Quote:
Originally Posted by M. Mellott
This really is a great idea!!
Not to get too off-topic, but while developing a patent for this idea can be very pricey and time-consuming, there is another option. You have to remember what a patent is for: to document that this is your idea and you came up with it before anyone else so that no one else can profit from it (except for you, of course).
First, create a white paper on your tensioner, or a detailed document describing the device and its development. Be as detailed as possible, and include as many options as your team can think of (BTW, I like the hose clamp idea). Include drawings, photgraphs, names, etc. Once you have that, file an application for a copyright on the document (I think it's about $40 for the application fee). Now, if anyone else takes your idea and goes to market with it, you have proof (with a critical government timestamp, no less) that you came up with the idea first. With that document, you could give that to any lawyer who would gladly sue that person/company that's using your idea for a piece of the profit. I know of several people who do this regularly with ideas they develope.
Sure, if you're going to take it to market yourself, a full-blown patent might be the way to go. But, if all you want to do is protect your future rights to your invention, a copyright is a whole lot cheaper. To top it off, if I remember correctly, while an expensive patent lasts only a few years (relatively speaking), a copyright lasts the lifetime of the filer plus 70 years.
But getting back on topic, I agree that this tensioner idea could be something that you and/or your team might want to protect.
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There is a major flaw in your idea. There is something called the "public disclosure clause" for patents. Basically as soon as you show your idea in a public place (a regional, or chiefdelphi would defiantly count) you have started a one year clock. If you don't file a patent within that time frame then it is considered public domain and regardless of your time proof. That being the case anyone could come to market with this thing and you would have no protection.
If you don't wish to do a full fledged patent at this time you can always file a provisional patent which adds one year of protection to give you the time to file a patent if you want.
In my honest opinion I wouldn't worry about patenting this. If you go do a quick patent search for "chain tensioner" you will see literally hundreds of different methods. While what you have made has quite alot of use in the robotics community the use for industry is minimal, where size and weight constraints don't really exist in many of the applications.
I don't mean to discourage you and I think that everyone should try for a few patents in their lives but you need to decide if getting a patent will be worth the effort and experience. If your interest is selling this tensioner then just do it, and you don't need a patent. For example look at andymark, they sell loads of items and don't have patents on most of them.
As for the design I like the concept alot, I would make sure that you add a chamfer or round on the lead in edges both on the zip tie holders and the chain channel. UHMW is great for it's lubricity but may not stand up under alot of use which is up to you because these will be cheap and easy to replace. I would look at delrin or some other harder plastics.