Consistency is the key to Quality - Consistency in patent drawings refers to maintaining uniformity to establish standards in various aspects of the drawings. This includes consistency in style, format, terminology, labeling, and layout. Achieving consistency in patent drawings requires attention to detail and best practices.
Consistency in patent drawings is important for creating high-quality drawings that effectively illustrate the figure. For example, the same part of a mechanical drawing visible from a different angle in different views should be similar.
Utility Patent Drawings
To keep consistency in any of the utility patent drawings, the following points should be kept in focus:
The placement of figure numbers and views should be in the same place on each sheet. If the client is specifically asking for the placement of the figure number on the left/right side, it should be consistent in every view. Example Fig. 73
All the views should be in the centre of the sheet. Example Fig. 73
If hatching is used to show the same data in different figures, must have the same style and density. Example Fig. 4 and 5
If using drop shadow, it should be applied to all figures.
The reference number style should be similar in all the figures.
Text cases (upper or lower) and font should be consistent throughout the drawings. Example Fig. 1 to 5
Mechanical Parts:
Consistency is most important in mechanical drawings. The following points must be kept in mind while illustrating any Mechanical drawing:
The screws/nuts/other parts on the same plane should be equal in size.
If shading lines are added to one part, they should be added to all the figures where the parts are visible.
The same part visible from a different angle in different views should be similar. Example Fig. 1 to 8
Apart from the general points mentioned above, there are a few more points in Flow Charts and Block Diagrams, Electrical circuits and Graphs to maintain consistency:
Flowcharts and Block Diagrams:
The text box/circle/block should be equal in size.
The long sentences should be manually wrapped up to adjust inside the box/circles. Also, the text should be in the centre of the boxes.
The length of the lines with the arrowhead should be equal. The arrow size should not be changed. Example Fig. 2
Graphs:
While drawing the graph, the numbers in the X and Y axis should be equal in distance.
The numbers on the Y-axis should be right-aligned.
The line showing the same subject of data in different graphs should be the same line type and line weight (solid, dash, dotted etc.)
Also, the symbols should be the same for the same subject of data in different graphs. Example Fig. 1 to 10
Electrical Circuits:
The electrical components can be scaled up or scaled down but the size should be constant for the same component. Example Fig. 224A, 224B
Design Patent Drawings
Parts and features, visible in perspective views should also be visible in respective orthographic views and vice-versa.
Unclaimed parts and features (broken lines/ dash lines/ stippled lines) visible in perspective views should be kept in broken lines/ dash lines/ stippled lines in respective orthographic views.
The same shading styles should be applied to respective orthographic views as applied to the perspective views.
In summary, consistency in patent drawings is essential for creating high-quality drawings that effectively illustrate the invention. When the patent drawings are consistent, they are easier to understand, and more professional-looking and it would be helpful for the patent examiner to understand the invention.
Desillus Solutions Inc. follows its standards of consistency on patent drawings under the guidelines of the patent office. If you are an inventor and looking for patent illustration work, contact us at info@desillus.com
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