INTERNATIONAL PATENT DRAFTING COMPETITION HYPOTHETICAL PROBLEM

Transcription

1 INTERNATIONAL PATENT DRAFTING COMPETITION HYPOTHETICAL PROBLEM Below you will find a hypothetical invention disclosure from a hypothetical inventor. Assume this is a disclosure from a hypothetical first time inventor, who while technically adept, is relatively unsophisticated when in comes to patent matters. Accordingly, while the hypothetical inventor has provided certain names, labels, etc. to the elements and connections of his/her device, you should not assume that the inventor has properly labeled such items (from a legal perspective) and you are not required to copy the same language of this disclosure when drafting your own application. Any assumptions you need to make should be supported in your specification. Invention Disclosure Attached you will find illustrations pertaining to the proposed invention the proposed invention is a state of the art 'spy watch'! As you can see from FIG. 1, the spy watch has a semi-transparent reflective mirror on the top surface of the watch face. So the user (i.e. the top secret spy) can raise their arm to check the time but in reality will be checking to see who might be following behind them. The watch has a frame, as you can see from FIG.2, which flips open. The frame has a one-way see through glass; the outer surface being see through and the inner surface being a reflective mirror (similar to interrogation rooms). As such, when the frame is closed, the user can see right through the outer surface to the top surface of the watch face to check the time and/or the mirror positioned on the top surface (as per FIG.1). However, when flipped open (as seen in FIG. 2), a user can view the inner surface of the frame, which is the reflective mirror portion. Referring to FIG. 3, the frame is rotatable around the top surface of the watch face. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the frame is rotatable using any standard wristwatch bezel. Information regarding the mechanics of watch bezels can easily be found online, for example check out any of these YouTube videos regarding the mechanics of watch bezels:

2 INTERNATIONAL PATENT DRAFTING COMPETITION HYPOTHETICAL PROBLEM Also, referring to FIGS. 3 & 4, the frame is rotatable around a pivot point connection, connecting the frame to the rotatable watch bezel. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 & 4, the pivot point connection is a dual-axis pivot connection (such as a universal joint connector). However, practically speaking, a number of different pivot point connections could work. For example, a swivel ball-joint connector (see for example ) could also work, and might in fact provide the added benefit of allowing the frame to rotate in 360 degrees of free motion in any direction. I am seriously considering incorporating such a swivel ball-joint connector in the next prototype of the spy watch. As seen in FIGS. 3 & 4, the dual rotational aspects of the frame (i.e. around the top surface of the watch face via the bezel and about the pivot point connection) along with the two mirrors (i.e. the mirror on the inner surface of the frame and the mirror positioned on the top surface of the watch face) conveniently permit the user to see around corners, similar to a periscope. An image can be reflected off of the mirror on the inner surface of the frame onto the mirror on the watch face. As such, the dual reflection aspect of the spy watch permits a user to discreetly see both behind them, as well as around corners and bends to make sure no one is following him/her or waiting around the corner! These reflective aspects are incorporated into standard watch features, so a potential follower would think that the user is simply checking the time on their wristwatch without realizing that they have been spotted! Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 5 & 6, the pivot point connection may also allow the user to release the frame from the bezel. This is accomplished by removing the pin from the dual-axis connector and releasing the frame from the pivot point connection. As seen in FIG. 6, this may allow a user greater flexibility in using the dual mirrors for reflections, although, not as discreetly as when the frame remains connected to the bezel. As I envision it, these features of the spy watch could be incorporated into any standard wristwatch. I am also exploring the possibility of packaging this as an after-market add-on to standard wristwatches, to convert a standard wristwatch into a spy watch. The frame could be sold as a standard bezel replacement for an ordinary watch and if sold as part of a kit with a reflective element that can be connected with the watch face, such as a small reflective strip that can be glued to the watch face, I think this could also be sold as an after-market modification to turn any standard wristwatch into a top secret spy watch! 2

3 1/6 FIG. 1

4 2/6 FIG. 2

5 3/6 FIG. 3

6 4/6 FIG. 4

7 5/6 FIG. 5

8 6/6 FIG. 6