| Manually operated Tyre Bead Breaker Invented and patented by Fintan Mc Wall. (Patent No. GB2334243)
Theysay that “many great discoveries are made by accident” and the invention of the tyre bead breaker could be considered as one such example. The problem
As any farmer probably knows, one of the most difficult tasks in fixing punctured tractor tyres is in separating (or bead breaking) the tyre in off the rim to gain access to the inner tube for puncture repair or removal of the tyre from the wheel rim etc.
The most commonly used method of DIY puncture repair to tractor tyres is to remove the wheel from the vehicle, layit flat on the ground and use a sledge hammer and chisel (or short length of angle iron) to break in the tyre off the rim. Considerable effort and time is required with this process and could take over an hour to complete depending on how stubborn or tight the tyre is on the rim. Back in the mid 1980’s Fintan’s father was using this ‘hammer and chisel’ method ona particularly old and stubborn tyre when the head of the sledge hammer came off, bounced on the tyre and struck him in the face, resulting in a visit to hospital for some stitches.
Thesolution Fintan thought that there must be an easier and safer way to do this job, and set about sketching some ideas down on paper. The design parameters were set out i.e. the device had to be simple, portable, manually powered and require no other tools to operate it. Prototypes were made, tested and refined until a successful solution was found. The next step in the process was to consider the possibility of patenting and making the product into a commercial success.
ThePatent process In order to protect and gauge the possible commercial potential of the Tyre Bead Breaker, and based on the positive prototype tests conducted, it was decided that the best course of action was to apply for patent protection.
A preliminary investigation into the possible costs of patenting the device showed that it is both a costly and time consuming exercise. With this in mind, the Local Enterprise and Development Unit (LEDU) were contacted for possible financial assistance. Fintan produced a video in order to demonstrate how the device worked and its advantages. A technical appraisal interview was arranged by LEDU who subsequently made a recommendation to the Business Innovation Link (BIL) for further assistance. Following the video and prototype demonstration to BIL, they arranged for the Industrial Research and Technology Unit (IRTU) to conduct a prior art / patent search update. This search yielded no additional devices to that already known. Following the results of the patent search update, BIL provided some financial assistance and arranged for a patent agent to conduct a preliminary patentability opinion. The patent agent considered that the Tyre Bead Breaker was novel over prior art and contained several inventive steps. The question of patent infringement was investigated and accordingly did not reveal any patents/patent applications which would be a barrier to the manufacture and/or marketing of the device. With this in mind it was decided to proceed with a provisional patent application. Having a provisional patent application on file enabled the legend ‘Patent Pending’ to be used. It established a filing date and also provided a twelve month period in which the market potential for the device could be assessed before having to commit to any further patent related costs. Following the results of the patent search update, BIL provided some financial assistance and arranged for a patent agent to conduct a preliminary patentability opinion. The patent agent considered that the Tyre Bead Breaker was novel over prior art and contained several inventive steps. The question of patent infringement was investigated and accordingly did not reveal any patents/patent applications which would be a barrier to the manufacture and/or marketing of the device. With this in mind it was decided to proceed with a provisional patent application. Having a provisional patent application on file enabled the legend ‘Patent Pending’ to be used. It established a filing date and also provided a twelve month period in which the market potential for the device could be assessed before having to commit to any further patent related costs. The Marketing process
With the provisional patent application filed and the legend ‘Patent Pending’ on the device, a twelve month period was available to gauge the potential market and decide on the next course of action. The following steps were taken: - A detailed manufacturing cost analysis was produced for the device in order to get an idea of the possible selling price.
- The device was entered into the farm inventions competition held at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) Balmoral Show, Belfast, to gauge potential end user reaction. The device was demonstrated on a large rear tractor wheel held safely within a purpose made stand. Leaflets outlining the advantages and inviting trade enquiries were distributed.
- Various farming and trade magazines were looked at with a view to contacting them about promoting /featuring the device.
Entering the RUAS Balmoral Show at Belfast proved to be very positive. The device was awarded first prize in the competition and potential end user reaction was very encouraging. Several potential trade contacts were made and enquiries were received following the show. The Tyre Bead Breaker became a credible device with goodmarket potential.
Theroute to market & Licensing Consideration was given to setting up a company to manufacture and sell the device along withsome other products, however, this was considered high risk and instead the marketing campaign focused on finding a company willing to take on the device under some form of licence agreement. The following steps were taken or considered: - Farming and tyre trade magazines together with trade directories were scanned with a view to finding a partner willing to manufacture and/or sell the device under licence.
- IRTU was contacted and they also provided a list of potential licence partners.
- A standard letter outlining the advantages of the device and offering to send a demonstration video if interested was drafted and sent to potential licence partners.
- Other possible selling ideas were considered including selling the ‘Bead Breaker’ as part of an emergency puncture repair kit.
In order to protect the rights to the device as far as possible before making disclosures to the potential licence partners, the patent agents were contacted again regarding confidentiality agreements. A standard confidentiality agreement was drafted and sent to the interested potential licence partners who in turn signed and returned it before the prototype and/or video was sent for evaluation. In all, approx. 30 companies were contacted regarding the device
The licence partner
Following on from the process outlined above, Spalding’s UK Ltd. expressed a keen interest in the device. They sited the fact that because the device required no external power source for operation, it would be very safe to use. They liked the advantage of being able to carry out puncture repair without the need to remove the wheel from the vehicle. Spalding’s conducted further trials on the device with positive results. A licence agreement between Fintan and Spalding’s UK Ltd. was signed and the device is now being manufactured and sold throughout the world. Awards
TheTyre Bead Breaker was also awarded ‘Millennium Product’ status by the Design Council and details were on display at the Millennium Dome, London. Apatent was granted entitled “Tyre bead breaking device” (Patent No. GB2334243) on 3rd July 2002. Further details of the device and how to buy it can be foundon Spalding’s web site at: www.spaldings.co.uk product number 05259.
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