Winners of the Innoint 2011 Invention Contest for Conscripts

Innoint is not only part of Innofinland but also an ingredient in the Defence Forces’ official initiative scheme. The purpose of the contest is to encourage conscripts to adopt an innovative, creative and enterprising way of thinking. To achieve this, the contest awards prizes for inventions, ideas and methods that can be regarded as having general significance. This year, Innoint was arranged for the 12th time.

The contest resulted in 79 submissions, which included new ideas and proposals for the improvement of current practices or technologies. Four of them were awarded a cash prize and three received an honourable mention.

General Ari Puheloinen, Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces, and Ms Rauni Hagman, Director General of the National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland, presented the prizes at the Innofinland Awards Ceremony at the National Board of Patents and Registration on 29 November 2011.

Innoint 2011 Prizes
(Cash prize and honorary diploma)

Cash prize of 4,000 euros (2,000 euros per conscript):
Artillerymen Teemu Oksanen, Kihniö, and Ilkka Uusi-Luomalahti, Kodisjoki
Artillery Brigade
A transport and storage rack for a lifting accessory for the muzzle brake to 155 mm field guns, an invention that improves safety and ergonomics

Cash prize of 2,000 euros:
Lance corporal Tuomas Nurmi, Kauhajoki
Artillery Brigade
Software for the conversion of weather data to be transmitted from one database to another

Cash prize of 1,500 euros:
Artilleryman Riku Jormakka, Hankasalmi
Karelia Brigade
Rephosphorisation of the rear sight included in the night combat sight on assault rifles by using epoxy glue

Cash prize of 1,000 euros:
Corporal student Timo Huuskonen, Siilinjärvi
Aircraft and Weapon Systems Training Wing
A funnel-shaped plug for a storm lantern to improve fire safety, and to facilitate the filling of fuel, especially when it is dark

Innoint 2011 honourable mentions

Three submissions were awarded an honourable mention.
(Cash prize and honorary diploma)

Honourable mention, 500 euros:
Lance corporal Sami Finnilä, Nousiainen
Pori Brigade
An aerial reconnaissance system based on a small electric flying model

Honourable mention, 500 euros:
Undersergeant Markku Hietamäki, Nurmo
Training Air Wing
All-round control tool for mechanics for the A and B rounds in the maintenance of Hawk aircraft

Honourable mention, 500 euros:
Airman Ville Pekka Timgren, Espoo
Air Force Academy
Replacing the lowest button on the M05 conscript jacket by a hook, which prevents the button from opening

The Innoint Contest is organised and supported by: Finnish Defence Forces, National Board of Patents and Registration, Foundation for Finnish Inventions, National Defence Initiative Foundation, Finnish Inventors National Federation, Soldiers' Home Association, and Innofinland.

For more information please contact:

The Finnish Defence Forces:

Mr Veli Särmäkari, Chief of Social Affairs, Defence Forces’ initiative scheme, tel. 0299 510181, email veli.sarmakari(at)mil.fi

Ms Liisa Eränen, Chief of Social Affairs, Navy, tel. 0299 301140, email liisa.eranen(at)mil.fi

Mr Kari Karjalainen, Chief of Social Affairs, Air Force, tel. 0299 291141, email kari.karjalainen(at)mil.fi

Mr Hannu Maijanen, Chief of Social Affairs, Army, tel. 0299 410177, email hannu.maijanen(at)mil.fi

Innofinland:

Mr Timo Suokas, Project Manager, Innofinland, tel. +358 (0)9 6939 5308, mob. +358 (0)40 772 1733, email timo.suokas(at)prh.fi

Ms Leena Puolimatka, Communication Co-ordinator, Innofinland, tel. (09) 6939 5239, mob. 040 546 0125, email leena.puolimatka(at)prh.fi

Ms Anna Lauttamus-Kauppila, Director of Communications, National Board of Patents and Registration, mob. 050 563 5724, email anna.lauttamus-kauppila(at)prh.fi