1. If you know the patent number, go to the Official Gazette, available at patent search facilities and in many public library reference rooms, to read a summary of the patent.

2. If you know the patentee or assignee, look at the Patent/Assignee Index to locate the patent number. This is available at any of the patent search facilities. In Crystal City, it is on microfiche and in card catalogues.

3. If you know the subject, start with the Index to the U.S. Patent Classification.

4. Once you’ve jotted down the class(es) and subclass(es) out of the Index, check the information in relation to the hierarchy in the Manual of Classification to see if it is close to what you need. The Manual of Classification is available at all patent search facilities.

5. Using the class/subclass numbers you have found, look at the U.S. Patent Classification Subclass and Numeric Listing, and copy the patent numbers of patents assigned to the selected class/subclass. If you are at the Crystal City facility, take the class/subclass numbers into the stacks of patents and begin “pulling shoes.” (To pull shoes is to physically remove patent groupings from the open shelves.)

6. Then, using the Official Gazette again, look at the summaries of those patents. (At the Crystal City facility, you won’t have to go back to this publication because the actual patents are there.)

7. Upon locating the relevant patents, examine the complete patent in person or on microfilm, depending on where you conduct the search.

8. Print copies of all relevant prior art. Your patent attorney will want to cite some of it in your application.