Lake Wylie man gives travelers FreeHand

A Steele Creek man is hoping he can find helping hands to help his invention fly.

Jason Klugh, 42, has spent a lot of time traveling for work the past 15 years, and one thing the software salesman knows is he could use an extra hand at the airport. So he created the FreeHand - a cup holder that attaches to a traveler’s luggage bag with optional cellphone/boarding pass holder.

“It easily attaches to accommodate all suitcases and roller bags,” he said. “It’s compact to be part of luggage.”

The Army veteran came up with the idea for the self-leveling gyro cup holder two years ago as he found himself constantly juggling luggage, a laptop, cell phone and a cup of coffee all while holding a conference call at the airport. It also collapses quickly and easily for storage during flights.

“I had been telling myself to do it,” he said. “I wanted to take it to the next level to help travelers.”

Turning idea into action, he’s worked through the maze of getting a patent, creating a company, finding a company to create a prototype and manufacturing.

He’s put his bachelor’s degree in marketing from University of Phoenix to work getting the word out, building a website, creating video, packaging, logo and more.

“It’s been fun, it’s been nerve-wracking,” he said. “It’s been rewarding, enlightening on how products are manufactured and the journey has been fun. It’s made me capable of doing more than what’s on a resume. I’ve been building my knowledge on something other than my typical job.”

FreeHand has been featured on “My Cool Inventions” radio. Akos Jankura, “The Solutionist,” called it a “great invention” that “solves his travel problems.”

“It’s ingenious, I love this thing,” he said during the March 16 airing available for viewing on YouTube. “He has invented an amazing accessory to your travel bag.”

Now, $33,000 in, he says he’s found the right manufacturing solution just over a month ago close to home working with Matrix Solutions in Aiken to create the third and final version.

The new sleeker, solid and streamlined FreeHand will be produced by Gentry Plastics in Gastonia, N.C.

“They’ve been great at guiding me and responsiveness,” he said. “It’s been a learning curve.”

Now he needs financial support to raise $22,000 to get the molds made. He’s using KickStarter, a crowdfunding platform with a mission to bring creative projects to life.

“This is really go time,” he said.

He has until April 15 to reach the goal. On April 5, FreeHand was at $14,679 with 93 backers. Each donation over $25 receives a completed FreeHand as soon as it’s manufactured.

In stores, FreeHand will cost $19.95 just for the cup holder, or $29.95 for cup holder and mobile pack.

“If it doesn’t work, I’ll find Plan B,” the Binghamton, N.Y., native said of the KickStarter plan. “My vision for it is I’d like this to be the launch of a business, and also other ideas I have. I’d also like for it to offer jobs in the area and help others.”

To find out more and to back Klugh’s invention, visit bit.ly/freehandtravel.

This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 11:38 AM with the headline "Lake Wylie man gives travelers FreeHand."