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CLASS 184,	LUBRICATION
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

This class is not intended to include the lubrication generally of machines of every kind; but it is intended to include those devices employed to lubricate bearing parts in a machine where such lubricating device forms no part of the machine structure.

Where the lubricating device is a part of the machine, where the structure is modified to admit of lubrication, where the particular or peculiar operation of the machine governs the operation of the lubricating device, or, in other words, where there is a special combination between the lubricating device and the machine in connection with which the lubricating device is used, then such device is classified with the machine to which it belongs.

Exception: Where the machine is operated by air, steam, or water and the same means used to operate the lubricator, then such lubricator belongs to this class, provided the structure of the machine is not modified.

SECTION II - LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS

Where the machine is operated by air, steam, or water and the same means used to operate the lubricator, then such lubricator belongs to this class, provided the structure of the machine is not modified. An example of this exception is in this class (184), subclass 52.

For further search upon this line, see Class 384, Bearings, appropriate subclasses, and also the particular class in which the machine or device itself belongs.

SECTION III - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

SECTION IV - GLOSSARY

MACHINE

The term "machine" includes any device having bearing parts.

SUBCLASSES

1.5	AUTOMOBILE CRANK AND GEAR CASE SERVICE:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Devices having means for emptying, and replenishing the oil in the crank case, transmission case, or differential casing of an automobile. (1) Note. This subclass will take devices adapted to perform any one of the above functions alone, unless the device (if for emptying or replenishing) is one which could be used for dispensing or emptying for any purpose. In these instances classification might be in either Class 222, Dispensing, or Class 417, Pumps, respectively. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 134,  Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids,   the line being: (a) Processes of cleaning crank, transmission or differential casing, per se, are in Class 134 or other appropriate class under the lines with Class 134, even though involving the operation of the apparatus cleaned, where only such operation is claimed as is necessary for the cleaning operation. Processes of combined cleaning and lubricating or lubricating, per se, are in Class 184; and (b) apparatus disclosed for cleaning only of crank, transmission, or differential casings, or for removing of lubricant from the same and cleaning, is in Class 134 or other appropriate class under the lines with Class 134, and even though a combination with the casing is claimed, as well as apparatus disclosed generically for cleaning or lubricating. Class 184 has apparatus disclosed for lubricating only, or combined apparatus for cleaning and lubricating and also apparatus for merely removing lubricant or for removing, cleaning, and returning the cleaned lubricant. 222,  Dispensing,   see (1) Note. 417,  Pumps,   see (1) Note. 418,  Rotary Expansible Chamber Devices,   see (1) Note.

2	MINE-CAR LUBRICATION:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Devices specifically intended and arranged to lubricate the wheels of mine-cars while in operation.

3.1	Rail or rail vehicle wheel lubricator:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter, including apparatus specifically adapted to lubricate the rail or track, or the rail or track vehicle wheels. (1) Note. The majority of the devices in this subclass are located adjacent the track or rail on or in the ground. Devices mounted on the vehicle are found in the indented subclass 3.2. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 104,  Railways,   subclass 279 for railway track clearers and lubricators. 198,  Conveyors: Power-Driven,   subclass 500 for lubricating devices for conveyor rails or rail wheels.

3.2	On vehicle:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 3.1.  Subject matter including apparatus mounted on a track or rail vehicle, specifically adapted to lubricate the track or rail, or the track or rail vehicle wheel. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 104,  Railways,   subclass 279 for railway track clearers and lubricators. 198,  Conveyors: Power-Driven,   subclass 500 for lubricating devices for conveyors rails or rail wheels.

4	WINDMILL LUBRICATION:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Devices which are particularly adapted for use on a windmill to lubricate the bearings.

5	SLIDE-BEARING LUBRICATION:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Devices for lubricating slide-bearings where the lubricating devices are practically part of the bearings. This subclass is limited to the lubricating of the bearing. (1) Note. Where the claims are broader and include parts of the machine, the device goes to the machine class. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 101,  Printing,   subclass 2. 409,  Gear Cutting, Milling, or Planning,   for lubricating combined with a machine of that class.

5.1	BEARING PACKER:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter including devices specifically intended for lubricating or repacking bearings, e.g., vehicle wheel bearings. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 384,  Bearings,   appropriate subclasses for bearing lubrication where the lubricating means is a part of the bearing structure.

6	SYSTEMS:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  The combination of conveying-pipes with a source of lubricant-supply and arranged to lubricate the several bearings of a machine or of several machines from a common source of supply. (1) Note. In connection with the above there may or may not be an arrangement to return the oil not used to the source of supply. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 123,  Internal-Combustion Engines,   subclasses 90.33+ for poppet valve operating mechanism having a related lubrication feature. 210,  Liquid Purification or Separation,   appropriate subclasses for processes and apparatus for separating a component from a liquid, particularly subclasses 167.02 through 167.09for liquid purification or separation means in a structural installation with a closed circulating system for a lubrication system.

6.1	With means to control machine operation:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device provided with means to sense the machine operation (e.g., change of speed, load, temperature, etc.), to affect the operation of the machines lubrication systems. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 123,  Internal-Combustion Engines,   subclass 196 for synchronous operations of an engine and a lubrication forcing means.

6.11	Gas turbine:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device having means for feeding a lubricant into a hollow shaft in a gas turbine from which the lubricant is fed to the bearings.

6.12	Gearing:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device having means for lubricating a gear surface or a gear shaft. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 74,  Machine Element or Mechanism,   subclasses 467+ for gears specifically modified for purposes of lubrication. 475,  Planetary Gear Transmission Systems or Components,   subclasses 159+ , for lubrication of planetary gear transmission.

6.13	Dry sump:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device having means for removing the lubricant from a machine sump.

6.14	Machine tools:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device having means for lubricating machine tools.

6.15	Sewing machines:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device having means for lubricating sewing machines. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 112,  Sewing,   subclasses 43 and 256 for a sewing machine with apparatus to lubricate it.

6.16	Rotary compressor:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device having means for lubricating the rubbing parts of a rotary type compressor. (1) Note. Only a minute quantity of lubricant is generally applied. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 418,  Rotary Expansible Chamber Devices,   subclasses 83+ for lubrication of a rotary expansible chamber device.

6.17	Cylinders parallel to shaft:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device having means for lubricating machines wherein the cylinders are parallel or substantially parallel to a drive shaft. (1) Note. These machines usually include wobbler can or plate.

6.18	Vertical shaft:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device having means for lubricating a vertical shaft.

6.19	Linkage mechanisms:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device including means for lubricating links which are connected to other bodies.

6.2	With machine tilt compensating means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device including means to prevent disruption of the machines lubrication system when the machine is tilted. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 244,  Aeronautics and Astronautics,   subclass 135 for fuel supply systems combined with aircraft.

6.21	With lubricant treatment means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device including conditioning means for the lubricant while in use in the system.

6.22	Temperature or viscosity:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.21.  Device wherein the conditioning means raises or lowers the temperature of the lubricant or maintains the proper fluidity. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 104.1+, for apparatus for heating or cooling a lubricant other than in a system. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 123,  Internal-Combustion Engines,   subclass 196 for engine lubricators. 165,  Heat Exchange,   for heating or cooling apparatus of general use. 236,  Automatic Temperature and Humidity Regulation,   for temperature and humidity apparatus.

6.23	Foam or air:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.21.  Device including means to destroy or remove gas or vapor bubbles dispersed in the lubricant. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 96,  Gas Separation: Apparatus,   subclasses 155+ for degasifying means for liquid, per se. 516,  Colloid Systems and Wetting Agents; Subcombinations Thereof; Processes of Making, Stabilizing, Breaking, or Inhibiting,   subclasses 115+ for processes of or compositions for or subcombination compositions for the breaking of or inhibiting of foam colloid systems, when generically claimed or when there is no hierarchically superior provision in the USPC for the specifically claimed art.

6.24	Purification means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.21.  Device wherein the conditioning means (e.g., filtering, centrifuging or separating) removes foreign material to purify the lubricant. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 210,  Liquid Purification or Separation,   appropriate subclasses for processes and apparatus for separating a component from a liquid, particularly subclasses 167.02 through 167.09for liquid purification or separation means in a structural installation with a close circulating system for a lubrication system. 494,  Imperforate Bowl: Centrifugal Separators,   appropriate subclasses for apparatus and process for breaking up a mixture of fluids or fluent substances into two or more components by centrifuging within a generally solid-walled, receptacle-like member.

6.25	Magnetic:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.21.  Device includes magnetic means. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 210,  Liquid Purification or Separation,   subclass 222 for separators including a magnet of general use.

6.26	With mist or fog means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device including means to spray a lubricant for creating a mist or fog.

6.27	With guard:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device including means to control spraying or leakage of lubricant to prevent damage to a surface. (1) Note. The lubricant would cause carbonization or other detrimental effects to a surface.

6.28	Pump or pump systems mounting means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device including structure for fixing or making fast the position of a lubricant pump or system.

6.3	With machine starting means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device including means to provide lubrication simultaneously with or prior to starting the machine. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 123,  Internal-Combustion Engines,   subclass 196 for lubrication systems combined with an engine.

6.4	With safety or indicating means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device provided with (1) means to sense a change in the operation of a lubrication system and means responsive to said change to affect the operation of the machine, (2) means to prevent abnormal pressures in a lubricating system or (3) means for indicating the operation of the machine or supply. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 123,  Internal-Combustion Engines,   subclass 196 for lubrication systems combined with engines. 340,  Communications: Electrical,   subclass 631 for electric indicator for machine lubricant; and subclasses 679+ for machine condition responsive indicating systems.

6.5	Crank-type machines:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Device having means for lubricating crank-type machines.

6.6	Radially extending cylinders:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.5.  Device wherein the machines have cylinders in more than one radial plane or opposed.

6.7	Inverted cylinder:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.5.  Device wherein an expansible chamber of the machine is below the connecting rod.

6.8	Cylinder lubrication:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.5.  Device having means for lubricating a cylinder surface. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 18, for apparatus for lubricating a cylinder.

6.9	With valve lubrication:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.5.  Device including means for lubricating valves of the machine. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 123,  Internal-Combustion Engines,   sub- classes 90+ for valve-operating mechanism in an engine.

7.1	For twister ring or spinning spindle:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter, including apparatus specifically adapted to lubricate twister rings or spinning spindles of textile or similar machines. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 139,  Textiles: Weaving,   subclasses 1 and 45 for lubricating devices specifically for textile machines.

7.2	For chassis lubrication:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter, including apparatus specifically adapted to lubricate the bearing points in a chassis for a vehicle or other machine.

7.3	With flow regulator:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 7.2.  Subject matter, including apparatus to control the lubricant flow.

7.4	With measuring or metering value system:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  With measuring or metering value system: Subject matter, including apparatus to monitor and indicate lubricant flow parameters.

8	Continuous tube:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter, wherein there is a continuous tube from the source of lubricant to the bearing.

9	Sliding tube:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter, including apparatus comprising two telescoping tubes which slide, where usually one tube is fastened to a stationary part. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 137,  Fluid Handling,   subclass 580 for fluid distribution systems including a running joint between movable parts of the system.

10	Wipers:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter, wherein a tube or collecting device is secured to a moving bearing and the tube or collecting device carries a member which at some point in its movement wipes a drop of oil from the outlet of the reservoir of oil which is permanently secured. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 63,

11.1	Splash:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Subject matter wherein the lubricant is splashed by some moving part of the machine to be lubricated into one or more receptacles placed so as to feed the lubricant so collected to the part(s) to be lubricated. (1) Note. This subclass is distinguished from subclass 13.1, in this subclass, by the fact in this subclass there are means to catch the lubricant when splashed and to carry it to the part(s) to be lubricated.

11.2	With conduit:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 11.1.  Subject matter including a pipe, tube, or the like to transmit lubricant to or from the part(s) to be lubricated.

11.3	For transmission band:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 11.1.  Subject matter wherein a transmission band is lubricated.

11.4	With connecting rod clippers or scoops:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 11.1.  Subject matter wherein connecting rod clippers or scoops pick up lubricant from a crankcase during movement of the rod.

11.5	For endless band or chain feed:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 11.1.  Subject matter wherein an endless band or a chain is lubricated.

12	CONVEYORS:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 61.  Devices for conveying the lubricant from a reservoir to a bearing. They are more complicated than those of ... .

13.1	Splash:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter’s including apparatus in which a moving part strikes a body of lubricant and spatters it about, so that it comes in contact with a part to be lubricated. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 11.1, for devices which splash lubricant into a catch means, with lubricant then being carried to a part to be lubricated.

14	LUBRICATORS:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Primarily receptacles for holding lubricant having an outlet, and associated with this receptacle so as practically to be a part of it, is some arrangement which regulates and causes (either one or both) the oil to be delivered through the outlet. These devices as above described are complete in themselves and may be removed as an entirety from one machine and placed on another. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 48,  Gas: Heating and Illuminating,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 222,  Dispensing,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review.

14.1	Spring:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 14.  Subject matter including apparatus specially intended, and arranged, to lubricate a spring (e.g., coil, leaf, spiral, etc.). SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 7, for devices for lubricating vehicle chassis.

15.1	Belt, cable, chain or conveyor:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 14.  Subject matter, including apparatus for lubricating a belt, cable, chain or conveyor. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 30,  Cutlery,   subclasses 123.4 and 381+ for chain saws, per se. 83,  Cutting,   subclass 169 for chain saw lubrications. 198,  Conveyors: Power-Driven,   subclass 500 for power-driven conveyor lubricators. 305,  Wheel Substitutes for Land Vehicles,   subclasses 117+ for wheel lubricators.

15.2	With injector:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 15.1.  Subject matter, wherein the lubricant is applied to a belt, cable, chain or conveyor by an injection means. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 56, for steam or air injector lubricators.

15.3	With intermittent spray or drip:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 15.1.  Subject matter, wherein an alternately on and off apparatus supplies lubricant to a belt, cable, chain or conveyor.

16	Swab-applied:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 15.1.  Devices for applying the lubricant by a swab.

17	Roller-applied:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 15.1.  Devices for applying the lubricant by roller.

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