Science, Industry and Business Library
(SIBL) > Patents and Trademarks Home
Patents Searching Tools
The Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL) includes both print
and electronic resources for finding patents.
USPTO Database/Web Site
Search Tools
Searching Guides
Classes
USPTO Database/Web Site
Cassis
Cassis is a CD ROM database of U.S. Patents produced by the USPTO. It allows
users to search by classification all patents granted by the United States
since 1790. Cassis also provides electronic versions of some USPTO publications,
such as the Index to the US Patent Classification System and the Manual of
Classification. The database is updated every two months.
United States Patent and Trademark
Office
Patent searching can be done directly on the USPTO's web site
(www.uspto.gov). Full text and images
are available from 1976 to date. Patent numbers only are available
from 1790 to 1975. The USPTO's web page offers excellent information
on all aspects of patents, including , fee schedules, online versions
of their most popular brochures, forms, and background information
on patents.
Search Tools
Index to the US Patent Classification System
The Index allows users to locate the general area of the Manual of Classification
that covers the area of technology related to an invention, using both technical
and everyday language. Using the Index is the first step of a Novelty Patent
Search.
Manual of Classification
The Manual of Classification arranges all areas of technology into a hierarchical
classification scheme. Using class and subclass in a novelty patent search
allows you to locate all the patents granted in a specific area of technology.
Classification Definitions
The definitions to establish the scope of classes and subclasses. The definitions
include important search notes and suggests other related classes and subclasses
for further search.
Searching Guides
A Guide to Novelty Patent Searching
Gives a basic introduction to the steps of conducting a novelty search at SIBL.
Copies are available at the McGraw desk, in the EIC, and in electronic format.
Searching US Patents with Cassis
This guide gives step-by-step instructions on how to use the US Patent and
Trademark Office's CD-ROM product to complete Step 4: Search for Patent Numbers
described in the A Guide to Novelty Patent Searching (above). Copies are
available at the EIC Desk and in electronic format and in a version with
fewer graphics.
Classes
Introduction to Patents
This class provides a general introduction to patents and SIBL's patent resources,
and it gives step-by-step instructions on how to do a novelty patent search.
It is taught by a SIBL librarian and is offered free
of charge, in SIBL's Electronic Information Center. For a current schedule
of class dates and times, see SIBL's Schedule
of Classes.
