A lot of people who drove big trucks traveled with their pets and even extended family. We even saw people who had goats and chickens traveling with them! Years before that I had observed that when a lead for a pet went from the harness or collar to a point above the pet rather than to the ground, such as when the owner was holding the lead, the lead was very unlikely to get tangled and insnare the pet. We kept Diesal on a long 200' clothesline lead held by a kite string holder. He rarely got tangled except for one time when he ran up a bit leafy tree and the lead got tangled in the branches. I could have prevented that by not letting him climb the tree but cats love a sense of freedom. That's why we had a 200' foot lead.

 Anyway, the observation of people traveling with their pets and needing to protect them from danger while keeping them reasonably contained without the pet feeling that they were bound or restricted is what led me to think of my invention. 

I didn't do anything about it at first because I had had an invention years before that I told a "friend" about and they had proceded to create and market it in their own name without even so much as a thank you or acknowledgement that it was my idea. I did not have the funds or the facility to create a prototype for my idea. I had a rough drawing and description but did not know how to move forward from that point.

I researched programs like "Invent Help" and others but still did not move forward with the idea until in 2010 when I submitted it to the Davison Company. They seemed enthusiastic about the idea but there was still costs involved. I was newly single and homeless at the time struggling to find a way to survive and thrive so I did not commit to the financial requirement at the time. I knew from my research that it was a reasonable requirement financially because any inventor who does not have the capabilities to create a prototype would have to hire someone to do that for him/her. Then there is the utility patent that is not excessively expensive and the patent search that can be expensive if done by attorneys. The full patent is thousands of dollars. I knew that obtaining a full patent in my name only was prohibitive, not only financially but because I did not have the time or resource to create a full blown business and market the idea effectively. I knew my best option would be to license the idea to a company with the resources to manufacture and market the product as widely as possible and be able to maintain some credit for the invention and whatever royalties that could be negotiated.

The Davison Company has been very responsible with my idea. They have held up to their bargain to not disclose my idea. They contacted me regularly once or twice a year from the time I originally gave them the information about the idea until I finally agreed to begin making payments for their pre-development costs about two years ago. I had finally become established enough in a job and with an apartment that I could make some room to pay on the fees. Davison charges no interest and exerts no pressure to pay the fees but does keep in regular contact about the idea and works with me on ideas for packaging,marketing and development of the invention. At this point, I have paid all the pre-development costs and have signed a contract for the development costs and begun paying on that. I still have very small space in my budget for the development fees. I have been trying to pay $100 a month but still owe $9200 at this point before the sample product and packaging will be produced, the utility patent obtained and the product will be presented to companies for licensing. Davison Company has determined a company that they believe would be willing to license the invention and we have discussed the possibilities of licensing to more than one company because of the flexibilities of uses in the idea. It is not unreasonable for Davison to need this money to be paid because they are contributing greatly in supplying their team to develop the prototype, sample and packaging and connections to the potential lisencees for the product. I don't begrude them the money that they request at all because it is much less than it would cost me to do this on my own and they aren't even charging interest. I am really anxious to see the idea move into production though. I know there are many pet owners who travel with their pets and who do not have enclosed yards at home for their pets who could benefit greatly from this invention. It is functional and practical for all sizes and types of pets from ferrets and cats to Bull Mastifs and other larger animals. There is nothing currently like it on the market and I believe it would be enthusiacally endorsed by pet owners of all types if they knew about it.

I just need help getting the remaining $9200. Davison Company has told me that when this is paid, they will move quickly into full production to get the sample created and provide me with the drawings and paperwork needed to get the utility patent so it can be presented for licensing. They have assured me that they are commited to getting the product lisenced and have told me that when it is lisenced, the lisencing fees paid by the company will probably return all of the investment to me that I have made so far. It is very likely that I would be able to have my investment returned within 90 days. If I could borrow the funds at a reasonable rate, I could probably pay it back fully at the time of lisencing. I have not been able to find a lender who does not charge outrageous levels of interest or I would be happy to borrow the money. If a single investor were to contribute the full amount needed, I would happily include them in the royalties and not only return their investment to them at lisencing, but provide them with 5-10% of the royalties for the 20 year patent life.

The profit from the invention will occur when it is marketed. I have no doubt of that. My primary interest is not the profit that will be acheived but the benefit that the product will provide to pet owners all over the world. I really want them to have access to my invention for the legacy that it can be. None of us want to leave this world without making it a better place. This invention is one way that I can make this world a better place. I would like to see it funded as soon as possible.

Thank you for your consideration.

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