10/09/94
Am making conscious effort to tackle problem. Am scribbling down ideas
and drawings. Considering pins and catches or trigger mechanisms.
Producing drawings around Justin’s house.
22/09/94
Meeting T.S today. I talk of G’s keyless product, describing it as
pre-historic. G is a massive, succesful company Hint at an idea to beat
it. We talk about locks and methods of fixing. I have ideas in my mind
as result of attempting to solve dad’s problem but give little away.
However, I am aware that if I can crack dad’s problem, I will be able to
produce a novel litter product based on a unique fixing.
Trouble is I have not cracked it yet! I do give T.S a hint of a fixing
using a ball as a catch. I draw vague example and also give T several
different designs to ponder over.(Mostly base designs). Continue to
imagine different fixing methods. Pins locking. Catches grabbing. None
meet the requirements. None meet the need.
Thoughts of using Gravity enter my mind for the first time. Gravity
acting with a ball. I do not mention Gravity to T.S. I keep such thought
to myself.
Wed 05/10/94
Meeting with Mike Coggins of Swintex. Discuss feasibility of my idea of
a one piece litterbin. Discuss logic behind it and its design. I told
Mike I would expect my one piece bin to have a round bottom to aid
emptying. Did not give him any further information. Mike phoned later
that evening.
Meet M.C at L.R. Discuss business till lunchtime. At lunch at W.B I
reveal that I am interested in M’s views of a one piece litterbin.
Explain that I have something up my sleeve.
Images and ideas are fermenting and bubbling in my mind. I am seeing the
product I need to invent. I am seeing a hollow sleeve, square. A socket
in a concrete base. I’m seeing a post lowering into it and locking?
fitting? into place. I am accepting the fact that I need a fitting, a
fastener but not consciously. (Leaping) (Virtual thinking)
Thurs 06/10/94
Alan Armitage phoned me asking for info. Asked if my idea could be added
to the existing range. I said it may have been possible. He confirmed
that Swintex would compensate me for any usable ideas. We talked about
lump sums and royalties. Did not give Alan any further information. Alan
said he would enjoy showing me factory on my planned visit
whatever………
5.00 pm. Had conversation with A.A regarding possible litterbin design.
Added that I was working on something unrelated to bin but was
interested in his help in pursuing a registered design or possible
patent. A.A was not able to offer me any practical help but suggested I
contact the patent office.
Left message on patent office answer phone at approx 5.30 pm requesting
information (pack) on filing a patent application. (Leaping)
Fri 07/10/94
Received patent information pack. Brother John phoned. We enjoyed a
conversation for 15 – 20 minutes. The topic ranging form work to family.
John mentioned something about an old friend of mine from 1975.
A Mental Adjustment
11/10/94
3 days without sleep. Full significance hits me. Sleep on sofa. Jackie
not happy. In creative black focus. Brain not allowing me to rest.
Device being created in my mind. Can’t stop.
Took computer to Yeovil and showed Dad plans, ideas and animations. Dad
and Barbara appreciated the theory of my idea. I said I planned to
produce a working prototype.
Wed 12/10/94
On Wednesday 12th October, I created my first Gravity device. A working
lego prototype. I was off work with flu and had stolen a section of
waste pipe from rear of Jackie’s Dad’s house.
I Poured contents of Oliver’s lego box over floor of lounge and knelt
down in the middle of the lounge to begin the creation of my first
prototype.
During this bizarre event,my family walked in on me. “What are you doing
Dad?
Kneeling on the floor with my big, cromby overcoat laid out around me, I
looked up, startled. I felt like the central character in the “Close
Encounters” movie, unhinged, obsessed, trying to mould the image of
Table Top mountain, first out of the potato on his plate and then out of
the tons of clay dumped in his living room.
My eyes filled with tears. I realised that I was wrapped up in my own
world.
Jackie did not appreciate the spectacle.
Holding up a block of Lego components, I said, “Look – GravityLock”, the
same way a toddler might have said “Look, tractor”.
I wish I hadn`t.
Over the following weeks, I perfected what I called my “pure” gravity
lock. A chamber inside a cube. This was made of wood. Other plaster of
paris models were produced to allow me to develop the idea.
Saturday 15th saw the first working wooden prototype and by Sun 16th
October, I had created a fastener with a gripping and self locking
“kicker” feature.
On Wednesday 19th October. I contact a patent attorney.
I would need to create and file suitable drawings to support my patent
claim. Phil suggested I contacted my father, a draughtsman capable of
drawing the required diagrams.
Thurs 13/10/94
Self destruct mode!! Have not slept since weekend
Fri 14/10/94
Big talk with Jackie. Both crying, sitting at kitchen table. I explain
that this CRAZY, BIZZARE thing is happening to me but that it has to be
allowed to flow. Explained that my friends supported me, why couldn’t
Jackie?
36″ waist now 34″. Lost 2 stone in weight.
Sat 15/10/94
Wooden prototype made. Pure device possible.
Sun 16/10/94
Dad and Barbara for tea. Refined hooking mechanism. Created steel work
in shed. “Stairway to Heaven, Riders on the storm, Maggie May” on virgin
radio. First hook filed out at 10.40 am. Will file striker tomorrow.
Mon 17/10/94
Phoned local inventor. (Mr Poole) Did not discuss details but said I
felt I was on to something. He advised I contacted patent attorney. We
had chat. He said sometimes ideas turned up in America. Also advised me
to “Fight my corner” regarding search outcome.
Wed 19/10/94
8.30 am Contacted Patent agent via answer phone. Left message with
Barker, Brettel and Boutland. 0703336970 (Southampton)
A Mr Walker, their technical assistant, contacted me on my way to
Dorchester. We discussed the patent process. (I seemed to satisfy him
that I was fairly clear on the process). I would not reveal details on a
mobile phone but said I would discuss matters further prior to a visit
to his company. He said a patent application would cost between
£600-1200 depending on complexity.
I am hopeful that my invention will be simple to register.
27/09/94
(Continue with Investigating the territory) Statistics, Options, Risks,
etc
Chapter Three
Concept To Reality
It appears that the very first wooden prototype I created in a flurry of
inspiration (My pure gravity lock) was an exactly perfect one.
Since the first one, I have tried and failed to repeat the exercise. By
some quirk or intuition, I created that first one just perfect. It works
and it works well at any reasonable angle. Yet further models do not.
WHY?
Is it the length of the channel. Is it the angle?
FEW NOTES. Make module universal size so that different sized posts or
fixings can mate with one sized module.(To save production/tooling
costs)
Once in the locked position, hook could be tightened by being screwed
clockwise causing the hook to rise further in the chamber securely
locking the union. Should the hook be patented on its own? Module could
snap fit into 4″? rainwater pipe. Use cement for producing modules.
Drawings for mould available.
NOTES. Plan.
FINISH ANIMATIONS
CREATE 3D DRAWING OF PURE GRAVITY LOCK
CREATE PROTOTYPE IN WOOD
READ PATENT GUIDE THOROUGHLY
CONSIDER PATENT FILING
USE PRODRAW OR SIMILAR TO DRAW DIAGRAMS FOR PATENT FILING
SET ABOUT DOING APPLICATION FOR REAL
CONSULT LEGAL RE CONFIDENTIALITY DOC
CONSIDER CONFIDENTIALITY DOCS
DESIGN DOCS
LEGAL PROTECTION FOR IDEAS
AGREEMENT TO PURSUE DEVICE PATENT ON MY BEHALF
CONSIDER LICENSING DOCS
CONSIDER FINANCE
Made love to Jackie for first time since it all began.(14/10/94) Christ!
Met Phil in west end dairy. Showed him prose. I am not happy with it but
he wanted to see it.
23/10/94
I am planning to have a go at achieving success with my invention.
However you look at it, I have come up with a unique idea. A system that
forms part of an anchoring system that is re usable. Fence posts that
can be replaced in seconds without having to remove any old concrete.
Road signs, telegraph posts, fence parts, buildings, anything.
My idea, my invention does not exist in any commercial form in this
country. You cannot buy a gravity lock…..because they do not exist.
- Filing the invention gives me legal date of its birth. Estimated cost
£600. - Arranging for search for any similar product. Estimated cost £600.
- Detailed examination.
- Patent registration. Cost £84.00.
UK forecast
Forecast based on DIY fencepost market using Metpost sales as a guide
and assuming chainstore is national with 100 stores or more.
Royalties set at 10%
Sales per store per week = 100 units.
Multiply by number of stores nationwide (X 100)
Estimates for one national chainstore.
Units sold per week = 10,000
Units sold per month = 40,000
Units sold per year = 480,000
Royalties per quarter = £120,000
Royalties per chainstore per annum = £480,000
Selling to 10 national chainstores
Royalties per quarter = £1.2M
Royalties per annum – £4.8M
Question for agent
Can I ask for technical support or are you just here to convey my ideas
into legal patent application?
Friday Buy various sized tubes and wood for mould. Plastic tubing
various size. Plywood. Plaster of Paris or cement.
Mon 24/10/94
Panic attack in car with Phil. Talked about device. Took conversation to
its limit. ie World market. Great wealth. Frightened myself. Printed new
sections based on chat with Phil. Separated device from litterbin info.
Tues 25/10/94
With Phil again today. Rationalised previous days discussion. Plan to
get filing done the first year, apply for search the end of the first
year. If search reveals no similar product, I can begin to think about a
monopoly on my idea. If otherwise then can still consider manufacturing
device but will not have protection against pirates.
Copyright trade names “Greedy monkey” and “Gravity lock”
Friday 28/10/94
Arranged appointment with Mr Walker for Wed 2nd November 94 at 11.00am.
Thanks Ronnie!
Sat 29/10/94
Yeovil then Dad’s. Dad appeared to think I was foolish concentrating on
applications for Gravity lock. Wish I had not mentioned New York.
I had been unable to communicate with Dad about a particular point so
had just relayed my latest thoughts to him in a kind of frustrated
barrage to try to bring him round. The example happened to be about the
environmental concrete timebomb we in the 20th century are leaving for
our grandchildren.
Cities are currently built on huge foundations of concrete and steel.
When the buildings reach the end of their lives, their foundations have
to be removed. Like the de commissioning of Nuclear power stations, the
task is gigantic.
I proposed to dad that perhaps buildings and sky scrapers could utilize
my technology and simply be unplugged from their concrete bases at the
end of their lives leaving the concrete base intact and ready for new
steel girders to be plugged into the vacant joints.
Poor Dad could not get his head around that and derided me for having
such far fetched thoughts. I left having failed to discussed the
particular points I had wanted to raise with him and felt let down.
I had wanted Father to simply get on board the train of thought I was
journeying on. The purpose of my visit to Yeovil being to gain some
support and confidence from my Father. I felt I had received neither.
At home, I continue to make prototype for Wednesdays meeting with agent.
Sun 30/10/94
Day with family. Jackie being very supportive.
Tues 01/11/94
Went to talk to Barbara. Explained 1. I was OK mentally and Dad should
not worry. 2. I can afford cost of patent. Not a problem. 3. I was
disappointed in Dad’s constant need to slow me down. Tried to explain
that I wanted him to come with me on my adventure-Not to constantly warn
me of pitfalls. Barbara said she would explain to him.
Went to Johns. Knocked on door and was met by Carol with “Heard about
your invention”. I was dumbfounded. I had told John about the other
project-a litterbin design but not about the device.
I came out in a sweat. I guessed Dad had mentioned it when he visited
John the previous evening. Dad had said “Has Chris told you about his
invention?” John had said “Yes” presumably referring to the other
project. This conversation was in front of Elaine and her new boyfriend.
I (wrongly?) assumed Dad had chose to tell John of my invention. My
intellectual rights, my baby, my discovery.
I phoned Dad and Barbara and had a row with Dad quoting the above. Later
phoned Phil and told him. He advised me to make it up with my Dad. Then
John phoned. I explained I wanted to tell him in my time but accepted I
had misunderstood situation. John wanted to see my device, yes he’s my
brother but this thing needs containing.
Johns request just weighed on me. Another reason to fret. Another thread
to drain my limited resources.
Phoned Barbara in evening. Told her “I meant no harm” to Dad and did not
wish to cause him any upset. I am just under a terrific stain.
Anxiety and panic has been kept at the boundary of my thoughts but I
feel I am now on my last reserves of stability.
Thurs 03/11/94
Phoned Mr Walker again. Am sending cheque as soon as I have produced
drawings. Monday?
There must not be a patent for a gravity lock anywhere in the world for
it to succeed.
Heading for the light.
Just begin again.
Mon 07/11/94
Spoke to Alan Muir about terms of employment. There is no expectation of
me to invent anything on behalf of WDDC. I have had no brief to be
involved in R & D either in my normal or special duties.
Alan says go for it. He could not seriously advise the council to pursue
a claim to my anchoring device. There is nothing to follow and it is too
far removed from my work.
Contacted Mr Walker at 11.55am. Discussed drawings etc. Intend to
forward them in 48 hours.
Tues 08/11/94
10.00pm
Can’t do drawings to standard. Desperate!! Phoned Phil. Phil said ask
Dad. Had not thought of that. Phoned Dad. He will do them.
Only 4 weeks after thinking of the system, I had created prototypes,
investigated tooling options, calculated potential sales numbers through
DIY networks and made lists of possible applications, distributors and
customers.
I had also Informed my employer`s solicitor, west Dorset District
Council) of my plans to eventually set up a private commercial venture
and arranged a meeting with personnel.
On saturday 12th November 1994, I travel with my old friend Mr Thorpe,
to collect drawings from my father.
Thurs 17/11/94
12.00 noon. Meet Mr Lomas with Mr Walker. They are very impressed with
drawings. They said they could see that a great deal of work had gone
into them and the presentation. They added that they wished all their
clients could present such fine applications.
Gave them prototype, background history and cash. All done-Now in their
hands.
Fri 18/11/94
Showed Jerry (and Jenny). The feeling of exhilaration was terrific. I am
free of this thing for a while. Feel like I’ve shaken off my old skin. I
am new again.
Mon 21/11/94
Showed MG. Impressed!
Tues 22/11/94
9.50 am. Chat with Mike Grindle about my invention and its implications
with WDDC should I venture into a business arrangement of any kind. MG
advised I talk to SM, head of personnel.
MG confirmed that he had no difficulty accepting that my intellectual
property was of no concern to WDDC. I was never employed to “invent”
anything and my special duty is simply to purchase and site litterbins.
My intellectual rights were my own.
10.50 am. After explaining my invention to SM, he verbally confirmed
that what I do in my own time is my affair. I asked for written
confirmation but he said it was not applicable. The only concern he had
was with regard to any business venture that might need clarifying. He
advised me to write to MG when the time came and to send him a copy.
The nub of the letter would state that I might be pursuing business and
that I appreciated that MG would have to present it at committee for the
committee to discuss whether it conflicted with my duties serving the
council.
In reality, I see it as no problem anyway. By the time any business
venture was in the offing, I would be history at WDDC.
23rd November 1994. I have lost 2 stone in weight. 34″ waist now 32″.
Have been on an even keel since leaving project with patent agent.
(17/11/94)
4th December 1994. I tell Jackie I must consider ways of raising £10K –
£20K from individuals yet to be found.
I was aware that financially, I had opened Pandora`s box. The challenge
of gaining a UK patent would only be the tip of the iceberg. I would
also need international patent protection. An awesome prospect with
massive financial implications.
>
Early assessment of the patent process etc.
Speak to patent agents. I ask about likely ongoing costs of patent
applications. I am told to expect UK patents to initially cost £5K –
£6K. If I want European cover then just filing them may be another £2K –
£3K. American cover would be another inital £4K – just to start with.
There would be further costs to ask for patent examinations and
additional costs in maintaining future patents.
Within days, following a visit to my local Barclays Bank, I had secured
a loan from an understanding bank manager, to carry out “home
improvements”.
The loan paid for the funds for the UK patent but immediately threw my
family into financial strain – setting a character upon the venture that
was to rear its head continually throughout the project.
5th Dec 1994. UK patent filed for my “Gravity Lock” anchoring device.
I remember thinking to myself, “Thats it, job done, back to normal”,
completely unaware that it would be a further 4 years before I would
eventually “return to normal”.
7th Dec. Meeting with Tim Smith of Linpac. He says Ron Heaton, director,
sees applications for technology as instantly releasable bollard system.
14th Dec. Show Tim Smith presentation in strictest confidence. Show off
a plaster of paris device.
14th Dec. Contacted patent agents assistant, Jerry Walker. He says my
innovation is “one of the most lucrative to cross my desk” and added
that “Some people have ideas that are not marketable, some have good
ideas but lack the will to succeed or some have good ideas but cannot
sell themselves”
His view was that I had all of the required elements to succeed and had
a very powerful innovation.
16/12/94
15th Dec (My 38th birthday). Diary note.
Tim phoned at 11.00 am. Jon Thurman interested in gravity lock for
bollards market. “Where you see 1 litterbin, you see 20 bollards.”
LINPAC (a manufacturer) IS INTERESTED IN MY INVENTION!!!
Dad delighted. Phil delighted. Me? More cautious than ever. The nearer
success gets, the more the fear of failure rises. Someone must have
invented the device already.
Am watching an american film. America-all poles, posts and pylons.
Surely someone there has already done this thing?
Sat 17/12/94
I create a “pure” Gravity block from dense polythene recycled plastic
wood sample. It is fantastic,
Black, mysterious, alien looking. Self locking and functional.
Bought Eureka, the book of inventing. Read book. Phoned Dad in evening.
Considering London search in Science museum. Visit in new year? Delay
claims and search and check myself?
Sun 18/12/94
Feeling very alone and scared. This thing disrupting my life. Decided to
call on my friend Justin. Phoned Justin from near his house. Julie said
he was out. Asked if he was in his car. Julie said yes. His car was
outside his house. I made excuses and said I would call over in ten
minutes on the off chance.
Did just that. Justin had not been out. Julie and him had lied. There
was an embarrassing silence when I appeared at his house. He invited me
in, offered me coffee and weakly stated “It was only a joke”. I had my
beautiful new prototypes in a bag. I did not bother to show him them and
declined a coffee (politely) and made my excuses and left after less
than five minutes.
Have this need to share my discovery but am alone.
17th Dec. Noticed that friends are beginning to snub me. J.K had
pretended he was out when I called. Meanwhile, at work, people are
commenting on my “obsessive behaviour”.
18th Dec. 7.30-9.00 pm.
Took up Ken Nicklin’s offer to call on him. Ken would be my biggest
test. An experienced construction engineer, his criticism would be
valuable. I remembered my New York conversation with Dad. Would Ken
share Dad’s views?
After my short presentation, Ken was stunned! The device hit him harder
than I had seen it hit anyone so far. He could see its use throughout
the construction industry. Yes, it could support buildings and
skyscrapers, yes it could be used globally. Ken was overwhelmed and
because he was, I was!
Continue claims and search. Move forward.
19th December. 3.00 pm. Meeting with Dave Ross Smith of Dorset Business
Link, an agency financed by the DTI. (Department of Trade and Industry)
Presented invention after giving short history of my background and
background of device. Secured financial support to cover cost of claims
and search. Other support available if required.
Am elated that DTI are financing and taking invention seriously.I gain
£500 grant aid to help me with patent cost.
I seem to have reached a point that not every inventor manages to get
to. A marketable product receiving support from the DTI, working
prototypes, manufacturers interested and financial offers of support all
within 12 weeks of the inventions birth.
1995
5th Jan. Phoned Jon Thurman of Linpac asking for info. He said one
application was of interest to him. The bollard market. Asked for
meeting. He will call back later today.
Linpac will not be my product champion. LINPAC 01213287279
John Thurman of Linpac will not pursue project.
Fri 06/01/95
1.00 pm. Mike Coggins phoned. Discussed invention. I am invited to
Manchester to give a presentation.
Swintex could be my product champion. Discussed finance. Must get to
Manchester.
Mon 09/01/95
DTI meeting at home.
Filing cost 550.00 096.25
Search cost 400.00 070.00
TOTAL 950.00 166.25
DTI Finance 500.00 087.50
Balance 450.00 078.75
My cheque 500.00 To be returned.
Balance 021.25 CREDIT.
Hilti
01703 335593
Rawplug
John Stent
01753 581212
9th Jan. I begin to prepare standard letter for possible collaborators.
Hilti, Rawplug, Fischer Fixings.
Chapter Five
The Kings Clothes
The Manchester Visit
I am greeted warmly in Manchester. The sales team and others already
know me because of my WDDC connection.
I give my first real presentation, complete with concrete products and
Gravity gadgets. The “pure” Gravity block. A releasable post system. I
also have a freshly made (and still wet) Gravity housebrick tucked away
in my bag.
My presentation is too long. Worse than that, when Jim, the Swintex MD
gets up to attempt to tip up my Gravity base, I reply, “Ah,Ah, no
cheating” and guide him back to his chair!
I had shown the technical drawings to everyone present along with the
statement “When you see these (drawings), you will wonder why you didn`t
think of the concept yourselves”
Unfortunately, their MD could not read drawings and was perplexed as to
how the systems worked. It was a case of “The King`s Clothes”.
Nobody else in the room was brave enough to admit that they understood
the principle
for fear of belittling their boss!
However, eventually, when I pulled out the Gravity brick with its
visible mechanism, Jim seized it, called it bloody marvelous and ran off
with it to show a technical staff member not present at the meeting.
I learned a lot from that first presentation. In future, I would have to
make sure that everyone caught sight of the working mechanism.
As has been commented since, the simplicity of the system masks the
complexity of the actual concept. Difficult to visualize but easy to
see.
Notes
The Manchester experience had to happen. I always knew I would go there
to present my invention to what I considered friends in the business,
people who would give me the opportunity to bring my baby screaming into
the real world
However outsiders may have seen it, Manchester represented a turning
point for me. I would exorcise and route out all my months of imagining,
all the months of dreaming and all the pent up expectation of the
gravity lock project.
It could not come out structured, it could not come out planned and well
presented. Manchester was the opportunity for me to pull everything out
into the open so that it could be seen, dissected and analyzed.
Chapter Six
The “World Search”
I have requested that the patent office carry out a world search to
establish the originality of the Gravity concept. Everything, past,
present and future relies on a positive result.
The system has to compete with a current 21 million other live filed
patents. It has to survive the examination intact for the innovation to
warrant the term “new”.
Until the results of the search, I will not truly know if I have indeed
created something special. I feel it will be ok, and you cannot actually
buy anything like the system I have devised but nevertheless, the search
result is crucial to the future of the project.
Chapter Seven
Disintegration
The building pressure is uncomfortable.
Sat 14th. Jackie bumps into a mutual friend of ours. She is asked how
she can put up with me. She is offered sympathy and concern at “what has
happened to Chris”.
Ali Told Jackie that I was manic and that she could not take more than
30 minutes of me. A pattern is developing. Justin snubbed me on
18/12/94. Ali presumably has been finding me a strain.
Change
Four months ago, life was so very different. Complicated as my life
generally was but linear, straight and reliable relatively. I had my
dreams and hopes as well as my latest crisis to contend with but things
were steady or predictable.
Then things became very unreal, very intense and channeled. I had
discovered the answer to a solution that had been troubling me for
years. The answer manifested itself like a life form, germinating,
growing inside the grey matter of my brain before spawning out into
reality in the form of a Lego prototype of a device I was to call a
gravity lock.
The above paragraph ignored the intensity, the obsession and the energy
needed to create the invention. It ignored the sleepless nights, the
nights spent on the lounge sofa and the uncomfortable feeling of
something invading the space in my brain generally used to conduct my
normal affairs.
The paragraph also ignored the strain put on my wife and family. And I
mean all my family, near and wide.
My constant hyper state is manifesting itself physically and mentally. I
am suffering what I call terror attacks. Irrational feelings of
tremendous fear washing over me.
Trying to continue my responsible job with WDDC (looking after 450 sq
miles of contracts), battling with the patents procedure, further
developing concepts, products and ideas for the Gravity venture and all
the while, pretending to be a normal, caring husband and father becomes
impossible.
I am spinning too many plates.
I try to remind myself of the normal life I have left behind.
I am an Inspector with WDDC. I monitor multi million pound contracts for
the Authority’s Environmental Health Department. My duties cover all of
the West Dorset area. Prior to this, I held posts in the construction
industry being responsible for up to 200 tradesmen on construction
projects up to £20 M.
My friends or colleagues tell me I have an almost unnatural level of
motivation, sometimes to the detriment of my own health. I have the
ability to focus on a project or problem so deeply that I seem to leave
the real world behind. Then, after an hour, week or month of black
focussed creativity, I return with my prize, whatever it might be, and
continue on till the next project / problem presents itself.
I, till recently, had not recognised the negative aspect of this
procedure although over the years, people while congratulating me on a
job well done might say “I bet you are hard to live with” or “How does
Jackie feel about that” etc etc….
I now accept I am probably a highly motivated, intense , creative
individual who strives constantly for the answer to a problem. I hold on
to things and shake them till they die. I seek truth, believing it to
have no rivals.
Throughout my life and also my career I have felt it my duty to bring
perceived failings to the attention of the person or organization
concerned. I have never been compromised or intimidated by people
unhappy with my decisions but like Socrates and others who speak truth,
I have suffered at the hands of influential people not worthy of their
position.
Nothing profound there. Just an acknowledgement that I understand that
people do not always like what they hear.
Friends point out that I don’t actually hurt anyone else but that I must
torture myself in these thought processes. I am beginning to accept that
this is probably the case.
What have I learned. I have learned that if there wasn`t a mountain to
climb, I would probably create one.
In some ways, this project is just a magnified and larger projection of
a characteristic I have always had.
Looking for the “normal” life I used to know was only a red herring. I
have always been this way. There is no solace or comfort in my past to
hide behind. This IS the way I am.
……………..
On returning from Manchester, the furthest I had ever travelled, I knew
I had completed my task. I knew I could slow down, relax and accept the
decision that fate would present to me following the search results of
my invention.
I had recently described my emotions to friends. The result of the
search would represent the most important moment of my life. Obviously,
a positive result would indicate that I would have a 20 year monopoly
right on the device I was calling the gravity lock. There was nothing
left to do.
What was I? I was a man with a revolutionary concept waiting to happen.
I was a man waiting for the call. A man waiting to gear up to the task
of bringing the gravity lock to the attention of billions of
unsuspecting people
I still am
BUT there is a subtle difference,I suddenly have a new challenge.
Sun 15th Jan. Waking up this morning, I realise I have a large lump
where men should not have large lumps. I am reminded of other lumps
under my arms that had developed months ago.
My doctor believed they were stress induced. What was this new lump?
Its quite big and its frightening. All of a sudden, my lifespan has a
gauge. Instead of being open ended, the lifespan gauge indicates TIME as
if it is there waiting to be used up.
OK, I do not know if my lump is a cancerous tumour or a ( I’m thinking
for 1 or 2 minutes for the name of the alternative) or a CYST, that’s
the word. The lump is in a place where there should be a lump…….but
it should not be as big.
Have I just got an infection, have I just got a cyst or have I got
cancer?
Here I am with two coins in the air. One may land offering me untold
riches while the other may land offering me life or death.
Of course health remains the overiding factor but what kind of entity
offers me the fame of the rarest of great thinkers alongside the fate of
one of man’s rarest diseases?
My visit to doctor Coterill was primarily about the lump. However, while
in his office, I asked to see someone that might help me deal with the
inevitable strain that would come when the invention reached phase 3.
When I tell Phil about the lump, he is angry with me for “thinking the
worse”.
18th Jan. Phoned bank. Am making will.
Two weeks of hell then specialist explains lump is only a cyst that will
go.
10th Jan. Specialist was right. Lump has gone.
6th Feb. I have had nearly three weeks without the project in my mind.
The scare served to remind me that there are other things in life. Then
I am asked to demonstrate device to a friend. BANG. The project
reappears and plants itself firmly at the forefront of events again.
Within days, I am entirely immersed in the project again.
14th Feb. I voluntarily ask my doctor to arrange for me to see a
psychologist. I explain that the project is overwhelming me and that I
am aware that the responsibility of my work, together with the growing
demands of the project are undermining me.
I explain about the anxious wait for the search result and admit that,
for the venture to succeed, I am likely to face increasing pressures.
My reasoning is that I recognise I have a problem and am seeking help.
The experience is confrontational. The psychologist believes I have a
medical problem. A lack of the right chemicals in my brain. She has not
taken in an ounce of what I have told her about the realities of
bringing a new technology to market.
She has not appreciated the simple fact that it is the workload that has
tipped me off edge.
According to her, I need Lithium and then a series of counseling
sessions with a psychologist. “We could fit you in in about 8 – 10
weeks”.
I reminded her I had sought her advice voluntarily, that I needed help
now and that in 8 – 10 weeks time, for all she knew “I could have thrown
myself under a bus”.
(I would add that I said that to make a point, not as a realistic
option!)
Her parting words amounted to the fact that she felt I presented a
challenge to any psychologist and doubted whether any good would come
out of it in the end anyway.
Conclusion
The broad and far reaching potential for Gravity technology along with
the vision I hold for it, has expanded my horizons in a way I cannot
undo.
A friend said to me the other day, “Chris, you are a megalomaniac”. I
replied that “I had to be” because I believed that one day, my Gravity
products would be used globally.
Also, the fact that I was thinking in terms of eventually shifting
millions of units into construction, industry and beyond, meant that my
terms of reference were alienating me from my colleagues and friends.
Even at a more humble level, I could not detach myself from the fact
that the financial burden of the patents would amount to ten times the
amount that “normal” people might borrow over 20 years to buy a house.
I was having to contemplate finding significant sums based on little
more than blind faith and a hopefully novel anchoring system.
It was these things that were unsettling me, not a lack of a certain
substance in my brain.
Icarus
I see your burning eyes
Stare at the morning sky
I feel your beating heart
I feel your need to fly
I know why you must start
The journey you`ve begun
I watch you making wings
To take you to the Sun
To hear those laughing men
Just makes you focus on your goal
They`ll never understand the things
That burn inside your soul
And now you`re soaring high
Above the ancient world
A boy who glides in joy
On feathered wings unfurled
A journey to the Gods
In a cascade of bright sunbeams
To go where no one else has gone
To fly towards your dreams
And as you reach your destiny
The journey ends in light
And back on Earth a shooting star
Burns bright across the night
Your waxen wing, they fall away
I cry and watch you stall
But for me, and for Eternity
You`re the boy too high to fall
I, Chris
16th Feb. Today I wrote down who I was, what I did for a living and what
hobbies I enjoyed. I then tried to imagine the person I was, say, two
years ago.
When I had finished, I read the words. They meant nothing. The person I
had described, the Works Inspector who liked computing and collecting
Roman artifacts was dead.
Instead, for probably the first time since the project began, I admitted
that the person I had described was no longer in existence.
A new person was in control. A person with a vision so large that it
controlled all aspects of him.
I had been described as obsessive. I preferred to call myself
passionate.
19/02/1995
Am concerned at other peoples view of my situation. Visited Colin Thorpe
today. Both he and Mrs Thorpe feel I should see a psyciatrist. Mrs
Thorpe says my condition may be the result of a blood disorder.
I defend my position by saying that my character has been the same for
most of my life and that I have used my talents accordingly. People pay
me well to be the way I am.
Mr Thorpe says I should be careful because I will wear myself out. I
disagree generally but admit my invention has revealed the cracks in my
psyche. My defence is that anyone facing the overwhelming responsibility
of a significant new invention would be the same.
As an example, is it wrong for me to be considering the effects of a
successful patent application? Is it wrong for me to visualise where I
believe the invention may take me?
The answer must be no. The same philosophy has worked for me for all
these years. I continue to forge further into my mind, for many reasons.
I believe in what I am doing. I do not see it as a thankless task or a
waste of time. I see it as a necassarry part of creating the climate for
success to grow in.
I use my mind to visualise the route to success, its components and its
eventual materialisation in the future real world. I admit it is a
terrific strain but who else can make the journey?
Imagining a whirring factory (employing local people) and a Mercedes
parked nearby is a virtual image I create to describe the concept of
success I believe I am creating.
Talking about the big house on the hill, speculating its likely market
value and promoting an image of eventually living in it is further
material for me to work on.
This is me leaping ravines. This is me creating a virtual world I intend
to exchange for the real thing in the coming months or years. And the
point is this. I am not simply daydreaming. I am creating a scenario
that will happen providing the invention is original.
I am not a sad individual with delusions of grandier. My device will
bring success. The trouble is finding the right measure of input. At the
moment, I work on the project until I reach a point where I saturate
with enthuisiasm and energy (and stress out)
Then
I back off for a couple of weeks, slowly drift back to the project and
then get taken by surprise by fresh layers of information. I mean that
there is always a lot more to face no matter how the project is viewed.
Taking it easy for a week or two does not genuinely help. The
consequences of success are too big to handle. The future is out there
waiting to happen.
What do I feel at this moment? I feel anxious, with a tight chest, a
sort of dizzy, hazy feeling. I am sort of sighing, trying to inhale my
anxiety away with each breath.
Inside, I know I am not really 100%. In fact,writing those words gave me
awave of fear. What can I do. What is going to happen to me? (More fear)
Chapter Eight
2nd Mar. Content to let things flow around me. Feeling OK in myself. Ego
has returned to usual level. Just waiting for result of search.
The innovation was described by the assistant as being “One of the most
lucrative patent applications to cross my desk”.
Investigating governmental support agencies, I realised early on that
funding was likely to be limited and / or wrapped up inside
organisations with demanding requirements.
Nevertheless, following a presentation of a plaster of paris cutaway
prototype in January , the DTI backed my venture.
The venture was progressing ok but the need to keep this “impossible”
thing a secret was debilitating. The enormity of the vast potential and
my vision for the systems was a huge burden.
My life had taken on fantastical properties. I carried a black briefcase
which, when opened, revealed a wonderous and previously unseen piece of
technology. A technology so simple and uncluttered, it devastated
whoever saw it.
I remember thinking, “This could be an episode from “The Outer Limits”
or “Astounding Stories”.
As a secret, it was becoming too large to handle. It was barely little
more than an idea, a concept, but I already knew I was carrying around
something that would live on long after I had gone. I was the father of
a completely new technology – and was the only man on Earth that knew of
its existence.
Work colleagues knew there is something up but I did not generally let
people know what I was doing.
I had a close band of confidents in Phil, Becky, Jan and Jenny,
colleagues from work. They suffered my early passion for the project but
developed concerns with the challenge I had placed on myself.
Only weeks into the venture, I had channeled every ounce of my energy
into the project. Battling with finance, developing working prototypes,
investigating markets and wrestling with the patent work, I was
emotionally disintigrating.
At home, the financial situation was biting and my lack of interest in
anything other than the project, was causing its own problems.
Sunday 5th March 1995 3.15 – 6.15 pm
Spent afternoon around Roy and Raines. Presented device to them. Roy
appreciated the invention and grasped the global significance over time.
Rain also took to it well. (People take it the same, whoever they are!)
Had great discussion with Rain about the thread running through the
issue. After an invigorating discussion about positive thinking, Rain
focussed the conversation on Roy’s failings! The raw nerve of discontent
surfacing around the issue of the family, his role in it and the ticking
clock of Jessy’s youth that was inevitably passing by.
I trod a diplomatic line through the issue, balancing the apparent
lacking in Roy with the presumption that, like me, he might not have
learnt the social skills that children demand. I explained that my
upbringing left me without certain basic tools for coping with
situations others took for granted.
Rain and I made concessions and eventually moved deeper into the issue
of inspiration, motivation and imagination. I discovered the paradox of
talking to somebody who was identical to my Jackie (as far as family
discontent) yet was entirely in tune with my motives, my passions and my
belief that imagination was the key to enlightenment, should it be
desired.
Rain could look at Roy and see someone interested in nothing but work.
Yet she could relate entirely with me. Another paradox. I am no
different than Roy. In fact, it was partly because of Roy that I
developed the way I did.
10th Mar. I am reading Brian Keenan`s “An Evil Cradling”. He refers to
trauma and the fact that the further one gets away from normality and
humanity, the more one discovers the breadth of human existence.
To others, that might seem obscure but I can relate to that statement.
Trapped in a cell or, in my case, an existence I have lost the thread
of, I instead delve deeper into my own mind.
It is almost as if I am saying “OK, I recognise I have become unbalanced
(and trapped) but, lets explore the place while I am here.”
And that is exactly what I began to do. I began to mentally walk around
my fears. I began to taste my anxieties. I began to map out this awful
never never land – to at least find the measure of it.
April 11 1995
Have not written for ages!
The last couple of weeks have been clouded in a mental turmoil that
involved a return of the panic attacks and anxiety of three years ago.
The invention, the health scare, the £1400 bill for the engine rebuild
and the general strain on Jackie and the family have all culminated in a
shut down.
A visit to the doctor resulted in me asking for further pills and led to
me asking my immediate boss and our chief for a meeting. I wanted to pre
empt a situation, an admission that at work I was performing below my
usual standard.
Notes for meeting
Before formally beginning, let me express my thanks to both of you for
understanding and recognising the need for this meeting
Work
a) I am aware of the vital role that I hold (along with my colleagues)
in the Client Role section.
b) I am aware of the responsibilities, duties and service I am expected
to pursue.
c) I am conscious of the wide spectrum of tasks Client Role tackles and
recognise the changing priorities that ebb and flow in the section.
d) I understand the duties of others and appreciate I am part of a team,
one component within a larger well oiled machine.
e) I believe I have built up a healthy knowledge of most aspects of our
work and have enthuisiastically passed on my experience to new recruits.
f) I believe the post is now as challenging and rewarding as the Design
& Build construction industry I once held so dear.
g) I recognise I am appreciated and that my style, although occasionally
hot headed, is accepted as a net gain in return for the positive,
dynamic attitude I bring to the post.
h) I see my post with WDDC as glowing proof that all the years of
ambition and striving before, were worthwhile.
i) I have a super job with West Dorset!
The Problem.
I have lost my way.
Jobs that were challenging are now irritants.
Tasks that were enjoyable are now routine.
Cries for help that inspired me to action are now dealt with coldly.
Phil Hansford said I regarded my work as a “vocation”, but at present, I
feel it is just a job.
I feel guilty. I dont want to turn into a Dave Hayball!
……………..
They were extremely supportive and felt I was due for the 10 day annual
leave I had booked. MG fully understood the limbo I was experiencing
simply waiting for the result of the search and AJJC made a super effort
to back me stating that while he agreed my situation was not unique, he
felt “the Gravity lock was !!!”
Yesterday I contacted the Patent office. I spoke first to Lee who put me
in touch with Tony Davis in the “Formalities case” section. I learnt
that my file had been on the examiner’s desk since the 7th of February
and that the result of his findings were imminent.
Following a chat with Phil who had dropped his fears for the civil case
and returned to his Spanish enquiries, I decided to follow suit and have
one final burst of activity on the gravity lock.
I made further versions of the device (Wall plug type and long member
type) and later made a plywood mould to produce fence post sized
devices. Although not yet proved, the mould should be my greatest
project achievement to date. Soon I shall pour my first “commercial”
Excalibur mould.
I am acutely aware that a negative search result will cripple any
enthusiasm for further research but am determined to provide all my
supporters with efficient means of securing their fence posts in future!
Should the invention prove to be already known and not original, I plan
to commit “virtual” suicide by releasing all of my work onto the
Internet.
FURTHER BREAKTHROUGH
Thursday 20th April
Struck shutter of Excalibur mould. The resulting concrete product
exceeded my greatest expectation. A simple to produce re usable concrete
structure is possible, easy to produce and entirely functional.
By pursuing this aspect, I have made giant leaps forward in
understanding the purest method of production. I now see I can add a
further product to the range. A MOULD for DIY use.
I could mass produce Excalibur gravity locks for minimum cost. I could
forget injection moulding and simply produce dense concrete products for
next to nothing!!!!!!!
Copy to
British Patent Application No. 9424600.6
_Anchoring Device
You will be aware that I am currently involved in an application to
acheive a British patent for an anchoring device I confidentially
describe as a Gravity lock.
From its birth on 08/10/94, I have devoted all of my energy to present
what I have called a “pure” embodiment of the device I believed would
capture the spirit of the task I had set myself. That of providing a
secure and permanent anchoring mechanism releasable only by an
authorised person.
Two months of what my diary described as a “Creative black focus”
brought me to the point where I recognised I had achieved my objective.
I recognised my family had suffered. I had been intense, manic, pre
occupied with bringing this thing to life. I understood it was affecting
Jackie and the children but I didn’t understand that it would get a lot
worse.
The claimed invention was filed on the 06/12/94 ensuring that on later
publication of the invention, I would have full legal rights to sue any
infringement should the invention prove to be new, not obvious and
unique to the fields to which it might apply.
Patenting a claimed invention involves five steps.
- Having a concept to patent.
- Filing the detailed description of the claimed invention.
- Instructing the “world” search to establish if the claimed invention
is original. - Requesting the detailed investigation by the examining officer to
assess the legal verification of the application and to examine and
assess the implications of the information of the “world” search.
and finally
- If applicable, to grant the invention an actual patent number thereby
legally endosing the inventor with a monopoly on the invention for a
period of 20 years.
In addition, if deemed relevant, patents for other countries would
already have had to be applied for well before the granting of the
claimed patent for the UK. These additional patents would involve the
same procedure of filing, searching, examining and granting if
applicable.
In plain english, the financial gamble I had already undertaken for the
British patent application (approx £20000) would involve a further
£12,000 filing additional patents worldwide before I even knew whether I
had achieved my goal.
This is because I had to file European, American and Australian patents
within 12 months of the original filing date (06/12/94) to ensure
security that my intellectual rights were not infringed or copied in
those counrties while my British patent was being pursued.
The results of the “world” search would indicate what kind of future I
might face.
Waiting for the search has been a true mental torture. The first couple
of months passed in slow motion. The last weeks passed in individual
minutes, each one ticking with a thud that heralded a further minutes
delay.
Have you ever seen time? I can tell you that it is the growing of a
flower, the patina of a coin, the waiting of a cat.
20/04/95
Dear
As you are aware, I am pursuing a British patent application for an
anchoring device I feel could have applications within the construction,
DIY, local authority and fastenings / fixings industry.
The application involves 4 (expensive) steps.
- Filing the patent application. (Description and technical drawings)
- Conducting the novelty search. (Scanning 21 million filed inventions
in England, Europe, America and Australia to see if the claimed
invention is original) - Requesting the detailed investigation. (To check the application has
been filed legally / correctly.) - Finally, if applicable, receiving the patent.
Big steps
Step 1, the official filing date was important because it represented
the start date of a monopoly on the use of the device in any form that I
alone could excercise exclusively for 20 years should I receive an
actual patent for the device at a later date. I successfully filed the
device on the 06/12/1994.
Step 2, the novelty search was crucial for obvious reasons. The claimed
invention should be new, an inventive leap and not be obvious to an
expert in the field to which it was being applied.
I requested a search in early January 1995 and established that my file
was with the patent examiner from 07/02/95 – 19/04/95.
On 20/04/95, my wife received a telephone call confirming the search had
been completed. Unable to contact my patent attorney direct, the message
passed to me became an enigmatic statement saying that my device had a
“Broad concept of difference”………………………
On arriving home from work, at 6.00 PM, I had asked Jackie if anyone had
phoned me.
“Oh yes, the patent agent called. I wrote down what he said.
21/04/95
Receive result of novelty search. There is only one invention with
similar characteristics. A U.S patent of 1975 has pertinent
similarities, although the actual invention bares little resemblance to
my own.
The US invention does not have actuating means other than by twisting
device or tipping thing upside down. There broad concept of difference,
once explained via altered 1st claim will see my invention through to
its own patent.
Religeous style ex
Radiating. Anxiety, tension, fear , relief leaves my body in the form of
an evaporating radiation. I feel myself glowing and generating some kind
of inner light.
Emotionally, the result was awesome. Sitting in my office at work, I was
joined by Becky, a colleague and friend.
Sitting in a chair, taking in the consequences of the search result, I
realised that all of my pent up, restrained visions for the technology,
could be unleashed.
It is humanly impossible to describe my actual feelings. Elation, (a
classic manic emotion?), vindication, pride, pleasure, joy.
No words actually explained the emotions I felt but, from Becky`s
viewpoint, she saw “some radiating force” painted on my face. She felt
the enormous blast of energy I was releasing into the room.
In witnessing the experience, Becky appeared to retreat, accepting this
was a special moment.
I looked and saw that she was looking depressed. I asked what was wrong.
She commented on how petty some aspects of work were and commented on my
condition. I reminded her that everything was ok and just plainly asked
if my light had cast a shadow on her. She admitted it had and that she
was just beginning to understand the enormity of what I have had in my
head all this time.
She made a comment that in comparison, her her work etc was simply
unimportant.
I apoligised for my “condition”. I explained that the result of the
search has been a fantastic and welcome reward.
I am one in a billion. There is nothing like my invention on the planet.
This means I have not failed. This means I will never have to walk
through the black light I saw coming through the ajar black door
yesterday.
I confess that thought has haunted me for months. Then, yesterday I
nearly had to confront it. Jackie really has’nt understood. Would she
have understood if I had been found up at Chisels?
Strands of electricity.
5/5/95
That evening, I was invited to a “Stag night” celebration for one of our
officers.
During the course of the evening, I was introduced to a friend of one of
the gang. He was a friend of one of the environmental officers, a
northerner called Steve.
We discovered that we shared the same sense of humour. I liked Steve and
immediately warmed to him.
Steve joked that I was the splitting image of Peter Cook (Deceased).
Steve had been warned by my colleagues that I had been “shafted” by my
council 18 months before (the last time I had been out on a “Private
do”. Steve promised to look after me.
Describe night!
Wed 17th July 96
Took days work unloading lorry at Pymore.
Thursday 18th July
Matthew Harvey investigating the fabricating options to produce metal
plate. (Fastener).
Dad and Barbara call.
Monday 22nd July
Phoned Steven Lawrence.
Tuesday 23rd
Presentation at Bradford`s Yeovil HQ.
JohnHarrington lends me wood lathe.
Wed 24th
Matt delivers plates. Brill.
Visit John good. Purchase stone dust.
Thursday. Coggy calls.
Friday. Last pay cheque from council.
During the London International Inventions Fair 1997, Gravity Technology
received enormous interest from both the public and commercial bodies
interested in the technology.
Even before the technology won the Engineering title of the year, I
began to receive financial offers from those seeing the technology for
the first time.
On achieving the Engineering title, people flocked to me inviting me to
consider financial offers to enable them to exploit the technology.
Men from Croatia, Bosnia, South Africa, Ghana and Australia all invited
me to consider financial or commercial suggestions to let them use the
technology in some way.
Aware that I was experiencing the afterglow of the win and concerned
that some of the offers involved countries that I did not have patent
cover in, I just let the offers float over my head.
I was determined, and had always been determined to see the technology
develop locally.
With the “community” award (For holding out for a west country deal)
under my belt, I was further galvanized in rejecting all of the
proposals being put to me.
(The community award was in recognition of rejecting several UK
financial offers, including a couple of 100K financial proposals and
other UK based offers.
Original proposals back in 96 from JK. MS. WDS, FCL and a few more
smaller ones had collectively added up to over half a million pounds in
serious financial interest.
About the Author
