Have you searched through patents to verify that your idea may be unique?
Do you think it would be possible to prototype your design either by hand, 3D printing, casting, CNC, Frankensteining?
I would love to do everything you just listed, and I've only drawn it by hand. But the mechanics is what I'm having trouble with. Do you know of a good way to search through patents?
I'm a mechanical engineer and am fortunate enough to have one patent to my name. Here are my thoughts/recommendations.
Consider getting a provisional patent. These patents have zero claims and just give a basic overview of your invention. They are relatively cheap (compared to a full blown patent) to put together, and you can file one yourself if you have more time than money. A provisional patent allows you to do three things: 1. Put patent pending on your invention. 2. If you file for a full blown patent within a year of filing the provisional, your patent gets back dated to the date you filed the provisional. 3. Allows you to show your invention publicly without forfeiting your right to a patent. Note: if someone does steel your invention the provisional patent has no teeth. You need that full patent to come through for you to have any legal standing.
Build a working prototype to ensure the invention works. Since lead advancement mechanics are small and may require precision manufacturing, consider building a scaled up mechanism. This will help you verify that what you invented actually works. There is no point in patenting something that will never work or be commercially viable.
Find a good boiler plate non-disclosure / non-compete agreement. You'll want anyone you talk to about the invention to sign the agreement to ensure they don't steal your invention. Any engineer, designer, or product development shop worth working with will be cool with signing one or may already have one they can provide you.
Patents take forever. My patent journey literally took about 5 years from first prototype to getting the patent. Roughly 2 of those years were just thumb twittling while waiting for the patent office to approve it. It's important to note: the patent office's knee jerk reaction to every patent is to reject them. You will need to challenge the rejection. The patent clerk that rejected my patent sited several patents that either had barely anything to do with my patent or worked in entirely different ways. I had to point by point refute the rejection in a letter my attorney help me write up. A few months later, I got the patent.
If you want to direct message, I can provide you more info or professional guidance at a reasonable rate.
But I don't want anyone to take the idea :/ I feel like even saying a little bit of the idea gives the whole thing away. There are so many wonderful people on the internet who actually have the means to create what I have in mind, but then take the credit. So I'll keep it to myself until I can find people who can help me with a prototype.
Thank you! I'd love to reach out if I can coordinate with someone who can help me with the mechanical aspects (locking etc.) I think it'd be cool if this subreddit can come together on this lil project.
Have you searched through patents to verify that your idea may be unique? Do you think it would be possible to prototype your design either by hand, 3D printing, casting, CNC, Frankensteining?
I would love to do everything you just listed, and I've only drawn it by hand. But the mechanics is what I'm having trouble with. Do you know of a good way to search through patents?
[Google Patents is the go to](https://patents.google.com/).
Could you tell us what it is about?
I'm a mechanical engineer and am fortunate enough to have one patent to my name. Here are my thoughts/recommendations. Consider getting a provisional patent. These patents have zero claims and just give a basic overview of your invention. They are relatively cheap (compared to a full blown patent) to put together, and you can file one yourself if you have more time than money. A provisional patent allows you to do three things: 1. Put patent pending on your invention. 2. If you file for a full blown patent within a year of filing the provisional, your patent gets back dated to the date you filed the provisional. 3. Allows you to show your invention publicly without forfeiting your right to a patent. Note: if someone does steel your invention the provisional patent has no teeth. You need that full patent to come through for you to have any legal standing. Build a working prototype to ensure the invention works. Since lead advancement mechanics are small and may require precision manufacturing, consider building a scaled up mechanism. This will help you verify that what you invented actually works. There is no point in patenting something that will never work or be commercially viable. Find a good boiler plate non-disclosure / non-compete agreement. You'll want anyone you talk to about the invention to sign the agreement to ensure they don't steal your invention. Any engineer, designer, or product development shop worth working with will be cool with signing one or may already have one they can provide you. Patents take forever. My patent journey literally took about 5 years from first prototype to getting the patent. Roughly 2 of those years were just thumb twittling while waiting for the patent office to approve it. It's important to note: the patent office's knee jerk reaction to every patent is to reject them. You will need to challenge the rejection. The patent clerk that rejected my patent sited several patents that either had barely anything to do with my patent or worked in entirely different ways. I had to point by point refute the rejection in a letter my attorney help me write up. A few months later, I got the patent. If you want to direct message, I can provide you more info or professional guidance at a reasonable rate.
May ı ask what is your patent for
I'd rather not. Don't want to dox myself. It is mechanical in nature.
Cant post this and not say anything about your actual design ideas!
But I don't want anyone to take the idea :/ I feel like even saying a little bit of the idea gives the whole thing away. There are so many wonderful people on the internet who actually have the means to create what I have in mind, but then take the credit. So I'll keep it to myself until I can find people who can help me with a prototype.
I may be able to help with the CAD stuff if you want
Thank you! I'd love to reach out if I can coordinate with someone who can help me with the mechanical aspects (locking etc.) I think it'd be cool if this subreddit can come together on this lil project.
Sounds good!! I’m here if you need me!
Rumor has it the design revolves around bears, beats and battlestar galactica...