Inventor's idea keeps rolling along

Since first introducing Jerry Ford and his manual wheelchair brake systems this past December, Ford continues to roll with the huge buzz that his idea has created within the healthcare industry.

Since unveiling his patented manual wheelchair brake system, which won him an unheard of four awards at the Minnesota Inventors Congress held this past June (2004). Ford has filed all the necessary papers to his patents and moved into his new office location within St. Charles Active Tool & Die.

Active Tool & Die has been involved in building the prototypes and will be making the molds and dies for mass-production. The local company will also be involved in the manufacturing of the brake systems, according to Ford.

As with any evolving new business idea, Ford ran into a few catches with his first idea of retrofitting existing wheelchairs.

With word spreading about his new idea and a sales team that has quadrupled, several reputable wheelchair manufacturers have approached Ford. In fact, Ford explained that he is also in contact with a distributor that would cover the entire U.S. market.

Hitting the road Jerry Ford, owner/inventor of the Jerry-Lock Brake system, will begin mass-producing his new invention by May. Ford and his sales team have experienced continued success word of his invention spreads. PHOTO by NICK KOVERMAN

In the end, because of the large discount Ford receives by buying in large volumes of chairs, his new braking systems that include the Jerry-Lock Brake, the Attendant Brake, and the Incline Brake, can be purchased and professionally installed on a brand new chair at a cost that is less than buying a normal chair from many of the competitors. “It's like I am giving away the system for free,” he said.

While mass production will not begin on the various attachments until May, Ford already has orders from the Rochester Airport , as well as numerous nursing homes from around the area.

“Basically, once I take a wheelchair to the nursing home and demonstrate it for them, they want to write me a check right then and there,” he said.

With each presentation, Ford explained that it makes him feel good, not to mention more financially secure about an idea that he pretty much “bet the farm on.”

After returning from the Inventors Congress where inventors from around the nation gather to share ideas, Ford explained that the positive reinforcement proved to him that there was a need for his invention.

“Had I not gone to that show I may not have continued on with my idea,” he stated.

Entering his new phase, Ford trademarked the name “Safe T Chair.” With trademarks being secured already on his three brake systems Ford sees the unlimited potential of the business.

Recently, Ford also secured his vendor license as an official dealer for Veteran's nursing homes in Minnesota , such as the one in Luverne, where they have already realized the value of his product.

With production nearing, Ford also spent the necessary time to research the process of putting silver ions in the coating of the handles and levers that will prevent transmission of germs and bacteria.

“Not only will my wheelchairs help to prevent people from falling, it was also kill any germs almost on contact for years.”

Ford has already begun taking orders, and once in production, Ford will be setting the wheelchair's brakes in either the regular settings or to the exact specifications (height and weight) of each customer if requested.

As excitement for his product grows by leaps and bounds, he finds little time to relax.

April 6 th and 7 th Ford travels to Las Vegas to take part in the MedTrade Show; the 4 th and 5 th of May he heads to Bismarch, North Dakota; and June 10 th , 11 th , and 12 th he returns to Redwood Falls for the Inventors Congress to reintroduce his Jerry-Lock Brakes “because of all the changes.” At that time he will also introduce his Attendant and Incline Brake patents.

Prior to those dates, Ford plans to travel to the State Capitol on March 29 th to request the reinstatement of funds to the Inventors Congress, which was eliminated in 2002.

Ford will sit before a legislative sub-committee to detail the positive impact both socially and economically, that his product has had, and will continue to have in the future.

“Without that show (Inventors Congress), none of this may have been possible,” he said.

Ford listed numerous products that have turned into life-saving ventures. With the small amount of funding the group is looking for, Ford said it amounts to “peanuts compared to the number of lives and the pain and suffering that has been alleviated due to the different products that the show has generated.”

Once production begins, Ford estimates he will employee three fulltime workers to help install his brake systems and take care of shipping and receiving.

Ford eventually anticipates shipments of up to 500 chairs per week as orders are already being received and production remains two months out.

Just hours after Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty announced last Thursday morning the creation of a statewide contest to seek out Minnesota 's “newest and most innovative business ideas,” Ford received an email that same afternoon requesting him to submit an application.

The winner of the competition would receive $25,000 in seed capital as well as the honor of receiving the first-annual Minnesota Cup.

Good things are on the horizon for Ford, and he looks to keep rolling on.