ProTech HVAC

In 1998 and 1999, I licensed 5 invention designs (flanges and valves for use as accessories to hot water circulators) to Taco, Inc., a manufacturer of heating components located in Rhode Island. (See, “Lessons in Invention Development” blog post, and links below.) Shortly thereafter, I discovered what appeared to be a production run of commercial versions of the “Freedom Flange” in Taco’s Cranston Factory while I was introduced to the VP of Engineering by the Residential Products Manager. Judging by the looks on their faces, the manager did not intend for me to see the room full of commercial flanges. (more…)

On Monday, July 14th, 2008, I will be addressing the Inventors Association of New England-IANE- (http://www.inventne.org), which meets at the Massachusettes Institute of Technology. The topic of discussion will be:

“John Rocheleau will discuss his 10-year experience as an independent inventor, starting with his first invention idea and culminating with his recent settlement with a Licensee of 5 inventions – presently, all industry standards. Elements of this “open forum” will include, finding an angel investor, negotiating 2 License Agreements, enforcing accurate royalty reporting, his meetings with the FBI and a world-class investigative firm in New York, and, ultimately, ‘Davey beating Goliath’.“ (more…)

Lessons In Invention Development

(The Naïve Years – 1997-1999)

By John Rocheleau

Inventing is a precarious process, to say the least, but it can also be an educational experience of a lifetime. For me, the invention development process began with a problem and the thought that its solution lay with one tool design. I had had no previous experience with inventing and was blind to the realities of the journey that awaited me. Thirty-five tool, flange, and valve designs later, I had learned about casting processes, machining, heat treating, plating, and the ritual intricacies of the legal realm – more than I ever thought I wanted to know. Thirty designs failed to gain acceptance. Five succeeded. (more…)