J – CAD Inc. works with many clients globally helping them design prototypes or providing them with patent drawings through our CAD drafting services. Once the design is approved, we can easily make your prototype part(s) and ship them to your door for product approval. After assisting you with your prototype & patent process, we can also assist you with mass production as we have mold making and manufacturing capabilities as well.

International Patent Drawings Requirements

  • Black ink on white paper.
  • Color is rarely allowed, and only when the color is necessary to describe the invention (a separate petition must be submitted to the USPTO before color is allowed).
  • Photographs are only allowed where photographs are the only practical method of displaying the invention. For example, inventions involving a scientific gel are not suitable for drawings, and photographs are more appropriate to physically demonstrate the invention.
  • The paper must be white, matte (non-shiny), flexible and strong. Writing is only allowed on one side of the paper.
  • The paper size must be either 21cm by 29.7cm or 21.6cm by 27.9 cm (8 1/2 by 11 inches)
  • Each page must have margins of specific length on all sides (visit www.uspto.gov to find the specific dimensions).
  • The drawing(s) must contain as many views as necessary to properly show the invention. Exploded views and blown-up partial views of specific portions of the invention may be used. If you do need to show different views of the invention, the drawings must be grouped together and facing the same direction on the page.
  • Drawings are preferred to be in upright form (as opposed to the horizontal landscape drawings).
  • The drawing should be drawn on a scale that will not be crowded when reproduced at 2/3 size. Indications like “full scale” or “1/2 scale” are not acceptable since they lose their meaning with reproduction in a different format.
  • Shading is encouraged where it aids in understanding the invention.
  • Numbers are preferred to letters as reference characters in a drawing. When using letters, the English alphabet must be used.

Hire J – CAD and we will provide you with drawings that meet these requirements

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Prototyping your product before patenting it

Before you apply for a patent on your idea it’s worthwhile refining your design until it is perfect. The best way to do that is to have us create a CAD file of your idea and 3D print it.

To get started with a prototype or patent drawing we typically need a sketch, a PDF, an image file, or an existing CAD file.

Steps to prototype a product

  1.  Send us a sketch of your idea including some rough dimensions of parts or send us a picture of a similar idea or product.
  2. Let us quote a price of creating the 3D CAD files you need to send to the 3D printer or fabrication shop.
  3. Approve the quote and let us design the product.
  4. You can see what we’re creating in 3D by downloading this FREE 3D viewer software called eDrawings. Download it for FREE ==> here <== and install it in only 30 seconds.
  5. Once the design is finalized, we can quote how much it will cost to 3D print it or manufacture and ship it to you, wherever you are in the world. We ship over night to any part of the globe!
  6. We 3D print or manufacture your design in whatever material and color you specify and ship to you.
  7.  DONE! Entire process from calling us to holding your idea in your hands is typically about a week. Yes! Just a week and you’ll have your idea in your hands!

Here is a typical sketch we get from a customer and what we turn it into:

Creating your patent drawing

Once a prototype is designed and finalized, it may be a good idea to have the design patented so that no one can copy it. A Patent is a legal document that basically says this design is the property of this person and cannot be copied and profited on. If someone goes against what is stated in the patent document, the patent owner can take legal action against the person violating the patent. Usually a patent requires CAD drawings of the design which is something that states the size of the design, it’s materials, it’s purpose etc.

J – CAD Inc. works with many clients all over the globe providing both Prototyping design and Patent drawings.

Here is a typical patent drawing we provide to a client which they then submit to their patent lawyer.

How to number patent drawings

According to the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure 608(p), you must follow these guidelines when submitting a patent application to the U.S. Patent Office:

  • Your reference characters (numerals preferred), sheet numbers, and view numbers must be plain an easily readable. They must also not be associated with brackets or inverted commas, or enclosed within outlines. You must be sure that you orient in the same direction for easy reading, and your reference characters should follow the depicted object.
  • The English alphabet must be used. The Greek alphabet is an exception due to its ability to indicate angles, wavelengths, and mathematics formulas.
  • Numbers, letters, and reference characters must measure at least .33 cm. (⅛ inch) in height. They should not be placed in the drawing, so they won’t interfere with its comprehension. When necessary, such as indicating a surface or cross section, a reference character may be underlined and a blank space may be left in the shading where the character occurs to appear distinct.
  • The same part of an invention, that appears in more than one view of the drawing, must always be designated by the same reference character. Also, the same reference character must never be used to designate different parts.
  • Reference characters not mentioned in the description will not appear in the drawings. Also, characters mentioned in the description must appear in the drawings.

While it isn’t generally required, it is customary to group numbers relative to the disclosure for easy finding, understanding, and reading.

USPTO Guide to Preparation of Patent Drawings

Guidelines to follow:

  • Draw primarily in black and white unless color is absolutely needed.
  • Use India ink on all drawings.
  • Drawing must scale once it’s reduced to two-thirds its size.
  • Include identification above each drawing, with the invention’s name, the inventor’s name, and application number.
  • All drawings must be submitted on 11-inch by 8.5-inch white paper or A4 paper and must:
    • Be non-shiny, flexible, free of creases or folds, be durable, and white.
    • Be free of erasures, alterations, overwritings, and interlineations.
  • Margins are at least 1-inch on the top and left sides, ⅜ inch on the right, and ⅝ inch on the bottom.
  • Include scan points (crosshairs) on two kitty-cornered margins.
  • Never superimpose one drawing over the other.
  • If needed use a legend or symbols to describe drawings.
  • Avoid solid black shading, except in bar-graphs.
  • Use lead lines to guide from the drawing to the symbol associated with it in the legend.
  • Number each page, and view in Arabic numerals.
  • No holes in paper.
  • Photographs must follow the same rules of type, size, and margins as sketches.

Keep reading

There is a complete list of rules in Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations.Things to consider while working:

  • Copyright or Mask work notices. To be placed directly below the relevant portion. Must only be ⅛ inch by ¼ inch and only used in law cases, must be included in the specifications.
  • Numbering of Sheets. Must be numbered in arabic numerals, in the middle of the top sheet, not in the margin. Must also include two numerals separated by a line to show the page of pages. Numerals must be larger than numbers used to identify portions of the drawing.
  • Numbering of views. Also to be numbered in arabic Partial views must be followed by a capital letter. No brackets, circles, or inverted commas. Must be preceded by “FIG”, unless single view.
  • Security markings. Can be used, but must be in the center of the top margin.
  • All corrections must be permanent and durable.
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What is patent drawing sectional view?

Patent drawing sectional view is pretty self-explanatory. It is one of many views that a patent drawing may be drawn in, and this particular viewpoint gives your audience a better understanding of the inside of the invention.

For example, imagine you take an orange and slice it into eight sections. Each section of the orange now has several viewpoints such as front, each side, and inside. This would provide you with a better understanding of the orange itself because you can see it from multiple viewpoints.

Well, the same could be said about a patent drawing. You take your invention, slice it, and you get a better understanding of the invention.
Keep reading

In sectional views, there can also be orthogonal or perspective views. Such as:

  • A front perspective sectional view
  • A front sectional view
  • A side sectional view
  • Any additional views required
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Provisional Patent Drawing Rules

  • Search for inventions similar to There’s no need to spend a bunch of money if your invention isn’t “new”. The patent examiners will also be searching for this, they call it “Prior art”, which are previously submitted patent applications. They do this to ensure that your application isn’t an old patent application. You can also hire a professional to search the USPTO’s files and technical journals for you.
  • Describe, describe, describe. You should be able to adequately explain what your invention does, how it does it, and how to make it. You must be able to describe it well enough that someone could theoretically reproduce your invention; But why?

Keep reading

Simply put, this is to protect your description from any future “problems”. Such as inconsistencies or added details that weren’t there previously. Which is a big no-no. Your drawing can be black and white, color, hand sketched or computer generated. When describing your invention you should include:

  • Your invention’s name
  • The inventor’s name
  • The invention’s uses
  • How the parts fit together
  • How it works
  • An identification of the illustrations provided
  • And alternative uses

Complete and file your patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. You can do this either by mail or online and you should include information about the applicant, information about the invention, and a description of the attachments. The filing fees ($65 for micro-entities; and $130 for mini-entities) should also be included with the application.

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Non-Provisional Patent Application Templates

In order to file the non-provisional patent, the application must have a declaration/oath, the fee, specification documentation that describes the patent, and sketches.

Contents of the specification

The “specification” must have:

  • The invention’s title
  • References to similar applications
  • Descriptions of the research’s federal sponsorship
  • Invention’s history and summary
  • Sketching summary
  • Precise details about the invention
  • Claims
  • Disclosure abstract

Keep reading

For the application to be finished, it must have these documents:

  • Data sheets ( 37 CFR 1.76)
  • Claims
  • Needed sketches
  • Declaration that has been executed
  • Transmittal Utility document
  • Amino or nucleotide sequencing (if needed)
  • Computer lists and tables (if needed)

Title

Your title must not be longer than 50 characters, and must be precise. It should also relate to the invention type, and either a procedure and/or product.

Cross-Reference

When cross-referencing other prior or similar applications you must cite the prior application using:

  • Date of filing
  • Application code
  • Kind of relationship to your invention

Priority over foreign applications can’t be claimed using cross-reference and instead, you must use an oath or a declaration. If priority is being claimed over a U.S. patent application then said application’s data sheet can be used.

However, you must make your claim either at the time of filing or no later than four months afterwards.

Background of the invention

Your invention’s history must include its sector as well as a summary of the drawings you include. Determining the invention’s sector really helps the USPTO sort it into the correct place for proper review.

Description of the related art

While giving a description of similar inventions keep it short, sweet, and to the point. You don’t have to talk about specific previous patents, instead, you can cite them on a separate statement of information disclosure.

In your actual invention summary, you should outline the most important individual patent claims. But again, keep it short and only about the invention.

Claims

When making a claim you must clearly and specifically state which area you believe your invention falls into. This is due to the fact that your claim’s broadness will determine the potential acceptance of a patent.

A few notes about claims:

  • You will write the claims after your specific description on a separate form.
  • It is one sentence, beginning with a capital and ending with a period.
  • Must include the body, transition, and a preamble*

*a preamble gives a broad summary of the invention’s known steps and aspects.

There are two kinds of claims:

  • Independent= Depend or refer to any claim
  • Dependant= Depend or refer to other claims and should be grouped with claims they depend on.
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Can I use Google SketchUp for Patent Drawings?

So you’re wondering if you can use Google SketchUp for your patent drawing needs. Well, the simple answer is yes. It’s a great program with many happy users. However, it does have its limits and certain parts of the program may not agree with your needs.

The free program is centered more towards 3D illustrations than 2D. However, with SketchUp Pro you can take your 3D projects and export them to 2D and 3D CAD applications. SketchUp Pro is bundled with LayOut, so you can create 2D presentations of your SketchUp drawings with it.

Not only is the program easy to use, but it also provides some helpful tools for creating some pretty awesome stuff! There are also tons of tutorials on YouTube on how to use the program, helpful tips and tricks about how to create certain types of drawings, etc.

While it may not be the go-to program for Patent Drawings, it is a good alternative for those who may not have the money to spend on a really extravagant program.

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Why Work with us

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  • Services all around the Globe

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