Patent drawings are visual illustrations of inventions that may or may not be required by patent law. They typically include detailed sketches, multiple views, and specific labeling. While not all jurisdictions require them, those that do have strict rules. In the US, patent designs are necessary for patent applications, while in Europe they are optional.
A patent drawing is a visual illustration of an invention. Depending on an inventor’s geographic location, patent law may or may not require that all new inventions be accompanied by a patent drawing, demonstrating the various parts and functions performed by the invention. Whether or not a patent drawing is optional, many inventors choose to submit an illustration as part of the patent application; this helps to further present the aspects and duties of the invention for which the provisional application is submitted.
There are several elements that inventors typically include in a patent design. In addition to properly identifying and labeling each drawing, this form of patent display commonly features highly detailed sketches, complete with shading, symbols, legends, and arrows. A patent drawing is usually presented on standard-sized paper that is sturdy but flexible. Patent offices tend to prefer black and white illustrations, although some types of inventions may require the use of color.
The drawings also illustrate more than one view of the invention, highlighting how the object looks and functions from a variety of angles. A patent design could be sketched from any number of perspectives. These could include partial and sectional views, which highlight specific smaller areas of the invention, or an exploded view, where the parts of the object are separated to show how they fit together in the final product. Another popular display style is a modified form, which illustrates different ways the final product can be assembled.
While not all jurisdictions require a patent design, those that do have very specific rules that must be followed. Even those areas that do not require a patent drawing will generally have certain guidelines that must be followed if an inventor chooses to submit an illustration. Generally, inventors are advised to check with their local patent office that they meet the necessary specifications when drafting the patent illustration.
In Europe, for example, the submission of a patent design is entirely optional. According to the rules established by the European Patent Convention, inventors are required to include designs only when such designs are mentioned in the patent application. If an inventor chooses this route, his designs are legally protected as part of the patent application.
The United States, on the other hand, makes patent designs a necessary part of the patent application process. When an inventor files an application, he must include a patent design. United States patent law emphasizes that all aspects of the invention referenced in the application must be accompanied by an illustration.
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