🚀 go-pugleaf

Hello Net People:-)

	I am sorry, I know that this has probably been talked about a million
and one times, but I need some help:-)

	How do you get a patent on something that you invented?

	Can I patent something that is made to repair someone elses equipment?

	Should I use their drawings of their equipment or create my own?

	What is a "Small entity" vs an "other than a Small Entity"?

	Do you need an attorney?  The one that I talked to wanted $6180.00 just
to read my paperwork, and do a search.

	How much of the work can I do myself?

	What would it cost to get the patent?

	I got the book from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Patent and
Trademark office titled "General Information Concerning patents".  It confused
me more than helped me.

	Some back ground:

	I work for a company that is the authorized service center for a piece
of equipment.  I have been repairing this equipment for about 2 1/2 years.
There are three parts to this equipment that the 1000lb motor, until now, had to
be removed to see if they were defective.  The labor alone, well...  For the
past two years not only myself but the other 200+ service centers have been
asking for some type of test equipment.  I have been told that they could not
create such a device.  Well, I just did.

	The manufacture, not my company, found out about it:-(  It is my opinion
that they are now trying to re-create my work.  Therefore, I want to patent it
before they can complete theirs.

	About a year ago I design a cooling unit for this equipment and gave it
to them.  All I wanted was the credit and to name it.  They produced the unit
inch for inch wire for wire, the same.  However, all I got was P.O'ed.

	I am under no obligation verbal or contractual to my employer.  They
could care less.  My job is management not R&D.  Therefore, they do not want my
invention.  I have made all equipment on my own time with my money.

	This time I want to hand them a patent.  I am not looking for money.
Just a simple thank you.  Therefore, I have to watch my cost for getting a
patent.  Oh, I'll sell it to them if they ask:-)

Thank you for your time and consideration,
James D. Corder
...osu-cis!alix!jdc
...att!osu-cis!alix!jdc
alix!jdc@cis.ohio-state.edu