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Design Patent Drawings Explained

Overview

The drawings of a design patent are very important and must make the design claimed clear.

Normally design patent drawings are black and white line drawings. In some instances photographs can be submitted instead of drawings but only if a photograph is the only way to practically illustrate the design.

What should the design patent drawings look like?

The design patent drawings should include surface shading for three dimensional objects to make the shape of the design clear.

The shading can be done with small lines or stippling (small dots). Line shading and stippling can be in the same drawing but should not be on the same surface. Also oblique lines should be used on the surface of a transparent, translucent, highly polished, or reflective surface.

MPEP 1503.02(II)

Viewing Examples of Design Patent Drawings

USPTO Design Patent Filing Guide

USPTO Design Patent Filing Guide – Drawing Examples Section

Look Up a Patent

Use the USPTO full patent search function and search a random keyword and look for a patent number in the list with a D in front of it (D for design patent).
Click on the patent number.
When on the new page, then next click on images button on the top of the page.
When on the new page, click on the button “full pages” on the left. You’ll see the design patent in the pdf viewer.

Use Broken Lines Only in Specific Ways

A broken line – or in other words a dashed line – should be used for something which will not be included as part of the design. One common element, which is not included in the design is something which is shown for context, such as an environmental structure, like the design will be connected to another element. Also a broken line can show the boundary of the design. MPEP 1503.02(III)

Photographs Instead of Drawings in a Design Patent

Photographs can replace drawings only if photographs are the only way to practically illustrate the design.
Usually the photographs are in black and white.
A design patent application cannot contain drawings and photographs in the same application.
The photographs should not show any background elements.

MPEP 1503.02(V); 37 C.F.R. 1.152

How many drawings are required for a design patent application?

There is no specific amount of drawings needed for a design patent application, but the drawings should not leave any part of the design in question. Usually there will be 7 drawings. This is usually broken down as: a straight on view of each of the 6 sides of the object and then an angled view also called a perspective view. There can also be two perspective views, one from the top and one from the bottom.

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