CPC Definition - Subclass F16F

Last Updated Version: 2017.08
SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
Definition statement

This place covers:

Springs, shock-absorbers or vibration-dampers;

Their arrangement in, or adaptation for, particular apparatus if not provided for in the subclasses covering said apparatus.

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:

Spring mattresses

A47C 23/00 - A47C 27/00

Springs or shock-absorbers for protheses

A61F 2/00

Vibration dampers in skis

A63C 5/075

Vehicle suspensions

B60G

Mounting of bumpers on vehicles

B60R 19/24

Rail vehicle suspensions

B61F

Buffers for railway or tramway vehicles

B61G 11/00

Vehicle chassis frames having impact absorbing means

B62D 21/15

Resiliently mounted saddles on cycles

B62J 1/02

Steering dampers

B62K 21/08

Anti-vibration mounting of marine propulsion plant in ships

B63H 21/30

Arrangement of shock-absorbers or springs in aeroplane alighting gear

B64C 25/58

Containers, packing elements or packages with shock-absorbing means

B65D 81/02

Resilient mountings in washing machines

D06F 37/20

Resilient mountings in domestic spin-dryers

D06F 49/06

Protection of buildings against vibrations or shocks

E04B 1/98

Braking devices with springs structurally combined with hinges

E05D 7/086

Spring motors

F03G 1/00

Pipe or cable supports

F16L 3/20

Resilient mounting of lighting devices

F21V 15/04

Gun cradles to permit recoil

F41A 25/00

Vibration dampers for archery bows

F41B 5/1426

Weighing apparatus, e.g. arrangement of shock-absorbers in weighing apparatus

G01G 21/10

Springs for clocks or watches

G04B

Damping of movements in instruments

G12B 3/08

Disposition of shock-absorbing devices for displaceable control elements in nuclear reactors

G21C 7/20

Arrangements or devices for damping mechanical oscillations of power lines

H02G 7/14

Informative references

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

Indicating or recording in connection with measuring

G01D 11/10

Special rules of classification

For the whole F16F range, consider the indexing range F16F 2222/00 - F16F 2238/045

Glossary of terms

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

Steel or metal

Mention of “steel” or “metal” in groups F16F, unless specific mention is made otherwise, should be seen in the light of the title of group F16F 1/00, i.e. material having low internal friction. This normally includes composite materials such as fibre-reinforced plastics.

Rubber or plastics

Mention of “rubber” or “plastics” in group F16F, unless specific mention is made otherwise, should be seen in the light of the title of group F16F 1/36, i.e. material having high internal friction. This normally does NOT include composite materials such as fibre-reinforced plastics except in the case of groups F16F 1/366 - F16F 1/3686 and F16F 15/305.

Springs (working with fluid F16F 5/00, F16F 9/00)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Springs and spring elements made of elastic material

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Springs working with fluid

F16F 5/00, F16F 9/00

Spring units consisting of several springs, e.g. for obtaining a desired spring characteristic ({F16F 1/32, F16F 1/34, F16F 7/14 take precedence } ; if including fluid springs F16F 5/00, F16F 13/00)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Spring units comprising several springs made of elastic material, e.g. springs which are superposed upon each other or springs arranged in parallel

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Springs working with fluid or including fluid spring

F16F 5/00, F16F 9/00, F16F 13/00

Liquid springs in which the liquid works as a spring by compression, e.g. combined with throttling action; Combinations of devices including liquid springs {(dampers with solid or semi-solid material F16F 9/30)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Spring devices in which the compressibility of the liquid (specifically not a gas) is a key feature

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Dampers with solid or semi solid material

F16F 9/30

Magnetic springs{(magnetic spring arrangements for the suppression of vibration in systems F16F 15/03)}; Fluid magnetic springs{, i.e. magnetic spring combined with a fluid}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Spring device in which the spring effect is given by magnetic attraction or repulsion; the device may work with permanent magnets or electromagnets

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Magnetic spring arrangements for the suppression of vibration in systems

F16F 15/03

Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers (using fluid F16F 5/00, F16F 9/00; specific for rotary systems F16F 15/10{; belt tensioners F16H 7/12})
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • One shot absorbers
  • Vibration dampers using friction between particles
  • Vibration dampers using friction between surfaces
  • Vibration dampers using inertia effect
  • Vibration dampers or shock absorbers using plastic deformation
  • Vibration dampers of cable support type
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Vibration dampers using fluid

F16F 5/00, F16F 9/00

Vibration dampers specific for rotary systems

F16F 15/10

Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium (F16F 5/00 takes precedence; connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C 29/00; {braking devices, stops or buffers for wing-operating appliances E05F 3/00, E05F 5/00})
Definition statement

This place covers:

Movement-dampers using a fluid (i.e.: compressible or incompressible) as damping medium

Some examples:

  • gas springs,
  • hydraulic shock absorbers using liquid only, the damping effect being achieved by throttling or viscous shear
  • hydraulic shock absorbers using liquid and gas in combination
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Using liquid springs

F16F 5/00

Connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies

B60C 29/00

Braking devices, stops or buffers for wing-operating appliances

E05F 3/00, E05F 5/00

Units comprising springs of the non-fluid type as well as vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or fluid springs (F16F 5/00, {F16F 6/00, F16F 9/003} take precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Devices comprising a combination of a plastic springs (e.g. elastomeric springs) and dampers using friction or fluid

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Using liquid springs

F16F 5/00

Unit comprising a magnetic spring

F16F 6/00

Device comprising a sponge rubber as pressure absorbing means

F16F 9/003

Suppression of vibrations in systems ({damping of non-rotary systems using inertia effect F16F 7/10; prevention or isolation of vibrations in machine tools B23Q 11/0032; suppression of driveline vibrations in hybrid vehicle transmissions B60W 30/20} ; vehicle seat suspension devices B60N 2/50; {methods or devices for protecting against, or damping of, acoustic waves, e.g. sound G10K 11/16}); Means or arrangements for avoiding or reducing out-of-balance forces, e.g. due to motion ({vibration absorbing or balancing means for aircraft propellers B64C 11/008, for rotorcraft rotors B64C 27/001} ; testing static and dynamic balance of machines or structures G01M 1/00)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Suppression of vibrations in rotating as well non rotating systems; and means or arrangements for avoiding or reducing out-of-balance forces; some examples:

  • Systems characterised by the control method or their control circuitry
  • Systems using electro- or magnetostrictive actuation means
  • Suppression of vibrations of non-rotating, e.g. reciprocating systems
  • Suppression of vibrations of rotating systems by use of members not moving with the rotating systems
  • Suppression of vibrations in rotating systems by making use of members moving with the system
  • Suppression of vibrations of rotating systems by favourable grouping or relative arrangements of the moving members of the system or systems
  • Compensation of inertia forces
  • Additional weights counterbalancing inertia forces induced by the reciprocating movement of masses in the system
  • Flywheels
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Damping of non-rotary systems using inertia effect

F16F 7/10

Prevention or isolation of vibrations in machine tools

B23Q 11/0032

Vehicle seat suspension devices

B60N 2/50

Absorbing or balancing means for aircraft propellers

B64C 11/008

Absorbing or balancing means for rotorcraft rotors

B64C 27/001

Methods or devices for protecting against, or damping of, acoustic waves, e.g. sound

G10K 11/16

Informative references

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

Testing static and dynamic balance of machines or structures

G01M 1/00