New Invention Ideas Help
The new inventor today faces many pitfalls as he attempts to make his idea a reality. There are unscrupulous people that will steal your idea given the slightest chance or cheat you without you even knowing it. The purpose of this short missive is to help you chart a safe course through shark infested waters because people think of you, the inventor, as meat for the slaughter.
How to Protect Your Idea or Concept
New invention ideas help advises “Do not reveal any confidential information to anyone else without a signed copy of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). Reputable firms routinely supply such a form. This form prevents others form stealing or using your idea without your authorization.”
How the Invention Process May Work
For many people the invention process works much like a mother giving birth. First the idea is conceived. Over time the idea takes better form as it passes through a sort of gestation period. As early as possible in this process, new invention ideas help would advise, “The inventor must start keeping a complete log of all his activities with respect to the Idea. Draw pictures, write down all changes and revisions, then date the pages.” When the Idea has taken on a concrete form in your mind, you are ready to take the next step.
Get a Patent Search
New invention ideas help says,"Once you have the Idea firmly in mind, you are ready determine if someone else thought of the idea first and patented it. You should therefore get at least a Cursory Patent Search for the United States. A search will reveal if the idea has been patented. If there is a very well written patent, further work on the Idea and additionl spending may prove to be fruitless. However, I must hasten to add, sometimes a change to the design can breathe new life into your Idea. To proceed without this step can lead to financial disaster."
What is the Next Step?
Properly completing the last step has made this step possible. This is the point where all too many people make a very expensive mistake. They take the Idea to a patent attorney for a patent. New invention ideas help advises, “Take the Idea or Concept to a 3D CAD Design or engineering firm instead. Why? The designer or engineer may need to change the design, improve it or even determine that the Idea or Concept will not work. In that case, either your patent fee was wasted or you will have to pay for expansive patent revisions. Also, be sure the Idea or Concept can be manufactured and can likely be produced at a marketable price." The 3D CAD creates a digital 3D image of the Idea or Concept. Of course, the 3D CAD and design work are used for future manufacturing and will also help the patent attorney write a better patent.
Get a Prototype Built
The prototype is based on the design and engineering work done previously. New invention ideas help says, “Prototypes are used by engineers to determine Form, Fit, Function and to Field test new things. Here is where the last ‘bugs’ are found and fixed. Of course the prototype process also provides ‘a hand held’ creation of the Idea or Concept. This prototype also serves as an ideal example of the invention for sales purposes."
For a smoother working process, try to use the same firm for the patent search, design, engineering and prototype. A rapid prototyping firm likely has the best skill set for the job. One last word of caution, it is possible to make a prototype that it is not possible to manufacture.
Obtaining a Patent
You are now ready to get a patent. You have defined the Idea or Concept into a product or other definitive item. You know how it will look and likely function. You know what it is made out of and have a pretty good idea of how it will be manufactured. It is now time to get a patent for this real in hand idea. New invention ideas help suggests, “Select a very articulate lawyer because the written portion of the patent is often more important than the pictures and drawings. After filing the patent, you are ready market your idea."
Conclusions
What have we learned? Has new invention ideas help pointed out pitfalls to the new inventor? Indeed it has. First, the inventor learned how to protect his valuable intellectual property using a NDA. Second, He has learned how to properly document the invention process to protect his future rights to the Idea be using a Journal Log. Third, he was instructed to get a patent search as a prudent financial businessman. Fourth, he was advised to seek professional help to more fully develop and evaluate his Idea before investing more money, once again using prudent financial planning. Fifth, with the Idea in at least near final form, a prototype puts the Idea in physical form to work out final details. Sixth, the prototype also serves as the model for both the patent attorney and for marketing purposes. New invention ideas help has indeed documented several pitfalls, and charted the purdent financial path for the inventor from an Idea or Concept to a ready to market product.