We have discussed the merits of patents vs trade secrets a number of times on this BBs.
In general, the first step is to do a patent search go to
United States Patent and Trademark Office and do a quick search for any existing patents in the us. If you want to patent in Canada too, search at the cipo website too.
A patent is NOTHING MORE than a costly license to sue anyone who copies your invention.
Perhaps you'd be better off having a few machine shops make individual components for what you want to do. I'd still suggest you get anyone including the machine shops sign an NDA so if they decide to copy, you have legal recourse.
Good luck.