Patent Searching Step One - List of Search Terms
Guide to patent searching step one details
You will save time and search more efficiently if you first create a
list of search terms and concepts that describe your invention and its
components with details of each. Consider the following when making
your list:
1. Function - what utilitarian purpose does your invention serve or is it simply an ornamental design?
2. Use - how is your invention used?
3. Structure - what is your invention or its components made out of?
4. Effect - what does your invention or its components do?
After you make your initial list of terms identify any synonyms for
each term. The following online resources may be useful for
identifying additional search terms:
Thesaurus.com
Roget's Thesaurus (Rice only)
OneLook Reverse Dictionary
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms
Biotech Life Science Dictionary
Aerospace Science and Technology Dictionary
NASA Thesaurus
Sample Search
Invention: wheels for inline skates with improved tractionSearch terms with synomyms and related terms:
| Skate | Wheel | Rubber | Tread |
|---|---|---|---|
| wheeled vehicle | roller | polyurethane | grooves |
| rollerblade | tire | plastic | |
| inline skate | circle | polymer | |
| roller skate | sphere | aluminum | |
| wheeled shoe |
With your list of search terms in hand you are ready to search the Index to the U.S. Patent Classification System (Step Two).
