We’ll talk a little about the intricacies of patent drawings and point you towards where to find professional patent drawings for your inventions.

What is a Patent Drawing?

A patent drawing is a helpful diagram that has an intricately detailed sketch of an invention. In other words, it’s a legal document that gives you full credit and rights for your creations.

This drawing isn’t as simple as just doing a quick sketch and labeling parts though. Patent drawings have very important requirements that you need to follow, which is why it’s ideal to hire a professional patent drawer to help create it and prevent you from drawing parts of your sketch that could unintentionally be copying another patent drawing.

Learn more: Why are patent drawings sometimes hand drawn?

Requirements for a Patent Drawing

As mentioned above, patent drawings have strict requirements created by the USPTO that need to be strictly followed. Some requirements include:

• Drawings need to be done in black ink on white matted paper.
• Photographs can only be used in certain methods where drawings are not adequate.
• Margins and the English alphabet need to be used consistently.
• The paper must measure 8.5 x 11 inches.
• The invention needs to be sketched in various angles.
• The sketch needs to be shaded in.
• Colors are not allowed to be used in the drawings unless it helps to show the invention better.

These requirements are just a handful of what is required, and with just these few you can see how important it is to pay close attention when creating these drawings so you don’t accidentally copy someone else’s invention or incorrectly sketch one.

How JCAD Can Help

If you don’t precisely have the time to keep track of the intricate USPTO details to ensure no copying is done, you can use the services of JCAD. JCAD will be able to help draw professional patent drawings that adhere precisely to what is required. Just send us your ideas, and you’ll get a quote on how much it will cost and how long it would take for your patent drawings to be completed.

When your patent drawing is done, JCAD will send you the 3D CAD files which you can then print. In addition to all this, We will let you keep track of the process through our special eDrawings feature. Here you’ll be able to watch your patent drawing being drafted and you’ll be able to ask for any changes during the process.

If you’re an inventor who has come up with an amazing idea, and want some help developing it while making sure that you’re not copying anyone (or being copied), take a look at our patent drawing and idea process.

Here at JCAD-Inc, professional patent drawers will sketch out your creation and ensure that it meets all USPTO guidelines so that your invention succeeds. Better yet, you’ll have access to unique features so you can keep close track of the process. Give us a call at 1-888-202-2052 or email jason@jcadusa.com.

Jason Vander Griendt

Jason Vander Griendt is a Mechanical Engineering Technician with years of experience working at major companies such as SNC Lavalin Inc, Hatch Ltd. Siemens and Gerdau Ameristeel. He is the CEO of JCAD – Inc., a company he started in 2006 after seeing a gap in the market for businesses who could assist clients through the entire product design and manufacturing process.

Jason has been featured in Forbes, has had his businesses analyzed and discussed in multiple start-up books, was a previous winner of the Notable8 Digital Innovator of the year award, and is a regular guest on business panels and podcasts. Email Jason at jason@jcadusa.com or follow him on LinkedIn.

The post Where to Find Patent Drawings appeared first on J-CAD Inc. 1.888.202.2052.

Well, simply put there are rules that must be followed when submitting for a patent on your drawing. But these rules do not specify that you need to use a computer to create a patent drawing. It’s up to you how the drawing is created, and many people opt to submit hand-drawn patent applications.

Here are some of the patent drawing rules you’ll need to adhere too:

Patent Drawing rules:

• Black ink on white paper.
• Color is rarely allowed, only when necessary to describe the invention. (A petition must be submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) beforehand if this is the case.)
• Photographs are only allowed where necessary for displaying the invention. Photos are more appropriate when you’re physically demonstrating a product.
• The paper must be white, matte (non-shiny), flexible and strong. Writing is only allowed on one side.
• The paper size must be either 21cm by 29.7cm or 21.6cm by 27.9cm. (8 ½ by 11 inches.)

There are more rules, and you can find them here. So go ahead and check that out after you read this article if you need more info about the technicalities!

From a perhaps more selfish point of view, you could say that when you hand-draw something it has more of your own personal flair. Human beings by nature love having the bragging rights of saying “Hey, I did this and now you get to see how well I did”.

Besides bragging rights, the ability to explain your invention in depth, on paper while talking to your inventor is pretty handy too. Besides, any possible edits to your invention are easier to fix on paper, with a pencil and eraser.

A bit of history regarding hand drawn patents

Did you know that it was previously required for you to hire an Official Craftsman to draw your invention for you? Patent drawing has come pretty far in the past two-hundred years, with many changes that have made it easier for creators to turn their dreams into reality.

In the year 2000, the PTO adjusted the number of revisions applicants are required to give, talk about a stress reliever! Prior to the year 1836, it wasn’t required for you to give two copies of your Patent Drawing to the USPTO.

Up until 1880, you were required to include an actual model of your invention with your drawing. So, the hired draftsman spent the extra time to make sure that the drawing lined up with the model for maximum success. Many believe that these are some of the reasons why today’s drawings are mostly lines and numbers, as opposed to the beautiful drawings from the past.

Before today’s simplified drawing style, the artist’s renderings had shading, multiple perspectives, and texture. Perhaps the decline in detail is due to the ease of communication between inventor and artist, instead of a pretty drawing of your work.

Especially with technology being so advanced these days, all you really need are basic lines and dimensions and the prototype can be created on your computer and in 3D no less.

Now the history lesson is over, if you have any more questions or need a patent drawing for your next amazing invention, gives us a call on 1.888.202.2052 or email jason@jcadusa.com. We have a long history in helping people prepare for patent applications, so as well as providing you with patent drawings we can explain the potential pitfalls you need to watch out for too.

Jason Vander Griendt

Jason Vander Griendt is a Mechanical Engineering Technician with years of experience working at major companies such as SNC Lavalin Inc, Hatch Ltd. Siemens and Gerdau Ameristeel. He is the CEO of JCAD – Inc., a company he started in 2006 after seeing a gap in the market for businesses who could assist clients through the entire product design and manufacturing process.

Jason has been featured in Forbes, has had his businesses analyzed and discussed in multiple start-up books, was a previous winner of the Notable8 Digital Innovator of the year award, and is a regular guest on business panels and podcasts. Email Jason at jason@jcadusa.com or follow him on LinkedIn.

The post Why are Patent Drawings Hand Drawn? appeared first on J-CAD Inc. 1.888.202.2052.

To apply for a patent or file a patent application you’re going to need detailed drawings of your invention

Once you know how to file a patent application, and assuming your submission is successful your product ideas are protected, your invention belongs to you, and you can seek financial compensation if anyone steals and makes money from your idea.

Therefore the possibility of getting a patent essentially gives business people the power to freely explore their creativity and come up with innovative ideas, and then to go on a reap the benefits of them. Unfortunately patents only last for 14 – 20 years, and after expiring the patented idea or invention becomes part of the public domain. That should be plenty of time for you however to manufacture your product, make millions and retire (or spend your days coming up with new products for which you already know how to obtain a patent)!

Related reading: Are patent drawings done by hand?

How to apply for a patent

To successfully patent your invention (and there’s no guarantee it will be approved, so it’s important to get the job right the first time) there are a number of steps you will need to go through. This include:

Figuring out whether your are eligible for a patent on your invention

Some things, like abstract concepts or natural items without adulteration are not able to be patented. If you have developed a manufacturable good or improvement on one already in existence however you should be fine

Pick your patent category

Is your invention utilitarian or is it based in design? This will determine the type of patent you need to file for.

Is your idea really unique?

Sometimes that incredibly unique idea you thought you had has already unfortunately been developed already by someone else. Make sure you do a search on current patents to make sure you’re not impinging on someone else’s rights.

Prepare the patent application

Patents are complex. If this is your first time you’re going to need some help. Contact us at JCAD and we’ll point you in the right direction. You may also need the help of a legal team who specialize in patent work.

You may also need patent drawings that show the specifications of your part or product. We can help.

Provisional application for a patent?

Do you need an early patent on your invention (the type that lets you say “patent pending”)? If yes, you might need to make an application for a provisional patent. These are less expensive but only last for one year, and need to be followed soon after with a regular patent application.

Can you afford it?

Patenting an invention can be expensive. If you are not able to afford it upfront you may need to look for investors. Try angel investors or venture capital firms, or if you think your idea will go viral you could try crowdfunding your idea through kickstarter or another crowdsourcing platform. We can help you with that too!

For more information about patent drawings or how to write or file for a patent on your invention give JCAD a call. We have worked with a number of inventors to help them in the process of applying for patents. For a more in-depth explanation of the patent process your might also like to check out this wikihow article here.

Jason Vander Griendt

Jason Vander Griendt is a Mechanical Engineering Technician with years of experience working at major companies such as SNC Lavalin Inc, Hatch Ltd. Siemens and Gerdau Ameristeel. He is the CEO of JCAD – Inc., a company he started in 2006 after seeing a gap in the market for businesses who could assist clients through the entire product design and manufacturing process.

Jason has been featured in Forbes, has had his businesses analyzed and discussed in multiple start-up books, was a previous winner of the Notable8 Digital Innovator of the year award, and is a regular guest on business panels and podcasts. Email Jason at jason@jcadusa.com or follow him on LinkedIn.

The post How to Patent An Invention appeared first on J-CAD Inc. 1.888.202.2052.