Re: Midwest Quick Hich
We had other entities asking for design features not incorporated in the original design from last summer, which put us back almost to square one. The new design, while retaining the look and PTO access of the original has a few other changes in the locking mechanism. We also had to test with a top and tilt system and provide and upgrade path for those wanting to lock up the latches with hydraulics.
I small bit I've learned on patents. I wish it were as simple as those late night patent ripoff ads seem to say it is. But essentially, if you don't do all the work in the right order, you may end up with the greatest design, tooling, and manufacturing processes on earth and never be able to manufacture it. That equals money down the drain.
Just because a patent is applied for doesn't mean you will get it, or that some obscure reference won't be infringed upon. Even with a patent issued, you have no absolute guarantees your idea is original and not previously covered under another issued patent. Patent searches are not 100% foolproof and certainly not guaranteed. Most are simply an attorney's opinion that you are in the clear. Someone else's attorney may see it differently and convince his client there is money to be made.
Moral of the story, get it right before you go to market or you may get to pay to do it all again. The worst part is, if some big corp wants to rip you off, they have the attorneys already being paid for to defend and delay so it really costs them very little. On the other hand the little guy pays from the first word until it's over. You pay your money and you take your chances.
