William John Stoffel Esq.

You can make preliminary patentability searching using many search engines on the internet.

Use a  search worksheet  

1) do internet search - look for similar or related products
can use yahoo.com, google.com, ask.com, etc

2) search US issued patents and US patent application

•  Search by Keywords

Try to think of any keywords related to the purpose, use and/or composition of the invention.

   See Simple way to think of Keywords

 Then think of synonyms of the keywords. Write down all combinations. As you search and get results, write down keywords gleamed from references.

    Use a keyword worksheet to record your words

 

• Forward and backward cited patents

 When you find a close patent, look at the patents cited on the front page and also the patents that cite the close patent. This is called looking at forward and backward references.

• Seach by US patent classification

Try to find the best class/subclasses for your inveniton would be classified in

           -Look at the class/subclass of the closest patents - also look up the classifications definitions on the uspto website

            http://www.uspto.gov/web/patents/classification/ 

           - now do a keyword search for each class/subclass and if possible, look at all patents in the closest  class/subclass(s)

• To Seach Google patents by Classification

  You can search google patents using both USPTO and international classification codes. For more information on classifications, please visit the USPTO's Patent Classification resources.

  Current US Classification: If you'd like to use U.S. classification codes to restrict your search, just enter:  uspclass:"99/385"

  International Classification: To restrict your search using international classification codes, just enter: intlpclass:"A63B 6308"

  - search for foreign issued and published patents  

  - search non-patent literature such as scientific journals, etc.