Applying for a patent - questions?

[turbostang]

I have a small part that I made for my car, there's only one I've made - and it worked so good, that I'm thinking on getting a patent for it.

The only problem is that I got the idea from somewhere else, and my part resembles what I got the idea from, but with some major updates/changes.

I guess my main question is, First - the patent database seems to be so convoluted in it's search process, I can't even find any RELATED parts.

Second - what's involved in a patent? attorney needed?

[8mpg]

Unfortunately you will be best off getting a patent lawyer and its not going to be cheap or a quick process.

[Ruffdaddy]

Yes an attorney is needs and it's several grand for a good patent. You can patent innovations so your idea is in the clear. If you're confident, get a provisional to keep you safe for at least a year.

[347Mike]

Pics or it didn't happen.


Seriously though, I am curious as to what it is exactly.

[Ruffdaddy]

You should also have a year of protection if you go public with it.

[turbostang]

Yes an attorney is needs and it's several grand for a good patent. You can patent innovations so your idea is in the clear. If you're confident, get a provisional to keep you safe for at least a year.

Provisional? as in a temporary patent? I don't necessarily mind spending the money, but a return on the 'investment' would be schweet.

Unfortunately you will be best off getting a patent lawyer and its not going to be cheap or a quick process.

Lol, see above.

Pics or it didn't happen.
Seriously though, I am curious as to what it is exactly.

I won't post pics publicly, yet. I want to be sure there's no patent, or possibly any trouble with what I've made. It's a powervalve for a carburetor that works 100% backwards from a standard powervalve. It's similar in concept, made from FAR superior materials and dimensionally completely different. I can't find ANY where that sells what I speak of by itself. So, I doubt there's one patented... but ya never know.

[Ruffdaddy]

Provisional gets you patent pending. Most patents never show much return FYI...it if your confident go for it! I have a friend who recently did a provisional for just 1500. Then if you decide to you can take it further for 5K plus

[Ruffdaddy]

Note: provisional is not a patent yet

If you need some mechanical modeling to create 3D models and part drawings I'll do them cheap

[Grape]

I have several, call me............

[The King]

No offense, but wouldn't patenting a carburetor innovation be about as likely to yield a return on investment as patenting an improvement to a VHS player?

[Grimpala]

No offense, but wouldn't patenting a carburetor innovation be about as likely to yield a return on investment as patenting an improvement to a VHS player?

Shit, somebody forgot to tell Edelbrock, Holley and Demon, amongst others, that the carbuerator is dead.

[Ruffdaddy]

No offense, but wouldn't patenting a carburetor innovation be about as likely to yield a return on investment as patenting an improvement to a VHS player?

Not quite...There's still a market for carburetor parts.

[Grape]

Shit, somebody forgot to tell Edelbrock, Holley and Demon, amongst others, that the carbuerator is dead.

somebody forgot to tell you Barry Grant (Demon) is broke..........

[mustangguy289]

How does this power valve help the common carbureted junky?

[mustangguy289]

somebody forgot to tell you Barry Grant (Demon) is broke..........

Somebody took to long to tell Barry Grant that his products sucked.