttons, initially learning using the number line on
the product surface, the child then will take the blocks with individual braille numbers on top
out of the base, they then press the buttons in the base and an audio number will be given
which they must match to the braille number block. The product has two settings 1. Audio
numbers given in order sequence 1-10. 2. Audio numbers are given in sudo random order
(any audio number given when any button is presses), to reinforce their learning. In keeping
with the curriculum expected at at 4-5yrs in reception level, also for when the child is
deemed cognitively at the level of a 4-5yr old as its common for other disabilities to be
present.


Looked in disabilities and for product solutions, visited a local centre for visually impaired
and it was clear the lack of people with braille as a means communication/reading. Chose
early intervention as the best solution as child may have some level sight which will later
deteriorate. Choose a simple educational task to fit in with schooling curriculums and
activities for inclusion. Product is for individual or group use and doesnt require a braille
specialist to use (i.e. parents/siblings/sighted classmates). Through extensive research into
my market and meeting with people who knew and who wished they had learned braille and
used their feedback to make alterations.


The product has been designed for manufacture, aesthetic design is complete and 3D
models are produced, 2D general and sub assembly drawings will need to be made up next
which would be used in the production process.

design/product.

Online resources i.e. RNIB, books on psychology i.e colours. Brought in electronics parts for
quoting on alibaba.

their involvement)
Product is solely my design, however have had a small level guidance by lecturers and
reassurance in the detail the internals of my design and the electronics.


Product is not published or disclosed to others outside the university (PD and lecturers have
seen visuals and presentations). For quoting purposes 3D models on computer have been
disclosed to my old work placement. All will be publicly on show at the FODI (design show)
in June where colleagues, classmates and businesses with see.


Toys products exist with numbers and audio sounds, have researched and have not yet
found anything which does all my product does in terms random sequencing and relating to
braille. There are not many specific toys braille tailored to youngster.

or services?

More focused to young learners, educational learning toy with random sequencing to
reinforce learning and audio rewards given as encouragement.

databases?

No, but am aware of patents etc.


Maybe the name and potentially logo/brand when completed. Unsure whether can protect
electronic circuit diagram? General appearance of base with 10 slots for 10 blocks- made for
manufacture base is 2 parts in line of draw. The details on blocks sides for tactile textures.


The braille blocks 1-10 as they can be a product on their own without the base (electronics).


I think so as I have used basic rectangular, cube shaping. Electronics could be simplified by
potential alternative solutions.

provide details.

Only via copyright dwgs/visuals have name and year on bottom.


The product would most likely be in manufacture for 3 years due to quick turnaround of toys.

Product is to be sold year1-3 in UK only, but to fit in with CE standards for Europe so would
need to consider protection in EU with variations to product made i.e. audio sound/language.

being exploited?

I would most likely IP licensing unless the right company approached me for IP sale.


Not that I am aware, circuit diagram etc will be designed and produced myself, audio sounds
in manufacture would be recorded by myself and programmed.

your product?

Unknown at this stage.

of your product?

Not likely to pursue until definite interest is known.

this product.

Group E

th
2014 at the latest.

Name Matthew Barney


Dyspraxia Handwriting Aid

23. Description.
it works etc.)

The product is to be used by children at school in years 3 -5 who have Dyspraxia. Dyspraxia
is a condition that effects a persons hand eye coordination, fine motor skills, visual
perception and balance. My product is strictly aimed at helping the user who has Dyspraxia
with their handwriting. How I hope to achieve this is by providing the user with a stable and
fluid motion that is need for handwriting. As well as aiding the user physically I aim to provide
the user with a set of rulers that will encourage the leaning and growth of letter formation.
The aid itself will work by keeping the users wrist firmly on the table. It will achieve this by
placing a weight inside the product and the product will also have a flat bottom. The rulers
will work by allowing the user to practice their muscle memory and bimanual skills.


The idea first came from me looking at my own handwriting which is very scruffy so I thought
I wonder if I could make a product to help. After researching handwriting and the mechanics
of handwriting generally I discovered that there were actually a number of disorders that can
affect people more severely than just having scruffy handwriting. After researching these
disorders further I decided that Dyspraxia was a plausible and reasonable disorder to focus
my product around. From here I have been designing my product to fulfil the requirements of
people who have Dyspraxia.


My product is fully designed and is only undergoing minor changes in order to make
manufacturing or materials cheaper. I am also designing the packaging for the product. I
have received quotes for all components for my product.

design/product.

One of my main sources of information is Wendy Joy who works at Total Childrens Therapy
in Bournemouth. She has provided me with information about Dyspraxia and ways in which
occupational therapists help people deal with their problems. Some other sources I have
used to gather information are: NHS Direct, Dyspraxia Foundation and specialdirect.com

their involvement)

The product has been wholly designed by me. As stated in section 5 Wendy Joy from total
childrens therapy has been giving me guidance and advice but has in no way help design or
develop the product itself.


I have presented my product in front of lecturers and colleagues at the university.


I am unaware of any other products that are the same as mine. There could be some
similarities between mine and others. For example I have a weighted system inside the
product. This is used to keep the users arm on the table. The other products that I have seen
similar to this is a weighted pen and a wrist strap that is weighted with sand.

or services?

The main way my product is different from others that are being sold currently is that it is
worn on the wrist and is adjustable for any user. It also differs from others as the weight
system is interchangeable allowing other users to make it as comfortable as possible for
them to use.

databases?

I have researched the name of Dyspraxia handwriting Aid and no results were found to be
existing.


The sliding finger support that extends so that it will fit multiple users.

The interchangeable weight system that is used to keep the users wrist on the table.


I would say the interchangeable weight system is more important than the sliding finger
support.


I would say that my design is relatively easy to copy.

provide details.

No.


3 Years.


UK only.

being exploited?

I think that the weight system in my product would be desirable to copy as it is a proven
method that is used to help people with Dyspraxia and their handwriting. I also think that the
sliding finger support would be desirable to copy as it allows other users to use the product.


I am buying in and using a third party replica of the wii remote controller strap for my
product. This is used on my product as a safety feature to secure the product to the users
arm should the product become detached from the users arm. I am also using a design
found in mobile phone to connect the strap to the product.

your product?

I would not have a limit as to how much I would spend to protect the product.

of your product?

No.


this product.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Group E

th
2014 at the latest.

Name Daniel Booth


44. Description.
it works etc.)
Problems surrounding the watering of hanging baskets are the height in which they hang.
The current means of watering hanging baskets are using watering cans. Using these
products to water hanging baskets is very impractical due to the height of the baskets.
Anything above shoulder height can cause many problems for the end user. Lifting heavy
watering cans to shoulder height has the potential to cause injury this is cause for concern
with the target market are between the ages of 60-85.
The product uses a simple plunger mechanism that pushes the water from the holding
unit up to the basket, with ease.

The idea originated from my grandmother. She has several hanging baskets located around
the house. She uses rudimentary methods to water them (bucket, pint glass or watering
can), which isnt the most sensible method for an 80 year old woman.
My idea began in September as a pressurised unit. A system where pressure is forced
into the main unit by using a pumping action. This idea was ditched after I found it required a
fair amount of effort to generate enough pressure to water a hanging basket.
It now uses a different system that pushes the water up to the basket. It means the end user
may only need to push once to empty the container.

In the final stages. Just putting finishing touches on the product so it is read for manufacture.

design/product.
Questionnaires were used to obtain primary research on specifications on the product. Apart
from that I have mainly used internet research.

their involvement)
Its been wholly designed by me.

No I have not published anything. Depending on the success of the product I may wish to
publish it.

Yes there are some similar products out there. However products on the market resemble that of
professional solutions, too complicated and expensive for the amateur elderly gardener. They do not
make any attempt to be aesthetically pleasing or obviously present the way in which they can be used.
The current competitors also do not specifically address the issue of watering hanging baskets but
offer a general solution for watering or fertilizing large areas of a garden.
HoZelock (garden sprayers)
Kingfisher (pressure sprayers)

or services?
these existing products still use the pressurised system that I looked at in September. My design now
uses plunger method to move the water from the main unit up to the basket.

databases?

No.

Potentially the plunger mechanism.

Ease of use is crucial. It needs to be simple and effortless.

Yes potentially

provide details.
No not yet

I would like to protect my design for 10+ years


UK only

being exploited?

No sorry. I have no idea.

no

your product?
If necessary 1000

of your product?
If it passes the next stage, yes.

this product.

Group E

th
2014 at the latest.

Name George Bowles

Project Name: Stand Up Paddleboard Transportation

2. Description.
it works etc.)

My project is looking at the problem of transportation of SUP (Stand Up Paddle) boards.
SUP boarding involves standing on a large surfboard between 9 and 12ft, and paddling with
a single fined paddle on either side of the board. This sport has taken off massively in the
mid 2000s, and is now participated in by all ages and abilities at various locations including
flat water cruising in urban environments.
One problem with SUP boarding is because the boards are large and can weigh up to 15Kg,
they are hard to carry any distance, this is made worse by the fact than less able beginners
require larger boards for buoyancy. With the inclusion of the paddle the user only has one
hand free to put round the board and carry via the carry handle. This puts strain on one side
of the body and is uncomfortable after a very short distance.
The solution is as set of wheels, which can be attached to the board to help move it to the
waters edge with ease. The product clamps around the tail of the board and is universal
across a wide range of boards, and includes a pair of 9 wheels which are compact and
lightweight yet provide good performance over various terrain. The user simply holds the
front of the board with their spare hand, and 60% of the board weight is transferred to the
wheels at the rear. Once the user has reached the water, the product folds up such that it
can be stored, or taken out on the water with the user if necessary. The product has no
loose parts, and can be folded from transportation and paddling mode in a matter of
seconds. The materials and mechanism selected are such that the product will require little
or no maintenance, and will have a long service life.

The idea for the product came through first-hand experience, I own two SUP boards and
have participated in the sport at various locations. Whilst carrying the board from the car
park to the beach I realised there was an opportunity for a product to help solve this
transportation problem. The product was then developed though making simple test rigs and
testing them on the board, this was the easiest way to determine which ideas worked and
which did not.


The product is almost fully developed, I have designed all the mechanisms and are at the
stage of test rigging them and finalising the various materials and exact dimensions.

design/product.

The resources used in the research for this project included local watersports shops, H20
Wattersports Poole, as well as online material. Uk SUP boarding association. Concept
testing own test rigs over various terrain.

their involvement)

This product has been wholly designed by me yes.


Not yet, although we will be showing at the festival of design at uni in June. I also plan to
include in my personal portfolio published online.


There are competitiors for this product yes. The major competitors are Supwheels
(http://www.supwheels.com/SUP_Carrier.html) and the Mule
(http://www.muletransportsystems.com/)

or services?

The ability for quickly and seamlessly switch between transporting your board and paddling
it, and the ability to take the product out on the water with you if necessary.

databases?

No.


None that I am aware of.


Not really, possibly the mechanism which allows the product to be clamped around the rail of
the board.


Yes.

provide details.

No.

5 years?


Western Europe and the USA are the predominant SUP boarding market

being exploited?

No.


No.

your product?

1000 (In theory)

of your product?

No.

this product.

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