Originally posted by Zero
I like the patent on swinging sideways on a child's swingset.
Need to stop quickly during a strong gust of wind? Find something big and ram it.
"Absurd Inventions: Real Patents" refers to a collection of real patents that have been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for inventions that are considered to be strange, humorous, or impractical. These patents often showcase the creativity and imagination of inventors, but they may not have any practical use in the real world.
The main difference between these inventions and regular patents is their level of absurdity. While regular patents are granted for practical and useful inventions, these absurd inventions may be more for entertainment purposes and may not have any real-world applications.
Yes, these absurd inventions are protected by law just like any other patent. They have gone through the same process of examination and approval by the USPTO and are granted the same rights and protections as regular patents. However, it is highly unlikely that these patents will ever be put into production or used in any practical way.
In order for an invention to be eligible for a patent, it must meet three criteria: novelty, non-obviousness, and usefulness. This means that the invention must be new and different from anything that has been previously invented, it must not be an obvious improvement or combination of existing inventions, and it must have some practical application or use.
While it is possible for some of these absurd inventions to be turned into real products, it is highly unlikely. Most of these inventions are purely for entertainment purposes and may not have any practical use. Additionally, the cost and effort involved in bringing a product to market may not be worth it for these absurd inventions.