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 [Search a list of Patent Appplications for class 405]   CLASS 405,HYDRAULIC AND EARTH ENGINEERING
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

This class provides for subject matter relating to the following when not provided for elsewhere:

The control or treatment of water in open channels, naturally or artificially occurring bodies of water, or of water otherwise lying on the earth"s surface.

The control or treatment of earth material is situ, and the securement or stabilization of structures in the earth.

Storage of fluid in underground cavities and disposal of waste in the earth.

Tunnel construction or pipe or cable laying or retrieving.

Apparatus and methods by which underwater work operations may be performed.

Apparatus and methods for launching a marine vessel into or removing it from a body of water, transportation of a vessel across dry land, or exposing a normally wetted surface, e.g., a vessel"s hull, to the atmosphere.

SECTION II - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

14, Bridges,   subclasses 75 and 77.3 for piers including structure peculiar to bridge construction. Class 405 provides for piers or piles of general application and methods and apparatus for installing or constructing the same in situ.
29, Metal Working,   for processes and apparatus for mechanical manufacture, repair or disassembly. As between Class 405 and Class 29, an assembling, disassembling, or repair method or apparatus, when restricted to a marine environment or claimed in combination with an earth treating or handling step or means, is proper for Class 405 unless provided for elsewhere. For example, assembly or tunnel lining panels, per se, will be found in Class 29, and Class 405 provides for an additional excavating step or means or a step or means for applying the panels to the earth. The assembly or disassembly of pipe or cable is provided for in Class 405 when a step or means is recited for handling earth material, or for submerging or handling the pipe or cable beneath the surface of a body of water.
37, Excavating,   appropriate subclasses for digging, removing, and handling of excavated material, per se, including hydraulic dredging. Class 405 provides for specialized excavating combined with an additional nonexcavating step or means (e.g., tunneling, pipe, and cable laying, etc.).
52, Static Structures (e.g., Buildings),   appropriate subclasses foundations having additional means which render the foundation peculiar to the support of a particular Class 52 structure (e.g., wall, shaft, etc.), and subclass 155 for piercing or expanding earth anchors. Class 405 takes methods of securing earth anchors or bolts in the earth when the character of the surrounding earth is altered Class 405 also provides for a Class 52 structure recited in a marine environment (i.e., secured to a marine bed).
114, Ships,   appropriate subclasses for floating or submerged storage vessels, floating harbors, landing areas, boat docks, etc., which are moored or anchored to the earth by a flaccid connecting member, and subclasses 312+ for submarine vessels without specific means for performing an underwater work operation, other than equipment necessary to effect docking with another active vessel.
137, Fluid Handling,   subclass 236.1 for fluid handling systems including or particularly related to some geographic feature (e.g., hill, river, ocean, etc.); and subclasses 544+ for means for separating material from a fluid mixture in a tank.
138, Pipes and Tubular Conduits,   subclasses 97+ for a process or apparatus for repairing conduits. This class (405) provides for methods and apparatus for raising a line of pipe or cable from the floor (subclass 173) and apparatus and methods by which personnel may gain access to a submerged pipeline to repair the same.
166, Wells,   for processes and apparatus relating to shafts or deep boring in the earth for the extraction of fluids therefrom. Class 405 is generic with respect to Class 166 regarding earth treatment and handling, i.e., Class 166 takes earth treating and handling methods and apparatus peculiar to wells and the formation thereof. Offshore drilling platforms and apparatus for repairing or assembling submerged pipeline to a submerged well are classified in Class 405 unless significant well structure is recited.
175, Boring or Penetrating the Earth,   appropriate subclasses for processes and apparatus for forming a bore in the earth for the reception of a structure. See the class definition of Class 175, Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, for the line between Class 405 and Class 175.
210, Liquid Purification or Separation,   appropriate subclasses for means for separating water and foreign matter, particularly subclasses 154+ for flume screens. Class 405 provides for apparatus and methods for containing the spread of a floatable material in a canal or body of water, and for structures which effect the setting of suspended matter in a canal or body of water by retarding the flow and allowing the material to settle by gravity.
239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing,   appropriate subclasses for terminal elements, per se, which discharge or project a fluid, and see the search note to Class 405 in the Class 239 main definition in References to Other Classes regarding irrigation systems and devices.
249, Static Molds,   appropriate subclasses for molds for forming hydraulic and earth control structures in situ and which are not combined with earthworking or treating means, and which do not become a permanent part of the structure.
264, Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes,   appropriate subclasses for a method of casting a hydraulic or earth-control structure, per se, without an earthworking or treating step.
299, Mining or In Situ Disintegration of Hard Material,   appropriate subclasses for a process or apparatus for recovering valuable material from the earth or disintegrating hard material in situ. See References to Other Classes in the class definition of Class 299 for the line.
404, Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus,   appropriate subclasses for methods and apparatus for treating or otherwise working with the earth when limited to the making, installing, repairing, or maintaining of a highway, pathway, or walkway structure.
425, Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus,   appropriate subclasses for apparatus which include a molding surface which shapes a fluent or bulk material, particularly subclass 59 wherein a portion of the earth below the surface is employed as part of the molding surface. Class 405 provides for the combination of molding and earthworking or treating means.
507, Earth Boring, Well Treating, and Oil Field Chemistry,   subclasses 100+ for earth boring and well treating compositions.
520, Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers,   appropriate subclasses, particularly Class 523, subclasses 132+ for a composition containing a synthetic resin or natural rubber and having utility in situ as a soil conditioner or stabilizer or to processes of preparing said composition.
588, Hazardous or Toxic Waste Destruction or Containment,   subclasses 250 and 253 for earth burial of hazardous or toxic waste. Waste proper for classification in Class 588 is considered to be too hazardous or toxic for placement in an ordinary municipal landfill.

SUBCLASSES

[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 1]    1MARINE VESSEL PORTAGE, LAUNCHING, OR REMOVING:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Method or apparatus (a) for introducing a vessel into or removing it from a body of water or for transporting the vessel across a body of land by means resting on or built into the earth, (b) for constructing an artificial vessel basin which is capable of having all the water removed therefrom, or (c) for subcombinations peculiar to such basins which are not provided for elsewhere.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

425, Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus,   subclass 61 for a vessel launching means or dry dock combined with a shaping or treating means of that class (425).
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 2]    2Rail mounted carrier:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Method or apparatus wherein the vessel is transported across land or introduced into or removed from a body of water by a wheeled carriage which is supported by and moves along a trackway.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

114, Ships,   subclass 375 for apparatus in the form of chutes on tracks for launching life craft from a ship.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 3]    3Lifting:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Method or apparatus wherein the vessel is raised or lowered in a substantially vertical manner.
(1) Note. For placement in this subclass, the vessel should not be required to undergo any significant horizontal movement during the lifting or lowering operation, accordingly, the inclined plane type of launching structure will not be found herein.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

86,for subject matter relating to the lifting of a vessel in a canal.

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212, Traversing Hoists,   appropriate subclasses for simple hoisting apparatus having means to raising a boat and shifting it horizontally.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 4]    4Dry dock:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.  Method or apparatus (a) for exposing the hull of a vessel to the atmosphere by placing the vessel into an artificial basin formed in or on the earth, which basin is capable of having substantially all the water removed therefrom, (b) for constructing such a basin, or (c) for subcombinations peculiar thereto.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

114, Ships,   subclasses 45+ for floating dry docks.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 5]    5Fabrication:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Method or apparatus for constructing an artificial basin into which the vessel to be removed from the water will be placed.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 6]    6Gate:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Method or apparatus for sealing the entrance into the basin through which the vessel passes.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

85+,for locks associated with navigable canals.
87+,for water gates associated with other open topped waterways.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 7]    7Vessel support (e.g., bilge or keel block):
 This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Method or apparatus wherein means are provided to bear the weight or to prevent tilting of a vessel when the water is withdrawn from the basin.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 8]    8PRESSURIZED CAISSON:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Method or apparatus relating to an open bottomed work chamber which is adapted to be placed below the surface of a body of water or the earth, which, while in place, has a portion which extends above said surface to allow access to the chamber and which is supplied with a compressed gas to elevate the pressure therein to prevent the ingress of flowable material.
(1) Note. Diving bells are not found herein since they do not have a portion, e.g., a shaft extending above the surface of a body of water within which the bell is immersed, which portion allows workmen access to the interior of the bell.
(2) Note. The caissons found herein provide a work chamber within which men operate while located below the surface of the earth or water, which chamber is pressurized while the men are therein to prevent the ingress of flowable material, e.g., water, muck, etc.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

193,for diving apparatus which are pressurized to prevent ingress of water through an opening, but with no continuous access to the water surface.
194,for unpressurized diving apparatus having a continuous surface access.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 9]    9Having lifting cable:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 8.  Method or apparatus wherein a flexible, strandlike member is provided to move material between the submerged or below-ground working chamber and the surface.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 10]    10Movable relative to mobile support:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 8.  Method or apparatus wherein the caisson is mounted on and shiftable relative to an ambulant carrier.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 11]    11MEANS TO EXPOSE A NORMALLY WETTED SURFACE, E.G., COFFERDAM, ETC.:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Method or apparatus wherein means are provided to form a temporary removable enclosure about a portion of a submerged surface so that the water contained within the enclosure means can be evacuated to thereby expose the surface portion to the air.
(1) Note. The type of structures to be found herein are removed once work on the submerged surface is completed. Thus, those caissons or cofferdams which physically become part of and are inseparable from a structure formed within such caissons or cofferdams will not be found in this or the indented subclasses.
(2) Note. While the enclosing means found herein are usually used to expose a portion of a sea, lake, or river bed, those devices which are used to expose portion of a ship"s hull or sea wall, so that work can be performed thereon will also be found herein.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

222,for foundations for marine structures wherein the enclosures used in casting the foundation become an integral part of the finished structure.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 12]    12Contoured to wetted surface, e.g., side hung ship caisson:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 11.  Method or apparatus wherein the enclosure means is provided with a specially configured face which coacts with an object having a complementary profile to effect a fluid tight seal therebetween.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 13]    13Having transport, placement, or dislodgement means:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 11.  Method or apparatus wherein means are provided (a) to move the enclosing means from one location to another, or (b) to effect either installation of an already formed enclosing means at the site at which it is to be used or its removal therefrom.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

203,for marine structures (i.e., working platform) which are floated to a work site.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 14]    14Connectable sections:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 11.  Method or apparatus wherein the enclosure means is composed of a plurality of segments having means which allow the segments to be readily joined together to form the enclosure.
(1) Note. Sheet piling, per se, and methods of installing sheet piles to form a wall will not be found herein unless there is either specific structure limiting the pile to be used in water or a specific step of forming a cofferdam in an aquatic environment.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

274+,for sheet piles either used for form retaining walls or which are of general utility.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 15]    15BANK, SHORE, OR BED PROTECTION:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Method or apparatus pertaining to the preservation of shorelines or other areas subject to the erosive influence of water.
(1) Note. Lining of canals, channels, etc., is considered to be impermeablization and patents relating to the same will be found in appropriate subclasses under EARTH TREATMENT AND CONTROL.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

73,for apparatus for or methods of creating or deepening a channel by concentrating a natural current.
263+,and 270, for subject matter relating to an impermeable lining for a canal, channel, etc.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 16]    16Revetment:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 15.  Method or apparatus wherein erosion of a bank or shore is prevented by an object or material resting or and supported by the bank or shore and which is substantially co-extensive with the area that is subject to erosion.
(1) Note. Whether a wall-like structure is a revetment or a retaining wall is determined solely by its support relationship to the earth. If the earth is supported by the structure, then the structure is considered to be a retaining wall. In those instances where the structure rests upon and covers the earth which is subject to erosion, it is a revetment.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

262,and 284+, for retaining walls.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 17]    17Revetment laying:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 16.  Method or apparatus for forming a revetment at the location in which it is to be used or the application of a revetment to the site of its intended usage.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 18]    18Continuous concrete or concrete filled bag:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 16.  Apparatus wherein the object or material is in the form of an uninterrupted layer of cement or asphalt concrete or is in the form of a pliant receptacle which is filled with such material.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 19]    19Mattress:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 16.  Apparatus wherein the revetment includes a pliant member which allows the revetment, when laid, to conform to the surface being protected.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 20]    20Hinged concrete sections:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 19.  Apparatus wherein the mattress is a plurality of cement or asphalt concrete segments which are flexible interconnected.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 21]    21Wave to flow dissipation:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 15.  Method or apparatus wherein the kinetic energy of the water is controlled or selectively released or redirected.
(1) Note. In order to be classified as an original in this and indented subclasses, patents relating to a vertical wall at the water-land interface (e.g., sea wall) must claim a step or means for wave or flow dissipation. In the absence of wave or flow dissipating structure a patent claiming an earth-retaining sea wall or similar structure will be placed in subclass 262 or subclasses 284+.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 22]    22Fluid application:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 21.  Method or apparatus pertaining to contacting the water with a fluid such as air or oil to perform the dissipating function.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

61,for subject matter relating to the application of fluids for preventing ice formation.
62,for subject matter relating to the control of floating matter other than ice by fluid application.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

441, Buoys, Rafts, and Aquatic Devices,   subclass 34 for buoys provided with means for distributing oil on the surface of waves.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 23]    23Floatable dissipator submerged at site:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 21.  Method or apparatus in which a wave or flow dissipating structure is floated to the site at which it is to be used and then sunk to assume its dissipating orientation.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

26+,for wave dissipation structures which are floated to a site and continue to float in their operative position.
203+,for other marine structures which are floated to the site of use and sunk.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 24]    24Artificial seaweed:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 21.  Method or apparatus relating to a structure in the form of a plurality of upstanding elongate members anchored to the bed of an active body of water, which members flex in response to movement of the water.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 25]    25Bed supported subsurface dissipator:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 21.  Method or apparatus wherein wave or flow dissipation is effected by a structure which is mounted or resting on the bed of an active body of water and is completely beneath the surface of the water at all times.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 26]    26Floating:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 21.  Method or apparatus wherein wave or flow dissipation is effected by a member which is wholly supported by its buoyancy.
(1) Note. Structures in this and indented subclasses may be anchored at a location and may even be anchored with rigid pilelike anchors as long as the anchor does not provide structural support for the dissipator.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 27]    27Openwork:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 26.  Method or apparatus wherein the floating dissipator is either perforated or is composed of a plurality of spaced apart structural elements and the water"s energy is dissipated by flowing through the floating device.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 28]    28Flexibly suspended from or pivoted to support:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 21.  Method or apparatus wherein wave or flow dissipation is effected by a member which either flexibly depends from or is swingably attached to one or more stationary supports.
(1) Note. Suspended or pivoted structures carried by a floating support will not be found in this subclass.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

26+,for structures suspended from or pivoted to a floating support.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 29]    29Polypod:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 21.  Method or apparatus wherein wave or flow dissipation is effected by a structure which includes three or more legs or feet symmetrically radiating from a common center or body.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

52, Static Structures (e.g., Buildings),   subclasses 596+ for stonelike modules for building static structures.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 30]    30Openwork or concave face:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 21.  Method or apparatus relating to a structure which includes (a) a portion which dissipates wave or flow by allowing the water to flow therethrough, or (b) a groovelike depression on its wave or flow dissipation surface.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 31]    31Associated with solid wall:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 30.  Method or apparatus wherein the structure includes an impervious wall in combination with an openwork dissipation structure or a concave face.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

262,and 284+, for an earth-retaining wall located at a land-water interface (e.g., sea wall) and without any specific wave dissipation features.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 32]    32With fabric:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 30.  Method or apparatus wherein the openwork portion of the dissipation structure is in the form of a textilelike structure, formed by the joining or intertwining of discrete intersecting strandlike structures.
(1) Note. This subclass includes trees and branches (e.g., facines) placed in a body of water to dissipate flow.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 33]    33Interfitted or interleaved members:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 30.  Method or apparatus wherein the wave or flow dissipating structure includes (a) a plurality of members each of which has a particular configuration permitting interlocking or nesting in abutting fashion with an adjacent member, or (b) a plurality of staggered strata each of which is composed of a plurality of spaced apart members, the members of one stratum bridging the spaces in a juxtaposed stratum.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

273,for interlocking or interleaved cribbing of general utility.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 34]    34Jetty:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 30.  Method or apparatus wherein the wave or flow is dissipated by a permeable structure extending outwardly from the shore into the body of water.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 35]    35Spaced members:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 30.  Method and apparatus wherein a plurality of elements are joined together in spaced array to form a unitary flow dissipating structure.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 36]    36DRAINAGE OR IRRIGATION:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Method or apparatus including a step or means for either (a) collecting and removing surplus water from the soil, (b) applying water to the soil for agricultural purposes, or (c) the installation of apparatus for collecting and removing water from the soil or applying water to the soil.
(1) Note. For original placement in this and indented subclasses, a claim to a channel or ditch must include structure specific to irrigation or drainage, e.g., a drainage inlet or irrigation outlet.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

118,for open channels with no irrigation outlet or drainage inlet.
119+,for open channels, above-ground fluid carriers (flumes) with no irrigation features (apertures, etc.).

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

47, Plant Husbandry,   subclass 1.01 for installed irrigation systems having means to supply fertilizer to the irrigating water.
166, Wells,   appropriate subclasses for methods and apparatus relating to wells for recovering fluids from the earth.
210, Liquid Purification or Separation,   subclasses 170.01 through 170.11for liquid purification or separation means installed in a geographic feature and subclass 747 for liquid purification or separation processes including a geographic feature.
239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing,   appropriate subclasses for pressurized irrigating systems with above-ground terminal outlets (e.g., nozzles).
404, Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus,   subclasses 2+ for a drain or gutter combined with walkway or road structure.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 37]    37Control means responsive to sensed condition:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 36.  Method or apparatus wherein the drainage or irrigation takes place (a) in response to a sensed characteristic, e.g., soil moisture content, or (b) under the control of a timer.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

137, Fluid Handling,   subclasses 78+ for miscellaneous fluid handling systems in which fluid flow is controlled in response to a change in an atmospheric condition.
239, Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing,   subclass 63 for fluid sprinkling systems responsive to ground moisture content and including an above-ground terminal outlet.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 38]    38Including subsurface moisture barrier:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 36.  Method or apparatus wherein an artificial layer of water impermeable material is provided below the soil surface and is positioned to prevent the passage of water from a region above the layer to a region therebelow.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 39]    39Having regulation to flow through channel:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 36.  Method or apparatus wherein means are provided to cause or control fluid flow within a flow confining passage.
(1) Note. For placement herein, a patent must recite a flow controller used as part of an irrigation or drainage system. Merely reciting a valve culvert associated with a levee or a water gate in a channel even though the disclosed utility is for irrigation or drainage is not sufficient for placement in this or indented subclasses.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

87+,for water gates and adjustable weirs associated with open channels.
108,for valved spillways or culverts associated with dams, dikes, levees, etc.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 40]    40At outlet or intake:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 39.  Method or apparatus wherein the control takes place at each point (a) of egress of water from a channel to the soil, or (b) of ingress of water from the soil to the channel.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

87+,for water gates associated with open channels which do not have means to specialize them for irrigation.
108,for flow controllers in spillways for dams or levels.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 41]    41Riser or standpipe outlet or intake:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 40.  Method or apparatus wherein the point of egress or ingress is in a pipe which projects upwardly, usually perpendicularly from a main pipe.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 42]    42End cap:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 36.  Method or apparatus wherein a tubular member is provided for applying water to or removing it from the soil, which member has means associated with it to cover or to surround the terminal end of the member.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

48,for apertured pipes having shielded outlets.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 43]    43Porous or apertured pipe, flume, or tileway:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 36.  Method or apparatus wherein drainage or irrigation is effected by a structure having a water-conducting channel or passage formed therein and wherein the water is removed from or applied to the soil through (a) a port formed in the side wall of the channel or passage, (b) a foraminous side wall portion of the structure, or (c) the connection or joint between elements used to make up the water conducting structure.
(1) Note. A mainfold which feeds a plurality of feed pipes which in turn supply water to or drain it from the soil will not be found herein unless the feed pipes themselves are apertured or formed of a foraminous material.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

154.1,for subject matter relating to the positioning of a conduit belowground.

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47, Plant Husbandry,   subclass 48.5 for a container or cartridge which contains water or the like and is adapted to be placed in the ground, whereby the liquid is applied or allowed to diffuse into the soil through some special feature, such as perforations in the container.
138, Pipes and Tubular Conduits,   appropriate subclasses for pipes or tubes of general application.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 44]    44Uniform discharge:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 43.  Method or apparatus wherein the water-conducting member includes a feature which ensures that equal amounts of water will be applied to the soil throughout the length of the member.
(1) Note. A common example of this feature is the variation in aperture size along the length of the member, with small apertures in high pressure areas and larger apertures in the low pressure areas.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 45]    45Porous:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 43.  Method or apparatus wherein the sidewall, a portion of the sidewall, or an aperture formed therein includes a foraminous material.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 46]    46Earthen bottom:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 43.  Method or apparatus wherein the water-conducting member is in the form of an inverted open channel.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 47]    47Flow through joint:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 43.  Method or apparatus wherein the water-conducting member is comprised of serially arranged segments, and the water is removed from or applied to the solid through a space between adjacent ends of said segments.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 48]    48Open seam or shielded outlet:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 43.  Method or apparatus wherein (a) the water-conducting member is a generally closed channel which has longitudinally extending juncture formed therein in which an exit or entrance passage is provided, or (b) the exit or entrance passage is provided with means overhanging the passage to preclude the entry of dirt, soil, or like clogging material.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 49]    49Corrugated:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 43.  Method and apparatus wherein the water-conducting member includes a series of alternate ridges and grooves extending about the entire periphery.
(1) Note. The ridges and grooves must be both inside and outside of the conducting member for placement in this subclass.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 50]    50Porous waterway, e.g., sand drain, etc.:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 36.  Method or apparatus wherein a highly water permeable material is placed in a less permeable earthen formation to allow water to be conducted within or through the formation.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 51]    51Branched flow:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 36.  Method or apparatus wherein a flow draining or distributing system includes a plurality of streams which diverge from or converge on a manifold.
(1) Note. The term manifold as used herein includes devices such as a pipe or flume having multiple passageways formed in its side wall, or a wall or tube sheet communicating a plurality of pipes with a body of water, etc.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 52]    52FLUID CONTROL, TREATMENT, OR CONTAINMENT:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Method or apparatus relating to (a) storing a fluid in an earth formation, (b) creating, regulating, or redirecting the flow of a moving body of liquid, (c) extracting energy from a moving body of liquid, (d) inhibiting the formation of an undesirable suspended material in a body of water, (e) redistributing suspended material in a body of water, or (f) containing the spread of an undesirable floatable material on a body of water.
(1) Note. Excluded from this subclass are liquid purification or separation process or apparatus.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

137, Fluid Handling,   appropriate subclasses for devices for controlling water under pressure, particularly subclass 236.1 for distribution systems involving geographic features; and subclasses 247+ for liquid seal traps.
210, Liquid Purification or Separation,   subclasses 170.01 through 170.11for liquid purification or separation means installed in a geographic feature and subclass 747 for liquid purification or separation processes including a geographic feature.
261, Gas and Liquid Contact Apparatus,   appropriate subclasses for apparatus specifically adapted to produce an intimate contact between gases and liquids to exchange properties or mutually modify conditions.
  
[List of Patents for class 405 subclass 53]    53Fluid storage in earthen cavity:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 52.  Method or apparatus related to storing a fluid in a reservoir or underground chamber having walls of natural earth or such walls which are coated, lined, or otherwise made less permeable.
(1) Note. For original placement in this subclass, a patent claiming a fluid storage reservoir must recite the same as a complete container (i.e., including the bottom surface) formed in or on the earth"s surface. Patents claiming merely an enclosing wall or levee are excluded and will be found in subclasses 107+.
(2) Note. The concept of storage includes the ability to retrieve the stored material. Placement of a material in a cavity without retrieval ability is considered to be disposal.
(3) Note. This subclass is not intended to take mere tanks buried in the earth without any other specific relationship thereto.
(4) Note. This subclass does not include treatment of the material stored other than that which is incidental to the handling thereof.

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107+,for subject matter relating to a fluid-impounding earthen wall without regard to the earth surface underlying the fluid.
129.1,for waste disposal in an earth formation.

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37, Excavating,   appropriate subclasses for processes and apparatus relating to digging, handling, and moving material.
48, Gas: Heating and Illuminating,   subclasses 174+ for vessels for the storage of gas.
52, Static Structures (e.g., Buildings),   appropriate subclasses for building constructions of more general application, particularly subclass 20 for an enclosure with top entrance in cover section; subclasses 128+ for a burial vault; subclasses 169+ for a construction with a particular terranean feature; subclasses 192+ for a liquid or fluent material container with a material port; and subclasses 245+ for an intersecting or curvilinear construction, e.g., storage tanks.
62, Refrigeration,   subclasses 45.1+ , and particularly subclass 53.1 for methods and apparatus for the handling of liquefied gas involving steps or means special to liquefied gas and more than required for any liquid or gas under pressure.
137, Fluid Handling,   appropriate subclasses for methods and structure relating to the handling of fluids, especially subclasses 255+ for plural tanks with parallel flow; subclasses 343+ for fluid handling combined with static constructional installations; subclasses 386+ for liquid level responsive or maintaining systems; and subclasses 561+ for distribution systems.
166, Wells,