I have a great, and VERY useful idea, but I need your advice.

[Arielle211]

Hey, I have a great idea for fencing, (I'm not a fencer, but a ton of my loved ones are) and it could be very useful for organizations, schools, and even personal use, but I do not want to start a business and have it crash and burn due to lack of demand. I have seen that the score box just sits on the ground, or on a table, which, I have come to realize, can get damaged VERY easily, (and from what I know, those boxes are NOT cheap.) so I have a design, and it's a stand welded of very durable metal with a sturdy base, and a shelf on the top to hold the box, with two slots down the side to hold the wires for scoring. This will preserve the score box, ensuring it a longer, safer, life. This is the generic idea, and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I also have an idea for the personal use stands, that would come equipped with another shelf for water bottles, or a hanger for a jacket, or any design someone wanted. (In other words, customizing it for the fencer.) If anyone thinks this is an idea they would be interested in, or an idea that you believe could take off, let me know. I can send pictures to whoever is interested, and pricing is available (and super cheap.) So please, feedback would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks! -Arielle.

[noodle]

there are things like this already available for sale for scoring machines. people don't typically use them because of the extra cost involved.

[thereom4]

I don't fence much. In fact I haven't fenced since May. As a novice fencer and potential consumer of one of these products I think the personal stand is a good idea. If I competed that is something I may want to use.

The stand for the score boxes sounds like a good idea. You may want to contact tournament organizers/club owners/whoever owns a score box (I don't know) and ask them if this is something they would consider purchasing.

[erooMynohtnA]

http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/s...12548ec4fbe80f

[thereom4]

http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/s...12548ec4fbe80f

I'd say for her to thank you for the research but there's nothing like competition.

[fdad]

I'd say for her to thank you for the research but there's nothing like competition.

Five threads for this (at least)?

[Greybeard]

You can compete but I would be careful about disclosing your IP like this and any Patent Infringement

[thereom4]

Five threads for this (at least)?

Even more research.

You can compete but I would be careful about disclosing your IP like this and any Patent Infringement

It's up to her to do the work and do a patent search or pay someone to do it. In the end she may find it's not even worth it.

[oiuyt]

Not sure how the IP address factors in

IP in this context refers to Intellectual Property.

-B

[oiuyt]

*stuff*

Any chance a moderator might wander by who could merge the threads?

-B

[thereom4]

IP in this context refers to Intellectual Property.

-B

Oh okay. Redacting my post now.

[Rockstar44]

The idea would work if the price is right....

[Gav]

Any chance a moderator might wander by who could merge the threads?

-B

Done.

I've also tidied the thread up.

[Greybeard]

Sorry, I am so used to talking legal shorthand. One of my jobs is to chair the company IP committee as legal counsel.

[Arielle211]

Thank you all for your help. And please, if you have any advice you'd like to give keep throwing it my way! The price will be VERY competitive, and low. If someone can find a website that already sells products like this, please, list it. I'm in the process of research (which is taking a lot of scouring of the internet) but I'm also coming to a lot of dead ends, and not finding anything but score boxes. Thanks again!

[Arielle211]

Thanks for the link. Although, my idea is going to be a self standing one, no need to put it on a table, and with 46 inches, you don't want it to be top heavy and tip over.

[brtech]

I suggest you go to a couple of tournaments and visit a lot of salles.

Most salles mount their machines somewhere; they aren't on tables. There are of course many clubs that don't have a salle.

Non permanently mounted machines need to be portable. That means size and weight matter a lot.

You need a space for the weight, shims, and bad weapons/cords if you are getting rid of the table.

[wbowman]

You need a space for the weight, shims, and bad weapons/cords if you are getting rid of the table.

It would also be helpful to have enough horizontal surface for a score sheet (on or off a clipboard).

[foibles]

If the whole thing could fold up on itself morphing into a suitcase, that'd be interesting.

There was a time when boxes came incased in the lid of a travel case. Add to this the ability to add legs to it... room for 3 sets of floor cords, plus weights, shims, remote control, etc and you may have something of value. If you also include room in it for reels... and put wheels and a pull handle on it, even better still.

While you might be able to sell quite a few of these, providing the design was indeed an example of a better mousetrap...... I'd be very careful before I'd bet the kids college fund on it.