What are the steps of patenting or presenting a new idea/invention to a company?

[junior]

If anyone has experience with this, please PM me the details, the legal part, and how to present the idea to the manufacturers. I think I came up with a great idea, just dont want to give it up, and have the chance of someone stealing it.
Thanks

[flywise]

First, google it.
2nd, do not use invent help or Davison if at all posible
3rd, PAtent office web site can walk you through the process of protection in short term or long term.
I went through part of the process about 10 years ago. I got a product protected for 3 years i believe. After it did not pan out i quit it. the protection (for 3 years) was about $600 if i remember right and not sure what it was called now but the patent office website has the info.
You can get a patent with out the help of a lawyer and for only a couple grand instead of 10k+
I found many people with google who got their own patent and all said how helpful the patent/trademark office was in walking them through the process