Frequently Asked Questions

After returning home from a week-long business trip, the snow had become compacted (semi-frozen) on the front steps. With no ice-scraper in the tool shed and with all the shovels in the area sold out from a record snow fall, I had to “fabricate” something in the shed. I fastened an old concrete mixing hoe to the blade of a plastic snow shovel and it immediately worked better than anything I had previously used. The pulling was easier and more effective in separating the compacted snow from the concrete sidewalk (versus the chopping of a conventional ice scraper) and having the snow shovel blade attached to the same tool made pushing and tossing the snow aside much easier than switching back and forth between tools. This was the genesis of the idea and the invention.

Designing the transition between the 2-leading edges. Most tools on the market have only one leading edge (for pulling like a hoe or pushing like a shovel), but none have 2-leading edges capable of pushing (like a shovel) and pulling (like a rake) in the same tool. The goal was to create opposing concave and convex shapes in the same compound head (patent claim description: opposing parabolic expressions). Early generation metals tended to crack and break from the force of compressing and bending the metal. I started to heat treat the metal for easier formation and eventually had to use a large machine-shop bending unit so that the metal did not crack or break during formation.

The day I came into the machine shop where some of the original prototypes were being built. Many of the employees who were on a lunch-break were using the tools behind the building. The machine shop staffs were unanimously excited about the design and functionality of the tools. A couple of guys and the owner wanted to invest right there on the spot – an unforgettable moment and vote of confidence.

The term curvilinear came from the USPTO primary examiner. During a conference call he suggested we use it to describe the transition between the two parabolic expressions. The term curvilinear is somewhat of an oxymoron in that how can something be curved and straight simultaneously (combining two very different concepts in the same term). In geometry, curvilinear coordinates are a system of lines that are curved to describe 3-dimensional spaces. What matters in regard to the patent protection is that all the prior art and previous patents “depicted in art and described in the claims” employed a straight transition between two leading edges. In short, the goods news is that if someone or a company were to try and make a curved transition (even a little curve) it would be an infringement on TC Tools patents. Easy to copy per say because it is a rudimentary mechanical device, but very difficult to copy it or steal it and get away with it.

No and Yes.

No, because of the unique shaft design. In the pushing position (i.e.: shovel, pitchfork) the shaft is attached and positioned optimally behind the compound head – versus on top like many conventional tools. When in the pulling position (i.e.: rake, hoe) the discontinuous shaft creates a low center of gravity so that the effective force is located along the leading edge of the blade. Therefore, due to the design and attachment position of the shaft on the compound head there are no compromised functions

Yes, there is a slight compromise when it comes to digging. Although the surface area is significantly larger than conventional digging tools (which make TC Tools safer) they can only dig down to the depth of where the opposite blade (Blade B) makes contact with the surface.

Disruptive technology is a term coined by Harvard Business School professor Clayton M. Christensen to describe a new technology that unexpectedly interrupts/displaces an established technology and/or service. Many TC Tools have disruptive capabilities, and these particular tools would have significant market potential. A few of the potential disruptive TC Tools are the snow scraper, concrete placer and mixer, dual cultivator, dual rakes, and the multi-function gardeners (short and long handled versions).

An early advisor recommended the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) process because he believed the tools and technology were unique innovations with worldwide applications, scalability and with almost infinite end- users. Moreover, it was an important step in maximizing value for TC Tools and its future partner(s).

Establishing a partnership, with a reputable entity, with capabilities and capacities to bring non-powered hand tools to market – this kind of an alliance is required to ensure the successful commercialization of TC Tools.

Multiple generations of prototypes have been vigorously tested throughout the development process. As a certified commercial and industrial construction Project Manager I had access to contractors who tested the tools extensively for feedback and for redevelopment purposes. In addition, the residential tools have been tested by numerous independent end-users and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Research indicates decades of definable sales data exists confirming a stable and expanding market for non- powered manual hand tools. As the world population continues to expand so does the need for new construction and redevelopment of existing assets – this equals an expanding demand for TC Tools. Also, from a global perspective, most of the developing nations do not have broad access to powered machines. As such, developing nations predominately uses non-powered hand tools for much of the required work and projects. Lastly, as fuel prices increase, along with environmental awareness, so increases the demand for non- powered manual hand tools.