Patent Drawings

• Author: Steven H. Voldman
• Profession: Is an IEEE Fellow and graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Pages: 139-179

From Invention to Patent: A Scientist and Engineer’s Guide. First Edition. Steven H. Voldman.

© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Published 2018 by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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5

5.1 Introduction

In this chapter, the focus is on patent drawings. Examples of different types of drawings

are shown [1]. The rules and requirements of drawing are discussed on how they relate

to the specification and the claims[2–21].

Patent drawings are recommended according to the requirements 35 USC 113 [1]:

"The applicant shall furnish a drawing where necessary for the understanding of the

subject matter to be patented."–35 USC 113. Patent drawings are typically needed for

most patents.

Patent drawings are not required for inventions that can be described using text. The

description must not be ambiguous. There are subjects that cannot be describ ed using

drawings [1]:

● Process

● Composition

● Coated articles

● Laminated structures

● Inventions in which the key distinguishing feature is a particular material.

Patent drawing views can be classified as orthogonal views and p erspective views.

Orthogonal view is where the viewer is centered over a particular side of the object.

Orthogonal views can be as follows [1]:

● Front side or front elevation view

● Rear side or rear elevation view

● Left side or left elevation view

● Right side or right elevation view

● Top side or plan view

● Bottom side view.

Perspective view is a view that shows the three dimensions of the object on a two-

dimensional surface [1]. Perspective views include the following [1]:

● Front perspective view

● Rear perspective view

● Right perspective view

● Left perspective view

Patent Drawings

From Invention to Patent: A Scientist and Engineer’s Guide140

● Top perspective view

● Bottom perspective view.

Perspective views can be modified according to perspective foreshortening . Fore-

shortening is used to make the drawings look more realistic, using “vanishing points.”

Foreshortening can introduce multiple vanishing points on an artificial horizon.

5.1.1 Drawing Techniques–Drawing by Hand

Drawings can be performed using pens and other instruments. Drawings c an be per-

formedfrom scratch or using tracing techniques. When drawing by hand, it is common to

first draw the figures by pencil and then ink the lines. The drawings should be drawn with

light erasable sketch lines. The pencil lines should be erased before final submission.

5.1.2 Drawing Techniques–Drawing by Computer

Drawings can be generated by computer. Computer-aided design (CAD) tools can be

used to generate drawings for the patent submission. CAD tools exist specifically

designed to generate patent drawings. This can be achieved by generating the patent

line drawings tracing the photograph’s edges.

5.1.3 Drawing Techniques–Drawing by Camera

Drawings can be generated using a camera. But, photographs cannot be submitted for

a patent, unless they are a plant patent. A camera photograph can be used to generate a

drawing.

5.2 Patent Drawings–Utility Patents

Utility patents can consist of structures, apparatuses, and methods. For each type of

patent, figures are different. In a utility patent, both prior art and invention disclosure

are included in the figures. Utility patents can include the following:

● Machines

● Articles of manufacturing

● Methods

● Compositions.

Patent drawings can be of different types. The standard for patent drawings is con-

tained within MPEP section 608.02. These can include the following types of draw-

ings [22]:

● Block diagrams

● Flow chart

● Two dimensional

● Perspective and three-dimensional (3-D) view

● Section or cut-away view

● Exploded view.

Patent Drawings 141

Figure5.1 shows the different typ es of utility patents. Utility patents may contain

many different types of drawings.

5.3 Patent Drawings–Structures

Structure drawings are intended to support the patent application to allow visualization

of the invention [1]. The figures should be adequate enough to allow for transfer to the

public domain so that the reader of the patent can replicate the invention. Structure

drawings can include the following types of drawings:

● Block diagrams

● Two-dimensional view

● Perspective and three-dimensional (3-D) view

● Section or cut-away view

● Exploded view.

Both prior art figures and the figures associated with the invention are contained

within the patent specification. The prior art figures are used to provide a comparison

between the past figures known in the public domain and the new disclosure. This is

used to compare and to highlight the differences.

The prior art figures are typically discussed in the Background section of the patent

application. As a result, these figures are typically placed first in the figure listing . Prior

art figures are typically labeled “Prior Art” under the figure number. The figures are

designated “FIG. XX” under the figure itself. The embodiments of the patent are con-

tained within the figures discussed in the Detailed De scription of the Invention of the

patent application. As a result, these figures are typically placed after the prior art fig-

ures in the figure listing. The figures are designated “FIG. XX” under the figure itself.

All physical shapes shown in the figure are required to be identified. The shapes are

identified by a number line or a “squiggly line” to connect the number to the physical

shape [1–5].

Figure5.2 shows an example of a structure drawing.

5.3.1 Rules forStructure Drawings

In the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), there are specific rules for

structure drawings. Structure drawings are required when it is believed that they are

Utility patent

drawings

Apparatus

Structure Method

2-D view 3-D view Block diagram Flow chart

Figure 5.1 Utility patents.