US5552995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Concurrent engineering design tool and method
Assignee: Stevens Institute of Technology
•
Filing: 1993-11-24
•
Granted: 1996-09-03
•
Expires: 2013-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A computer-based engineering design system to design a part, a tool to make the part, and the process to make the part. The design system has a processor and a memory. The memory stores feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function. Each feature template is indexed by the function of the primitive object and includes a representation of a primitive geometric entity having the form of the primitive object. Each feature template can include information relating to a tool to make the primitive object and a process to make the primitive object. The design system also includes an input device for receiving a request to design the part. This request includes one or more predetermined functions that the part performs. A core design module, executable by the processor, designs the part, the tool to make the part and process to make the part by accessing the plurality of feature templates in the memory to locate one or more primitive objects that perform the one or more predetermined functions.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald H. Sebastian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:37
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C33/00; B29C33/38; B29C33/3835; G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/4097; G06; G06F; G06F30/00; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/31; G05B2219/31398; G05B2219/35; G05B2219/35044; G05B2219/35081; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A computer-based engineering design system to design a part, a tool to make the part, and the process to make the part, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including a representation of a primitive geometric entity having the form of the primitive object, each feature template including information relating to a tool to make the primitive object and a process to make the primitive object; an input device coupled to the processor receiving a request to design the part, the request including one or more predetermined functions that the part performs; and a core design module executable by the processor, the core design module designing the part, the tool to make the part and process to make the part by accessing the plurality of feature templates in the memory to locate one or more primitive objects that perform the one or more predetermined functions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A computer-based engineering design system to design a part, a tool to make the part, and the process to make the part, comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including a representation of a primitive geometric entity having the form of the primitive object, each feature template including information relating to a tool to make the primitive object and a process to make the primitive object; an input device coupled to the processor receiving a request to design the part, the request including one or more predetermined functions that the part performs; and a core design module executable by the processor, the core design module designing the part, the tool to make the part and process to make the part by accessing the plurality of feature templates in the memory to locate one or more primitive objects that perform the one or more predetermined functions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The engineering design system of claim 1 further comprising an output device coupled to the processor, the output device displaying a graphical representation of the primitive geometric entity corresponding to each one or more primitive objects located by the processor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The engineering design system of claim 2 wherein at least one primitive geometric entity is displayed on the output device at a location on the output device specified by a user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The engineering design system of claim 2 wherein at least one primitive geometric entity is displayed on the output device at a location on the output device specified by the core design module.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The engineering design system of claim 2 wherein at least one primitive geometric entity is displayed on the output device at a location on the output device specified by the core design module and a user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The engineering design system of claim 2 wherein at least one primitive geometric entity is displayed on the output device at a location on the output device specified in the feature template that includes the primitive geometric entity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The engineering design system of claim 1 wherein a set of dimensions for each primitive geometric entity corresponding to each one or more primitive objects located by the processor is specified by a user.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The engineering design system of claim 1 wherein a set of dimensions for each primitive geometric entity corresponding to each one or more primitive objects located by the processor is determined by the core design module.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The engineering design system of claim 1 further comprising an interface to a computer-aided drafting system, the interface coupled to the processor and transmitting to the computer-aided drafting system a set of instructions defining the primitive geometric entity corresponding to each one or more primitive objects located by the processor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The engineering design system of claim 1 wherein each feature template is indexed by the form of the primitive object represented in the template.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The engineering design system of claim 1 wherein each feature template represents a primitive object having more than one function.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The engineering design system of claim 1 wherein each feature template represents a primitive object having one or more functions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The engineering design system of claim 1 wherein the core design module simultaneously designs the part, the tool to make the part and the process to make the part.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
198 words
A computer-based design system to design a part, a tool to make the part, and the process to make the part, the part comprising a plurality of sub-parts, the design system comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including a representation of a primitive geometric entity having the form of the primitive object, each feature template including information relating to a tool to make the primitive object and a process to make the primitive object; an input device coupled to the processor receiving a set of instructions, each instruction in the set of instructions referring to a sub-part and specifying the function that the sub-part performs; and a core design module executable by the processor, the core design module designing the part, the tool to make the part and process to make the part by accessing the plurality of feature templates in the memory to locate for each instruction a primitive object that performs the function specified for the sub-part.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
198 words
A computer-based design system to design a part, a tool to make the part, and the process to make the part, the part comprising a plurality of sub-parts, the design system comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including a representation of a primitive geometric entity having the form of the primitive object, each feature template including information relating to a tool to make the primitive object and a process to make the primitive object; an input device coupled to the processor receiving a set of instructions, each instruction in the set of instructions referring to a sub-part and specifying the function that the sub-part performs; and a core design module executable by the processor, the core design module designing the part, the tool to make the part and process to make the part by accessing the plurality of feature templates in the memory to locate for each instruction a primitive object that performs the function specified for the sub-part.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The engineering design system of claim 14 wherein the core design module further comprises means for combining the sub-parts to create the part.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The engineering design system of claim 14 wherein the core design module simultaneously designs the part, the tool to make the part and the process to make the part.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
162 words
A computer-based engineering design system to assist in designing a part and a tool to make the part, the system comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including a representation of a primitive geometric entity having the form of the primitive object, each feature template including information relating to a tool to make the primitive object; an input device coupled to the processor receiving a request to design the part, the request including a predetermined function that the part performs; and a core design module executable by the processor, the core design module designing the part and the tool to make the part by accessing the plurality of feature templates in the memory to locate the primitive object that best performs the predetermined function.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
162 words
A computer-based engineering design system to assist in designing a part and a tool to make the part, the system comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including a representation of a primitive geometric entity having the form of the primitive object, each feature template including information relating to a tool to make the primitive object; an input device coupled to the processor receiving a request to design the part, the request including a predetermined function that the part performs; and a core design module executable by the processor, the core design module designing the part and the tool to make the part by accessing the plurality of feature templates in the memory to locate the primitive object that best performs the predetermined function.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The engineering design system of claim 17 further comprising an output device coupled to the processor, the output device displaying a graphical representation of the primitive geometric entity corresponding to the primitive object located by the processor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The engineering design system of claim 18 wherein the graphical representation of the primitive geometric entity is displayed on the output device at a location on the output device specified by a user.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The engineering design system of claim 18 wherein the graphical representation of the primitive geometric entity is displayed on the output device at a location on the output device specified by the core design module.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The engineering design system of claim 18 wherein the graphical representation of the primitive geometric entity is displayed on the output device at a location on the output device specified by the core design module and a user.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The engineering design system of claim 18 wherein the graphical representation of the primitive geometric entity is displayed on the output device at a location on the output device specified in the feature template.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The engineering design system of claim 18 wherein a set of dimensions for the primitive geometric entity corresponding to the primitive object located by the processor is specified by a user.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The engineering design system of claim 18 wherein a set of dimensions for the primitive geometric entity corresponding to the primitive object located by the processor is determined by the core design module.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
The engineering design system of claim 17 further comprising an interface to a computer-aided drafting system, the interface coupled to the processor and transmitting to the computer-aided drafting system a set of instructions defining the primitive geometric entity corresponding to the primitive object located by the processor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The engineering design system of claim 17 wherein each feature template is indexed by the form of the primitive object represented in the template.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The engineering design system of claim 17 wherein the core design module simultaneously designs the part and the tool to make the part.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
153 words
A computer-based engineering design system to assist in designing a product and a tool to make the product, the system comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including a representation of a primitive geometric entity having the form of the primitive object, each feature template including information relating to the tool to make the primitive object; an input device coupled to the processor receiving a request to design the product, the request including a predetermined function that the product performs; and means for simultaneously designing the product and the tool to make the product by accessing the plurality of feature templates in the memory to locate the primitive object that best performs the predetermined function.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
153 words
A computer-based engineering design system to assist in designing a product and a tool to make the product, the system comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including a representation of a primitive geometric entity having the form of the primitive object, each feature template including information relating to the tool to make the primitive object; an input device coupled to the processor receiving a request to design the product, the request including a predetermined function that the product performs; and means for simultaneously designing the product and the tool to make the product by accessing the plurality of feature templates in the memory to locate the primitive object that best performs the predetermined function.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
185 words
A computer-based design system to assist in the simultaneous design of a part, a tool to make the part, and a process to make the part, the design system comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including a form information relating to the primitive object, tool information relating to a tool to make the primitive object and process information relating to a process to make the primitive object; an input device coupled to the processor receiving a request to design the part, the request including a predetermined function that the part performs; and a core design module executable by the processor, the core design module simultaneously designing the part, the tool to make the part and the process to make the part by accessing the plurality of feature templates in the memory to locate one or more feature templates representing primitive objects that perform the predetermined function.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
185 words
A computer-based design system to assist in the simultaneous design of a part, a tool to make the part, and a process to make the part, the design system comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including a form information relating to the primitive object, tool information relating to a tool to make the primitive object and process information relating to a process to make the primitive object; an input device coupled to the processor receiving a request to design the part, the request including a predetermined function that the part performs; and a core design module executable by the processor, the core design module simultaneously designing the part, the tool to make the part and the process to make the part by accessing the plurality of feature templates in the memory to locate one or more feature templates representing primitive objects that perform the predetermined function.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
30 words
The design system of claim 29 wherein each feature template further comprises material information relating to a material with which to make the primitive object that the feature template represents.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
194 words
A computer-based design system to assist in the simultaneous design of a complex object, a tool to make the complex object, and a process to make the complex object, the design system comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including a form information relating to the primitive object, tool information relating to a tool to make the primitive object and process information relating to a process to make the primitive object; an input device coupled to the processor receiving a request to design the complex object, the request including a predetermined function that the complex object should perform; and a core design module executable by the processor, the core design module simultaneously designing the complex object, the tool to make the complex object and the process to make the complex object by accessing the plurality of feature templates in the memory to locate one or more feature templates representing primitive objects that perform the predetermined function.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
194 words
A computer-based design system to assist in the simultaneous design of a complex object, a tool to make the complex object, and a process to make the complex object, the design system comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including a form information relating to the primitive object, tool information relating to a tool to make the primitive object and process information relating to a process to make the primitive object; an input device coupled to the processor receiving a request to design the complex object, the request including a predetermined function that the complex object should perform; and a core design module executable by the processor, the core design module simultaneously designing the complex object, the tool to make the complex object and the process to make the complex object by accessing the plurality of feature templates in the memory to locate one or more feature templates representing primitive objects that perform the predetermined function.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
181 words
A method to design a part, a tool to make the part and a process to make the part, comprising the steps of: receiving a set of constraint relationships that specify the desired function of the part; selecting a material with which to make the part; providing a set of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including part information including at least one representation of a primitive geometric entity having the form of the primitive object, each feature template further including tool information and process information relating to the primitive object; accessing the set of feature templates to obtain a selected feature template being a representation of a primitive object having the desired function and capable of being made from the selected material; and concurrently designing a part drawing, a tool drawing and a process specification to make the part by utilizing the part information, the tool information and the process information in the selected feature template.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
181 words
A method to design a part, a tool to make the part and a process to make the part, comprising the steps of: receiving a set of constraint relationships that specify the desired function of the part; selecting a material with which to make the part; providing a set of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including part information including at least one representation of a primitive geometric entity having the form of the primitive object, each feature template further including tool information and process information relating to the primitive object; accessing the set of feature templates to obtain a selected feature template being a representation of a primitive object having the desired function and capable of being made from the selected material; and concurrently designing a part drawing, a tool drawing and a process specification to make the part by utilizing the part information, the tool information and the process information in the selected feature template.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of displaying a representation of the part drawing on an output device by plotting a representation of the primitive geometric entity corresponding to the selected feature template.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of outputting the part specification to a tooling generator to produce a prototype tool.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of utilizing the part drawing, the tool drawing and the process specification to make the part.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of utilizing the part drawing, the tool drawing and the process specification to make a part specification.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 36 further comprising the step of inputting the part specification as a set of constraints to an automated design system.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
189 words
A method to concurrently design a part, a tool to make the part and a process to make the part, comprising the steps of: receiving a set of constraint relationships that specify the desired function of the part, the part having a plurality of sub-parts; for each sub-part, receiving a set of constraint parameters that specify the desired function of the sub-part; providing a set of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including form information, tool information and process information relating to the primitive object; for each sub-part of the part, accessing the set of feature templates to retrieve a selected feature template for each sub-part being a representation of a primitive object having the desired function of the sub-part; combining the form information in the selected feature templates for each sub-part to create a part drawing; and concurrently with the previous step, designing a tool drawing and a process specification by utilizing the tool information and the process information in the selected feature templates.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
189 words
A method to concurrently design a part, a tool to make the part and a process to make the part, comprising the steps of: receiving a set of constraint relationships that specify the desired function of the part, the part having a plurality of sub-parts; for each sub-part, receiving a set of constraint parameters that specify the desired function of the sub-part; providing a set of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including form information, tool information and process information relating to the primitive object; for each sub-part of the part, accessing the set of feature templates to retrieve a selected feature template for each sub-part being a representation of a primitive object having the desired function of the sub-part; combining the form information in the selected feature templates for each sub-part to create a part drawing; and concurrently with the previous step, designing a tool drawing and a process specification by utilizing the tool information and the process information in the selected feature templates.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the step of combining further comprises the step of providing connectivity information for all sub-parts in the part.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the step of combining further comprises the step of providing parametric relationships between sub-parts.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
159 words
A method to design a part, a tool to make the part and a process to make the part comprising the steps of: receiving a set of constraint relationships that specify the desired function of the part; selecting a material with which to make the part; providing a set of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including form information, tool information and process information relating to the primitive object; accessing the set of feature templates to obtain a selected feature template being a representation of a primitive object having the desired function and capable of being made from the selected material; and concurrently designing a part drawing, a tool drawing and a process specification to make the part by utilizing the form information, the tool information and the process information in the selected feature template.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
159 words
A method to design a part, a tool to make the part and a process to make the part comprising the steps of: receiving a set of constraint relationships that specify the desired function of the part; selecting a material with which to make the part; providing a set of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including form information, tool information and process information relating to the primitive object; accessing the set of feature templates to obtain a selected feature template being a representation of a primitive object having the desired function and capable of being made from the selected material; and concurrently designing a part drawing, a tool drawing and a process specification to make the part by utilizing the form information, the tool information and the process information in the selected feature template.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
173 words
A method to concurrently design a part having a plurality of sub-parts, a tool to make the part and a process to make the part, comprising the steps of: for each sub-part, receiving a set of constraint parameters that specify the desired function of the sub-part; providing a set of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including form information, tool information and process information relating to the primitive object; for each sub-part of the part, accessing the set of feature templates to retrieve a selected feature template for each sub-part being a representation of a primitive object having the desired function of the sub-part; combining the form information in the selected feature templates for each sub-part to create a part drawing; and concurrently with the previous step, designing a tool drawing and a process specification by utilizing the tool information and the process information in the selected feature templates.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
173 words
A method to concurrently design a part having a plurality of sub-parts, a tool to make the part and a process to make the part, comprising the steps of: for each sub-part, receiving a set of constraint parameters that specify the desired function of the sub-part; providing a set of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including form information, tool information and process information relating to the primitive object; for each sub-part of the part, accessing the set of feature templates to retrieve a selected feature template for each sub-part being a representation of a primitive object having the desired function of the sub-part; combining the form information in the selected feature templates for each sub-part to create a part drawing; and concurrently with the previous step, designing a tool drawing and a process specification by utilizing the tool information and the process information in the selected feature templates.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a computer-based design system, a method for designing a part, comprising the steps of: providing a set of part templates each representing an object that has a form and a function, each part template including form information; providing a set of tool templates each representing a tool to make an object, each tool template including tool information; providing a set of process templates each representing a process to make an object, each process template including process information; providing a set of feature templates, each feature template associated with a part template, a tool template and a process template; receiving a set of constraint relationships, the constraint relationships including a desired function for an object under design; accessing the set of feature templates to retrieve a selected part template representing an object having the desired function, an associated tool template and an associated process template; and utilizing the form information in the selected part template, the tool information in the associated tool template and the process information in the associated process template to concurrently design a part drawing, a tool drawing and a process specification.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a computer-based design system, a method for designing a part, comprising the steps of: providing a set of part templates each representing an object that has a form and a function, each part template including form information; providing a set of tool templates each representing a tool to make an object, each tool template including tool information; providing a set of process templates each representing a process to make an object, each process template including process information; providing a set of feature templates, each feature template associated with a part template, a tool template and a process template; receiving a set of constraint relationships, the constraint relationships including a desired function for an object under design; accessing the set of feature templates to retrieve a selected part template representing an object having the desired function, an associated tool template and an associated process template; and utilizing the form information in the selected part template, the tool information in the associated tool template and the process information in the associated process template to concurrently design a part drawing, a tool drawing and a process specification.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
159 words
A method to design a product, a tool to make the product and a process to make the product comprising the steps of: receiving a set of constraint relationships that specify the desired function of the product; selecting a material with which to make the product; providing a set of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including form information, tool information and process information relating to the primitive object; accessing the set of feature templates to obtain a selected feature template being a representation of a primitive object having the desired function and capable of being made from the selected material; and concurrently designing a product drawing, a tool drawing and a process specification to make the product by utilizing the form information, the tool information and the process information in the selected feature template.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
159 words
A method to design a product, a tool to make the product and a process to make the product comprising the steps of: receiving a set of constraint relationships that specify the desired function of the product; selecting a material with which to make the product; providing a set of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including form information, tool information and process information relating to the primitive object; accessing the set of feature templates to obtain a selected feature template being a representation of a primitive object having the desired function and capable of being made from the selected material; and concurrently designing a product drawing, a tool drawing and a process specification to make the product by utilizing the form information, the tool information and the process information in the selected feature template.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
173 words
A method to concurrently design a product having a plurality of sub-parts, a tool to make the product and a process to make the product, comprising the steps of: for each sub-part, receiving a set of constraint parameters that specify the desired function of the sub-part; providing a set of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including form information, tool information and process information relating to the primitive object; for each sub-part of the product, accessing the set of feature templates to retrieve a selected feature template for each sub-part being a representation of a primitive object having the desired function of the sub-part; combining the form information in the selected feature templates for each sub-part to create a product drawing; and concurrently with the previous step, designing a tool drawing and a process specification by utilizing the tool information and the process information in the selected feature templates.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
173 words
A method to concurrently design a product having a plurality of sub-parts, a tool to make the product and a process to make the product, comprising the steps of: for each sub-part, receiving a set of constraint parameters that specify the desired function of the sub-part; providing a set of feature templates, each feature template being a representation of a primitive object having a form and a function, each feature template indexed by the function of the primitive object and including form information, tool information and process information relating to the primitive object; for each sub-part of the product, accessing the set of feature templates to retrieve a selected feature template for each sub-part being a representation of a primitive object having the desired function of the sub-part; combining the form information in the selected feature templates for each sub-part to create a product drawing; and concurrently with the previous step, designing a tool drawing and a process specification by utilizing the tool information and the process information in the selected feature templates.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4862376A
Cited
US5109337A
Cited
US5089970A
Cited
US5119307A
Cited
US5357440A
Cited
US5359523A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-09-03 | 2000-03-04 | 2000-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-03 | 2004-03-04 | 2004-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-03 | 2008-03-04 | 2008-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |