Mechanical Engineering
Provides a starting point for research in mechanical engineering.
Strategies for Searching for Patents
-
Patent searching is complex and time consuming. Plan on spending a few hours learning the search process and additional hours searching and evaluating results.
-
You will need to document your search. Keep careful records of which patent databases you search, what keywords and classification numbers you search in the databases, document numbers of the patent and application documents that you retrieve and examine, and the date and time of your search.
-
Keyword searching alone is never enough. A comprehensive patent search requires that you search by classification and sub-classification numbers.
Databases to Search for Patents
TOP PATENT DATABASE
-
European Patent Office (EPO)Search for European, US, Japanese and other worldwide patents.
OTHER PATENT DATABASES
-
Lens.orgSearch, analyze and manage patent data and only database with genetic data
-
Google PatentsCovers patents and applications from USPTO, EPO, WIPO, DPMA, CIPO and SIPO.
-
Derwent Innovations IndexFacilitates rapid, precise patent searching and merges the value-added patent information from Derwent World Patents Index with the patent citation information from Derwent Patent Citation Index. Conduct patent and citation searches of inventions in chemical, electrical, electronic, and mechanical engineering.
-
InnovationQ PlusAn intellectual property analytics tool used for researching patents, patent applications, and prior art.
-
Patent Public SearchUnited States Patent & Trademark Office database that covers U.S. patents issued from 1790 to the most recent weekly issue date.
Patent Searching Tutorial
Last Updated: Nov 18, 2025 2:44 PM
Subjects: Engineering