I fabricated a ceiling sander.

[John Pollman]

I will not let my disability keep me down!

I just solved another problem. I have a Wen drywall sander that works great, but due to the progression of my disease, I have severe weakness in my arms and legs. I can still use it on the walls with some effort, but the ceiling is out. I have a lot of ceiling to sand, so I got to work and engineered a solution. It takes the entire unit's weight, has an adjustable height, and rolls easily. Take that, Tay Sachs!

 

[Darren Wright]

You know, that is a great solution no matter what. I get tired of holding mine up, they aren’t light. Certainly would save some back pain too.

I really think you should document your plans and sell them.

 

[John Pollman]

You know, that is a great solution no matter what. I get tired of holding mine up, they aren’t light. Certainly would save some back pain too.

I really think you should document your plans and sell them.

I'm thinking about it.

 

[David Johnson]

That is a great idea. Yes patient the sander and peddle it to us old foggys.
david

 

[Sayer Fancher]

great idea. definitely get a patent on it.

 

[Rennie Heuer]

What better example could there be of the saying; "Necessity is the mother of invention"?

 

[Darren Wright]

This is the closest thing I've found to another option besides the useless harness that comes with it.

Festool Planex Drywall Sander Support Harness - 496911 | Festool | Al's Taping Tools

The optional Festool support harness is an excellent choice if you work overhead for extended periods.

www.alstapingtools.com

 

[Darren Wright]

I could see some re-design of the holder to use plywood and cut some kits out on your cnc to sell too.

 

[John Pollman]

I could see some re-design of the holder to use plywood and cut some kits out on your cnc to sell too.

I just finished this yesterday. I think I will pursue a patent based on the reaction I've gotten from posting it here and a couple of other woodworking groups. This is a rough prototype that works, but I already have refinements in mind that will make it look better and allow me to produce it for sale. I did this from scratch with no drawings. I just started cobbling together stuff from the shop. Between my CNC and 3D printer, I should be able to improve it a bit. I will contact a patent research firm and see how to proceed.

 

[Darren Wright]

I just finished this yesterday. I think I will pursue a patent based on the reaction I've gotten from posting it here and a couple of other woodworking groups. This is a rough prototype that works, but I already have refinements in mind that will make it look better and allow me to produce it for sale. I did this from scratch with no drawings. I just started cobbling together stuff from the shop. Between my CNC and 3D printer, I should be able to improve it a bit. I will contact a patent research firm and see how to proceed.

First step would be to delete this thread and others you've made.

 

[Darren Wright]

From patents I've looked at filing myself, I have a few that might have done well in hindsight. Others I'd probably make more money off of just coming up with plans and/or kits others can buy/build themselves. YMMV

 

[Vaughn McMillan]

First step would be to delete this thread and others you've made.

Are you sure? Threads like this show proof of the date. They establish when the invention was done.

 

[Darren Wright]

Are you sure? Threads like this show proof of the date. They establish when the invention was done.

Well, yes and no, that is true that one could use this thread to show when the idea is made and fight over the rights. But once the idea is out, it's out for anyone to make the claim...

"Alexander Graham Bell beat Elisha Gray to the patent office for the telephone. Bell filed his patent application on February 14, 1876, the same day Gray filed a caveat, which is a preliminary application. Bell's patent was approved on March 7, 1876, and he was awarded the patent, sparking a lengthy legal battle over who truly invented the telephone."

Elisha Gray and Alexander Bell telephone controversy - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Vaughn McMillan]

Well, yes and no, that is true that one could use this thread to show when the idea is made and fight over the rights. But once the idea is out, it's out for anyone to make the claim...

"Alexander Graham Bell beat Elisha Gray to the patent office for the telephone. Bell filed his patent application on February 14, 1876, the same day Gray filed a caveat, which is a preliminary application. Bell's patent was approved on March 7, 1876, and he was awarded the patent, sparking a lengthy legal battle over who truly invented the telephone."

Elisha Gray and Alexander Bell telephone controversy - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I suspect Elisha Gray couldn't demonstrate prior art, since things like the Internet weren't available. In this case, posts like this do exactly that.

 

[John Pollman]

I had a thought that might work out well. Instead of fabricating and selling these, I could produce just the head unit and ship it with plans and drawings for the rest. It's a straightforward build, and it would alleviate shipping hassles for long pieces. The rest of the unit is readily available locally.