SafeHinge
Description
Each year 30,000 children damage their fingers in doors, costing the NHS £200 million, but an innovative design for a door hinge could put a stop to this type of accident. SafeHinge leaves no gap between the door and door frame, meaning that fingers can't be trapped.
Philip Ross and Martin Izod set up Oyo Products to commercialise SafeHinge and other products that they designed during a masters degree in product design and engineering.
"The idea for SafeHinge sprang from a conversation we had with a surgeon, who said that he sees far too many children with finger injuries caused by door hinges. Accidents like this should be preventable, so we set about designing an effective solution," says Philip.
Why we supported
You can already buy products that aim to stop people from catching their fingers in doors, but they require an extra component to be fitted over the hinge. SafeHinge integrates safety into the door design, rather than adding it on.
Jackie McKenzie, Starter for 6 Leader, explains why Oyo Products was selected for the programme: "SafeHinge is a great product concept that's driven by a design solution to a market need. This combination of innovation and commercial promise makes Oyo Products exactly the type of business we aim to support through Starter for 6."
Impact
Starter for 6 has equipped Martin and Philip with the business planning skills they need to make their enterprise a success.
Martin adds: "The workshops have enabled us to learn from other people starting out in business, and the mentoring has helped us tackle specific challenges that we've faced."
SafeHinge is already achieving recognition, winning Concept Product of the Year at the Daily Mail Ideal Home Show in March 2007. Oyo Products expect to launch the product nationally towards the end of 2007, initially marketing the door hinge to housing developers.
Written: May 2007
Individuals:
Philip Ross and Martin Izod
Company:
OYO Products
Programme:
Starter for 6
Discipline:
Product design
Location:
Glasgow
Year attended:
2007