Discoveries Summer 2021 Edition
Sherman the Inventor Read the feature story on pages 8-9
Sherman the Inventor By Cathy Thoma, Director of Volunteer Resources
Sherman Whitcomb is an idea guy, a pun master, an entrepreneur, and an inventor. He is also someone that, since 2003, has been supported by Hammer. When Sherman first asked for help finding a volunteer patent agent, I was intrigued. What idea did he want to patent? “Swappers” was the answer. Swappers began four years ago, when Sherman bought a pair of fuzzy slippers. He liked them, but thought, “Wouldn’t it be cool if you could have different animals on top, that you could swap each day for other animals?” Because, he said, “Some days you feel like a dolphin, and some days you feel like a shark.” Determined to develop this idea, Sherman began to attend the Inventors Networking Club in Hopkins. Once a month, Jim Beckman, Assistant Program Manager at Plymouth Colony where Sherman resides, would drive Sherman to the Eisenhower Building where he would listen to presentations and meet with other inventors on taking his idea to the next level. It was there that he learned he needed to develop a prototype slipper, which he accomplished with the help of Hammer staff and volunteer seamstresses. He then created a marketing video, in which he demonstrated the interchangeable animal slippers. But the one important thing that was missing was a way to protect his idea. Sherman needed to apply for a patent, and he needed some professional assistance to do so. That’s when we began recruiting for a volunteer patent agent. Cathy Gates, formerly of Entegris, was looking for a pro bono project and the pandemic provided the incentive to begin immediately. She wanted to help someone fulfill their dream, and when she saw the advertisement to help an individual from Hammer apply for a patent, she answered the call. Cathy and Sherman began communicating via email and Zoom last August and discussed a strategy for his patent. To make it official as soon as possible, they would approach the application process in
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Sherman holds his German Utility Model plaque and his “Swappers” prototype.
two different ways. First, an expedited U.S. patent application would be applied for and in addition, a request for a German Utility Model would be submitted. Cathy rewrote the U.S. patent application and hired a professional to create the patent drawings. The documents were then submitted to the U.S. Patent Office. Cathy then reached out to her colleagues in the UK, Jakob Bumke and Kate Hillis, from Greaves Brewster. Jakob and Kate also agreed to work pro bono and with their assistance, a company was hired to translate the patent application into German. The cost for all of this was paid for by Hammer donors through the Quality-of-Life Fund.
Everyone was delighted when, on January 28, 2021, Sherman was awarded his German Utility Model! To celebrate this great achievement, Cathy Gates presented him with a plaque along with a special red lanyard that states, “Inventor,” the very same items awarded to inventors by her company. Our photos show what a very happy day that was for all involved. The story doesn’t end there. Sherman is waiting for the U.S. Patent, and Cathy continues to answer the Examiner’s questions. But as Cathy says, “Whether Sherman receives a U.S. Patent or not, he is still an inventor and should be treated and respected as one.” The next steps in this journey are to secure a licensing attorney and to develop a marketing strategy. While Sherman doesn’t want to own his own business, he would like to receive royalties for his idea. When asked what he would do with the proceeds from that, he said he wanted what so many other people want: a home, a family, and a car. He would also like to leave a legacy for his wife so that she can remain independent. What kind of car would Sherman like? “An Elon Musk Tesla, of course.” Just one amazing inventor supporting another one.
Cathy Gates presents Sherman with the German Utility Model plaque while Cathy Thoma holds the “Swapper.”
Sherman presents Cathy Gates with the Hammer Community Partner Award for her work on his patent.
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