Gardening Invention Idea

Edlyn12 · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 9:51 pm Post subject: Gardening Invention Idea

Hello everyone,

I need to come up with an invention for my 4th year business class student enterprise in school and I would like to ask you if there is anything you always wished you wanted while doing tasks in the garden, work, school, home or anywhere else.

Thanks in advance and it would really help me if it could be possible that you guys could help.

Thank You Again!

Good guy · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 11:15 pm Post subject:

Here's one, Edlyn12:
Something lo-tech to help me get the correct spacing when sowing seeds/setting out plants, or to get the correct depth when, for instance, planting bulbs. It would need to be useable/readable even when dirty, not deteriorate in wet conditions, be easy to store/carry and hard to lose.
Have fun! And if you go with it I'd love to hear how you get on (I presume this is a team project.)

tagwex · Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2015 11:25 pm Post subject:

Wolfgarden make a seeder that can cope with seeds of different sizes and spacing. I looked into it two years ago and realised that it had its limitations so I didn't buy it. Now that could be improved upon. Can't see it coping with bulbs though.

kindredspirit · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 3:54 am Post subject:

A shears with long handles to trim Heather, Rock Roses, etc.
Similar to a Lawn Edger but with the blades at 90° to those. i.e. one can shear the foliage whilst standing up without bending over or stooping.
I've looked in vain for one. Did find one, made in Holland, I think; I bought it but it wasn't strong enough for the job. I need one with "grunt".
Amazing that one of these doesn't seem to made. (Or, they probably are but I can't find them here.)

Edlyn12 · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 5:19 pm Post subject:

Good ideas and I will think about the designs of each one but the product I invent must be cheap and easy to produce.

tagwex · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 5:40 pm Post subject:

Something simple so. Try a measuring stick for spacing out seeds. Colour coded for the different settings. If you can think of another use for the rod then all the better. Also see if you can find an idea/use for the ends of it too. The rod needs to be in the region of 1.5 m long so as it can span two drills if they happen to be raked into 1 bed. Sturdy plastic approx. 12mm diameter.
I have a bamboo cane marked with insulating tape in different colours for the different spacings.

Good guy · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 7:18 pm Post subject:

One approach you might try is to break down your problem into constituent parts: General principals; needs v wants; user groups, who to include?; materials; visibility/readability. Try brainstorming each of the parts and then look for possible answers to your needs.

Edlyn12 · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 7:30 pm Post subject:

Thank You Good Guy

Sue Deacon · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2015 9:33 pm Post subject:

kindredspirit · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 4:44 am Post subject:

If you're doing my idea Edlyn 12, it would be ergonomically easier for the two handles to go forward over the blades instead of being back behind the blades. That would solve Sue's problem with the strain on shoulders and upper arms.

Smile

Edlyn12 · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 7:48 am Post subject:

Thanks guys

Sue Deacon · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 9:02 am Post subject:

Certainly if you could solve that problem you would have a real winner! I don't think it would be the cheap project you are looking for right now, but put it in your note book for another day. I'd definitely buy one! Very Happy

Good guy · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 9:55 am Post subject:

If you are really interested in designing a product which properly takes the human user into account, you must pay good attention to ergonomics (the science of work, or fitting the task to the person) as Tagwex has mentioned. There is good ergonomics information available on the web.
However, if you are studying technology at school, you might mention to your teacher a very useful and economical ergonomics package called PeopleSize. It was developed at Loughborough Universirty and is marketed by their OpenErg.com. I used it when teaching and found students really enjoyed it. Their website is fun, anyway!

tagwex · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 10:41 am Post subject:

Ehhhhhhh not me GG. It was KS. Remember I'm the thick one.
Anyway I think that putting a long handled shears into production, even to get one made, would be too much for the boundaries of this class project. When my kids did their TY projects their and their classmates projects were relatively simple things and most of them were hand made and cheap to produce. I find it hard to believe that something like this is not in production already.

kindredspirit · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2015 11:43 am Post subject:

Well I've looked in lots of places and haven't found a robust one, only a flimsyish one, which'll just about do Rock Roses reluctantly but baulks at Heather and other toughies.

So if I see the "Edlyn Shears" with the ergonomic, forward-facing handles for sale somewhere I'll be the first to buy it. Smile