Is anybody willing to design my invention as a prototype?

Question

I have an excellent inventiton Idea, however, no money to start it up, I believe every household that has more than one level will want one! I am looking for engineers, lawyers, graphic artists that are willing to do the design on the computer (like toy story pixar) and engineer to show how it would work and attorney who would do all of these services and be paid when the product sells. Im not sure how to go about it legally, but make sure those who participated upfront with no money got compensated well once the product took off. Basically trade services for the idea. I have already proposed my idea to an invention company and they say it would definately be a great seller, but they need all these upfront fees for all the services needed to get it off the ground. If you have any expertise and would like to help out , I would gladly chat with you. I am a mother of three and honest, looking for honesty and profession in return.
Thanks,
STeph

Answer 1

I'm not sure how likely it is that you'll find people willing to do all that work at no cost. However, you may be able to do some things on your own.

NOLO is a great, free informational site. Also, be sure to read what the USPTO (United States Patent & Trademark Office) has to say about patents.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

Getting a Patent:
* Patent It Yourself (11th Edition) by David Pressman
* Patents and How to Get One : A Practical Handbook by U.S. Department of Commerce
* How To Make Patent Drawings Yourself: A Patent It Yourself Companion by Jack Lo
* The Inventor's Notebook: A Patent It Yourself Companion by Fred E. Grissom

What to do Next:
* From Patent To Profit: Secrets & Strategies For The Successful Inventor, Third Edition by Bob Dematteis
* How to License Your Million Dollar Idea: Everything You Need To Know To Turn a Simple Idea into a Million Dollar Payday, 2nd Edition by Harvey Reese
* The Inventor's Bible: How to Market and License Your Brilliant Ideas by Ronald Louis Docie
* The Complete Idiot's Guide ® to Cashing in On Your Inventions by Richard Levy

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 2

I am a fabricator/machinist. The guy is right,if you aren't in the process of getting a patent or already have one. It is very likely that someone with the money will steal it from you and call it their own. Your best bet is to find someone you know that has experience with a design program to do it. If you think I can help you let me know ( I will be honest with you ) I use Auto Cad but it is nothing like the software that is used for pixar. Before you start telling everyone what your idea is you should see a lawyer or get a packet to apply for your own patent. You can order them on line for free.

Answer 3

Do not go through those invention companies. They are scams. When you walked in did you notice that the products they claimed to help produce you've never seen on the market? All they do is take your money, do what they said they were going to do, basically what you can do yourself.
Becareful who you tell about your invention. Go and google the U.S. patent office and find out how to patent your idea. Find someone reliable to help you. NOT a business. If you really need someone to make your proto-type, there are businesses who do that. Dilbert works for a company of engineers who develop products. You have to have an exclusivity contract so no one steals your idea.

Answer 4

There are different types of patents. Some for design and some for function. I'd check with a patent attorney if you think you have a really hot item. Also, it's my experience that a patent does not guarantee you profits - marketing does. Do a patent search to see it you're in violation of a similar product, then make it and then sell the hell out of it!

Answer 5

You may want to consult a lawyer on this stuff, because if your invention is so life-changingly important, people are going to want to steal your idea and try to pass it off as their own. And even then, a lawyer should be able to tell you what you need to do and what not (and if you can't afford one, try to find one that will work for free or a percentage of what you make if your idea is really revolutionary).