Cool tank car idea

[Anonymous]

Daan:

Selling the patent rights isn't always a good idea. There supposedly have been guys who have invented things that were intended to compete with the internal combustion engine. They supposedly sold their patent rights to oil companies & the things have disappeared, never to be produced or heard from again.

Don't know if those stories are urban legend or not, but you can see it happening.

At any rate, you're right, something is only worth what someone will pay for it. If you've got something to sell that no one wants, it's worthless.

Tony

[Anonymous]

I just got a reply from the patent office. For a US patent it is $350. I DONT HAVE THAT MONEY![:O]

Then it said on the bottom, you need a patent attorny! ARRGG

[Anonymous]

First of all, Jerry, GREAT IDEA!!!!!!!!!! If it ever becomes a reality, I'll be sure to buy one! Good luck in getting a patent and getting this into production!

QUOTE: Originally posted by jerrylovestrains

I wonder if Sask ever heard of Fond du Lac, Canada!

I have heard of Fond du Lac. In fact, actually do think that it's in Saskatchewan, but I'm not sure where, so it isn't close to where I live.

[daan]

Most of the time it isn't worth it to patent any idea, unless you know you can earn the money back.. I sold an idea for a 100 guilders once, and never heard of it again.. So I earned a bit with it and the one who bought it, didn't get to producing it. One of my friends invented computerprograms for middleschool and got them patented, his factory is booming and he has to work hard to keep up with the orders..
It is only how much people would buy it.
That computer freind invented a computer keyboard for kids which is easier to use and learns preschoolkids writing and reading much quicker.. He even got invited by people of microsoft to sell his patent. That's business, I doubt that it's worth to pump a lot of $$$ into patenting something which will never pay itself back..

[spankybird]

Gee Jerry, I did think that you were in Canada. See when you go on vacation, everything shuts down. I must have been thinking of Sask.


tom

[lionelsoni]

Jerry, see http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/disdo.html for advice. It seems that you must file within one year of the time that you publish.

[Anonymous]

I've heard this technique described as a poor mans patent. Take your idea and write it out. After writing it down seal it in an envelope and mail it to yourself, certified return receipt requested. When it is delivered to you sign the receipt and DO NOT OPEN the letter. Put the letter and the signed returned receipt in a safe place. Now you have dated proof of your idea and / or prototype. I've heard of this being done by craftsmen such as holster makers who wanted to protect an original design but could not afford a patent. I've also heard it called a shoe box patent, ie put the prototype in a shoe box and mail it to yourself. Don't know how well this would stand up in a patent despute or licensing despute. For what its worth, which may not be much.

Steve

[Anonymous]

I wonder if Sask ever heard of Fond du Lac, Canada!

[lionelsoni]

Spankybird seemed sure of himself; so I just went along! I think he must have confused you with another young member, Sask_tinplater Mitchell Biley, who is surely in Canada.

[guilfordrr]

We must have confused your location with Sask's.

[Anonymous]

[swg][(-D]

what made you think that?

[FJ and G]

Maybe it was your Canadien accent.[8D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by daan

A cool idea, one iny tiny thing though, a can motor doesn't run on AC, it needs a rectifier bridge to work on ac. Changing polarity has to by done by a switch or a relais then..

hmmn, I could put a relay in the controller! I could also put a rectifier in the car!

[Anonymous]

Do you guys think I live in Canada?[:D] [;)]There is Fond du Lac in Canada, but I live in the Wisconsin Fond du Lac! Was there a confusion?

[lionelsoni]

Unless things have changed a lot, you first get a Canadian patent, then apply for a "counterpart" patent in any other countries where you want to protect your invention. If you're lucky, this involves no more than filling out a form; but sometimes the other country wants minor revisions or clarifications to your patent.

I don't know what the rules are in Canada; but, I think, in the US, "publishing" your idea as you have here starts a clock which limits how long you have to apply for the patent.

[FJ and G]

Very nice idea.

I've long thought of doing an oil refinery but using chemistry lab tubs so you can see the fluids moving about. If you can visualize the old science lab stuff. Some chemicals even could react and fizz.

Dave Vergun

[spankybird]

Jerry, it’s looking good, you better get a patent to protect your self.

Also do realize that each country has it’s own patents. Because you live in Canada, and if you applied for their patent, it may not protect your ideas here in the US or Korea – China. An International patent would be needed.

[Anonymous]

Jerry:

Very cool idea. Anybody can get a patent, all you need is a patent attorney & $$$.

As I recall, one of the steps is to do a patent search to make sure no one else has come up with the idea & patented it. That used to cost about $500 a number of years ago; don't know what it costs today.

I'm sure there's a whole lot more to the process; the first step is to contact a patent attorney.

Good luck!

Tony

[daan]

A cool idea, one iny tiny thing though, a can motor doesn't run on AC, it needs a rectifier bridge to work on ac. Changing polarity has to by done by a switch or a relais then..

[Anonymous]

Cool, that was my 200th post also! what a coincindence!

[spankybird]

yes Jerry, you can patten it, but you will have to have one in the US and one for Canada. Maybe an international one, so Korean Brass don't make it over there.

[ChiefEagles]

That is great. If you do get a patent, Lionel will steal it and claim it is theirs. [:D]

[Anonymous]

Can 13yearolds get a patent?

[3railguy]

Quick, get a patent on it before MTH does after seeing this.

[Anonymous]

It has the same consept as the old postwar water tower. Except, when yuo change the polarity the pumps will reverse, looking like the gas is draining from the tank. Change the polarity again, and you get the picture![:D]

It comes with a stand that is similar to a UCS section that can connect to the oil accesories! picyure coming soon![8D]

Ain't this a cool idea?[;)]