Engineering Patents: Including Case Studies I & Ii

By Robert Tata

Engineering Patent Review describes patents and the patent process. It then, in Case Study I, examines all aspects of a patent assigned to a large U.S. corporation to improve performance of one of its products. It explains how four other patents examined as “prior art” were used to enhance the credibility of the sought after patent and how the three claims that were made skillfully protect against possible patent infringement. A twenty-two multiple choice question quiz follows. Case Study II teaches both patent application and the important design and operating characteristics of two different types of anti-friction bearings. The patent application involves replacing conventionally used tapered roller bearing with angular contact ball bearings in a mechanical setting. It details important design features of both types of bearings and how it affects their installation and operation. “Prior art” (patents that are similar to the one being applied for) is examined and a conclusion drawn as to whether the patent application is to be allowed or denied. A twenty multiple choice question quiz follows.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491855706

Robert Tata

The author has a BSME from Case-Western University, Cleveland, Ohio. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio. He has had 40 years of Mechanical Engineering experience, 26 of which were with the General Motors Corporation. While there, he obtained U.S. Patent number 4,645,432, “Magnetic Drive Vehicle Coolant Pump”. He went on to become a leader in anti-friction bearing applications in both the automotive and industrial fields. Valuable experience was also gained in gears and mechanical power transmission. Prior to that he was employed by TRW, Cleveland, Ohio, where he was responsible for bearings, gears and mechanical power transmission in the aircraft and missile fields under the tutelage of Mr. Thomas Barish, a leading mechanical power transmission consultant. Also, Mr. Tata has authored 27 technical papers that are available on the internet and other sources for professional development hours. He is also the author of the book “The Development of U.S. Missiles During the Space Race with the U.S.S.R.”. It is based on his experience, early in his career, working as a Flight Test Engineer at Cape Canaveral, Florida during the Cold War with the U.S.S.R.. More recently, Mr. Tata has ventured outside the technical field in authoring his second book, “The Greatest American Presidents”. Following that is his third work, a part technical, part historical book titled “How Detroit became the ‘Automotive Capital of the World’ ”. The fourth book is a workbook sized publication titled “Mechanical Engineering Primer” complete with a multiple choice quiz for classroom use or any other party so inclined.

Book preview

ENGINEERING

PATENTS

INCLUDING CASE STUDIES I & II

ROBERT TATA, B.M.S.E., P.E.

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© 2014 Robert Tata, B.M.S.E., P.E. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 02/18/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4918-5571-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-5570-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014901246

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Cover photos by Bobbie & Don Gfell’s Sights and Sounds of Edison, Milan, Ohio [e-mail]

Interior design and layout by Ronald Pono.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

NEW PATENT LAW

PATENT PROCESS

CASE STUDY I

QUIZ

ANSWER KEY

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

OVERVIEW

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PART 2

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND

TAPERED ROLLER BEARING GEARSHAFT

BALL BEARING GEARSHAFT

PRIOR ART

QUIZ

ANSWER KEY

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

OVERVIEW

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION

This book is written in two parts. The first part contains general information on patents and the first of two case studies pertaining to patents that were sought after by a major U.S. car company. The second part of this book describes the second case study from the same car company regarding a patent on rolling contact bearing competitive usage.

A patent is a legal document issued by the government that gives the engineering applicant exclusive rights to an invention for a period of 20 years. The invention must be something that is new and useful to society. An invention that is obvious to a person with average skill in a given field is not patentable. Patents are sometimes assigned to a company with one or more of its employees listed as the inventor. This is usually done as a prior condition of employment between the company and the employees. Patent laws give individuals and companies incentive to develop their innovative ideas for their own benefit and for the benefit of others. Some large corporations spend