Pumping Shoe

One way to produce energy could be a pump mechanism in a shoe heel. I have no idea whether this idea has been developed or patented at all, I came up with it all by myself so don’t cut me down harshly. But every time pressure is put on the heel by walking or running, a pump is pushed which creates pressure which in turn drives the mechanisms used to produce electricity which could then be stored in a battery. Now I have little knowledge of how this could work, but if it could work, it could be given to people in 3^rd world countries, giving unfortunate people a chance to produce electricity freely as well as those who are more fortunate a chance to charge their iPod.

Of course this idea would have to be developed into realism. Just an ‘idea flash’ that’s all!

Jigsaw Pillows

Here’s a fun idea: Jigsaw pillows. Now you may be thinking, “what on earth”, but hey, this is a crazy concept blog, anything goes!

I hate carrying pillows around with me when I’m travelling so a simple solution to that would be if they were blow-up. Another additional idea which would make it easier is if you could slot them into each other. Now this gives you the opportunity to produce a mattress with them which then gives this concept multiple potential. Because they are blown-up one can deflate them, packing them into a flat square or rolling them up, creating a very easy-to-carry pillow/mattress.

There are two different slot types. No. 1 type slots in No. 2 and vice versa. The ‘jigsaw flap’ slots into the inverted gaps, fastening the two pillows together. The zip holds the fold-away ‘jigsaw flap’ so they are not an obstructions at the edges of the pillow combination. Another possible idea is that if the slots are not securing enough, magnets could be placed on the end of the slots and inside the inverted slots, fastening them tighter and more securely.

One can have the pillows as blown up or as little blown up as they like, customizing their pillows/mattress comfort. Pillow cases and sheets can also be placed around or on the pillows.

So that’s it. Portable, easy, fun pillows which can be transformed into a bed.

Taking It To The Next Step

 Before anyone is wondering, no, I'm not taking it to the next level (even though I would love to). But I came across this blog about professional prototype software, and well, it puts my simple drawings to shame! I would love to design like this though...

http://www.inventionaddict.com/2011/06/17/3-d-cad-models-how-to-prototype-just-about-anything/

Kinetic Collar

Dog + Walk + Conversion of kinetic energy into electrical energy = my new idea!

 Once again, I am clueless to the physics or whether it could be possible or even whether this has already been produced. However kinetic watches seem to produce electricity to drive the watch hands, surely at some stage if not currently, kinetic energy can charge an iPod or a phone. This electricity could be very useful to dog walkers especially as music and communication maybe the only entertainment and motivation on a long and tiring walk. A “kinetic dog collar”, with ports for iPods, phones etc, in my mind, would be a good idea.

So for now it’s in the “future development of idea” box!

Sound Shower

The other day I reached into my shower to feel the temperature after letting it run for a while. I found out, the hard way, that it was scolding hot. I was not only a little annoyed that I had burnt my hand, I was also frustrated that I had wasted time waiting for it to warm up to the desired temperature. So I had a think...

I came up with a way to work out the desired temperature without touching the water or even being in the room. Firstly you set the shower to the required temperature that you like, the first time you get the device (this temperature will be remembered for every other shower you take). Then the device will play a single note, high or low depending on how high or low your desired temperature is. This sound will be played constantly when the shower is turned on (you can turn it off when you want to, just press the “off” button). A second tone will be played, which is determined by the temperature of the shower when you turn it on. It will rise as the water temperature rises. Once the tone of the shower temperature is the same as your desired temperature you know that it’s a perfect shower.

The great thing about this is that it can be attached to any shower and that you could hear it from another room, it’s basically a sound timer.  

Of course this only works with people who are not ‘tone-deaf’ or who are not deaf. It could be very useful for people who are blind, or for those who struggle with feel though. And what’s great about this little device is that it can be used not just in a shower, but in a bath, taps, Jacuzzis etc!

Floating Speakers

Front

This may be one of my wacky and mad ideas and in contrast to the previous post, but I believe it could be quite fun. A speaker inside a balloon. Simple. Obviously it would not become “the next generation of speakers”, it’s merely an idea. I mean, you get to a party, you see a couple of these floating around, and of course you’re going to be gazing at them. It may not be what everyone wants but it’s a simple idea that separates these speakers from all the other normal ones.

Back

The bonus about this design is that you can refill the balloon with helium so it’s not just a “one-hit” product. The plastic seal around the wire prevents Helium from escaping whilst also meaning that you can take the speaker and the wire out of the balloon if there is a problem or you decided you want another balloon. You can also have as many of these speakers as you want floating about, all plugging into a “mother board” which connects to an iPod/mp3 player/laptop. Another bonus is that they can be easily portable, just need to deflate them and then filling them back up at your destination with a portable can of helium. They also have space for different shapes and designs; variety of colours, letters, animals etc.

Cross-Section

Of course I have not tested the volume of helium needed to lift the speaker and these drawings maybe amateur and scrappy, but it’s only a brief concept which ironically, “popped” into my head!