New Powder Throwing System: Ingenuity Precision

[akh223]

Sure, lawsuits are expensive, but that wouldn't stop me from getting the patent. There is also patent monetization...lets say Hornady or some other company wants this dropper, without the patent it would be impossible to make money selling your product to another company.

What are the odds of something like that happening? Pretty slim I'd say, but why not protect your product if you can?

My guess is people dont get Patents because either:
1. their idea / product doesnt qualify for one

or

2. They are expensive. I’m guessing $10k-$25k to apply for one?

 

[dgeesaman]

The criteria for a patent to be granted is that the idea/concept has to be unique, novel, and advance the state-of-the-art…

The criteria for getting a patent is to convince the patent officer that you've done that. This is entirely different from what a court of law would find enforceable when multiple parties are evaluating those criteria. There are plenty of patents out there that are unenforceable due to prior art, poor research, etc.

For me, seeing that a product is patented is some measure of originality, and as a designer myself I want to reward that original designer with my business. (As long as they implemented it relatively well. Nothing sadder than a great patented design being built at junk quality, effectively depriving everyone from the utility of the idea.)

Patents are mostly a tool for making money. I'm not saying Ingenuity is approaching patents from a slimy angle, but at some point inventors and small manufacturers find out a patent is only worth what you can afford to litigate to enforce it. Having the patent is of no protection by itself, but at least it affords you the opportunity for protection.

 

[akh223]

I'm no patent expert, but on its surface, this product seems to fit that criteria. I've never seen a dropper like it, everything I've seen is scew drive or vibratory.

Im no patent expert either, but did you look at the patent I linked up above?

 

[dgeesaman]

No, there is another patent holder with something much more similar. Not sure if Ingenuity is creating his under license, or not. If your really interested....US Patent 9829295

Skimming that patent, I see they have patented a two-stage (dump + trickle) with electronic control that involves a little bit of advanced logic like kernel-by-kernel trickling and a predictive algorithm to make it faster. There is very little specific; it seems to allow numerous options for all of the mechanical elements.

Unless there is something subtle and unique that I missed (like the algorithm), it doesn't seem novel, considering that kind of logic and equipment is common practice in industry and has been for many years.

David

 

[Gabe22BR]

It’s what the A&D should have came with from the start

 

[JMayo]

You brainiacs get all caught up in the strangest things !

 

[Phil]

Super interesting

 

[Alexander-M]

My guess is people dont get Patents because either:
1. their idea / product doesnt qualify for one

or

2. They are expensive. I’m guessing $10k-$25k to apply for one?

Yes, they can be very expensive.
I have been granted 10 patents. The first nine (starting in 1985) were filed and completed by my employer at the time. Some required two patent attorney firms because they involved microprocessor programming, electronic circuit design, and mechanical design. The last one, in May 2017, I did on my own. I started with an attorney but racked up $1500 in no time, so I finished it by myself. I had great help from the USPTO examiner. Ended up around $3K.
I did all the write-ups and drawings. I had done the drawings for most of the previous patents as well.
Alex

 

[rwj]

Yes, they can be very expensive.
I have been granted 10 patents. The first nine (starting in 1985) were filed and completed by my employer at the time. Some required two patent attorney firms because they involved microprocessor programming, electronic circuit design, and mechanical design. The last one, in May 2017, I did on my own. I started with an attorney but racked up $1500 in no time, so I finished it by myself. I had great help from the USPTO examiner. Ended up around $3K.
I did all the write-ups and drawings. I had done the drawings for most of the previous patents as well.
Alex

Many employers opt to not disclose and categorize the ideas/concepts as ”trade secrets” to avoid related application costs. This happened to me on all but one occasion. The only reason for being granted one patent was because the work was performed under a government contract.

 

[dgeesaman]

Many employers opt to not disclose and categorize the ideas/concepts as ”trade secrets” to avoid related application costs. This happened to me on all but one occasion. The only reason for being granted one patent was because the work was performed under a government contract.

When an idea will get better value from being a trade secret, that’s a good way to go. I know my company has at least one patent on a component design where the patent discloses everything about the physical design, but some subtle differences give it a particular performance advantage compared to competitors designs. That’s arguably the best case since the true value to us is trade secret and the physical design is protected by the patent from being directly copied.

 

[Longshotcorialis]

On order waiting list. Looking forward to less time reloading and more time shooting. Anyone know if there is/going to be a cover for the powder system?

 

[Shanedogg]

May has came and went. Anyone here any news/updates?

 

[stavey]

About 2 weeks ago . The owner told me through email. End of June for the early preorders.