In 2021, we added a new screened-in porch to our home (Yes, this is actually our porch). We found ourselves spending every spare moment outside enjoying our new space! It didn't take long for us to realize that HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM! We had a few places where we couldn't put tables to hold our stuff. The swivel rocker was one such spot and the sectional, where the door opens, was another. To be honest even where we did have a table, our three yellow labs (one pictured below) would make sure nothing went undisturbed!
I needed a way to keep my drink, food, remote and phone out of the reach of the dogs yet accessible to me. I needed something sturdy and secure where my food and drink were safe from being knocked over. I searched the internet for a suitable outdoor armchair caddy (I initially didn't even know what to search for). I found a few armchair caddies that could be used outdoors, basically silicone flaps with sand weights on the end, and ordered the best one I could find. It lasted all of ONE MINUTE before I knew it wasn't up to the task and promptly returned it!
I then began designing something that would be sturdy, stable and fit securely on the arms of our furniture. I used some of our left over decking material, attached some cup holders, mesh pockets and the first version of the Happy Hour Hero was born (you can see it on the swivel rocker in the above picture).
I had no intention of taking the arm caddy any further. However as we entertained friends on our new porch, nearly all of them asked if I could build one, or more, for their porches. I told them that I could but I would have to know precisely how wide the arm of their furniture was in order to create a tight/secure fit.
After a handful of these requests, I realized that I needed to design a version that could adjust to fit a range of arm widths. In addition to being adjustable, it also had to be reversible to work on the right or left arm without sacrificing stability or function.
I began to hand draw the first version of Happy Hour Hero but there was another PROBLEM! I didn't have the financing to professionally design and prototype this new product. This wasn't going to stop me! I was determined to learn the CAD programs necessary to create the drawings myself. Once the drawings were good enough, I had to produce a prototype. Again, I didn't have the funding to pay for a professional to 3D print the multiple iterations it would take to develop Happy Hour Hero. Yet another PROBLEM, I didn't know the first thing about 3D printing! So, what did I do? I researched inexpensive 3D printers and ordered one! What did I just do? Now, I had better learn how to 3D print! If at first you don't succeed, try - try again! Before I knew it, I was printing and improving parts until I actually had a working prototype of
Happy Hour Hero!
This is a picture of the original armchair caddy that I built after not being able to find anything that worked for my needs.
We have 3 yellow labs that don't leave anything on a table (or your lap) alone!
Some of the early CAD drawings and 3D printed parts!
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