I've always been fascinated with patents. Every bit a youngster, I remember seeing a patent framed at my grandfather's firm—information technology's value reflected by its position right next to the family portrait. I never read the words, except for the inventor name and patent title; instead, I merely looked at the illustrations.
I remember those loftier school history lessons that involved crazy inventors like Nikola Tesla, George Eastman and Philo Farnsworth are part of what inspired me to go an engineer, and I've always found it intriguing to run into a patent cartoon next to the working product. It seemed like yous could interpolate from the invention to the drawing, and right into the mind of the inventor.
The saying goes that a picture is worth a k words. Patents generally aren't curt on words, and those words are generally disruptive, intimidating and unattractive to the layman. And then, it might be better said that the drawings and illustrations are the beauty and magic of patents.
It's likewise a practiced gateway into the intellectual property world for SOLIDWORKS users. I've been able to assist design several products, and SOLIDWORKS is what got me into patent game. I was a CAD jock in the toy business concern, and would work on making other people'south ideas into a tangible product (meet Effigy two).
When top management would make the determination to patent something, I would get a meeting request from a lawyer who would describe all the different drawing views he would need. While Mattel had a huge staff of lawyers, they also had a timeline and a budget. Most of the fourth dimension, the lawyers would send my .dxf files out to a third party patent cartoon vendor. A few lawyers would ask for revisions so that the drawings would meet the criteria from the Usa Patent and Trademark Role (USPTO), which meant I would make the concluding drawings.
If you're reading this article, you lot take either been asked to brand some drawings, or y'all're trying to relieve a few bucks every bit you lot develop your own patent and production. Since patent drawings are usually about $100 each, and nearly patents take 10+ drawings, this can be pregnant savings. If y'all are making drawings for someone else, it's a groovy gateway into the intellectual property world. If you are trying to brand your own patent, you're in for a ride.
I will say that if yous follow the directions in this article, your patent shouldn't get rejected for your illustrations. In my fifteen+ years of intermittent patent involvement, none of my drawings take been rejected by the USPTO.
Since this article is for SOLIDWORKS users, nosotros're simply going to talk about drawings for products or machines; we won't be covering illustrations for plants or processes, or annihilation that requires colour. If y'all need to go a bit deeper or to understand topics that aren't covered, I'd suggest reading How to Make Patent Drawings: A Patent It Yourself Companion past Jack Lo and David Pressman.
Patents represent an intimidating merely intriguing intersection of several disciplines and motivations. The government wants to promote and protect inventors without stifling the marketplace, businesses desire to make money and proceeds a monopoly and scientists want to see new ideas come to life. The opportunity, coin and emotions are at high levels, and discussions tin can range from the physical basics-and-bolts to the abstract concept of defining innovation.
It's a bit daunting, only also exciting to be involved in this different globe. Patent lawyers sometimes become a bad reputation, but it is really quite fun to collaborate with them. They tend to be very similar to engineers and designers—pragmatic, passionate, focused, precipitous and hardworking. Nosotros tend to be a scrap envious of their impromptu speaking skills, and I retrieve they tend to exist a bit covetous of our opportunity to get our hands muddied and make new products. Nosotros appreciate someone technical trying to understand our ideas,and they enjoy the opportunity to add value to a company.
A counter-argument I've heard from some engineers is that they would rather focus on developing other skills than learn virtually patents. Still, I've found that knowing a little scrap can assist you a proficient bargain. Information technology'south just like knowing some basic mechanics earlier y'all get car maintenance. If y'all show that y'all know a little scrap about whatsoever trade (such as plumbing, car maintenance or abode repair), I think you tend to have a ameliorate interaction than someone who is completely ignorant on the subject area.
Tip #i: Read a Book or Ii About Inventors
Stories near invention are fascinating to study. 1 of my favorites is The Wright Brothers by Stephen Ambrose. Then go enjoy studying 25 or so patent illustrations; yous tin look upward a complete patent on Google Patents.
I'd suggest making about half of these the archetype inventions, such as the Calorie-free Bulb, Telegraph and Ferris Wheel. For the other half, take a look at a dozen recent patent figures in the industry yous are going to brand figures for.
This serves a couple purposes. Ane, you need to develop a love for studying patent drawings. Some of the ones that were fabricated on drafting boards earlier the historic period of CAD are unreal art pieces. Of course, others can look like they're washed in crayon with the drafter using their non-dominant hand. At that place is a broad range of quality, and information technology's difficult to know how some were approved by the USPTO (particularly if yous are exposed to some of the more trifling rejections).
Withal, within an industry there seems to be some level of consistency. My hypothesis is that the USPTO examiners are grouped past manufacture, and that those teams train each other and develop their own set of rules within the organization. For example, my experience is that the toy industry allows almost annihilation, while the industrial access hardware industry was a fiddling more stringent (see Figures 3 and 4). This makes sense, because toys tend to exist a chip more fashion-based, while hardware seems to be a scrap more than mechanical/mechanism driven.
Tip #ii: Go the Right Mindset
There are several things I don't understand, and rules that don't seem to make sense or that accept published counter examples.
For case, from the best I can empathize, typical patent illustrations—chosen figures—need to be in black and white, not greyscale. However, I've seen a number of figures that appear to accept some sort of greyscale shading.
If this inconsistency bothers y'all, then you may not want to get involved with Patent Figures. Trying to get a patent is like visiting another country—yous need to follow their rules and appreciate their customs. If y'all don't, it'south not going to exist enjoyable for anyone. It'south like asking for ketchup at a small but archetype restaurant in France. They will be insulted, you'll be frustrated, efforts will be squandered and the experience will be negative.
Information technology's much better to embrace the rules that the USPTO has by taking on a "when in Rome…" mindset. Amend yet, attempt to understand the history behind patent figures. The USPTO has an incredible mission: they must come up up with rules, regulations and definitions for ideas. It's an impossible chore, simply they do a pretty proficient job.
Tip #3: Follow the Rules to Avoid Rejection
Tips 3 and iv are serious. I've seen and heard about "Office Actions"—substantially, a rejection of a patent application—resulting from non post-obit these rules.
Make your cartoon template a vertical 8.5 ten 11 inches. Don't have any border lines and leave plenty of margin (see Figure 6). Merely put one view per page. Likewise, don't have any default shading or tangent lines (see Effigy 7).
I know some inventing entities put multiple figures on one page and practise greyscale shading, just my suggestion is to play information technology safe. Information technology doesn't cost more to have multiple pages of illustrations. I'd likewise advise that y'all get to the USPTO website and read what they take to say near cartoon requirements.
To remove the tangent lines on your figure:
- Select your view, and press your Right mouse button.
- Check on to "Tangent Edges Removed."
Tip #4: Line Weight and Balloons
Change your line weight (see Figures viii and nine) and do not put circles, or annihilation else, around your balloons (run into Effigy 10).
To alter your line weights on your drawing:
- Select Options.
- Under "Document Properties" select "Line Font."
- Select "Line weight" of 0.0197".
Tip #5: Make Balloon Lines "Squiggly"
These adjacent iii tips aren't mandatory, but I think they're important to help avoid too much scrutiny from the USPTO. If you decide not to follow tips 5, vi and seven, information technology tin can signal to the examiners that amateurs have fabricated the patent—and the examiner will non requite you the do good of the doubt.
Tip #5 is to brand the balloon lines squiggly. Around 2014, Dassault fabricated this like shooting fish in a barrel to practice in SOLIDWORKS. I used to have to float the airship and add a spline with an arrow. Now, it's pretty simple (meet Figure eleven).
Tip #six: Make Your Drawing Look More than Similar a Sketch
I'one thousand yet playing around with this, and haven't yet submitted whatever drawing for patent like this—but I want to. Bring into Microsoft Word, Photoshop or Illustrator and play with different filters.
Tip #seven: Develop Your Style!
Take some time and put the extra details in. This volition exist something that will somewhen get up on your wall to be envied by your friends and admired past your grandkids. Many times, I immune myself to exist rushed into sending the figures to the lawyers considering I was pressed for time or had other projects. One area that is wide open is the font for the figure numbering (run into Figure xiii). You lot can discover something online, or brand your ain.
Please let me know how it goes and if you have any comment or other experiences.
About the Author
Jim Lucas is product evolution consultant who enjoys running, coaching soccer and playing with fire. He can exist reached at Jim.Lucas@i-elf.com.
DOWNLOAD HERE
How to Make Patent Drawings in Solidworks TUTORIAL
Posted by: inaaffer1997.blogspot.com