Legal Definitions - means-combination claim

A means-combination claim is a type of patent claim that describes multiple limitations, at least one of which is in means-plus-function or step-plus-function form. This type of claim is acceptable to examiners.

• Claim #3 of the patent describes an electrical means for driving a metal pin.
• Another example of a means-combination claim could be a claim for a device that includes a means for detecting motion and a means for transmitting data.

These examples illustrate how a means-combination claim can include multiple limitations, such as an electrical means and a metal pin, or a means for detecting motion and a means for transmitting data.