[Spruce]

The clamps are useless!

Anyway i am using these poles.

clamps are strong but dont work well.

So i have added a feature to them (the missing feature) and they work very well now.

Removed the spring as this is a no go (not fair on alex) or any of alex features, but added a unique feature and they work very good.

They will be ready very soon, took a bit of head scratching but sorted now.

Steven.

Now I am intrigued. It isn’t as though the clamp is a complicated piece of design engineering with numerous application permutations that could be explored. How much brain storming can you do on a clamp design? 

[wightsurf]

The clamp has be around a long time ,its the way the spring is used that's Patented.
Looking at it I can see another way this could be done ,of which would then void Patent issues, unless I patent that myself lol

[steven 1]

Very true, not going to say much for now until i am ready to sell.

as you realise anyone can import poles in from china, so there is little motivation on my part to sell what is common.

I thought by what i saw that these poles were good, but disappointed when they arrived.

I think thats the problem when you buy overseas (you cant send it back for a tenner) but they dont care as long as they make a quick buck! sell loads to us then "see ya later"

They needed revamping so i have.

Steven.

[mufcglen]

am i right in thinking instead of the spring being in the middle of the clamp gardiners have them on the outside and if so couldnt people put the spring on the opposite side to theirs and not be breaking a patent?

[steven 1]

No because it is the principle idea what is patented, "self adjusting clamps" alex has patented the idea not the design, so he is covered.

Steve.

[MATT BATEMAN (OWC)]

[steven 1]

Is that guy tired trying to design a better clamp?

[wightsurf]

you can not Patent a idea in the UK

[steven 1]

You can if it is totally new, its a bit like if you were the first to invent the lightbulb, you might copy it and make it look like a banana but if it electrically lights up its still a light bulb.

Alex has a utility patent that protects the concept.

[wightsurf]

You prepare a ‘patent
application’ which includes:
• a written ‘description’ of
your invention (allowing
others to see how it works
and how it could be made);
‘drawings’ (to illustrate your
description);
• ‘claims’ (precise legal
statements in the form of
single sentences that define
your invention by setting
out its distinctive technical
features); and
• an ‘abstract’ (a summary
that includes all the important
technical aspects of your
invention).

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/p-basicfacts.pdf

[steven 1]

All i can suggest is make a self adjusting clamp and see what happens.

[mufcglen]

So nobody can make a self adjusting clamp as gardiners have patented the idea?
Does that mean if any of these new poles coming out like the vlite has any sort of self adjusting clamps then they're in trouble?
I always thought it was the design rather than the idea that couldn't be copied!
Learn something new every day, I'm not thinking about designing my own poles by the way lol I'm just intrigued by these pole debates going on here!

[windiewasher]

Im under the impression its the spring thats new as some of these clamps are used for various things other than wfp?

[steven 1]

The spring in the centre does nothing apart from allowing the sections to run smoother and help with clamp adjustment,  but as the pole wears the spring stops it from closing .
The spring is nothing to do with self adjusting in these Chinese poles.
But it is difficult to adjust the clamp with out spring in them, not well thought out.
What i will say is there will be alot of people asking for refunds if i bought them in and sold them as they are.
I have invested in tooling to bring them up to scratch.

Steven.

[dave0123]

Looks like windywasher will have to import the ones kempy bought    got different clamps on lol.

[windiewasher]

The spring in the centre does nothing apart from allowing the sections to run smoother and help with clamp adjustment,  but as the pole wears the spring stops it from closing .
The spring is nothing to do with self adjusting in these Chinese poles.
But it is difficult to adjust the clamp with out spring in them, not well thought out.
What i will say is there will be alot of people asking for refunds if i bought them in and sold them as they are.
I have invested in tooling to bring them up to scratch.

Steven.

sorry I mean its only the spring that affects the patent.
Where my unit is theres a injection moulding company.i rang jim earlier about it and im seeing him this week to see what he thinks.
I can buy just the sections from the supplier in china and then fit clamps before sending poles out.

[steven 1]

The spring affects the patent if in contributes to making them self adjusting.
Where the spring is in the middle this does not breach alex patent.
I talked to china about the problem but they said they have already spent money and were unwilling to adjust them.
If anyone can afford to produce there own clamp design go for it.
That is the best way but risky as big investment.

[steven 1]

The spring in the centre does nothing apart from allowing the sections to run smoother and help with clamp adjustment,  but as the pole wears the spring stops it from closing .
The spring is nothing to do with self adjusting in these Chinese poles.
But it is difficult to adjust the clamp with out spring in them, not well thought out.
What i will say is there will be alot of people asking for refunds if i bought them in and sold them as they are.
I have invested in tooling to bring them up to scratch.

Steven.

sorry I mean its only the spring that affects the patent.
Where my unit is theres a injection moulding company.i rang jim earlier about it and im seeing him this week to see what he thinks.
I can buy just the sections from the supplier in china and then fit clamps before sending poles out.

yes thats right as ionic swift use same clamp.
I also so tried xinbo poles but these where bad, look good but gaps in clamps to small last about 2 months.

[mufcglen]

could somone not invent a pole where rather than any clamps you twisted the pole and it locked itself up inside the tube?
that could possibly be a good idea wouldnt it?

[windiewasher]

could somone not invent a pole where rather than any clamps you twisted the pole and it locked itself up inside the tube?
that could possibly be a good idea wouldnt it?

I was thinking this,simillar to a harris?