If you’re an inventor with a concept in mind, you no longer have to come up with a working model in order to be granted a patent. This is unlike the standard operating procedures before 1880 when inventors had to come up with a prototype first before they can even submit a patent application. While working models are no longer mandatory, there are several reasons why they are still relevant even during the 21st century.
1. Settling “ownership” disputes.
Coincidences happen or maybe frauds just really like to take advantage of an honest person’s ideas. Whatever the case may be, when someone challenges if you were really the first to invent something, the prototype can help you solve your legal woes. The concept of “reduction to practice” determines the priority between inventors and having a working model gives you solid evidence that you indeed are the first inventor. Having a prototype justifies your claim that even prior to filing the application, you have already made the invention.
2. Making those much needed tweaks.
Part of ensuring that your invention passes your consumers’ meticulous standards is to fine tune your product and you cannot do this if all you have are blueprints. While we might think that everything fits just fine when the parts are viewed simply from the drawing board, chaos theory will always make sure that one screw won’t fit just the way you want it to or that one bolt will keep the other parts from moving. Making sure that you settle all of the possible hitches is crucial especially when you’re relying on your investors to get the project going. And since their ‘okay’ would most likely mean setting up a strict timetable, not pre-empting glitches can seriously set back production.
Making the Prototype
You start off with sketches which you keep in your logbook and then maybe you go on and make a computer aided design of your sketch with the help of any of the CAD programs available. While you’re making the design, think about the corresponding materials that you want each part to be made of. Sometimes, the cost of making a prototype in-house is extremely high and in this case, you might want to consider outsourcing this job to foreign companies which specialize in creating prototypes.
Anthony Robert loves to share his insights about gadgets and electronics. Learn about his site, http://www.pa-international.com.au/.
—————————————-
If you found this article useful, don’t forget to share it by clicking one of the buttons below. You can also share your thoughts in the comments section below.
You can follow me on Twitter, add me to your circle on Google+, or like my Facebook page to keep yourself updated on all the latest of Hardware and Software reviews.
