Mountain Biking - my innovation

I'm thirtee and I have a really good idea that could revolutionize biking but have no idea how to get my idea out there. it helps prevent pedal bob and tucks the seat away on big hits. Any suggestions on how to get my idea out??????????? thanks

First learn to spell...
Second look into a patent. The idea may exist.
third patent it if it doesn't exist
fourth get yourself to a bike company and propose it, you may need an adult to give you some credibility. I would actually look into making a prototype (expensive) so you may need to try and get people to give you money to make the prototype to take to a company to build your bike.

also start getting out to industry events and meet the bigwigs. Get your name out there. At 13 you will have a hard time convincing anyone your idea is valid so you have to be out there trying to impress them and prove it.

Exactly what Mael said, btw, what is your idea if you dont mind me asking?

Really he shouldn't tell ANYONE not even his parentsd until he has a patent, otherwise the patent company won't give him a patent.
Wow I said patent three times in one sentance.

Impressive. Being underage I am sure telling the parent wouldn'tbreak the rules actually

How am i suposed to get a patent. I heard they cost 1000+ and take years to get.

depends, its about how much the patent lawyer costs, usually you ahve to have a prototype to get a patent...kinda tough to patent something immetierial, you atleast need specs, like detailed drawings on like a CAD program, blueprints if you will.....that kinda stuff is expensive....

It's easy to patent ANYTHING, immaterial or not, if you have decent lawyers. You hear about all the BS patents that software companies are coming up with lately? Someone sued E-bay after claiming to have patented online auctions, and someone else tried to sue Microsoft after claiming t have the patent for hyperlinks in web pages.

One problem. i cant make a proto type because my idea is acualy part of the frme and it cannot just be put on any frame. it is a way of designing the frame

You prototype the frame.

you could do it a small scale model too btw. But I promise, to get a companies attention you will need something to show them beyond paper (unless you are good at designing) and you will need a patent, because, if your idea is good, the company would be able to use it without your permission or giving you money

Or create a virtual CAD. To show how the suspension activate etc. Show the leverage ratio, rising and falling rate and all that funky frame design crap haha

is there a way i can get cad cheap or even free?

Doubt it. CAD programmers are usually pretty pricey. All in all...to try and get something to a company, keep it yours and make money off of it, is gonna cost YOU money initially, and hopefuly, maybe, kinda, make you money in the end.

Look at this FAQ first. http://www.uspto.gov/main/faq/

Then go to the search page and type in key words to find patents already granted. You may have to download a small TIFF viewer to see the drawings. Do a thorough search using as many different terms as you can think of, i.e. seat, saddle, support, pad, sling, cushion, etc. If you don't find anything, then try consulting a patent attorney. Make sure you have drawings or models that thoroughly describe the invention. He probably won't charge you anything for the initial consultation. Give him the patent numbers of all the patents you looked at, especially the ones you think are close to your invention. This will greatly reduce the cost of a patent search if you decide to file.

You can also sell the rights to a manufacturer. In that case, you don't necessarily need a granted patent to protect yourself. Once you have applied for the patent, you are protected and you can promote it any way you like.

By the way, I'm not a patent attorney, but I have worked with them many times on my inventions. If you're interested, search for "Fangrow" in "inventor name". Good luck!
Tom

is there a simpler way other than a patent because angain i'm only 13

No. Not to protect your idea.

You can apply for "patent pending" status which will give you protection for a certain amount of time, during which you can pitch the idea and maybe get funding or sell it. Patent pending is a lot cheaper and less involved.

In the US you can disclose an idea to the public, then file a patent without problems within the next year.

Ok my mum works at a law firm where all they do is Patents.

I don't know about North America but in Australia even a minor shouldn't tell anyone. One of my friends talked to someone at my mums work about a patent for a bike, he was 16 at the time and was told it was good he didn't tell ANYBODY the idea, even family.

Anyway some places will give you a free consultation and tell you if your idea is worth patenting or if you need to refine it more. Then after that you can get a low level patent, only country wide, it's cheaper and lasts about a year, after that the patent ends, you then need to do a full scale patent which will last until 20 years after your death (I think that's the one I'm talking about or it lasts twenty years from the patent, one of the two). This last one is the one that costs $1000's.

Again this is how it is in Aus, well at least with the patent attorney firm my mum works at.

is there a simpler way other than a patent because angain i'm only 13

OK, you got ten bucks? Describe your invention, sign and date it, send it in. You have some protection for two years. That's simple, isn't it?

http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/disdo.html

Tom

Wow...that is simple :D

well...i dont know about how your school goes, my high school has a CAD class and you can use the CAD stuff to your hearts desire if you take the course. I suppose 13 your not in high school though

yes.. check out the local vocational school and find someone who can help you out. Go to the teachers first, maybe? Look for someone with CAD experience... Work out a deal for the work. Someone with engineering experience.

If that doesn't turn up anything, look in the phone book for "Foundries"... specifically steel or aluminum foundries -- or ***pattern making shops***(this one is a good possibility anywhere). Ask to talk to someone in engineering, tell them you're doing a project. Mention CAD and tell them what you're doing.....

thanx for your help. i think i'm gonna sit on the idea for awile and prefect it as best i can and act on it when i'm a little older.

For some free cad programs try http://www.freebyte.com/cad/cad.htm as a start