I have done a provisional patent. I would say the prior art search is the hardest part. Here is a link to USPTO document. http://www.uspto.gov/patents/resources/types/provapp.jsp [3] Are you looking to develop your Balance device? Here is a patent for you to look at 8,206,325 [4]. I found it searching here. http://patft.uspto.gov/ [5] Look at the prior art cited in this patent. How is what you have different? Here is another patent for you to look at 6,546,291 [6]. Same questions as above. A patent is the art of being incredibly broad to describe something. Never be specific unless it is necessary. Don't say gyroscope when you could say sensor. Don't say metal conductor when conductor works. Say power source not battery. Look at NOLO press. They have books on patents and articles on their website. Good luck. On 26.01.2013 20:45, Sonya Shaver wrote: > Hello fellow coaches, > Has anyone else gone through the process of getting a provisional patent for their team's research solution? Or do you have any personal or work experience outside of FLL with patents? I am looking through the process of getting one for our team, and it just seems like a really complicated thing and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. Can anyone share with me how easy or hard the process was, how long it took, etc? > > Many thanks for any insight! > Sonya > Coach of the Nanobots > > ------------------------- > To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html [1] and select "Join or leave the list". > VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-announcements-l.html [2] to subscribe. Links: ------ [1] https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html [2] https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-announcements-l.html [3] http://www.uspto.gov/patents/resources/types/provapp.jsp [4] http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8206325.PN.&OS=PN/8206325&RS=PN/8206325 [5] http://patft.uspto.gov/ [6] http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,546,291.PN.&OS=PN/6,546,291&RS=PN/6,546,291 -- To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". -- VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-ANNOUNCEMENTS-l.html to subscribe.
