Manual of U.S. Patent Classification
as of June 30, 2000

Class
175
BORING OR PENETRATING THE EARTH

Class definitions may be accessed by clicking on the class title, above.
Subclass definitions may be accessed by clicking on the subclass number, below.

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Subclass		Title
ClassTitle		===> BORING OR PENETRATING THE EARTH
1		WITH SEISMIC SHOCK GENERATING
2		BORING WITH EXPLOSION IN INACCESSIBLE HOLE
3		. Severing formed core by explosion
3.5		. Explosive charge carried by projectile
4		. Driving core receiver by explosion or with receptacle collecting material in bore
4.5		. Directing successive projectiles or charges in same path
4.51		. With position orienting or indicating
4.52		. With wall engaging packer or anchor
4.53		. Firing chamber movable in bore relative to carrier or another firing chamber
4.54		. With bore condition firing control, or compensating means
4.55		. Independent firing of plural charges
4.56		. Firing control mechanically actuated in bore
4.57		. Projectile forms bore
4.58		. . With means to initially restrain projectile for pressure build-up
4.59		. . With means to prevent preliminary bore fluid contact
4.6		. Concave-shaped charge
5		BORING A SUBMERGED FORMATION
6		. Boring with underwater tool drive prime mover
7		. Boring from floating support with submerged independent anchored guide base
8		. Boring from submerged buoyant support
9		. Boring from nonbuoyant support
10		. Boring with submersible vertically movable guide
11		BORING BY DIRECTLY APPLYING HEAT TO FLUIDIZE OR COMMINUTE
12		. Combustion of the formation material
13		. With introduction of slag forming flux
14		. Combustion is confined chamber having restricted discharge orifice
15		. Rotating the heating tool
16		. Electrically produced heat
17		WITH HEATING OR COOLING (1) WITHIN THE BORE, OR (2) DRILLING FLUID
18		ICE BORING
19		BORING WITHOUT EARTH REMOVAL (I.E., COMPACTING EARTH FORMATION)
20		. Combined with earth removal (e.g., removing sample)
21		. Fluid passage to exterior of drive point
22		. Drive point detached from shaft to form cased bore or with installation of casing
23		. . Drive point retracted through shaft or casing
24		AUTOMATIC CONTROL
25		. Of fluid pressure below ground
26		. Of boring means including a below-ground drive prime mover
27		. Of advance or applied tool weight
38		. In response to drilling fluid circulation
39		WITH BIT WEAR SIGNAL GENERATING
40		WITH SIGNALING, INDICATING, TESTING OR MEASURING
41		. Ray energy detection or measuring
42		. Indicating agent released in drilling fluid
44		. Providing identifiable indication of core position in situ for core sample orientation
45		. Tool position direction or inclination measuring or indicating within the bore
46		. Signaling or indicating condition of cutting in cuttings retainer
48		. Measuring or indicating drilling fluid (1) pressure, or (2) rate of flow
49		. Transparent inspection feature
50		. Indicating, testing or measuring a condition of the formation
51		WITH SELF-ACTING CYCLIC ADVANCE AND RETRACTION OF TOOL OR TOOL SHAFT
52		WITH MAGAZINE FOR SUCCESSIVELY MOVING UNCONNECTED, ORIENTED TOOL OR SHAFT SECTIONS TO USE POSITION
53		ENLARGEMENT OF EXISTING PILOT THROUGHBORE REQUIRING ACCESSIBILITY TO EXISTING OPPOSITE BORE ENDS TO INSERT AND REMOVE TOOL
54		BORING BY BELOW GROUND RECIRCULATION OF UNSUPPORTED ELEMENTS (E.G., SHOT)
55		TOOL ACTUATION BY REACTION OF ROTATING ECCENTRIC MASS
56		NATURAL VIBRATION CHARACTERISTIC OF AN ELEMENT OF BORING MEANS RELATED (1) TO NATURAL VIBRATION CHARACTERISTIC OF ANOTHER ELEMENT, OR (2) TO FREQUENCY OF AN IMPOSED MOTION
57		PROCESSES
58		. Sampling of earth formations
59		. . Retaining fluid or taking separate fluid sample
60		. . Transporting sample to surface by fluid
61		. Boring curved or redirected bores
62		. Boring horizontal bores
64		. Chemical reaction with earth formation or drilling fluid constituent
65		. Boring with specific fluid
66		. . Treating spent or used fluid above ground
67		. . Boring by fluid erosion
68		. . Anti-agglomeration treatment of gaseous drilling fluid
69		. . Combined liquid and gaseous fluid
70		. . Plural distinguishable liquids
71		. . Gaseous fluid or under gas pressure
72		. . Prevention of lost circulation or caving
73		MEANS TRAVELING WITH TOOL TO CONSTRAIN TOOL TO BORE ALONG CURVED PATH
74		. Sectional guide or shaft having means to lock sections in angular relation while boring
75		. Normally curved guide or shaft
76		. Axially spaced opposed bore wall engaging guides
77		SIDE WALL TOOL FED LATERALLY WITHOUT ROTATION FROM INACCESSIBLE HOLE
78		MEANS CARRIED BY HOUSING INSERTABLE IN INACCESSIBLE HOLE TO ADVANCE SIDE WALL TOOL LATERALLY
79		TOOL SHAFT ADVANCED RELATIVE TO GUIDE INSERTABLE IN INACCESSIBLE HOLE TO CHANGE DIRECTION OF ADVANCE
80		. Tool telescopes over guide having surface set at angle in hole
81		. With anchor for guide engaging hole side wall
82		. Guide carried by shaft to operative position
83		. . With clutch means acting between shaft and guide
84		WITH ABOVE-GROUND CLEANER FOR BORING MEANS
85		WITH ORIENTING OR RACKING MEANS FOR UNCONNECTED TOOLS OR SECTIONS OF SHAFT OR CASING
86		WITH BELOW-GROUND PERSONAL ACCOMMODATION
87		CONVERTIBLE
88		WITH MEANS CARRYING CUTTINGS LATERALLY OF BORE AXIS COMPRISING (1) CHUTE, (2) CONVEYER, OR (3) VEHICLE
89		TOOL ELEMENT OR CONTINUOUSLY DRIVEN FLEXIBLE OR ARTICULATED ENDLESS MEMBER
90		. Flexible or articulated member carried on support swingable or laterally movable relative to bore axis
91		BORING MEANS INCLUDING A CONTINUOUSLY ROTATING BIT DESCRIBING A NONCIRCULAR CROSS-SECTIONAL BORE
92		WITH BELOW-GROUND TOOL DRIVE PRIME MOVER
93		. Below-ground (1) generation of motive fluid, or (2) storage of motivating energy
94		. With below-ground feed means
95		. Plural below-ground drive prime movers
96		. . Plural cutter elements driven by individual prime movers
97		. With means to anchor prime movers support to bore wall
98		. . Expansible anchor
99		. . . Fluid-operated
100		. Discharge passage for motive fluid directed toward bore entrance
101		. With positive connection between tool and support shaft for rotary below ground motor
102		. With below-ground conveyer or impeller for removal of cuttings
103		. With above-ground means
104		. Electric
105		. . Reciprocating
106		. With mechanical motion-converting means
107		. Fluid rotary type
108		COMMON DRIVE OR ADVANCING MEANS FOR CONCURRENTLY BORING ALONG LATERALLY SPACED AXES
113		WITH MEANS TO SIMULTANEOUSLY FEED AND ROTATE TOOL FROM A SINGLE MECHANICAL ELEMENT
114		. Constant rotation rate permitted regardless of (1) release of feed force, or (2) change in feed rate
118		. With feed anchor in earth wall being bored
121		. Rotary drive for relatively advancing feed screw
122		WITH MEANS TO FEED DRIVE
135		WITH ABOVE-GROUND MEANS TO IMPACT AN EARTH-PENETRATING MEANS
161		WITH ABOVE-GROUND MEANS TO MOVE TOOL TO A DUMPING LOCATION OFFSET FROM BORE
162		WITH ABOVE-GROUND MEANS TO FEED TOOL
170		WITH TOOL DRIVE PRIME MOVER OR ABOVE-GROUND MECHANICAL MOTION CONVERTING DRIVE MEANS
171		. With installing casing
172		. With endless flexible conveyer
173		. With diversely operated shafts extending into bore
189		. Drive reciprocates tool
195		. Rotary drive for a relatively advancing tool (e.g., rotary table)
202		ABOVE-GROUND MEANS FOR RELATIVELY MOVING BELOW-GROUND TOOL ELEMENTS
203		WITH ABOVE-GROUND MEANS TO ADVANCE OR RETRACT BORING MEANS
205		WITH MEANS PROVIDING PRESSURIZED GAS CONTACT WITH DRILLING LIQUID
206		WITH ABOVE-GROUND MEANS FOR PREPARING OR SEPARATING DRILLING FLUID CONSTITUENTS
207		WITH ABOVE-GROUND MEANS FOR HANDLING DRILLING FLUID OR CUTTING
208		. Fluid spray
209		. Fluid or cuttings directing or receiving means engaging bore entrance
210		. . Anchored to bore wall
211		. . Axially supported by tool shaft
212		. Pressurized gas supply
213		. With suction pump inlet communicating with bore bottom
214		. Fluid head on tool shaft having lateral port and axial passage with seal for means reciprocable in the head
215		. With tool shaft having plural passages for drilling fluid
216		. Standpipe
217		. With pump
218		. With valve
219		WITH PARTICULAR ACCOMMODATION FOR PERSONNEL (E.G., SEAT OR PROTECTOR)
220		WITH ABOVE-GROUND GUIDE FOR RELATIVELY ADVANCING TOOL
226		WITH SAMPLE COVERING OR COATING MEANS (1) DISPENSED INTO SAMPLE RECEIVER, OR (2) FLUENT
227		WITH STORAGE MEANS FOR BIT LUBRICANT CARRIED BY BIT OR SHAFT
228		. With fluid pressure-actuated feed means
229		. Rotation of bit actuates lubricant feed means
230		WITH EXPANSIBLE BORE WALL ANCHOR (E.G., PACKER)
231		WITH MEANS MOVABLE RELATIVE TO TOOL BELOW GROUND TO CONTROL ECCENTRIC FLUID EMISSION
232		WITH MEANS MOVABLE RELATIVE TO TOOL BELOW GROUND TO STOP FLOW TOWARD BORE BOTTOM
233		. Movable to seal sample receiver at bore bottom pressure
234		. With longitudinally spaced valve seats
235		. . Seat engaged to stop upward flow
236		. In sample receiver removable through below-ground tool shaft
237		. Means comprises dropped element
238		. Flow-stopping means includes relatively movable cutter element
239		. With undisturbed core receiver
240		. . Movable means adapted to underlie severed core
241		. Stops flow by movement about fixed pivot
242		. . Pivot transverse to tool axis
243		. Resiliently biased or composed of flexible material
244		WITH MEANS MOVABLE RELATIVE TO TOOL TO RECEIVE, RETAIN, OR SEVER UNDISTURBED CORE
245		. Core bit closure relative upwardly movable by core
246		. Receiver removable through below-ground tool shaft
247		. . With fluid pressure-responsive means to remove receiver or operate latch
248		. . Core forming cutting edge or element on receiver
249		. Core-retaining or severing means
250		. . Fluid-actuated
251		. . Actuated upon relative movement between tool and tool shaft
252		. . . Relative rotary movement
253		. . With element holding retaining or severing means inactive
254		. . Mounted on transverse pivot
255		. . Sliding wedge type (e.g., slips)
256		WITH RELEASABLE MEANS NORMALLY HOLDING JOINTED SHAFT SECTIONS IN ANGULAR RELATION
257		TOOL REMOVABLE OR INSERTABLE THROUGH OR AROUND DRIVING OR DRIVEN SHAFT OR CASING
258		. Laterally shiftable cutter element movable through shaft
259		. . Plural cutter elements longitudinally relatively movable into transverse alignment
260		. . Cutter element engages torque transmitting abutment on shaft when expanded
261		. . . With additional torque transmitting abutment on bit head and shaft
262		. Tool movable exteriorly of shaft
263		CUTTER ELEMENT LATERALLY SHIFTABLE BELOW GROUND (E.G., EXPANSIBLE)
264		. With separable means holding tool collapsed above ground only
265		. Plural cutter elements longitudinally relative movable into transverse alignment
266		. Plural selectively shiftable cutter elements
271		. With latch operated by fluid pressure or dropped element
267		. Cutter element shifted by fluid pressure
268		. . With dropped element
269		. . Fluid pressure acts against spring biased part
270		. Cutter element shifted by dropped element
272		. Cutter element shifted by relatively longitudinally movable threaded elements
273		. Cutter element shifted by cam or gear axially rotatable relative to shaft
274		. With shifting mechanism spring biased to operative position
275		. . With separate latch
276		. . . Frangible or discardable element
277		. . . Latch holds mechanism retracted
278		. . . . Latch return shifting mechanism to inoperative position
279		. . Cam or gear means movable to shift cutter element
280		. . . With forwardly extending noncutting portion
281		. . Cutter element substantially longitudinally movable on shaft
282		. . . Plural elements expanded into single socket
283		. . . With forwardly extending noncutting portion
284		. Cutter element shifted by longitudinally relatively movable parts
285		. . Toggle or linkage between movable parts
286		. . Cam or gear engaging cutter element
287		. . . With separate latch holding cutter element in shifted position
288		. . . Cutter element substantially longitudinally movable on shaft
289		. . . Cutter element spring biased to retracted position
290		. With latch
291		. Spring biased
292		. Pivoted about substantially longitudinal axis
293		BELOW-GROUND (1) HAMMER, OR (2) IMPACT MEMBERS
294		. Combined with safety joint
295		. With noncutting portion forwardly of sleeve impact member having a cutting portion (e.g., reamer)
296		. Fluid-operated
297		. . Restricted orifice for initially delaying escape of restraining fluid
298		. Continuous unidirectional rotary motion of one telescoping member effects consecutive impacts
299		. Resiliently biased
300		. With releasable means to detachably retain telescoping members against axial reciprocation
301		. . Frangible
302		. . Condition for release adjustable
303		. . . Adjustable below ground
304		. . Resiliently biased latch
305		. Telescoping members relatively rotatable
306		. . With means to couple members to prevent relative rotation
307		WITH CUTTING EDGE COVER
308		WITH RECEPTACLE
309		. Removable or insertable through below-ground tool shaft
310		. With helical conveyer
311		. Suspended below bit
312		. Sieve or strainer
313		WITH MECHANICAL CLEANER FOR BIT OR CUTTER ELEMENT
314		WITH WELL-TYPE SCREEN
315		COMBINED
316		WITH RELATIVELY MOVABLE PARTS TO FACILITATE CLEANING WITHOUT DISASSEMBLY
317		WITH MEANS MOVABLE RELATIVE TO TOOL OR SHAFT TO CONTROL BELOW-GROUND PASSAGE
318		. Valve prevents upward flow
319		BELOW-GROUND MECHANICAL MOTION CONVERTING MEANS RELATIVELY MOVING PLURAL CUTTING EDGES
320		WITH TOOL SHAFT DETAIL
321		. Axially telescoping shaft section
322		. . Telescoping motion related to relative axial rotation or oscillation
323		. Helix or helically arranged structure
324		. Means other than tool structure to induce fluent flow
325.1		. Shaft carried guide or protector
325.2		. . Coupled between shaft sections or bit and shaft section
325.3		. . . With bore wall engaging means rotatable relative to shaft section (e.g., with bearings)
325.4		. . . Having removable inserts
325.5		. . Surrounding existing shaft section
325.6		. . . Held by a fastener parallel to shaft axis
325.7		. . . Held by discrete fastening means tangential to shaft axis
326		. . Engaging means advances in adjacent hole
327		BIT OR BIT ELEMENT
331		. Rolling cutter bit or rolling cutter bit element
332		. . Core forming-type bit
333		. . . With core-breaking means
334		. . Bit with leading cutter forming smaller diameter initial bore
335		. . . Leading fixed cutter
336		. . Rolling cutter bit with fixed cutter
337		. . With drilling fluid supply to bearing
338		. . With rotary or endless carrier
339		. . With drilling fluid conduit details
340		. . . Fluid conduit lining or element (e.g., slush tube or nozzle)
341		. . Plural rolling cutters with intermeshing teeth
342		. . Adjustable cutter element
343		. . Wobbling cutter
344		. . Noncutting portion forwardly of rolling cutter (e.g., reamer)
345		. . . Longitudinal axis cutter
346		. . . . Separable support for cutter axle
347		. . . . Removable axle or bushing
348		. . Longitudinal axis cutter
349		. . . With transverse axis cutter
350		. . Laterally offset cutter axis
351		. . . Disk blade
352		. . . . Plural coaxial cutters
353		. . . Cone or frustum rolling cutter
354		. . Axle rotatable with cutter
355		. . Circumferentially displaced cutter axes
356		. . . Stub axle only
357		. . . Detachable multiaxis support or spider
358		. . . Mutually contacting cutter supports
359		. . . . With bearing or seal details
360		. . Cross axle with stub axle
361		. . Cross axle
362		. . . Vertically disaligned cross axle sections
363		. . . Separable supports
364		. . . Removable cross axle or bushing
365		. . Outwardly directed stub axle
366		. . Separable support for stub axle
367		. . Detachable stub axle, bushing or bearing
368		. . . Releasable cutter securing device
369		. . Stub axle cutter securing means
370		. . . Released by antifriction bearing disassembly
371		. . With bearing or seal details
372		. . . Antifriction type
373		. . Disk cutter
374		. . Specific or diverse material
375		. . . Welded
376		. . Nonsymmetrical bit (e.g., nontracking)
377		. . Spiral rib or tooth row
378		. . Irregular tooth cutter row
379		. Cutting edge self-renewable during operation
380		. Unsupported abrading particle type (e.g., shot)
381		. Cutting edges relatively longitudinally movable during operation
382		. Adjustable cutter element
383		. . Adjustment presents different cutting edge
384		. . Radially adjustable
385		. Bit with leading portion (e.g., pilot) forming smaller diameter initial bore
386		. . Leading portion is separable starter
387		. . Leading portion is core forming type
388		. . Leading portion is a screw
389		. . Impact type
390		. . . Plural larger diameter steps
391		. . Plural larger diameter steps
392		. . Leading portion is forked rotary type
393		. With fluid conduit lining or element (e.g., slush tube)
394		. With helical-conveying portion
395		. . Impact type
396		. Axially parallel side wall with transverse cuttings retaining portion
397		. Forked rotary nontracking
398		. Nonsymmetrical bit
399		. . With bore wall engaging guide
400		. . Nonsymmetrical arrangement of opening for cuttings or fluid
401		. Cutting edges facing in opposite axial directions
402		. Casing shoe type
403		. Core forming type
404		. . With core-breaking means
405		. . Impact or percussion type
405.1		. . Includes diamond
406		. Noncutting portion forwardly of cutting portion (e.g., reamer)
407		. . Impact type
408		. With bit guide or bore wall compacting device
412		. Plural separable cutter elements
413		. . Independently attachable
414		. Impact or percussion type
415		. . Combined with rotary
416		. . Noncircular bore cutter
417		. . With internal-fluid passage
418		. . . Plural openings
419		. . . Cruciform
420		. . Cruciform
420.1		. . Insert
420.2		. . . Includes diamond
421		. Symmetrical forked rotary type (e.g., fishtail)
328		. Magnetized or with magnet
425		. Specific or diverse material
426		. . Insert
427		. . . For a mine roof drill bit type
428		. . . Preformed cutting element (e.g., compact) mounted on a distinct support (e.g., blank, stud, shank)
429		. . . . Including a nozzle
430		. . . . Having a noncircular or nonplanar cutting face
431		. . . . Having a particular orientation or location
432		. . . . With support detail
433		. . . . Having a specified thermal property
434		. . Diamond
435		. . Welded, brazed, or soldered
424		MISCELLANEOUS (E.G., EARTH-BORING NOZZLE)
423		WEDGING SLIP ASSEMBLY FOR SUPPORTING A PIPE OR ROD

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Last Modified: 6 October 2000