Following on from Chris's message. . .
I am in the final year of a technology education degree course, part of
which involves designing a product and manufacturing it to prototype
stage.
The product has to be original, or better designed, than any similar
product
on the market. I am posting this message to a number of newsgroups in
the
hope that someone will have a problem with a product they use, or can't
find
a product to suit their requirements in the market place. I would
appreciate
any (sensible) suggestions.

A low cost, easy to operate, and ever handy device of blocking views of
accidents, broken down cars or other incidents. This is accomplished by an
accident shield device unit installed in the boot of official vehicles which
can be assembled by a single person in a few minutes. The unit consists of a
screen which is large enough to prevent most passersby (motorists or
pedestrians) from viewing the scene. As a result, this device aids in
maintaining traffic flow and safety by preserving the natural momentum of
traffic and keeping other drivers focused on traffic conditions, rather than
the accident scene or stricken vehicle.

- this is from an American's patent:

http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=EPODOC&IDX=US6036249

- I invented it too about the same time but he patented it first - ah,
well... I was really excited by the idea though and I've never seen one used
in the UK. Think of all the traffic jams on the motorway you've been in that
have been caused by an incident on the other carriageway; you get to the
front of the queue and damn, you've done it too - the road in front is
clear!

Or, what about an in car imobiliser system that when a thief imobilises me
by stealing my car, imobilises he/she by chopping their legs off? I expect
you'd have to put warning stickers on the windows and mention if to vallet
parking attendents...

Or, come up with a method of manufacturing a low cost Jaguar E-Type bonnet.

Jon.