USPTO classes to help with your NY resolutions

Happy New Year! It is that time of year where many of us face up to our holiday excesses and resolve to improve our habits at the outset of the new year.

If you stretch your imagination, you can see that patents and New Year's resolutions have a lot in common -- both represent a step in the direction of progress, a promise of an improved state of being. (Not to mention the not-so-great success rates.)

This year, to improve on that chance of success, I recommend taking inspiration from the designers, scientists, engineers, and home tinkerers whose hard work towards technological innovations has led to improvements in quality of life for many of us.

Like any responsible librarian, I'm a die-hard classification searching advocate, so let's take a look at some classes and subclasses that address common resolutions:

Lose weight/get in shape
Class 482 Exercise Devices

The CDC recommends that adults exercise for at least 30 minutes each day. Dip into 482 to check out what people have done to develop exercise equipment that is safe and effective.

Travel more
Class 206 Special Receptacle or Package

Traveling is a great way to broaden cultural knowledge and a very respectable resolution. Before you pack your bags, have a look through Class 206, particularly under Subclass 278. Maybe there's a suitcase in there that will change the way we pack!

Keep better tabs on finances/pay bills on time/get out of debt
Class 705 Data Processing: Financial, Business Practice, Management, or Cost/Price Determination

Though the future of business method patents is a little unclear after the Bilski decision, you'll still find plenty of financial planning methods listed under Subclass 35 of Class 705. It's a brave new world! Of course, if you want to stick to paper and pen, check out fabulous file cabinet designs under Class D06 (Furnishings), particularly under Subclass 432.

Quit smoking
Class 546 Organic Compounds? Class 514 Drug, Bio-Affecting, Body Treating Compounds?

This one's tricky, and not just because there are a bunch of different ways to quit smoking. No, this one's tricky because I've never been too hot at chemistry. However, it's very possible nicotine replacement therapies fall under one of these categories. Just tell yourself that you'll have a cigarette as soon as you find it. By the time you do, you'll have broken the habit. Oh, and maybe chew some gum, which you'll likely find under 426 Food or Edible Material.

Here's wishing you the best of luck on your New Year's resolutions. Whether or not you find inspiration in the patent files, know that I like you just the way you are.

Happy New Year!