This is the generic class of metal working or shaping. It comprises
processes, tools, machines, and apparatus not classifiable in the
specific classes relating to the manufacture of articles from metal.
It also includes means which comprise a plurality of operations
which separately might be classified in the specific classes, but which
by their joinder include more than is covered by the definitions
of such specific classes.
This class has been made the generic class for the following
subject matter, regardless of the composition of the blank, stock
material, or article recited or worked upon: (a) process of electric
condenser making; (b) a burnishing process; (c) a process of manufacture;
(d) apparatus used to assemble or disassemble. See Subclass References
to the Current Class, below, for specific subclass references.
SECTION II - NOTES TO THE CLASS DEFINITION
(1)
Note. Patents claiming both an article or product and a process
of manufacturing that article or product which process is classifiable
in this class are classified in a suitable article or product class
and cross referenced to the appropriate subclass of this class.
(2)
Note. Historically, the term "metal working" has
included assembling. Therefore assembling is included within the
scope of paragraph I, above, even though no metal parts are being
assembled.
(3)
Note. While this is the generic mechanical manufacturing class,
it is noted that manufacturing by chemistry, electrochemistry, or the
related arts is provided for in the chemical classes. See the classes
listed on pages I-6 and I-7 in the front of the Manual of Classification
under "I. Chemical and Related Arts". Also see
the Search Notes below
(4)
Note. The relation of other mechanical manufacturing classes
to Class 29 is detailed on pages I-14 through I-16 in the front
of the Manual of Classification under "III. Mechanical
Manufacturing and Machine Element Arts, Manufacturing (Metal Working)".
Also see the Search Notes below.
(5)
Note. Measuring, testing, recording and conveying, per se,
are not considered "manufacturing" operations
for this class.
SECTION III - SUBCLASS REFERENCES TO THE CURRENT CLASS
Static Structures (e.g., Buildings),
subclasses 742.1+ for processes of filling cavities in situ erected
structures and subclasses 749.1+ for machines and implements
particularly adapted to in situ building construction not elsewhere provided
for.
Package Making,
subclasses 266.1+ for means for filling and closing a preformed receptacle and
subclasses 285+ for means for closing a package or filled
receptacle.
Metal Deforming, for shaping metal by stressing beyond its elastic limit,
generally. Normally, the combination of a metal working process
or apparatus with additional metal deforming or cutting or with
any additional operation that is ancillary to the metal deforming
will be found in Class 72. However, there is an exception to this
guideline in regard to a process of making a "special article".
A "special article" is one named by the title
of one of the subclasses of Class 29 for making that particular
article, which subclasses are physically located in the portion
of the Class 29 schedule, between
subclass 1.1 and 179. A process of making a "special
article" including plural, distinct metal deforming steps,
if performed in the same die, or in the same processing line will
be found in Class 72, whereas if not performed in the same die,
or in the same processing line will be found in the "special
article" making portion of Class 29. The metal deforming
steps proper for the "special article" making
portion of Class 29 may comprise different metal deforming types,
e.g., rolling and drawing, or may comprise two steps of the same
deforming type, e.g., a first and a second step of rolling. Note
that the corresponding combination of apparatus for making a "special
article" is to be found in Class 72 according to the general guideline
not according to the exception.
Presses, for press structure not elsewhere provided for where
neither features of structure for holding work nor features of tool
structure for performing the work of a type classifiable in Class
29 are claimed.
Metal Treatment, for the combination of significant heat treatment
for modifying or maintaining internal physical structure (i.e., microstructure)
or chemical properties of metal with a metal working, machining,
fusion bonding, casting, or assembly or disassembly operation proper
for Class 29. Particularly, see section III, A, of the Class 148
definition for amplification of what constitutes significant heat
treatment. Furthermore, the combination of reactive coating or chemical
heat removing (e.g., flame-cutting, etc.) or burning (i.e., oxidizing)
to remove a portion of a metal workpiece, with a Class 29 metal
working, machining, fusion bonding, or casting operation goes as
an original to Class 148.
Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, as the generic class for the adhesive joining of
parts utilizing nonmetallic cements and as the generic class for
manufacturing processes involving a chemical reaction. See the class
definition of Class 156 for the line between that class and Class
29.
Wheelwright Machines,
subclass 13 for apparatus and processes for treating the outer periphery
of a rubber tire casing by a slitting or machine operation which
art (in the absence of this subclass) would ordinarily be classified
in accord with the particular operation. (The treating of a rubber
casing by abrading is classified in Class 451, Abrading).
Etching a Substrate: Processes, for etching processes not otherwise provided for
in which one of the manufacturing steps includes a chemical etching
or physical solvation. See the class definition of class 216 for
the line between that class and class 29.
Selective Cutting (e.g., Punching), for method of or means for perforating a workpiece
by one or more cutting tools chosen from a plurality of tools constantly
available for actuation.
Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration, for metal comminution, per se, and in combination
with other treatment there provided for and see Class 241, section
(4) of the class definition.
Work Holders, Class 269 is the residual locus for patents to a
device for clamping, supporting, and/or holding an article
(or articles) in position to be operated on or treated. See notes thereunder
for other related loci.
Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus, for (1) highway, pathway, or walkway structure, per se,
or (2) a process or apparatus for making, installing, repairing,
or maintaining such structure where such structure, process, or
apparatus is not otherwise classifiable as either (a) specifically
provided for in other loci or (b) of such general utility as to
be provided for on that basis. (See Class 404, Class Definition,
for known collections of such nature and the particular lines of
demarcation.) Note particularly
subclasses 72+ for process and subclasses 83+ for apparatus.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus, for apparatus to manufacture by shaping or reshaping
plastic materials (e.g., organic plastics, clay, cement, earthenware,
powdered metal or glass, etc.) including product treating unless
such treating is provided for elsewhere. The combination of Class 425
apparatus and Class 29 metal working apparatus is provided for in
Class 29.
Semiconductor Device Manufacturing: Process, for methods of making certain electrical devices
(e.g., barrier layer type, etc.) utilizing a semiconductor substrate.
Tool Changing,
subclass 1 for a process of transferring a tool to or from
a material treating station or a tool storage means, generally, including
a Class 29 process combined with transferring the tool used to or
from the station at which the Class 29 process occurs; and subclasses
2-69 for means for transferring a tool to or from a material treating
station or a tool storage means, generally, including a Class 29 tool
combined with means to transfer the tool to or from the tool station.
Superconductor Technology: Apparatus, Material,
Process,
subclasses 300+ for processes of producing high temperature (Tc greater
than 30 K) superconductors.
Robots, appropriate subcollections for industrial robots
used in metal working operations or in assembly.
SECTION V - GLOSSARY
ASSEMBLING
The physical act of or means for juxtaposing, associating,
integrating, joining and/or putting together, with or without
securing, of machines, devices, and things (articles).
BARRIER LAYER DEVICE
An electrical component consisting of two conductors placed
either in contact with each other or separated by an interface layer
to which contacts or terminals have been secured, which component
has a nonlinear resistance characteristic, as a result of the electrical
action of the interface between the two conductors rather than from
the characteristic of the conductors.
DEFORMING
The physical act of or means for shaping without any substantial
removal of material. This term includes forging, rolling, densifying,
extruding, drawing and stretching.
DISASSEMBLY
The physical act of or means for dissociating, disengaging,
and/or taking apart of machines, devices, and things (articles).
MACHINING
The physical act of or means for shaping by removing material
by means of a cutting edge. This term includes milling, cutting,
turning, boring, drilling, abrading, broaching, filing, sawing,
punching, blanking, and planing.
MANUFACTURING
The physical act of or means for creating, constructing, fabricating,
machining, working, shaping, assembling, disassembling, and repairing
of machines, devices, and things (articles).
REPAIR
The physical act of or means for restoring inoperative machines,
apparatus, static structures, and things (articles) when the operational
limits of tolerance have become exceeded by wear, imperfections,
destructive oxidation, electrolysis, or failure by (1) reshaping
parts, (2) substituting a part and/or adding supplemental
or additional parts or material, and/or (3) taking away
sections of worn, torn, broken, distorted, eroded or otherwise unusable
parts or material, and mending them by adding supplemental or additional
parts or material.
SHAPING
The physical act of or means for permanently altering the
form, configuration, dimensions, proportions, or contour of a part
or stock, either with or without the removal of material. This term
includes deforming, compacting, densifying, slitting, machining,
and briquetting.
SLITTING
The physical act of or means for shaping solely by incising
or severing the part or stock to form a partial separation along
a plane or surface through the part or stock. When this separation
is done by a true shearing operation, there is no material removed.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Process or apparatus for severing hollow work of generally
circular or oval cross section by moving work and tool relative
to each other so as to describe a helical line of severance along
the surface of the hollow work.
(1)
Note. Included in this and indented subclasses is the bias
cutting of "article-like" work where there is
no "supply".
Turning,
subclass 47 for a process under that class definition of cutting hollow
work while effecting relative rotary movement about an axis passing
through the work and subclass 82 for the corresponding apparatus.
Cutting, especially
subclass 54 for a process of cutting a hollow workpiece, generally,
subclasses 178+ for cutting apparatus including a tool inside
hollow work and subclasses 401+ for means to move work
relative to tool station.
Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding, for a device for winding the product of this subclass.
Note that the combination of such a cutting means with a product
winding means is to be found in Class 29,
subclasses 2.1+ .
Work Holders, especially
subclasses 47+ for means to support work while performing a bias
cutting operation. The combination of such support means with means
to sever being classified in Class 29.
Cutting by Use of Rotating Axially Moving Tool, for cutting tubular work by a tool that turns about
an axis and moves along that axis but has no additional motion during
operation.
Threaded, Headed Fastener, or Washer Making: Process
and Apparatus, appropriate subclasses for thread cutting by means
of a chasing cutter, other than as provided for in Class 408.
This subclass is indented under subclass 2.1. Apparatus including a cutting means moving, bodily, in a
predetermined path about the longitudinal axis or extent of work.
This subclass is indented under subclass 2.11. Apparatus provided with means to handle the cut work, which
means also follows a predetermined path about the longitudinal axis
or extent of the work.
Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding, for a device for winding the product of this subclass
(2.13). Note that the combination of such a cutting means with a
product winding means is to be found elsewhere in Class 29.
This subclass is indented under subclass 2.1. Apparatus including means to inject gas under pressure into
the work to cause the work to assume a tubular or hollow shape for
passing onto a work support or mandrel.
This subclass is indented under subclass 2.1. Apparatus including means to engage a portion of work being
internally supported to effect movement or shift of said portion
with respect to cutting means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 2.15. Apparatus including utilization of a unitary mechanism to
effect a compound rotary and axial work movement.
Material or Article Handling,
subclasses 431+ for apparatus for advancing and rotating an elongated article
by means adapted to engage the article between its ends.
This subclass is indented under subclass 2.16. Apparatus wherein the unitary mechanism is a driven closed
loop engaging the work and causing the work to move.
This subclass is indented under subclass 2.15. Apparatus including means to effect work movement or shift
parallel to the extent of the work supporting means.
This subclass is indented under subclass 2.15. Apparatus including means to effect work movement or shift
in a circular or oval path which path lies in a plane transverse
to the extent of the work support or mandrel.
This subclass is indented under subclass 2.1. Apparatus including means, other than the work being fed
to support and cause a rotation of work accumulated thereon, from
which the work is moved onto a work support or mandrel.
This subclass is indented under subclass 2.2. Apparatus wherein the supply is rotated in a plane perpendicular
to the longitudinal extent of the mandrel.
This subclass is indented under subclass 2.23. Process or apparatus including means to vary the position
of both cutting means and cut-product handling means as an entity.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Process or apparatus for making a part of a buckle or for
assembling that part with another part in the manufacture of a buckle.
(1)
Note. This subclass includes the manufacture of a buckle from
a rod, wire, plate, or sheet of metal.
Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length, for a method of or apparatus for feeding material
without utilizing both the leading and trailing ends to effect movement
of the material.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Process or apparatus for making a metallic device for securing
a button having a shank provided with an eye, e.g., a shoe button,
etc.
Elongated-Member-Driving Apparatus,
subclass 33 for combined apparatus for juxtaposing a button
with the bight of a workpiece and driving a member through the bight,
i.e., through the eye of the button and into a fold of the workpiece.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Process or apparatus , not elsewhere classified, (1) for
reducing metal to shreds by cutting operations or (2) for producing
an article of manufacture from metal wool.
(1)
Note. Metal wool is defined as metal filaments or threads
matted into a densely felted mass.
Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration, for a process or apparatus for reducing metal to
smaller particles without imparting a shape thereto. See Class 241,
section (4), of the main class definition.
Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating:
Processes,
subclasses 5+ for a process of forming a particulate material
directly from molten or liquid mass other than glass, e.g., liquid
comminuting.
Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating:
Apparatus,
subclasses 6+ for apparatus for making particulate material directly
from molten material.
Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles,
subclass 605 for metallic stock in the form of a mass of fibers
and subclass 684 for composite metallic stock in which an iron-base
component is next to a steel component.
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.52. Process or apparatus wherein the metal wool is produced
by severing or slicing off thin layers substantially along the long
axis of a metal workpiece.
(1)
Note. Metal wool is defined as metal filaments or threads
matted into a densely felted mass.
Cutting,
subclasses 861+ for cutting other than completely through work within
the class definition. Also see cross-section art collection subclass 906
for chip making.
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.53. Process or apparatus whereby the produced metal wool is
further processed to form a matted mass containing soap which mass
is generally used for cleaning purposes.
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.51. Process or apparatus wherein metal wool is shaped into a
longer mass generally to produce an article of manufacture.
(1)
Note. Metal wool is defined as metal filaments or threads
matted into a densely felted mass.
This subclass is indented under subclass 4.55. Process or apparatus wherein the metal wool bundle is further
processed to form a matted mass containing soap which mass is generally used
for cleaning purposes.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Process or apparatus for fabricating a thread guide of a
loom"s shed forming mechanism from strand-like textile
material.
Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length, for a process of or apparatus for feeding material
without utilizing both the leading and trailing ends to effect movement
of material.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Means for bending, forging, or otherwise manufacturing or
treating an axial member which has at least one portion thereof
adapted for applying torque thereto for changing reciprocating motion
into circular motion or vice versa.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Process or apparatus, not elsewhere classified, for forming
apertures in sheet material and thereafter deforming the apertured
portion of the sheet to (1) increase the area of, or change the
shape of, the aperture and (2) increase the length or width of the
sheet.
(1)
Note. Apertures may be formed by cutting, punching, casting,
drilling, milling, grinding, etc.
(2)
Note. Deforming may include, for example, bending, corrugating,
forging, rolling, or drawing.
(3)
Note. Included herein is expanding of sheet material by simultaneously
perforating and deforming the sheet.
Metal Deforming, for shaping metal, other than expanded metal making, especially
subclasses 185+ for cutting and deforming by a "flying" tool and
subclasses 203+ for cutting and rolling.
Metal Fusion Bonding,
subclass 157 for bonding of multiple parts at spaced offset
points into a single member and shaping the member to move the parts
apart at the nonbonded areas.
This subclass is indented under subclass 6.1. Process or apparatus including a tool which travels back
and forth in a straight line to form the aperture.
Cutting,
subclasses 613+ for a cutting machine having a cutter having simple
rectilinear reciprocating motion only and subclass 697 for a cutting machine
having a reciprocating tool.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Process or apparatus for making an eyebolt or a hook comprising
more than bending with incidental cutting.
Threaded, Headed Fastener, or Washer Making: Process
and Apparatus,
subclasses 11+ for combined operations for making a bolt and subclasses
57+ for combined machines for making a bolt.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Process or apparatus for making pointed elements for subsequent
attachment to fence wire, or for striking up pointed projections from
fence stock material itself.
Wireworking,
subclasses 58+ for a process of or apparatus for making and applying
wire barbs to a wire strand, particularly, subclass 66 for applying
barbs of sheet metal to a wire strand.
This subclass is indented under subclass 7.1. Process or apparatus which travel back and forth in a straight
line and directly contact the work to produce the fence barbs.
Cutting,
subclasses 613+ for a cutting machine including a cutter with simple
rectilinear reciprocating motion only and subclass 697 for reciprocable type
tools, per se.
This subclass is indented under subclass 7.1. Process or apparatus wherein the tool which directly contacts
the work to produce the fence barb is mounted on a rotatable cylindrical member.
This subclass is indented under the class definition. Process or apparatus for forming a finger ring by die cutting
a flat ring from a disk and subsequently swaging or
![[Search a list of Patent Appplications for class 29]](../as.gif)
CLASS 29,![[List of Patents for class 29 subclass 2]](../ps.gif)
2