Utility patent illustrations also known as utility patent drawings are one of the most important elements of a patent application and are used by applicants to describe their invention in a better way. Though, including patent drawings is not mandatory still each patent application should be accompanied by drawings as they can help applicants in the long run.
Every patent office has its own set of rules that are needed by applicants to be adhered to and this article may help you understand some rules that are common across multiple patent offices.
Also Read: Patent Trends to Consider in 2025
Best Practices for Utility Patent Illustrations
Show Every Feature Of The Invention Specified In The Claims
When you are about to include a drawing in your application, it’s important to show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Failing which can compromise your purpose at a later stage. Names or other identification marks are not allowed within the sight of the drawing.
Keep In Mind The Terms Of The Trade
As we mentioned earlier, every patent office has its own set of rules, and applicants are required to adhere to those rules. Patent illustration submitted to the office must be made on paper which is flexible, strong, white, smooth, non-shiny, and durable. Apart from this, keeping the shape, size, and color of the sheets as per the specified rule is also important. To know detail of these rules check this article Tips on Creating Patent Drawings for Inventions
Photographs Are Not Permitted
Another important rule relating to utility patent drawing is that photographs and photocopies of photographs are not permitted and hence patent illustration service providers or applicants should refrain from using such photographs and photocopies. A patent office like the USPTO will accept photographs in utility and design patent applications if photographs are the only practicable medium for illustrating the claimed invention.
Specify Indicia In Specified Space
Identifying indicia or identification of the drawing should include the title of the invention, inventor’s name, application number, or docket number (if any), and that too should be placed on the front of each sheet centered within the top margin.
Include As Many Views As Possible
When we talk about some of the best practices for utility patent drawing then different views of the drawings are important. An applicant should try to include as many different views of the invention as possible as it makes the application easy to understand.
Some of the views that are widely used in utility patent drawings or utility patent illustrations are,
- Orthogonal and perspective views
- Isometric views
- Sectional views
- Duplicate views
- Exploded views
- Plain and un-ornamented view
- Flat object view
Arrange Views Accordingly
Another important thing that should be taken into care while creating various views of a patent application is the arrangement of views. Most of the patent offices like the USPTO want all views to be put on the same sheet and all of them stand in the same direction so that they can be read with the sheet held in an upright position..
Overview
Utility patent drawing or patent illustration for utility patents can help inventors a lot in the long run, as it helps the examiners understand the invention in a better way but can also help inventors during prosecution. Any doubt raised during prosecution can be eliminated if detailed patent drawings are in place. Patent examiner can easily easily understand the new invention and there are more chances that he will approve the application.
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