Really interesting concepts and products frequently come across my desk and the latest two could not be more different. One is a Jersey barrier equipped with a turbine and generator set to capture the wind off passing automobiles while the other is a clever vinyl pad called Softswipe for cleaning golf shoes while on board a golf cart.
The "New Jersey Barrier" as Metropolis magazine calls it is the invention of architect Mark Oberholzer. He was the runner-up in a Metropolis design contest and I thought the concept was worth exploring. However the 15 comments he recieved are pretty skeptical for reasons ranging from the subversion of the Jersey's barriers role as a safety fence to the complaint that the origin of this `renewable' source is still gasoline.
Softswipe from Teknor Apex of Pawtucket, R.I., is a much simpler and from the looks of it, a proven concept (see photos below). It's a vinyl disk seven inches in diameter with molded-in rods to scrape off mud, dirt, grass or whatever is fouling your golf spikes. Teknor Apex claims the Flexalloy elastomer makes the disk super tough.
Softswipe from Teknor Apex of Pawtucket, R.I., is a a clever vinyl pad for cleaning golf shoes.
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