McNally's invention

A Scottish engineer is looking for partners to commercialise his unique towing attachment designed for forklifts.

Glasgow-based Peter McNally developed the easy-release towing hitch while working as an engineer on a remote mine in Norway. He designed the attachment to move trailers around the mine site with forklifts in the absence of other towing equipment.
After finding a range of uses for the attachment, including a mine accident rescue, McNally patented his invention in 2004.

According to the product description, it is designed to enable forklifts to move loads on a trailer.

"Typically, the solution to this problem has been to use a forklift truck in an inappropriate fashion by lifting or shunting the trailer around the site," McNally explains. "This presents a risk of damage to the trailer and the load, as well as a chance of injury to the operator of the truck or other personnel present on the site.
Clearly, this is undesired and, in particular, breaches the Health and Safety laws."

The inventor notes that some forklifts include a drop bolt, pintle bar or the like, which can be used for towing certain objects or for towing the forklift itself. The drop bolt engages in mountings that are usually located in a recess in the back of the vehicle.

"These drop bolts are, however, ill-suited for use in towing objects as it is necessary to couple the bolt to the object using a strap, chain, rope or the like tied to the object and to the bolt," he adds. "This is both time-consuming and presents similar risks of damage or injury."

Since obtaining a 27-country European patent, the inventor has enlisted the help of the Innovators Counselling Advisory Service Scotland which has put him in touch with some forklift players, and while he has had some interest, he has found the "selling process" frustrating and, so far, fruitless.

McNally seems to be facing a "chicken and egg" situation. A number of manufacturers have told him they'd buy when the device is on the market, but none has been prepared to offer any financial backing or place pre-orders.

The engineer has also considered getting the attachment fabricated in small runs to sell to the industry, but the production costs on small runs and the turn-around time prevent such an approach.

McNally's invention is currently listed with the Innovation Relay Centre (IRC) Scotland, a technology commercialisation organisation which attempts to link innovators with joint development partnerships in Europe.

"At this stage, I'm looking for a long-term associate to proceed with," he says. "I would relish the opportunity of a joint venture, with both parties combining to make the project a success."

McNally believes "no inventor can make it alone" and he is seeking partners to help him take the product worldwide.