Legal Definitions - workpiece

In patent law, a workpiece refers to the specific product, device, system, or even a component that embodies an invention. It is the tangible or conceptual manifestation of the invention, which the patent application describes in detail, explaining how to construct it and how it functions. Essentially, it's the "thing" that the patent is designed to protect.

• Example 1: A Novel Drone Design

  Imagine an inventor develops a new type of drone with a unique folding mechanism that allows it to be stored in a much smaller space than conventional drones, along with a proprietary battery system that extends its flight time significantly. The patent application would detail the drone's specific design, the materials used for its folding frame, and the components of its battery system.

  In this scenario, the entire drone, with its innovative folding frame and extended-life battery system, is the workpiece. The patent claims would describe how to manufacture this specific drone and how its unique features are used by an operator.

• Example 2: An Advanced Medical Implant

  Consider a biomedical engineer who invents a new type of biodegradable stent for heart patients. This stent is designed to slowly dissolve in the body over a precise period, releasing medication as it degrades, and is made from a novel polymer blend that minimizes allergic reactions.

  The specific biodegradable stent, including its unique polymer composition, structural design, and drug-delivery mechanism, is the workpiece. The patent would outline the stent's exact composition, how it is manufactured, and how it is implanted and functions within the human body.

• Example 3: A Specialized Industrial Robot Arm

  An engineering firm designs a new robotic arm for manufacturing facilities that can perform extremely delicate assembly tasks with unprecedented precision, using a unique haptic feedback system and a novel joint design that allows for greater flexibility in tight spaces.

  The specialized robotic arm, encompassing its unique joint mechanisms, haptic sensors, and control system, is the workpiece. The patent application would describe the arm's construction, the materials used for its components, and how it is programmed and operated to achieve its precise movements in an industrial setting.