Compaq

From: Bill/Carolyn Pechter <pechter_at_shell.monmouth.com>
Date: Tue Jul 21 11:52:15 1998

>
> classic
>
> Safety things...
>
> LP25 gas springs that would die and drop the lid on the unwary head under
> it.

Dataproducts should've been shot for this.
This was a design problem from the beginning. A metal slide
latch that would hold it open for maintenance would've been a cheap ($3.00)
addition to the unit. The RM gas springs also would fail nicely.

>
> Service engineer installing an RL02 in top of a mostly empty 50" cab has
> it topple forward and suffers injury. Reason, failed to extend and tighten
> anti-tip foot in the front of cab, disk installed against recommendations.
> Injuries include fracture and lacerations to leg.

That's just a case of a service engineer who didn't have an IQ higher
than the maximum RL unit id.

> In the greater realm there are some that are near urban legend save for
> companies really paid for the frivilous though profitable(for someone)
> litigation of the 80s.
>
> Person tries to commit suicide using electric drill. Not fatal, significant
> brain damage. Heirs sue and the award is in the millions. Reason, does not
> say the drill should not be used for surgery.

Probably an Urban legend. I'm sure the "not a step" message on ladders
comes from a lawsuit like these.

>
> Two guys get drunk, decide they need to trim the hedges using gas powered
> lawn mower. Non fatal, loss of fingers. Suit paid out of court for 7
> digits, reason; didn't say you can't use it for other than mowing lawn
> anywhere on the machine. Following years all sorts of blade brakes, kill
> switches and labels appear.

There's definitely a problem with the legal system which is eliminating
common sense. I found a book on the topic and will post the title and isbn.
(or is it too far off topic)

> Pilot and passenger die in 1947 Piper Cub afer crashing on take off.
> Two fatal, payment over $25,000,000. Reason, no shoulder harnesses.
> Special note: Private pilot didn't have required valid flight review for
> that two year period needed to exercise the privilge of pilot in command.
> The pilot did not have the required flight time in the previous 90 days
> to exercise the privledge of carrying passengers. The purpose of flight
> was commercial photography (private pilot cannot hire out). The plane
> was modified illegally and improperly to mount a camara for the purpose of
> the flight was the cause of the loss of visibility for the pilot. The FAA
> issued in 1978 a directive that all aircraft will have shoulder harnesses
> installed. Despite an illegal operation, non complying pilot and aircraft
> an excuse was found to force libility on the manufacturer of the plane of
> some 40+ years age.
>

Disgusting that that was allowed. Jury trial leaves a lot open to who
can pick the most sympathetic jury.

> < 1. Discourage third party maintenance.
>
> Least of the worries. Not a competative issue in reality. Cost to repair
> was near cost ot manufacuture so they had better be cheap.
>
> < 2. Avoid having the problems caused by the #$%^&* plastic clips on the
> < VT100 breaking. Is there a cheap source of 'em for my pile of VT100's
> < I've been using bolts and crazy glue and nuts when needed.
>
> That was also a consideration. as time progresed better fasteners, cost
> driven elements and producability items would all instigate various
> solutions.
>
> Allison
>
>

Bill


+---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Bill and/or Carolyn Pechter | pechter_at_shell.monmouth.com |
| Bill Gates is a Persian cat and a monocle away from being a villain in |
| a James Bond movie -- Dennis Miller |
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Received on Tue Jul 21 1998 - 11:52:15 BST