Idea stolen, Hate it when that happens!

[hunter63]

Over the years, I have came up with a few things that have made my life easier, or solved a problem.

DW always says I should have "patented" it, sold it, manufactured it etc.
Well, As I was looking thru the Harbor Freight cat, found another one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/?category=428&q=hitch+mount+plate

This is mine, and I did submit to both Mother Earth News and Handy Man Magazine, and was published in both as a "helpful tip".

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/hunter63/1PICT04308crop.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y139/hunter63/1PICT04263crop.jpg

Oh Well..............................

[Mischief]

Hunter63
I guess you can say thousands have stolen your idea or is it just people think of ideas the same way you do. I have used a very similar idea since the 70's

The mischief

[hunter63]

Hunter63
I guess you can say thousands have stolen your idea or is it just people think of ideas the same way you do. I have used a very similar idea since the 70's

The mischief

LOL, LOL, I hear ya, seem all great minds think alike, still.........

[crashdive123]

Back in the early 80's I worked side by side with a retired Navy guy that was then working Civil Service. He was telling me of an idea that he and a friend had. They drew up papers and sent it off to the patent office. It was rejected because the idea (tell you in a second what it was) could not be patented. I asked why he didn't go ahead with the plans anyway. He and his friends started having doubts as to whether there would be a market for it.

The idea? A place you could go and just have your oil changed - in under 30 minutes. The rejection letter was dated about three or four years before the first Jiffy Lube opened up.

[hunter63]

I had sent a letter(before e-mail) to the "Igloo" cooler people, suggesting a camo, flat top cooler, (so you could sit on it). Early 1990's
They sent me a nice letter back, no market for it....It as a couple of years when they came out with several versions.........

http://www.amazon.com/Igloo-RealTree-Liner-Duffle-Cooler/dp/B001LEA9ZA

[randyt]

i have a vise rig up similar to yours. except on my i welded on a vertical pipe to bring the vise up to belly height. that way i don't have to bend over.