There are hundreds of thousands of patents concerned with copper and its alloys like the brasses and the bronzes. Practical uses rely on properties like corrosion resistance, electrical and thermal conductivity, malleability and ductility.
Sheet copper metal has been used for centuries as antifouling measures for ships (New or Improved Method of Attaching Copper or other Antifouling Metal Sheathing to the Lower Portions of Metal Ships (1896)).
More recently copper containing paints have been used as antifouling for the bottoms of ships and boats (Copper bearing antifouling shipbottom paints (1956)).
Copper is used in many forms in the construction industry; as flashing (Crimped copper flashing (1938)), as sheet metal for roofs (Copper roofing material (1987)), and as guttering (Copper Roofing Material (2007)). Copper compression fittings are used in plumbing (Copper Compression Ring (1972)).
Copper alloy gaskets are used in knife-edge vacuum seal applications (Metal Gasket (1991)).
Copper jewellery, in particular bracelets, are said to relieve the symptoms of rheumatism (Therapeutic Bracelet – With Interlaced Copper Wires (1973)).
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All patent information has been obtained from Espacenet (European Patent Office).