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I have an idea that I would like to see to fruition. It's an exercise device (Consumer Good) but has some technicality to it so I cannot prototype it myself. I suspect I need someone to design it and someone to make a prototype before patening it. Am I correct and, if so, can anyone recommend a good product design firm or prototype firm in Houston? Also, what would such designers be called? Product engineers? I am so lost!
I have an idea that I would like to see to fruition. It's an exercise device (Consumer Good) but has some technicality to it so I cannot prototype it myself. I suspect I need someone to design it and someone to make a prototype before patening it. Am I correct and, if so, can anyone recommend a good product design firm or prototype firm in Houston? Also, what would such designers be called? Product engineers? I am so lost!
Thanks!
I do not have a specific firm in mind(I"m not in Texas) but I'm familiar with some projects like this and this is going to be way more expensive than you think.
You do not need a prototype in order to get a patent. What you need is an "enabling description" of the invention, meaning a description that enables one of ordinary skill in the art (perhaps a mechanical engineer in this case) to make and use your invention. If you cannot do this by yourself, you have not yet invented anything from a legal standpoint. If someone collaborates with you to reduce the idea to practice, you need to look into whether that person is legally entitled to be listed as a co-inventor on any patent (often, patent rights to an invention are not owned, or not owned equally, by the inventors -- this is open to negotiation).
You will need the services of a patent attorney. JDM above is, unfortunately, correct -- sorting out the legal issues, and then writing and prosecuting a patent application can be fairly expensive.
Also, ask the attorney about the following situation: you receive a patent, manufacture and market your invention successfully. One day, you walk into JackMart and see a Chinese version of your patented invention on sale. What are you going to do about it? Getting a patent is fairly expensive, but patent-infringement litigation is enormously expensive, more than you can imagine.
Bottom line: if you are serious about this, get competent legal advice before going any further (and stay away from the firms you see on TV offering to "help" inventors). Competent advice will not be cheap, but it may save you from wasting a considerable sum further down the road.
Wait until you see the insurance for an exercise product where a person could very easily hurt themselves.
Youll want a lot of research by certified trainers and Dr's as a retainer incase someone tries to sue you for your machine knowingly causing bodily harm.
I'd recommend buying a welder and some metal. Make the project yourself. Once engineers get involved (and their expensive, advanced machinery) the price hits the moon.
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