VICTORIA Point inventor John Woodbury has designed a shade awning for cars and caravans which he claims can be deployed in just 10 seconds.
Mr Woodbury, who also invented a new way of making video cassettes during the 1990s, said his awning eliminated the need for guy ropes, was fully adjustable and would cut back time spent on installation.
"I have watched people put up those awnings (currently on the market) and it takes forever," he said.
"After struggling to pull everything out they put the posts down and then they put in pegs and guy ropes which are actually tripping hazards.
"They injure more children at camping sites than anything else.
"My awning just pulls out in 10 seconds. It is self supporting. You can drop the legs down but unless you are in howling winds you don't need them.
"With the ordinary car awnings, they are a fixed length. Mine is fully adjustable. You can pull it out from six-inches to three metres."
Mr Woodbury said he had spent six years and a lot of money working on the awning prototypes and was now on the hunt for a manufacturing partner.
"I have three different models and I can get pretty close to the prices of those currently available," he said.
"I also have a slightly upmarket one that all the guys with their four-wheel drives would want.
"One is in steel and one is in aluminium and it is a much bigger, better looking thing."
Mr Woodbury had also spoken with the military about using his device as a way of quickly deploying camouflage netting.
"I have one that you can operate with a button and it does everything automatically," Mr Woodbury said.
"You can take off if you want to without pulling up the guy ropes and things like that.
"You just press the button and start driving if you have to get away immediately."
Read more local news here.
