Skip over navigation
Main CPC Sections USPC Class Numbers & Titles USPC Class Numbers Classification Search Page Contacts Help
Printable version [PDF]
SMALL ARMS, e.g. PISTOLS, RIFLES (functional features or details common to both small arms and ordnance, mountings therefor F41A; projecting missiles without use of explosive or combustible propellant charge F41B); ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
Small arms means a firearm which is generally held with one or both hands for firing. Small arms in the sense of man-portable firearms, i.e. a weapon capable of launching a projectile by confined deflagration of a pyrotechnic propellant, such as pistols, rifles, shotguns or the like, and details and accessories that are unique to small arms
Pistols:
  • Pistols including revolvers,
  • Signal, starting and alarm pistols,
  • Cap-firing pistols (including toy pistols),
Shoulder-fired small arms:
  • Rifles, carbines, shotguns,
  • Submachine guns, machine carbines,
  • Machine guns Other types of small arms:
  • Hidden small arms, e.g. in pencils, walking-stick guns
  • Small arms specially adapted for underwater use,
  • Muzzle-loading small arms; small arms with flintlock mechanism; accessories therefor
Parts of small arms:
  • Butts; butt plates; stocks,
  • Attachment of slings,
  • Stocks or grips for pistols
  • Forestocks; handgrips; hand guards
Miscellaneous attachments for small arms; accessories:
  • Arrangements for mounting accessories for small arms including means for mounting of monopods, bipods, tripods or shields,
  • Adaptations of small arms for firing grenades or ammunitions for special purposes, e.g. signaling, smoke producing, deterrent dispersing, marking or sensor carrying; barrel attachments therefor
  • Small arms combined with thrusting or cutting weapons; bayonets; bayonet mounts,
  • Attachments for wire cutting,
  • Balancing or stabilizing arrangements
Means for wearing or carrying small arms
  • Holsters including special attachments therefor
  • Containers for carrying small arms
  • Handles for carrying small arms
Relationship between large subject matter areas
In addition to the classification of the small arm as whole in subclass F41C the functional details of these weapons should be classified in the relevant groups of subclass F41A. F41A is added to F41C if the functional feature is a part of invention, for example F41A 3/76, F41A 9/27, F41A 15/02, F41A 3/58, F41A 19/41, F41A 9/08, F41A 5/06, F41A 11/04, F41A 23/02.
References relevant to classification in this subclass
This subclass/group does not cover:
Pistols or machine guns operated without detonators
Pistols for shooting bolts into concrete constructions, metal walls or the like
Hand-held nailing tools operated by combustion pressure generated by detonation of a cartridge
Arrangement of guns on vessels
Arrangement of military equipment in aircraft
Weapons for projecting missiles without use of explosive or combustible propellant charge
Functional features or details common to both small arms and ordnance, mountings therefor
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Spades per se
Slaughtering pistols
Supports for articles placed thereon in general
Thrusting or cutting weapons
Rocket launchers adapted to be carried by a person, e.g. bazookas
Sighting devices
Shields for small arms
Armour shields
Glossary of terms
In this subclass/group, the following terms (or expressions) are used with the meaning indicated:
Under-barrel grenade launcher
firearm for launching grenades, can be an auxiliary firearm attach to a primary firearm, usually single shot
Machine gun
firearm with a long rifled barrel capable of sustained firing in full automatic mode, the projectiles are fed form a belt or a high capacity magazine can be fitted or portable
Carbine
short shoulder-fired firearm, originally for cavalry use
Submachine gun
short, light weight machine gun, designed to fire pistol cartridges
Rifle
shoulder-fired firearm with a long rifled barrel. Rifles can be capable for firing with magazine fed projectiles in single shot mode (repeater rifle) or in semi automatic and full automatic mode (assault rifle)
Shotgun
smooth booth bore shoulder-fired firearm for firing shot at a relatively short distance
Synonyms and Keywords
In patent documents the following expressions "machine carbine", "submachine gun" and "automatic firearm" are often used as synonyms.
In patent documents the following expressions "shotgun", "scattergun" and "peppergun" are often used as synonyms.
In patent documents the following expressions "repeater rifle" and "repeating rifle" are often used as synonyms.
Pistols, e.g. revolvers (specially adapted for underwater use F41C9/06; for slaughtering or stunning animals A22B; for shooting bolts into concrete constructions, metal walls or the like B25C)
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
Includes both general types of handheld (as opposed to shoulder-fired) firearms, pistols, i.e. handgun with a chamber that is integral with the barrel, and revolvers, i.e. handgun that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. Further includes toy, signal and cap-firing pistols.
References relevant to classification in this group
This subclass/group does not cover:
Muzzle-loading small arms
Small arms specially adapted for underwater use
Devices for slaughtering or stunning animals
Devices for shooting bolts into concrete constructions, metal walls or the like
[N: Toy guns, e.g. cannons, firing a projectile by means of the combustion of a propellant charge, e.g. a cap]
References relevant to classification in this group
This subclass/group does not cover:
Cap firing toy pistols
Cap-firing pistols, e.g. toy pistols
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
A cap gun is a toy gun that creates a loud sound simulating a gunshot and a puff of smoke when the trigger is pulled.
Revolvers (F41C3/10 takes precedence; sealing aspects F41A3/76; using a revolving drum magazine for feeding revolver-type guns other than revolvers F41A9/27; extractors or ejectors therefor F41A15/02)
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
Handgun that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing.
References relevant to classification in this group
This subclass/group does not cover:
Cap firing pistol with rotatable cap carrier, e.g. drum
Obturating or packing devices for gas leak prevention in breech mechanisms specially adapted for sealing the gap between the forward end of the cartridge chamber and the rearward end of the barrel, e.g. sealing devices for revolvers or revolver-type guns
Feeding of unbelted ammunition using a revolving drum magazine in revolver-type guns other than revolvers
Extractors or ejectors for revolver-type guns
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Cocking mechanisms for revolvers
Double action mechanisms for revolvers
Hinge-frame revolvers
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group.
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Articulated or collapsible guns
Shoulder-fired breakdown guns
Shoulder-fired small arms, e.g. rifles, carbines, shotguns (specially adapted for underwater use F41C9/06)
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
Long guns, normally supported against the shoulder for recoil absorbsion during the firing.
References relevant to classification in this group
This subclass/group does not cover:
Small arms specially adapted for underwater use
Muzzle-loading small arms
with reciprocating handgrip under the buttstock for loading or cocking
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
The primary handgrip under the receiver, including the trigger arrangement is used for the reciprocation (pumping).
Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group.
Other small arms, e.g. hidden small arms or small arms specially adapted for underwater use
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
This is a residual group for specific or exotic small arms, not particularly covered in F41C 3/00 and F41C 7/00
Butts; Butt plates; Stocks [N: (handles for carrying small arms F41C33/08)]
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
Includes handgrips for handguns and handgrips/pistol grip for shoulder-fired small arms, i.e. the grip associated with the trigger system.
Includes stocks for shoulder-fired small arms, in particular: forestocks, i.e. the part which is held by the forward hand (not the shooting hand) for support during shooting and buttstocks, i.e. the part held against the shoulder during shooting.
Includes butts, i.e. the proximal ends of the buttstocks, the part actually contacting the shoulder.
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Weapon manufacture involving plastics
Handles for carrying small arms
Attachment of slings
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
The attachement for attaching the sling, integral or fixed to the stock, forestock of handgrip.
References relevant to classification in this group
This subclass/group does not cover:
Slings for carrying long guns
Folding or telescopic stocks or stock parts (articulated or collapsible guns F41A11/04)
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
Only the stock is folding, telescopic or collapsible, no functional parts of the firarm is folding or articulated.
References relevant to classification in this group
This subclass/group does not cover:
Hinge frame revolvers
Breakdown guns
Articulated or collapsible guns
Stocks [N: or firearm frames] specially adapted for recoil reduction
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
Stocks with integrated recoil buffers only in the stock.
References relevant to classification in this group
This subclass/group does not cover:
Bolt buffers or recuperators acting on the bolt but partially entering the stock
Stocks or grips for pistols, e.g. revolvers (F41C23/12 takes precedence)
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
Also includes pistolgrips associated with the trigger group of a shoulder-fired small arm
References relevant to classification in this group
This subclass/group does not cover:
Auxiliary stocks for stabilising, or for transforming pistols, e.g. revolvers, into shoulder-fired guns
Adjustable stock or stock parts, i.e. adaptable to personal requirements, e.g. length, pitch, cast or drop
References relevant to classification in this group
This subclass/group does not cover:
Adaptations of guns to both right and left hand use
Stocks having space for the storage of objects
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
Also pistol grips or magazine extensions having space for the storage of objects.
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Holders for extra ammunition mounted on the outside of the gun
Miscellaneous attachments for small arms; Accessories; Details not otherwise provided for
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
Residual group for attachments, accessories and details especially adaped for small arms, but not covered in F41C 3/00 to F41C 23/22.
References relevant to classification in this group
This subclass/group does not cover:
Accessories or details for firearms, common to both small arms and ordnance
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Devices to attach tubular or beam projecting sighting or aiming devices (telescopes, night sights, reflex sights, flashlights, etc) on handguns:
Camera guns or guns with a camera attached; cameras for guns
Balancing or stabilising arrangements [N: on the gun itself, e.g. balancing weights]
References relevant to classification in this group
This subclass/group does not cover:
Stabilising devices worn on the body
Means for wearing or carrying small arms
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
Includes shooting harnesses for supporting the gun during shooting.
Includes slings, holsters and other means for wearing or carrying small arms on the body of the shooter when not in use.
Includes stationary, closed containers for transport or storage of small arms.
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Travelling or camp equipment; sacks or packs carried on the body
Storing or displaying firearms
[N: Shooting harnesses; Stabilising devices, e.g. straps on the body (balancing arrangements on the gun itself F41C27/22)]
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Shooting stands, e.g. for firing hunting rifles from trees
Balancing arrangements on the gun itself
Holsters, i.e. cases for pistols having means for being carried or worn, e.g. at the belt or under the arm
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
Includes carrying means for firearms including long guns or parts thereof (e.g. mortar parts) worn on the human or animal body in a non-shooting position in so far as not covered by F41C 33/003 to F41C 33/008
References relevant to classification in this group
This subclass/group does not cover:
Magazine holstes, magazine pouches
Special attachments therefor
Definition statement
This subclass/group covers:
Means for attaching holsters to a belt or webbing, i.e. intermediate parts between actual holster and belt/webbing
[N: Webbing, harnesses, belts or straps for wearing holsters]
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
For carrying articles on the body in general
Containers for carrying small arms, e.g. safety boxes, gun cases (F41C33/02 takes precedence)
References relevant to classification in this group
This subclass/group does not cover:
Rests for supporting small arms in non-shooting position
Holsters
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Travelling or camp equipment; sacks or packs carried on the body
Storing or displaying firearms
This page is owned by Office of Patent Classification.
Last Modified: 04/16/2013 4:31:16 PM