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InventHelp® is America’s leading inventor service company. We believe in helping inventors by providing them with the services to submit their idea to companies. We also believe in providing every inventor with free information that may help them become a more knowledgeable inventor. That’s why we created Wheel Talk – to provide news articles for and about inventors, as well as patent information and links to other helpful websites and resources.
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I understand my personal information will be processed in accordance with InventHelp’s Privacy Policy. By clicking “Request Free Information” you consent to receiving SMS messages. Messages and Data rates may apply. Message frequency will vary. Reply Help to get more assistance. Reply Stop to Opt-out of Messaging.
InventHelp does not provide legal advice of any kind, but we do offer patent referral services to inventors.
Here you will find links to other websites offering information and services that may be of use to inventors. The links are grouped for convenient navigation into various categories.
InventHelp offers services that can help inventors submit their ideas to companies. This section provides an overview of our services.
What can InventHelp do for you and your invention idea? InventHelp offers services that can help inventors submit their ideas to companies. Check out some of the services InventHelp has to offer.
This section contains patent information from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). InventHelp® does not give any legal advice on patents, but we do refer clients to independent patent attorneys who can perform invention patent services.
This section contains patent information from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). InventHelp® does not give any legal advice on patents, but we do refer clients to independent patent attorneys who can perform invention patent services.
According to the United States Patent Office, a patent is an intellectual property right granted by the Government of the United States of America to an inventor “to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention throughout the United States or importing the invention into the United States” for a limited time in exchange for public disclosure of the invention when the patent is granted.
There are three types of patents:
Utility patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof.
Design patents may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture.
Plant patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant.
The United States Patent Office states that there are different types of Patent Applications/Proceedings. They are:
According to the United States Patent Office, a patent law specifies the general field of subject matter that can be patented and the conditions under which a patent may be obtained.
In the language of the statute, any person who “invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent,” subject to the conditions and requirements of the law.
The patent law specifies that the subject matter must be “useful.” The term “useful” in this connection refers to the condition that the subject matter has a useful purpose and also includes operativeness, that is, a machine which will not operate to perform the intended purpose would not be called useful, and therefore would not be granted a patent.
Interpretations of the statute by the courts have defined the limits of the field of subject matter that can be patented, thus it has been held that the laws of nature, physical phenomena, and abstract ideas are not patentable subject matter.
A patent cannot be obtained upon a mere idea or suggestion. The patent is granted upon the new machine, manufacture, etc., as has been said, and not upon the idea or suggestion of the new machine. A complete description of the actual machine or other subject matter for which a patent is sought is required.
According to the United States Patent Office, only the inventor may apply for a patent, with certain exceptions. If a person who is not the inventor should apply for a patent, the patent, if it were obtained, would be invalid. The person applying in such a case who falsely states that he/she is the inventor would also be subject to criminal penalties. If the inventor is dead, the application may be made by legal representatives, that is, the administrator or executor of the estate. If the inventor is insane, the application for patent may be made by a legal representative (e.g., guardian). If an inventor refuses to apply for a patent or cannot be found, a joint inventor or, if there is no joint inventor available, a person having a proprietary interest in the invention may apply on behalf of the non-signing inventor.
If two or more persons make an invention jointly, they apply for a patent as joint inventors. A person who makes only a financial contribution is not a joint inventor and cannot be joined in the application as an inventor. It is possible to correct an innocent mistake in erroneously omitting an inventor or in erroneously naming a person as an inventor.
Officers and employees of the United States Patent and Trademark Office are prohibited by law from applying for a patent or acquiring, directly or indirectly, except by inheritance or bequest, any patent or any right or interest in any patent.
InventHelp® provides these invention help links for your use, enjoyment and general information. InventHelp® does not endorse any of the sites and claims no responsibility for the content, information, products or services offered by them.
Whether you are an inventor, student, journalist or business looking for invention help or information on inventing, we hope you enjoy the links provided below. The links are grouped into categories that may help you learn more about patents, inventions, the history of innovation and fun facts.
InventHelp® provides these invention help links for your use, enjoyment and general information. InventHelp® does not endorse any of the sites and claims no responsibility for the content, information, products or services offered by them.
To find out how InventHelp can provide assistance for inventors, please visit our Invention Services section and our Patent Information section.
Free Patents Online
Free patent search engine provides convenient access to millions of U.S. patents, including the full-text and images for each entry.
VentureWell
Formerly known as the National Collegiate Inventors & Innovators Alliance, they provide a variety of inventors’ help resources, publications, and programs for college-level innovators.
USPTO
The United States Patent and Trademark Office is the national authority for patent and trademark registration in the United States.
Wall Street Journal Small Business Report
From the publishers of The Wall Street Journal comes an online resource for entrepreneurs. Contains articles that may be of interest to inventors looking to start a new company.
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the de facto national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States.
U.S. Small Business Administration
This site contains a lot of information about starting, financing and managing a small business of your own.
The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs
Founded in 1993, the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) is the premier entrepreneurial service organization for women building high-growth technology and life science companies.
3M’s Century of Innovation
3M presents an interactive timeline of the inventions and new products they have brought to the market. As a companion to the timeline, the site offers a PDF of the 3M story.
The Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century
A listing from the National Academy of Sciences of some of the most significant advancements in engineering in the 20th century.
Mad Sci Network
“…a collective cranium of scientists providing answers to your questions.” Ever wonder about anything scientific? You might be able to find the answers here. Also provides links to other invention and inventor idea websites.
The Lemelson-MIT Inventor Site
This invention website is the home for all programs operated by the Lemelson-MIT Foundation.
The Patent Model Museum Online
Online collection of patent models and their history.
National Inventors Hall of Fame Online
Official site of the HoF Foundation, dedicated to “fostering the inventive spirit in all of us.”
Thomas Edison National Historic Site
Need help planning a trip to Thomas Edison’s invention laboratory? Start researching your trip here.
Inventions and Discoveries at Infoplease.com
Self-billed as having “All the Knowledge You Need,” inventors and knowledge seekers should enjoy the hundreds of stories behind famous inventions.
Transistorized!
PBS offers the invention history of the transistor from its beginnings (when J.J. Thompson discovered the electron) to predictions of its future.
Mistakes that Worked
This book, by author Charlotte Jones, chronicles a variety of everyday inventions created by mistake.
Enchanted Learning
Designed to help teachers, this site includes a large resource of invention and inventor history.
Kids Inventing! A Handbook for Young Inventors
Classroom activities designed to teach children the invention process.
Famous Black Inventors
Profiles a handful of the many African Americans who have made significant contributions to the field of inventing in the 20th century.
The Black Inventor Online Museum
Takes a look at the achievements and contributions of black inventors.
Infoplease: Black Scientists & Inventors
Provides a history of famous African American inventors and scientists from the colonial period to the present. Also includes a timeline and links to additional resources.
The Network Journal
TNJ is an online magazine for African-American professionals and small businesses.
Australian Inventions that Changed the World
Highlights some of the most significant Australian inventions and their impact on the world.
Guide to Australian Inventions & Discoveries
Outlines notable innovations that were developed and/or discovered by Australians.
Amazing Things Invented by Canadians
Highlights some of the most significant Canadian inventions and their origins.
Rachel Zimmerman and Blissymbols
In the 1980s, a 12-year old Canadian girl invented the Blissymbol printer, a device that enables individuals with cerebral palsy or other severe disabilities to communicate their thoughts easily.
These inventors started with an idea. Check out these stories about InventHelp clients and their experiences with our company – and find out where they are now!
These inventors started with an idea. Check out these stories about InventHelp clients and their experiences with our company – and find out where they are now!
This product was licensed by InventHelp’s affiliate, Intromark, to a company called Partsmaster. Partsmaster is a company within InventHelp’s Data Bank while Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s are not.
This product was licensed by InventHelp’s affiliate, Intromark, to a company called Chef’s Planet. Chef’s Planet is a company within InventHelp’s Data Bank while Walmart and Amazon are not.
This product was licensed by InventHelp’s affiliate, Intromark, to a company called Microfiber Products. Microfiber Products is a company within InventHelp’s Data Bank while Walmart, Lowe’s, and Amazon are not.
We are upfront with our fees. We state our fees upfront and rely on the fees paid to perform services.
We refer clients to a licensed patent
attorney, who may then offer
legal opinions.
So, you have an invention idea and don’t know what to do next. We can help! InventHelp is an invention service company that submits your idea to companies and offers patent referral services.
InventHelp maintains a Data Bank of thousands of companies which have agreed to confidentially review our clients’ ideas. Companies joining our Data Bank are interested in looking for new inventions and represent many different types of industries. We call this the InventHelp Data Bank.
InventHelp offers patent referral services to its clients. These referrals have resulted in more than 10,000 patents for InventHelp inventors. We can refer you to an independent patent attorney who will advise you on the necessary steps to take toward potentially patenting your idea.
Real InventHelp inventors, real invention stories – how the Honest Invention Company helped them with their idea.
Real InventHelp inventors, real invention stories – how the Honest Invention Company helped them with their idea.
“Me and my family want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you thank you thank you. You have no idea how much this means to us. I am a 64 yr old disabled veteran w/ 5 back surgeries and 3 knee surgeries. All I ever wanted was a chance to leave my family something of importance.”
“I am using InventHelp for the first time. The team at InventHelp has provided exceptional service for my invention. Everyone is engaged and responsive. I have chosen the full service to get from idea, to patents, to prototyping and marketing. I am very pleased with entire process and strongly recommend InventHelp to anyone who has a good idea…”
Call InventHelp! We keep your idea confidential and explain every step of our invention services.
We are InventHelp, a leading inventor service company. We provide a variety of services to help inventors and we have been in business for over 40 years.
I understand my personal information will be processed in accordance with InventHelp’s Privacy Policy. By clicking “Request Free Information” you consent to receiving SMS messages. Messages and Data rates may apply. Message frequency will vary. Reply Help to get more assistance. Reply Stop to Opt-out of Messaging.
* Amazon, The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart, eBay, Newegg, and Chef’s Planet are registered trademarks of their respective companies.
The display of trademarks and logos does not imply an endorsement of InventHelp by the trademark owners.
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♦ By proceeding, you agree that InventHelp, its affiliates, and agents may contact you (including calls and text
messages) at the phone number you provided, including for marketing purposes. Your consent is
voluntary and is not a requirement to use InventHelp’s services. You may revoke your
consent at any time by any reasonable means.
♦ By proceeding, you agree that InventHelp, its affiliates, and agents may contact you (including calls and text messages) at the phone number you provided, including for marketing purposes. Your consent is voluntary and is not a requirement to use InventHelp’s services. You may revoke your consent at any time by any reasonable means.
♦ I understand my personal information will be processed in accordance with InventHelp’s Privacy Policy. By clicking
“Request Free Information” you consent to receiving SMS messages. Messages and Data rates may apply.
Message frequency will vary. Reply Help to get more assistance. Reply Stop to Opt-out of Messaging.
