My Dragons Den Idea
Watching Dragons Den the other night and came to the conclusion that the ideas which seem to do best are those which have a mix of "safety" and "technology". In other words, complex products which do something to save lives…
With this in mind, I spent yesterday thinking of an idea which;
- is complex (technologywise)
- helps to save lives
- mass producable
- and cheap to produce
- everyone should need it
And I think I have come up with a stunning idea. I then went on to do a lot of research on the idea, and can find nothing on the net remotely like it. I then went to the patent office and did a few searches and can come up with nothing like my idea! Here's the idea, ready for anyone to take and run with. If it does make you a millyunair, please remember me 
The sonic boom, window shatterer.
Basically, create a small tool, which the person would hold next to a window, press a button and the tool emits a loud (very loud) sound which cracks the window. The other end of the keyring would be a blunt end, which is used to smash the already cracked window. In an emergency situation, (eg a house fire) it is better to have a cut hand than die from smoke inhalation…
Now, consider hotel chains and the like - could buy one of these tools for each hotel room. Personal Users could have a key-ring version maybe ?
Now, you may be thinking of how easy it is to smash a window. Have you actually tried shattering a double glazed window - it ain't easy at all. Or if you are driving and have an accident, have you tried breaking a car window? Of course, you might be thinking that a hammer would do just as well. Nope, hammers are the worst thing to use for busting a window, it would be better to use a very sharp object. And sharp objects are banned from carrying around…
So, there's my idea. I think it's a good idea - but have no interest in taking it forward. Any engineers here?
Comment by Oli Allen — August 19, 2006 @ 12:00 pm
No burglar should leave home without one
Not trying to put down your idea too much, but I'd imagine that would be the first comment by the dragons…
Comment by Carlos — August 19, 2006 @ 3:38 pm
Here's another. A shop for people to work on their cars. They rent a space for a couple of hours where they can work on their vehicle. There's a hydralic lift, and all the tools anyone could possibly need. A mechanic is on duty to assist people if they need it. Also maybe there are classes taught where people can learn how to work on their cars. - My only doubt would be all the liability.
Comment by Paul — August 19, 2006 @ 10:37 pm
Gary,
A chap from Cheltenham is producing something pretty similar although it doesn't have the sonic boom!
You also then have the Life Hammer which is found on a lot of buses etc.
Comment by Chance — August 21, 2006 @ 3:36 pm
Spring loaded center punches, which have a somewhat "sharp" point of less than 1/4 of an inch (making your car key more dangerous), cost $3 and are already carried by every municipal fire, rescue, and police department for breaking windows.
Not trying to put your idea down, but as I sell safety equipment at my full time job, I know their budgets
Sonic-boom producers sound more expensive than $3- there would have to be a compelling reason to switch.
Comment by burt — August 29, 2006 @ 2:04 pm
Yeah but a centre punch wouldn't get any interest from the Dragons. Not high tech enough
I need enough money to swan off to Rio for a few months…
Burglary, that's a good point - but I do know a bit about Burglars. Mostly like to work in as much silence as possible and something that puts out 150 decibels (or whatever) is not a tool of choice for burglary…why not carry a hammer ? Or a bump key ? Or a locksmith gun.
Comment by Chance — August 29, 2006 @ 4:47 pm
If you were trapped in your car and set off a 150 dB sonic-boom machine to break your window out, might that hurt your hearing?
Ouch!
Comment by burt — August 29, 2006 @ 5:21 pm
Better deaF than deaD, I'd guess
So, I am asking only $2million for a 5% stake in the Sonic Boom Window Basher. Any interested Dragons?
Comment by Oli Allen — August 30, 2006 @ 11:01 am
"Better deaF than deaD, I’d guess "
Could be a great slogan for the product