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02-18-2014, 01:26 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 554
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How to patent an idea?
This is RV related in that I have developed a new toliet for RVs. Not sure how to go about getting my idea patented. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Rob
2000 Monaco Windsor Cummins 330
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02-18-2014, 01:30 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Rainbow Riding
Posts: 18,574
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greatlakes
This is RV related in that I have developed a new toliet for RVs. Not sure how to go about getting my idea patented. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Send it to me and I'll handle it.
I think if you really want to be safe - you want a patent attorney. There are also small business patent assistance offices as I recall. Good luck with your idea!!
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Steve & Annie (RVM2)
2008 Fleetwood Bounder 38F ~ 325 ISB Turbo ~ Freightliner XC 2014 CR-V ~ Invisibrake / Sterling All Terrain
Sioux Falls, SD (FullTime Since Nov 5th 2014)
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02-18-2014, 01:46 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Rural Independence, OR
Posts: 951
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__________________
2013 Leisure Travel Vans Unity U24MB, 635 watts solar, 440 AH batteries, 2000 watt inverter, Koni struts and shocks, Hellwig rear anti-swaybar, SumoSprings front and back, 2012 Hyundai Accent SE, Blue Ox baseplates, Aladdin towbar and Patriot
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02-18-2014, 04:32 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Forest River Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 388
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Be aware, patents are not cheap and take a lot of time and effort to go through the process. The Patent Office is typically backlogged by 18 months or more.
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Dan (RVM67), Yvonne & 2 nutty mutts
2015 Flagstaff V-Lite 30WFKSS; 2012 Sierra 2500HD Crew
Home is behind, the world ahead, and there are many paths to tread...
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02-18-2014, 04:45 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 8,638
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Google
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2007 Fleetwood Revolution LE 40V
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02-19-2014, 04:28 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: San Jose, Ca, USA
Posts: 2,697
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__________________
Alan Hepburn - San Jose, Ca
2007 Bounder 35E being pushed by a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport S or a 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) Sport S
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02-19-2014, 08:48 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 554
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan_Hepburn
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Cute. I do know how to google but was hoping there might be someone with some actual experience obtaining a patent.
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Rob
2000 Monaco Windsor Cummins 330
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02-19-2014, 09:01 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 527
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Patents are expensive for it is impossible for most to do their own work. Also very few little guys every really make anything off of their patents. Usually the hairs will sell or otherwise dispose of them.
I have been involved with the process on my own patents where the Corp Lawyer would take me to the patent library in Washington to looks through lots of patents to find references similar to my idea. This is a called a search of the art to show originality.
The basic process is:
Do a search to determine if the idea is orginal. Done in the patent office archives.
Build a working model or have detail drawings which proves it will work. You are on your own.
Do the patent qualified drawings. Done by professional draftsmen in this business
Write up the patent per the rules. Also done by either a patent lawyer or what is called a patent agent.
Submit it to the Office with necessary fees. This will go a lot better if done by a Patent Lawyer registered with the Patent office. In the old days an individual could do this. I have seen pictures of the waiting room filled with applicants sitting with their models on their lap. I think that even then a lawyer was at some point involved.
Any appeals or other actions must by done by the patent lawyer.
The total cost for all of the above will run into thousands of dollars for most of the professionals involved make over $50 per hour. Maybe more now days.
You have a better change from buying lottery tickets.
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02-19-2014, 10:40 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Forest River Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 388
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What targaboat said just about sums it up. Beyond the patent search, the back and forth with the Patent Office to finally accept your idea, and the costs associated with maintaining a patent; it is also up to the holder to defend his patent, i.e. ensure that your idea is not infringed by anyone else.
Sometimes it is best to get a business to buy your idea instead.
But if you feel that you really want to go the patent route, I suggest you have a professional assist you (be it an attorney or agent).
Good luck with your quest.
__________________
Dan (RVM67), Yvonne & 2 nutty mutts
2015 Flagstaff V-Lite 30WFKSS; 2012 Sierra 2500HD Crew
Home is behind, the world ahead, and there are many paths to tread...
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02-19-2014, 10:50 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Shingle Springs, CA
Posts: 12
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I think most of what is posted here is accurate. I know one guy who pulled it off, got a patent and sold his idea for a million. I know another guy who's patent attorney stole the idea. That guy landed in jail after trying to call the attorneys on their dishonesty. Choose your business partners carefully.
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1998 Country Coach Intrigue
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02-20-2014, 02:16 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Phx, Arid~zona
Posts: 11,106
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From what I have heard, when you file for a patent, it becomes public notice. The chinese will have it on the shelf before you ever get anything approved. China does not recognize our patent rights.
Had it happen to a friend. He invented one of those Gatorback tail gates with an expandable panel so you could carry your groceries and other stuff so it doesn't roll around in a truck bed or trunk. After I got home from the company school where w e talked about it, I found a very similar one at Sam's Club for 1/2 the price he was going to ask.
From what I have heard, is to build some, make a nice, attractive display and put some around where your target buyers will see them. If it is a good idea and a lot of people buy it, more and more stores will pick it up. Kinda like those do-hickeys near the register at Autozones. Good luck, you will need it.
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02-20-2014, 07:41 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 554
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Yea I think I will maybe try and build a prototype then see if I can get a company to take it on. Thanks for the advice. Sad that lawyers have made that a process that few people can afford.
__________________
Rob
2000 Monaco Windsor Cummins 330
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02-20-2014, 07:47 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 1,489
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Try Shark Tank
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Mark Anderson - FMCA 351514 - NRVIA Certified Level 2 Inspector
Louisville, KY
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH
2006 Jeep Commander
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02-20-2014, 07:49 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Nor'easters Club Mid Atlantic Campers Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,098
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You can look into a post office patent. It's simply an envelope with all of your documentation sealed inside at the post office then put in a safety deposit box. If during your process of trying to get a patent, someone tries to steal it you have dated proof of when you first came up with the idea.
China is the worst country on the planet. The steal while smiling and are allowed to pollute our world at will.
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