Putting equipment ideas to use

[Lunker]

Might be kind of an odd question for some, but others may understand or have the experience. For those fisherman who have equipment ideas, what I mean by this is improvements for old equipment ideas, or new tackle and equipment ideas(ideas for a new lure or other fishing inventions for example), how would you go about putting these ideas to use, creation, or even production? Just wondering cause I'm one of those guys who while on the job or in the class I'm creating new ideas for fishing instead . Just thought I'd throw it out there. Thanks

[Giant_Jackpot]

You are not alone. I guess if a guy thinks he has a world beater idea he needs to take the chance and bet the farm to do something about it. My problem is getting the nerve up to bet the farm.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I'm with ya, I'm way too much of a chicken butt to bet the farm. I've turned a lot of ideas into creations and lots of people have seen them. After seeing them I'm asked to make one or 2 or 10 for them. And so on and so on and so on. Maybe someday I'll get lucky and actually be able to sell some creations of mine.

I can't risk the farm so I'm gonna keep my day job.

[Steve Bakken]

The first thing to do is create what's called a poor man's patent. Design your creation on paper, being as specific as you can get, then seal it up in an envelope and mail it to yourself. Don't open it. Then you have proof of what you created and when. Then apply for a real patent. Also consult with an attourney to cover your bases. If you can't afford to bet the farm, you can approach a company who already exists, who manufactures some type of fishing equipment and offer them the rights to manufacture your design. Either selling the rights or contracting for a percent of the "royalties". I have an uncle who is going through this very thing right now and these are the steps that he's been advised to take.

[setterguy]

Good suggestions, I have actually had one of my ideas "stolen" from me, I think. I was talking to a guy from a major electric collar company and suggested something to him about an idea I had, he laughed and said that it wouldn't make any difference. Two years later, there they are selling products with my idea on them. I have no proof, and its not really worth it, because frankly the idea isn't that popular. It still made me feel kinda proud o my self though.

[Muskieguy]

Yeah, my old man told me a story that when he was in college he was to come up with a new product for a business class he was in. This was back in the early 70's and he came up with pop top lids for cans of soup. That way if you were camping you didn't need to carry a can opener...well he got a "A" on his invention and little bit later he saw them in the stores??? Makes you wonder..

Muskieguy.......

[Lunker]

Thanks, nice info. Always things running through my head, most wouldn't do squat probably, but there are a few that stick, and some right now that I've actually been creating for my own use. How much does it take to get a patent for a product?