B
B. Sanders
Guest
I've invented a run-flat mountain bike tire system, offering several benefits:
- Allows aggressive riding at extremely low pressures
- Limp-home mode at 0 psi
- Prevents rim damage from ground contact
- Locks tire to rim at all pressures
- Simple, reliable, user serviceable/replaceable
- Very lightweight system
Now what? I can't build and test a prototype without specialized, expensive tire building equipment.
I'll need to partner with a tire mfr. for this one. Don't want to approach tire mfr's without a
patent in hand. Patents are expensive ($10k, or more). Catch-22. A patent agent (legit, recommended)
told me that all I need is "prior art" (diagrams of the design) notarized and date-authenticated. I
have 1 year to bring the product to market before filing for a patent in the US. Diligence in
product development and prior art take precedence over patent thieving, apparently. (Nice to know,
isn't it?)
Does this sound like a product worth developing? I don't know much about the possible market for
such a product. It will be about 150 grams heavier than normal tires, and about 2x as expensive, so
it's not for everybody.
-Barry
- Allows aggressive riding at extremely low pressures
- Limp-home mode at 0 psi
- Prevents rim damage from ground contact
- Locks tire to rim at all pressures
- Simple, reliable, user serviceable/replaceable
- Very lightweight system
Now what? I can't build and test a prototype without specialized, expensive tire building equipment.
I'll need to partner with a tire mfr. for this one. Don't want to approach tire mfr's without a
patent in hand. Patents are expensive ($10k, or more). Catch-22. A patent agent (legit, recommended)
told me that all I need is "prior art" (diagrams of the design) notarized and date-authenticated. I
have 1 year to bring the product to market before filing for a patent in the US. Diligence in
product development and prior art take precedence over patent thieving, apparently. (Nice to know,
isn't it?)
Does this sound like a product worth developing? I don't know much about the possible market for
such a product. It will be about 150 grams heavier than normal tires, and about 2x as expensive, so
it's not for everybody.
-Barry