Design patents protect the appearance of articles of manufacture, and this includes articles of manufacture whose appearance changes over time. In particular, animated displays on computers and other electronic devices can be protected with a design patent. The drawings of are a series of still images of the animated design, showing the progression, somewhat like a “flip book.” Thus, U.S. Patent No. D698,363 protects a spinning design by showing for sequential images:
The patent explains:
U.S. Patent No. D706,806 shows another on-screen animation in two figures:
The patent explains:
U.S. Patent No. D612,861 shows an animated screen transition over seven images, four of which are shown below:
The patent describes the figures:
