Patent It Yourself - PDF Archive

260 | Patent it YOURSELF
I recommend that you make your drawings as comprehensive
and meaningful as possible, almost to the point
that most people can fully understand the invention by
looking at the drawings alone. This is because most people
are picture, rather than word, oriented and thus can understand
an invention far more readily from drawings because
they are a lower level of abstraction than text.
For example, in electronic schematics, try to arrange the
parts so that:
• the signal progresses from left to right
• the input sources and output loads are clearly
indicated
• transistor states are indicated (that is, NNC =
normally nonconductive; NC = normally conductive)
• signal waveforms are shown, and
• circuits are labeled by function (for example, “Schmitt
Trigger”).
In chemical and computer cases, I suggest you use a
flowchart, if possible. In mechanical cases, I suggest you use
exploded views, perspective views from several directions,
and simplified perspective “action” views, showing the
apparatus in operation and clearly illustrating its function.
In other words, do the drawings so completely that they
“speak” to their reader.
Notes:
Metric to inch conversion numbers are not exact
but are copied from Rule 84(f)&(g). In case of
doubt, always use a wider margin (smaller sight).
Margin lines should not be used but are shown
as broken lines to indicate the margin and “sight”
sizes. Visible crosshairs (targets) should be put
in either pair of opposite corners and should be
about 1.5 cm (0.5") long. (The crosshairs are shown
on these two sheets in the lower left and upper
right corners.)
Fig. 10B—The Two Permitted Drawing Sizes