Client: Tony Curtis
Product Protection In Place: Alago has a UK patent pending
The Alago Heated Sports Glove Project
Alago provide heated sports glove technology for all levels of sports competition. “My involvement with Innovate has been outstanding. My idea and roughly drawn sketches were turned into great design concepts and boards. They have been great to work with and I would recommend them to anyone starting out.”
The Challenge
Tony Curtis came to Innovate in 2008 with his unprotected invention idea for a heat-dispersing glove to be worn before and during participation in sports activities. Having watched his son come off the sports field on a freezing cold day shivering and with icy hands, Tony thought that there must be a solution beyond just rubbing your hands together.
The Innovate Solution
Innovate initially recommended a comprehensive patent search to map the existing intellectual property landscape. Once this confirmed the Alago concept's potential, Innovate transitioned to the visualization phase. This process refined the glove's core functionality, allowing Tony to bridge the gap between his initial vision and a tangible design.
The product design team created a number of concepts for the heated glove which were run past Tony in order to obtain his feedback. Innovate then proceeded to the CAD (Computer Aided Design) development in order to produce photorealistic renders of the Alagoidea.
After overcoming a number of technical issues, Tony was able to protect his invention via making an application for patent, before approaching a manufacturer to develop the final product.
The Process
With Innovate Design's assistance and advice Tony was able to:
- Establish the potential for the Alago product
- Understand potential suitable market sectors for the concept
- Undertake a thorough Intellectual Property Search
- Engage product design team to visualize his product
- Produce photorealistic CAD visualizations
- Locate a suitable Patent Attorney
- Source suitable manufacturers
The Results
Since the launch of the Alago glove in 2011, the product has featured in the likes of Enterprise Nation, Alibaba, as well as The Telegraph and Guardian newspapers in the United Kingdom and the popular television show Dragons’ Den.