Patent question

[Shadowscape]

I'll add that the "thing that I'm changing that already exists" isn't something that would be patented I dont think. It's something that many different manufacturers make

Check into it anyway. There may be a patent but it is also licensed to other companies to produce.
An example: Ranch dressing. A lot of companies make Ranch dressing. However, it is patented by Hidden Valley, and if you want to produce Ranch dressing you need to obtain a license from Hidden Valley to do so.

 

[Bart_]

Been down the patent road. A serious effort at writing the patent is about as fun as writing a published paper. Over and over and over again till everyone believes the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed. It is very enlightening to view prior art patents kind of humbles you down. Also becomes a matter of opinion. Someone technical in the art, in my case me, and someone new can come up with different lists of pertinent literature. Shakes your confidence a bit. I my case the patent was with an organization and I was one of several names on it. (But i was the poor bugger who got the short straw and had to write it!) I wasn't pursuing the 'Murican Dream so I wasn't facing the typical stakes and objectives.

Many times people have told me to patent my power ascender. Knowing the art, and the hassle I have no appetite for it and it remains camera shy. Heading up 8 years now. I have described it verbally and would feel sufficiently whatever(?) undefined(?) if it ever became a thing knowing I originated it. I'm a simple folk.

On the other actual patent it came to my attention someone else was pursuing doing it commercially. I informed the organization and they said it's up to you to do something about it. Not the situation for me. Washed my hands of it.

Listen to the beady eyed dude on Dragon's Den / Shark Tank to get your business mindset. "You're a cockroach in this space waiting to get stepped on" "Show me the money"

There is a certain satisfaction in knowing you got the only one of your special whosit, too

 

[southsoundtree]

Power ascender?

 

[Sfoppema]

Been down the patent road. A serious effort at writing the patent is about as fun as writing a published paper. Over and over and over again till everyone believes the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed. It is very enlightening to view prior art patents kind of humbles you down. Also becomes a matter of opinion. Someone technical in the art, in my case me, and someone new can come up with different lists of pertinent literature. Shakes your confidence a bit. I my case the patent was with an organization and I was one of several names on it. (But i was the poor bugger who got the short straw and had to write it!) I wasn't pursuing the 'Murican Dream so I wasn't facing the typical stakes and objectives.

Many times people have told me to patent my power ascender. Knowing the art, and the hassle I have no appetite for it and it remains camera shy. Heading up 8 years now. I have described it verbally and would feel sufficiently whatever(?) undefined(?) if it ever became a thing knowing I originated it. I'm a simple folk.

On the other actual patent it came to my attention someone else was pursuing doing it commercially. I informed the organization and they said it's up to you to do something about it. Not the situation for me. Washed my hands of it.

Listen to the beady eyed dude on Dragon's Den / Shark Tank to get your business mindset. "You're a cockroach in this space waiting to get stepped on" "Show me the money"

There is a certain satisfaction in knowing you got the only one of your special whosit, too

From the sound of it, I don't have the energy to see it through especially since I think it is only borderline possible anyway. Camera shy it is, though I sub myself to other companies a fair bit....may have to have everyone put their phones in a box on the jobsite.... I'm kidding of course lots of photos have already been taken unfortunately... not going to post anything for awhile anyway. Thanks for the words of wisdom

 

[Bart_]

One time I told a legally blind customer all about Pantin and Haas when in fact I was using my power ascender. Couple Hail Marys good to go conscience. Another time one of the guys doing my neighbour's pool installation had a bit of groundie experience and whipped out his cell phone asap to video my effortless ascent up a silver maple. Fortunately the rope rotated so my back was to him or it would of ended up online. His video just showed a whirring mystery ascent.

Maybe you can get the patent pending and do your own production till it takes off, later get a partner company like the RW saga. Maybe it'll all work out. "Kin folk said move away from there, now you're a Hundredaire "

 

[Bart_]

Southsound, I made one that tucks in under your bridge, lifts on your leg loop rings and is on SRT rope under your climb system. You could use it DRT, but why(?) was my evaluation of that option. Sorry spotted your post after my reply.

 

[Bucknut]

View attachment 87491
It’s a spork isn’t it?

No. This is a totally new idea, called the “Foon”. I like the serrated edge. (Starting to see Kevin’s point about others copying but slightly modifying an invention to skirt patent protection.)

 

[theXman]

Treebeing said a lot of what I was going to say.

You adding two modified things together, could be patentable.

I would add this though. If you have a good idea, make a prototype that shows it can work, then fill out your provisional patent (DM me for my phone number and I'll explain how easy it is, I did one a few weeks ago, again, for like the 5th time) then sign a non-disclosure agreement with a big company. Then meet and show that company or others, until one of those big dogs wants to go with it and back you up. You could share the patent 50/50 with them or maybe they are really good to you and help you with patent costs, but it's ALL in your name. But here's the big reason why! Have the big company sign an agreement that they will legally go after anyone that infringes on your patent. Cause like treebeing said, if YOU don't have the finances to go after them in court and they figure that out, many will copy your product. But if you have a big dog that will protect your patent, that's very helpful.

note: Currently I only have one product patented (X-Rigging Safebloc). But in the works of hopefully another successful product right now.

 

[theXman]

oh and off the top of my head, I thought no one could make something similar legally, unless is was like 55% different, or something close to that. I don't think one hole drilled or one extra spring will do it.