What are common objections to patent drawings?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

Common objections to patent drawings, as outlined in MPEP 608.02(e), include:

• Failure to show essential structural details (Form Paragraph 6.22.01)
• Different reference numbers referring to the same part (Form Paragraph 6.22.02)
• The same reference number used for different parts (Form Paragraph 6.22.03)
• Reference signs mentioned in the description but not in the drawings (Form Paragraph 6.22.06)
• Reference characters in the drawings not mentioned in the description (Form Paragraph 6.22.07)

These objections are based on non-compliance with various sections of 37 CFR 1.84, which governs standards for drawings in patent applications.