Are you an IP attorney who wants to protect your client’s innovation? If so, having an effective design patent drawing is very important during the patent application process. However, making mistakes in patent drawings can be risky, like walking on thin ice. One wrong step and your client’s invention could fall through.
Every single day, the patent office receives numerous patent applications, and many attorneys encounter patent rejections that can negatively impact their clients’ innovations.
Many patent applications get rejected because of the mistakes discussed in this blog. As you read, you’ll learn about the common mistakes made in patent drawings and get tips on how to fix or avoid them.
So, let’s dive in.
Avoid These Patent Drawing Mistakes For A Successful Grant
Here are the four most common patent drawing mistakes that prevent a successful grant for your client. Ensure you avoid these flaws in all of your patent illustrations.
However, if you’ve encountered any of the mistakes below, we’ve got simple solutions. Just read the article carefully and boost your client’s patent application process.
Mistake #1: Mismatched Illustrations
This is one of the crucial reasons why people receive delayed or rejected grants. So, what exactly do you mean by mismatched illustrations?
Let me explain to you here!
To get a patent, the invention needs to be shown accurately to the examiners. If it’s not presented well, the patent won’t be granted. That’s why many patent applicants use illustrations to show their invention in a more detailed way.
Sometimes, the description of the invention in the patent application doesn’t match the drawings. This can lead to confusion and uncertainty about the invention’s details.
To understand it better, let’s take an example of a Post-it note.
In the past, regular sticky notes would leave marks when removed. But the Post-it note changed that with its special adhesive. It’s not too sticky and can be easily removed without leaving any residue behind.
Despite its great invention, the patent application was rejected.
What went wrong? Why did the patent get rejected?
It’s because the drawings showed the adhesive used to stick papers together rather than as a removable adhesive. That is, the drawings did not represent the invention accurately. This is why the patent seeker had to redraw the illustrations to get a successful patent.
How to Avoid Drawing Mismatched Illustrations?
- Ensure you’ve hired experienced patent illustration providers with enough knowledge of your invention.
- Make them draw the diagrams to accurately reflect the invention’s purpose.
The above example clearly states how a simple mistake in the representation or labeling of the patent drawings leads to delays or rejections. So, ensure all the patent drawings are represented accurately and precisely.
Mistake #2: Poor Detailings
“A picture is worth 1000 words.”
But what if the picture is poorly illustrated and lacks detailing?
Effective patent illustrations provide precise details about the design and function of the invention. Each drawing included in the application must accurately showcase the invention, allowing both experts in the field and the patent examiner to comprehend it fully.
Picture this: you’ve invented a revolutionary medical device equipped with special sensors and algorithms to monitor patients’ health remotely. To secure your patent, it’s crucial to include accurate and straightforward drawings that illustrate the device’s different parts, how they’re arranged, and how they work together. These drawings help make your invention’s features crystal clear to the patent examiner.
Furthermore, it’s quite essential to show other details, such as the size, shape, placement of sensors, and other unique features that form the crux of your invention. Or else the examiners find it difficult to understand the novelty of the invention.
The lack of any small details in the drawing leads to unnecessary reworks. In the worst cases, it could even lead to rejection.
How Do You Fix Poor Detailings?
- Represent all the unique features or modifications made to the existing invention.
- Demonstrate how the addition of new components changed or improved the overall functionality.
- Make sure to clearly represent how things work with the combination of two or more elements.
Patent drawings with poor detailing cost your clients a ton. All the years your client has struggled to create the invention might go in vain. It either contributes to delayed application processes or patent rejections. This is why it’s important to demonstrate illustrations with utmost accuracy and precision.
Mistake #3: Inconsistent style
Another crucial factor to consider is the consistency of the illustrations throughout the application. Inconsistent drawings enable confusion and affect clarity. Now, let’s understand how you can leverage consistency in your application.
Imagine a company named Bryan Solutions invented a new hand dryer. Unlike many hand dryers in the market, this new dryer uses a unique bladeless design and a high-speed jet of air to dry hands in a fraction of a second.
The patent application for the Bryan Solutions hand dryer included several drawings to illustrate the design and functionality of the product. They utilized a consistent style throughout the application to maintain consistency in the drawings.
All the drawings featured the same
- Line thickness
- Shading technique
- Layout style
In addition, the company has mentioned different product angles to show the uniqueness of the product’s design.
Bryan Solutions company was granted a patent for its innovative hand dryer design by maintaining a consistent style in the drawings.
Now, imagine another scenario where the patent application is incorrect.
If you’ve noticed any inconsistencies in your client’s patent drawings, here’s how to fix them.
How To Fix Inconsistencies In Drawings?
- The foremost step to do is to identify the missing details. Then, look out for correcting dimensions or proportions and redrawing unclear lines.
- Ensure that the corrected drawings comply with the applicable standards for patent drawings.
- Check if the drawings have the same style, such as size, font, layout, shading, line thickness, and numbering.
- Ensure all the product angles, such as front, top, rear, bottom, and side view angles, are accurately represented.
- Update the description and claims of the patent application if necessary.
Most people ignore maintaining a consistent style in their drawings. However, it can lead to unnecessary reworks and prolonged application processes. Here’s why you should ensure to include a consistent drawing style and format that help your client get a successful grant in the optimal time.
Mistake #4: Unclear Drawings
Since patent drawings play an important role in the patent application process, creating high-quality drawings is vital. However, unclear drawings hinder the patent examiner’s understanding of the invention. Hence, it leads to a patent rejection.
Here are a few attributes of unclear drawings that you should know.
- Blurry images
Blurry drawings are difficult to interpret and don’t provide enough detail for the examiner to understand the invention. The major reasons for low-quality images are
- Poor scanning
- Using low-resolution cameras to capture images
- Confusing design or errors in design
Drawings with design errors or unclear representations lead to confusion about the invention’s functionality.
For instance, if the drawing of a mechanical device shows parts that overlap or are incorrectly sized, it makes it difficult to understand how the device works.
- Incomplete drawings
If the drawings don’t provide all the necessary details about the invention, they are considered incomplete.
Imagine that person ‘A’ is seeking a patent for their one-of-a-kind device, which has several components. However, the drawings submitted only depict a few of these components. This can create confusion for the patent examiner, as they won’t fully grasp the entire invention. These incomplete drawings are referred to as “incomplete patent drawings.” To ensure a successful patent application, it’s essential to provide comprehensive illustrations that cover all the device’s components.
Now the question is how to prevent or fix unclear drawings. Let’s find out.
How Do You Fix It?
- Review the drawings thoroughly and identify unclear or incomplete drawings.
- Avoid blurry images and use high resolutions pictures whenever necessary.
- Add more information to illustrations by using shading or cross-hatching. The hatching technique helps to show different parts of the invention and label each part clearly.
- Redraw the images to improve the quality and clarity, or seek professional patent illustrators’ help to meet all USPTO requirements.
Note: Don’t confuse mismatched drawings with unclear drawings. Mismatched drawings are misrepresentations of the invention. On the other hand, unclear drawings are hard to interpret or read.
How Can You Create Effective Drawings To Protect Your Client’s Innovation?
Protecting your client’s innovation is crucial in today’s highly competitive market. And the fastest way to protect your client’s invention is by making use of high-quality patent drawings.
How can you get high-quality illustrations?
Simple! Hire proficient illustrators.
If you’re looking for illustrators who could help you with the patent application process, Invention Drawing Services is here.
They understand the importance of protecting your client’s innovation and are committed to providing high-quality patent drawing services to support your efforts.
The best thing you get is consistent patent drawings throughout the patent application process that meet the specific needs of the USPTO.
Moreover, they offer a free trial version for IP attorneyswho are interested in working with us. They believe in building long-term relationships with their clients and are committed to providing exceptional service and support every step of the way.
Don’t hesitate to contact them today to learn more about their patent drawing services and how they can help you protect your client’s innovation.