Before you do anything with that great idea of yours, you really, really need to spend the time and/or money to do a patent search. If you don't, chances are you'll be very sorry you didn't (because, as I've often said, "if you've thought of it, a thousand other people have, too." It's just a matter of who "moves" on it first.).
You can either pay a patent attorney to do this (even if you don't end up hiring him/her, they have a much more thorough database than is available elsewhere), or you can search every search engine, every online store that may carry your product, offline retail stores, etc. Of course, you'll have to think of every imaginable name your product could have, and search accordingly.
Also, it's important to note that patent attorneys want you to infringe on their client's patents. Some tricky guys and gals purposely name their products something wacky so that you won't be able to find their patent while doing your search. Then, once you come out with yours, they're ON you! Thankfully, this doesn't happen all the time, but it definitely does happen. So, take your time and do it thoroughly, or pay an attorney to do it for you.
Remember this, too: if you do happen to find your great idea already out there (you'd just not seen it before, because of poor marketing on their part, or whatever), don't be discouraged. If you still love the idea, you can make it even better than they have. Think of additions you can make, or things that would make it more user-friendly. Then, start putting your drawings and/or prototypes together.
Monday, July 14, 2008
RAPID PROTOTYPING
Hey, I thought since today was a day I was waiting on a quote from a rapid prototyper (Dan, at Fusion Engineering), it might be a good idea to mention rapid protyping and what it is.
Well, the name pretty much sums it up, of course, but more to the point: it's a wonderful, fast, cost-effective way to get a working prototype of your invention (and, if you're like me, and your sewing, engineering or construction abilities are lame, at best), they come in awfully handy.
Accelerated Technologies, another rapid prototyper, defines rapid prototyping this way: The obvious benefit of rapid prototyping is speed. However, working closely with product development professionals, Accelerated Technologies has found that the real value of the rapid prototype is that it quickly delivers a better design communication tool.
The "real", physical prototype quickly and clearly communicates all aspects of a design. Eliminating ambiguity, rapid prototyping facilitates the early detection and correction of design flaws.
In its simplest form, the benefit of rapid prototyping is confidence in the integrity of the design. This confidence is best expressed as the peace-of-mind that results from a design that is completed on time and correctly.
Furthermore, rapid prototyping techniques can deliver parts in spec resins and spec alloys that allow for real world testing, bridge to production and short-run production.
It is important to note that rapid prototyping has become a very loosely used term to define any process that reduces the time to receive a prototype. Machining, casting and molding techniques have all been loosely grouped under the rapid prototyping umbrella.
But, the true definition of rapid prototyping is those technologies that additively "grow" a design.
So, get on it! Make your drawings (or shoot a short video of your working prototype, like I did), get some quotes, and get 'er done!
Well, the name pretty much sums it up, of course, but more to the point: it's a wonderful, fast, cost-effective way to get a working prototype of your invention (and, if you're like me, and your sewing, engineering or construction abilities are lame, at best), they come in awfully handy.
Accelerated Technologies, another rapid prototyper, defines rapid prototyping this way: The obvious benefit of rapid prototyping is speed. However, working closely with product development professionals, Accelerated Technologies has found that the real value of the rapid prototype is that it quickly delivers a better design communication tool.
The "real", physical prototype quickly and clearly communicates all aspects of a design. Eliminating ambiguity, rapid prototyping facilitates the early detection and correction of design flaws.
In its simplest form, the benefit of rapid prototyping is confidence in the integrity of the design. This confidence is best expressed as the peace-of-mind that results from a design that is completed on time and correctly.
Furthermore, rapid prototyping techniques can deliver parts in spec resins and spec alloys that allow for real world testing, bridge to production and short-run production.
It is important to note that rapid prototyping has become a very loosely used term to define any process that reduces the time to receive a prototype. Machining, casting and molding techniques have all been loosely grouped under the rapid prototyping umbrella.
But, the true definition of rapid prototyping is those technologies that additively "grow" a design.
So, get on it! Make your drawings (or shoot a short video of your working prototype, like I did), get some quotes, and get 'er done!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Persistence is the Name of the Game
I firmly believe that everyone has at least one really great idea for an incredible product, a new, never-before-seen design, a new method of manufacture, or whatever. But, I also believe, that if you think of that one thing, at least a thousand other people have thought of it, as well. The difference lies in the EXECUTION of the idea. Just thinking of it isn't going to get you anywhere (i.e., any richer). You've got to take ACTION in order to see your product come to light (and before the other guy does!).
I believe that people don't take action because the whole process of getting that product out of their head and into the marketplace is simply too overwhelming. Well, I'm here to tell you, it CAN be overwhelming (at times). But, so what. So is washing those eight loads of laundry. But, you DO it. One at a time.
It's the same process with inventing: you've just got to take that first step, get it done, then go onto the next step. The great news is: it is NOT difficult. You CAN get your product "out there." You simply have to become doggedly persistent, doing at least one thing toward the progress of your idea each day, until the first step (which, to jump ahead for a moment, would be a patent search) is done. Thoroughly done. Thoroughly completed.
Once you've exhausted every avenue possible in determining whether or not your idea already exists (and you find that it doesn't -- yaaay!!), you check that off your list and move on to Step 2 (which I'll get to later).
It may take you a day. It may take you a week. It may take you a month (or two!). But, it WILL be worth it!
The one thing you must have -- above all else, -- to make it happen is: persistence. Of course, you have to believe in your product first, but that then makes the persistence happen a lot easier. But, you really do have to believe in your product.
I've lived every step of this. I know.
If you'll notice the pictures at the top right, there are a few of me on QVC with a product I invented, patented, manufactured, and took to QVC (my ultimate goal, at that time), selling just under 30,000 units. I posted those pictures for the sole purpose of showing that my persistence (over the course of four years!) paid off.
Of course, then I didn't know anything about anything -- except persistence. What I didn't know, I found out. How? By calling people. Then calling more people. Asking tons of questions. Then, doing what I had to do. (This process, by the way, helped me land the L.A. Dodgers as my very first customer!)
Again, it's not difficult. But, it absolutely DOES require patience and, in case I haven't mentioned it: persistence.
Having been through the whole process of literally creating scary-looking at-home prototypes, then finding great prototypers (I went through many), a quality manufacturer (very important!), packaging folks, bar code folks, determining my sell price, then actually getting customers to buy it, and ultimately get it on QVC (my goal, and the Holy Grail of shopping channels, with millions and millions of viewers/buyers-of-product), -- and, lo' and behold, making some incredible money in the process,-- I feel I'm in a position to help others do the same.
"Help" is the operative word. I won't do it for you. (I wouldn't cheat someone out of the learning process, plus, I simply don't have the time, as I've got too many other products in the pipeline I'm working on.) But, if you have what you feel is a great idea, and you're willing to do the work to see it become a real product people can purchase, I'm here to help.
I'll be posting a number of things you can download to help you get started, so check back soon.
I believe that people don't take action because the whole process of getting that product out of their head and into the marketplace is simply too overwhelming. Well, I'm here to tell you, it CAN be overwhelming (at times). But, so what. So is washing those eight loads of laundry. But, you DO it. One at a time.
It's the same process with inventing: you've just got to take that first step, get it done, then go onto the next step. The great news is: it is NOT difficult. You CAN get your product "out there." You simply have to become doggedly persistent, doing at least one thing toward the progress of your idea each day, until the first step (which, to jump ahead for a moment, would be a patent search) is done. Thoroughly done. Thoroughly completed.
Once you've exhausted every avenue possible in determining whether or not your idea already exists (and you find that it doesn't -- yaaay!!), you check that off your list and move on to Step 2 (which I'll get to later).
It may take you a day. It may take you a week. It may take you a month (or two!). But, it WILL be worth it!
The one thing you must have -- above all else, -- to make it happen is: persistence. Of course, you have to believe in your product first, but that then makes the persistence happen a lot easier. But, you really do have to believe in your product.
I've lived every step of this. I know.
If you'll notice the pictures at the top right, there are a few of me on QVC with a product I invented, patented, manufactured, and took to QVC (my ultimate goal, at that time), selling just under 30,000 units. I posted those pictures for the sole purpose of showing that my persistence (over the course of four years!) paid off.
Of course, then I didn't know anything about anything -- except persistence. What I didn't know, I found out. How? By calling people. Then calling more people. Asking tons of questions. Then, doing what I had to do. (This process, by the way, helped me land the L.A. Dodgers as my very first customer!)
Again, it's not difficult. But, it absolutely DOES require patience and, in case I haven't mentioned it: persistence.
Having been through the whole process of literally creating scary-looking at-home prototypes, then finding great prototypers (I went through many), a quality manufacturer (very important!), packaging folks, bar code folks, determining my sell price, then actually getting customers to buy it, and ultimately get it on QVC (my goal, and the Holy Grail of shopping channels, with millions and millions of viewers/buyers-of-product), -- and, lo' and behold, making some incredible money in the process,-- I feel I'm in a position to help others do the same.
"Help" is the operative word. I won't do it for you. (I wouldn't cheat someone out of the learning process, plus, I simply don't have the time, as I've got too many other products in the pipeline I'm working on.) But, if you have what you feel is a great idea, and you're willing to do the work to see it become a real product people can purchase, I'm here to help.
I'll be posting a number of things you can download to help you get started, so check back soon.
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