The different types of patents are provisional patents, utility patents, plant patents and design patents.

Provisional Patents (PP)

A provisional patent application (PPA) allows filing without a formal patent claim. It establishes a filing date for you.

So, if you have an idea, and if you do not have the time and resources needed for filing a patent, you can go for a provisional patent. This will establish your date of application.
Beware though - the actual patent should not differ significantly from the provisional patent description.

Utility Patents

Invention Patent

Whether you’ve discovered the latest technological wonder or figured out a way to satisfy a common woe shared by millions, the protection of an invention is very important. In order to receive credit and hopefully a profit from your vision, one must obtain a patent. While trademark (words, names, and symbols for goods or services) and copyright (for literature, art, drama, and music) are common protective approaches for intellectual property, patents are used to protect the rights of an inventor.

Before Patenting