CPC Definition - Subclass B63B

Last Updated Version: 2024.01
SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING  (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J 2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F 9/06)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Details of hulls, hydrofoils and keels:

  • Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
  • Hulls characterised by their structure or component parts
  • Hulls characterised by their construction of non-metallic material
  • Collapsible, foldable, inflatable, or like vessels
  • Interior subdivision of hulls
  • Hull protection peculiar to vessels
  • Drop keels, e.g. centre boards, side boards.

Other structural parts of ships or other waterborne vessels:

  • Water sports boards and accessories therefor
  • Vessels specially adapted for water sports or leisure
  • Body-supporting devices specially adapted for water sports or leisure
  • Vessels or similar floating structures adapted for special purposes and not otherwise provided for
  • Designing vessels and Predicting their performance
  • Building or assembling vessels or marine structures, e.g. hulls or offshore platforms
  • Building or assembling floating offshore structures, e.g. semi-submersible platforms, SPAR platforms or wind turbine platforms
  • Transporting or installing offshore structures on site using buoyancy forces, e.g. using semi-submersible barges, ballasting the structure or transporting of oil-and-gas platforms
  • Monitoring properties or operating parameters of vessels in operation
  • Repairing or maintaining vessels
  • Rebuilding or retrofitting vessels, e.g. retrofitting ballast water treatment systems
  • Dismantling or scrapping vessels
  • Equipment for shipping not otherwise provided for, whereby shipping is interpreted in its broadest sense within the naval context.

Docking, moving and anchoring equipment::

  • Tying-up
  • Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment
  • Anchoring.

Equipment for navigation, position-marking, signalling, or lighting:

  • Arrangement or adaptation of signalling or lighting devices
  • Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids
  • Marking of navigational route
  • Buoys for marking a navigational route.

Equipment for controlling and indication vessel attitude:

  • Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movements
  • Apparatus for indicating vessel attitude.

Onboard safety features:

  • Improving safety of vessels, e.g. damage control, not otherwise provided for
  • Equipment for handling lifeboats or the like
  • Fenders.

Cleaning of ships or other waterborne vessels:

  • Tank or cargo hold cleaning specially adapted for vessels
  • Cleaning devices peculiar to vessels.

Means for controlling ballast water or for removing unwanted onboard water:

  • Conduits for emptying or ballasting
  • Self-bailing equipment
  • Scuppers.

Loading equipment or accommodation for cargo or passengers:

  • Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby
  • Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers
  • Accommodation for crew or passengers not otherwise provided for.

Other:

  • Vessels or like floating structures adapted for special purposes
  • Vessels or like floating structures not otherwise provided for
  • Methods of designing, building, maintaining, converting, refitting, repairing, or determining properties of vessels, not otherwise provided for
  • Equipment for shipping not otherwise provided for, whereby shipping is interpreted in its broadest sense within the naval context.
Relationships with other classification places

B63B is the general home for ships or other waterborne vessels, and covers in particular their hydrostatic, hydrodynamic, structural and design features. It is also the place for equipment adapted for use on ships, and onboard arrangements thereof. Further it provides a residual place for equipment for shipping, wherein 'shipping' is interpreted in its broadest sense within the naval context.

Whilst methods of designing, building, maintaining, converting, repairing of vessels are classified in B63B, subclass B63C covers the storing and handling of ships or other waterborne vessels to and from a non-floating position, e.g. launching, hauling-out, dry-docking, as well as equipment usable both on slipways and dry docks. B63C also covers salvaging of disabled, stranded or sunken vessels.

B63B covers onboard safety equipment and handling of lifeboats, yet devices for life-saving in water are classified in B63C.

Whilst vessels or floating structures for aircraft are classified in B63B, military aircraft carriers and other vessels characterised by their offensive or defensive capabilities, such as surface warships or submarines, are classified in B63G.

Whilst B63B provides for the hydrodynamic and hydrostatic features of ships and other waterborne vessels (e.g. hulls, hydrofoils, keels), details of marine propulsion and steering (e.g. propellers or paddle wheels and their arrangement on vessels, sails, jets propulsion, oars, rudders) are classified in B63H.

Whilst B63B 17/06 provides for refuse discharge, e.g. ash, the arrangements of installations for treating waste water or sewage are classified in B63J 4/00.

B63B 29/00 provides for crew or passenger accommodation, yet B63J covers all other auxiliary equipment designed to render vessels habitable or operative (e.g. fresh water production, ventilation, heating and cooling arrangements).

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning

B63J 2/00

Floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines

E02F 9/06

Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Fire-fighting vessels

A62C 29/00

Convertible vehicles, i.e. vehicles capable of travelling in or on different media, e.g. amphibious vehicles;

B60F

Amphibious vehicles

B60F 3/00

Arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general

B60Q

Water flotation gear for lighter-than-air aircraft

B64B 1/68

Aircraft alighting gear comprising floats

B64C 25/54

Flying-boats; Flying boat hulls; Seaplanes

B64C 35/00

Emergency flotation gear for aircraft

B64D 25/18

Floating bridges

E01D 15/14

Floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines

E02F 9/06

Shuttering for building concrete vessels

E04G

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Fishing

A01K 69/00 - A01K 97/00

Fire-fighting in ships

A62C 3/10

Non-fixed roofs for vehicles or coverings for vehicles when not in use in general

B60J

Fuel tanks for vehicles in general

B60K 15/03

Fittings for carrying sports gear, e.g. surf boards, exterior to vehicles

B60R 9/08

Air-cushion vehicles

B60V

Launching, hauling-out, or dry-docking of vessels; Life-saving in water; Equipment for dwelling or working under water; Means for salvaging; Means for searching for underwater objects

B63C

Offensive or defensive arrangements on vessels; Mine-laying; Mine-sweeping; Submarines; Aircraft carriers

B63G

Marine propulsion, steering or dynamic positioning

B63H

Arrangements on vessels of installations for producing fresh water; Arrangements on vessels of ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning; Driving of vessel auxiliaries; Arrangements on vessels of installations for treating waste-water or sewage; Vessel auxiliaries not otherwise provided for

B63J

Kites per se

B64C 31/06

Large containers for use in or under water

B65D 88/78

Transport or storage devices, conveyors, chutes, cableways, per se; Shore-based equipment for loading and unloading ships

B65G

Elevators; Escalators or moving walkways

B66B

Cranes; Derricks; Load-engaging elements or devices for cranes, capstans, winches or tackles

B66C

Capstans, e.g. anchor capstans; Winches; Tackles, e.g. pulley blocks; Hoists

B66D

Hoisting, lifting, hauling, in general

B66F

Anti-fouling paints

C09D 5/16

Inhibiting corrosion of metals by anodic or cathodic protection

C23F 13/00

Ropes or cables in general

D07B

Bridges based on land or on a fixed structure designed to give access to ships or other floating structures

E01D 15/24

Equipment for shipping on coasts, in harbours or on other fixed marine structures, e.g. for landing or mooring purposes

E02B 3/00

Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports; Grounded platforms; Construction methods therefor

E02B 17/00

Ship-lifting devices, e.g. locks

E02C

Masts and staying in general; Tents or canopies in general

E04H

Anti-theft devices using locks for boats, surfboards and parts or accessories thereof, e.g. outboard motors or propellers

E05B 73/007

Ropes, predominantly used for driving purposes; Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects; Chains

F16G

Pipes or hoses; Joints or fittings therefor; Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing; Laying, reclaiming, repairing or joining pipes on or under water; Thermal insulation in general

F16L

Lighting devices or systems thereof, being portable or specially adapted for transportation

F21L

Non-portable lighting devices or systems thereof

F21S

Functional features or details of lighting devices or systems thereof, in general

F21V

Arrangements in or on ship testing tanks or water tunnels

G01M 10/00

Advertising on ships or other floating means

G09F 21/18

Fog horns as such

G10K 9/00

Electric cables supported on or from floats

H02G 9/12

Special rules of classification

In this subclass, two different Indexing Schemes are used:

The first Indexing Scheme represents a further sub-division of the CPC scheme (breakdown codes). The symbols of this first Indexing Scheme are hierarchically arranged under CPC groups. They are limited in their scope by the scope of the respective symbols of the CPC scheme under which they are indented. This first Indexing Scheme is used for invention information and additional information.

The second Indexing Scheme covers the range B63B 2201/00 - B63B 2241/00, and is used in this subclass and in all other subclasses of the class B63 "Ships or other waterborne vessels; Related equipment". This second Indexing Scheme is a horziontal scheme, and is used for indexing non-trivial information related to the invention information, as far as for this information no place is provided for in a particular group in the class B63.

The use of both Indexing Schemes is obligatory for documents published after July 2011. The contents of these groups are not complete before this date.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Accident

An event which is sudden, unvoluntary, and harmful.

Attitude

The position of a vessel in relation to its line of travel. The orientation in space of a floating or submerged body.

Awning

A roof-like removable or fixed covering, e. g. of canvas, used as a shelter from sun or rain, in particular above a deck of a vessel.

Bailing

Pumping or scooping out water that has entered the interior of a vessel or water craft.

Balance

Equilibrium.

Ballast

Any heavy material, such as gravel, sand, metal, water, etc., placed in the hold of a ship to weigh it down in the water and prevent it from capsizing when under sail or in motion

Barge

A flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods, often not self-propelled but towed or pushed by tugs.

Berth

A bed, bunk or sleeping-place in a ship, usually narrow and fixed to a wall; A long box or shelf for sleeping, on the side of a cabin.

Boat-hook

A pole-handled hook used for fending off or pulling a boat.

Bog shoe

A buoyant device attachable to one's foot to assist with walking upon boggy or swampy terrain or morass.

Bilge

Part of the hull and corresponding compartment of a ship where the hull sides curve inward to meet at the keel.

Bilge keel

Longitudinally extending profile protruding from the outer surface of the bilge, for resisting rolling motion.

Block

A support for facilitating storage of boats, typically matching the boat's hull shape.

Bollard

A wooden or iron post on a ship or quay to which ropes may be secured.

Breeches-buoy

A rescue device used to evacuate personnel from wrecked vessels, typically comprising a circular buoyant ring with an integral sit harness. The buoy is suspended on a zip-wire and designed to be hauled to the safety of shore or an adjacent vessel.

Bunker

A compartment for solid or fluid fuel.

Bulkhead

An upright wall within the hull of a ship, separating hull compartments.

Canoe

A small open boat propelled by a single-bladed paddle; term often used for any kind of paddle-propelled boat.

Canopy

A protective roof, e.g. tent-like made of canvas. A dome-shaped cabin roof.

Carcass

The structural skeleton of a ship, including ribs, keel, stem, and stern-post, after the planks are stripped off.

Centreboard

A retractable keel arranged centrally on sailboats to prevent leeward drift.

Chock

A pad, packing or bedding typically from wood or an elastomeric material, used for distributing localised loads acting on a boat's or ship's hull, e.g. from struts or shores ; a wooden support upon which a boat rests when stowed on a vessel, e.g. on the vessel's deck

Clear-view screen

A glass disk mounted in a window, usually on the bridge of a ship, that rotates at high speed to disperse rain, spray, and snow, typically driven at the centre of the screen.

Cleat

A device to which ropes may be fastened, featuring two horns extending parallel to the surface on which it is mounted.

Cofferdam

A caisson attachable to the outside of a ship's hull for providing dry access to underwater elements, e.g for repair; a watertight empty space separating particular ship spaces, e.g. cargo oil tanks, from other spaces

Collision mat

A large square of canvas, treated with a sealing agent and attached to lines at each corner, hauled over a damaged part of the hull to limit the inflow of water.

Davit

A crane on the side or stern of a ship for raising or lowering loads, often arranged in pairs for lowering lifeboats.

Derrick

A crane for hoisting heavy loads, comprising a movable boom and furnished with suitable tackle for loading and unloading cargo; A loading or unloading rig comprising a single boom pivotally supported on or near the deck on one end, suspended from a mast by means of a single span or tackle on the other end, and provided on this other end with rope or tackle for load lifting or lowering.

Draft

The vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull. A large draft increases stability in high winds, whilst a small draft allows a vessel to navigate through shallower waters.

Dragging

Drawing or pulling with force something which is heavy and resists motion; Hauling.

Drogue

A funnel-like device deployed in the water behind a vessel to create drag in order to reduce vessel speed or improve stability.

Drop keel

A retractable keel that can be moved between deployed and retracted positions, to allow sailing in shallow waters.

Dunnage

Material or packaging deployed around cargo to secure it during transportation.

Fairing

An outer structure designed to reduce drag, e.g. as a cable fairing which improves the cable's passage through the water by acting as a streamlined sleeve.

Fairlead

A ring or aperture on a boat to guide ropes or the like, in order to prevent entanglement or rubbing on other structures.

Fender

A buffer to protect a vessel's hull from chafing or collision with a wharf or with other vessels.

Fiddle

A guardrail used on a table during rough weather to prevent things from slipping off.

Flare

A device that produces a bright light for signaling, illumination, or identification.

Fluke

A flat blade upon an anchor, designed to penetrate and grip the seabed.

Fouling

The growth of marine organisms such as barnacles in the underwater portion of a ship's hull.

Frame

A beam-like steel structure secured to the shell of a hull to increase its strength and rigidity. A vertical transverse constructional section through a ship's hull.

Galley

The cooking-room or kitchen on a ship.

Gantry crane

A bridge crane travelling on rails and supported on a frame or platform.

Grating

A framework of wooden or metal bars.

Gyroscope

A rapidly rotating mass used for decreasing vessel movements, in particular roll.

Hatch

A hatchway; a hatch cover; a trap-door or grated framework for covering openings in a deck.

Hatch beam

A beam placed across a hatch opening to support hatch covers.

Hatch coaming

A raised lip around a hatch opening to prevent unwanted ingress of surface water when the hatch is open.

Hatchway

A square or oblong opening in the deck of a ship through which cargo can be lowered into the hold.

Hawser

Anchor or mooring line, rope or cable; towing rope, towline.

Hawse-hole

An opening in the hull of a vessel through which an anchor cable or anchor chain passes.

Hawse-pipe

A pipe beneath the hawse-hole through which the anchor cable or anchor chain passes.

Hydrofoil

A wing-like structure positioned below a hull which creates hydrodynamic lift when a vessel is moved through the water at speed. The term is also used to describe vessels which use hydrofoil features to lift the hull out of the water at speed, thereby reducing drag.

Hydroplane

A light water craft which skims over the water surface at high speeds.

Inboard

Within the sides of a ship or vessel, or inside the hull of a ship or vessel.

Kayak

A small boat made of a framework of light wood covered with sealskins sewn together, and with a covered opening for the user and propelled by a double-paddle, or a sport or touring boat developed from this design.

Keel

A longitudinal beam around which the hull is built; a subsurface fin protruding from the hull to afford directional control and stability

Keelson

A longitudinal structural member secured to the keel and arranged parallel to the keel and above the transverse members such as timbers, frames or floors to increase longitudinal strength and rigidity, and to bind the keel to the transverse members.

Kite

Light tethered wind-lifted flexible foil.

Kite-sail

Kite held by user or tethered to water-craft for employing tether tension for wind driven water craft propulsion.

Lashing

Fastening a movable body with a cord or the like.

Lining

An internal protective wall covering, e.g. for heat or acoustic insulation.

Lifeboat

An open or covered boat, motorized or propelled by wind or muscle power, e.g. by oars, for rescue of crew and passengers at sea.

Lifeboat-like craft

A small auxiliary boat, e.g. dinghy, zodiac or jolly-boat, carried on a larger vessels, e.g. for providing access to the shore, or for transfer to other vessels.

Lighter

A flat-bottomed barge, typically unpowered, used for transferring goods and passengers to and from moored ships; A flat-bottomed unpowered barge for transporting goods.

Lighthouse

A fixed structure in the form of a tower equipped with a strong light visible to mariners for warning them of obstructions, for marking harbour entrances, etc.

Lightship

A ship equipped like a lighthouse and anchored where a permanent lighthouse would be impracticable.

Monolithic concrete

Concrete, hardened into a solid unbroken mass

Mooring

Securing a boat or vessel in a particular place, e.g. by tying-up or anchoring.

Paravane

Towed device depth controlled by vanes, in particular for cutting mooring lines of anchor mines; board towed at an angle to the towing direction for producing transverse spreading forces on a trawl net or a towed array of hydrophones.

Panelling

A wall facing, wall lining, wainscot.

Pitch

The rotary motion of a vessel about a horizontal axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis or direction of motion.

Planing surface

A substantially horizontal surface on the underside of a light water craft of the hydroplane type which generates hydrodynamic lift when skimming at high speed over the water surface.

Pollution

Harmful substances left in the environment.

Pontoon

A stationary floating structure, typically used for support purposes, e.g. landing stages.

Port

A door, gate or closable opening.

Port-hole

A typically circular window in the side of a boat or ship.

Rat guard

A disk of sheet metal fitted around a hawser to prevent rats from boarding a vessel moored at a dock.

Roll

The rotary movement of a vessel about an axis parallel to its longitudinal axis or direction of motion.

Rubbing strake

A protective strip running along the length of the upper hull to prevent damage when coming alongside other structures or vessels.

Scupper

A hole in a ship's side to carry water from the deck overboard.

Shaft bracket

A bracket for supporting a propeller shaft extending external to the hull, e.g. on twin propeller vessels.

Shell

The structural watertight skin of a ship's hull.

Shifting

Moving a vessel from one place to another, e.g. from one berth to another, or using an anchor and warp to pull a vessel into position.

Shipping

Ships collectively. Navigation. The act of putting persons or things onboard ship or transporting them by ship.

Side board

A retractable keel at the side of a sailing boat or sailing vessel, that can be moved between deployed and retracted positions, to allow sailing in shallow waters.

Skid fender

A removable fender strip which facilitates launching of lifeboats over a ship's side whilst offering protection from damage by striking against the side of the ship.

Slewing

Turning (a thing) round upon its own axis, or without shifting it from its place.

Soil-water

Sewage from water closets, or used waste-water, e.g. used for washing, bathing, cleaning, flushing.

Stability

The ability of a floating vessel to remain upright or return to an upright position when disturbed.

Stanchion

An upright support, often for the ship's guard rail or bulwark.

Stay

An inclined rope or cable forming part of the standing rigging, used for imparting lateral stability to a mast or other superstructure.

Stem

A structural member extending upward from the keel at the bow of a ship's hull.

Stern frame

A strong structural assembly forming the stern construction, often comprising a rudder shoe and a stern boss.

Stern post

A strong structural hull member extending upward from the keel at the stern, often comprising a rudder shoe and a stern boss.

Sailboard

A wind-propelled surfboard.

Stowing

The placing and securing of cargo on board of a vessel, e.g. in the hold; The storing of provisions between decks.

Superstructure

Those parts of a ship, other than masts and rigging, which protrude above the main deck.

Surf-board

A small recreational board-like planing hull for supporting a user, e.g. wind-propelled or for riding on the crest of a wave.

SWATH vessel

A vessel of the Small Waterline Area Twin Hull type

Tackle

A combination of pulley-blocks and a rope for facilitating hoisting or lowering of heavy bodies.

Trawler

A fishing boat that uses a trawl net or dragnet.

Trimming

Adjustment or division of ballast and/or cargo to alter a vessel's draft or trim. The distribution of buoyancy and load; Controlling, when lowering or hoisting, the orientation of a lifeboat, or the like relative to the ship, or to the water surface.

Trolley

A carriage running on wheels, self-propelled or towed by ropes.

Turret

A heavy cylindrical body rotatably supported in a vessel's hull, predominantly connected to underwater mooring lines for allowing the moored vessel to weathervane.

Tying-up

Securing a vessel with ropes.

Vaulted deck

A deck of arched or rounded shape.

Water shoes

A buoyant device attachable to one's foot to assist with walking upon water.

Water sledge

A small sledge-like buoyant device with planing hull and propelled by towing; a small buoyant device for partly supporting a user, when riding down white-water.

Web beam

A strengthened beam built from plate-like webs and stiffening flanges.

Web frame

A strengthened frame built from plate-like high webs and stiffening flanges.

Winch

A hoisting or hauling device comprising a driven rotating drum around which a rope passes

Yaw

A movement of deviation from the direct course, as from bad steering; The angular motion or displacement about a yawing axis.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

AOV

Autonomously Operated Vehicle

FPSO

Floating Production Storage and Offloading (unit, vessel)

GPS

Global Positioning System

LASH

Lighter Aboard SHip (carrier)

LNG

Liquified Natural Gas (predominantly Methane)

LPG

Liquified Petrol Gas (predominantly Propane and Butane)

MARPOL

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973

NOAA

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (buoy)

OBO

Ore Bulk Oil (carrier)

RADAR

RAdio Detection And Ranging

Ro-Ro

Roll-on - Roll-off

ROV

Remotely Operated Vehicle

SOLAS

International Convention for the Safety Of Life At Sea, 1974

SONAR

SOund Navigation And Ranging

ULCC

Ultra Large Crude Carrier

VLCC

Very Large Crude Carrier

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used as synonyms:

  • "berth" and "mooring place"
  • "canoe", "Canadian or Indian canoe", and "Canadian"
  • "centreboard" and "daggerboard"
  • "dragging" and "trawling"
  • "paravane", "otter board or door" and "trawl board or door"
  • "side board" and "lee-board"
  • "sailboard", "windsurfing board" and "windsurfer"
  • "twin hull" and "catamaran"

In patent documents, the word/expression in the first column is often used instead of the word/expression in the second column, which is used in the classification scheme of this place:

"air-scoop"

"air-catching device"

"docking" and "mooring"

"tying-up"

"trim-tab"

"trimflap"

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"fouling"

"to cause something, e.g. an anchor, a cable or a propeller, to become entangled"

"turret"

"traversable or swivel-mounted gun"

Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils (hulls peculiar to submarines B63B 3/13; keels B63B 3/38)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Hydrodynamic and hydrostatic features of hulls, such as hull shapes or hull arrangements of multihulls, hydrodynamic features or arrangements of hydrofoils, and means for varying inherent hydrodynamic characteristics of hulls, such as means for reducing surface friction, or wave resistance. In particular, this main group covers:

Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of single hulls deriving lift mainly from water displacement:

  • Disk-shaped hulls
  • Single hulls having an underpart which is partly provided with channels, e.g. providing a central longitudinal channel resulting in a W-shaped or catamaran-like cross section
  • Single hulls of spherical shape
  • Single hulls in the shape of a vertical ring
  • Single hulls extending principally vertically, e.g. spar-type hulls
  • Shapes of fore parts, e.g. bulbous bows
  • Shapes of after parts.

Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of multiple hulls deriving lift mainly from water displacement:

  • Multiple hulls comprising a cockpit surrounded and pivotally supported by at least three hulls
  • Semi-submersible and small waterline area multiple hull vessels or the like, e.g. SWATH-ships
  • Rigidly interconnected multiple hulls, e.g. comprising two hulls
  • Resiliently interconnected multiple hulls
  • Multiple hulls having means for actively varying hull shape or configuration.

Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls of hydroplane type deriving additional lift from hydrodynamic forces:

  • Hulls comprising one or more planing surfaces
  • Hulls comprising attached planing skis or the like
  • Sponsons and arrangments thereof on hulls
  • Planing hulls with longitudinal chines or transverse steps
  • Planing hulls in rigid semi-catamaran or multiple hull configuration
  • Planing multiple hull vessels with resiliently interconnected hulls
  • Planing multiple hull vessels with actively variable hull shape or configuration
  • Planing hulls with adjustable planing surfaces.

Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls deriving additional lift from hydrodynamic forces by means of hydrofoils:

  • Mounting or suspension of the foils
  • Safety arrangements, e.g. means for preventing damage in case of collision with underwater obstacles
  • Arrangements of propulsion elements on hydrofoils
  • Shape, hydrodynamic features and construction of hydrofoils
  • Hulls comprising multiple hydrofoils
  • Hydrofoils movable around a vertical axis, e.g. for steering

Hydrofoils with means for varying the lift or angle of attack, e.g. using flaps

  • Retractable or folding hydrofoils.

Other means for controlling or varying inherent hydrodynamic features of hulls:

  • Arrangements or use of aerodynamic elements, e.g. using airfoils for generating lift, thereby reducing the wetted surface of the hull
  • Interceptors
  • Using magneto-hydrodynamic forces
  • Means for reducing surface friction, e.g. by mechanical means, ejecting air bubbles, using supercavitation, or by generating gas filled cavities
  • Means for diminishing wave resistance, other than particular shapes of fore or aft parts like bulbous bows.
Relationships with other classification places

B63B 1/00 is the general home for hull shapes and hull arrangements of vessels of the displacement- or planing-type or of floating structures, as far as hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features are concerned. It further covers hulls comprising hydrofoils for generating additional lift, as well as constructional and hydrodynamic features of such hydrofoils. B63B 1/00 is further the home for means for varying hull resistance, aerodynamic lift producing means, or other means for varying inherent hydrodynamic hull characteristic.

Whilst single hulls with channels are classified in B63B 1/042, shapes of fore parts in B63B 1/06, and shapes of after parts in B63B 1/08, B63H 5/00 covers arrangements of paddle wheels, or of propellers with stationary water-guiding elements, and of arrangements of propellers mounted in recesses.

Whilst hulls exhibiting a spherical shape or a vertically arranged toroïdal shape are classified in B63B 1/047, A63B 19/02 covers freely movable rolling hoops for exercising, like e.g. gyrowheels.

Whilst single hulls extending principally vertically as such are classified in B63B 1/048, B63B 35/44 covers floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, among which those of spar-type semi-submersible structure, or oscillating platforms.

Whilst shapes of fore parts as such are classified in B63B 1/06, and shapes of after parts as such in B63B 1/08, constructional aspects of hull parts, e.g. of stern posts or stems are covered by B63B 3/14, and B63B 35/08 covers ice-breakers, or other vessels or floating structures for operation in ice-infested waters.

Whilst semi-submersibles and their hydrodynamic and hydrostatic features as such are classified in B63B 1/04 (single hulls) or B63B 1/107 (multiple hulls) respectively, B63B 35/44 covers floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, among which semi-submersible offshore structures.

Whilst hydroplane hulls comprising adjustable planing surfaces as such are classified in B63B 1/22, trimflaps are covered by B63B 39/061.

Whilst safety arrangements on vessels of the hydrofoil type are classified in B63B 1/244, B63B 43/18 covers means or arrangements on vessels for preventing collision or reducing collision damage in general, and B63H 20/10 covers outboard propulsion units with or without stabilising fins, foils or anticavitation plates, comprising means for tilting or lifting of the propulsion element when an obstruction is hit.

Whilst arrangements, shape and construction of hydrofoils for producing hydrodynamic lift to the hull are classified in B63B 1/24, B63B 39/06 covers hydrofoils for decreasing vessel movements.

Whilst hydrofoils arranged for rotation around a vertical axis are classified in B63B 1/28, B63H 25/00 covers steering of vessels in general, e.g. by rudders.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Construction of hulls peculiar to submarines

B63B 3/13

Construction of keels

B63B 3/38

Decreasing pitch, roll or the like unwanted vessel movements by using foils acting on ambient water, e.g trimflaps

B63B 39/06

Determining hydrodynamic and hydrostatic features

B63B 71/00

Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Flying-boats; Flying boat hulls; Seaplanes

B64C 35/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Shaft brackets

B63B 3/42

Icebreakers, or other icebreaking vessels

B63B 35/08

Spar-type semi-submersible structures for special purposes, e.g. platforms for drilling

B63B 35/44

Air pockets for supporting the hull or for improving buoyancy

B63B 43/12

Improving safety of vessels by preventing collision or grounding, or by reducing collision damage (in general)

B63B 43/18

Buoyant wheels

B60B 19/06

Convertible vehicles, i.e. vehicles capable of travelling in or on different media, e.g. amphibious vehicles;

B60F

Air-cushion vehicles

B60V

Bringing air into sunken vessels or objects for lifting

B63C 7/12

Air pockets in submarines

B63G 8/14

Rudders, e.g. with flaps or changing geometry

B63H 25/38

Water flotation gear for lighter-than-air aircraft

B64B 1/68

Aircraft alighting gear comprising floats

B64C 25/54

Emergency flotation gear for aircraft

B64D 25/18

Marine torpedoes

F42B 19/00

Control of course, position, or attitude of waterborne vehicles

G05D 1/00

Improving hydrodynamics of hull (automatically allocated indexing code)

Y02T 70/10

Special rules of classification

In this main group, subject-matter concerning the control of course or position, or the control of attitude, i.e. the control of roll, pitch or yaw, specially adapted to waterborne vehicles, is also classified in the respective subgroups of G05D 1/00 (reference is made to the Special rules of classification within main group G01D 1/00).

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

MHD (forces)

Magneto-HydroDynamic (forces)

of hydrofoil type (hydrofoils for water sports boards B63B 32/60; hydrofoils for other water sports body supporting devices B63B 34/40)
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Hydrofoils for water sports boards

B63B 32/60

Hydrofoils for other water sports body supporting devices

B63B 34/40

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Controlling attitude or depth of underwater vessels by hydrofoils or the like

B63G 8/18

{Arrangements of propulsion elements}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Propulsion elements in general

B63H 5/00

Propulsion by jets in general

B63H 11/00

Hulls characterised by their structure or component parts (non-metallic hulls B63B 5/00; designing, building, maintaining or repairing methods B63B 71/00 - B63B 83/00)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Construction of hulls and of hull parts, especially hulls and hull parts made of metallic material, as well as constructional features of hulls or hull parts in which the material has no relevance. In particular, this main group covers:

Construction of hulls of particular type:

  • Hulls assembled from a plurality of sub-units, e.g. permanently-connected sub-units, or detachably-connected sub-units
  • Hulls constructed from non-magnetic metals
  • Armoured hulls
  • Hulls specially adapted to withstand hydrostatic pressure, e.g. hulls of submarines
  • Frameless hulls.

Construction of hull parts:

  • Connections between shell and deck
  • Construction of shells, e.g. developed from flat panels, of double type, or with corrugations
  • Means for minimimising external protrusions or ridges on shells
  • Construction of frames, e.g. of frames of transverse type, bilge knees, stringers, web frames or beams, of frames of longitudinal type and respective bulkhead connections, or of combined frame systems
  • Construction of rigid keels forming part of the hull
  • Stern posts, stern frames, or shaft brackets
  • Bilge keels
  • Stems
  • Construction of decks, e.g. of vaulted type, of deck supporting pillars or of deck girders
  • Construction of hatch openings, e.g. of hatch coamings or hatchway corners
  • Bulkheads, e.g. with flat or with corrugated plating
  • Construction of double bottoms or of tank tops
  • Keelsons
  • Gratings
  • Panelling or lining, e.g. for hull insulation
  • Construction of localized reinforcements, e.g. for carrying loads from propulsion power plants, towing equipment or guns
Relationships with other classification places

B63B 3/00 is the general home for constructional features of hulls, inparticular of metallic hulls, such as armoured hulls, or hulls assembled from pre-fabricated sections, as well as for constructional features of parts of hulls, such as shells, frames, stern frames, stems, decks, bulkheads, or local reinforcements.

Whilst B63B 3/02 covers the construction of metallic hulls assembled from pre-fabricated sub-units, B63B 7/00 covers collapsible or foldable vessels.

Whilst B63B 3/40 provides for stern post or stern frames, propeller sahft stern tubes are classified in B63B 23/36.

Whilst B63B 3/54 covers the construction of hatch openings in the ship's hull, e.g. of hatch coamings, B63B 19/00 covers arrangements and adaptations of hatches or hatchways, hatch covers, hatch beams or hatch fastenings.

Whilst B63B 3/70 covers localized reinforcements in the ship's hull, e.g. for carrying propulsion power plants or guns, B63B 21/00 covers equipment or arrangements for tying-up, towing or anchoring, e.g. anchor winches, mooring turrets, or towing hooks, B63G 1/00 covers arrangements of guns or missile launchers, and B63H 21/30 covers the mounting of propulsion power plants or units, e.g for anti-vibration purposes.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Hulls characterised by their construction of non-metallic material

B63B 5/00

Wooden planking of decks

B63B 5/06

Designing vessels; Predicting their performance

B63B 71/00

Building or assembling vessels or marine structures, e.g. hulls or offshore platforms

B63B 73/00

Building or assembling floating offshore structures, e.g. semi-submersible platforms, SPAR platforms or wind turbine platforms

B63B 75/00

Transporting or installing offshore structures on site using buoyancy forces, e.g. using semi-submersible barges, ballasting the structure or transporting of oil-and-gas platforms

B63B 77/00

Monitoring properties or operating parameters of vessels in operation

B63B 79/00

Repairing or maintaining vessels

B63B 81/00

Rebuilding or retrofitting vessels, e.g. retrofitting ballast water treatment systems

B63B 83/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels

B63B 7/00

Arrangements or adaptations of ports, doors, windows, port-holes, hatches, hatchways, or other openings or covers

B63B 19/00

Equipment or arrangements for tying-up, towing or anchoring, e.g. anchor winches, mooring turrets, or towing hooks

B63B 21/00

Detachable decks

B63B 25/18

Foldable pontoons

B63B 35/36

Stabilising aspects of bilge keels

B63B 39/06

Drop keels, e.g. centre boards, side boards

B63B 41/00

Improving safety of vessels by reducing risk of capsizing or sinking, e.g. by improving stability or by improving buoyancy

B63B 43/02

Arrangements of watertight doors in bulkheads

B63B 43/24

Arrangements of guns or missile launchers

B63G 1/00

Waterjet-propulsion by means of magneto-hydrodynamic forces

B63H 11/025

Mounting of propulsion power plants or units, e.g for anti-vibration purposes

B63H 21/30

Bearings or seals specially adapted for propeller shafts

B63H 23/32

Propeller shaft tubes

B63H 23/36

Hulls characterised by their construction of non-metallic material
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Hulls charcterised by being predominantly built from non-metallic material, such as wood, concrete or plastics. In particular, this main group covers:
  • Hulls predominantly constructed of wood:
  • Carcasses
  • Shells.
  • Wooden decks, e.g. with single-layer or multiple-layer planking.
  • Composite hull constructions made predominantly of wood with metal reinforcement.
  • Hulls predominantly made of concrete, e.g. with reinforcements:
  • Monolithic concrete hulls
  • Concrete hulls built-up from elements, e.g. combined with elements of other material

Concrete hulls with reinforcing members arranged external to the shell.

Hulls predominantly made of plastics, e.g. with reinforcements.

Relationships with other classification places

B63B 5/00 is the general home for hulls constructed from non-metallic material, such as wood, concrete or plastics, opposite to hulls made of metallic material, which are classified in B63B 3/00.

However, inflatable hulls are covered by B63B 7/08, the construction of surf-boards, or sailboards, e.g. made of plastics is covered by B63B 32/57, and waterskis or watersledges and their constructional features are classified in B63B 32/30, B63B 34/54.

References
Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Construction or shape of surf- or sailboards characterised by the arrangement of constructive parts made predominantly of plastics, e.g. layers

B63B 7/08

Waterskis; Watersledges

B63B 32/30, B63B 34/54

Hulls of inflatable vessels, as far as the inflatable hull parts are concerned

B63B 32/51, B63B 34/22

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Hulls characterised by their construction of metallic material

B63B 3/00

Methods of designing, building, maintaining, converting, refitting, repairing, or determining properties of vessels

B63B 71/00 - B63B 85/00

Working of plastics; working of substances in a plastic state in general

B29

Layered products in general

B32

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Carcass

The structural skeleton of a ship, including ribs, keel, stem, and stern-post, after the planks are stripped off.

Caulking

A method of stopping-up the seams of wooden planking by driving in oakum, or the like, melted pitch or resin being afterwards poured on, so as to prevent leaking.

Monolithic concrete

Concrete, hardened into a single solid unbroken mass

Oakum

Coarse woody fibres separated from the finer fibres of flax or hemp; Loosely twisted fibres obtained chiefly by untwisting and picking old hemp rope; such fibres or the like, used as a caulking material for the seams of wooden ships, the joints of pipes, or the like

Shell

The structural watertight skin of a ship's hull.

Surf-board

A small recreational board-like planing hull for supporting a user, e.g. wind-propelled or for riding on the crest of a wave.

Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels (collapsible, foldable or inflatable water sports boards B63B 32/53; collapsible, foldable or inflatable canoes, kayaks or the like B63B 34/23; foldable pontoons B63B 35/36)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Vessels characterised by being collapsible or foldable, or deriving at least a substantial portion of hydrostatic lift from inflatable buoyancy members, or the like vessels, as well as related features of such vessels. In particular this main group covers:

Collapsible or foldable vessels comprising rigid parts only:

  • Collapsible or foldable vessels comprising a plurality of sections
  • Vessels comprising foldable members
  • Vessels comprising nestable elements.

Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or the like vessels comprising parts of non-rigid material:

  • Inflatable vessels, e.g. comprising parts of rigid material
  • Vessels with flexible pockets adapted for receiving removable buoyancy elements
  • Accessories specially adapted for inflatable vessels, e.g. seats, sailing-rigs or mountings for propulsion power units like transom mountings for outboard propulsion units.
Relationships with other classification places

B63B 7/00 is the general home for ships, boats, or other waterborne vessels which are adapted for being collapsed or being folded, e.g. by using non-rigid material, or which comprise inflatable hull members.

Whilst B63B 7/00 provides for vessels or boats characterised by being collapsible, foldable or inflatable, B63B 34/20 provides for canoes, kayaks or the like watercraft as such.

Whilst B63B 7/00 and subgroups provide also for collapsible multi-hull vessels, B63B 1/14 provides for multi-hull vessels with resilient connection between the hulls or provided with means for actively varying the hull shape, or configuration, and B63B 3/02 provides for the construction of hulls assembled from prefabricated units, e.g. detachably connetable units.

Whilst B63B 7/08 provides for inflatable vessels with or without having parts of rigid material, B63B 5/24 provides for hulls substantially made from plastics in general, inflatable surf-boards, or the like are classified in B63B 32/51, and inflatable life-saving equipment, like e.g. life-rafts is covered by B63C 9/00.

Whilst B63B 7/085 provides for accessories or mountings specially adapted for inflatable vessels, e.g. seats, sailing kits, or motor mountings, B63B 29/04 provides for furniture peculiar to vessels, B63B 34/20 covers accessories for kayaks or canoes, B63B 32/00 provides for water sports boards and accessories therefor, B63H 8/00 provides for sail or rigging arrangements specially adapted for water sports boards, e.g. for windsurfing or kitesurfing, B63H 9/00 provides for propulsive devices directly acted on by wind, and arrangements thereof on vessels, in general, mountings of outboard propulsion units as such are covered by B63H 20/00, and the mounting of propulsion plant or unit in general, e.g. for anti-vibration purposes is classified in B63H 21/30.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Collapsible, foldable or inflatable water sports boards

B63B 32/53

Collapsible, foldable or inflatable canoes, kayaks or the like

B63B 34/23

Foldable pontoons

B63B 35/36

Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Life-saving in water, e.g. inflatable life-saving equipment

B63C 9/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of multiple hulls being interconnected resiliently, or having means for actively varying hull shape or configuration

B63B 1/14

Constructions of hulls assembled from prefabricated sub-units, e.g. with detachably-connected sub-units

B63B 3/02

Hulls characterised by their construction of non-metallic material, e.g of plastics material, in general

B63B 5/00

Furniture peculiar to vessels, e.g. seats

B63B 29/04

Water sports boards; Accessories therefor

B63B 32/00

Kayaks or canoes per se

B63B 34/20

Connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies

B60C 29/00

Sail or rigging arrangements specially adapted for water sports boards, e.g. for windsurfing or kitesurfing

B63H 8/00

Propulsive devices directly acted on by wind; Arrangements thereof (in general)

B63H 9/00

Outboard propulsion units, i.e. propulsion units having a substantially vertical power leg mounted outboard of a hull and terminating in a propulsion element, e.g. "outboard motors", Z-drives with level bridging shaft arranged substantially outboard; Arrangements thereof on vessels

B63H 20/00

Mounting of propulsion plant or unit, e.g. for anti-vibration purposes, in general

B63H 21/30

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Foldable vessel

A water-craft comprising substantially rigid structural elements which remain connected to each other in their collapsed state by means of articulations or the like.

Nestable element

An element that forms part of a set of similar articles which can be fitted into one another

Interior subdivision of hulls (bulkhead space construction B63B 3/56)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Arrangements and constructional features of means for subdividing the interior of hulls:

  • Arrangements of bulkheads, e.g. longitudinal or transverse for defining cargo holds
  • Constructional features of bunkers or ballast tanks, e.g. comprising elastic walls for variably separating liquid fuel and ballast water
  • Propeller-shaft tunnels.
Relationships with other classification places

B63B 11/00 is the general home for subject-matter concerning the interior subdivision of hulls into smaller compartments.

Whilst B63B 11/02 provides for arrangements of bulkheads, B63B 3/56 provides for constructional aspects of bulkheads, or of bulkhead reinforcements, and arrangements of water-tight doors in bulkheads are covered by B63B 43/24.

Whilst constructional features of bunkers, e.g. structural fuel tanks, or ballast tanks, e.g. with elastic walls, are provided for in B63B 11/04, tanks for fuel, or the like not forming subdivisions of the hull are found in B63B 17/0027, load-accomodatations for fluid cargo are provided for in B63B 25/08, and B63B 57/00 provides for methods or apparatus specially adapted for cleaning of tanks or cargo holds onboard marine vessels.

Whilst propeller-shaft tunnels are classified in B63B 11/06, propeller shaft tubes are provided for in B63H 23/36.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Construction of bulkheads; construction of bulkhead reinforcements

B63B 3/56

Tanks for fuel or the like; Accessories therefor, e.g. tank filler caps

B63B 17/0027

Load-accomodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby, e.g for fluid cargo

B63B 25/00

Arrangements of watertight doors in bulkheads for improving safety of vessels, e.g. damage control

B63B 43/24

Tank or cargo hold cleaning specially adapted for vessels

B63B 57/00

Propeller shaft tubes

B63H 23/36

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Bulkhead

An upright wall within the hull of a ship, separating hull compartments.

Bunker

A compartment for solid or fluid fuel.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"cofferdam"

"a watertight compartment in the interior of a ship's hull separating particular ship spaces, e.g. cargo oil tanks, from other spaces".

Conduits for emptying or ballasting; Self-bailing equipment; Scuppers (draining means for hatches B63B 19/26; centrifugal bilge-water separators B04; {arrangements of installations for treating ballast water B63J 4/002; } pipes in general F16L)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Means and arrangements for taking-in or disposal of ballast water, or for getting-off of unwanted onboard water, e.g. bilge water, or on-deck water:

  • Conduits for emptying or ballasting
  • Self-bailing equipment
  • Scuppers
  • Sea-chests, also for taking-in, or discharge of cooling water
  • Ports for passing water through the sides of a vessel.
Relationships with other classification places

B63B 13/00 is the general home for pipe system, or the like specially adapted for taking-in or discharging ballast water, as well as for equipment for bailing or discharging unwanted onboard water.

While B63B 13/00 provides for scuppers, i. e. for draining holes for discarging water on deck, draining means for hatches are classified in B63B 19/26.

Whilst B63B 13/00 provides for conduits for taking-in or discharging water, e.g. sea-chests or ports for passing water through vessels' sides, B04 provides for centrifugal bilge-water separators, hawse-holes or hawse-pipes are covered by B63B 21/14, B63H 21/383 covers apparatus or methods specially adapted for onboard handling of cooling water for marine power plants or units, B63J 4/002 for arrangements on vessels of installations for treating ballast water, e.g. prior to discharge, treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge as such is classified in C02F, and pipes in general are covered by F16L.

References
Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Draining means for hatches

B63B 19/26

Apparatus or methods specially adapted for use on marine vessels, for handling power plant or unit cooling water

B63H 21/383

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Hawse-holes; Hawse-pipes

B63B 21/14

Centrifugal apparatus or machines for carrying-out physical or chemical processes, e.g. bilge water separators

B04

Emptying the contents of sunken, stranded, or disabled vessels, e.g. by engaging the vessel

B63C 7/00

Jet propulsors with means to prevent foreign material from clogging fluid passage way

B63H 11/01

treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge (as such)

C02F

Pipes (in general); Joints or fittings for pipes; Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing; Means for thermal insulation in general.

F16L

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Bailing

Pumping or scooping out water that has entered the interior of a vessel or water craft.

Ballast

Any heavy material, such as gravel, sand, metal, water, etc., placed in the hold of a ship to weigh it down in the water and prevent it from capsizing when under sail or in motion.

Hatch

A hatchway; a hatch cover; a trap-door or grated framework for covering openings in a deck.

Port

A door, gate or closable opening.

Scupper

A hole in a ship's side to carry water from the deck overboard.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"sea chest"

"a cavity inside of the outer hull shell being in open communication with the environmental water body, e.g. by perforations in the shell, which is used as a water intake, e.g. for cooling water, or for ballast water".

Superstructures {, deckhouses, wheelhouses or the like}; Arrangements or adaptations of masts {or spars, e.g. bowsprits} (loading or unloading equipment B63B 27/00; masts and staying in general E04H; sails, running rigging B63H; {mounting ladders or the like on masts B63B 29/205})
Definition statement

This place covers:

Superstructures, i.e. those parts of a ship or waterborne vessel, other than masts and rigging, which protrude above the main deck, e.g. deckhouses, wheelhouses or superstructures extending from side to side.

Arrangements or adaptations of masts or spars:

  • Masts characterised by a particular configuration or construction, e.g. bipodded masts, masts of tripod-type, or telescoping masts
  • Masts adapted for varying position or orientation, e.g. masts comprision active or passive means for changing mast inclination, or masts having movable mast foot
  • Bowsprits.

Staying of masts or other spars, or of superstructures.

Relationships with other classification places

B63B 15/00 is the general home for superstructures, deckhouses, or the like, as well as for masts, e.g. masts for sailing boats, and for the staying or rigging of superstructures or masts, e.g. by means of standing ropes or guy ropes.

Whilst B63B 15/00 provides for masts or superstructures of vessels in general, B63B 27/00 provides for equipment for loading or unloading of cargo or passengers, e.g. derrick posts or deck cranes, arrangements on ships of sails, or other propulsive devices directly acted on by wind, e.g. Flettner rotors are classified in B63H 9/00, B63G 8/04 provides for superstructures of submarine vessels, and E04H provides for masts or staying of masts, in general.

Whilst B63B 15/00 provides for mastfoot arrangements on ships in general, e.g. for articulated, counterbalanced masts, mastfoot arrangements for sailboards are classified in B63H 8/24 (for the mast foot) and B63B 32/68 (for the mast foot rails in the board), and conterbalancing of ships with solid ballast is covered by B63B 39/02 or B63B 43/08.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Superstructures of underwater vessels, e.g. of submarines

B63G 8/04

Mastfoot arrangements on winddriven boards

B63H 8/24, B63B 32/68

Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Loading or unloading of cargo or passengers, Arrangements of loading or unloading equipment on vessels

B63B 27/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Equipment to decrease vessel movements by displacement of masses

B63B 39/02

Improving safety of vessels by improving stability by transfer of solid ballast

B63B 43/08

Propulsive devices directly acted on by wind; Arrangements thereof

B63H 9/00

Towers; Masts, poles; Chimney stacks; Water-towers; Methods for erecting such structures (in general)

E04H 12/00

Side supporting means for towers, masts, poles, chimney stacks or water-towers, e.g. using guy ropes, struts (in general)

E04H 12/20

Special rules of classification

As bowsprits, even if employed for sailing boats, are no masts (= upright poles), they are to be classified in B63B 15/00 (not in B63B 15/0083). If spars like bowsprits are movable for sail rigging purposes, they are (also or only, depending on the case) classified in B63H 9/10 or subgroups, e.g. under spinnaker poles B63H 9/1071. If they serve other purposes they are also classified with the purpose, if available, e.g. for handling anchors B63B 21/22.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Bowsprit

A large, usually stayed spar or boom running out from the stem of a vessel, to which (and the jib-boom and flying jib-boom, which extend beyond it) the foremast stays are fastened.

Spar

The general term for all masts, yards, booms, gaffs, or the like.

Stay

An inclined rope or cable forming part of the standing rigging, used for imparting lateral stability to a mast or other superstructure.

Superstructure

Those parts of a ship, other than masts and rigging, which protrude above the main deck.

Vessels parts, details, or accessories, not otherwise provided for {(vehicle fittings for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles in general B60R 25/00; propeller guards, line cutters or other means for protecting propellers or rudders B63H 5/165; protection of power legs of outboard propulsion units B63H 20/36; locking devices for boats, surfboards or parts or accessories thereof E05B 73/007)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Parts or details of ships or other waterborne vessel, or accessories for the same, for which no other more specific classification place in this subclass is provided for. In particular, this main group covers:

Means or methods for preventing theft or unauthorised use of vessels, other than by using locks.

Tanks for fuel or the like, other than bunkers.

Protective hoods or covers:

  • Awnings, e.g. rigid weather protection structures
  • Canopies, e.g. connected to windshields
  • Sunroofs
  • Tarpaulins
  • Hatchway tents, e.g. for weather protection of cargo during loading or unloading
  • Caps, hoods, or the like devices not otherwise provided for.

Rests, props, or supports for booms or the like, e.g. for main sail booms or derricks, or for other movable ship-borne equipment.

Seaway compensators.

Wavebreakers.

Vibration isolation or damping elements or arrangments, other than for propulsion plants or units, e.g. for elastic support of deckhouses.

Stanchions, guard-rails, bulwarks or the like permanent installations for preventing crew or passengers from being lost overboard.

Relationships with other classification places

B63B 17/00 is the residual place for parts or details of, or of accessories for ships and other waterborne vessels.

Whilst B63B 17/00 provides for anti-theft devices, or methods other than using locks, locks for boats, surfboards or parts or accessories thereof are classified in E05B 73/007.

Whilst B63B 17/00 covers caps, hoods, or the like devices for protective purposes, not otherwise provided for, means for protecting propellers or rudders, like propeller guards or line cutters are found in B63H 5/165, and means for protecting power legs of outboard propulsion units, e.g. for units not in use, are classifies in B63H 20/36.

Whilst B63B 17/00 provides for rests or supports for movable shipborne equipment, e.g. main sail booms, derricks, B63C 11/02 provides for storage racks for SCUBA breathing gas tank.

Whilst B63B 17/00 provides for seaway compensators for shipborne equipment in general, e.g. for loading or unloading equipment, self-levelling mountings of furniture are classified in B63B 29/12, and equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted solid body movements of vessel as a whole are found in B63B 39/00

Whilst B63B 17/0018 provides for apparatus or installation for faciltating access to underwater elements of vessels while being afloat, e.g. cofferdams, B63H 5/125 provides for retractable propellers, means for lifting or tilting the power leg of outbord propulsion units are classified in B63H 20/08, and B63H 25/00 provides for retractable thrusters or jets for steering or dynamic anchoring.

Whilst B63B 17/0027 provides for fuel tanks, as well as for accessories therefore, and for arrangements for minimizing pollution by accidents, B63B 25/08 provides for corresponding arrangments for fluid cargo, B63B 11/04 provides for constructional features of bunkers, fuel tanks for vehicles in general are classified in B63K15/03, and B63H 21/38 covers handling of liquids for use in propulsion poser plants.

Whilst B63B 17/0081 provides for methods or arrangments for damping or isolating vibration on individual parts of marine vessels, B63H 1/15 covers marine propellers with anti-vibration means, B63H 21/30 provides for mountings of propulsion power plants or units with active or passive vibration damping, and F16F provides for vibration damping means in general.

Whilst B63B 17/02 provides for awnings, sunroofs, tarpaulins or hatchway-tents, as well as for related accessories, non-fixed roofs for vehicles in general are found in B60J 7/00, protective coverings for vehicles when not in use, in general, are classified in B60J 11/00, and tents or canopies in general are found in E04H 15/00.

Whilst B63B 17/04 provides for stanchions, guard-rails or bulwarks, E04F 11/18 provides for balustrades or handrails in general.

Whilst B63B 17/06 provides for methosd or means for discharge of refuse, e.g. of ash, treating refuse or sludge, e.g. of tank washing sludge is classified in B63J 4/00, and removal of domestic or like refuse in general is found in B65F.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Constructional features of bunkers

B63B 11/04

Covers for lifeboats, or the like stored on deck

B63B 23/64

Self-levelling mountings of furniture on marine vessels

B63B 29/12

Marine propellers having vibration damping means

B63H 1/15

Movable propellers, e.g. retractable

B63H 5/125

Propeller guards, line cutters or other means for protecting propellers or rudders

B63H 5/165

Means enabling movement of the position of the propulsion element of outboard propulsion units, e.g. for trim, tilt

B63H 20/08

Protection of power legs of outboard propulsion units, e.g. when not in use

B63H 20/36

Mounting of propulsion plant or unit, e.g. for anti-vibration purposes

B63H 21/30

Steering or dynamic anchoring by propulsive elements other than jets; Steering or dynamic anchoring by propellers used therefor only; Steering or dynamic anchoring by rudders carrying propellers

B63H 25/42

Steering or dynamic anchoring by jets, or by rudders carrying jets

B63H 25/46

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Constructional features of bunkers

B63B 11/04

Arrangements of cargo tanks on vessels

B63B 25/08

Load-accomodating arrangements for fluid bulk cargo comprising arrangements for minimizing pollution by accidents

B63B 25/082

Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movements

B63B 39/00

Cleaning of tanks or cargo holds

B63B 57/00

Non-fixed roofs for vehicles; Roofs with movable panels for vehicles (in general)

B60J 7/00

Protective coverings for vehicles not in use, in general

B60J 11/00

Fuel tanks for vehicles in general

B60K 15/03

Vehicle fittings for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles in general

B60R 25/00

Dry-docking of vessels or flying-boats

B63C 1/00

Lunching or hauling-out by landborne slipways; Slipways

B63C 3/00

Handling of liquids for use in power plants of marine vessels

B63H 21/38

Arrangements of installations for treating ballast water, waste water, sewage, sludge, or refuse, or for preventing environmental pollution not otherwise provided for

B63J 4/00

Gathering or removal of domestic or like refuse, in general

B65F

Caissons adapted to laying foundations

E02D 23/00 - E02D 27/00

Balustrades; Handrails

E04F 11/18

Tents or canopies in general

E04H 15/00

Miscellaneous locking devices for boats, surfboards or parts or accessories thereof , e.g. for outboard propulsion units

E05B 73/007

Springs; Shock-absorbers; Means for damping vibration (in general)

F16F

Advertising on ships or other floating means

G09F 21/18

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Accident

An event which is sudden, unvoluntary, and harmful.

Breakwater

A wave breaker; An installation for deflecting or dissipating green water on deck, or deck wetness.

Awning

A roof-like removable or fixed covering e. g. of canvas used as a shelter from sun or rain, in particular above a deck of a vessel.

Bunker

A compartment for solid or fluid fuel.

Canopy

A protective roof, e.g. tent like made of canvas;A dome-shaped cabin roof.

Cofferdam

A caisson attachable to the outside of a ship's hull for providing dry access to underwater elements, e.g for repair.

Tarpaulin

A covering or sheet of canvas, coated or impregnated with tar so as to make it waterproof, used to spread over anything to protect it from wet.

Arrangements or adaptations of ports, doors, windows, port-holes, or other openings or covers (scuppers B63B 13/00; arrangements of watertight doors in bulkheads B63B 43/24)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Ports, doors, windows, hatches, hatch covers or other openings or covers specially adapted for ships or other waterborne vessels as well as arrangements thereof on ships or other waterborne vessels. In particular, this main group covers:

Ship's windows or the like:

  • Bull's eyes, port-holes, or the like, e.g. with peripheral hinge axis
  • Windows other than bull's eyes, e.g. fixed windows
  • Clear-view screens
  • Windshields
  • Fly screens, or the like protection devices against insects, e.g. for detachable insertion into openigs of bull's eyes
  • Air catchers for windows or bull's eyes, e.g. readily detachable.
  • Means for locking ports, doors, windows, covers or the like, in particular for providing a watertight closure.

Ports or like openings in the ship's sides, in particular providing access to the interior of the hull:

  • Bow ports
  • Side ports
  • Stern ports
  • Coal ports.

Hatches, hatchways, or hatch-covers, or related equipment or installations:

  • Hatch covers, e.g. with detachable boards, slidable or foldable covers, or with covers of the roll-up type
  • Hatch beams
  • Hatch fastenings, e.g. cleats, or removable devices specially adapted for fastening hatch covers to hatch coamings or sills.
  • Gaskets for hatches or hatch covers
  • Water draining means specially adapted for hatches or hatch covers
  • Safety means adapted for use on, or in combination with hatches or hatch covers.
Relationships with other classification places

B63B 19/00 is the general home for openings in the hull or superstructure, or in structural elements of ships or other waterborne vessels, such as bulkheads or decks, including respective closing members therefor, such as doors, windows, or hatch covers, which openings allow for access from outside to the interior, for access from one interior compartment to another, or for viewing from inside to the outside environment.

Whilst B63B 19/00 provides for arrangements or adaptations of doors in or for use on marine vessels, or the like in general, B63B 43/24 provides for arrangements of watertight doors in bulkheads.

Whilst B63B 19/02 provides for clear-view sreens or windshields, canopies connected to windshields are classified in B63B 17/02.

Whilst B63B 19/08 provides for side ports, bow ports, or stern ports, such ports are classified in B63B 27/143, if the member closing the access opening in the shell itself is adapted for serving as loading or unloading ramp.

Whilst B63B 19/24 provides for hatch fastenings, e.g. cleats, devices for fastening or securing constructional elements or machine parts together, e.g. nails, bolts, circlips, clamps, clips, wedges, joints or jointing in general are found in F16B.

Whilst B63B 19/26 provides for water draining means specially adapted to hatches or hatchways, draining or bailing unwanted onboard water in general is classified in B63B 13/00.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Scuppers

B63B 13/00

Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Bow ports, side ports, or stern ports forming ramps for loading or unloading of cargo

B63B 27/143

Arrangements of watertight doors in bulkheads for improving safety of vessels

B63B 43/24

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Construction of hatch coamings

B63B 3/54

Conduits on vessels for emptying or ballasting; Self-bailing equipment; Scuppers

B63B 13/00

Awnings, including rigid weather protection structures, e.g. sunroofs; Tarpaulins, e.g. canopies connected to windshields; Accessories for awnings or tarpaulins

B63B 17/02

Arrangements of ventilation equipment on vessels in general

B63J 2/00

Hinges or other suspension devices for doors, windows, or wings in general

E05D

Devices for moving wings (of doors, windows, or the like) into open or closed position; Checks for wings; Wing fittings not otherwise provided for, concerned with the functioning of the wing

E05F

Fixed or movable closures for openings in buildings, vehicles, fences, or like enclosures, in general, e.g. doors, windows, blinds, gates

E06B

Devices for fastening or securing constructional elements or machine parts together, e.g. nails, bolts, circlips, clamps, clips, wedges; Joints or jointing in general

F16B

Special rules of classification

In this main group, side ports adapted for use as bathing platform are also classified in B63B 29/02.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Bow port

A port at the bow of a vessel, which allow access to the ships's interior, e.g. on ferry boats for facilitating loading or unloading of wheeled cargo

Canopy

A protective roof, e.g. tent like made of canvas.

Clear-view screen

A glass disk mounted in a window, usually on the bridge of a ship, that rotates at high speed to disperse rain, spray, and snow, typically driven at the centre of the screen.

Cleat

A device to which ropes may be fastened, featuring two horns extending parallel to the surface on which it is mounted.

Hatch

A hatchway; a hatch cover; a trap-door or grated framework for covering openings in a deck.

Hatch beam

A beam placed across a hatch opening to support hatch covers.

Hatch coaming

A raised lip around a hatch opening to prevent unwanted ingress of surface water when the hatch is open.

Hatchway

A square or oblong opening in the deck of a ship through which cargo can be lowered into the hold.

Port

A door, gate or closable opening.

Port-hole

A typically circular window in the side of a boat or ship.

Scupper

A hole in a ship's side to carry water from the deck overboard.

Side port

A port in the sides of a vessel, which allow access to the ships's interior, e.g. on ferry boats for facilitating loading or unloading of wheeled cargo

Stern port

A port at the stern of a vessel, which allow access to the ships's interior, e.g. on ferry boats for facilitating loading or unloading of wheeled cargo

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the word/expression in the first column is often used instead of the word/expression in the second column, which is used in the classification scheme of this place:

"bull's eye"

"port-hole"

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"port-hole"

"an opening in the ship's side through which a cannon may be pointed".

Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring ({of buoys B63B 22/04;} dynamic anchoring B63H 25/00 {; equipment for shipping on coasts, in harbours or on other fixed marine structures, e.g. for landing purposes, E02B})
Definition statement

This place covers:

Means, methods, arrangements or equipment for mooring vessels or other waterborne vessels to piers, posts or the like, or the sea bed, anchors and related means or methods, as well as equipment for shifting, towing or pushing of vessels. In particular, this main group covers:

Mooring bars, mooring yokes or the like, e.g. with articulations on both ends.

Equipment for mooring, anchoring, towing or pushing, not provided for in other places under this main group:

  • Quick release elements in mooring connections
  • Springs or dampers or the like elements to be placed in line with the mooring or towing line
  • Suction cupsor the like for use above or near the water surface, e.g. for mooring, towing or pushing
  • Remotely operated assistance tools or related methods specially adapted for subsea handling of anchors or mooring connections
  • Load or drift monitors.

Magnetic mooring equipment.

Equipment for fastening or guiding anchor chains, ropes, hawsers, or the like, e.g. T-shaped cleats, ship-borne bollards, specially adapted clamping devices, fairleads, rat guards or hawse-holes.

Equipment and methods characterised by the use of winches.

Stoppers for anchor chains.

Adaptations of chains, mooring cables, ropes, hawsers, or the like, or parts of the same, e.g. weights attached to mooring lines, or anchor chains and respective arrangements.

Handling or lashing of anchors:

  • Using buoyancy elements for lifting or uprighting
  • Marker buoys for indication anchor position or for providing a line connection between anchor and water surface
  • Stowing of anchors inside the vessel by hauling-in.

Anchors as such:

  • Collapsible anchors, or anchors adapted for being disassembled
  • Anchors securing to the sea bed, e.g. by drag or gravity embedment, by penetration into the seabed using water jets or explosive charges, by suction, or by mere weight
  • Drop keels, e.g. centre boards, side boards.
  • Anchors rigid when in use, e.g. having one or more flukes
  • Anchors pivoting when in use, e.g. having one fluke of ploughshare type or having two or more flukes
  • Anchors having a variable connection to the chain, e.g. for facilitating anchor retrieval, in particular having a connection slidable along the shank, comprising a shear pin connection for freeing the shank end upon exceeding a predetermined load, or comprising a spreader-like arrangement of ropes of different lengths which form the shank.

Sea-anchors, or drogues.

Arrangements and related methods for anchoring special vessels like offshore structures:

  • Arrangements comprising articulated towers
  • Arrangements comprising tension legs, e.g. with tension legs equipped with suppressors for vortex induced vibrations
  • Arrangements comprising mooring turrets, e.g. turrets connected to submerged buoys.
  • Methods for on-site installation or mooring of floating offshore structures.

Boat-hooks or the like

Towing or pushing equipment:

  • Equipment comprising running ropes or chains, e.g. endless chains driven by ground-borne motor
  • Towing-hooks or mountings thereof on vessels
  • Towing or pushing by means of land-borne vehicles or moving forward on ground-based paths along water-ways
  • Equipment adapted for towing underwater vessels or objects, e.g. fairings for tow-cables or equipment for intermittent towing.
Relationships with other classification places

B63B 21/00 is the general home for ship-related methods, or shipborne means or equipment for mooring, anchoring, shifting, towing or pushing of vessels.

However, buoys specially adapted for mooring waterborne vessels, in particular if combined with means for transferring liquids to or from these vessel, are classified in B63B 22/02, and fixations or other anchoring arrangements specially adapted for buoys are classified in B63B 22/04.

Whilst B63B 21/00 provides for ship-borne mooring equipment, E02B provides for landborne equipment for shipping, e.g. dockside mooring equipment.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Fixations or other anchoring arrangements specially adapted for buoys

B63B 22/04

Dynamic anchoring

B63H 25/00

Equipment for shipping on coasts, in harbours or on other fixed marine structures, e.g. for landing purposes

E02B

Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel, e.g. comprising means for transferring fluids

B63B 22/02

Towing devices for waterskis or watersledges, e.g. connections of the tow to the boat, or using winches

B63B 34/60

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Loading or unloading fluids

B63B 27/24

Arrangements of ship based loading or unloading equipment for transfer at sea between ships or between ships and offshore structures using pipelines

B63B 27/34

Body-supporting buoyant devices specially adapted for being towed, e.g. banana boats, water sledges or towed buoys

B63B 34/54

Rigidly-interconnected pontoons, interconnection means therefor

B63B 35/38

Tugs (as such)

B63B 35/66

Installation of floating offshore structures or the like involving assembly of hull components on site

B63B 75/00

Devices for spreading or positioning trawling nets, e.g. control thereof by means of paravanes

A01K 73/02

Salvaging of disabled, stranded, or sunken vessels; Salvaging of vessel parts or furnishings; Salvaging of other underwater objects

B63C 7/00

Means for indicating the location of underwater objects, e.g. sunken vessels

B63C 7/26

Towed underwater vessels

B63G 8/42

Effecting propulsion by use of vessel-mounted driving mechanisms co-operating with anchored chains or the like

B63H 15/00

Effecting propulsion of vessels by direct engagement with water-bed or ground

B63H 19/08

Capstans; Winches; Tackles, e.g. pulley blocks; Hoists (per se)

B66D

Anchor-chain sprockets; Anchor capstans (as such)

B66D 1/72

Ropes or cables in general (other than electric)

D07B

Ground anchors

E02D 5/80

Influencing flow of fluids around bodies of solid material by influencing the boundary layer

F15D 1/12

Friction-grip releasable fastenings, e.g. clamps, in general

F16B 3/00

Couplings with safety member for disconnecting, e.g. by tensile breaking, or by breaking due to shear stress (in general)

F16D 9/00

Belts, cables, or ropes, predominantly used for driving purposes; Chains; Fittings predominantly used therefor

F16G

Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects

F16G 11/00

Laying or reclaiming pipes under water

F16L 1/12

Hydroenergy generated by tidal stream or damless hydropower, e.g. sea flood and ebb, rivers, streams

Y02E 10/20

Special rules of classification

In this main group, next to classifying the respective method in the proper place in this main group, remotely controlled subsea assistance tools, or tool related methods specially adapted for handling of anchors or mooring lines, e.g. using remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROV's) for connecting mooring lines to anchors, are indexed with code B63B 2021/007, and are also classified in the respective place for the tool, e.g. underwater tools in B63C 11/52, or remotely operated underwater vehicles in B63G 8/001.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Articulated tower

A slender substantially vertically arranged structures, typically held upright by buoyancy forces, articulated near the sea bed, extending near to or above the water surface, and being provided with means for mooring a vessel, or another waterborne structure

Boat-hook

A pole-handled hook

Bollard

A wooden or iron post on a ship or quay to which ropes may be secured.

Cleat

A device to which ropes may be fastened, featuring two horns extending parallel to the surface on which it is mounted.

Drag embedment

A method for securing an anchor to the sea bed by dragging it into the sea bed, i.e. by burying the the anchor deep into the ground through downward forces generated by the mooring line pull in combination with the shape and orientation of the anchor fluke.

Drogue

A funnel-like device deployed in the water behind a vessel to create drag in order to reduce vessel speed or improve stability.

Dynamic anchoring

Positioning of vessels or floating structures by means of propulsive elements.

Fairing

An outer structure designed to reduce drag, e.g. as a cable fairing, which improves the cable's passage through the water by acting as a streamlined sleeve.

Fairlead

A ring or aperture on a boat to guide ropes or the like, in order to prevent entanglement or rubbing on other structures.

Fluke

A flat blade upon an anchor, designed to penetrate and grip the seabed.

Gravity embedment

A method for securing an anchor to the sea bed by by penetration of the anchor into the sea bed using gravity forces, e.g. by dropping a pile-type anchor from a certain height.

Lashing

Fastening a movable body with a cord or the like.

Hawser

Anchor or mooring line, rope or cable; towing rope, towline.

Hawse-hole

An opening in the hull of a vessel through which an anchor cable or anchor chain passes.

Hawse-pipe

A pipe beneath the hawse-hole through which the anchor cable or anchor chain passes.

Mooring

Securing a boat or vessel in a particular place, e.g. by tying-up or anchoring.

Pontoon

A stationary floating structure, typically used for support purposes, e.g. landing stages.

Rat guard

A disk of sheet metal fitted around a hawser to prevent rats from boarding a vessel moored at a dock.

Salvaging

Retrieving or recovering, e.g. of shipwrecked goods, or rescueing of ships, crew or cargo from a hazardeous situation.

Sea anchor

A floating rigid frame, e.g. made of wood, used to keep the ship's head to the wind in a gale or when dismasted or with disabled propulsion installation (called also drag-, sea-anchor).

Shifting

Moving a vessel from one place to another, e.g. from one berth to another, or using an anchor and warp to pull a vessel into position.

Tying-up

Securing a vessel with ropes.

Winch

A hoisting or hauling device comprising a driven rotating drum around which a rope passes

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

VIV

Vortex Induced Vibrations

In patent documents, the word/expression in the first column is often used instead of the word/expression in the second column, which is used in the classification scheme of this place:

"drag anchor or drift anchor"

"sea anchor"

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"drift monitor"

"a device and installation for monitoring or detecting drift of anchors, i.e. undesired displacement of an anchor relative to the sea bed"

"marker buoy"

"a buoy for indicating the position of an anchor, or for providing a line connection between the anchor and the water surface"

"quick release element"

"release elements, e.g. remotely controlled, adapted for rapidly disconnecting a mooring line from an anchor, or elements for rapidly diconnecting a vessel or floating structure from the mooring line"

"spud pole"

"a vertically movable pole securing in down position to sea bed"

" yielding element"

"an element which yields at a predetermined load, e.g. a shear bolt for fixing the angle between shank or anchor line and fluke which allows the fluke to pivot as soon as predetermined limit torque is exceeded"

"yoke"

"a rigid ship-borne mooring structure projecting from a vessel, typically from the bow, or from a floating structure, and supported for articulation about a horizontal axis at the end near the vessel or floating structure, and connectable at its other end to a fixed or floating mooring point, e.g. for weathervaning the vessel or floating structure about said mooring point"

{foldable or capable of being disassembled (Anchors with two or more foldable flukes B63B 21/36)}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Anchors with two or more foldable flukes

B63B 21/36

Buoys ({floating decoys, e.g. for waterfowl A01M 31/06;} means for indicating the location of underwater objects B63C 7/26; life-buoys, e.g. rings B63C 9/08; {mountings of acoustic transducer in underwater equipment, e.g. sonobuoys G10K 11/006; electric cables supported on or from floats H02G 9/12})
Definition statement

This place covers:

Buoys, i.e. unmanned floating or submerged buoyant objects, either moored or anchored to a particular position, or freely floating, which are adapted for being used in a wide variety of applications, among which anchored buoys which may be used for mooring vessels, wherein such mooring buoys may be adapted for transferring fluids to or from the moored vessel, or may be used for marking navigational routes, or freely floating buoys which may be equipped with sensing devices, e.g. for oceanographic research. In particular, this main group covers:

Mooring buoys in general, among which:

  • Submerged mooring buoys, e.g. adapted to fit into a matching cavity in the bottom the moored vessel.

Mooring buoys with means for loading or unloading fluids, e.g. of oil to or from an oil tanker:

  • Fluid transfer mooring buoys which are adapted for being submerged when not in use
  • Fluid transfer mooring buoys comprising means for generating a restoring force in the mooring connection, e.g. by means of springs or weights
  • Fluid transfer mooring buoys with means to allow the moored vessel to weathervane around the buoy.

Arrangements for anchoring buoys or for fixing buoys to a desired position or to particular object, among which:

  • Submerged buoys with means to cause the buoy to the surface on demand
  • Buoys connected to objects which are released or urged to the water surface upon submergence of the object.

Buoys comprising means for controlling the floating conditions or position, e.g. ballast means, foils or tethers.

Buoys for marking navigational routes, e.g. whistle buoys or buoys supporting lights.

Buoys of particular types or adapted for particular use or purpose, among which:

  • Inflatable buoys carrying their own gas generator
  • Buoys adapted for being thrown into the water from a substantial height above the water surface
  • Buoys equipped with measuring or watch equipment
  • Container-type buoys, e.g. submerged when not in use or comprising means for releasing its contents on demand.
Relationships with other classification places

B63B 22/00 is the general home for buoys, i.e. for small, substantially unmanned floating objects which are either moored or anchored to a particular position, e.g. for marking navigational routes or underwater obstacles, or which are freely drifting, e.g. for oceanograhic purposes.

Whilst B63B 22/00 provides for buoys in general, B63C 9/08 provides for buoys or the like specially adapted for life-saving purposes.

Whilst B63B 22/02 provides for buoys adapted for mooring vessels, mooring of ships or other waterborne vessels in general is found in B63B 21/00.

Whilst B63B 22/04 provides for fixations, or other anchoring arrangements of buoys, B63B 21/00 provides for tying-up or mooring of ships or other waterborne vessels in general, in particular anchoring for special vessels is classified in B63B 21/50.

Whilst B63B 22/16 provides for buoys specially adapted for marking navigation routes, arrangements of such buoys are classified in B63B 51/00.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Arrangements of buoys for marking navigation route

B63B 51/00

Floating decoys, e.g. for waterfowl

A01M 31/06

Life-buoys, e.g. rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like

B63C 9/08

Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Means for indicating the location of underwater objects, e.g. sunken vessels

B63C 7/26

Communication means, e.g. means for signalling the presence of divers

B63C 11/26

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring (of ships or other waterborne vessels in general)

B63B 21/00

Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers

B63B 21/50

Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers with mooring turrets connected to submerged buoy

B63B 21/508

Arrangements of ship based loading or unloading equipment for transfer at sea between ships or between ships and offshore structures using pipelines

B63B 27/34

Marking of navigational route other than with buoys

B63B 51/00

Pipe joints or couplings, in general

F16L

Floats for laying or reclaiming pipes under water

F16L 1/24

Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, for waterways

F21W 2111/04

Surveying specially adapted to open water, e.g. sea, lake, river, canal

G01C 13/00

Measuring speed of fluids

G01P 5/00

Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting specially adapted for water-covered areas

G01V 1/38

Mountings of acoustic transducer in underwater equipment, e.g. on sonobuoys

G10K 11/006

Electric cables supported on or from floats

H02G 9/12

Special rules of classification

In this main group, buoys specially adapted for indicating the location of underwater objects, e.g. sunken vessels, which are classified in B63C 7/26, and marker buoys specially adapted for signalling the presence of divers underwater which are classified in B63C 11/26, are also classified in the respective group under this main group, if particular technical features are of general interest. Marker buoys for anchors are also indexed in B63B 2021/225.

In this main group, the indexing code for submerged mooring buoys B63B 2022/028 is allocated independent of the classification in any of the sub-groups for buoys for transferring fluids B63B 22/021 - B63B 22/026.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Attitude

The orientation in space of a floating or submerged body.

Buoy

A floating object either fastened to a particular position, e.g. for marking navigational routes or underwater obstacles, or freely drifting, e.g. for oceanograhic purposes.

Mooring

Securing a boat or vessel in a particular place, e.g. by tying-up or anchoring.

Watch

The action or an act of watching or observing with continuous attention; a continued look-out, as of a sentinel, watchman, or guard

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

NOAA

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a US federal agency focused on the condition of the oceans and the atmosphere

SONAR

SOund Navigation And Ranging

Equipment for handling lifeboats or the like
Definition statement

This place covers:

Equipment onboard ships, or other waterborne vessels for handling lifeboats, or other small boats, e.g. dinghies or tenders adapted for being used as service boats, or as links between ships riding at anchor and the shore. In particular, this main group covers:

Davits, i.e. crane-like devices with arms from which boats, or the like water-craft can be lowered by means of cables or ropes:

  • Davits with arms swinging about substantially horizontal axes, e.g. of gravity type
  • Davits with pseudo-swinging arms rotating and translating in a substantially vertical plane, and guided by means of links or tracks
  • Davits with arms pivoting about substantially vertical axes
  • Equipment for actively moving davits from a rest position into a position for boat lowering
  • Davits with means for rectilinearily translating boats prior to lowering.

Free fall devices or installations, with means for projecting or releasing boats to perform a free fall movement to the water surface.

Apparatus or devices for controlling the boat's movement to the water surface by means of guides:

  • Rigid guides, e.g. by means of guide links pivoted near the water surface
  • Guides, e.g. skid fenders, for guiding boats lowered by means of cables.

Methods or means for transporting boats from a storage position to the respective davit.

Use of particular means for boat lowering or hoisting:

  • comprising breaking equipment, either shipborne or on the boat
  • making use of winches, e.g. with winch control from the boat
  • comprising means for controlling the boat's trim, e.g. from the boat
  • comprising means for engaging the boat with, or releasing it from the hoisting or lowering gear, e.g. quick release devices.
  • comprising additional means for connecting the boat to the davit, e.g. security strops

Methods and devices for securing or stowing boats on deck:

  • Lashing devices
  • Covers or tarpaulins
  • Deck-mounted supports, e.g . for stacking a plurality of boats.

Automatic condition controlled equipment for handling lifeboats, e.g. with tackle release upon boat's contact with water surface.

Relationships with other classification places

B63B 1/00 is the general home for

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Loading or unloading cargo or passengers with intermittent action using cranes

B63B 27/10

Loading or unloading cargo or passengers with intermittent action using lifts or hoists, e.g. for deployment or recovery of underwater vehicles

B63B 27/16

Bilge or keel blocks for use on slipways, or in dry-docks

B63C 5/04

Life-saving in water in general

B63C 9/00

Devices for holding or launching life-buoys, inflatable life-rafts, or floatable life-saving equipment other than life-boats

B63C 9/22

Cranes in general

B66C

Devices for facilitating retrieval of floating objects, e.g. for recovering crafts from water (as such)

B66C 13/02

Capstans, winches, tackles per se, e.g. pulley blocks, hoists

B66D

Hoisting, lifting, hauling or pushing, not otherwise provided for, e.g. devices which apply a lifting or pushing force directly to the surface of a load

B66F

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Block

A support for facilitating storage of boats, typically matching the boat's hull shape.

Chock

A pad, packing or bedding typically from wood or an elastomeric material, used for distributing localised loads acting on a boat's or ship's hull, e.g. from struts or shores ; a wooden support upon which a boat rests when stowed on a vessel, e.g. on the vessel's deck

Davit

A crane on the side or stern of a ship for raising or lowering loads, often arranged in pairs for lowering lifeboats.

Lifeboat-like craft

A small auxiliary boat, e.g. dinghy, zodiac or jolly-boat, carried on a larger vessels, e.g. for providing access to the shore, or for transfer to other vessels.

Skid fender

A removable fender strip which facilitates launching of lifeboats over a ship's side whilst offering protection from damage by striking against the side of the ship.

Slewing

Turning (a thing) round upon its own axis, or without shifting it from its place.

Tackle

A combination of pulley-blocks and a rope for facilitating hoisting or lowering of heavy bodies.

Trimming

Controlling, when lowering or hoisting, the orientation of the lifeboat, or the like relative to the ship, or to the water surface.

Winch

A hoisting or hauling device comprising a driven rotating drum around which a rope passes

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"trimming"

"Adjustment of division of ballast and/or cargo to alter a vessel's draft or trim, or the distribution of buoyancy and load".

Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby (trimming otherwise than by cargo division, e.g. by use of ballast B63B 43/06, B63B 43/08; constructive aspects of cargo spaces B63B 11/00; hatches, hatchways B63B 19/12)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Arrangements in or on ships, or other waterborne vessels for stowing, trimming or otherwise accomodating loads or cargo, as well as ships or vessels specially adapted correspondingly. In particular this main group covers:

Arrangements for non-bulk cargo, and vessels chacterised by such arrangments:

  • for containerised cargo, on or under deck, e.g. container-guides, or lashings specially adapted for deck containers
  • for cargo having own floating capacity, other than self-propelled marine vessels, e.g. floating containers or lighters
  • for wheeled cargo, e.g. for motor vehicles, semi-trailers, wheeled cassettes, or the like
  • for palletised articles
  • for frozen goods
  • for deck loads
  • Detachable decks, e.g. for motor vehicles, or the like
  • Means for preventing unwanted cargo movement, e.g. dunnage or vehicle retainers for wheeled cargo.

Arrangements for bulk cargo, and vessels chacterised by such arrangements:

  • for solid bulk cargo, e.g. coal, ore or cereals
  • for fluid cargo, i.e. liquid or gaseous cargo, e.g. with cargo tanks open to the ambient air, or with pressurized or heat insulated cargo tanks
  • for particular combinations of bulk cargo, e.g. ore-bulk-oil carriers, i.e. cargo vessels for carrying alternatively oil, ore or other bulk goods like coal or cereals
  • with flexible receptacles for bulk cargo, e.g. bladders for liquid cargo inserted in tanks, or bags for dry bulk goods inserted in cargo holds
  • comprising elastic separation membranes, i.e. membranes separating portions of fluid cargo holds, e.g. for transport of different kind of liquid cargo, or for separating spaces for liquid cargo from spaces for segregated ballast
  • comprising separation membranes, i.e. membranes separating portions of fluid cargo holds, e.g. for transport of different kind of liquid cargo, or for segregated ballast.
Relationships with other classification places

B63B 23/00 is the general home for arrangements on ships for accomodating load or cargo, as well as for vessels characterised by such arrangements.

Whilst cargo vessels characterised by the accomodation of particular kinds of load, such as LASH-carriers, Ro-Ro-vessels or tankers are typically classified in B63B 23/00, some special vessels, such as vessels for carrying very large loads, e.g. topsides or modules of offshore structures, fishing vessels, barges or ferries have found their place in B63B 35/00.

Whilst arrangements for fluid cargo comprising separation membranes, e.g. for separating different kind of fluid cargo, or for segregated ballast are classified in B63B 25/08, bunkers or ballast tanks with elastic walls are classified in B63B 11/04.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Interior subdivision of hulls, e.g. arrangement of bulkheads for defining cargo spaces

B63B 11/00

Arrangements or adaptations of hatches, or hatchways

B63B 19/12

Vessels or like floating structures adapted for transporting very large loads, e.g. offshore structure modules

B63B 35/003

Barges or lighters, e.g. flexible or self-discharging

B63B 35/28

Vessels or like floating structures for transporting marine vessels other than barges or lighters

B63B 35/40

Vessels or floating structures for aircraft

B63B 35/50

Ferries as such

B63B 35/54

Improving safety of vessels by reducing risk of capsizing or sinking by improving stability, e.g. using ballast tanks, or by transfer of solid ballast (trimming otherwise than by cargo division)

B63B 43/04

Military aircraft carriers

B63G 11/00

Arrangements of heating or cooling installations on vessels

B63J 2/12

Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Fish holds on fishing vessels, e.g. for live fish

B63B 35/24

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Constructional features of bunkers, such as structural fuel tanks, or ballast tanks, e.g. with elastic walls

B63B 11/04

Tanks for fuel or the like not forming bunkers, e.g. with arrangements for minimizing pollution by accidents

B63B 17/0027

Pressure vessels associated with substantially land-borne vehicles

B60 - B62

Securing freight containers or forwarding containers on vehicles, in general

B60P 7/13

Pressure vessels associated with substantially air-borne vehicles

B64

General purpose coupling and lashing devices between large containers like ISO containers, e.g. twistlock

B65D 90/0006

Turnbuckles for connecting rods or tubes, in general

F16B 7/06

Turnbuckles for straining cables, ropes or wires, in general

F16G 11/12

Pressure vessels for storage purposes, e.g. gas cylinders, gas tanks, as such, e.g. for gas storage in or on barges or on ships

F17C 1/00

Special rules of classification

In this main group, elastic separations in tanks for fluid cargo, are indexed with B63B 2025/085, however if this separation is adapted for separating, within a tank, variable size spaces for fluid cargo from variable size spaces for water ballast, such as to provide for a segregated ballast configuration, then such separations are also classified in B63B 11/04.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Accident

An event which is sudden, unvoluntary, and harmful.

Barge

A flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods, often not self-propelled but towed or pushed by tugs.

Bunker

A compartment for solid or fluid fuel.

Dunnage

Material or packaging deployed around cargo to secure it during transportation.

Hatchway

A square or oblong opening in the deck of a ship through which cargo can be lowered into the hold.

Lighter

A flat-bottomed unpowered barge for transporting goods.

Panelling

A wall facing, wall lining, wainscot.

Stowing

The placing and securing of cargo on board of a vessel, e.g. in the hold; The storing of provisions between decks.

Trimming

Adjustment of division of ballast and/or cargo to alter a vessel's draft or trim, or the distribution of buoyancy and load

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

LASH

Lighter Aboard SHip (carrier)

OBO

Ore Bulk Oil (carrier)

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"lighter"

"a flat-bottomed barge, typically unpowered, used for transferring goods and passengers to and from moored ships".

Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers (self-discharging barges or lighters B63B 35/30; floating cranes B66C 23/52)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Arrangements in or on ships, or other waterborne vessels for loading or unloading freight, or for embarking or disembarking passengers, as well as methods and devices specially adapted therefor. In particular this main group covers:

Arrangements and methods for loading or unloading ships involving an intermittent action:

  • Arrangements, use, and special adaptations of ships' derricks, i.e. employing ships' masts, e.g. using guys for slewing
  • Arrangements, use, and special adaptations of winches
  • Arrangements, use, and special adaptations of cranes, e.g. of gantry cranes
  • Arrangements, use, and special adaptations of ramps, e.g. telescopic or inflatable
  • Arrangements, use, and special adaptations of gangways
  • Arrangements, use, and special adaptations of pilot ladders, or similar outboard ladders, e.g. bathing ladders
  • Arrangements, use, and special adaptations of pilot lifts
  • Arrangements, use, and special adaptations of elevators, lifts or hoists (other than pilot lifts)
  • Arrangements, use, and special adaptations of cable-ways, e.g. using breeches-buoys

Arrangements and methods for loading or unloading ships involving a continuous action:

  • Arrangements, use, and special adaptations of conveyors, e.g. of endless-belt or screw-type
  • Arrangements, use, and special adaptations of pipe-lines, or the like conduits, e.g. for liquids, or for fluidized bulk material
  • Arrangements, use, and special adaptations of devices using throwing action
  • Arrangements, use, and special adaptations of

Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment specially adapted for transfer at sea between ships or between ships and off-shore structures:

  • Arrangements, and special adaptations of equipment using cableways
  • Arrangements, and special adaptations of equipment using pipe-lines.

Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment specially adapted for for floating cargo.

Relationships with other classification places

B63B 27/00 is the home for ship-borne arrangements or methods for loading or unlading ships or other waterborne vessels, or for embarking or disembarking passengers or crew members.

Whilst B63B 27/00 provides for ship-based loading or unloading means, B65G 67/60 provides for loading or unlading ships in general, and for land-borne arrangements and methods for loading ships in particular.

Whilst ramps simultaneously serving as bow-, stern- or side-ports are classified in B63B 27/14, bow-, stern- or side-ports in general are found in B63B 19/08.

Whilst B63B 27/16 covers, among others, the deployment or recovery of underwater vehicles using lifts or hoists, B63G 8/001 provides for docking stations for unmanned underwater vessels, or the like.

Whilst B63B 27/34 covers ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo transfer at sea between ships or between ships and off-shore structures using pipe-lines, buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel and for transferring fluids , e.g. liquids are classified in B63B 22/021

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Self-discharging barges or lighters

B63B 35/30

Floating cranes

B66C 23/52

Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel and for transferring fluids , e.g. liquids

B63B 22/021

Docking stations for unmanned underwater vessels, or the like, e.g. for downloading or uploading data, or for recharging

B63G 8/001

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Ports or like openings in vessels' sides, or at the vessels' bow or stern

B63B 19/08

Anchoring arrangements for special vessels with mooring turrets

B63B 21/507

Buoys specially adapted for mooring a vessel and for transferring fluids , e.g. liquids

B63B 22/021

Arrangements or adaptations of ladders onboard ships, in general

B63B 29/20

Devices for lowering persons from buildings or the like by making use of chutes, e.g. hoses, pipes, sliding-grooves, sliding-sheets

A62B 1/20

Rope railways, e.g. cable-ways; Power-and-free railway systems

B61B 7/00 - B61B 12/00

Emptying the contents of sunken, stranded, or disabled vessels, e.g. by engaging the vessel; Underwater collecting of buoyant contents, such as liquid, particulate or gaseous contents, escaping from sunken vessels, e.g. using funnels, or tents for recovery of escaping hydrocarbons

B63C 7/006

Inflatable escape chutes for aircraft

B64D 25/14

Transport or storage devices, e.g. conveyors for loading or tipping, e.g. devices with throwing action per se, or chutes per se; Shop conveyor systems; Pneumatic tube conveyors (in general)

B65G

Conveyors having an endless traction element, transmitting movement to a series of individual load-carriers

B65G 17/00

Arrangements, or methods for loading or unloading ships, in general (in particular land-borne)

B65G 67/60

Loading ramps, e.g. permanently installed on the dock

B65G 69/28

Elevators, lifts or hoists; Escalators or moving walkways (in general)

B66B

Cranes; Load-engaging elements or devices for cranes, capstans, wiches, or tackles

B66C

Devices for facilitating retrieval of floating objects, e.g. for recovering crafts from water (per se)

B66C 13/02

Winches per se

B66D

Bridges or similar structures, based on land or on a fixed structure and designed to give access to ships or other floating structures

E01D 15/24

Ladders, in general

E06C

Launchers for marine torpedoes

F41F 3/08

Special rules of classification

Ramps adapted for use as bathing platforms are also classified in B63B 29/02.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Derrick

A loading or unloading rig comprising a single boom pivotally supported on or near the deck on one end, suspended from a mast by means of a single span or tackle on the other end, and provided on this other end with rope or tackle for load lifting or lowering.

Gantry

A frame or platform for carrying a travelling-crane, e.g. of portal or bridge type.

Gantry crane

A bridge crane travelling on rails and supported on a frame or platform.

Pipe

The general term for a conduit of closed cross-section, which is specially adapted to convey fluids, materials or objects, e.g. a rigid pipe or a hose.

Pipe-line systems

Systems of pipe-lines as described in flow sheets; Arrangements of co-operating pipe-line elements.

Port

A door, gate or closable opening.

Slewing

Turning (a thing) round upon its own axis, or without shifting it from its place.

Winch

A hoisting or hauling device comprising a driven rotating drum around which a rope passes

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"derrick"

"a crane for hoisting heavy loads, comprising a movable boom and furnished with suitable tackle for loading and unloading cargo",

"hose"

"a pipe which has flexibility as an essential characteristic", and

"span"

"a rope or tackle for suspending the free end of a loading boom from a fixed point up in a mast, so that the boom can be topped or lowered".

of chutes
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Chutes per se

B65G

{Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment} for floating cargo {(deployment or recovery of underwater vehicles using lifts of hoists B63B 27/16)}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Deployment or recovery of underwater vehicles using lifts of hoists

B63B 27/16

Accommodation for crew or passengers not otherwise provided for
Definition statement

This place covers:

Onboard arrangements or areas adapted for serving as habitat for crew or passengers, as well as devices specially adapted for this purpose, as far as there is no other classification place provided for such arrangements or devices. In particular this main group covers:

Cabins or other living spaces as such, as well as their construction or arrangement on ships, or other waterborne vessels:

  • making use of modular or prefabricated cabins
  • making use of portable walls or wall panels, e.g. for temporarily erecting cabin spaces in ship hold, or for subdividing living areas into smaller units.

Furniture specially adapted for use on vessels:

  • Seats perculiar to vessels, e.g. canoe seats, waterscooter seats, and arrangements thereof on marine vessels
  • Tables specially adapted for use on marine vessels, e.g. foldable or stowable
  • Fastening of furniture to floors
  • Storm guards on tables, e.g. fiddles
  • Berths, e.g bunk beds, as well as mounting ladders for berths
  • Self-levelling furniture

Arrangements or adaptations of sanitation devices specially adapted for use on ships:

  • Closet or like flushing arrangements
  • Collapsible or non-permanent privacy rooms, e.g. for closets or as changing rooms
  • Washing or bathing facilities.

Soil water discharges.

Arrangements or adaptations of swimming pools.

Arrangements or adaptations of ladders, e.g. on masts.

Galleys.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Seaway compensators for equipment or accessories other than self-levelling furniture

B63B 17/00

Tables; Desks; Office furniture; Cabinets; Drawers; General details of furniture (in general)

A47B

Folding or stowable tables (in general)

A47B 3/00

Suspended or hinged panels froming a table; Wall tables (in general)

A47B 5/00

Chairs; Sofas; Beds (in general)

A47C

Bedsteads, e.g. multi-stage bedsteads (in general)

A47C 19/00

Screens, in general

A47G 5/00

Kitchen equipment per se

A47J

Sanitary equipment not otherwise provided for, e.g. wash-stands, baths, showers, or closets without flushing; Toilet accessories (in general)

A47K

Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangements or mountings of seats in vehicles (in general)

B60N 2/00

Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings in or for vehicles, not otherwise provided for, e.g. of tables or trays, or of beds (in general)

B60N 3/00

Arrangements or adaptations of sanitation devices in vehicles (in general)

B60R 15/00

Furniture or furnishings peculiar to rail vehicles, e.g. sleeping acomodation

B61D 31/00 - B61D 37/00

Ports or the like openings in vessels' sides

B63H 19/08

Arrangements on vessels of installations for treating waste water or sewage

B63J 4/006

Water-closets or urinals with flushing devices; Flushing valves therefor (in general)

E03D

Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water, e.g. temporary land-borne fluid connections for emptying mobile sewage holding tanks, e.g. of trailers, boats

E03F 1/00

Removable non-load-bearing partitions; Partitions with a free upper edge, e.g. assembled using frames with infill panels or coverings only (in general)

E04B 2/74

Swimming or splash baths or pools (in general)

E04H 4/00

Ladders, in general

E06C

Special rules of classification

In this main group, bathing platforms arranged in the form of side-ports, or stern-ports are also classified in B63B 19/08, and bathing platforms arranged in the form of ramps are also classified in B63B 27/143.

Furniture such as seats specially adapted for inflatable vehicles are also classified in B63B 7/085.

Accessories specially adapted for canoes, kayaks, or the like are classified in B63B 34/26.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Bathing platform

A fixed or movable platform arranged near the water surface for facilitating user's acess to or re-boarding from the water, e. g. for swimming or diving.

Berth

A bed, bunk or sleeping-place in a ship, usually narrow and fixed to a wall; A long box or shelf for sleeping, on the side of a cabin.

Fiddle

A guardrail used on a table during rough weather to prevent things from slipping off.

Galley

The cooking-room or kitchen on a ship.

Soil-water

Sewage from water closets, or used waste-water, e.g. used for washing, bathing, cleaning, flushing.

Water sports boards; Accessories therefor
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Sail or rigging arrangements specially adapted for water sports boards, e.g. for windsurfing or kitesurfing

B63H 8/00

Boards specially adapted for use in a prone position, e.g. wild-water sledges (towed water sledges B63B 34/54)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Boards where the user lies in a prone position, e.g. for use in sports-like hydro speed or river-boarding.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Towed water sledges

B63B 34/54

Water skis fastened to the user's feet; Accessories specially adapted therefor
Definition statement

This place covers:

Water skis or monoskis, i.e. one or two skis fastened to the user's feet.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Boards specially adapted for use in a prone position, e.g. for use in sports like hydro speed or river-boarding

B63B 32/20

Wakeboards

B63B 32/40

{Bindings, e.g. wakeboard bindings}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Snowboard bindings

A63C 10/00

Boards characterised by the material, e.g. laminated materials
Definition statement

This place covers:

Boards characterised by the materials, which include laminated materials, the layup of materials, i.e. the arrangement of the different material layers.

Boards characterised by their manufacturing process, e.g. moulded or 3D printed
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Shaping or joining of plastics

B29C

Board appendages, e.g. fins, hydrofoils or centre boards
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Hydrofoils in general

B63B 1/24

Keels integrally formed with hulls

B63B 3/38

Drop keels, e.g. centre boards or side boards

B63B 41/00

characterised by the material, e.g. laminated materials; characterised by their manufacturing process
Definition statement

This place covers:

Board appendages characterised by the materials, which include laminated materials, the layup of materials, i.e. the arrangement of the different material layers.

Arrangements for fixation to the board, e.g. fin boxes or foil boxes
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Mast foot rails

B63B 32/68

Arrangements for fixation of accessories to the board, e.g. inserts or rails

B63B 32/77

Mast foot

B63H 8/24

Mast foot attachments, e.g. mast foot rails
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Mast foot

B63H 8/24

for stowing, e.g. racks or straps
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Transporting on vehicle, roof racks

B60R 9/08

for carrying, e.g. board bags
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Luggage, bags

A45C 7/00

Travelling articles, sacks or packs carried on the body, specially adapted for carrying specific objects

A45F 2003/003

Sacks or packs carried on the body by straps

A45F 3/04

Body-supporting structures dynamically supported by foils under water
Definition statement

This place covers:

Structures which are not necessarily buoyant, but which are using hydrofoils allowing the lifting of the structure at a certain speed, e.g. Air-chair, Aqua skipper, hydrofoil bikes, or hydrofoil kayak.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Hydrofoils in general

B63B 1/24

Hydrofoils for watersport boards

B63B 32/60

Propulsion by flaps

B63H 1/32

Propulsion generated by rotary cranking arrangements

B63H 16/20

Body-supporting buoyant devices, e.g. bathing boats or water cycles (swimming aids A63B 31/00)
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Swimming aids

A63B 31/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Buoyant toys

A63H 23/10

Buoyant devices using rotary cranking arm

B63H 16/20

Inflatable or partly inflatable
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Swimming framework with driving mechanism operated by swimmer or by motor

A63B 35/00

Ring-shaped life-buoys

B63C 9/08

for use in a standing position, e.g. water shoes, water walking devices or buoyant skis
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Propulsion transforming a reciprocating movement into propulsion

B63H 16/16, B63H 16/18

Arrangements on vessels specially adapted for generating waves for surfing, wakeboarding or the like, e.g. ballast tanks
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Conduits emptying ballast tanks

B63B 13/00

Improving stability with ballast tanks in general

B63B 43/06

Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
Definition statement

This place covers:

Ships or other waterborne vessels or structures which are designed or adapted for fulfilling special tasks or for serving a particular purpose, e.g. icebreakers, fishery vessels, lightships, rafts, offhore structures, or pleasure boats, like surfboards, but also waterskis or the like. In particular, this main group covers:

Vessels or other floating structures specially adapted for particular transport tasks:

  • for transporting very large loads, e.g. offshore structure modules
  • for transporting marine vessels, e.g. with adjustable draught, or for carrying submarines
  • Passenger vessels, e.g. cruise vessels or the like
  • Ferries.

Vessels or other floating structures specially adapted for particular operational tasks:

  • Vessels for collecting pollution from open water, i.e. for removing solid, liquid or gaseous contamination of open waters, e.g. by oil or chemicals, either floating on the surface, or floating or dissolved underwater in the water body
  • Search and rescue (SAR) vessels
  • Pipe-laying vessels
  • Cable-laying vessel
  • Fishing vessels, e.g trawlers or whale catchers
  • Vessels or floating structures for aircraft (other than military aircraft carriers), and equipment specially adapted therefor, e.g. floating runways, or nets for recovering aircaft from water
  • Lightships
  • Tugs, e.g for towing or pushing
  • Floating propeller units.

Vessels or other floating structures specially adapted for particular navigation conditions:

  • for beach loading or unloading, e.g. landing crafts
  • for inland waters, e.g. for use on canals or rivers
  • Ice-breakers, or other vessels or floating structures for operation in ice-infested waters, or having equipment specially adapted therefor.

Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, workshops, or the like floating strutures adapted for special purposes, in particular:

  • Articulated towers
  • Floating drilling platforms, e.g. drilling platforms carrying water-oil separating devices, as well as methods of installation thereof
  • Spar-type semi-submersible structures
  • Stationary floating buildings for human use, e.g. floating dwellings, floating restaurants, or the like
  • Stationary floating structures carrying electric power plants, e.g. wind turbines, or nuclear power plants
  • Floating structures supporting industrial plants, such as factories, refineries, or the like
  • Floating hydrocarbon production vessels, e.g. Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSO)
  • Floating storage vessels, other than vessels for hydrocarbon production and storage, e.g. for liquid cargo
  • Floating structures supporting vegetation, such as trees, reeds, crops, plants, or the like, e.g. flexible structures.

Unmanned surface vessels, e.g. remotely controlled.

Barges or lighters, e.g flexible barges or self-discharging barges.

Pontoons, e.g. foldable or rigidly-interconnected.

Wind propelled vessels comprising arrangements, installations or equipment specially adapted therefor, charcterised by features other than wind propulsion arrangements, installations, or devices, such as sails, running rigging, or the like, and other than sailboards, or the like or related equipment.

Rafts, e.g. formed from logs or the like.

Canoes, kayaks or the like; Equipment specially adapted therefor;

Boats, or other floating structures for pleasure or sport, not otherwise provided for, in particular:

  • Waterscooters
  • House boats
  • Racing rowing boats
  • Towed floating structures for pleasure or sport, i.e. having the towing member, e.g. tow-rope, directly connected to the towed structure
  • Pleasure boats or other floating structures adapted for particular purposes, e.g. for hunting or fishing
  • Body supporting buoyant devices with seat, or bathing boats, e.g. with ring or U-shaped buoyant member
  • Surf-boards, and equipment specially adapted therefor
  • Sailboards, and rigging and sail arrangements specially adapted therefor
  • Body-boards
  • Motor-propelled boards
  • Boards transformable into another vehicle, e.g. sailboat, or watercycle
  • Arrangements for stowing or transporting boards
  • Waterskis, watersledges, wakeboards or the like, and related equipment, e.g. bindings, fins, or towing devices
  • Equipment and arrangements for generating waves specially adapted for surfing, waterskiing, or the like, e.g. attached to or towed by a boat, or stationary near a shore.
Relationships with other classification places

B63B 35/00 is the general home for ships, floating structures or other water-craft, which are particularly designed for special purposes.

Whilst B63B 35/00 provides for ships or other floating vessels adapted for special puposes, anchoring arrangments for such special vessels are classified in B63B 21/50.

Whilst B63B 35/44 provides for offshore structures or platforms which are floating or have substantial positive buoyancy when in use, construction of the hull of such floating offhore platforms is classifed in B63B 75/00, E02B 17/00 is the home of offshore platforms which, when in use, rest on the sea bed, even if the platform or parts thereof exhibit positive buoyancy during transport to or during installation at the site of use, or during recovery or relocation after use, in particular, jack-up platforms with floating topsides, which are jacked-up above the sea level when in use, are classified in E02B 17/021.

Whilst B63B 35/50 provides for ships or other floating structures for ar carrying aircaft, e.g. floating landing strips, B63B 17/00 provises for seaway-compensators, B63G 11/00 for military aircraft-carriers, and aircraft-carrier-deck installations, like arresting gear or catapults are classified in B64F 1/00.

Whilst B63B 35/56 provides for lightships as such, marking of naviagational routes, and related arrangements are classified in B63B 51/00, and buoys specially adapted for marking navigational routes are provided for in B63B 22/16.

Whilst B63B 34/20 provides for canoes, kayaks or the like boats as such, and related equipment, vessels characterised by being collapsible, foldable or inflatable are classified in B63B 7/00, and equipment contributing to the propulsion of canoes or cayaks, like movable thwarts or footrests, or paddles is classified in B63H 16/00.

Whilst B63B 34/50 provides for body supporting buoyant devices with seat, e.g. with ring or U-shaped buoyant member, floating general purpose seats are classified in A47C 15/006, B63C 9/08 provides for life-buoys or life-rings, and B63C 9/30 for floating furniture specially adapted for life-saving.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls, e.g. of semi-submersible multiple hulls

B63B 1/00

Collapsible, foldable, inflatable, or like vessels

B63B 7/00

Seaway compensators for equipment other than self-levelling furniture

B63B 17/00

Ports or like openings in vessels' sides, or at the vessels' bow or stern

B63B 19/08

Anchoring arrangements for special vessels, e.g. making use of articulated towers

B63B 21/50

Towing or pushing equipment on vessels

B63B 21/56

Buoys

B63B 22/00

Vessels characterised by load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. container vessels, or tank vessels

B63B 25/00

Load accommodation for floating barges, or the like

B63B 25/006

Furniture peculiar to vessels, e.g. seats, in general

B63B 29/04

Marking navigation route

B63B 51/00

Construction methods for hulls of floating platforms, e.g. for assembling offshore structures in situ, using buoyancy forces for supporting the structure itself, or parts of it

B63B 75/00

Fishing per se

A01K 69/00 - A01K 97/00

Sacks or packs carried on the body, e.g. carrying-frames, or frames combined with sacks

A45F 3/00

Travelling or camp articles which may be converted into boats; Sacks or packs carried on the body and convertible into boats

A45F 4/10

Inflatable chairs

A47C 4/54

Floating seats (general purpose furniture, other than for life-saving)

A47C 15/006

Fire-fighting vessels, or the like structures

A62C 29/00

Swimming framework with driving mechanisms operated by the swimmer or by a motor

A63B 35/00

Training appliances or apparatus for surfing, i.e. without a sail

A63B 69/0093

Training appliances or apparatus for water-skiing

A63B 69/187

Bindings for snowboards

A63C 10/00

Design or layout of areas for water-skiing; Covers therefor

A63C 19/00

Water roundabouts, e.g. freely floating

A63G 3/00

Amphibious vehicles, i.e. vehicles capable of traveling both on land and on water; Land vehicles capable of travelling under water

B60F 3/00

Waterborne vehicles adapted or modified to travel on air-cushions

B60V 3/06

Life-saving in water

B63C 9/00

Lifeboats, life-rafts or the like, specially adapted for life-saving

B63C 9/02

Life-buoys, e.g. life-rings; Life-belts, jackets, suits, or the like

B63C 9/08

Floatable furniture (adapted for life-saving in water)

B63C 9/30

Offensive or defensive arrangements on vessels; Vessels characterised thereby; Laying or sweeping of mines, or laying of depth charges, and related vessels; Underwater vessels, e.g. submarines; Aircraft carriers

B63G

Unmanned surface vessels for mine sweeping, e.g. unmanned autonomously operating mine sweeping vehicles

B63G 7/00

Underwater vessels adapted for special purposes, e.g. unmanned underwater vehicles

B63G 8/001

Underwater-towed barges

B63G 8/42

Aircraft carriers

B63G 11/00

Propulsive devices directly acted on by wind; Arrangements thereof (in general)

B63H 9/00

Effecting propulsion by jets, i.e. reaction principle

B63H 11/00

Propulsion of chain ferries

B63H 15/00

Effecting propulsion by muscle power

B63H 16/00

Movable thwarts; Footrests

B63H 16/02

Oars; Sculls; Paddles; Poles

B63H 16/04

Propulsion of trail-flying ferries

B63H 19/04

Outboard propulsion units, i.e. propulsion units having a substantially vertical power leg mounted outboard of a hull and terminating in a propulsion element, e.g. "outboard motors", Z-drives

B63H 20/00

Water flotation gear for lighter-than-air aircraft

B64B 1/68

Aircraft alighting gear comprising floats;

B64C 25/54

Flying boat hulls

B64C 35/00

Emergency flotation gear for aircraft;

B64D 25/18

Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations, e.g. launching gear using catapults

B64F 1/00

Large containers for use in or under water

B65D 88/78

Floating cranes (crane aspects)

B66C 23/52

Cracking hydrocarbon oils; Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures, e.g. by destructive hydrogenation, oligomerisation, polymerisation (per se)

C10G

Floating bridges, e.g. pontoon bridges or land borne structures designed to give access to ships

E01D 15/00

Hydraulic engineering

E02B

Moles, piers, breakwaters, or the like structures, characterised by constructions floating in operational condition, e.g. floating landing-stages

E02B 3/062

Cleaning or keeping clear the surface of open water; Apparatus therefor (in general)

E02B 15/00

Offshore structures supported on the sea bed when in use

E02B 17/00

Jack-up structures with floating platforms (floating capability for transport purposes)

E02B 17/021

Floating substructures as supports for dredgers

E02F 9/06

Buildings, or groups of buildings, or shelters adapted to withstand or provide protection against floods

E04H 9/145

Steam engine plants; Steam accumulators; Engine plants not otherwise provided for; Engines using special working fluids or cycles (per se)

F01K

Internal-combustion piston engines (per se); combustion engines in general

F02B

Gas turbine plants, per se

F02C

Machines or engines for liquids per se

F03C

Wind motors, per se

F03D

Mounting of machines or engines on supporting structures or systems, e.g. on a structure floating on a liquid surface, offshore, or as part of a wind farm (indexing code)

F05B 2240/90

Methods or apparatus specially adapted for laying or reclaiming pipes on or under water, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle

F16L 1/12

Use of solar heat, e.g. solar heat collectors per se

F24S

Seagoing targets (for shooting exercise at sea, e.g. armoured, remotely controlled self-propelled or towed target vessels)

F41J 9/04

Advertising on ships or other floating means

G09F 21/18

Nuclear power plant, per se

G21D

Methods or apparatus specially adapted for laying cables in or under water, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle

H02G 1/10

Generators in which light radiation is directly converted into electrical energy per se

H02S 99/00

Reduction of greenhouse gasses (GHG) emission, related to energy generation, transmission or distribution, e.g. hydroenergy from tidal stream or damless hydropower, like sea flood and ebb, river, or stream (scheme for automatic indexation)

Y02E

Special rules of classification

In this main group, subject-matter concerning vessels, or floating structures specially adapted for operation in ice-infested water, and at the same time adapted for an other particular purpose, is classified in B63B 35/08 and subgroups, and is also classified in the respective other particular groups of B63B 35/00, e.g. floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms or workshops for operation in ice infested waters are also classified in B63B 35/44.

In this main group, subject-matter concerning devices or installations for collecting pollution from the surface of open water installed on board of vessels specially adapted for this task, e.g. devices for collecting spilled oil, is also classified in E02B 15/00 and subgroups.

In this main group, towed floating structures for pleasure or sport, i.e. structures having the towing member, e.g. tow-rope, directly connected thereto, are indexed with code B63B 34/54, and are also classified in the respective place for the towed structure as such, e.g. water sledges B63B 34/54.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Aircraft carrier

A warship equipped with a flight deck and hangars which carries and serves as a base for aircraft, and from which they are able to take off and land on.

Articulated tower

A substantially floating structure comprising a slender tower-like hull anchored at its lower end to the sea floor by means of a single articulation, e.g. using an articulated bearing

Barge

A flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods, often not self-propelled but towed or pushed by tugs.

Body-board

A surfboards specially adapted for use by a single user in prone position attachable to or holding on to the board; A planing member attachable to the body of, or held by a single user riding a breaking wave, or occasionally a river current, without a surfboard.

Canoe

A small open boat propelled by a single-bladed paddle; term often used for any kind of paddle-propelled boat.

Dragging

Drawing or pulling with force something which is heavy and resists motion; Hauling.

Ferry

A provision for the conveyance of passengers, vehicles, or the like by boat from one shore to the other

Floating propeller unit

An unmanned floating vessel comprising a propulsion power plant or unit, and a propulsive element, e.g. a propeller, adapted for propelling a barge or the like.

Kayak

A small boat made of a framework of light wood covered with sealskins sewn together, and with a covered opening for the user and propelled by a double-paddle, or a sport or touring boat developed from this design.

Leash

A security line, or tether connecting a surf-board or the like to the rider, e.g. to a limb

Lighter

A flat-bottomed barge, typically unpowered, used for transferring goods and passengers to and from moored ships; A flat-bottomed unpowered barge for transporting goods.

Lightship

A ship equipped like a lighthouse and anchored where a permanent lighthouse would be impracticable.

Ice-breaker

A vessel for breaking a navigable channel into an ice-cover, or for assisting other vessels in ice-infested waters

Pollution

Harmful substances left in the environment.

Pontoon

A stationary floating structure, typically used for support purposes, e.g. landing stages.

Racing rowing boat

A light, long, narrow racing boat propelled by rowing using oars or sculls

Raft

A free floating waterborne vessels, of shallow draft, with little or no freeboard, and having a platform or floor for supporting a user; A flat, buoyant structure of timber, or other materials fastened together, used as a boat or floating platform.

Sailboard

A wind-propelled surf-board.

Surf-board

A small recreational board-like planing hull for supporting a user, e.g. wind-propelled or for riding on the crest of a wave.

Trawler

A fishing boat that uses a trawl net or dragnet.

Wakeboard

A monoboards for users being towed behind a boat, the board comprising bindings oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the board, e.g. snowboard-like bindings

Waterscooter

A motorized pleasure boat resembling a motor-scooter, typically water-jet propelled, and with a handlebar for steering.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

FPSO

Floating Production Storage and Offloading (unit, vessel)

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"raft"

"number of logs, planks, etc., fastened together in the water for transportation by floating"

"sit-on-top kayak" or "surfski"

"a kayak-shaped double-paddle propelled boat without closed cockpit, with a seat and footrests arranged in recesses in the central upper hull portion, and exposing the user to the outside environment"

"windsurfing"

"using a windpropelled sailboard"

Tugs (towing or pushing equipment B63B 21/56)
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Towing or pushing equipment

B63B 21/56

Special rules of classification

Reference B63B 21/56 is non-limiting in the subgroup B63B 35/66. CPC will be corrected once this inconsistency is resolved in IPC.

Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movements; Apparatus for indicating vessel attitude {(for amphibious vehicles B60F 3/0038)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Ship-borne devices, installations or means for reducing the amplitude of the ship or vessel motions such as pitch or roll, as well as devices for indicating the position of a vessel in relation to its line of travel, or the vessel's orientation in space, e.g. the heeling angle, or for indicating the rolling period, or the like. In particular, this main group covers:

Equipment to decrease ship's vibrations produced externally to the ship, e.g. wave-induced vibrations.

Equipment to decrease solid body motions of ships or other waterborne vessels:

  • by displacement of masses, e.g. by transferring liquids
  • by using gyroscopes directly
  • by using foils acting on ambient water, e.g. by using trimflaps, or using foils having a variable cross section
  • by using auxiliary jets or propellers
  • by damping the waves, e.g. by pouring oil on water, or through absorption of wave energy.

Apparatus for indicating vessel attitude, e.g.

  • for indicating draught or load
  • for indicating inclination or duration of roll.
Relationships with other classification places

B63B 39/00 is the general home for a variety of ship-borne equipment adapted for minimizing ship movements like pitch or roll, or for apparatus for indicating the vessel's attitude.

Whilst equipment for minimizing ship motions, e.g. gyroscopes, bilge-keels or lift-controlled stabilizing foils are classified in B63B 39/00, B63B 1/00 covers hull shapes adapted for minimizing such motions, e.g. semi-submersible hulls, B63B 3/00 provides for the construction of rigid keels, B63B 41/00 provides for movable keels, and B63B 43/04 provides for means for improving ship stability, such as solid or water ballast.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Construction of keels integral with the ship's hull, e.g. of keels with means for controlling heeling or rolling motions, by means of flaps, by changing geometry, or by ballast displacement

B63B 3/38

Construction of bilge keels

B63B 3/44

Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids

B63B 49/00

Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Anchoring arrangements for special vessels using tension legs, e.g. comprising suppressors for vortex induced vibrations

B63B 21/502

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Hydrofoils

B63B 1/24

Movable hydrofoils changing the angle of attack or the lift of the foil, e.g. using flaps

B63B 1/285

Means for varying the inherent hydrodynamic characteristics of hulls, e.g. by using interceptors, or by reducing surface friction using mechanical means

B63B 1/32

Drop keels, e.g. centre boards, side boards; Collapsible keels, or the like, e.g. telescopically; Longitudinally split hinged keels

B63B 41/00

Reducing risk of capsizing or sinking of vessels by improving stability

B63B 43/04

Arrangements of stability devices on amphibious vehicles

B60F 3/0038

Mounting of propulsion plant or unit, e.g. for anti-vibration purposes

B63H 21/30

Rudders, e.g. with flaps or changing geometry

B63H 25/38

Rudders using Magnus effect

B63H 25/40

Steering or dynamic anchoring using propellers

B63H 25/42

Steering or dynamic anchoring using jets

B63H 25/46

Influencing the flow of fluids around bodies of solid material, e.g. by influencing the boundary layer

F15D 1/10

Springs; Shock-absorbers; Means for damping vibration; Suppression of vibration in systems

F16F

Measuring length, thickness, or similar linear dimensions; Measuring angles (in general)

G01B

Measuring instruments for measuring angles, inclinations, distances, heights or levels (in geneal)

G01C

Measuring inclinations in general;

G01C 9/00

Measuring frequencies of mechanical vibrators in general

G01H

Control of attitude

G05D 1/49

Special rules of classification

In this main group, subject-matter concerning the control of attitude, i.e. the control of roll, pitch or yaw, specially adapted to waterborne vehicles, is also classified in G05D 1/49 (reference is made to the Special rules of classification within main group G01D 1/00).

The breakdown indexing codes B63B 2039/063, B63B 2039/065, B63B 2039/066 and B63B 2039/068 arranged under subgroup B63B 39/06 are also used for indexing movable keels, like drop keels, classified in B63B 41/00.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Attitude

The position of a vessel in relation to its line of travel. The orientation in space of a floating or submerged body.

Bilge

Part of the hull and corresponding compartment of a ship where the hull sides curve inward to meet at the keel.

Bilge keel

Longitudinally extending profile protruding from the outer surface of the bilge, for resisting rolling motion.

Gyroscope

A rapidly rotating mass used for decreasing vessel movements, in particular roll.

Hydrofoil

A wing-like structure positioned below a hull which creates hydrodynamic lift when a vessel is moved through the water at speed.

Magnus effect

The phenomenon of a rotating object moving in a fluid generating a circulation and thus a lift perpendicular to the axis of rotation and to the direction of movement of the object.

Pitch

The rotary motion of a vessel about a horizontal axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis or direction of motion.

Roll

The rotary movement of a vessel about an axis parallel to its longitudinal axis or direction of motion.

Trimflap

A small planing surface, typically arranged in pairs, one on each side, at the transom of a planing hull, and adjustably mounted for pivoting about a substantially horizontal axis, used for controlling trim, or for assisting in turning manoeuvres.

Yaw

A movement of deviation from the direct course, as from bad steering; The angular motion or displacement about a yawing axis.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the word/expression in the first column is often used instead of the word/expression in the second column, which is used in the classification scheme of this place:

"trim tab"

"trimflap"

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"trimflap" or "trim tab"

"a hinged tab fitted to the trailing edge of a wing, foil, keel or rudder to control hydrodynamic lift, e.g. to facilitate steering

"hydrofoil"

"a vessel which uses hydrofoil features to lift the hull out of the water at speed, thereby reducing drag"

Drop keels, e.g. centre boards or side boards {; Collapsible keels, or the like, e.g. telescopically; Longitudinally split hinged keels (keels integral with hull B63B 3/38; foils or keels on surf-boards B63B 32/50; stabilising foils B63B 39/06)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Keels which are movable with respect to the hull of the water-craft, e.g. retractable, collapsible or telescoping keels, such as daggerboards or lee-boards.

Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils:

  • Constructions of hulls
  • Drop keels, e.g. centre boards, side boards.

Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils:

  • Constructions of hulls
  • Drop keels, e.g. centre boards, side boards.

Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils:

  • Constructions of hulls
  • Drop keels, e.g. centre boards, side boards.
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Construction of keels integral with the ship's hull, e.g. of keels with means for controlling heeling or rolling motions, by means of flaps, by changing geometry, or by ballast displacement

B63B 3/38

Special rules of classification

In this main group, the breakdown indexing codes B63B 2039/063, B63B 2039/065, B63B 2039/066 and B63B 2039/068 arranged under subgroup B63B 39/06 are also used for indexing the corresponding features of movable keels.

Improving safety of vessels, e.g. damage control, not otherwise provided for (fire-fighting in ships A62C 3/10)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Means or methods for improving the safety of ship or other waterborne vessels, e.g. by improving stabilty or buoyancy, as far as there is no other classification place provided for. In particular, this main group covers:

Methods or means for reducing the risk of capzising or sinking:

  • Improving stability
  • Improving buoyancy
  • Arrangements of watertight doors in bulkheads, e.g. sliding doors.

Methods or means for preventing collision, or reducing collision damage, e.g. feelers.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Arrangements on ships or other waterborne vessels, or adaptations therefor of ports, doors, windows, port-holes, or other openings or covers, in general

B63B 19/00

Arrangements or adaptations of signalling or lighting devices (arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; life-buoys, -belts, -jackets, -suits or the like, characterised by signalling means B63C 9/20; lighting devices or systems therefor F21L, F21S)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Assemblages or relative disposition of apparatus for signalling or lighting on ships or other waterborne vessels, as well as modifications of such apparatus if of interest for the respective arrangement concerned, and signalling or lighting devices specially adapted for use onboard marine vessels or other waterborne structures. In particular this main group covers:

Arrangements or adaptations of illuminating devices:

  • of spotlights or floodlights or the like, for illuminating the environment, e.g. the way ahead
  • of floodlights or other lights for illuminating the vessel's interiour or exteriour, e.g. decks
  • of position-lanterns or the like.
  • Arrangements or adaptations of sound producing devices, e.g. of sirens.
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Arrangements or adaptations of optical signalling or lighting devices for vehicles in general

B60Q 1/00

Arrangements or adaptations of lighting devices for vehicle interior in general

B60Q 3/00

Use or application of lighting devices on or in water vehicles

F21W 2107/20

Special rules of classification

In this main group, the use of the indexing scheme B63B 2201/00 (Signalling devices) is mandatory for indexing non-trivial features which are related to the invention information.

Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids (nautical measuring instruments G01C; radio navigation, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Assemblages or relative disposition of nautical instruments or navigational aids, e.g. on a vessel's bridge, as well as modifications of such instruments or aids if of interest for the respective arrangement concerned.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Apparatus for indicating vessel attitude, e.g. for indicating draught or load, or for indicating inclination or duration of roll.

B63B 39/00

Marking of navigation route
Definition statement

This place covers:

Systems or methods for marking navigational routes, or arrangements of devices or installations specially adapted therefor. In particular this main group covers:

Arrangements of lightships, as well as systems or methods using lightships for marking navigational routes.

Arrangments of lighthouses, as well as systems or methods using lighthouses for marking navigational routes.

Arrangements of freeley floating devices that produce a bright light for signalling, illumination, or identification, e.g. torches, as well as systems or methods using such freely floating devices for marking navigational routes.

Relationships with other classification places

While B63B 51/00 is the general home for means and methods for marking navigational routes, B63B 22/16 provides for buoys specially adapted for marking a navigational route, lightships a such are covered by B63B 35/56, and constructional aspects of lighthouses are covered by E04H 12/00.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Buoys specially adapted for marking a navigational route as such

B63B 22/16

Lightships a such

B63B 35/56

Constructional aspects of lighthouses

E04H 12/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, for waterways (indexing code)

F21W 2111/04

Special rules of classification

The scope of this main group deviates from the scope of the corresponding IPC group in as far as it covers also arrangements of buoys for marking navigational routes, i.e. assemblages or relative dispositions of such buoys, as well as systems or methods for marking navigational routes using buoys, while buoys specially adapted for marking a navigational route as such are classified in B63B 22/16.

Tank {or cargo hold} cleaning specially adapted for vessels (tank cleaning in general B08B 9/08)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Devices or methods specially adapted for cleaning tanks or cargo holds of ships or other marine vessels. In particular, this main group covers:

  • Apparatus or methods for washing tanks of marine vessels
  • Apparatus or methord for ventilating tanks of marine vessels.
Hull protection specially adapted for vessels; Cleaning devices specially adapted for vessels {(inhibiting corrosion of metals by anodic or cathodic protection C23F 13/00)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Protection methods or means peculiar to the protection of the hull of ships or other waterborne vessels, as well as devices specially adapted for cleaning ships, other marine vessels or hulls thereof. In particular, this main group covers:

Fenders or rubbing strakes integral with ship's hulls or the like, or specially adapted for protecting such hulls against impact damage, e.g. inflatable fenders.

Preventing hull fouling with barnacles or the like marine growth, e.g. by using anti-fouling paints, or by wrapping the hull with an impermeable sheet.

Devices specially adapted for cleaning ship's hulls or hulls of other waterborne vessels, in particular:

  • Cleaning devices carried by land-borne vehicles, e.g. travelling on the dry bottom of a dock
  • Cleaning devices adapted for cleaning the submerged surface of a ship's hull while afloat, e.g. diver operated devices or devices carried by robots travelling along the hull's surface.
Relationships with other classification places

B63B 1/00 is the general home for methods or means for protecting ship's hulls, for preventing marine growth, as well as for cleaning devices specially adapted for cleaning vessels, in particular for cleaning ship's underwater hulls. However, cleaning of vehicle in general is found in B60S, whereas cleaning in general is classified in B08B, C09D 5/16 covers anti-fouling coatings, and C23F 13/00 covers inhibiting corrosion of metals by means of anodic or cathodic protection.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Inhibiting corrosion of metals by anodic or cathodic protection

C23F 13/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Fenders for use on coast, in harbours or on other fixed marine structures

E02B 3/26

Fender piles

E02B 3/28

Equipment specially adapted for cleaning swimming or splash baths or pools

E04H 4/16

Equipment for shipping not otherwise provided for
Definition statement

This place covers:

Equipment, not otherwise provided for, used for shipping in its broadest sense, i.e. concerning ships collectively, for marine navigation, or in view of putting persons or things onboard ships, or transporting them by ships. This main group serves as residual place for such equipment.

Designing vessels; Predicting their performance
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Shuttering for building concrete vessels

E04G

using computer simulation, e.g. finite element method [FEM] or computational fluid dynamics [CFD]
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Computer-aided design in general

G06F 30/00

Computer-aided vehicle design, in general

G06F 30/15

Computer simulations using the finite difference method

G06F 30/23

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

FEM

Finite Element Method

CFD

Computational Fluid Dynamics

using towing tanks or model basins for designing
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Testing static or dynamic balance of machines or structures in general

G01M 1/00

Hydrodynamic testing; Arrangements in or on ship-testing tanks

G01M 10/00

Building or assembling vessels or marine structures, e.g. hulls or offshore platforms
Definition statement

This place covers:

Methods to manufacture vessel hulls or marine structures, e.g. manufacturing of modules or hull blocks with subsequent assembling in dock.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Structure of hulls

B63B 3/00

Non-metallic hulls

B63B 5/00

Dry-docking

B63C 1/00

Slipways

B63C 3/00

Shuttering for building concrete vessels

E04G

Special rules of classification

Methods to manufacture floating marine structures, e.g. floating offshore platforms are classified in B63B 75/00. Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions and their construction methods are classified in E02B 17/00.

Building or assembling vessels from prefabricated hull blocks, i.e. complete hull cross-sections
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Hulls assembled from pre-fabricated sub-units

B63B 3/02

Hulls assembled from permanently connected and prefabricated sub-units

B63B 3/04

Building or assembling floating offshore platforms

B63B 75/00

Building or assembling prefabricated vessel modules or parts other than hull blocks, e.g. engine rooms, rudders, propellers, superstructures, berths, holds or tanks
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Structure of hull parts

B63B 3/14

Construction or arrangement of cabins or other living spaces

B63B 29/02

characterised by forming methods, e.g. manufacturing of curved blocks
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Hull shells

B63B 3/16

Foldable vessels

B63B 7/00

Bending sheet metal along straight lines

B21D 5/00

Cold-forming specific parts of vehicle

B21D 53/88

characterised by the use of specific tools or equipment; characterised by automation, e.g. use of robots
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Equipment usable on slipways and in dry docks

B63C 5/00

characterised by using moulds; Moulds or plugs therefor
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Hulls made predominantly of plastics

B63B 5/24

Moulds or cores

B29C 33/00

characterised by plastic moulding, e.g. injection moulding, extrusion moulding or blow moulding
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Hulls made predominantly of plastics

B63B 5/24

Moulds or cores

B29C 33/00

Injection moulding

B29C 45/00

Extrusion moulding

B29C 48/00

characterised by lamination of materials
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Hulls made predominantly of plastics

B63B 5/24

Layered products essentially comprising synthetic resin

B32B 27/00

Building or assembling floating offshore structures, e.g. semi-submersible platforms, SPAR platforms or wind turbine platforms
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Floating offshore structures

B63B 35/44

Platform mounted on piles or like supports

E02B 17/00

Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors, specially adapted for offshore installation

F03D 13/25

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

SPAR

Single Point Anchor Reservoir: a SPAR is a cylindrical, partially submerged offshore drilling and production platform that is particularly well-adapted to deep water.

Transporting or installing offshore structures on site using buoyancy forces, e.g. using semi-submersible barges, ballasting the structure or transporting of oil-and-gas platforms
Definition statement

This place covers:

E.g. transporting or installing floating offshore platforms on site by means of specially adapted marine structures, e.g. by means of barges or heavy-lift vessels, able to sink and be placed under the platform and then to lift the platform using floating equipment, e.g. using ballasts.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Barges or lighters

B63B 35/28

Gripping or handling tubes

B66C 1/56

Floating cranes

B66C 23/52

Platforms placed by lifting and lowering the supporting construction to the bottom

E02B 17/02

specially adapted for electric power plants, e.g. wind turbines or tidal turbine generators
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Assembly of wind motors; Arrangements for erecting wind motors

F03D 13/10

Arrangements specially adapted for offshore installation of wind turbine

F03D 13/25

Commissioning, e.g. inspection, testing or final adjustment before releasing for production

F03D 13/30

Arrangements or methods specially adapted for transporting wind motor components

F03D 13/40

Mounting wind motors on a structure floating on a liquid surface

F05B 2240/93

Monitoring properties or operating parameters of vessels in operation
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Equipment to decrease pitch, roll, or like unwanted vessel movements; Apparatus for indicating vessel attitude

B63B 39/00

Designing vessels; Predicting their performance

B63B 71/00

using sensors, e.g. pressure sensors, strain gauges or accelerometers
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Optical strain gauge

G01B 11/16

for monitoring environmental variables, e.g. wave height or weather data
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Radar for specific applications

G01S 13/88

Lidar

G01S 17/00

using models or simulation, e.g. statistical models or stochastic models
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Digital computing specially adapted for specific functions

G06F 17/00

for diagnosing, testing or predicting the integrity or performance of vessels
Definition statement

This place covers:

Monitoring in order e.g. to determine fatigue, to predict failure, to predict life time of vessel parts or for safety

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Testing or monitoring of control systems or parts thereof

G05B 23/00

for controlling the operation of vessels, e.g. monitoring their speed, routing or maintenance schedules
Definition statement

This place covers:

Monitoring in order to determine e.g. speed, routing, maintenance schedules, energy saving, fuel economy

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Arrangement of nautical instruments

B63B 49/00

Instruments for performing navigational calculations

G01C 21/20

Control of position, course, altitude, or attitude of land, water, air, or space vehicles, e.g. automatic pilot

G05D 1/00

Traffic control systems for marine crafts

G08G 3/00

Repairing or maintaining vessels
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Dry-docking

B63C 1/00

Salvaging vessels

B63C 7/00

for increasing cargo capacity
Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Tonnage

cargo capacity

for conversion to a different use, e.g. for converting tankers into a FPSO-FLNG units
Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

FPSO

Floating Production, Storage and Offloading

FLNG

Floating Liquefied Natural Gas

for reducing risks of pollution or contamination; for improving safety
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Double bottom tanks

B63B 3/62

Arrangement for minimizing pollution by collision

B63B 43/18

Signalling devices
Definition statement

This place covers:

Indexing codes related to a non-trivial use, characteristics or special adaptations of signalling devices, as far as related to invention information. In particular, this main group covers:

Signalling devices characterised by the type of the signal:

  • Sound
  • Light

Signalling devices charcterised by the apparatus of signal generation:

  • Smoke generators
  • Reflectors
  • Radio apparatus
  • Sonar apparatus
  • Spreaders for chemicals or other products
  • Bubble generators.

Acessories for signalling:

  • Balloons
  • Antennas or masts

Adaptations for particular purposes, e.g. for signalling anomalies.

Communication means
Definition statement

This place covers:

Indexing codes related to a non-trivial use, characteristics or special adaptations of communication means, as far as related to invention information, e.g. making use of telephones.

Tethers
Definition statement

This place covers:

Indexing codes related to a non-trivial use, characteristics or special adaptations of ropes, cords, line, leash or the like adapted for providing a line connection between a user, an object or a location in space, like the water surface, and another object, e.g. a submerged object, as far as related to invention information, and as far as not otherwise provided for in this class B63. In particular, this main group covers:

Tethers combined with tether payout means:

  • Means for controlling payout, e.g. using brakes
  • Reels for storing tethers, e.g. in winding or unwinding

Tethers adapted for salvaging or recovering underwater objects.

Buoyancy or ballast means
Definition statement

This place covers:

Indexing codes related to a non-trivial use or adaptations of means providing buoyant lift or of ballast means, as far as related to invention information, e.g. means adapted for varying buoyancy or ballast, as far as not otherwise provided for in this class B63.

Energy supply or activating means
Definition statement

This place covers:

Indexing codes related to non-trivial ways of energy supply to devices or systems, including watercraft, or to non-trivial means for activating an apparatus, which ways or means are related to invention information, e.g. using solar energy as energy source, or activating an inflation device by contact with water, and as far as not otherwise provided for in this class B63.

Applications
Definition statement

This place covers:

Indexing codes related to non-trivial use or applications which are related to the invention information, e.g. oceanography, diving, or operation in ice-infested waters, and as far as not otherwise provided for in this class B63.

Navigational aids and use thereof, not otherwise provided for in this class
Definition statement

This place covers:

Indexing codes related to a non-trivial use of particular navigational aids, as well as to non-trivial adaptations of such navigational aids for use onboard ships or other waterborne vessel, which is related to invention information, and which is not otherwise provided for in this class B63, e.g. a non-trivial use of the Global Positioning System GPS.

Methods and means for joining members or elements
Definition statement

This place covers:

Indexing codes related to a non-trivial use of particular means or methods for releasably or permanently, rigidly or movably connecting members, parts or elements together, as far as related to invention information, and as far as not otherwise provioded for in this class B63. In particular, this main group covers:

Connecting means or methods characterised by the joining method, or by the use of particular joining means:

  • by welding
  • by soldering
  • by sewing, stapling, stitching or the like methods
  • by riveting or by use of rivets
  • using threaded bolts or nuts, or the like
  • using hook and loop fasteners, or zippers
  • using laces, straps or ribbons

Connecting substantially rigid members in a way that one or more degrees of freedom are allowed, e.g. using hinges, articulations or universal joints, or using telescoping joints.

Material used for some parts or elements, or for particular purposes
Definition statement

This place covers:

Indexing codes related to a non-trivial use of particular materials for some parts or elements, or in view of particular purposes, which is related to invention information, e.g. the use of stainless steel for the blades of an ice-going propeller, opposite to the use of AlCuNic-bronce as usual for propellers. In particular, this main group covers:

The use of metallic materials, e.g. of stainless steels, titanium or shape-memory alloys.

The use of magnetic materials.

The use of vegetable materials, e.g of wood products.

The use of synthetic materials, e.g. of synthetic rubber, fibre-reinforced plastics or foamed synthetic materials.

The use of concretes, e.g. of prestressed concrete.

The use of glass, e.g. of hollow glass microspheres.

The use of bituminous materials.

The use of ice, e.g. as a construction material or for closing leaks.

Design characteristics
Definition statement

This place covers:

Indexing codes related to particular non-trivial design characteristics related to invention information, e.g. particular shapes or particular intended use, and not otherwise provided for in this class B63. In particular this main group covers:

  • Particular cross sections, e.g. circular.
  • Particular three-dimensional shapes, e.g. toroïdal.
  • Designs or arrangements for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for in this class, e.g. for providing redundancy, or for facilitating road transport.