Wacky Patents

Is it wacky or is it genius asks Patent Assistance Worldwide? The answer to that question is often in the eye of the inventor. The U.S. patent office will issue a patent for an invention that meets the required criteria, wacky or not.

Patents are issued for inventions that meet four basic tests; patentable subject matter, utility, novelty and non-obviousness. Of the four criteria, utility is the most liberally judged. U.S. patent laws date back to the late 18th century and over the last two hundred years; the office has issued patents on some pretty interesting inventions. Wacky patents are not a new phenomenon.

A patent grants a body of exclusive rights to an inventor in exchange for making knowledge of the invention public shares Patent Assistance Worldwide. The patent is extended for a limited period of time and protects the owner by prohibiting others from making, using, selling or distributing the invention without permission. Patent Assistance Worldwide can help inventors at every stage of the patent process. You have the creative idea; they have the expertise to help you get it patented and to bring it to market.

American inventors are not short on creative ideas. Patent Assistance Worldwide shares just a few examples of some wacky patents issued by the U.S. Patent office.
• Keep it cool with a motorized ice cream cone (Patent #5971829). All you have to do is stick out your tongue and turn on the motor. The cone rotates as you lick away.
• For the busy mom, there is the baby-patting device (Patent #3552388). A bracket holds a mechanical arm that can be set up at the crib to pat the back or rump of the baby, soothing the little one to sleep.
• Californians will appreciate the combination earthquake detector, alarm clock and nightlight (Patent #4978948).
• Dieting? The patented fork with timer (#5421089) will signal when it’s time to stop eating.
• Save the picnic with the electrified tablecloth (Patent #5107620). Crawling things get an electric shock if they go for your sandwich.
• Is your dog dusty? Cover your pet with the dog dust cover (#3150641), the ultimate in good housekeeping.
• To catch mice that are not too bright, there is the mousetrap in the shape of a cat (#RE039371).

Patent Assistance Worldwide helps inventors by connecting them with a network of independent registered patent attorneys and independent patent agents who provide confidential assistance in developing a patent application. An unbiased group of legal professionals, university staff and other experts is available to review new ideas and to advise clients on the patentability of a new design.

Patent Assistance Worldwide acts as a clearinghouse, referring inventors to a network of professionals in countries around the world who can help with writing, drafting, graphic design, marketing and licensing. Important patents are issued every year for improvements to existing inventions and for brand new innovations. Patent Assistance Worldwide is committed to helping inventors realize the dream obtaining a patent and bringing a new design to the marketplace.