[EricH]

Or maybe they didn't design it over the summer, which is what I think Chris was asking you about.

As soon as you submit a patent application to the PTO, you can say, "Patent Pending" if they don't just throw it out right away. So, if they designed it during build and submitted a patent application at some point during build, there should have been plenty of time for the PTO to say "We don't see anything that would cause immediate rejection, here's your number, please be patient as we examine it closely". Then all you need to do is apply the sticker.

(PTO = Patent and Trademark Office)