MPEP § 1504.01(b) — Design Comprising Multiple Articles or Multiple Parts Embodied in a Single Article (Annotated Rules)
§1504.01(b) Design Comprising Multiple Articles or Multiple Parts Embodied in a Single Article
This page consolidates and annotates all enforceable requirements under MPEP § 1504.01(b), including statutory authority, regulatory rules, examiner guidance, and practice notes. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only, it is not legal advice.
Design Comprising Multiple Articles or Multiple Parts Embodied in a Single Article
This section addresses Design Comprising Multiple Articles or Multiple Parts Embodied in a Single Article. Primary authority: 35 U.S.C. 171. Contains: 3 requirements, 1 guidance statement, 1 permission, and 2 other statements.
Key Rules
Drawing Views Required
While the claimed design must be embodied in an article of manufacture as required by 35 U.S.C. 171, it may encompass multiple articles or multiple parts within that article. See Ex parte Gibson, 20 USPQ 249 (Bd. App. 1933). When the design involves multiple articles, the title must identify a single entity of manufacture made up by the parts (e.g., set, pair, combination, unit, assembly). A descriptive statement should be included in the specification making it clear that the claim is directed to the collective appearance of the articles shown. If the separate parts are shown in a single view, the parts must be shown embraced by a bracket “}”. The claim may also involve multiple parts of a single article, where the article is shown in broken lines and various parts are shown in solid lines. In this case, no bracket is needed. See MPEP § 1503.01.
While the claimed design must be embodied in an article of manufacture as required by 35 U.S.C. 171, it may encompass multiple articles or multiple parts within that article. See Ex parte Gibson, 20 USPQ 249 (Bd. App. 1933). When the design involves multiple articles, the title must identify a single entity of manufacture made up by the parts (e.g., set, pair, combination, unit, assembly). A descriptive statement should be included in the specification making it clear that the claim is directed to the collective appearance of the articles shown. If the separate parts are shown in a single view, the parts must be shown embraced by a bracket “}”. The claim may also involve multiple parts of a single article, where the article is shown in broken lines and various parts are shown in solid lines. In this case, no bracket is needed. See MPEP § 1503.01.
While the claimed design must be embodied in an article of manufacture as required by 35 U.S.C. 171, it may encompass multiple articles or multiple parts within that article. See Ex parte Gibson, 20 USPQ 249 (Bd. App. 1933). When the design involves multiple articles, the title must identify a single entity of manufacture made up by the parts (e.g., set, pair, combination, unit, assembly). A descriptive statement should be included in the specification making it clear that the claim is directed to the collective appearance of the articles shown. If the separate parts are shown in a single view, the parts must be shown embraced by a bracket “}”. The claim may also involve multiple parts of a single article, where the article is shown in broken lines and various parts are shown in solid lines. In this case, no bracket is needed. See MPEP § 1503.01.
While the claimed design must be embodied in an article of manufacture as required by 35 U.S.C. 171, it may encompass multiple articles or multiple parts within that article. See Ex parte Gibson, 20 USPQ 249 (Bd. App. 1933). When the design involves multiple articles, the title must identify a single entity of manufacture made up by the parts (e.g., set, pair, combination, unit, assembly). A descriptive statement should be included in the specification making it clear that the claim is directed to the collective appearance of the articles shown. If the separate parts are shown in a single view, the parts must be shown embraced by a bracket “}”. The claim may also involve multiple parts of a single article, where the article is shown in broken lines and various parts are shown in solid lines. In this case, no bracket is needed. See MPEP § 1503.01.
Article of Manufacture Requirement
While the claimed design must be embodied in an article of manufacture as required by 35 U.S.C. 171, it may encompass multiple articles or multiple parts within that article. See Ex parte Gibson, 20 USPQ 249 (Bd. App. 1933). When the design involves multiple articles, the title must identify a single entity of manufacture made up by the parts (e.g., set, pair, combination, unit, assembly). A descriptive statement should be included in the specification making it clear that the claim is directed to the collective appearance of the articles shown. If the separate parts are shown in a single view, the parts must be shown embraced by a bracket “}”. The claim may also involve multiple parts of a single article, where the article is shown in broken lines and various parts are shown in solid lines. In this case, no bracket is needed. See MPEP § 1503.01.
Claims
While the claimed design must be embodied in an article of manufacture as required by 35 U.S.C. 171, it may encompass multiple articles or multiple parts within that article. See Ex parte Gibson, 20 USPQ 249 (Bd. App. 1933). When the design involves multiple articles, the title must identify a single entity of manufacture made up by the parts (e.g., set, pair, combination, unit, assembly). A descriptive statement should be included in the specification making it clear that the claim is directed to the collective appearance of the articles shown. If the separate parts are shown in a single view, the parts must be shown embraced by a bracket “}”. The claim may also involve multiple parts of a single article, where the article is shown in broken lines and various parts are shown in solid lines. In this case, no bracket is needed. See MPEP § 1503.01.
Optional Claim Content
While the claimed design must be embodied in an article of manufacture as required by 35 U.S.C. 171, it may encompass multiple articles or multiple parts within that article. See Ex parte Gibson, 20 USPQ 249 (Bd. App. 1933). When the design involves multiple articles, the title must identify a single entity of manufacture made up by the parts (e.g., set, pair, combination, unit, assembly). A descriptive statement should be included in the specification making it clear that the claim is directed to the collective appearance of the articles shown. If the separate parts are shown in a single view, the parts must be shown embraced by a bracket “}”. The claim may also involve multiple parts of a single article, where the article is shown in broken lines and various parts are shown in solid lines. In this case, no bracket is needed. See MPEP § 1503.01.
Citations
| Primary topic | Citation |
|---|---|
| Article of Manufacture Requirement Claims Drawing Views Required Optional Claim Content | 35 U.S.C. § 171 |
| Article of Manufacture Requirement Claims Drawing Views Required Optional Claim Content | MPEP § 1503.01 |
Source Text from USPTO’s MPEP
This is an exact copy of the MPEP from the USPTO. It is here for your reference to see the section in context.
Official MPEP § 1504.01(b) — Design Comprising Multiple Articles or Multiple Parts Embodied in a Single Article
Source: USPTO1504.01(b) Design Comprising Multiple Articles or Multiple Parts Embodied in a Single Article [R-08.2012]
While the claimed design must be embodied in an article of manufacture as required by 35 U.S.C. 171, it may encompass multiple articles or multiple parts within that article. See Ex parte Gibson, 20 USPQ 249 (Bd. App. 1933). When the design involves multiple articles, the title must identify a single entity of manufacture made up by the parts (e.g., set, pair, combination, unit, assembly). A descriptive statement should be included in the specification making it clear that the claim is directed to the collective appearance of the articles shown. If the separate parts are shown in a single view, the parts must be shown embraced by a bracket “}”. The claim may also involve multiple parts of a single article, where the article is shown in broken lines and various parts are shown in solid lines. In this case, no bracket is needed. See MPEP § 1503.01.