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Discussion Forum

Idea for an new tool

butch | Posted in General Discussion on December 3, 2004 01:05am

YCfriend

Thanks for the reply.

I guess my main question is did you come up with the e-z guide and

if so did you get a patent on it.  What I’m interested in is what is involved

with getting the patent. Any insights that you care to share such as cost, time

involved, etc…,

Do you think I need to start another thread, this one is all over the map and

my question does concern tools?

 

I think that maybe a good idea.

Really didn’t know what category to put this in

So I’m asking here and now you get a chance to “pimp”( 🙂 ) your tool

and how you went about getting it developed with a manufacturer

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Replies

  1. dinothecarpenter | Dec 04, 2004 02:57am | #1

    Hi butch.

    The first step before you spend any money is to make a prototype. Simple and ..Simple.  If you're happy with your prototype use it few times.   (Few hundred times) By putting the prototype to the test you will come up with improvements and more improvements. And even more ideas.

    When you're happy with the result's and you have re-done your prototype few times you go to http://www.uspto.gov  and you do a search to see what else is there. In order for the patent office to issue a patent , the patent examiner must be convince that your idea is either unique or an improvement of an existing one.

    Now, if you think that your invention-idea can make life EZ for others and the user can save time and money and your way is better than, what is in the market  and the PTO  and that it will be Ez to sell...

    ..Then you sell your sports car you take a second mortgage and you find a patent attorney. $6.000.00 to $8.000.00 should be the budget for the patent application. Or you can apply for a provisional patent for $1500.00 that is only good for one year in order for you to decide if you want to proceed with your utility (good) patent.

    The problems with a new idea is not the patent  is what comes after.

    We apply for patents on everything that we make. US-EU and other selected areas. Our patent attorney drives  MB and I (push) a Fiat.

    I think this is a good start for you and others to get an idea how to start and what is the first step. (First of 10)

    YCF Dino



    Edited 12/3/2004 6:58 pm ET by YCFriend

    1. Snort | Dec 04, 2004 03:04am | #2

      So you're saying become a lawyer? LOL...I'm still setting the ez smart up, think it'll send me to law school? Ha, ha, ha? Don't worry, we can fix that later!

      1. dinothecarpenter | Dec 04, 2004 03:17am | #3

        Somewhere in the box is an instruction manual. And somewhere in the manual a-24 hours phone line. But you must read the instructions first.

        Good luck.

        YCF

        Edited 12/5/2004 10:40 am ET by YCFriend

        1. Snort | Dec 04, 2004 05:36pm | #6

          Hey Dino, What's up with reading the directions? That's for amateurs...LOL. I finally decided which saw to put it on, that was the toughest part. The Milwaukee Tilt-Loc only needed a little case modification for a nice snug fit, so that got it. Boy, what a smooth sliding rig!One question though...why are there three alignment bars for the tracks? I actually did read the directions, but best guess is you think I'm going to lose one<G>Butchcheck this for Dino's site: http://www.eurekazone.com/ Don't worry, we can fix that later!

          1. dinothecarpenter | Dec 04, 2004 08:28pm | #8

            Hey Dino, What's up with reading the directions? That's for amateurs...LOL. I

             

            One question though...why are there three alignment bars for the tracks? I actually did read the directions, but best guess is you think I'm going to lose one<G>

            You made my day.. after getting back my identity from someone. (F-hackers)

            View Image Step 1: Put a connector in the center and tighten it. (lightly)

            View Image Step 2: insert the other two connectors halfway in and tighten them (lightly)

            View ImageWith three self aligned connectors, there is no need for you to buy all different sizes, but at the same time, you can extend your guide as long as you need it and still be portable.Step 3: put the two guides together (all the way) and tighten the remaining screws

            In the picture bellow the Ez Smart actually floats on 4 smart clamps. If you need to make few cuts ..You don't need a table or sawhorses.

            View Image

            I' hope this helps.

            YCF Dino

          2. Snort | Dec 05, 2004 05:56pm | #12

            Man, now I've got to go find the rest of those direction...LOLThanks Don't worry, we can fix that later!

          3. dinothecarpenter | Dec 05, 2004 06:45pm | #13

            And after you read the instructions....You will find that ....is nothing there about the third connector.   Man!!! we screw-up!!!

            Hey!!! who needs instructions???

            YCF Dino

             

             

          4. Snort | Dec 05, 2004 07:15pm | #14

            I'm glad I've got a connection right to the horses mouth! Don't worry, we can fix that later!

          5. dinothecarpenter | Dec 05, 2004 07:26pm | #15

            Good luck with your new house. I like the yard.

            Do you know any good framers?

            YCF Dino

          6. butch | Dec 05, 2004 05:01am | #9

            Mr snort, thanks for the link

          7. dinothecarpenter | Dec 05, 2004 06:19am | #10

            butch.

            The big idea behind the EZone is to have a system in place to help other people with good ideas. Give us few more month's and you will not have to worry about all the Bs that you  may have to put up with.

            Work on your prototype. And don't spend your money.

            YCF dino

             

          8. butch | Dec 05, 2004 12:30pm | #11

            Great!

            That's what I'll attempt to do, so keep us updated

  2. dinothecarpenter | Dec 04, 2004 05:34am | #4

    So I'm asking here and now you get a chance to "pimp"( :-) ) your tool

    and how you went about getting it developed with a manufacturer''

    Sorry butch. I don't see the last part.

    Is funny how one day you're the "carpenter with an idea" and the next you become a "pimp". Remember what I' told you before. The patent is the EZ.stuff

    About the second part of the question. Getting it developed with a manufacturer.

    I think the manufacturers ( 95%) have a good system in place. They call it ""Idea submission office."' And the idea behind this office is ....to waste your time and money and to take your idea one way or another. And is a very good "idea." After they get done with you you be happy to ...just give it to them.

    And other manufacturers "of high end low end product lines" have a better idea. They visit the US trade shows with 'high end' spying gear looking for the next idea. Why spend the money for an 'idea submission office?' 

    In our case, we was lucky to have few extra M-buck's  and few good M-friend's.

    good luck with your idea and remember that you have YCF and the EZone now.Things will be EZier now.

    Yourcapenterfriend.

     
    1. butch | Dec 04, 2004 02:02pm | #5

      thanks for taking the time to reply,

      How long did this process take you?

      From you having a prototype to getting a manufacture to "sponsor" you, if that

      is what you want to call it.

      And I think it ought to be a whole lot cheaper to get a patent, it would only be

      a good thing for our economy, with the kinda of money your talking about to do

      this, it kinda cuts out the ability of the common working man to follow through

      with an idea.

      One other question, I haven't seen your tool, do you have pictures or a link?

      Thanks again for your help.

      1. dinothecarpenter | Dec 04, 2004 08:01pm | #7

        And I think it ought to be a whole lot cheaper to get a patent, it would only be

        a good thing for our economy, with the kind of of money your talking about to do

        this, it kinda cuts out the ability of the common working man to follow through

        with an idea.

        What money? this is only a down payment. Then you have to answer to office action or action's. And if you get a patent you have to pay maintaince fees.

        And you may need to apply for additional patent's for additional protection. The first thing is to find a good patent attorney and to make an agreement that he will be obligated  to defend the patent if needed.

        You can't afford not to have a good lawyer-s? because if your idea is good it will be a "good idea" for someone to ...borrow it. And your protection is good as your lawyer.

        The patent office in the other hand have nothing to do with patent protection.

        But there other ways that you can go about it. At the end you will find out that your best protection is your  product-service and marketing. And remember that you still have to deal with your competition.

        So, having a good idea may not be a "good idea' . But if you have an idea how to deal with what comes next, then your idea may not be so bad after all.

        YCF Dino

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