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The carjack that Leeroy built

21/11/2003

"Leeroy's unique idea could be an excellent investment for NESTA and the UK as a whole."

AirJack is the brainchild of delivery driver Leeroy Brown, from Birmingham. Leeroy came up with the idea after watching so many people struggle to change tyres by the side of the road in difficult circumstances. He felt that there had to be an easier and better way to cope with a flat tyre in wet and windy conditions. From that he came up with the AirJack.

The AirJack is powered by the vehicle's cigarette lighter. It uses a compressor to inflate the bellows to raise the car easily and safely. The same method can be used both just as simply to inflate the tyres, including the spare tyre which is often overlooked when tyre pressures are routinely checked. Although there are other electro-pneumatic devices available to jack up cars, AirJack is the only one that also offers the option of pumping up soft tyres.

AirJack was voted best invention in the BBC Best Inventions programme and subsequently won the Consumer Award at the 2002 Tomorrow's World Innovations Awards.

NESTA funding, over twelve months, will support the design work and market testing of the AirJack.

Jeremy Newton, Chief Executive of NESTA, said:

"This award is living proof that NESTA is uncovering innovative ideas from all corners of the UK and offering them the chance to thrive. Leeroy's unique idea could be an excellent investment for NESTA and the UK as a whole."

2002 Tomorrow's World Awards