The Invention Corner

So, what have you patented?  So, what have you invented? Let’s back up: What have you though of that would make a good invention?

Are you the builder, or the idea person? If it’s an idea, can you build it?

As an inventor, do you have to be able to build a product yourself?  I wish that was true.  It would cut down on the number of patents sought.  My products would go toward the front of the line.

At the last inventors fair I went to, there was about 1 company that specialized in prototype development for every 4 or 5 inventors there.  If you have the idea and the bucks you can have a product made; even if it doesn’t work.

If on the other hand you have a mechanical background and can build things, you can save those dollars but it does cost you time.  I personally dislike paying someone to do something I can do myself.

So what’s the point?  It really doesn’t matter whether you build the invention yourself or have it built.  Take those ideas and get them out there.

What kind of business can inventing be?  Do you take things apart even if
they are not broken just to see how they work?  Do you watch shows
that demonstrate how things are made?  These make up signs of an
inventor, and a smart inventor can make a business out of it.

Let me qualify this article.  I am not talking about patents.  This is
about everyday inventions to better peoples lives.

Money doesn’t just fall in your lap because you are an inventor.  I know
the hard way about inventing and business.

My son was in a car accident that left him unable to do anything for
himself.  I came up with invention after invention to make it easy
for him to do something.

My sons difficulties inspired my wife and I to start a business making
products for the disabled.  I invented ways to attach ash trays,
bottle holders etc. to wheel chairs.  Our products were less
expensive then the same type items from a medical supplier.

We had a catalog of our products.  We also did custom work.  My wife
designed a snug bag with arms and hood for someone in a wheel chair.
We lived in Minnesota where it got chilly in the winter.  This bag
covered parts of the body missed by blankets.

I found toys that moved when turned on.  I adapted them to work with a
big red button.  Disabled kids had a hard time using an on-off
switch, but they could press the big red button.

We got a lot of pleasure from inventing and making things for the
disabled.  It was not very good that we did not make much money at
it.  We both had steady jobs, so this business was extra. 

Most independent people with disabilities have very little extra money.
The state would cover things like wheel chairs and other necessary
equipment.  Our products were not in the needed category, so there
was no funding.

On occasion, parents of children would buy or have something custom
made.  For the most part we spent a lot of time with little to show
for it.

I invented a lot of things to enhance the disabled peoples lives.  I
was almost trying to sell ice to Eskimos!  Not exactly but you get
the drift.  They really wanted what we had to offer, but did not have
the money to buy.

Yes, you can make money from inventing.  There are many businesses with
this framework.  Investigating where the money is and funneling your
efforts that direction gives you the best chance of success.  I
learned the hard way.  Luckily our livelihood did not depend on our
success.

I only have one product that I invented and am selling.  You can see it
@http://MailBoxDoorAlert.com. 

My mind does not conceive of inventions like a way for a jet airplane to
land in 500 feet.  My inventions go more for how to keep birds off
the runway.  Even that idea is pretty mighty for my type of
inventing.  Most of my inventions go for making something I need
right then.

I have filed for a Provisional Patent in the past.  I have never gone
all the way for a full blown patent.  I don’t make an invention so I
can patent it.  I make inventions that I use.  If they deserve a
patent, so be it.

My feelings about patents may get some comments.  Unless you have a
product that is not worth stealing or you have someone with deep
pockets to protect the patent, I feel a patent is fairly useless.

I read two very informative articles the other day.  The first one said
that about 2 % of patented products were ever commercialized. Fewer
of that 2 % ever make any money.  The other article said a tool
company was paying royalties to 12 individuals.  6 of the tools had
patents and 6 did not.

There are a lot of products on the market that don’t have patents.  It
seems to me that if you have a money making product, you invite
knock-offs.  Getting known first for your product seems to make a
difference.  Bean y Babies®
had a lot of copy cats, but the original was the one that was in
demand.

The other day I needed a way to hold something.  I though about it and
came up with a solution.  I went out into my shop and built it in
about an hour.  Purists might say that that was not an invention.  I
felt it was.  My invention worked and that was enough for me.

I am not knocking patents, because there are products and ideas that
need to be protected.  I may feel different someday about not
patenting each and every idea.  I guess it does keep the economy
moving.

As you might guess, because I don’t get excited about patents, I will
serve up interviews with people who do. There are always two sides to
every story.  I would like to get your comments on this subject.

What I am trying to get at is it doesn’t matter what we think about the
product, it’s what the buying public does makes the difference.  So
how do we still feel good about our invention even though it probably
won’t sell!

I know that I feel good anytime a come up with an invention that works.
If I get one that makes me money I am ecstatic.  I never feel bad if
an invention does not pan out to sell.

I read where the man that invented seat belts for the car probably
never got a penny for his invention.  The product was a great idea.
It saved many lives but the public did not want it.  It wasn’t until
the federal government mandated the use of them did they sell.

If your invention is not met with open arms, just chalk it up to
experience.  Keep all of the information.  At some point in time, you
might try to sell it again.  If the time is right, and you will get
your just reward. 

Let’s take an example: you invented a special small oven.  It went nowhere
at first.  Then came along the microwave oven and It grew in
popularity.  When you again approached companies to make your oven,
you were met with YES.  Resubmitting your product will not always
make a difference but it might!

I guess it come down to:  If you come up with an invention that works,
then be proud of yourself even if you can’t sell it.

Thought of an invention?  Do you think it’s the neatest thing since sliced
bread?  Do you think it will sell?  How much money are you willing to
risk to see if it will sell?

Lot’s of questions that need answers before an invention should be
patented.  Are you aware of how many patents end up as commercial
products”?

Only 2% of patented inventions make it commercially.  Just because they
are on the shelf, doesn’t mean that they will sell!  Did I put a dent
in your ego?

I like every other inventor think our product is the next big thing.
It has been a real shock to find out that my invention get’s a “
That’s Nice “.  It might be a product everyone should have but does
everyone want it?

A lot of people think that if they have gone without the invention this
long they can get along without it longer!  There are not many
products out there that had people say “ I need that “  In most
cases they have to be shown and sold.  Fads are different.

The Segway ( a registered trade mark ) is a wonderful product.  It does
some really neat things.  You don’t hear many people say that they
have to have it.  The company has to sell it, I mean talk people into
buying it.  If it was free but you had no use for it and you could
not sell it or give it away, would you take it?  Except for being an
unusual  toy, It would just take up space.

Continued in part 2

Looking for ideas for a new invention?  You will know it when you see it!
Keeping your eyes open to anything that could lead you to that new
invention.

One of the most self defeating ways to look at new ideas is to assess
each one when you think of it.  I suggest that when a new idea comes
to you write it down on a possible invention list.

Brainstorming by yourself or with someone you trust is the way to come up with
possibilities for new inventions.  Take your list of ideas and go
through each one.  Open your mind to many variations to your idea.
As an example:  You have come up with an idea for a windshield wiper.

Two ways to look at a challenge.  You could say that you want a
windshield wiper to do something that you don’t think is available
now.  Your self talk could be that there are so many windshield
wipers out there and nobody would buy your idea and nix the whole
thing before you even start.  On the other hand you could say that
you think this is worth checking out and then how would you do that.

One of the problems with getting someone interested in taking on your
invention is that it has no track record.  Someone with vision for
the products usefulness and saleability is the one that will take it
on.  Those people are few and far between, but they are out there.

To put the cards more in your favor, I have a suggestion.  First thing
to do is go to forums that talk about products.  Also check out
discussions on Amazon, Google, Yahoo, Bing and Ebay.  When a product
is discussed, there my be thing like – I really like this product
but I wish it had this– or I wish it would do that. 

This gives you a product that is already marketed.  If you improve on it,
and change it enough so it doesn’t infringe on a patent, you could be
in business.

Keep
these things in mind as you see things all around you.

What’s your definition of an invention?  One of Websters definitions is “
A Product Of The Imagination “.  If you think of something then it
must be an invention!  I feel that definition may be stretching it a
bit.

For me an invention is something new and different.  If you come up with
a product or service that is new to you, then it’s an invention to
you.  Even if the product or service is available somewhere else, but
you are not aware of it, then for all practical purposes you invented
it.

Let’s take an example of my definition.  Imagine you had a cast of your
leg.  For some reason you needed it up off the floor when you were
sitting.  There are a lot of things you could rest your leg on.  You
have something specific in mind.  You look at medical catalogs but
find nothing that would work.

You have a pretty good idea of what the thing would look like.  You draw
a rough sketch of your invention.  A friend takes it for you to have
it made.  You get it back and it works just like you imagined.

You are not aware of it, but in a small town on the other side of the
country, a fellow had the same problem as you and made and patented
the leg support.  Does that make your support less of an invention?
Because there is very little demand for such a support, it was never
made commercially.

Other then you are not able to make and sell your invention legally, you
made the invention.  You saw a need, and came up with a solution.

So, what’s your definition of an invention?