Published: January 21, 2008 11:33 pm         

Grandfather invents hands-off stroller

SALISBURY, Mass. — While visiting his niece, Stephen Brien noticed how difficult it was for her to move a baby carriage while trying to perform another task at the same time.

Then Brien came up with the idea for a hands-off baby stroller. He built it to rock by itself with a push of a button. Eventually, he hopes to invent a stroller that will move forward on its own, he says.

Brien, 66, is a Lawrence, Mass., native who now lives in Salisbury. He and his wife of 45 years, Claire, have six children, Doris of Salem, N.H.; Julie Schiller of Fremont, N.H.; Stephen Jr. of Plaistow, N.H.; Lynn Cirk of Maryland; Patrick of Lee, N.H.; and Nicholas of Derry, N.H.; and seven grandchildren.

He worked in the plumbing and heating business for 28 years, and owns Small Repairs in Salisbury.

Here, he talks about his invention.



At what stage of the process are you?

A patent is pending for RockerbyB. Now, we’re looking for people who want to fund the idea to make a prototype to be ready to be manufactured. We have selected IPS of Gloucester and Hong Kong as a possible manufacturer. Tool Inc. of Marblehead has been selected as the engineering firm.



Who is helping you with it?

This has been a family effort, from the name of the product by my daughter-in-law, Joanne, to my sons. Stephen Jr. is president and chief operating officer. Patrick and Nicholas are co-vice presidents of sales.



What motivated you to pursue the idea?

I did a lot of research to make sure something like this was done before, but there was nothing like it in the market. We were very happy and excited, and pushed the idea through. I can’t figure out why with so many advances, no one had thought of this before. That was a big incentive for me. My goal is to change the lives of people in more ways than one.



What are some of the features of RockerbyB?

It will have a range of adjustable movements, seven ways of operating it, including shift drive or gear direct drive, 9-volt battery rechargeable power. The portable unit can be sealed in a watertight plastic casing, and can be folded and put away like any other regular carriage. We will sell it as an independent item to be installed by the consumer and sell it through stroller manufacturers who will install it on their strollers.



Is this your first invention?

I always liked to tinker around my father’s workshop where I came up with ideas. I created a boiler unit that heated the water in a tankless coil, then transferred it to the main boiler through copper tubing.



Is coming up with ideas easy?

It’s not easy, because you are trying to make something better. When you get one idea, it brings you to another and another. The goal (is) to see it go through. If you look at something and it seems impossible, pick up one piece, and take it one step at a time. The goal is not to quit, because it can be done.



Do you have any other hobbies?

I’ve been playing the trumpet since I was 11. I played on different bands including my father’s band, The Silver Tones.



Yadira Betances writes for The Eagle-Tribunein North Andover, Mass.