Patent figures are required for both utility and design patents, and must comply with regional rules. They show the invention from multiple angles and provide important information for the examiner. Applicants can hire a draftsman or create the figures themselves, and the final result can be submitted in digital or paper format. Patent agencies maintain files of patent applications and their results, which can be a valuable resource for researchers.
Patent figures are illustrations that accompany a patent application to show the examiner the specifics of the patent. Both utility and design patents require illustrations, and some other types of patent applications can also be supported by figures. Many applicants hire a professional draftsman to create the drawings, as they need to be detailed and of high quality. You can also prepare patent data yourself. A patent attorney can help an applicant determine whether figures are needed and how they should be prepared.
Patent figures must comply with the rules for patent applications in the given region. Most agencies want drawings in black ink only, unless color is absolutely necessary. Photographs are generally not allowed unless they are the only way to document a patentable idea. For example, microscope photographs may accompany a biotechnology patent to provide images of an organism or process. Regulations can vary, especially if an inventor plans to file a patent with multiple agencies.
Patent number sets show the invention from multiple angles, drawn to scale, with clear labeling. The labels illustrate the different parts and provide information on dimensions and specifications. These drawings can demonstrate the unique nature of the invention and will form an important part of the materials examined by the examiner when deciding whether to grant the patent. The patent office may make copies in the process of processing the application, and it is important to provide a clear, legible original that can be copied well.
Applicants may work with a draftsman if they are unsure and comfortable with their drawing skills. The editor may be asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement to prevent patent information from leaking. Draftsmen can draw their patent digits by hand or with a computer. The final result can be submitted in digital or paper format together with the rest of the application. It may also be part of the documentation the company uses in discussions with manufacturers, promotional materials, and other product communications.
Patent agencies maintain files of patent applications and their results. Researchers interested in historical inventions may be able to search the patent and original drawings to see what its inventor visualized when he first applied. Historic drawings can be a valuable resource for historians as well as patent researchers—people who poring over the documentation to determine whether a new patent is truly new and eligible for protections.
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