UKC

Product ideas?

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 John Aisthorpe 02 Sep 2018

What do you need designed?

Looking for problems to solve or products to improve for my product design Engineering course at uni. 

Thanks, John

 im off 02 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

Left handed toilet roll would be nice.

1
Wulfrunian 02 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

Wet bags. Seems you can buy dry bags all over the place, but never seen any wet bags.

1
 Dell 02 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

After my weekend of fun, a tool that can reach and uncrew the c***ing diesel filter drain plug on a f***ing Peugeot 205.   

 Reach>Talent 02 Sep 2018
In reply to Dell:

It could be worse, anyone who can change a clio diesel filter without getting drenched in it has at least 2 more hands than me

 Ridge 02 Sep 2018
In reply to Reach>Talent & Dell:

French cars, what else do you expect from the nation that brought us the sani-flo toilet?

 

 wercat 02 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

modular rucksack with choice of back panel yoke material (ie synthetic or canvas), must be separately washable item.  Modular lightweight comfortable and stable outdoor carrying system with yoke, belt etc not looking overtly militaristic/sas aspirant

 

Load carrying without unnecessary sweat and smell!

Post edited at 20:54
3
 DaveHK 02 Sep 2018
In reply to wercat:

> modular rucksack with choice of back panel yoke material (ie synthetic or canvas), must be separately washable item.  Modular lightweight comfortable and stable outdoor carrying system with yoke, belt etc not looking overtly militaristic/sas aspirant

> Load carrying without unnecessary sweat and smell!

Uberniche.

 Andy Hardy 02 Sep 2018
In reply to DaveHK:

Or Sherpa + deodorant :|

 

 Mike-W-99 02 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

Judging from the number wedged around crags around the world how about a cam removal device (or a cam that can't get stuck!). And yes I know about all the tricks to remove them, never left one yet...

Post edited at 22:20
 Fozzy 02 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

A flushing handle for my toilet trowel. 

 Tom Last 02 Sep 2018
In reply to Reach>Talent:

What happened to the Volvo? How do you fit in a Cleo?  

 Jonny 07 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe

- It's about time we got some kind of adaptor that would allow the majority of axes to be securely slotted onto a shovel blade. Handles are a huge waste of weight budget.

- Some double boots with a minimalist, soled inner you can wear on a greater range approach, and an outer boot with integrated (steel) crampon spikes.

- Zip-off trousers with integrated heavy-duty snow gaiters

- A better mode of protection for steep snow slopes of variable density

 - If you really want to change the world, design an effective ropeless protection system that weighs less than 2 kg per person (that'll be light enough to get us going). Sounds about right for a summer project. Is it really going to be ropes, ropes, ropes, from the cradle of alpinism to its grave? That can't be right.  

Post edited at 20:06
 Roberttaylor 08 Sep 2018

 

> - It's about time we got some kind of adaptor that would allow the majority of axes to be securely slotted onto a shovel blade. Handles are a huge waste of weight budget.

Or a way the shovel blade could be secured to the ice axe in general, for use; doesn't need to slide on necessarily.

> - A better mode of protection for steep snow slopes of variable density

If you make this, you can have my money.

>  - If you really want to change the world, design an effective ropeless protection system that weighs less than 2 kg per person (that'll be light enough to get us going). Sounds about right for a summer project. Is it really going to be ropes, ropes, ropes, from the cradle of alpinism to its grave? That can't be right. 

Ambitious, but there was a time before dynamic ropes were a thing and they would have seemed ambitious then.

 

 gethin_allen 08 Sep 2018
In reply to Ridge:

> French cars, what else do you expect from the nation that brought us the sani-flo toilet?

I didn't know they were responsible for such crap designs.

 

In reply to John Aisthorpe:

Something that does what Compeed does for walker's toes for climber's fingertips.

You take off the backing covering the sticky surface and roll the plaster round a fingertip when the skin is starting to get thin.  It is thin, ideally transparent and bonds firmly to itself and to skin so once it is wrapped all the way round you can pull hard on a hold without it coming off.  It will stay on for a couple of days while new skin grows under it.  The outside surface of the plaster over the finger pad is tougher than real skin and roughened up with ridges designed to make it grip rock better than skin.

 ed luke. 15 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

The collapsible ice axe.

 deacondeacon 15 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

How about a climbing chalk substitute which doesn't need re applying every one or two moves?

Custom moulded climbing shoes for a perfect fit?

A bouldering pad that follows you around like a robo-hoover?

A little comfy belaying bench for hanging belays that can roll up into a tiny size to hang off the back of your harness when not in use?

I'll take 33% on anything you make. Thanks. 

 

 nniff 15 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

Ice axe attachments for rucksacks that work as well as the old ones did with straight axes.  Don't let the axes flop around, rattle or fall out and from which the axe can be removed reasonably easily while wearing the ice axe.  Won't catch when scrambling down something with or without an axe in place and don't have bits that are vulnerable to getting broken or lost.   Ideally, hold walking poles instead.

 John Kelly 15 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

Crampons that extend and retract into sole of boot

Carbon fibre? carabiners

Post edited at 08:09
 Dave Cundy 15 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

How about a baffle system for down products (clothing, sleeping bays etc.) which is easy to make and thermally efficient.  i'd much prefer to use down rather than synthetic insulation for various applications but it always seems too much faff to create the baffles.

 brunoschull 15 Sep 2018

Let's keep it simple.

How about zippers that don't get stuck?

B

 Morty 15 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

A bouldering mat drone.  It hovers a couple of inches off the ground and follows you as you climb. Good for problems that have a bit of traversing.

A portable climbing trainer - something that packs away and can be transported. Resistance training for hands/arms and feet/legs - potentially including variable sized grips to target finger/hand strength. 

A laser measuring device (possibly mounted on a very quiet, tiny drone) that can be pointed at potential placements that 3D images the placement and tells you the best bit of gear to take up.  No more massive racks just in case. 

One of those bolt firing guns from the film Cliffhanger...

 

 andrewm1000 17 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe: A wide-mouthed 2 litre collapsible bottle to use as a pee bottle at night at altitude instead of carrying a bulky 1.5 litre Nalgene pee bottle.

 

Post edited at 12:01
 HeMa 17 Sep 2018
In reply to GarethSL:

True. Albeit tge requester specified 2 liters and mentiones 1.5 liters. 

 HeMa 17 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

How about a true backpack to rule ’em all. 

 

Needs to be about 40 to 60 liters expanded (80m rope, few pairs of shoes, harness, grub & water, and a big rack of QDs. Or one 60m half rope, big rack of gear & screws, crampons, harness, belay jacket, waterproof, and a dozen pairs of gloves). Yet cinch down to about 20 liters or less. Oh, and add a detaching rope tarp. And it needs to be light and robust. 

 

Basically it’s a rucksack that works as a (euro sport) craggin’ sack. As well as gets everything (inside) to the start of a scottish winter route (or alpine/Norway rock route, long but still doable in one go), then packs down to the size of a leader pack (belay jacket, spare gloves and some grub & drink). Or anything in between. 

 

Oh, and fit carry on limitations when ’big’ or ’nearly at ITS largest’.

Would save a lot of room in my household. 

Post edited at 13:16
2
 blurty 17 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

Mouldable protection:

I device that could inserted into any recess in the rock, and 'inflated' to provide an anchor/ runner

Andrew Kin 17 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

Considering all the threads on here about climbers and campers littering the crags with human shit, how about something to solve the problem.  Something that can clip around the waist.  Catch the offending turd and package it up in a sealed, flushable bag when you get home. I know there are bags that can achieve the same thing but climbers and campers like to buy gadgets.  Make it out of titanium and charge £100 for it and they will buy it.

 jonny taylor 17 Sep 2018
In reply to blurty:

Too late, I've already patented the "dough nut", which hardens using some sort of shape memory alloy or something.

 krikoman 17 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

The perfect girlfriend

 GrahamD 17 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

I'd like a product that gives you all the information that you need on all the routes in an area:

- Must be small enough to easily fit in a pocket whilst climbing

- Not rely on batteries

- Must be able to survive a fall from the top of the crag.

 ianstevens 17 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

Something that blocks people who can't be arsed to do their own legwork from posting 

5
 ianstevens 17 Sep 2018
In reply to Jonny:

> In reply to John Aisthorpe

> - A better mode of protection for steep snow slopes of variable density

The real issue there is that the medium you're attempting to put protection into is the fallible element

 ianstevens 17 Sep 2018
In reply to HeMa:

> How about a true backpack to rule ’em all. 

> Needs to be about 40 to 60 liters expanded (80m rope, few pairs of shoes, harness, grub & water, and a big rack of QDs. Or one 60m half rope, big rack of gear & screws, crampons, harness, belay jacket, waterproof, and a dozen pairs of gloves). Yet cinch down to about 20 liters or less. Oh, and add a detaching rope tarp. And it needs to be light and robust. 

Given the carry on limit is 55 L, it will take more than an engineering student to get a 60L bag to fit in it.

 HeMa 17 Sep 2018
In reply to ianstevens:

I did write that fit in limits either fully expanded or nearly so. 

 

Btw, it’s rather Odd that my purpose made light bag happens to be 60 + 10 liters. And Yes, it is ’legal’.

 ianstevens 17 Sep 2018
In reply to HeMa:

At 60L?? I presume you must used it compressed down to get in hand luggage? 

 maxsmith 17 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

A rucksack which has an attachment to carry a scooter/bike/whatever mad contraption my children decide to take to the park but are too tired to pilot home. 

 tlouth7 17 Sep 2018
In reply to HeMa:

> How about a true backpack to rule ’em all. 

I think my post (#10) in this rucksack thread pretty much hits every one of your points:

https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/gear/best_rucksack_for_climbing_and_campi...

A dry treated rope at half the weight and cost would be great, ideally non tangling or self coiling.

A sling with curtain wire in the weave to make it hold any shape you bend it to. Helpful for difficult threads. Mustn't rust or fatigue, or be much heavier than a normal sling.

 Ramon Marin 17 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

Clip-on crampon. Like the cycling shoes system, but instead of a pedal, a crampon plate.

 andrew ogilvie 18 Sep 2018
In reply to Ramon Marin:

Problem with that idea is that in cycling the pedal stroke applies the force directly throughout the cleat but in winter climbing the force would be applied at a distance from the cleat applying considerable leverage .

In reply to John Aisthorpe:

Head up display e-guidebook which projects the route information on the rock in front of you.

 

 HeMa 19 Sep 2018
In reply to Stefan Jacobsen:

Well...

 

A simple e-ink guidebook would already be highly useful... b&w (shades or grey) instead of color though.

A Kindle (and the likes) are a lot smaller than majority of available guidebooks. And you can fit prolly a few hundret in. Battery lasts a few weeks (unlike tablets or mobiles).

Also if done properly (forget rigid page layouts), updates could be easily done (if publisher so wishes).

In reply to HeMa:

I already use my iPhone for certain e-guides, either online using the browser, or offline when an app is available. But the phone lacks head up display. Actually, HUD for phones would be useful for a number of other things than just e-guidebooks.

 HeMa 19 Sep 2018
In reply to Stefan Jacobsen:

What you're after is AR (augmented reality). Can it be made, sure...

But to get the accuracy... well, it'll need a lot more work.

I'd settle for e-ink guidebooks... for most of the roped climbing (single pitch). And 27crags (or similar) for bouldering. Multipitch and alpine... paper still triumphs (plus photos of the topo in the camera and phone).

Deadeye 19 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

Sent you a detailed PM; let me know if you don't get it.

In reply to HeMa:

>Multipitch and alpine... paper still triumphs (plus photos of the topo in the camera and phone).

Yes still, but it would be nice with all that information on the inside of your sunglasses. It would be cheating though

 Ramon Marin 19 Sep 2018
In reply to andrew ogilvie:

Yes but it wouldn't be a cycling cleat, it would be the same idea but with 4 inset points each at each extremity of the sole so no leverage problems. The main issue I see is ice build up making the clipping difficult, but that is part of the design brief

 Wingnut 19 Sep 2018
In reply to tom_in_edinburgh:

>>Something that does what Compeed does for walker's toes for climber's fingertips.

What, stick your hand and your glove together in one horrible, unremovable glob?

 

Post edited at 12:50
In reply to Wingnut:

> >>Something that does what Compeed does for walker's toes for climber's fingertips.

> What, stick your hand and your glove together in one horrible, unremovable glob?

I was talking about a thin tape with a high friction surface on the outside and a sticky surface on the inside you could apply to your fingertips when the skin is getting thin so you don't have to stop climbing in the same way as Compeed lets walkers who are starting to develop blisters avoid stopping walking.   The people who need it (i.e. boulderers and sport climbers) aren't wearing gloves.

Post edited at 13:24
 Ramon Marin 19 Sep 2018
In reply to John Aisthorpe:

Considering that I just seen a UKC post saying a Silent Partner just sold for £1000 it's pretty clear to me what you need to ...


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