Jun 30, 2009 1:10 pm US/Eastern
Innovative Moms Turn Needs Into Solutions
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
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Heather Carey of West Chester needed a secure outlet protector, so she invented the Socket Lockit.
CBS
Have you ever seen a product and thought, "Why didn't I think of that?" You are not alone.
Recently, CBS 3 caught up with two stay at home moms who recently turned their ideas into reality.
Necessity is the mother of invention for West Chester mom Heather Carey.
"You don't realize what types of things your little guys can get into and the needs that are out there until you have a child," she said.
Heather was in need of outlet covers that little fingers couldn't pull out, so she invented it.
"It has a little pressure button release - once it goes in the wall you hear a little click so you know it's in there and that's it," explained Heather.
It's called the Socket Lockit. You may have seen others, but this one has self locking barbs and it is stylish too. The Socket Lockit comes in 400 designs and she'll even customize a set for you. It retails for $5.99 for a pack of two.
Mom Mary Ann Mallone had a different type of problem. She had no room in her small closets to store a stroller, so she went to the store to buy a stroller hook.
"Went to several stores - was told that no such thing existed, so I just had to invent the solution to my problem," Mary Ann said.
From that, came the Stroll-Away, a specialized hook to store your stroller on a door and out of the way.
Simple solutions these stay at home moms turned into part-time careers, which they encourage anyone to do.
"Mom inventors are really kind of paving the way," said Mary Ann.
Both women found success with solving a problem they had, a good place to start. When it comes to bringing your own invention to life, come up with a catchy title. Be sure to patent your product to protect your idea.
Related Link:
http://www.uspto.gov/main/patents.htm
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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