Next Inventors' meeting:

(Some previous meetings are also listed to give an idea of the topics we cover)

Please note our venue has changed recently!

Our fifth meeting of 2024 will be at our new venue on Monday May 20th

from 4.00pm to 7.00pm at

The Norman Leaker Centre
1237 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham B28 9AA.

There is good free car parking at the Norman Leaker Centre.

The nearest Railway station, a few minutes walk away, is Hall Green on the Stratford line a  few stops from Moor Street station which is a ten minute walk from New Street Station in central Birmingham. From New Street Station (Grand Central) go through the tunnel by The Bull Ring and Moor Street is opposite clearly visible.

If you happen to like 'old fashioned' railway architecture and decoration then you  will like Moor Street!  A delightful contrast to the bustling, confusing, chaos of New Street. 

To emphasise again, unlike our previous venue, The Norman Leaker Centre is  a community centre set back slightly from the main road with easy free onsite car parking and located opposite Christchurch.

The above  meeting will be preceded by an informal late lunch at the nearby Toby Carvery. 

Do come along and join us at the Carvery if you wish between 2 and 4 o'clock before our inventors' meeting.

  At our meetings we are always  pleased to see new members and discuss any ideas they might wish to discuss. Don't worry if you have not thought of that bright idea yet.  We might be able to inspire you.

Perhaps you have a problem rather than an invention, in that case do come along and we will see if we can suggest a solution to your problem, whatever it might be. We like challenges!

Sorry if you missed this one!

An opportuity to learn all you ever wanted to know about patents, trademarks, intellectual property

March 20th 2023

Andrew doyle provided the following information on his presentation:

Trainee UK & European Patent Attorney


DD  +44 (0)121 456 0090 | T +44 121 456 0000 | F +44 (0)121 456 1368
www.barkerbrettell.co.uk

Birmingham  London   Munich  Nottingham  Southampton  Stockholm

Sorry  is you missed this! Christmas meal! 

If you care to join us on the day and pay the membership fee then your subscription will run to March 31st 2025.

Contact us for further details of this particular event (see above) if you need them

 Contact us if you need help or have something of interest.

Although the COVID situation has eased  new variants are said to be emerging and it could be  prudent to KEEP 2 to 3 metres from anyone else, wear a face mask if near others, it will do no harm and might save an awful lot of trouble for somebody, perhaps yourself!

THE CORONAVIRUS IS STILL DANGEROUS

It can be transmitted by people who are infected but feel well and who have no obvious symptoms.

I have friends, now ex friends, who think or thought the fuss about Covid has been overdone despite the fact that we have passed 207,000 dead due to Covid in the UK.  If you happen to be  one of the sceptics then I suggest you read this:

https://www.ft.com/content/2b0dbba3-6fe8-4c2d-8cca-90e87261d436

If you feel that lockdown and isolation are just too much then check out the history, in 1665, of the village of Eyam in Derbyshire, near the Chatsworth estate:

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Why-Is-Eyam-Significant/

The British Library is open for online business and physical visits to the library  Membership of the British Library is free!  Please check with the library before travelling if you wish to use their computer systems as they have been subject to a cyber attack and are only operating a limited service

Please see particularly the item below from Bob Lindsey

News

(Note that some past items are included to give an idea of our coverage)

Although we are always delighted to see inventors from anywhere, if Birmingham is not convenient and you have an urge to meet other inventors you might be interested in the following:

From the Inventors Club at the British Library:

II chair the Inventors Club at the British Library and we have been meeting weekly on ZOOM on the last Monday of the month.

Bob Lindsey

Bob Lindsey  BSc  MBA MIMechE  CENG                                 

blindsey@thamesproductions.co.uk                                 94 Queen Mary’s House

07885 218670                                                                    1 Holford Way

www.thamesproductions.co.uk                                         SW15 5DU

Our member Aneel Barkat tells us he has a 3D printer, lathe and workshop which he is making available to members at a very modest fee.  Contact Aneel for further details:  07475 416732  email:  aneelBarkat@hotmail.co.uk

We were approached at the beginning of April by a patent agent offering his services.  If you would like further details please let us know. 

We do not have direct experience of this agent but if anyone has any comments we would be pleased to receive them.

The agent is https://patenthelp.co.uk/

We were approached by JML, who sell in many retail outlets, with a view to participating in their exhibit at the NEC on February 3rd 2020, something which we will bear in mind for the future. Although this date is passed we might hope to participate in the future.

JML said that:

they have a long history of partnering with inventors in bringing their ideas and vision to market. Because of that we are launching a new search for Britain’s next best innovations at the 2020 Spring Fair.
 
Our own product development team are hosting this day at the NEC Birmingham on February 3rd. They’ll be meeting individuals regarding their innovations and answering any questions someone may have on bringing a product to market.
 
As well as that, we have TV’s Ken Daly on stage to talk about the many phases a product goes through: “Innovation Launch: Turning great ideas into successful products”. CEO of JML, Ken has long campaigned that a vital component of successful businesses has been to invest in entrepreneurs and innovations from every walk of life.
 
Separately, we’re also looking to run regular roundtables and events dedicated to British inventors and entrepreneurs. Our last Inventors day was 2013… so we’re keen to meet many of you again and host regular roundtables with individuals interested in discussing British innovation.
 
So, if any of this is of interest and you would like to meet with us or be informed of related events, then please enter your details at the following link:
www.JMLinventors.com.

Quantum Technology

If you are interested in quantum technology then the following, from the University of Birmingham, might be of interest as a point of contact.

At our recent meetings

The following is an account of recent meetings to give some idea of what they are like. This is not an exhaustive account of what was discussed due to confidentiality concern:

Our meeetings are taking place as planned despite the threat of rail strikes.  Members have updated the meetings on their various projects and a project with provisional patent approval for a bicycle rear suspension was described briefly.  Bearing in mind our previous discussion on bicycles they seem to be a hot topic!  Ted coulson informed us that his meeting with Wolverhampton University resulted in a recommendation for further funding and useful glowing reference for further development which he is pursuing. 

Our May meeting included a fascinating concept for an energy saving design of bicycle,the discussion around this included  numerous comments which were well received.  This meeting coincided with the meeting of our member Ted. with Wolverhampton University to consider taking on his combined heat and power project. We await Ted's report!

We held numerous successful Zoom virtual meetings since the onset of Covid and physical meeting restrictions, various ideas inlcuding an idea for combined heat and power and a novel exercise device were discussed by the members present.  We look  forward to further such Zoom meetings and members will be welcome to attend. Our member Tom Elliott is powering ahead various games he has devised but is still keen to collaborate with someone to market them, let us know if you would be interested in this opportunity.

Our February 2020 meeting was exhilarating as ever with Anthony Peskett describing even more applications for his novel waste paper processing device, he used the meeting to rehearse his presentation for an upcoming meeting with other interested parties.   Several  other members  ideas were discussed.  Some of  the meeting was devoted to discussion of publicity for Birmingham Inventors.

Our New Year 2020 started with our January meeting in respectful memory and a tribute to one of our founder members and chairman for almost thirty years, Richard Brosch.

The normal business of our meetings continued  by featuring an interesting idea from member Anthony Peskett including a working prototype and excellent documentation for a new device for converting waste paper into fire ready 'logs'.  Chairman Nasser initiated a debate on ways of dealing with environmental nuisance 'microfibres'.  Les Homer, our expert on emergency services discussed improvements to the installation of fire escapes.

Our Monthly Autumn meetings took place as planned and featured the discussion of members ideas with suggestions for improvements and developments.  Our December meeting consisted or our traditional Christmas Party with free food and drink (limited!) at the nearby Nando's restaurant at Fort Shopping Centre.

We were pleased  to hold our August meeting in the new Mezzanine board room.  It is excellent! We can still park in the underground car park at the Science Park with its entrance off Love lane and the receptionist is on duty 24 hours a day and will be pleased to provide directions and accept payment for the car park when you wish to leave, £2.00 for the evening from 5.01pm.  Pleased note that this is suspended during the Covid situation.

We have been invited to advise on a Masterclass involving SMEs involved in innovation.  If you are an SME and would like further details please contact us.

We have been offered the chance for members with market  ready projects to appear on the Television Show 'Buy it Now', this could be a great opportunity for anyone with a product which is ready to sell.  The show is somewhat like Dragons Den.  Contact the secretary for further details.

The 2019 meetings have been instructive and inspirational as usual with several members presenting new ideas.  At recent meetings we were able to assit a member with clarification on her trade mark registration progress and carried out a Trade Mark search to show her that her trade mark had been registered successfully, we were also able to carry out a European patent search for a member. See Newsletter for more details.

Our December 2019 meeting featured our annual Christmas Party and was thoroughly enjoyed by all present along with useful exchanges between members.

Our Autumn meetings 2019 have featured our usual discussions of progress and ways forward.  Included in the October meeting was discussion of devices for facilitation of disabled living.  The November meeting featured discussion of protective clothing for emergency services, a novel cup holder and a 'bag', intriguing!  Tom Elliot's ideas were also discussed and progress reviewed.

At our August meeting 2019 Tom Elliot reported an expression of interest from MKG in his cling film dispenser.  It was agreed that the Inventors would pursue this on Tom's behalf.  We also reviewed and played his latest games which we found highly entertaining.  Various other items of interest were also discussed.

Our July 2018 meeting featured our AGM with the usual agm business and discussion of members ideas.  Long standing member Merlyn Farwell made a welcome return and described his glass working Lehr for more information see:

http://www.merlynfarwell.co.uk/studioglassfurnaces/developments.html

Member Alistair Brown outlined his ideas to combat some environmental problems which were analysed in some depth.  Ted Coulson reported enthusiastic reception for his revoluntionary internal compustion engine and technical support for its development.

Our December meeting 2018 was our customary Christmas Party but the following meetings were business as usual featuring the usual updates on members ideas and of course the customary excellent refreshments.See below under Forthcoming Events

Our  August 2017 meeting featured our brief AGM as well as the usual business,  Subsequent monthly meetings featured our usual business

At our July 2017  meeting members dsicussed ways of protecting Terry Masters' new device for mounting hanging baskets on concrete posts.  This novel device can be hung simply on the top of the post without the need for any tools.  It has been tested to support at least 10kg and is clearly stong enough to support any likely basket. In the opinion of all present the product should have a good future. See below for photograph.of one form of the device.  Contact us for more details.

Nasser told us about his solar panel project in the Yemen

At our meetings  in March and April and May and July we featured updates from members on their existing projects and at our April meeting Nasser revealed his new efficient Pizza box design.  Tom Elliott is progressing with marketing his new game.  

At our February meeting 2017 our new members Frank and Angus brielfy outlined their ambitions in the engineering sphere, more of which could be revealed at future meetings.  Ted Coulson recounted his recent exploratory talks with Cranfield University and looked forward to  collaborating with them on his internal combustion ideas, Manufacture of his prototype is progressing with his contractor.  Tom Elliott described his new puzzle card game which he is taking to market. The puzzle which is subject to copyright and is a colourful sort of two dimensional Rubics cube and is very conveniently compact

The January meeting was a more philospohical affair than our usual with a free ranging discussion of ways of generating new ideas.  We had a successul trial  of the very effective dual video presentation facility.   Nasser updated us with progress on USA aspects of his novel pizza packaging.  Ajay told us more about his plans for his exercise/fitness device.

Our Christmas meeting at the Sack of Potatoes was a great success and enjoyed by all who attended, some inventive isues  were discussed but it was mainly festive.

At our November meeting Owen Genders reported further considerations on recycling the air within his novel design of high efficiency cyclonic vacuum cleaner

Ted  Coulson reported that his novel engine is being prototyped at minimal cost by a very helpful engineering company.

Ted also raised the idea of an amusing novel game based on a political concept

Les Homer discussed an idea for improving ambulance response times based on his experience in the emergency services.

David Cole, who created the award winning Ecovalve product range gave us a stimulating and enlightening talk on his journey of innovation.  In a sense it was his experiences with a difficult ‘financial backer’ that ended up leaving him as the British expert in his field - spill containment - which, especially since Buncefield, has become such a major commitment for all of industry.   This has left him more philosophical about the major downs among the ups that he had on his journey developing his product. 

The manufacture of his valves is now in partnership with Sandfield Engineering based in Stourport on Seven.

Ted Coulson described his latest improvements to the internal combustion engine with particular reference to marine applications.  He also showed us his highly entertaining video of it in operation.

Kul Kalshaul presented his patented Smart Sip bottle cap for facilitating drinking from a bottle without spillage.

Keith Nurcombe referred to progress in marketing his new window design and possible sale of his business.

Keith also predicted the end of the internal combustion engine as the means of flight propulsion.

Bill Taylor's timing stick for assisting in the management of speaker's presentations was demonstrated.

Bill Taylor presented his idea for improved seat design.

Bill Taylor presented his idea for improved orthopaedic cement and also for a new garden tool,  members suggested various fabricators for a stainless steel artefact Bill needed making

Delicious refreshments were consumed during the interval.

More discussions of novel ideas took place after the interval.

Ajay presented an outline of his novel exercise equipment and regime.

Various ideas for external meetings were discussed.

John Beswick described a non slip lacquer developed to reduce the risk of falling down stairs! Something which  he is determined to avoid in future.

Dr. Alam reported on his project concerning the

World's Oldest Post Office

Nasser Yaffei described his design of  gassification plant which uses waste products which he has recently installed in a village in the Yemen.

Miscellaneous

Our congratulations must go to Sumi Wang of Croydon Round Table of Inventors who was crowned as the Gadget Show Inventor of the year for her very compact ‘eFOLDi’, which is an electric folding scooter for normal use or as mobility transport.   Some achievement.  Well done and every success with it!   Google it to have a look. 

We have been approached by a Telford firm called Proto Labs who appear to bridge that critical gap between your prototype and large volume with low volume manufacturing.

Apart from our monthly meetings members might be interested in the monthly meetings of the Newcomen Society for the study of engineering and technology.  the first Wednesday of every month throughout the Winter from 7.00pm at the Thinktank Birmingham.  Free!  These meeting restart in September.

Lichfield Engineering Society also hold monthly meetings with an engineering focus, past, present and future.

Members  will  report progress with their ideas if they wish to do so..

New members may present their ideas for discussion if they so wish.

Members may report any interesting events they have attended or have notice of for the future.