The Air Flow System

[AlanDtb1]

Hi All
I have invented a system that I call the Air Flow System, it makes baseball caps much more comfortable to wear.
The system allows air to flow over the wearers head whilst walking around, the flow of air is variable, if I gust of wind catches the hat the strap will automatically tighten so preventing it being blown off of the wearers head. I developed the Air Flow System by designing kit form cardboard baseball caps the design of which has proved popular in fact I have sold quite few of then to raise money for charity. The kit form hats would make great advertising merchandise. The system worked so well I decided to retro fit some cloth baseball caps and they work really well.
There is so much potential for the Air Flow System, with the right company behind it this could be the future of baseball caps and sun visors etc, I am going to experiment with the hoods on waterproof jackets, it should make them a much better fit than the existing designs.
This is not something that I can do myself, it needs an established company to take it forward.
Is anyone on this forum part of that company or do you know of a company that might be interested in seeing it?
I have a preliminary patent application on file, I would attach a pdf with photos and a description but I don't know how to attach it.

 

[WaveJumper]

Personally I would get all my patent applications in place then speak to the major manufactures and licence it out. However is this really a big problem for wearers in the UK

 

[Ozzy]

Agree with @WaveJumper ; you are jumping the gun if you haven't got your patent secured yet because anyone can just rip off the idea and there is nothing you can do about it.
Once the patent is in place book some meetings, go to some trade shows, have a stand at some trade shows to demonstrate there is a demand for your invention.

 

[fisicx]

As most people appear to wear their baseball caps on backwards will your idea still work?

 

[AlanDtb1]

Its patent pending at the moment.
Yes there is a need for the Air Flow system in this country, we have plenty of windy days and with this system you can wear the hat comfortably as in not to tight and not too slack and it will not be blown from your head, on warm days without wind it has a nice airy feel to it.
I was showing it to a couple of people I know that were over from Australia a couple of weeks ago, they are very much a spades a spade type people and will be brutally honest about such things. They were very impressed with it and said they could see a good market for it in Australia.
Is it possible to attach a pdf or Word document to this platform, then you will be able to see what iv made?

 

[AlanDtb1]

As most people appear to wear their baseball caps on backwards will your idea still work?

The air will flow over the back of your head but yes there is nothing to stop you from wearing it back to front.
With the benefits of the Air Flow system if such caps were on the market people would prefer to wear them peak forward.

 

[Ozzy]

Is it possible to attach a pdf or Word document to this platform, then you will be able to see what iv made?

No

 

[AlanDtb1]

Agree with @WaveJumper ; you are jumping the gun if you haven't got your patent secured yet because anyone can just rip off the idea and there is nothing you can do about it.
Once the patent is in place book some meetings, go to some trade shows, have a stand at some trade shows to demonstrate there is a demand for your invention.

Personally I would get all my patent applications in place then speak to the major manufactures and licence it out. However is this really a big problem for wearers in the UK

Its patent pending which is as much as I can afford at the moment.
I have tried to contact the major manufacturers but I'm lucky if I even get a reply.
I thought there might be someone on this platform that would maybe have some contacts that might be able to help.

 

[J Arnold]

I sell PPE and workwear, we all ready supply baseball caps with airtec and vented properties.

 

[AlanDtb1]

I sell PPE and workwear, we all ready supply baseball caps with airtec and vented properties.

Can you send me a link so that i can see the baseball cap?

 

[AlanDtb1]

Can you send me a link so that i can see the baseball cap?

It would be good for me to know who makes the baseball caps, maybe they would be interested to see my system.

 

[Fagin2021]

As someone who often wears baseball caps in sunny and/or windy conditions I like the idea of something that will sit on my head comfortably without getting blown away.

Once your patents are established the cap sounds like something that's crying out for big brand or celebrity endorsement or, on a smaller scale, influencer promotion on social media.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I have tried to contact the major manufacturers but I'm lucky if I even get a reply.

Get some of their caps, add your system and send to lots of senior managers/directors with a simple letter saying something like 'do you want Air Flow System in your caps?'

 

[AlanDtb1]

As someone who often wears baseball caps in sunny and/or windy conditions I like the idea of something that will sit on my head comfortably without getting blown away.

Once your patents are established the cap sounds like something that's crying out for big brand or celebrity endorsement or, on a smaller scale, influencer promotion on social media.

Thank you for that.
The most positive response I have had so far was from NEXT, I contacted the CEO not expecting a response. On the contrary he got back to me with a very positive email praising me for the thought and work that I have put into the system. It turns out that NEXT aren't in a position to develop the system but he has asked his directors to help me find a company. Because of NEXT the details are with Adidas, they have had them for around 4 months now, I will find out this week what they think of it so fingers crossed.
Regarding the patent all I can afford is having its status as patent pending.
Most people that have seen it are of the same opinion as you, they cant understand why a company hasn't taken my arm off so to speak, it would most definitely give the likes of Adidas a powerful edge over their competitors.
The kit form cardboard baseball caps would be great at music festivals etc, printed with your favourite bands livery, normally a light and flimsy carboard hat would be blown from your head with the slightest gust of wind. With the Air Flow System it will shade your eyes from the sun, help keep your head cool and will stay put no matter how windy it gets.

 

[AlanDtb1]

Get some of their caps, add your system and send to lots of senior managers/directors with a simple letter saying something like 'do you want Air Flow System in your caps?'

I was going to do something on those lines, I bought a load of caps from various companies. Unfortunately for the Air Flow System to work the rim of the hat needs to have a slightly larger diameter to cater for the gap at the front the Air Flow System creates. I bought the largest sizes but they just weren't large enough. I eventually found a hat that doesn't have a brand written on it but its just about the right size, so I bought 20 of them to experiment with. After much trial and error I have a few that work.
If a professional design team designed a baseball cap around the Air Flow System it would look just like other baseball caps but would be much more comfortable to wear and would stay put in windy weather.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Unfortunately for the Air Flow System to work the rim of the hat needs to have a slightly larger diamete

One might think that the design of the rim has been fine tuned over many years. I would suggest adjusting your design to fit the standard rather than getting the standard changed (although, not impossible).

 

[AlanDtb1]

Hi Paul.
I know what you're saying but it's simply a matter of a larger circumference to get the gap at the front of the hat, if you saw the photos it would become clear there is no major design changes needed.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Its patent pending which is as much as I can afford at the moment.
I have tried to contact the major manufacturers but I'm lucky if I even get a reply.
I thought there might be someone on this platform that would maybe have some contacts that might be able to help.

For a big company to be interested they need to see either a threat or an opportunity - yes, they might buy it just to keep it off the market!

At this moment, you are lacking:

1. Research - not your opinions or your friends' views but proper research showing levels of acceptance of the product and a will to pay the price.

2. Protection. A patent may secure you - it depends on its scope/nature. Big question, is there a work-around to the aspect that you are patenting (I can guarantee that others will look for it if the product catches on).

 

[AlanDtb1]

For a big company to be interested they need to see either a threat or an opportunity - yes, they might buy it just to keep it off the market!

At this moment, you are lacking:

1. Research - not your opinions or your friends' views but proper research showing levels of acceptance of the product and a will to pay the price.

2. Protection. A patent may secure you - it depends on its scope/nature. Big question, is there a work-around to the aspect that you are patenting (I can guarantee that others will look for it if the product catches on).

Hi Mark
Thanks for the advice.
How do I research levels of acceptance of the product?

 

[Mark T Jones]

Hi Mark
Thanks for the advice.
How do I research levels of acceptance of the product?

You engage a market research company.

Failing that @ethical PR might be able to give some pointers

 

[AlanDtb1]

You engage a market research company.

Failing that @ethical PR might be able to give some pointers

OK thank you for that, I will look into it

 

[DontAsk]

Because of NEXT the details are with Adidas, they have had them for around 4 months now, I will find out this week what they think of it so fingers crossed.

Where did you apply for a patent? UK, EU, US?

Do you have the means to pay very expensive lawyers when a large multi-national do something similar for themselves outside you patent area?

 

[AlanDtb1]

Where did you apply for a patent? UK, EU, US?

Do you have the means to pay very expensive lawyers when a large multi-national do something similar for themselves outside you patent area?

Good question
It is an international application and I most certainly do not have the money to pay for very expensive lawyers or for that matter very inexpensive lawyers.
Im just a normal bloke who's hobby is inventing this that and the other and one day hopes to make it with one of his inventions.

 

[Porky]

Don't mean any disrespect here, you sound like a great innovator but it is possible you have over engineered a solution for problem that doesn't exist?

I mean i know your head can get hot without a hat in the direct sunshine but put a hat on and problem solved? I have never had an overheating issue myself even whilst travelling in some very hot countries.

Apart from your charity work, where people will buy anything if they think it helps a cause they support have you carried out any focus group work or market research to see if there is genuine demand for this technology?

 

[AlanDtb1]

Don't mean any disrespect here, you sound like a great innovator but it is possible you have over engineered a solution for problem that doesn't exist?

I mean i know your head can get hot without a hat in the direct sunshine but put a hat on and problem solved? I have never had an overheating issue myself even whilst travelling in some very hot countries.

Apart from your charity work, where people will buy anything if they think it helps a cause they support have you carried out any focus group work or market research to see if there is genuine demand for this technology?

Hi Porky
Thanks for the reply and I take no offence from your comments.
A lot of people that I have spoken to about the system (not just friends and family) tell me of the times they have been abroad wearing a baseball cap and their heads have been hot, sweaty and downright uncomfortable. They all like the fact it can be worn comfortably on a windy day and it won't be blown from the wearers head.
On that note I saw a video the other day, it showed a group of young lads doing tricks on BMX bikes, there were around five of them, they all peddled up a low hump at the same time making them all take off to a height of a few feet, on the downward part of the flight all of their baseball caps came off. As soon as I saw it I thought that wouldn't happen if they were wearing Air Flow baseball caps.
Iv been inventing things for decades and by now I have a good feel for what's good and what's not. I have a good feeling about this one.
And by the way the charity hats that were sold to people that I have to this day never met (I gave them to a lad I know who organised the charity event a few miles from where I live but I couldn't attend) genuinely like the hats, some of them asked him if I would make them bespoke hats, I of course obliged.

 

[IanSuth]

Hi Porky
Thanks for the reply and I take no offence from your comments.
A lot of people that I have spoken to about the system (not just friends and family) tell me of the times they have been abroad wearing a baseball cap and their heads have been hot, sweaty and downright uncomfortable. They all like the fact it can be worn comfortably on a windy day and it won't be blown from the wearers head.
On that note I saw a video the other day, it showed a group of young lads doing tricks on BMX bikes, there were around five of them, they all peddled up a low hump at the same time making them all take off to a height of a few feet, on the downward part of the flight all of their baseball caps came off. As soon as I saw it I thought that wouldn't happen if they were wearing Air Flow baseball caps.
Iv been inventing things for decades and by now I have a good feel for what's good and what's not. I have a good feeling about this one.
And by the way the charity hats that were sold to people that I have to this day never met (I gave them to a lad I know who organised the charity event a few miles from where I live but I couldn't attend) genuinely like the hats, some of them asked him if I would make them bespoke hats, I of course obliged.

in which case have you approached some of the smaller skate/bmx orientated brands where you can market the additional benefit of your system if they added it to their caps - remember a lot of those sports the clothing/look is as big as the sport itself. Go down your local skate park and get the thoughts of the users, find out which UK brands they rate (as people like Vans are us based) and approach them with the results of your research

 

[AlanDtb1]

in which case have you approached some of the smaller skate/bmx orientated brands where you can market the additional benefit of your system if they added it to their caps - remember a lot of those sports the clothing/look is as big as the sport itself. Go down your local skate park and get the thoughts of the users, find out which UK brands they rate (as people like Vans are us based) and approach them with the results of your research

Good plan, I will do that

 

[fisicx]

Good plan, I will do that

And they will look at your idea, set their research teams to work and have an improved version on the shelves before your patent application is approved.

If you don’t have the cash to get the patent world wide, focus on just the UK. Get one country sorted then expand.

 

[wayzgoose]

I'd buy one off you now! Lost count of how many baseball caps I've lost on our annual trip to the Norfolk Broads with a sudden gust of wind.

 

[AlanDtb1]

And they will look at your idea, set their research teams to work and have an improved version on the shelves before your patent application is approved.

If you don’t have the cash to get the patent world wide, focus on just the UK. Get one country sorted then exp

And they will look at your idea, set their research teams to work and have an improved version on the shelves before your patent application is approved.

If you don’t have the cash to get the patent world wide, focus on just the UK. Get one country sorted then expand.

And they will look at your idea, set their research teams to work and have an improved version on the shelves before your patent application is approved.

If you don’t have the cash to get the patent world wide, focus on just the UK. Get one country sorted then expand.

Thanks for the advice.

What I'm trying to do is find a company to take it on in return for royalty payments so if anyone has any contacts that might be interested in seeing the Air Flow System please put them on to me.
That's the only option for me I'm afraid.

 

[AlanDtb1]

I'd buy one off you now! Lost count of how many baseball caps I've lost on our annual trip to the Norfolk Broads with a sudden gust of wind.

If my dream comes true you will be able to buy one from an established company, maybe Adidas. If you saw my earlier post they've had the details for getting on for four months. Looking at it positively they haven't said no yet, fingers crossed.

 

[WaveJumper]

Speak to someone like Beechfield they are pretty big in the headwear game

 

[AlanDtb1]

Speak to someone like Beechfield they are pretty big in the headwear game

Thanks for the suggestion, are they British?

 

[fisicx]

What I'm trying to do is find a company to take it on in return for royalty payments so if anyone has any contacts that might be interested in seeing the Air Flow System please put them on to me.
That's the only option for me I'm afraid.

Or you save up and get your patent approved in the UK. Then you can license your idea. Right now you have nothing to sell. Or rather, anyone you show your idea to can develop their own version.

 

[AlanDtb1]

Or you save up and get your patent approved in the UK. Then you can license your idea. Right now you have nothing to sell. Or rather, anyone you show your idea to can develop their own version.

It will be very hard to come up with another system that does what mine does, the reason is it is so simple. The patent search didn't come up with anything any ware near it.

 

[AlanDtb1]

Thanks for the suggestion, are they British?

I have just contacted Beechfield, I will let you know if they get back to me.

 

[fisicx]

It will be very hard to come up with another system that does what mine does, the reason is it is so simple. The patent search didn't come up with anything any ware near it.

Maybe, but once you show it to someone it won't take them long to reverse engineer the invention. Do not underestimate the cut throat nature of business.

Get that patent approved. It's the only thing that will protect you.

 

[AlanDtb1]

Maybe, but once you show it to someone it won't take them long to reverse engineer the invention. Do not underestimate the cut throat nature of business.

Get that patent approved. It's the only thing that will protect you.

That won't happen till next year, until then its an international patent pending.

 

[fisicx]

That won't happen till next year, until then its an international patent pending.

Then just be patient and wait until next year.