Village Squire, 1977-11, Page 16Ti�i-�c-�rz��la
for a first-time inventor
BY ELAINE TOWNSHEND
Jim Fisher of Bayfield is not your average inventor. He has not
spent most of his 61 years contriving novel gadgets. Even when
he gave up his gas station business and became semi -retired five
years ago, he did not turn to inventing as a hobby.
His first venture into the field began, almost by accident, two
years ago.
He recalls, "My wife and I were just sitting here talking to
company. They were saying how they never felt safe when they
were travelling, because the locks on the doors in hotel and motel
rooms never seemed very secure."
Although the remarks passed without much comment, they
started Jim thinking, and a few days later he was busy in the
workshop behind his house experimenting with metal tubes and
screw wheels. It took several months to iron the kinks out of his
initial design. and he had to shop around for suitable materials at
reasonable prices. The result of his effort was a portable lock
called "The Sentinel Security Bar."
The Security Bar consists of a metal tube that adjusts from 36"
to 42". (36" is the standard height for door knobs in houses; 42"
is used in commercial buildings.) At the top of the tube is a
rubber yoke. After the Bar is adjusted to the height of the door
knob, the yoke is tightened around the knob. When the yoke is in
place, the knob cannot be turned and the lock cannot be picked.
Then the Bar is braced on the floor with the special anti-skid
rubber foot 12" to 16" from the door. A strong nylon "Security
Cord" is looped around the foot of the tube and is fastened to a
hook, which is screwed into the door -frame a few inches above
the floor.
The Security Bar gives added protection in homes and
apartments. and it can also be used by travellers in hotel and
motel rooms. The "kit" weighs only one -and -one-half pounds
and fits into a 28" suitcase. It is enclosed in a clear plastic case.
making inspections at airports easy.
Jim has produced approximately six hundred "kits" in his
workshop. He assembles and cuts the materials; then he sends
them away to be plaited, and later he re -assembles and packages
them.
He made his first sale several months ago to his wife's
nephew. who is a bank inspector in California. After having his
hotel room broken into. he decided to try Jim's invention, and
now he uses it whenever he is on the road.
Most people envision an inventor bending over a drawing
board, scrutinizing wires or tubes or pounding on a work bench.
But Jim Fisher discovered that the actual designing and
assembling of the Security Bar was only the beginning of his
work and expense.
He contacted a lawyer in Ottawa to initiate the lengthy process
of applying for a patent. The final payment was made at the end
of June of this year, and Jim received his patent number. Now it
is just a matter of time until his patent becomes official.
Promoting his device has become his number one priority. He
has appeared on local TV stations, and a report of his invention
was carried in the Kitchener -Waterloo Record as well as in local
weekly newspapers.
He travels a great deal to meet with prospective distributors;
many of his contacts are in the Kitchener -Waterloo area. At the
present time, the Sentinel Security Bar, retailing for $10.95, is
distributed by HiWay Market of Kitchener and by Home
Hardware, and Jim is optimistic that more outlets will soon open
up.
"I'll be happier when it starts moving a little better," he
concedes. "But as long as it keeps the wolf from the door, I'll be
satisfied."
The label "inventor" is a new one for Jim Fisher. Inventing
the Sentinel Security Bar has taken time, effort and money, but
he adds, "I've gotten a certain amount of satisfaction from doing
it. At least I'll have something patented, and that's more than a
lot of people accomplish." []
14,VILLAGE SQUIRE/NOVEMBER 1977.