Coverage of the 2008 INPEX Invention Show – Day Two

There was a lot of hustle and bustle on the show floor at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center during day two of the Invention and New Product Exposition (INPEX). Along with all the exhibitors and attendees, “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” was there filming and companies like Hasbro, Irwin Tools and Tupperware were conducting searches for ideas to add to their product lines. Of course, the main attraction, and the reason for the event itself, was the inventions. And I managed to see a good deal more today. Here’s a sampling:

The Traybilizer(TM) is an invention designed to secure drink holders from fast food restaurants in a vehicle. A possible godsend for the minivan set, a person attaches the Traybilizer to a floor mat and sets drink holders inside, locking them in place and preventing spillage.

A human-sized “sparring partner”, the Bully(TM) is six feet tall and can deliver hooks, jabs and kicks. The inventor initially developed the Bully to help teach women self defense, but says it has other training uses as well.

For the people behind the athletes – the coaches – there’s the CoachGuard(TM). After watching football coaches on TV always holding cards over there mouths, the inventor devised a more convenient solution: a mouth shield that attaches to a headset to keep play-calling secret.

Workers looking for a more efficient tool, may get it with the ScrewMaster(TM), which claims to double or quadruple the speed that person can fasten or loosen a screw or nut – without any additional torque. Could be a carpenter’s or handyman’s dream.

An invention a little more “outside of the box” is Date Rings. Designed to keep things fun and relaxed, these color-coded rings can be used as unspoken communication tools for new daters or longtime couples. Oh, the possibilities…

Another novel idea with a clever name is For Your Ears Only. The idea: bandless ear muffs. Not only do these ear muffs not mess up a person’s hair, they also come in colors to match different hair shades – so you can’t even tell when someone has them on.

You know how home gym equipment can take up a lot of space – usually with minimal use? While the Invisible Home Gym offers a convenient solution. This invention is a home gym that transforms into a recliner. A person can be working out on it one minute and relaxing on it the next.

A wife invented the RockSock(TM) for her husband who works construction, and now he and his fellow workers wear them all the time. This sock not only keeps debris from getting in, it also helps socks to stay up and shoes tied.

An invention that may be used in conjunction with the RockSock is the Stink-eez®, an insert that eliminates odor and sweat in a shoe. This product is currently being sold in skate shops, and the inventor claims, when used properly, the Stink-eez can work for up to a year.

Another invention that signifies everyday inventors are as innovative in naming their products as they are in inventing them is The Sqooshi. This patented invention is a loofah that dispenses body wash, saving space in a shower and making morning cleaning a little more convenient.

An ideal invention for the summertime when both sun and storms are plentiful, the Windproof Umbrella is a patio umbrella that closes automatically when strong winds hit. This device prevents the umbrella from getting blown away or knocked over and damaging other patio furniture.

And, of course, people love inventing for their pets. On vacation or away for the day? The “Worry Free” Pet Feeder provides pets with food and water for up to a week. This invention also could keep food and water from getting contaminated while sitting out all day.