6.11. Representations: Different views

The applicant will often supply representations showing a range of views of the design so as to fully display its features.

It is important to check that:

• all of the views show the same design
• there is nothing in one representation that is not indicated or implied in another

• at least one representation shows the complete, fully assembled product.

Note that environmental/reference views are additional to the representations that form part of the application. See Environmental views.

A formalities notice will be issued if inconsistencies between the different views suggest that there are further designs that should be separately applied for or if the representations do not show the complete, fully assembled product. See also Representations: General requirements.  

Appropriate labelling of representations can make it clear that the different views in the application show the same design. 

Labelling of all representations is not compulsory, however where representations showing the design cannot be readily and obviously understood without labelling, appropriate labelling must be included.  Designs Formal Requirements Instrument Part 2, 9(4) includes examples of appropriate labelling.  

See Representations: Text for additional information about acceptable wording in labels.

Traditional views, perspective views and isometric views

Traditional (or plan) views are normal 2-dimensional views of a product.

​​​​​​​Perspective and isometric views are 3-dimensional views that show height, width and depth.   Perspective drawings use vanishing points to create a realistic sense of depth, while isometric drawings use parallel projection.  

These different types of views can seem to show different designs because of the angle of the drawing.

Labelling of these views is not generally necessary, but it may assist in understanding the representations and visualising the design's form.

Example

Product name: Cube

Representations:​​​​​​​

In this example, all views show the same design but the different angles give the impression of visual differences. The representations are acceptable because it is clear that the impression of difference is only created by the angles.

​​​​​​​

Cross-sectional views

Cross-sectional or sectional views show a hidden part of a product (internal features or other parts that a normal view would not adequately show) by cutting away or removing some of that product. The otherwise hidden parts should be indicated, for example by oblique hatching.

Cross-sectional views must be labelled accordingly and/or contain enough information to satisfy the examiner that the view is part of the product and not a separate product. The location of the cross-section should be readily understood and obvious from the representations.  This may be indicated through arrows and letters, provided they do not cause uncertainty about the design (Designs (Formal Requirements for Designs Documents) Instrument 2022 Part 2, 7(11). 

Applications containing cross-sectional views must also include at least one representation that shows the design in full.

Example of a section view properly labelled (Design 201510788)

Product name: A cooking vessel

Representations:​​​​​​​

Exploded views

Exploded views show the individual parts of a product (e.g. a bottle and its cap) separately to indicate how they fit together.

Applications including exploded views must also include at least one representation that shows the design in its fully assembled state (e.g. a bottle with the cap on).

Exploded views will generally require labelling to satisfy the examiner that the view is part of the product and is not a separate product. 

The following example (Design 201410741) shows an ‘exploded’ view appropriately labelled. The representations show a fully assembled view in the front view and then the exploded view.

Product name: Bottle

Representations:​​​​​​​

More examples:

Product name: An eggcup with lid (Design 200513647)

Representations:​​​​​​​

This is acceptable because the exploded view is labelled clearly enough (even without using the word ‘exploded’) and the other view shows the whole design.

(Design 201710462)

Product name: Drinking vessel

Representations:​​​​​​​

This is acceptable because the exploded view is labelled clearly, and the other view shows the whole design.

​​​​​​​

Configuration changes

Representations that show a product in various configurations may be acceptable if the design can achieve the configuration change in normal use.  The representations showing these different configurations will generally need to be labelled to satisfy the examiner that they are showing different configurations of a design and that there are not further designs that should be separately applied for. 

There also needs to be at least one representation that shows the entire design – e.g. the phone with the receiver on the cradle.

Example of an acceptable set of representations showing different configurations:

Product name: Laptop computer

Representations:​​​​​​​

Representations showing complex products in various fully assembled forms do not demonstrate different configurations of a single design achievable through normal use. Instead, each fully assembled form is treated as a distinct design with different visual features and must be applied for separately. 

Example of an unacceptable set of representations showing a complex product fully assembled in different arrangements.  Even when labelled, these representations do not show a single product with a single design. 

Product name: Interlocking drawers 

Representations 

Close-ups

Close-up views may be used to highlight the details or specific parts of a product.  These views are the exception to the general requirement that all representations must be shown at the same scale or proportion. Close-up views of a product are allowable, so long as:

• there is also a representation showing the design in full

• they are otherwise consistent with the other drawings

• it is readily understood that the representation is showing a close-up view and the specific part of the product the close-up view is highlighting must be obvious

Labelling will generally be required to satisfy the examiner that the view is part of the product and not a separate product.  

Example of a representation that is unacceptable because it does not contain labelling and, if it is the sole representation, because it does not show the whole product:

Product name: Replaceable electric toothbrush head

Representations: ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Example of an acceptable set of representations with a close-up view properly labelled and a view of the whole product:

Product name: Replaceable electric toothbrush head

Representations:

Example of representations where the close-ups are acceptable despite not using the word ‘close-up’.

Product name: Record player

Representations: