Can a design patent cover multiple parts of a single article?
Yes, a design patent can cover multiple parts of a single article. The MPEP 1504.01(b) states:
“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 scenario, the overall article is typically shown in broken (dashed) lines to indicate that it is not part of the claimed design. The specific parts that are being claimed as the design are shown in solid lines. This approach allows designers to protect specific parts or components of a larger article without claiming the entire article itself.
For example, in a design patent for a car’s taillight assembly, the overall car body might be shown in broken lines, while the taillight components are shown in solid lines. This indicates that the design claim is specifically for the taillight assembly, not the entire car.
It’s important to note that when depicting multiple parts of a single article, no bracket is needed in the drawing, unlike when showing multiple separate articles.
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