Patent Figures

Patent Figures

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Many firms hire outside experts to take care of the drawings.  However, be aware that other firms expect the patent attorney to be capable of providing the drawings for the invention.

As such, there are some drawing resources you should be aware of.  Generally, a diagramming and vector graphics application may be used.  Without giving preference to any, such applications may include Microsoft Visio^[1]One of the benefits of Microsoft Visio is that it is ubiquitous and commonly used among practitioners.  However, it also comes with one of the greater price tags (almost $300). , OpenOffice/LibreOffice Draw^[2]Free, and provides close functionality to Visio. OpenOffice Draw is available at http://www.openoffice.org/download/, and LibreOffice Draw is available at http://www.libreoffice.org/download/. , Dia^[3]Free, and provides close functionality to Visio. Dia is available at http://dia-installer.de/download/index.html. , LucidChart^[4]This is a web based alternative and can be integrated into your Google Docs.  It is free up to a number objects/figures. Available at https://www.lucidchart.com/. , and Diagramly^[5]Free, and web based alternative. It can be integrated also into Google Docs. Available at https://www.draw.io/. .  I have used each of these programs at one time or another – and each can function for the purpose of creating the drawings. 

When making the drawings, keep in mind the need to identify (e.g. via a number and indicator, etc.) the key elements or parts of the figure.  Generally, an inventor may provide you with rough schematics or outlines of what was invented.  You take such schematics or outlines, and at a minimum, create clear drawings based on them.  As such, you may have one figure that mimics very closely what the inventor provided to you.  In another figure, you may provide a flow diagram based on the schematic.  Your supervisor will guide you on how best to show the invention through figures.

Additionally, to note, the drawings should be submitted in black and white, although in rare cases, color drawings may be permitted.^[6]Although color drawings would not be permitted in a PCT application.

The point of the Detailed Description is to describe what is shown in the figures (at a minimum).  This is done in writing as if the reader is standing next to you as you describe what the figure shows.  You use the reference numerals to draw the attention of the reader to the part of the figure you are discussing at any given time.  Additionally, with patent drawings you can show exploded views that allow you to show how the piece and parts fit together.  This enables the patent attorney to describe how to make the invention step by step, which is not only a good idea but a requirement of a patent application.