Inventor's Disclosure
1. Background information. When did you conceive of the idea for your invention? ____/____/____. If you have built the invention, what was the date of completion? ____/____/____. Has the invention been described in printed form? ______. If so, where and when? __________________________________________________________ ____/____/____. Have you offered your invention for sale to anyone? ______. If so, when? ____/____/____. Have you previously filed for any sort of patent protection for this invention? ______. If so, what type of application(s) and when? __________________________________________________________ ____/____/____.
2. Brief written description of the invention. Write down enough information to fully explain your invention to someone who is not familiar with it. Please take the time to completely explain your invention. The feature(s) for which patent protection is desired must be illustrated or clearly described in the patent itself. Attach as many pages as required. In general terms: how does the invention work, what are the key components, how do the components work together, from what material(s) can the invention/components be made, what are the design parameters if any (e.g. is there a required length-to-width ratio), how is your invention different from the prior art, what in particular makes it better than the prior art, describe any alternative embodiments of your invention (even if they are not currently preferred).
3. Sketches of the invention. If possible, hand draw enough different views of your invention to illustrate all the key components and their working relationship with each other. However, do not get caught up in unnecessary detail. Many inventions can be adequately disclosed on the back of a envelope. For example, if your invention uses a motor, a labeled block or circle may be adequate to indicate the motor's relationship to other components. In most cases, lifelike rendering of the motor is not required to convey an understanding of such a component. Measurements need not be included unless they contribute to an understanding of your invention. Often, it is helpful if you use leader lines and arrows to indicate key components. Such components may be indicated with numbered indicator lines and a corresponding numbered list of names, or by labelling the indicator lines directly. Add notes to explain the way components interact with each other. Photographs may be of help to convey an understanding of your invention. Professional drawings or blueprints, if available, may also be helpful.