Author Topic: Trail cam strong box (Read 8116 times)

Grizzly95 · « **on:** January 11, 2009, 09:34:18 PM »

Hey guys I have been rolling around the rocks in my hat holder and I think I have come up with a device/box that can or will secure a cam to a tree, steel made, lock capable. I would love to build a prototype to shoe everyone and hear any of the good and bads, First off there are no cables only locks. Give me some input please or legal points of ponder,

I am very serious about this, am good with fabrication and have many tools to access to to this. If I can design some truly usefull, this will be the test study group, (freebies)
If you are interested in my prelim design pm me.

Aaron Stoney Stonemetz

Machias · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2009, 09:40:25 PM »

I seen something already in production that sounds like what you are talking about. I'll try and find it and post a link.

Grizzly95 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2009, 09:43:52 PM »

Would you be ok with using a metal bolt or screw to attatch to the tree? I think that would be the biggesg catch.

Machias · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2009, 09:46:07 PM »

Here's one, not the one I saw, still looking for it.

http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0027904416700a.shtml

Machias · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2009, 09:49:04 PM »

Another one, still not the one I saw before.

http://www.trailhunting.com/products/Recon_Outdoors_Trail_Camera_Lockbox-152-0.html

Machias · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2009, 09:58:29 PM »

I can't seem to find it, I'll keep looking.

Bones · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2009, 04:47:32 AM »

..I like your idea of a security locking system, but I have still heard of cameras being stolen with devices like this. If someone finds your camera, they can always return with bolt cutters or something else to steal the camera. I have several cordless tools that could remove any security device that I have ever seen. In 5+ years, I have never had a camera stolen, but I have had about $800 in damage done to my cameras by bears.
Most of the time, my cameras are not mounted on trees, and they would be impossible to lock.
Deer and elk seasons, and shed hunting season is the most dangerous time of the year for a camera because there is so many people in the woods. I usually place my cameras in remote places where they are not likely to be found. I use my cameras mostly to get pictures of predators. I am a predator hunter and I don't hunt deer and elk. I love antlers, and I get plenty of antlers in the spring without having to kill the animal. I used to put in for the branched antler elk tags, but I got tired of getting the "we regret to inform you notices" from WDFW. My cameras are usually mounted on stakes, and I use brush and foilage to hide them from view. My cameras are harder to find when they are not on a tree.
I like your idea of security, but security from bears not people.
Bones

Grizzly95 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2009, 08:35:56 AM »

So far the plans are only mental, my main concern will be bulk or weight. I don't have the needed equipment for welding aluminum.

Antlershed · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2009, 09:08:52 AM »

Grizzly, have you seen how the Cuddeback bear box's are constructed? They are bolted to the tree from inside the box with two bolts, and then there is a single padlock locking the box shut. That is what I had mine in when it got stolen.

bigdave · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2009, 09:17:01 AM »

Padlocks are pretty worthless anymore for anything. Takes less than 10 seconds to cut one with bolt cutters. Don't trust them. Someone in the woods has almost no pressure regarding time available to break into something.

Grizzly95 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2009, 09:18:14 AM »

Did they get the whole box, or did it get busted open? Any details would be great. I figure I can try and build something better and it looks like I have a group of test subjects here.

Antlershed · « **Reply #11 on:** January 12, 2009, 11:02:05 AM »

They got the whole box.

Grizzly95 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 12, 2009, 11:43:06 AM »

Was there a cut lock left behind or anything? Did it look like the holes were pulled or threaded out? Sorry to sound like inspector gadget, but I want to design something that may better.

Antlershed · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2009, 12:00:21 PM »

I could not locate any parts of the padlock on the ground, and the holes in the tree did not look like they were pulled out. I'm guessing they cut the lock, but its hard to know for sure.

Grizzly95 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2009, 01:24:11 PM »

Another question, if I do get a design that will do the job, how do I go about securing the design? Keep in mind that I am poor folk?

Antlershed · « **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2009, 01:27:13 PM »

You mean so somebody else doesn't steal your idea and make a bunch of money? I believe you have to file for a patent, but I have no idea on the process or what it takes.

Grizzly95 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2009, 01:33:04 PM »

Any liars....I mean lawyers on the site?

bow4elk · « **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2009, 01:46:00 PM »

I've been in product development for over 16 years, and I've written Patents for clients. BUT - I'm NOT a laywer to be clear.

A patent search will reveal what IP (intellectual property) has been protected and by whom. But keep in mind, there are Design Patents (that cover the way something looks (more or less) and Utility Patents, which cover utility - the way something works (in very general terms).

Patents are pretty easy to get around based on the claims. A crafty patent lawyer can look for loop holes in previous patents that outwardly seem to cover your idea. Also keep in mind that it costs A LOT of money to protect Patents once you obtain one, which can cost around $10K.

Just ask Steve Sims about the $ he's had to spend to protect his Patents for his Limbsaver products...it's staggering. And when you consider that some companies don't care about infringement, it's YOU who has to file a lawsuit against them. They won't stop production until ordered to, and by then, they may have already made enough cash to pay you off and still line their pockets.

A better approach is to keep you ideas air tight and try to license them or even sell them outright. I've worked with clients going that route as well, and it can be tricky as many companies won't entertain ideas "off the street". You have to go through a broker, who will cost you $$ as well.

Now you know why I've never taken the plunge on launching my own line of hunting products!! It's a HUGE investment of time, money, and will test your sanity.

Grizzly95 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2009, 01:59:58 PM »

Some will say my sanity was gone long ago. So if I just try to sell them myself in time I would be run out by a big name eventually?

bow4elk · « **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2009, 02:07:38 PM »

You can stay low-key and sell them on-line or by word of mouth easy enough. If they are really something special, it's likely somebody will have a friend, who's cousin's neighbor's step sister works at ___________________, and the rest will be history. If the company has any ethical bones, they may try to contact you and offer a "buy out" of the idea. But the odds of that are about the same as me drawing a moose tag. In that case, you want a lawyer to negotiate those terms for you.

bow4elk · « **Reply #20 on:** January 12, 2009, 02:09:01 PM »

But don't let me scare you from following your gut. I'll gladly help you as much as I can and you have my word on confidentiality with your "IP". I don't play games

Grizzly95 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 12, 2009, 08:46:56 PM »

Would the idea of packing a cordless drill in with you to set you trail cam be too much? I don't think you could ever make it completley theft proof, but if they had to destroy the whole it just to get it at least its of no use to them.

ICEMAN · « **Reply #22 on:** January 12, 2009, 09:04:20 PM »

If I wanted your cam, I would just bring my Stihl, and worry about the metal work in my garage later.

stumprat · « **Reply #23 on:** January 12, 2009, 09:05:50 PM »

Quote from: ICEMAN on January 12, 2009, 09:04:20 PM

If I wanted your cam, I would just bring my Stihl, and worry about the metal work in my garage later.

Grizzly95 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 12, 2009, 10:06:39 PM »

Well I guess that is the truth. So whats the majority vote, should I try to design an better design?

Antlershed · « **Reply #25 on:** January 12, 2009, 10:07:21 PM »

Quote from: ICEMAN on January 12, 2009, 09:04:20 PM

If I wanted your cam, I would just bring my Stihl, and worry about the metal work in my garage later.

ICE has a point though...if somebody wants it bad enough, they are going to get it no matter what.

bow4elk · « **Reply #26 on:** January 12, 2009, 10:08:18 PM »

I choose 12-14" diameter trees for that reason...or they will damage my cams to remove them. I have them cable locked and padlocked, plus I camo them pretty well. Here's one very close to home in a safe spot. Otherwise the tree would be much larger.

BLKBEARKLR · « **Reply #27 on:** January 21, 2009, 10:44:17 PM »

http://www.camlockbox.com/

This is what I have been using for a couple of years now, I bring cordless drill in with me, 4 - 6 inch lags go into tree then use a cobra lock around the box and then box is also padlocked.

Joe

Ridgeratt · « **Reply #28 on:** January 22, 2009, 12:16:38 AM »

here's a Link to a patent attorney

http://wellsstjohn.com/index.asp

Grizzly95 · « **Reply #29 on:** January 25, 2009, 12:03:50 AM »

Well after seeing the actual size and shape of the cams today I will be doing a little more finish work and size adjustment on the cam vault.

Machias · « **Reply #30 on:** January 25, 2009, 11:01:05 AM »

One thing Grizzly, those boxes may not thwart a determined thief, but it will protect it from someone just happening upon it and it will give it good protection from bears.

Slider · « **Reply #31 on:** January 26, 2009, 08:12:23 AM »

I have been using these for a couple years. They also have them for Moultrie.

http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0046655417752a.shtml

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Author Topic: Trail cam strong box (Read 8116 times)

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