Really outlandish idea

vnewman236 · 04-16-2008, 09:45 AM

With the rapid decline of suitable hamster cages, I was just thinking that it was a shame members on here couldn't start a business making cages, basically nick the design of the gabber rex AND improve it. Surely if it was made widely available for a good price (I'm thinking a certain pet chain store) it would bring in a profit which could go to animal charities/rescues.

Sorry, just one of my random thoughts....my boyf says I have a head like a conveyor belt lol

Matty Day · 04-16-2008, 09:56 AM

Well I think it’s a good idea and if the company making gabbers have gone bust we could take the names or if not from experience here when subbuteo stopped production in the 90s the Italians lost there English rights as it is popular in Italy cloned it and used old 70s designs and called it zuego. It possible and if not tot a big scale maybe a scale for shows for example
if the names arnt avilbe rex is latin for king my idea change it to imperator empoer. gabber imperator has a good ring to it me thinks

arlev · 04-16-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matty Day

Well I think it’s a good idea and if the company making gabbers have gone bust...

The first thing to do is to find out who holds the design rights to the cages you want to copy. 'Patent Pending' is normally what's on them and you can trace it through the Patents Office.

If it's not patented, you may get away with it - but companies who have gone bust normally have legal firms watching over their interests.

vnewman236 · 04-16-2008, 10:17 AM

Yes, but I was thinking of something LIKE the gabber BUT better, in which case would the patent matter? I know you would have to be careful with such things but if you make them different enough then you can get away with it can't you?

It's really far-fetched, but how cool would it be?!?

arlev · 04-16-2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vnewman236

Yes, but I was thinking of something LIKE the gabber BUT better, in which case would the patent matter? I know you would have to be careful with such things but if you make them different enough then you can get away with it can't you?

Well, first, I'm not against you

- but someone is gonna come along (perhaps) and say 'Hey! This looks like a Gabber!', then they're gonna search their resources and find this conversation about using the Gabber design and making your own equipment.

Why not start from scratch? There are a number of ideas that don't seem to be incorporated into any of the major manufacturers - I've yet to see a decent set of equipment that's extendable for Dwarves (but I don't know many sets of equipment, I admit).

I built my own bridges for use with our Russians - and used miles of tubing to make ramps. It was neat but it cost a fortune.

I'm sure you could start from scratch and do a good job - but you'll need funding.

Pouchy · 04-16-2008, 10:31 AM

Don't tempt me.

See the other posting in Gabber rex alternatives. I have given a few ideas on how to do just what you are suggesting. There's no money to be made from it but you could all have a go surely as making your own won't cost an arm and a leg and will be a good experience for you.

Matty Day · 04-16-2008, 10:33 AM

The they can stop us making something to a similar design to the gabber though can they ?

Me thinks change the shelf design make it slightly bigger than a gabber and just use the general concept that cant have rights for the concept. ie self running length of cage ventlatoin on said shelf wheel mount on shelf etc.

And to make life easier it may be a good idea to start small I.e. make for show sales tables in small amounts. Or make to private order.

arlev · 04-16-2008, 10:37 AM

Let me throw my tuppence in...

...something that gives hamsters two ways of getting to every unit would be good. It makes them think and...

...did you know that Mice, in the wild, use a circular burrow with compartments off the circle.

It means that, if a predator comes into the burrow (like a snake) and they detect it, they always have a route of escape.

Matty Day · 04-16-2008, 11:12 AM

well i think before anything we should draw up a list of imporvements people would have liked to seen on it. if you or a group go ahead it could work

vnewman236 · 04-16-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vnewman236

With the rapid decline of suitable hamster cages, I was just thinking that it was a shame members on here couldn't start a business making cages,

Personally, as much as I would love to, I wouldn't have a clue where to start! I was hoping Sir Alan Sugar might secretly be a member (you never know!)