Legal Definitions - apparatus claim

An apparatus claim is a type of patent claim that describes a mechanical device and how its components are connected and function together. It is a formal statement that defines the scope of the patent's protection and describes the novel features of an invention.

For example, a patent claim for a new type of car engine might describe the specific components of the engine and how they work together to produce a more efficient and powerful engine. This claim would be an apparatus claim because it describes a mechanical device.

Other types of patent claims include method claims, which describe a process for achieving a useful result, and product claims, which cover the structure, apparatus, or composition of a product.