<< This means no one can legally make what we make during the patent submission process. >>
That is totally incorrect.
A patent pending itself gives you no legal right at all until a patent is granted fully.
"The patent pending status does not protect the invention, and you can't sue for infringement if someone copies your idea. You only get full legal protection on your idea once the USPTO approves the patent. So, once you receive approval for your patent application, you can take legal action against someone who copies your product, design, or another idea."