Because it is much cheaper to change a product early in the development process than to make changes after you obtain patent protection.
A prototype is often the best way to gather feedback from users while you are still planning and designing. It is a quick way to find out if you are on the right track with your plans and design.
SOME HISTORY
Before 1880, every inventor had to present a working model or prototype of his or her invention to the patent office as part of the patent application. You do not have to submit a prototype any longer. However, prototypes are great for several reasons.
- Legally a prototype proves what is called a "reduction to practice" and if the question ever comes up, a prototype can be proof that you were the first inventor. The United States uses the first to invent rule, granting a patent to the first inventor who conceives and reduces the technology or invention to practice, for example a working prototype or a well written description.
- You can include photos of your prototype in your inventor's logbook.
- A prototype helps you figure out any design flaws your invention has and if it really works.
- It can help you make sure your invention is the right size, shape, and form.
- A prototype helps you sell or license an invention. You can use it during demonstrations.
Making one can prepare you to write your patent application and make your patent drawings
As stated above, you will need a prototype to verify if your idea works the way you think it will. Your prototype doesn't necessarily need to be made from all the same materials as your final product will be, but it needs to be a close approximation of your final product to prove to you, investors and potential partners that your idea does work.
Some inventors get all the way through the product development process, "perfect" their product, invest in a patent, but when they finally try to build the product, it doesn't work. Then they make changes in their product to make it work, but by doing so, sometimes their own product changes invalidate their patent protection. That is why it is so important to make a working prototype before you invest in a full patent. Having a Provisional Patent Application (PPA) during this process is something to consider.
Building the Prototype
Depending on your product, you may or may not be able to build the prototype on your own. Remember that your prototype doesn't need to be made of all the same materials as your final product; it just needs to work and look like your final product will.
If you cannot build the prototype on your own, you may need to hire a professional prototype builder, an engineer or just a capable person.
Paying for Your Prototype
Building a prototype can be the first costly step in your product development (depending on the complexity of your product). If you don't have a fair amount of savings, or the opportunity to take a small loan, you may need investors to help pay for your prototype.
Family and friends are often the best place to start for some small investments. Some of them may already know about your product, they may have been encouraging you, and now may be the time to ask for some investments. You want to be upfront about the risk of investing in a new product, especially if you hope to keep good relations with your family and friends. Some may want to invest a lot of money into your product, but we don't believe this is a good idea unless they want to become partners in your business. Investing in new products is risky and you don't want to take advantage of family and friends who are eager to help.
Once you start taking on investors beyond your family and friends, you will need to talk to a business lawyer to make sure you aren't breaking any laws with your investors.
Prototype design and construction cost vary depending on the simplicity or complexity of your product. Most working prototypes can cost between $1,500 and $15,000 to make.
Virtual Prototypes
Virtual Prototypes are very useful for pitching an invention to a potential licensee at a cost that is much lower than that of a physical prototype. A Virtual Prototype is a series of photo realistic images of an invention that can be developed by designing the invention in three dimensions on the computer. The results can be viewed from different angles, and illuminated to create professional virtual photographs of the invention. The invention can also be an Animated Virtual Prototype and shown as a video. The price for most virtual prototypes is usually between $1,500 and $3,500 depending on complexity.
PRESENTATION OF THE PROTOTYPE TO DIFFERENT PARTIES
Each idea is different and the best approach to prototyping depends on the specifics of the idea. However there are some basic principles that can help. The first question to ask is: "What is the prototype for?"
When presenting your idea to an investor or company representative it might not actually be necessary to have a working prototype. It is often possible to convey the idea or invention to an interested party using a graphic presentation or virtual prototype. The idea should be designed, ideally using computer aided software, and then images of the product laid out on presentation boards. It is probably best to get a professional product designer to complete the design work and show how the product looks and what it does. Try to find a design company that specializes in product design for inventors.
If funds are tight it is better to spend the money on a professional presentation rather than a prototype. The presentation will be more cost effective than the prototype and will be quicker to produce. The work done during the design stage can help reduce the cost of the prototyping stage if it becomes necessary at a later date.
When a prototype is necessary
Concept prototypes are sometimes necessary to either prove that an idea works or instantly convey an idea that is hard to describe on paper. If people need to interact with the idea to be persuaded of its benefits then a prototype can make all the difference.
Often people are more prepared to back an idea if they can see that a lot of the development work has already been done and a prototype demonstrates this. An inventor could typically expect to charge more for an idea if it has been prototyped so it is worth considering if the funds are available.
What are the different types of prototype?
There are three main categories of prototype:
1. Proof of principle: A prototype that simply proves that a particularly new system or mechanism works. Often it is just part of the overall idea and it does not need to look like the final product.
2. Aesthetic model: A prototype that looks like the final product but is not fully functional.
3. Pre-production prototype: A pre-production prototype looks, feels and works like the final product. This type of prototype can be produced to mimic how it would actually be manufactured to check that everything will fit together correctly.
What is rapid prototyping?
Rapid prototyping is a technology that takes a 3D computer model and builds a 3D plastic part. There are three basic techniques for rapid prototyping: Stereo lithography, Selective Laser Sintering and Fusion Deposition Modeling. For all these processes the model needs to be professionally designed using computer aided design.
FINAL CONCLUSIONS
Recently there have some reality shows on TV for inventors. The first one was called ‘American Inventor’. The series lasted two years. In my opinion it was a farce of a show (but that’s for another time to discuss). Another and more recent show is called “Shark Tank’ (no comments yet). On both shows the inventors were required to show their products to the judges. Without my getting into the details of the inventions, the inventors presented their inventions in ways that they felt were best.
They point is that some of the inventors presented first class prototypes or working models while others presented much less appealing prototyped products. It’s up to you to decide what level of prototype you wish to present to whom.
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