05-08-2003, 11:36 AM
[cool]Look up "wierd" in the dictionary and it says "see TubeDude". As I replied to Halibut, I do believe that necessity is the mother of invention. If you have ever read about the origin of some of our greatest successes in patents, most of them came about when someone set out to solve a problem for which there was not an available solution.
I do lay claim to being "creative". My whole fishing system is mostly stuff I have made myself...with the exception of the basic tube, fins, etc. If you read the introduction to my book on over 40 years of float tubing, you will read that I may have been one of the originators of the sport. I started using my surfing inner tube to paddle out beyond the waves (ripples) and fish at Belmont Shore, back in the late 50's. I experimented with different kinds of seats, and began using my snorkeling fins to push myself around. I made lots of different models that worked okay, but I did not buy my first commercial tube until the mid seventies. Since then I have just tried to improve upon the manufactured stuff. A lot of it needs improvement.
Me and PVC? I gotta admit I find it a favorite material for all kinds of little "projects". It is relatively light and strong...and it is waterproof, for tubing.
I haven't tried to patent any of my stuff at this point because of the realities. Because of the limited (float tubers) demand for most of those things, the commercial potential is not great. It would be pointless to invest a lot of money in patents, tooling up and manufacturing, for little return.
Now, if I could only come up with some way to make a car out of PVC, that did not need gasoline, tires, repairs, etc. I would be my first customer.
I do appreciate your kind comments, guys.
[signature]
I do lay claim to being "creative". My whole fishing system is mostly stuff I have made myself...with the exception of the basic tube, fins, etc. If you read the introduction to my book on over 40 years of float tubing, you will read that I may have been one of the originators of the sport. I started using my surfing inner tube to paddle out beyond the waves (ripples) and fish at Belmont Shore, back in the late 50's. I experimented with different kinds of seats, and began using my snorkeling fins to push myself around. I made lots of different models that worked okay, but I did not buy my first commercial tube until the mid seventies. Since then I have just tried to improve upon the manufactured stuff. A lot of it needs improvement.
Me and PVC? I gotta admit I find it a favorite material for all kinds of little "projects". It is relatively light and strong...and it is waterproof, for tubing.
I haven't tried to patent any of my stuff at this point because of the realities. Because of the limited (float tubers) demand for most of those things, the commercial potential is not great. It would be pointless to invest a lot of money in patents, tooling up and manufacturing, for little return.
Now, if I could only come up with some way to make a car out of PVC, that did not need gasoline, tires, repairs, etc. I would be my first customer.
I do appreciate your kind comments, guys.
[signature]