BAE Systems, Dyson & Jaguar propel Wiltshire, Coventry & Westminster to top of local authority patent league tables
The top three local authorities owe their high ranking due to corporate titans in their backyard. For instance, in Westminster, many applications were made by aerospace BAE Systems, which also has a major site at Bristol.
One of the interesting patents put forward by the BAE is a new explosive drone. Features of the drone include a gimbal camera to help its operators manoeuvre the drone’s payload to the desired target. The rotary-winged drone can also work autonomously and is elongated in shape, like a missile. And unlike other similar drones which have a suspended payload, this invention’s payload will be located within its tubular body.
In Wiltshire, Dyson’s designs range from a new cleaner head for its vacuum cleaners to a new battery pack suitable for electric vehicles. But one of the most eye-catching inventions from Wiltshire did not come from Dyson, but from inventor Derren Seal from Swindon, who invented a new type of greetings card which eliminates the need for a separate envelope. The newly invented card has two folds and three panels - the third panel has an adhesive region and removable cover, which folds to create the outward face from where the recipient and address can be located. If successfully rolled out, the invention could save paper and plastic packaging, which is sometimes needed to keep cards and envelopes together.
Like Dyson, patents from Coventry car-maker Jaguar are mostly technical and include a ground plane for a vehicle and battery mounting arrangement.
Outside of the top three, one of the more interesting patents came from inventor Philip Davies of Portsmouth, who has proposed an Ai-controlled toaster appliance, which promises to improve the toasting process. The patent description states, ‘this invention attempts to cover the entire process of identifying any foodstuff inserted into any cooking device and automatically select the appropriate cooking cycle according to this identification.’
Harlow’s inventions include a vehicle headlight system which detects light from oncoming vehicles and automatically provides a lower beam illumination of the oncoming vehicle, preventing glare and discomfort to the other road user. Invented by Lazer Lamps Ltd, a camera light-based sensor system would be installed within the vehicle and allow road users to permanently use a high beam at night whilst the sensor automatically alters the beam when other vehicles are detected.
The information was obtained from the UK Intellectual Property Office through a Freedom of Information Act Request by Essex-based accountants Devonports R&D, which specialises in Research and Development Tax Relief for SMEs.
Steve Collins, Director of Devonports R&D, said: “The information we have obtained shows how vital larger companies are to the UK’s innovation credentials. However, there are also many individuals and SMEs contributing with new patents up and down the UK, which is vital to the nation’s economic prospects.
“Maintaining a healthy ecosystem of SMEs willing to innovate can lead to them becoming the next Dyson or Jaguar, which can further add to our economy and create new jobs and prosperity throughout different parts of the UK.”
The grand total of patent applications in the UK published in 2021 amounted to 5,679. At the bottom of the league table were 24 local authorities, each with just one patent application to their name. They included Blackpool, Thurrock, West Devon and Darlington.
