Below are some references that might be helpful on the inventor’s journey.

PATENT RESEARCH & RESOURCES

Google Patent Search Site (https://patents.google.com/)
United States Patent and Trademark Office (https://www.uspto.gov/)

Intellectual Property Law: The Basics of Patent Law

WNY SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES

WNY Venture Association (http://www.wnyventure.com)
Small Business Development Center, Buffalo State College (http://www.nyssbdc.org)
U.S Small Business Administration (https://www.sba.gov/offices/district/ny/buffalo)

PROFESSIONAL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATIONS

United Inventors Association of America (http://www.uiausa.org/)
Industrial Designers Society of America (http://www.idsa.org/)