Archive for May, 2010
Crazy Hockey Sticks
A post with not one but FIVE concept ideas rolled into one. Plus it’s been awhile since I made a hockey post, so here goes:
#1 - A hockey stick with a spring-enforced ‘neck’ that would pivot the blade, making it very hard to hook onto an opponent. It would be hard to compact that much mechanical ability into such a small area and be able to withstand the force of a slap-shot.
#2- A hockey stick with an ink chamber that runs internally along the shaft. If it is compromised, the stick will ‘bleed’ or change color to indicate that it might not be worth risking a shot with. Greg Millen: you’re welcome.
#3- Like the previous stick, but has a small LED light(s) near the neck of the stick. It has a circuit/fuse that runs the length of the stick to a battery inside the knob. If this is compromised, the light goes out. Would probably be too helpful an aid for refs! (You’re not allowed to play with a broken stick in the NHL - you could get a penalty)
#4- A pre-bended bow-like stick curved to allow it to withstand the applied bend during a slap-shot - where many composite sticks bite the dust.
#5- Why not 2 sticks in one? Break one and flip it over, voila - no scrambling to the bench, or running around the ice looking like you’re trying to hug the puck carrier. The depicted one is ‘S’ shaped, but you could also make it ‘C’ shaped if you prefer.
Add comment May 31, 2010
BP Oil Spill Ideas
UPDATE: to see the latest ideas posted for the BP Oil Spill, click here.
One is to help contain the spill, the other is to stop it. Again I have to say I am not a scientist or engineer! Here goes:
The first (and most unlikely): create a series of concentrated vortex whirlpools at the spill site using mechanical means - like a large turbine. The oil would remain in the spill site. You could probably utilize the force of the rising oil to help propel these vortexes? You could use retrieved oil to help power any machinery too.
In theory, this should help contain the oil, and keep the majority of it at the spill site, to be extracted from the water.
The second is an idea I very much like, because mother nature already does it. You ever see what happens to lava eruptions underwater? The flowing lava cools and forms a large mass of rock. The lava flow just keeps piling onto itself, creating huge formations, even creating islands in some instances.
Well, my idea takes that principle and applies it to plugging up the hole. Instead of concrete, you attack the spill with smelters or melted steel - at the highest possible temperature you can bring steel to. You pour it in the water, the steel cools and begins to form. Also, because of it’s weight, it sinks right to the bottom. The steel piles onto itself, creating a large mass that will seal and contain the spill.
You would need a thick, concentrated flow of steel to help with this - to keep the central point of the flow hot, as the outer layers peel away from cooling. You’ll also need to surround the spill site with rock or concrete to help funnel the incoming molten steel.
Better yet, if you can lower a pipe close to the spill, much like the end of the straw, and manage to keep the pipe free of water, the molten steel can reach the spill site directly at a more concentrated temperature.
You could also lower a vat of molten steel with a funnel opening over the spill, and release the content directly over the spill opening. The weight of the vat should help it descend quickly. You would need the vat to have a special release covering, or a way to open and release the vat remotely.
The initial contact of hot steel to gushing oil could be violent. But eventually the weight of the cooled steel could plug the hole.
15 comments May 31, 2010
Geeky Gadget Wish List # 7.5: Ghostbusters Firehouse PC Case With ECTO-1 USB Hub
I feel kinda silly - this idea was the original inspiration for Geeky Gadget Wish List #7: PC Tower Cases. I completely forgot to include it! The Firehouse struck me as ideal for a PC tower because of it’s shape. Also, all the windows would appeal to those who like having a clear encasement to see all the internal workings.
To take this a step further, it would include an ECTO-1 car that could serve as a USB hub, or even the power control switch for the PC. With all those contraptions on the roof of the vehicle, the sky is the limit for what you can add. LED lights would abound, of course.
There is no denying this would look like an action figure play set. Especially if made to have the car park inside! I think this would appeal to all geeks regardless.
If you like this, give Thinkgeek a buzz here. Tell them you love this contraption and you’d spend a gazillion dollars for it. They’d be fools not make this! Fools! I hope Sony/Columbia Pictures takes notice too. I’d buy one in a heartbeat.
I might make a 3D mock-up eventually. I have 3D Ecto-1 somewheres.
So what do you think?
Add comment May 30, 2010
DIY Geeky Gadget: Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back Clock
So instead of making this entry a part of my Geeky Gadget Wish List, I feel it can stand on it’s own as a Do-It-Yourself project for those who are inclined and would like something cool and dirt-cheap.
And as it happens, it is currently the 30th anniversary of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Episode V for you young ‘uns), and this clock/novelty item is a fitting tribute to mark the occasion:
This example is a 3D mock-up, with the main hands removed, and only the ‘seconds ticker’ hand left to propel the Snowspeeder around the AT-AT. If you’d like to know how to make one yourself, check it out after the jump.
Add comment May 29, 2010
Geeky Gadget Wish List #8: Video Game Medkits
So not a gadget exactly. I am trying not to replicate the type of gadget right now, opting to showcase a variety of products. In the future, I will be showing ‘duplicates’ of ideas posted, meaning more alarm clocks, usb gadgets, and so forth.
Today’s item is a First-Aid kit in the guise of a video game ‘medkit’. This could either be hung on the wall in the bathroom or kitchen, serving as an emergency kit. Or it can simply be a small medicine cabinet to store all your hygiene wares by the bathroom sink. A small, compact version could be issued for use as a travel kit. Either way, you can treat yourself like you’ve been through war.
The example illustrated above is from Half Life 2. Many other games have their own unique health kits; such as Halo, Splinter Cell, Call of Duty, etc.
There might be some legal hurdles with this one…litigious people might see this as a toy inviting to toddlers, or completely overlooked in an emergency. That’s what disclaimers are for! Of all the ideas I have presented, this could very well be the cheapest - the equivalent of mass-producing lunch boxes or DVD tin cases. It’s just a fancy First-Aid box, after all.
Add comment May 27, 2010
Geeky Gadget Wish List #7: PC Tower Cases
Sorry for the lack of posts recently, been busy on my demo reel. This one stretches the meaning of ‘Gadget’ a fair bit, in terms of size. Gadgets are small and portable. These PC tower cases are huge and stationary! But they are cool and don’t exist, and thus qualify for my wish list.
One PC tower comes in the form of the Sandcrawler from Star Wars. This vehicle’s shape lends itself to your average desktop tower. I think it would be cool to give the impression your PC is being powered by a bunch of Droids and Jawas. The front of the Sandcrawler can open to reveal optical drive bays. Perhaps a few wheels for mobility to boot.
The other is loosely modeled on the climax from the first Terminator film. It is a hydraulic press with a Terminator crushed within. It features factory-like push buttons, and the Terminator’s eye is the LED power indicator. Laugh with glee as it’s red, vengeful eye slowly turns off when you shut your PC down. If I could, I’d make the robotic arm pose-able…so it can reach out towards you.
Sorry to pimp my gadget ideas, but if you like them, bug Thinkgeek here in their ideas submission page. Send them a link to this post, and that you would spend a bazillion dollars for one. I’ve never received a reply from them, but these geeky gadgets are catching people’s interest…I continue to get many hits for them. Thanks!
2 comments May 23, 2010
Dave’s Ideas will be less ambitious for the next little while…
I just landed a new job with an IP maker (a video game studio), and it is common practice that they would own any ideas or inventions I generate while in their employ.
Not that I am very guarded about what I create and showcase here. These are ideas that use existing properties like Star Wars, are not very practical, and are intended for the positive benefit of everyone - like the environmentally-themed posts.
My work situation merely translates into a low-key approach over the next few months, likely resulting in a reduced frequency of posts.
What is great however, is these ideas don’t have expiry dates, nor are they time-sensitive. If you are new to this blog, feel free to browse the archive.
Add comment May 20, 2010
The Brain-Melting Double D-Pad Controller
2 posts in one day? Madness. Madness I tell you. Making up for the silly one earlier.
So this is the “Brainmelter” Double D-pad, which is two directional inputs controlled by one thumb at the same time. Basically, a standard D-Pad affixed to a sliding disc input. I thought this would be good for a console controller or as the lone directional input for a handheld or mobile.
I devised 5 prototypes, 3 of which I’ll show you. The nixed 2: a D-Pad sitting on top of an analog stick, and a D-Pad sitting on a roller-ball type of input. Both would be too problematic, with the thumb constantly slipping off. So here are the three I like:
The Red one is a simple, D-pad on a sliding disc. Your thumb would press the directional inputs and with enough weight applied, the sliding disc will move where you want. It’s very simple, but might be problematic: pressing top right and trying to slide to the bottom left might be difficult for the User.
I then added a collapsible ring the user could wear on their thumb for this blue version. You’d move the sliding disc around with your knuckle. The ring does twist in place to ensure unimpeded access to the top D-Pad. This would be considerable better than the red version, however your thumb is locked in place.
Here is the one I like the most. This green prototype has “bumpers” that encircle the top D-Pad, to help you push the sliding disc around. What about tricky maneuvers - like pressing up with top D-Pad, and wanting to go down with the sliding disc? There is a center ‘nub’ that also functions like a bumper, so that will help move the top D-pad in any opposing direction. The outer bumpers are helpful for moving the disc in a similar direction.
So here it is frenetic, FPS-like action:
Basically, you’d have your standard D-Pad locked in place. When you need a second directional input, you’d unlock the D-pad/disc underneath. A few advantages: this saves on needing two inputs on one device. This also frees up one thumb to navigate the button array. It might also take a bit of getting used to, as gamers are conditioned to wielding two independent inputs for control. I think this might become very intuitive given enough practice.
Like this post? Check out my other video game concepts:
Rock Band/Guitar Hero guitar controller prototype
Transforming handheld game device
3 comments May 18, 2010
“Initiate Saucer Separation Sequence!” Air Safety System
Ah Star Trek, inspiration for many of today’s tech toys, like the cellphone and iPad. Now Trek is the inspiration for a highly impractical, extremely dangerous safety system, which may be overly tempting for any pilot - Trekkie or otherwise - to execute for the heck of it.
In short, this system allows the plane to separate, like the Enterprise D. The passenger cabin/cockpit separates from the main hull, turning into a very large glider, while the rest of the plane is jettisoned, likely to kill many people on the ground - or reward on-lookers with a treasure trove of luggage.
Or we could implant a device that will detonate the jettisoned section on a delay. Why not a self-destruct sequence altogether? The captain could certainly threaten that if people complain about circling the runway again.
Obviously, flying is the safest way to travel. There is really nothing wrong with the status quo. Aspects of this might be used for a fighter jet, so we don’t have to endure more direct-to-DVD sequels of Behind Enemy Lines.
1 comment May 18, 2010
Energy-Saving Refrigerators That Seal When Open.
This one sort of came out of nowhere. I had an idea to create a fridge that was partitioned and compartmentalized for a work space. I felt this layout would benefit a large group having to share a fridge. I also thought having many smaller doors would be more efficient than one or two large swing arm doors. It is the model pictured on the right:
Then I realized there was a way to seal the fridge when open to keep all the cold air inside. This is accomplished by having the drawer/compartment lined with a seal on the back that will become flush with the inside of the fridge housing, like this:
That got me to thinking…can this be applied to a domestic model you’d find in any kitchen? People like the big swing arm doors, so I came up with one that also seals shut when open:
I felt the layout would still benefit from having many compartments. So to prevent wasted space, the best layout would be a hexagon shape, with drawer compartments flanked by doors. If I could re-do this, I’d make the drawer section wide enough to fit a pizza. 
(There is supposed to be a water/ice dispenser middle top)
A few drawbacks, the fully-opened swing arm doors could infringe upon today’s standard cabinet layouts. Also, this fridge would be wider and not as deep, which conflicts with existing fridge dimensions. Also, if people don’t know off-hand where everything is stored, that would result in the opening of many doors, which may negate the intended savings in energy. However, it might also deter strangers from raiding the fridge!
Another advantage: with many compartments, you could probably put locks on them for child-proofing. Or roommate proofing.
I do believe this would greatly increase energy efficiency overall.
2 comments May 16, 2010
