Some things aren't worth the trouble of patenting, while others desperately need it prior to disclosure.
Comtrad's pointer to the USPTO is the right way to go, but I have used many patents databases over many years and unless you are very experienced with using search terms you may never discover if there is/are already patents for the 'idea' that you have.
It's pointless to prototype if something you have is already invented, produced, sold and indeed may have even ended it's life in the market place.
You'd get a big surprise to see what is patented, but MANY patents are taken out simply to slow down competitors.
It's very hard to be VERY original in invention. A quick search of any of the patents databases (there are scores) will show you that.
Many people who get the 'invention light' switch on and think that is about all they have to do.
Let me tell you that invention is very difficult to accomplish, prototyping can be tortuous and expensive (I'm an electronics engineer).
First step is to examine if there are products out there that in full or part are similar - market research.
Second step is to prototype. Make it as perfect as you can.
Third step is patent. Only see a patent attorney for this.
Contact your local inventors association for the quite usual massive amount of practical advice they will give you.
Don't be one bit surprised when they tell you that EVERY INVENTOR CLAIMS HIS INVENTION IS WORTH MILLIONS. They hear it constantly from novices and it is quite tedious to hear at times.
Unfortunately many good ideas end up in patents that are quite useless or the product often goes nowhere because the inventor can't get serious backing to produce and market or the invention, if a good one, gets copied EXTREMELY FAST.
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