atomant

I have no hair so there is some similarities Wacky Races !! That was a must see cartoon that was and Penelope Pitstop ... oooooh what lips

Firstly, It's rare that I or my co-director patent inventions. I have filed a few (I have 2 currently pending right now), but that's nothing compared to my co-director who has a dozen or so. You know the thin self regulating heater strip that you get in your heated wing mirrors? Well he invented that ( He is a physicist though ) First thing to do is do a search by using the online facility at the UK Intellectual Property Office. Click Here . You need to see if your 'invention' has already been invented. This can take quite a while. A thorough search here will save you thousands and just takes your time. There may be something similar so check the claims of the patent versus what you would claim as the features of your invention that you want to protect. If they are similar it's likely you are wasting your time. If you cant find anything that is similar, its time for the next step which is to write the patent. I never do this. I always employ a patent agent to do it. You really need a well written patent if it is going to stand up against competition in the future and you guessed it, its not cheap but it will be worth it. You can read the full info here Patent Office Info There are a few things to bear in mind. You are not allowed to disclose your invention to anyone before it is filed. If you have made anything and sold a few to some people, then you can't patent it. It becomes what they term as in the public domain. Finally, what's more important is what are you going to do with your patent once you have it. Some people think they can invent something, get a patent and the money comes rolling in. Well, I can tell you, it doesn't work like that. You will need to get decent working prototypes and find funding ( if you need it that is) and define the market it will be sold in etc etc. If someone copies it and you want to contest it, expect HUGE legal costs. You could lose the case even if you are 100% in the right. If they are a big company, they will be able to afford it. You will be bankrupt. It sucks but thats how it is. This is a reason we don't even bother with some of our ideas. We just make it and get it out there as fast as possible and if its copied, then make something else and move on. Its only the products that we have to invest hundreds of thousands of pounds in designing and building where we need protection of a patent before we set out. I don't want to put you off but its not for the faint hearted. One last thing, an inventor normally sees all the good things in his/her invention. Family and friends will support them but its best to get it critically assessed for its viability before you go ahead. As an example, look at how many people go on X factor thinking they can sing because their friends and family didn't want to hurt their feelings! I hope that helps

Errrr . let me think.... now is it .... no, it's not that many....... Does IOW youths indoor count

HAHA I was waiting for that .. You surprised me ... you have a better memory than the average person of your senior age p.s. We are on form today

A builders labourer trying to tell me about engineering .. (no offence to other builders labourers of course only dabster)

....although that was no different to me 8 years ago and for the most part of my life before that to be honest.

I aim to lose around 1.1kg over a current 300 raga engine and approximately 30mm in width. I'm also toying with the idea of just 3 gears with a secondary selector for low/high range but I am still researching this idea. Ideally suited to the Scott for instance This project is just a hobby at this stage as my day job keeps me just a tad busy at the moment and engine development is VERY expensive so don't expect to see an Atom engine just yet. This is a 2 year project I think. If it is a success, I plan to take it commercial for all three disciplines Trials, Enduro & MX. If its not, then I will scrap it.

I'm probably in a position that if I sold up I could live out the rest of my life ok without having to work but the truth is, I love working. I like the interaction with people and customers and solving the problems, inventing new products and processes etc and generally being part of the cut & thrust of the world turning. I have felt the same doing the job I do when working for other people and getting a lot less money so its not cash related. I always think that for the best part of your life you are working so why not make it something you enjoy. Being happy in itself has proven to be good for your health so if you are happy in your work, then that should be a big consideration in deciding the job you do if possible IMHO

With all due respect, how have you come to make the statement that 6kgs is possible by what you have said alone.? Its ok adding some carbon bits and modifying the frame to make them lighter, but to lose 6kgs is very significant on a bike which is already very light in comparison to other machines. They of course have to maintain its strength as well. Assuming the frame is still made from the same material, it would surprise me if they could get away with more than 1Kg weight loss and maintain the necessary strength. In the exhaust system, Aluminium is nearly half the specific gravity of titanium so that means you would have to use less than half the material before you make weight savings. They would have been able to do that I would think but not a great deal. How much does a gear weigh? That would leave 3-4kg weight loss on the 'carbon bits' as you say.

They are talking about the bike being 62Kg in that write up. I can't see how they have managed that in those pictures. 6Kgs is a lot to lose.

That's what the government do except they do it slightly different, they take off the workers and give it to the scroungers.

Wouldn't it probably just be classed as kinky. ? Similar to wearing one piece suits bought in auctions I would imagine

That's what I said when I saw the Sherco 4T ..... Trouble is I bought one

Didn't know Andy & Jake were moving in together

the website is http://www.trialspace.co.uk/ although the link seems to be dead at the moment . Bikespace???

Yes , its the one you took the photos of during development

Well make sure you get XXL sizes

I wasn't that excited about it to be honest. After all, its only been around 100+ years

True! Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have

As he's approaching 50, he doesn't like being reminded Zippy

well....... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0Ocleo3YWg

Ahhh, but does this American fella know where Afghanistan is ?

Whilst I understand where you are coming from here, I would suggest you don't do anything that would negatively affect your current situation and your future. I would personally do the training then negotiate and if you put your case across effectively, you may make some headway. Failing that, you would now be in a stronger employable position and that is something that you may need. I think that every employee needs to constantly update their skills if they want to be employable in the future. Jobs for life are a thing of the past. I agree with the other stuff too. We all moan about it but how can you get anything done? where can we unite and fight it? Getting rid of this damn labour government has got to be step 1

I wish you had said this in the first post. This makes much more sense! You do make a valid point put like this I feel. It does seem short-sighted to pay the 3k (if thats what it costs) for you to do the training then risk you leaving to get recompense for it with another employer but saying that, I would personally still do the training. You effectively are more employable if anything should happen to your current employer.

But would you do the training. Do corgi qualified work but for the same money you are getting now?