Hey Gonzo, been there done that. US Patent and Trademark Office. You can apply for a patent for $500. And before you do that there is a ton of research to do before you apply. And then when you do make an application you have to word it in such a way that someone can't change one little thing and steal your idea. The USPTO will send you an info and application kit for free. They are also very helpful on the phone but can only do so much. Call them at 1-800-PTO-9199 and good luck. Oh don't be in a hurry, I sent my application in 5 months ago and still no word.