April 2008 Summary
Mr. Steven R. Peabody (president of CMI Engineering and holder of several patents) gave us exceptional, valuable, practical, real-world guidance on how to develop an invention into a product. Here is a summary of his detailed method: 1. Prepare an industrial design . Once you feel you have a marketable invention: a) sign a mutual nondisclosure agreement b) describe your invention to someone (industrial designer, engineer, draftsman) who can give your idea: an understandable format (such as an industrial design). Show this to your engineers, marketers, and patent lawyers/agents. if the invention is complex, an animated illustration to show how the product works. 2. Consider filing a patent application. To get legal rights for your invention. Now, or after doing the marketability study of step 4. 3. Have an engineering firm precisely design your invention. So you can manufacture products. a) Choose a firm that is familiar wit