Invention Help – Invention Checklist

Inventors Help

Invention Submission means that every inventor, innovator, or thinker should have in their possession a composition book to document invention ideas and thoughts as they occur. I recommend a Mead® composition book although any permanently bound non-loose leaf stationary will suffice.

Such invention submission provides a more credible form of evidence of conception and/or reduction to practice of your new idea invention than is provided by the mailing of a disclosure of your invention to yourself or another person by registered mail (Poor Man’s Patent). Why? To enter a document in court, the Federal Rules of Evidence require a witness to testify as to what the document being entered is and what its significance is to the case. Since you mailed your Poor Man’s Patent, you are its witness and your credibility to testify for yourself and your own personal gain will be discredited.

Remember, successful inventors are continuously in “problem recognition mode.” See Problem Recognition Mode. Once you have a brilliant idea, what is the next step? Record your invention!

The Simple Form Invention Help is used in your composition book for Invention Submission as evidence of conception of your invention ideas.  Following this Inventors help pattern:
a) write a full, specific and truthful description of the circumstances surrounding the conception of your invention ideas (fact pattern describing when you conceived of your idea -answer who was present, what prompted the idea, when did this occur, where you were, what you were doing, why and how did you conceive of the invention)

b) provide a Title of your invention idea

c) provide sketches/drawings/figures (numbering each element in the drawings (begin with 10, 12, 14 … reserving odd numbers for any missed elements)

d) provide a Detailed Description of your invention idea setting forth the elements of your invention and how those elements work together (referencing numbers used in your figures), include a purpose, (at least 1-2 pages containing a clear and complete explanation of the components, manner and process of making and using the invention)

e) if you have a prototype, take a picture and glue the picture in your composition book

f) number each page in your composition book, such as “1 of 6”, 2 of 6 etc

g) list all features and advantages of your invention idea

h) initial each page and date

i) each inventor must sign & date (“Inventor: ____”) at the end of the invention disclosure

j) have two trusted witnesses (impartial non-family members and non-inventors you trust) read and understand your ideas invention then witness the disclosed invention by writing (“I hereby witness the above __ pages existing on ____ (date) of which I have read and understand, and I agree to keep such information in confidence”)

k) have the witnesses sign & date after this statement

l) mark each page with “Confidential & Proprietary Information”.

As changes or improvements to your original invention idea occur, such as during testing, prototyping and manufacturing, additional recordings of such changes and/or improvements should be documented in the same fashion.

In addition, save all correspondence, emails, purchase orders & receipts, and canceled checks with the memo description filled in on each check. U.S. Patent law rewards the first person who invents something new, therefore, if you have a record documenting that you were the first to invent, you may still be able to obtain a patent even if someone else filed their patent application before you, provided you diligently filed your patent application! Get in the habit of practicing Invention Submission for all your ideas and inventions!

Follow this invention help procedure for all your invention ideas

Invention Help – Invention Checklist

Inventors Help