Samples:
- Suspension for a scooter
- System for expanding and securing truck bed storage and method for doing the same
I define a vehicle as something that moves a human around, an accessory is something attached to a vehicle that is otherwise operative. Some of patents I have worked on include: cars, trucks, baby strollers, scooters, and a variety of things that can be attached to these.
Vehicles and accessories are typically in technology center 3600 unless there is a substantial electrical component that would move the invention over to technology center 2800. The typical invention here takes something that is not normally attached to a vehicle, modifies it, and then attaches it to the vehicle. The connection apparatus usually ends up being where patentable subject matter is hiding.
In a typical utility patent case, an inventor will file a provisional application shortly after coming up with the vehicle or accessory. Then, a prototype is built and tested both for market viability and for possible improvements. At some point either before or after filing the provisional application, a search is conducted and a patentability opinion is obtained. If the market seems viable a non-provisional application is filed within a year.
The AIPLA median cost from someone in the rural western United States is $2,000 for a novelty search, $3,500 for a provisional application and then $8,500 for the non-provisional application, $2,000 to respond to an office action and $600 to pay the issue fee and docket maintenance fees. A median case with one office action would cost $16,600 to issue. My 99th percentile cost across all kinds of applications is $9,676. If you go with me there is an excellent chance you will pay $6,900 less than someone you pick at random.
Call me and I will let you know if my service is a good fit for you.