Inventor Projects
  • Learn about our work with inventors
Learn About Our Process
  • Instant confirmation we've received your submission
  • Automatic notifications throughout the process
Submit Your Idea
  • Simple agreement and form
  • All submissions require a patent or patent application
Inventor Projects

At Apex Tool Group, we actively seek outside resources to help us bring innovation to the tool market. Some of our best ideas come from inventors like you. Here are some examples of innovation that we have brought to market with the help of outside resources.

Compound Action Pliers
Innovation: Unique compound action pliers deliver 40% reduced effort to cut
Partner: Outside inventor
Electronic Torque Wrench
Innovation: Simple user interface with a cost effective design
Partner: University resources for electronics design
Heavy Duty Ratcheting Wrenches
Innovation: Large tooth profile for maximum ratcheting reliability
Partner: Outside inventor
Learn About Our Process

Apex Tool Group has a cross functional team dedicated to executing inventor ideas in the marketplace for both Hand and Power Tools. The process begins with your idea submission and proceeds to our team for evaluation. We meet monthly to evaluate all new submissions. If your idea is compatible with our product roadmap and strategic vision, we will approve the project for further resourcing. This includes design and prototyping, Voice of the Customer research, product performance testing, intellectual property evaluation, and manufacturability studies. Upon favorable results, we will then develop a licensing arrangement with you to compensate you for your idea. This process varies in duration based upon the idea, but it is possible to complete the Idea to Execution process in less than 12 months. Some of our inventors submit multiple ideas, we look forward to receiving yours!

Our policy is that we only accept idea submissions for which a patent application has been filed or a patent is granted.

Step 1

  • Review the submission form
  • Fill out your information
  • Include your Patent or Patent Application Number

Step 2

  • Product Review Committee makes a decision
    • Proceed
    • Not interested
    • Consider further development

Step 3

  • Build model for testing and verification
  • Conduct voice of customer research
  • Performance testing
  • Manufacturing cost

Step 4

  • Prepare worldwide license agreement
Submit Your Idea

Congratulations on selecting Apex Tool Group to review your new idea.

We thank you for the submission and appreciate your interest in our company. We have a commitment to deliver innovation to our customers and look forward to reviewing your idea.

For most inventors, this is their first time submitting a new idea and we would like you to be clear on the Apex idea submission process. We believe our process is very thorough; we strive to give appropriate consideration to every idea.

Please see the Learn About Our Process tab that depicts the stages of our submission process. While not all ideas go through every step, this process can sometimes take up to nine months or longer to complete. Like you, we want to be sure the product will be innovative and successful.

Application Form