I have an invention and doing some research :)

[Aviatormy]

Hello to all my ENA buddies.

 

I struck an idea a few days ago about an invention and I have been getting A LOT of really good feedback from my immediate family. (I will not be disclosing my idea on here until it gets patened or I get told that it is not as good of an idea as I had once thought it was ha ha.)

 

So that is my question, has anyone ever invented something and went through the process of getting it patened? Or has anyone ever had an idea and did a little research on how to turn an idea into a consumer product?

 

I have already made a sketch of my idea and I have written an outline of what it does. I just need to make a prototype now.

 

I dont really know what I am asking so any advice would be useful to me

 

Thanks in advance!

[Shortpants]

Yup, I have. But it was a few years ago, so nothing recently. I used to homebrew beer and discovered that no one makes a glass carboy cover to block out light while it is in the secondary ferment (very important), so I made one as most homebrewers just wrap a towel around it. I know, it's nothing like rocket science but a needed product in my mind!

 

Here is the place I went to do all my research:

 

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All the handy info about patenting / copyrights / trademarking / etc. right from the source! Good luck with your idea! How exciting!

[Aviatormy]

Oh wow, thank you!

 

Mine... surprise surprise, is in the fitness industry. Something I have never seen before. I put myself through about 24 hours worth of googling to see if anyone has ever fabricated this idea before and luckily, no one has!

 

So what happened with your invention if you don't mind my asking? How far did you take it?

[Shortpants]

I actually made quite a few, for fellow brewers, but when it got down to brass tacks, I discovered that I couldn't make them cheap enough with all the materials and time. It was alot of sewing and by the time one was completed, I was only going to make a couple bucks. Lots of time and effort for little return.

I really only researched the patenting once I found no one else made one at the time. Like I said, it was a few years ago. Then I went on to make one and see if it was financially feasible to mass-produce them myself. It really wasn't, so I went on to my next million dollar idea! LOL I do remember thinking about how easy and cheap it was to get something patented, it's just the waiting time while they process it and research to make sure no one else holds the patent.

Sorry I can't be more help, I gave up too early! hehe

[russ978]

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I believe they have all of the information you need regarding how to patent something. You'll end up paying a little for their services but they'll make sure you're covered.

[Aviatormy]

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I believe they have all of the information you need regarding how to patent something. You'll end up paying a little for their services but they'll make sure you're covered.

 

Thank you. I will go check that out now. I am not too worried about the money part as I have been blessed yet unblessed with my GF. I say that because she got hit by a drunk driver 4 and a half months ago and shattered her femur and talis bone (the bone on top of the foot). The blessing part of it all is that she is getting a 6 figure settlement very soon and she loves my idea so much that she is willing to front me the costs to get the patent and everything else started.

 

I just want to know the best place to go for this is. It is terrifying that someone could so easily steal my idea before I can get it patened.

[mgirl]

Nice to see some entrepreneurs on ENA.. Keep up the good work guys and good luck with the invention Aviatormy.

 

Shortpants, keep thinking like an entrepreneur, you will get your second and third idea soon

[dangletsbang]

I have the most awesome sexual accessory idea ever but I doubt it would ever work, lmao.

[supersun]

in addition to the search engine at the Patent Office (uspto.gov), google has a search engine that i find easier to use

 

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poking around here will give you an idea of whether a similar patent is already out there. if you're serious about pursuing a patent, hire a patent attorney. (the Patent Office website should provide a directory of patent attorneys to get you started.)

 

you do not need to build a prototype in order to pursue a patent.

[Aviatormy]

Yeah I am trying to find one now. I found a website that would do it for $299. As long as I get the patent, I am sure that it will do good. It is a great idea according to everyone that I have told so far. And I KNOW that they are not just saying it is a great idea to be nice lol.

 

Who knows? I will keep everyone posted. Perhaps you guys can see an informercial on it within the next couple of years

[supersun]

i'd stay away from websites advertising patents on the cheap. try consulting a law office first. for example, on link removed (a reputable lawyer-locator service) i found the following patent attorneys/firms in your area:

 

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i don't personally know the reputation of these firms, but i'd bet money you'll have a better outcome consulting these firms first before a website offering budget services.

 

good luck!

[Aviatormy]

This is true. I have been a little skeptical about giving my idea out online. It would not surprise me if there are companies out there that steal ideas.

 

I think I would feel much safer face to face with a patent law firm.

 

Grrr! I wish I could snap my fingers and have all of this taken care of already.

[Intense]

I really advise you do some market research before doing anything else. There is little point spending a lot of time and money on patenting and production before you know you will make money on your idea. Personally I search the market first and then find out what the "idea" is.

[Aviatormy]

I really advise you do some market research before doing anything else. There is little point spending a lot of time and money on patenting and production before you know you will make money on your idea. Personally I search the market first and then find out what the "idea" is.

 

Sound advice but a patent can cost as little as $100 and I would hate to not "protect" my idea just in case it will be very profitable in the future.

 

Would you be ok with putting the patent off just to do a little research? Knowing that there is a risk of someone else getting a patent on the same idea and now you have no rights to it? Would you be willing to risk giving a potential 6-7 figure idea away to someone else all because you didn't want to invest a measly $100? I doubt you would take that risk. Then again, I could be wrong. I sure as heck will not take such a risk. I am going to get my idea safely recorded as MY IDEA! yay!

 

Not trying to start an argument but every website that I have gone to and everyone that I have spoken to has advised me to get a patent on the idea first. Then I can take all the time in the world (well up to a year) to do research and get my idea going.

[supersun]

some clarification: sounds like you are talking about filing a provisional patent application (which would cost roughly $100 or so). that is not a patent. it can help establish your entitlement to a patent if someone comes along after you and seeks a patent on the same idea. but it does not give you the right to exclude anybody from making or selling the same idea.

 

you would need to convert the provisional patent application into a utility patent application. then you need to "prosecute" the utility patent application -i.e., negotiate with the patent office in an effort to get them to issue a patent covering your idea. this will take many hundreds of dollars - perhaps 10-20,000K+, depending on the complexity.

 

again, the best course of action is to consult a patent firm and get professional advice if you wish to pursue this. if you don't want to take that step, at least poke around at the patent search engines on the patent office website and google to see if you find anything similar. just because nobody is presently selling your invention, doesn't mean nobody previously pursued a patent on it. you may save yourself a lot of time and money by taking a look at existing patents - you may find it's already been patented. of course, even if you do find a similar, existing patent, a patent attorney can advise you whether you may still be able to get your own patent even in the face of the existing patents.

 

i agree with you that if you can afford it, it's worth getting the provisional patent application on file ASAP, even if you end up not doing anything with the invention after that. however i'd still get professional advice regarding preparing the provisional application and next steps.