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CREATING A PROTOTYPE FROM YOUR PRODUCT IDEA
By Ken Tarlow
The process of designing and prototyping your product is not an option. It's an absolute necessity. Many people with product ideas throw up their hands at this point and say, "This is beyond me, I can't do this and I don't know where to turn for help."But if you have the slightest bit of ability in using your hands with simple tools and glues, it's very much within your ability. And remember--a prototype is the most essential ingredient in your presentation to a potential licensee or investor.
Manufacturers looking at your product want all the questions answered. They want to see something work. They want to see how it looks, how it feels. If they can't experience these things, it leaves a question mark in their mind. The investor can't move forward and make decisions because there are unknowns. And as soon as this happens, all the momentum of the presentation comes to a grinding halt.
The manufacturer has a lot on his plate. He or she may have existing products and in-house development projects. This person is usually looking for a "turnkey" situation--what an investor is willing to pay a royalty for. Not a half-baked contraption that doesn't look or work like the real thing.
Prototypes are also your best learning tool. It's not until you actually put something together that you really know how effectively it works. An idea can look great on paper, but when you actually try something, you're always in for a few surprises.
Prototypes show you how the major concept works, but they also show you all the subtle nuances that are crucial to the perfect working of your idea. This knowledge is invaluable to the writing of patent claims which will prove that your idea is unique and (in patent language) "non-obvious."
DESIGN
Prototypes also help you see how your design feels and looks. Sometimes these are the most important features in a product.
Design is an all encompassing term which covers the way a product looks, works and feels. In many cases, a well-designed product doesn't cost more than a poorly-designed one. It's simply more thoroughly thought out, more elegant, and easier to use.
A new twist in design can make an already existing product into a seemingly new concept. It entices people to look again at t a product which was previously thought to be commonplace.
The design and construction should be unique enough that it can qualify for a utility patent. A well-balanced design takes into consideration human function, aesthetic appeal, manufacturability and safety. Packaging is also an important aspect of design. It's your "silent salesperson" in the store. It must be eye-catching, appealing and tell the story in an instant.
PROTOTYPES
Basically, there are five kinds of prototypes. They are:
1. Proof of Principle--This is the roughest, quickest prototype that demonstrates the basic concept behind your product idea and proves it will work. It is not necessarily made out of the same materials as would be used in production.
2. Full Engineering Model--This type of model demonstrates the basic concept as well as all the minor mechanical features of your design. It doesn't necessarily look beautiful but it does show how it's supposed to work. It should be made out of the same materials as in production but that's not absolutely necessary.
3. Appearance Model--An appearance model shows how the exterior of the product will look, however, it's a "dummy." There are no working insides. This model doesn't not have to be made out of the same materials as in production.
4. Looks Like, Works Like Prototype--This model should be as close as possible to the real thing and is most advantageous in a presentation to a potential licensee or investor.
5. Looks Like, Works Like With Umbilical Cord and Black Box--This is a model as above, but with a cord coming out to an attached box which contains "bread board" electronics. The electronics may be made out of a number of stock I.C. chips and other components necessary to perform a certain function. The final electronics will actually fit into the product because of miniaturization and will replace the components in the "bread board" model. A potential manufacturer will easily understand this transition. Of course, it's best if you can stuff the electronics into the Looks Like-Works Like model.
If cost is a major issue, you can make an engineering model which proves the concept and then use a color rendering (drawing plus shaded color to look like the real thing) to give an idea of the final appearance.
We're not talking rocket science or a mechanical heart here. Use your natural ability to begin experimenting with prototypes for your new product.
Ken Tarlow is president of Tarlow Design, a full-service product development company that helps independent inventors design, prototype, patent and license consumer product ideas. He has developed more than 300 consumer products worth over one billion dollars in retail sales. Tarlow's office is in San Rafael, CA. He may be reached at (415) 457-6428.
The above article was excerpted from Tarlow's MIND TO MONEY, a cassette tape/workbook package that can help you develop a new product from the idea stage to the marketplace. MIND TO MONEY may be ordered from the Dream Merchant at $59.95 plus $4.95 CA sales tax and$5 shipping and handling ($69.90 total). Send orders to the Dream Merchant, 2309 Torrance Blvd., Suite 104, Torrance, CA 90501.
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