Inventor Assistance Program Helps Inventor Get a Handle on Patent for Front Bicycle Backpack Carrier
Our cities are a key contributor to climate change, with estimates suggesting urban areas are responsible for 70 percent of global CO2 emissions. Urban transport is among the biggest contributors: in towns and cities across the world, around 51 percent of commutes are made by car. Switching cars for bicycles would not only reduce carbon emissions, but improve commuters’ physical and mental health, reduce traffic, and improve air and noise pollution in urban areas.
However, one of the obstacles to increasing urban cycling is the need for many people to carry heavy backpacks, equipment or groceries on their commutes, which can make journeys tiring, sweaty and uncomfortable. A study in Lisbon, Portugal, found that the thought of arriving somewhere sweaty was one of the biggest barriers to cycling in the city.
A solution for securely attaching a backpack to a bike
that allows backpacks to be fastened securely to the front
of any bike. (Image: Pedro Cadena Mantilla)
Colombian inventor Pedro Cadena Mantilla studied industrial design as a way to bring his ideas to life. He has always been interested in concepts that shape society and “ideas offering solutions to everyday problems.”
The difficulty of cycling with a backpack was an everyday problem that intrigued Pedro. “I think that bikes and the related infrastructure need to be greatly improved so that more people are encouraged to cycle on a daily basis,” he says. “I tried various ways of carrying things needed. Generally, I found the available solutions unsatisfactory. I then started creating models in my workshop to try to secure the backpack to the handlebars – and that is how the first design came into being.”
His solution is the KANGAROO: a unique, universal, adjustable bicycle mount for carrying backpacks securely and conveniently on any bike. As well as holding backpacks tight, it does not cause the bike to wobble, even when loaded with up to 10 kg.
Getting to grips with the patent process
Pedro was aware that his idea, while innovative, is a simple solution and is technically easy to copy. He therefore felt it was very important to have a patent to protect his product from being reproduced. However, the technical requirements and specialist knowledge required to correctly apply for a patent seemed daunting.
WIPO’s Inventor Assistance Program (IAP) supports inventors like Pedro to navigate the patent system and commercialize their innovations. A partnership between WIPO and national patent offices, the IAP pairs inventors with qualified professionals who guide them through the patent process free of charge.
Pedro was paired with volunteer patent specialist Andrés Rincón, Head of the Patent Department at Cavelier Abogados in Bogotá, Colombia. “I was provided with a great team of lawyers who helped me understand how to better define the scope of the patent,” recalls Pedro. “They were always willing to listen to me, answer my questions and explain each stage and how I should present the idea in the broadest way possible.”
Pedro found the IAP’s support on drafting especially helpful. “Drafting was the most important aspect of the support, as it involves using a specific methodology and language to present the innovation,” he says. “It also requires an understanding of how to present an idea to give it optimal protection in any situation in which it can be applied, and how to make it more attractive to potential investors.”
Taking Kangaroo’s front bike carrier to the next level
Thanks to the support and advice provided by the IAP, Pedro successfully obtained his patent in Colombia in 2019. With his intellectual property protected, he now feels much more confident approaching manufacturers and traders. “Obtaining a patent is a crucial step toward protecting an idea and thereby deriving an economic benefit. Getting assistance through the IAP is the best way to avoid wasting time in claims and refunds from the patent office and to obtain a well-drafted patent.”
The journey is far from over for Pedro, however: the inventor is now looking to find partners with the marketing experience and financial capacity to invest in increased production of the KANGAROO front bike carrier. “Keep in mind that the purpose of the patent is for the product to reach people; it is not so much about being the owner of an idea,” he explains.
Nor is the KANGAROO the only product Pedro would like to protect and commercialize. “This is the first product that I succeeded in bringing to the market with a patent and I am very interested in continuing to learn and build on the experience gained,” he says. For an inventor fascinated by life’s everyday problems, it seems that there may be many more inventions waiting to be created by Pedro.
