Of out-of-the-box climbing inventions

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 1 - 20 of total 56 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Jeffrey VanMiddlebrook

Boulder climber
Mountain View, CA
Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 16, 2013 - 07:49pm PT
You must forgive the unfettered audacity of the inventive mind -- which I possess in abundance and madness -- but eons ago I invented some unique climbing devices that never found their way into the marketplace for various reasons. One was a combination ascender-rapeller, the other a self-belaying system to allow any climber of any degree of skill to solo climb without fear of taking a screamer. I invented the combination device in 1979 and the solo-belay system in 1993. I named the solo-belay system "Solo-Dare", and filed the patent application accordingly.

My timing was just not right as what I confronted when I approached all the main players in the climbing equipment arena is that they were all moving away from high liability ideas, and my devices were seen as potentially of high liability.

So just as dozens of my inventions spanning several fields have been banished to my mildewed filing cabinets, those two climbing devices most likely shall never see the light of day again. Most prolific inventors understand this as very little of our unique ideas ever come to market. But the intellectual rush is in knowing nobody but you came up with the concept.
Norwegian

Trad climber
the tip of god's middle finger
Mar 16, 2013 - 07:52pm PT
you invented a device
that stripps the self-belayed climber
of any fear or regret?

i will begin praying to you tonight,
once im exhausted of my abundant sin.
Jeffrey VanMiddlebrook

Boulder climber
Mountain View, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 16, 2013 - 07:53pm PT
Funny response!! Love to swill a few brewskies with you!!
Norwegian

Trad climber
the tip of god's middle finger
Mar 16, 2013 - 07:57pm PT
im a big fan of the silent partner,
though i most emphatically harbor fear
when im driving and she's braking.


beers. they are readily consumed without trepidation.
who invented the fearlessly-swilled beer?
Prod

Trad climber
Mar 16, 2013 - 08:02pm PT
According to Czech legend, deity Radegast, god of hospitality, invented beer.

Prod.
Jeffrey VanMiddlebrook

Boulder climber
Mountain View, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 16, 2013 - 08:05pm PT
The only problem with a silent partner (in and out of bed) is the lack of that very twisted and morbid sense of humor that flows so freely with the flood of adrenalin.
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Mar 16, 2013 - 08:06pm PT
It's never let me down so to speak...

Now. JVM, If you ever need beta testers....
Norwegian

Trad climber
the tip of god's middle finger
Mar 16, 2013 - 08:07pm PT
i named my daughter annapurna,
after the goddess of substance;
the provider of harvest.

i didn't realize that i was
assigning her such an exaggerated expectation;
i merely threw a monumental hissy-fit
when my wife won the name-the-child coin toss.
Jeffrey VanMiddlebrook

Boulder climber
Mountain View, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 16, 2013 - 08:08pm PT
Damn, Norwegian, you's a poet and don't know it!!
Peter Haan

Trad climber
Santa Cruz, CA
Mar 16, 2013 - 08:14pm PT
I am with eKat; make this real
Jeffrey VanMiddlebrook

Boulder climber
Mountain View, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 16, 2013 - 08:17pm PT
Wish I could post it, but I abandoned the application when all the manufacturers turned me down. If you know the "game" then you know that you begin the patent process to acquire "patent pending" status then you start trolling for interest hopefully via NDAs. I got nowhere after the NDA level because my Solo-Dare system was seen as potentially of high liability because it promoted solo climbing which the industry does not want to promote.

A wise general knows when to retreat. Now I invent in arenas where liability is not a major concern, like the plumbing industry, CO2 sequestration, automotive security systems, and so on.
Brandon-

climber
The Granite State.
Mar 16, 2013 - 08:21pm PT
Open Source.
Jeffrey VanMiddlebrook

Boulder climber
Mountain View, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 16, 2013 - 08:26pm PT
When one knows that his/her idea/concept/invention is never going to make it into the marketplace then one can choose to bury the idea out of ego, or one can "gift" it to the Universe. I will now gift my Solo-Dare to the climbing world right here on this website.

Picture hydraulic-activated camming devices linked together via ultra-lightweight cable with the "master cylinder" on your harness.

That's the only crumb I will give you. There's a lot more to the system, a lot more versatility, but if you've got an inventive mind you should be able to deduce a fair picture of the system.
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Mar 16, 2013 - 08:37pm PT
Beer was a byproduct of the construction of the pyramids, but coz needs to get into the fish tale spirit if he wants somebody to buy him a brew. lol
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
Mar 16, 2013 - 08:38pm PT

Where the heck have you been, Prod?????
Norwegian

Trad climber
the tip of god's middle finger
Mar 16, 2013 - 08:39pm PT
god already claimed your patent.
i have a hydraulic-actuated master cylinder,
it lives right near my tie in point.
it rearranges stars.

it is impartial to solo travel
or engagement with a partner.

no disrespect.
im sure that you're a smart cookie.

you are just way f*#king bizarre,
like most of us here.
Jeffrey VanMiddlebrook

Boulder climber
Mountain View, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 16, 2013 - 08:40pm PT
Rush to judgement, Coz? You've no doubt availed yourself of some of my inventions and you don't even know it. Ever used a chainsaw? I invented a safety device for chainsaws in 1972 when you probably didn't even know what a chainsaw is. Do you use modern plumbing? Well, I'm currently in negotiations with the #1 plumbing products manufacturer in the US to begin production on a sewage device that most likely will protect you someday from poop invading your home. My oldest son is taking the charge to get my retro-fit fit-all anti-carjack security device to market, a device you might someday have on your car. Need I go on? Don't be so cynical.
drljefe

climber
El Presidio San Augustin del Tucson
Mar 16, 2013 - 08:45pm PT
this thread's weird.
Brandon-

climber
The Granite State.
Mar 16, 2013 - 08:48pm PT
Super weird.

Jeffrey VanMiddlebrook

Boulder climber
Mountain View, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 16, 2013 - 08:49pm PT
Belmont, as in SF Bay Area? Methinks an old friend of mine -- Greg Schaffer -- was co-owner of the Belmont Climbing Gym. I know he asked me once about some engineering issues on that building when it was under construction. He also was partners in Planet Granite and Rockzilla, but I think he divested himself of all climbing gyms investments.

Haven't seen Greg since 2007 when we went to a HAI pool party at a Woodside estate. Still in constant contact with his twin brother Jeffrey, the well-known hiking guide author and maverick geologist.
Messages 1 - 20 of total 56 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta