September 2026
14,921 US patents lapsed for unpaid maintenance fees in the USPTO's 4 weekly batches this month. These are the ones worth a closer look.
Week by week
| Batch | No. | Lapsed | Full term | Picks | 70+ | Best pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 7, 2026 | 1 | 3,459 | 0 | 67 | 16 | Rear inset pocket for pants that sits flush with the outer fabric 79 |
| Sep 14, 2026 | 2 | 3,814 | 0 | 51 | 18 | Magnetic-backed phone case that snaps to a ball-joint car mount 84 |
| Sep 21, 2026 | 3 | 3,805 | 0 | 59 | 29 | A table tennis racket with the handle set at an angle to the blade 77 |
| Sep 28, 2026 | 4 | 3,843 | 0 | 73 | 37 | Paint brush with a recessed pivoting hanger rod 80 |
The month's top ten
How picks are scored →-
Magnetic-backed phone case that snaps to a ball-joint car mount
This is a phone case plus mount system: the case has a metal plate on its back, a stand/mount has a magnet that snaps to that plate, and the mount connects through a ball-and-socket...
84score / 100 -
Paint brush with a recessed pivoting hanger rod
A paint brush whose handle contains a recessed groove holding a multi-segment hanger rod that pivots out to hook over a paint-can rim and pivots back flush into the handle. Painters who...
80score / 100 -
A jacket with a collar pouch that becomes a stuffed neck pillow
A wearable jacket whose collar contains a zippered pouch holding a fabric pillow shell; you unzip and remove the pouch, open its zipper, stuff the rolled jacket (arms into the pillow’s...
80score / 100 -
Rear inset pocket for pants that sits flush with the outer fabric
This patent covers pants with a rear pocket formed from two separate pocket panels, an interior panel fastened to the garment’s inner surface and an exterior panel inset into an opening...
79score / 100 -
Injection-molded half‑insert (shoe mid‑sole fork)
A rigid, injection‑molded half‑insert (called a half fork) intended to sit in the mid‑sole/waist region of a shoe to stiffen and support the arch. It pairs a molded plastic main body...
79score / 100 -
A picture frame built from cut extruded profiles that seals and reduces oxygen
A frame system uses two cooperating extruded profile lengths cut to size, plus a cover sheet, backing sheet and a continuous spacer, fastened at the edges so the spacer is compressed and...
77score / 100 -
A table tennis racket with the handle set at an angle to the blade
This is a hand racket whose handle axis is deliberately tilted relative to the flat blade so the whole body is non‑planar and asymmetrical. The handle is straight (linear) but joins the...
77score / 100 -
A snap-on rectangular-channel razor cover with hanging hook
A hollow elongated cover that slides onto a disposable razor handle and ends in a flat tab with a hooked extension for hanging. The body has a rounded exterior but a rectangular interior...
76score / 100 -
A coffee-style brewer that pours and collects from opposite sides
A countertop beverage extractor that holds roasted plant granules (coffee, barley, toasted tea), pours hot water from one side of the granule bed, and collects the extract from the same...
76score / 100 -
Rooftop bike carrier with two-part pivoting lift arm
A roof-mounted bicycle carrier that uses a two-piece pivoting boom and a multi-link lift assembly with a gas spring to help raise a bike upright onto a vehicle roof rack. The second boom...
76score / 100
Where the picks came from
| Consumer category | Picks |
|---|---|
| Sports & Fitness | 38 |
| Home & Furniture | 34 |
| Storage & Containers | 31 |
| Apparel & Footwear | 24 |
| Kitchen & Dining | 23 |
| Bath & Personal Care | 19 |
| Bags, Jewelry & Accessories | 15 |
| Tools & Hardware | 13 |
| Outdoors & Camping | 12 |
| Cleaning & Laundry | 11 |
| Pet Supplies | 8 |
| Auto & Bike Accessories | 7 |
| Baby & Kids | 4 |
| Office & Stationery | 3 |
| Garden & Yard | 3 |
| Toys & Games | 2 |
| Lighting | 1 |
| Music & Hobby | 1 |
| Fishing & Hunting | 1 |
| Track | Picks |
|---|---|
| Consumer products | 250 |