You thread has me thinking. There are lots of "Rube Goldberg" things I know I've cobbled together in my day, and a few "I really should follow through with that" ideas I've had as I've wended my way through daily life. But I just can't recall any of them. Of course, the whole patent process is certainly a topic deserving of its own thread. You see shows like Shark Tank and wonder what risk-of-theft those folks are putting themselves at by displaying their new inventions on television. I'll keep trying to recall some of the things I've done or considered. My current inability to think of a single thing is sort of bothering me. As an aside, I've always admired the guy who invented these: It takes guts to look at something as universal, standard and entrenched as a paper clip and think "I can do better."
Tony, I'm sorry I missed the point of your thread. I will scratch my head...then post again, when I come up with a Creative thought or idea.
John, I believe some of the entrepreneurs on Shark Tank are there for the free advertising, they don't seem to be worried about knock offs. I contacted a manufacturer here on Long Island who makes inflatable boats, I had and idea for inflatable item to correct a pet peeve of mine. The owner of the company sounded very agreeable to meet with me to discuss my idea, however he was on his way to Asia to the manufacturing facility of his boats and would be back in two weeks, I should call him then to set up a meeting. I chickened out never followed up I'm sorry today I didn't. They say strike while the iron is hot well I missed my opportunity.
My attempt to describe the idea I had many years ago. I wanted to describe the idea I had to correct pet peeve I had with the pillow and cover for an above ground pool. Seems like every year I set this up and the cover would sink due to heavy rain or snow, pushing the water over the top of the pool, and leaving in the pool exposed to collect blowing leaves. I just made for a bigger cleanup job in the spring. My pools except for one were mostly circular. Picture a ribbed Dome floating on the inside of the circular pool. The ribs will be sealed at the peak of the Dome the other end would be attached to a tube that went around the inside perimeter of the pool. Between the ribs it would be a clear plastic sheets, the ribs and the tube would be inflated to open up the Dome, the bottom of the Dome where the tube is, would be a flap that hung over the outside edge of the pool. This flap would be grommet to secure the dome, and allow runoff drain to the outside of the pool. The key to keeping the Dome inflated would be a pump that is set to a specific PSI so no matter the temperature the rib will stay fully inflated. This dome will allow water to run off, snow to run off, Plus have the added advantage of heating the water in the pool in early spring because of the hot House Effect.