Naming Components to Express Function

By: Ron Smith
Feb. 4, 2004

The phrase "in order to" should not be used, according to my sister who is an English professor. (She used to "grade my papers" by reading my patent applications and bleeding (using a red pen) all over them). Just say "to" because "in order" is redundant.

On a more substantive issue, it is good practice in mechanical or electrical cases to name components with a name that expresses their function. Thus, calling something a "member" or "an elongate member" or "a cylindrical member" should be avoided. For example, here's a phrase that could be improved:

"a member extending between the two arm rests and behind the back, wherein the member stabilizes the back;"

If the member stabilizes the back, name it a stabilizer instead of a member. That makes the phrase more straightforward:

"a stabilizer extending between the two arm rests and behind the back for stabilizing the back;"

Or perhaps better yet:

"a back stabilizer extending between the two arm rests and behind the back;"

Notice how a function-descriptive name like "stabilizer" shortens the phrase and an even more function-descriptive name like "back stabilizer" shortens it even more. Using function-descriptive names also makes it easier to remember the various parts as the application is being written.

 

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