L.DOUGLAS, LLC
Product Development & Inventing
Keeping it simple always works.
Combination Sliding Compound Miter Saw /
Table Saw. It has all the features of both
types of saws plus some. Forty hours of
conceptualizing brought very realistic
definition to the size and complexity of the
product idea.
This hobbyist reciprocating chisel could be
designed to fit almost any rotary tool. The
present computer model is only conceptual  
but representative needed parts.
Ready for manufacturing, this design of a
reciprocating only sander designed as an
useful and practical accessory for a
reciprocating / rotating spindle sander.
If the beverage industry wanted to make
pop top cans easier to open, this is one
way to do it. Only a conceptual study, its
impact on manufacturing has not been
fully determined.
This conceptual study of a tube of paste
attached to a brush is designed to deliver
tooth paste directly to the bristles. After
meetings with engineering, manufacturing and
marketing, approximately forty conceptualizing
hours brought solid definition to all the pieces.
A quick study of an eraser/sharpener
novelty product. If thorough enough, a
quick study will identify pieces definitive
enough for estimating. Even in this digital
age, lots of people would still want one of
these.
This quick study of a credit card size
magnifier offers enough information to
decide on an engineering study or not.
Adhering to proven technology allows
accurate costing.
For those still using hammers, this nail set
proposal would prevent slippage off almost
any size finish nail. Screw machines were
chosen as the method of manufacturing
before the design process took place.
This utility knife proposal offers simple
blade disposal and reloading features. The
blade handling mechanism was perfected
before the concept was considered.
The product development process of the
ChestMate Jig was extremely fast because
of the conceptualizing that took place long
before the engineering data bases were
started.
When drill bits only have to be dressed,
and not ground, the DrillGadget does it
nicely. Because of a progression of
prototypes, the development cost of this
new invention was greatly reduced. Also,
tooling corrections were zero.
No more than a sketch is needed to
convey a concept to a client. Development
should only  follow after need and cost
have been estimated. This idea could
make an age old problem less difficult.
This hollow wall anchor is designed to slip if
what it is holding is jolted. The nose piece
allows it to be used as a non-slip anchor.
These piece parts have been designed for
screw machines, injecting molding and
progressive dies.
This snap on safety shroud started out as
three pieces and not easily adaptable to
standard plugs. The short conceptualizing
process led to one easy to mold part and it
fits most common electrical plugs.
The industrial design challenge for this
hybrid camera was to allow the operator not
to have to change the holding of it when
changing from the closed digital mode to
the open standard film mode.                       
This digital printer for instant film required
precision scan mechanisms and continuous
focusing optics all in a high density package.
Predesign conceptualizing kept new product
development costs to a minimum and was a
big factor in its fast time market
  
A professional camera utilizing internal
components from another camera minimized
new product development costs. The rugged
structures survived being run over by a small
pick-up truck. Within existing products lie new
products.                  
Another novelty product. Snap together
folding glasses that also serve as a magnifier
when folded. Accurate sketches can suffice
for estimating preserving computer dollars
until the project is a go.
A conceptual design has everyone's input.
New products lie undiscovered within existing ones.
Good ideas have to be abandoned to find better ones.
The best way to improve an idea is to share it with others.
A good idea must be needed first and problem solving second.
Negative people can't invent.
Three percent of patented ideas make the market.
Ideas and inventions come from association.
Everything can be improved.
All thoughts and ideas need definition.
Value added isn't real if it upsets manufacturing.
Versatility needed, very useful accessories
were designed for the ChestMate two years
after its introduction,  increasing sales of the
dovetail jig dramatically.
A dedicated box joint jig may or may not
become a product. More prospective
customer data is needed before designing it
for production and investing in tooling.
For woodworking enthusiasts.
Note: The primary purpose of the above is to demonstrate the different levels of definition that can be applied to an idea.
None of the concepts are displayed for sale. To the best of our knowledge, all the concepts are original. If it is found that
any ideas conflict with any products on the market today, or any patents still in effect, the concepts will be expediently  
removed from the site.  Thank you. L.Douglas, LLC