Can one patent an idea for a necessity?

[Cougarspeed]

One cannot patent an idea I understand, but if there is an idea for something that has endless design possibilities can the first design idea become the patent. In other words my idea is a solution to a problem. I could create the solution in endless design formats but would my first design become the sole patent?

[Brad]

Patents should be on a specific machine, tool, product, or method.   It is very difficult to get a general or broad patent on protecting a concept that may have endless variations.   In fact, when you claim your invention in the patent application it will get rejected if the examiner thinks it is indefinite and too loose.

Now, if there is some feature that all the variations have in common then one strategy may be to try and protect that feature so that all future versions would fall under your first patent.