Inventions & Patents for Kids
Copyright © 2004 Fred Thomas
What is the difference between an
invention and a patent?
Some Silly Inventions, but they
are Inventions.
• Dog Umbrella
• Method of Breaking Free-Standing Rock
What makes an Invention an
Invention?
• Utility –
• Novelty –
• Unobviousness –
What Does Obtaining a Patent
Do for the Inventor?
• It gives the inventor the legal right to stop
others from practicing her invention for 20
years.
How do we Invent Something?
• First, find a problem you want to solve.
Remember, an invention has to have utility.
• Second, create a solution based on new things.
Things being materials, methods or new
combinations of old materials and methods.
Remember, an invention has to be novel &
unobvious.
• Show that your invention will work. With words
or build it!
Let’s Invent Something!
• You are provided with a new material –
elastomeric gel. I call it Flubber!
• You get a piece of Flubber.
• Let’s talk about a few example inventions
with Flubber.
• Find a problem to solve.
• Write up or build your invention.
Properties of Flubber
• It is much more squishy than any other
elastomer/rubber-like material. 10 times more
squishy.
• It is 70% mineral oil. Solid oil!
• It is sticky.
• It can be cleaned with soap and water.
• It can be melted to form different shapes. Must be
melted in a non-oxygen environment. Don’t do it
at home!
My Invention – Page 1
Title: __________________________
Inventor’s name: __________________
Description of Problem solved:___________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Description of my Invention:_____________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Drawing of My Invention – Page 2
US Patent & Trademark Office
Website Assignment
• Task 1
– Find a product with a US Patent number on it.
– Go to www.uspto.gov , and using that US Patent number find the patent.
Print out the summary of the patent and turn it in with your name on it.
( Patents > Search > (enter Patent #) > print out summary of invention.)
• Task 2
– Go to www.uspto.gov and follow these links (Patents > Resources…
Inventor Resources > Brochures > General Information Concerning
Patents.) Print out pages 1 through 2 of brochure and read them. Answer
the following question and turn in. “What are the 3 types of patents?”
Grade School Assignment
• Do all three of the following:
– 1) Use a dictionary to provide definitions for utility,
novelty and unobviousness. Fill out page 3 with
definitions.
– 2) Do Internet assignment at US Patent and Trademark
Office website. See previous page.
– 3) Invent something. I suggest you try and use
flubber, but any invention is great! You do not need to
build your invention. It’s fun though! Fill out pages 8
and 9. (Inventors will get certificates!)
• Due in three weeks.
Some Quotes from Great Inventors
•
Alexander Graham Bell
•
When one door closes another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully, upon the closed door that we do not see the
ones which open for us.
•
George Washington Carver
•
How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and
tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.
•
Anything will give up its secrets if you love it enough. Not only have I found that when I talk to the little flower or to the little peanut
they will give up their secrets, but I have found that when I silently commune with people they give up their secrets also - if you love
them enough.
•
Thomas A. Edison
•
Just because something doesn't do what you planned it to do doesn't mean it's useless.
Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.
•
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
•
There is no expedient to which a man will not go to avoid the labor of thinking.
•
We don't know a millionth of one percent about anything.
•
Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.
•
To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.
•
Benjamin Franklin
•
Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none.
•
Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to get leisure.
•
He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money.
•
Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sun-dial in the shade?
•
There never was a good war or a bad peace.
•
If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.
•
Albert Einstein
•
Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler.
•
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe.
•
I never think of the future - it comes soon enough.
•
If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts.
•
If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor.
•
Imagination is more important than knowledge
Inventor: Mrs. Cammie Burlison, Grade 5 Science Teacher
Invention: Flubber Actuated Student Silencing Apparatus
St. Paul Lutheran School, Ogden Utah
St.Paul Patent Certificate
001
February 19, 2004
Certificate for Student Inventors