Help & Info
Last updated: February 28, 2026
Patent Bear makes it easy to search and explore U.S. patents. Here's how to get the most out of the tool.
How to Search
Enter a U.S. patent number in the search bar to look up a specific patent. Patent Bear accepts several formats:
- Plain number: 11234567
- With commas: 11,234,567
- With prefix: US11234567, US 11,234,567
- With suffix: US11234567B2
The search bar will normalize your input automatically — just type or paste the patent number in any common format.
Viewing Patent Details
Each patent page shows the following information:
- Abstract: A brief summary of the invention.
- Claims: The full set of patent claims defining the scope of the patent. Independent claims are shown with their dependent claims grouped beneath them.
- Figures: Patent drawings and diagrams. Click on a figure thumbnail to open a larger view. You can rotate figures using the rotation controls and navigate between figures with arrow keys or on-screen buttons.
- Continuity data: Patent family relationships, including parent and child applications, continuations, continuations-in-part, and divisional applications.
Account Features
Creating a free account unlocks additional features:
- Saved patents: Bookmark patents you want to come back to. Access your saved patents from your account.
- Search history: Your recent searches are automatically saved so you can quickly revisit patents you've looked up before.
Data Coverage
Patent Bear currently covers granted U.S. utility patents sourced from USPTO bulk data. Our database is updated regularly as new patents are published. Design patents, plant patents, and patent applications are not currently included but may be added in the future.
Tips
- Use the keyboard arrow keys to navigate between figures in the figure viewer.
- Click the rotation indicator on a figure to cycle through rotation angles.
- Patent numbers are linked throughout the interface — click any patent number to jump to that patent's detail page.
Questions or Feedback
Have a question or found an issue? Reach out at [email protected].