financing an invention.

[funkymoped]

does anyone know how you would go about getting help to get an idea from the drawing stage to manufacturing ???
i have had this idea in my head for about 6 years now. its a simple item and is designed as a safety device in industry.
what i need to know is how do i go about getting a working model, can i get govenrment help to finance it, and how do i get a patent set up ?
i can make a working model but it wouldnt be a professional piece and therefore wouldnt be suitable to show to manufacturers.
the perfect start would be someone that has been through the same sort of situation and has first hand knowledge of the operating system.
any and all help appreciated !
thanks in advance....
:-)

[Jbird]

if it is a simple devise then seek out a model engineering club as they often have people with lots of collective knolledge and don't be afraid to ask and more importantly may have the time to be able to at least talk and also possibly access to machinery. on the finance thing, there is no such thing as a free lunch. ring up the patent office and get your info straite from the horses mouth as i have found then very helpfull over the phone. in my small amount of experience the idea is the easey bit the rest is interesting. good luck