How to get a knife design in front of mfg?

M

mark127

Joined
Mar 18, 2006
Messages
8
hey everybody,

I put together this knife/tool thing at my work bench. It is really crude looking at this point; think "caveman-beta", but I have high hopes as to it's functionality. Any pointers about getting this idea in front of a manufacturer? I am not out to invent the world's greatest knife, but if it takes off, I want at least fair share of the credit (read: $ ) for my idea.
I just don't have the 6-10k lying around for a patent. Thank you,
 
If it is indeed a new and revolutionary tool and not just existing tools grouped together in a new way then you need to start by raising capital by selling the idea to your friends and relatives. Once you have that money, say, 25% of what it will cost to get a production run of anywhere from 1000 units and up, you will then need to place ads looking for the rest of the money. There are people looking for good ideas to put money into to make quick turn around and $profit$. If they like your idea and your business plan, they will give you money, but if you can't convince friends and relatives that the idea is worth the 25% then you will not convince a lender.

Of course, you will need a business plan, which will probably cost a few to several thousand dollars.

Start with drawing up some non-disclosure agreements and see what your family and friends think.

P.S. Don't waste your time on a patent, not to mention your money. Instead think of a good name or symbol and register the tradename or trademark. Patents can be gotten around, trademarks and tradenames cannot.

P.P.S In todays market, anything worth producing is worth copying in China. one of the better ways of going about things these days is first to have something that people will buy and then produce a ton of them and flood the market before somebody ships it to China and copies it.
 
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Whichever way you decide to go, the first thing to do is to document all of the particulars - When you came up with the idea, photos of the prototype, write-ups and sketches, etc. Date and sign them with a witness. Have the package notarized. This won't do a lot, but it will provide some of the needed proof if it becomes necessary to patent it, or protect the idea.

Call some knife manufactures that are within a reasonable distance from you (if any) and try to talk to someone in R&D, or Product Design. They may be willing to give you some advice.

Call or email some maker/designers for advice or collaboration. Ken Onion, The Graham's, etc.

Call David at Greatlakeswaterjet. He will know a lot about this,too. He may help you make a prototype run that looks a lot better than your mock-up.

Do some serious Internet research, and see if you have just re-invented something that is already there. If you came up with a new crow bar, would it suddenly make all the old crow bars useless?


Stacy
 
You need to get in touch with the library of Congress in Washington D.C. and asked them to sent to you the proper forms to patent your material. when you complete the forms and send then back they will search there database to see if the patent have been filed before. If no filing has been done you will receive a copy of the document that you sent in with the patent number all at the top of the form. :) http://catalog.loc.gov/

I would not recommend sending any protype out to someone else before perceiving with the above. In the past I have wrote over 80 songs and they are copy written in the library of Congress in Washington D.C. for my protection now and fifty years after my death. The forms that you will be in need of are different than the ones I used. But they will know which ones to send you when you ask about getting patent for your work. :thumbup:

You will be surprise that it will not be expensive as you would think. But keep in mind that if you have something that is worth millions it will be money well spent. If you want to discuss your patent with some designer that is ok but do not send any photos and blueprints out to anyone until they have been secured. There is plenty of time to play the waiting game but its time well spent.;)

The days of a poor mans copyrights is not worth the paper its written on. A good shark lawyer can always predate something for a price. Its been proven more than I care to count. I hope this was of help to you and have a great day with your project and securing your work. :yawn:

rights1.jpg

Terry
 
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There are several makers who to colabs with knife outfits. Columbia River seems to be one of the best out there as far as treating their makers. You'll need a very slick package to catch the marketing guys' eye and it doesn't hurt to have a name in the industry already.
 
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