We just recently received notice that 5 new design patents are official as of September 17, 2013. These new patents cover the designs of several license plate frames with various artistic elements, and some complex CAD design.
As much fun as they are innovative, these designs represent much more thinking and creativity than first meets the eye. The balance of complexity and conflicting needs are the real story here. These represent needs with artistic presentation, mixed materials, legal and visual requirements, manufacturing considerations, plus much more.
These, new patents are a result of many hours of work from several people. Though they were really designed for customers, not for new patents, it is still fun to have the IP acknowledgement too.
This work is all part of the "Synthesis" we bring to every project we tackle.
Read the Case Study of The Design Department for more information about what we do to assist our customers in this way. The work is a mix of artistic expression put into 3D. It looks so simple, someone will say, and we nod, knowing the work behind them.
The Effort Behind the Art
License plate frames are often considered trinkets. OK, we will go with that. However, it is lot more than slapping a shape onto a license plate. The size and spacing must fit every license plate in the USA, and allow visibility for the tags for every state. That is what makes them legal. We must also consider the cars, the sheetmetal, and the way the frame will fit.
All of these frames (except the pink one) are multiple components that come together to make the multi-color, multi-material effect. When mixing materials there are manufacturing concerns, tolerancing, finish, and other considerations. Working through all these details along with the other production needs is what makes them manufacturable, and in this case, result in new patents.
If it all looks simple, then that is a compliment. We love to make engineering look simple. It is what we call the "Elegant Solution".
If you are interested, you can find these license plate frames at various auto parts retail stores. Some stores will carry one style or another - to differentiate themselves in the marketplace from their competitors. You may have to check a few. Also, they are available online at CruiserFrames.com, where you can see dozens more - most of which were designed right here at Synthesis.
Work That Results In New Patents
Blending artistic expression with engineering and practicality is part of our job. Not every project requires the artistic attention that these do, but we can do both. If your project has a need for art (and sometimes for optical illusion) to hold the attention of customers, give us a call. Even products that don't need this level of artistic attention, need to both look good and be functional.
Of course, not every project ends with new patents. However, meeting the blend of engineering and art is part of the product synthesis. It is what we do, and patents are sometimes the result. But, of course, new patents are just the icing on the cake.
Here is another new design patent example that illustrates our abilities in artistic 3D CAD work. It is a blend of art, function and requirements coming together in a final product. Much like these. It is worth looking at, because it is fun.
If you are interested, here is a long list of patents that have come from the work at Synthesis. New patents are always fun, but are really the result of innovative thinking - which we do every day.
Let us know if you have design needs. Our ability to mix art, science and practicality is one strong advantage for us in the market. Yes, we are engineers, but more than just that. We are artists and innovators which happen to also be manufacturing literate. Read more about innovative design in our Engineering Services section.
Thank you for visiting.