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CLASS 404,	ROAD STRUCTURE, PROCESS, OR APPARATUS
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

This class provides for (1) highway, pathway or walkway structure, per se, including the form or arrangement of such structure for vehicular or foot traffic; (2) processes for making, installing, repairing or maintaining such structure; and (3) apparatus for installing, making, repairing or maintaining such structure where such structure, apparatus or process is not otherwise classifiable as either (a) specifically provided for in other loci or (b) of such general utility as to be provided for elsewhere on the basis of such general utility. (See Subclass References to the Current Class, below, for known collections of such nature and the particular lines of demarcation.)

SECTION II - SUBCLASS REFERENCES TO THE CURRENT CLASS

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SECTION III - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

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SECTION IV - GLOSSARY

AGITATION

Brisk shaking, regular or motion, or to-and-fro movement of material or device to effect any one or several of many different purposes during road building, (e.g., vibration imparted to road aggregate for compaction, agitation of uncured road slab to provide a smooth upper surface or agitation of material to mix constituents). Individual subclass definitions must be checked for possible special limitations imposed upon the use of this term - e.g., subclasses 113 and 133.

DOWEL

Rod or bar reinforcement-often relatively movable with respect to road, pavement or joint components-which reinforcement bridges, links or joins adjacent components so that load, stress or movement of one component is both inhibited by, and transmitted to, another component.

FINISHING

Treatment or working of material to either (1) modify the internal orientation of constituents of a mass of material (usually a mixture of road aggregate) or (2) provide a desired surface characteristic for such massed material. The terms "finishing" has been loosely used in patent literature to cover many different processes and devices so long as the desired result is achieved. For this reason the term has not been used in subclass titles.

JOINT

(1) Structure linking or uniting adjacent components, or (2) a gap between adjacent components or (3) a parting member or spacer between adjacent components.

LAYER

Stratum, course, lamina, coating or sheet which is sufficiently recognizable as such regardless of the constituent material involved. Interface blending of otherwise distinct layers still leaves plural layers.

MODULE

Monolithic component such as brick, block, slab, panel, tile, sheet, precast or preformed member, etc. which may be utilized (1) in repetitious juxtaposition with similar components, (2) with nonmodular components or (3) alone to constitute road structure.

PAVEMENT

Hardened, treated or "finished" surface of a roadway-or an upper "layer" thereof-exposed to the wear of traffic. This roadway portion may constitute either (1) the entire roadway with respect to untreated or unworked earth or (2) no more than an upper course of a multilayer structure. In many instances, the "pavement" itself is made up of more than one distinct stratum.

TOOL

Material modifying or treating instrumentality actually contacting material (e.g., a roller or screed component of a road making machine) or the most proximate instrumentality guiding or directing modifying or treating energy against material (e.g., a nozzle of a soil stabilization device or a heating means of a road repair machine.

SUBCLASSES

1	ROAD SYSTEM (E.G., ELEVATED, INTERCHANGE):
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter relating to the arrangement of (a) one road to another (e.g., multilevel cross-road interchange), (b) one type of traffic way to another (e.g., vehicle roadway with separate sidewalk portion) or (c) a road to the earth (e.g., an elevated highway). (1) Note. A land-fill roadbed which raises a highway above the level of the terrain is not considered to be "elevated" for this subclass and is therefore classifiable in subclasses below on other features. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 52,  Static Structures (e.g., Buildings),   subclasses 174+ for the combination of a road structure with building a structure-e.g., multilevel building with a ramp. 104,  Railways,   appropriate subclasses, for a railway system. 238,  Railways: Surface Track,   subclass 8 for highway crossings at grade over railways. 244,  Aeronautics and Astronautics,   subclasses 114+ for a landing field arrangement.

2	DRAIN OR GUTTER:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter relating to a depression, swale or channel extending along a road, often at the juncture of a roadway and a curb, at the road surface, within the road or beneath the road for the purpose of guiding or limiting water flow. (1) Note. Included in this subclass is drainage structure for road joints and road beds. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 7+, for curb structure, per se. Curb and gutter combination is classifiable in subclass 2. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 52,  Static Structures (e.g., Buildings),   subclasses 11+ for a cover with an eave or valley gutter, subclasses 118+ for an enclosure with fluid guiding port to a usable space, subclasses 131+ for a burial vault with fluid guiding feature, subclass 210 for a flue with a fluid directing feature and subclass 219 for a flue connected to a building structure. 138,  Pipes and Tubular Conduits,   appropriate subclasses for conduit structure, per se. 239,  Fluid Sprinkling, Spraying, and Diffusing,   subclass 202 for spraying means combined with street or road curb structure. 249,  Static Molds,   subclass 8 for curb and gutter molds, per se. 405,  Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,   subclasses 36+ for subject matter relating to drainage means of general utility.

3	With conduit support means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Drain or gutter structure with provision for holding or protecting pipe, cable, electrical wiring and the like. (1) Note. Much of the structure provided for in this subclass relates to combined curb-gutter components.

4	Street or curb inlet for surface drainage:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 2.  Drain or gutter structure with openings to lead water runoff into a drainage system. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 4,  Baths, Closets, Sinks, and Spittoons,   subclass 510 for a pool drain. 137,  Fluid Handling,   subclasses 247.11+ for street curb drainage inlet devices including a liquid seal. 210,  Liquid Purification or Separation,   subclasses 153+ , especially subclasses 163+ for structural installations including grated drainage inlets, and subclasses 532.1+ for heavier constituent catch basins comprising street curb inlets.

5	Separately attached curb box:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 4.  Curb inlet structure comprising a distinct hood portion fitted into the curb or gutter.

6	TRAFFIC STEERING DEVICE OR BARRIER:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter relating to a controlling obstruction or barricade means for a road which physically determines the direction of, or stops, vehicular or pedestrian traffic. (1) Note. A barrier for this subclass includes "significant" road structure. Mere provision for mounting or supporting on or along a roadway without particular relationship to road configuration, road contour or pavement-base structural details is not considered "significant". See reference to Class 256, below. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 9+, for structural means on or in a road which, while providing for traffic control, does not impose an absolute control. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 49,  Movable or Removable Closures,   subclasses 9 , 33, 34, 35, 49, 131+, and 263+ for controlled barriers. 52,  Static Structures (e.g., Buildings),   appropriate subclasses for specific barrier structure or detail. 244,  Aeronautics and Astronautics,   subclasses 114+ for aircraft barriers. 246,  Railway Switches and Signals,   subclasses 270+ for railroad crossings including a vehicular barrier.

7	Curb:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Guide or barrier structure comprising an obstruction projecting above and along a road generally at the edges of, and coextensive with, said roadway and presenting a continuous extent except for crossing roads and driveways. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 2+, for curb structure combined with gutter or drain features. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 188,  Brakes,   subclass 32 for a surface mounted barrier, bumper, or block which obstructs the passage of a vehicle wheel. 256,  Fences,   subclasses 1 , 13.1, and 64 for an attenuated barrier (or a series of individual units which, as a group, form an attenuated-like barrier) which by its position, on or near a roadway, obstructs the passage of a vehicle or person.

8	With rim or edge protector:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 7.  Curb structure relating to embedded or fastened means for strengthening or shielding the nosing or lip-like portion of a curb. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 52,  Static Structures (e.g., Buildings),   subclasses 177+ for exposed embedded elements to enhance the wear characteristics of a traffic receiving surface.

9	TRAFFIC DIRECTOR:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter regulating the flow of vehicles or pedestrians by either modifying the pavement structure or by markers which extend above the pavement to guide vehicles, but do not provide specific information such as yield, stop, merge, etc. (1) Note. A sign, signal or reflector as such is not considered subject matter for Class 404, unless, road structure is modified beyond the mere mounting, holding or support for such component. For example, a "STOP" sign permanently fastened to a pavement or mid-island curb is not classifiable in Class 404, (see search note to Class 40, below); while the same sign counterbalanced within a recess in the roadway-ordinarily up and visible but capable of retraction into the recess when contracted by a vehicle wheel-classifiable in Class 404. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 6+, barrier means which physically determine the direction of, or stops, vehicular or pedestrian traffic. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 40,  Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting,   subclasses 541+ for illuminated signs, subclasses 584+ for signs in general, and especially subclass 612 for highway signs which impart information (e.g., "STOP", "OHIO AVE", "NO PARKING", etc.) whether permanently affixed to a road or merely mounted nearby. 52,  Static Structures (e.g., Buildings),   subclasses 103+ for a land marker. 116,  Signals and Indicators,   subclass 63 , for moving-type street traffic indicators. 248,  Supports,   subclasses 158 and 160 for a traffic director. 340,  Communications: Electrical,   appropriate subclasses, for electrical signals. Note particularly subclass 908.1 for barricade type. 359,  Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,   subclasses 515+ for signal reflectors and subclasses 543+ for signal reflectors mounting means. Class 359 provides for an optical feature, beyond the mere recitation of a lens or reflector, in combination with support structure; while Class 404 provides for an optical feature in combination with traffic barrier or traffic director means, e.g., a prismatic reflector set flush into a roadway is classifiable in Class 359, while a prismatic reflector on a small raised button-like member along a lane marker is classifiable in Class 404. 362,  Illumination,   subclass 153.1 for illuminating sources, and reflectors or supports therefore, adaptable to signaling. 441,  Buoys, Rafts, and Aquatic Devices,   subclasses 28 and 29 for floating devices (e.g., buoys) which are ballasted to control their movement. 523,  Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers,   subclass 172 for pavement marking composition.

10	Yielding:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 9.  Traffic director structure with means to resile after displacement by contact with traffic. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 238,  Railways: Surface Track,   subclass 381 for wheel depressable foot guards associated with rail structure. 441,  Buoys, Rafts, and Aquatic Devices,   subclasses 28 and 29 for orienting yielding floatable devices.

11	Distinct biasing means recessed in roadway:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 10.  Yielding traffic director structure including means, other than the director itself, urging said director into operative position which means is housed within the road. (1) Note. Included here are spring, gravity counterbalanced and elastomer means for biasing. (2) Note. Included in this subclass are vibration inducing members with the capability to yield.

12	Attenuated lane marker type:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 9.  Traffic director structure extending along or across a road to channel the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or to divide the flow into distinct separate paths. (1) Note. Generally the traffic directors in this subclass are elongated, or indefinite length, members. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 362,  Illumination,   subclass 153.1 for a pavement marker or strip with illuminating means.

13	Discrete interfitted element:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 12.  Lane marker structure wherein the director is made up of a plurality of relatively short separate components inter nesting or interlocked one to the other. (1) Note. Included in these subclasses are concatenated director elements capable of establishing curved or angular traffic paths.

14	Impregnated with reflective material:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 12.  Lane marking structure in combination with a mirror-like component infused into or onto the surface of the director so as to cast back light from traffic and thus provide a visible as well as physical director. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 16, for vibration inducing director members with reflecting characteristics.

15	Vibration inducing member (e.g., road stud, speed bump):
	This subclass is indented under subclass 9.  Traffic director structure for means set in or on a road to jar or shake a vehicle passing over said means. (1) Note. Included in this subclass are single or plural members to configured or arranged as to set up repeated or rhythmic shaking. (2) Note. Included in this subclass is a single member which will allow a vehicle to pass over it without damage and primarily intended to serve as a visual director. (3) Note. Traffic directors whose upper surface is in the same plane as the pavement are classified in this class, subclass 9. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 11, for a yieldable vibration inducing member. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 362,  Illumination,   subclass 153.1 for a pavement marker or strip with illuminating means which usually is detectable by a vehicle.

16	Including reflector:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 15.  Vibration inducing structure in combination with a mirror-like component so as to cast back light from traffic and this provide a visible as well as a physical director. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 14, for an attenuated lane marker impregnated with reflective material. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 116,  Signals and Indicators,   subclass 63 for moving-type street traffic indicators not combined with significant road structure, e.g., merely mounted in or along roadway.

17	PAVEMENT:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Subject matter relating to a hardened surface to minimize the effects of wear of traffic. (1) Note. Substantially all roads and walkways include a pavement portion and the indented subclasses are distinguished from each other on the basis of either differences in pavement structure or in other component parts of the road or roadway. (2) Note. Attention is directed to the fact that while module construction of pavement is set out in subclasses 29 and 34+, below, many subclasses higher in the schedule include module structure distinguished by features characterized in the particular subclass title and definition. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 244,  Aeronautics and Astronautics,   subclass 114 for a specialized landing field construction. 273,  Amusement Devices: Games,   appropriate subclasses for a particular playing field surface. 428,  Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles,   appropriate subclasses, for a stock material product in the form of a single or plural layer product, and see the reference to Class 404 in the definition of Class 428, section VI. 472,  Amusement Devices,   subclasses 85+ for a surface or turf structure used in amusement racetracks, subclasses 88+ for a surface structure used for the movement thereon of wheeled or gliding amusement vehicles (e.g., a slide surface in the form of artificial ski slope), and subclasses 92+ for a surface or turf structure of an arena, track, court, playing field, etc. which is intended to be used for athletic or exhibition events classifiable herein. 473,  Game Using Tangible Projectile,   for a particular playing field of court surface.

18	Combined sheet and preformed module:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 17.  Pavement structure comprising (a) blocks, slabs or precast monoliths - not fabricated in situ on the road - united with, or by, (b) an in situ-formed surface layer. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 29, for pavement bed having a layer of blocks. 34+, for pavement structure made up of preformed modules. Many such preformed modular pavements include in situ material cast between modules. However, this may be distinguished from subclass 18 of Class 404 by the absence of any in situ cast surfaces equal to, or larger than, the extent of the modules being joined or united.

19	Anti-slip surface:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 17.  Pavement structure relating to characteristics which tend to reduce skidding or render the traffic surface nonslippery. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 32, for rubber or rubber-like pavement which may or may not be anti-skid. Subclass 19 provides for structure clearly set out as providing an anti-skid function. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 52,  Static Structures (e.g., Buildings),   subclasses 177+ for a stairs or other building component of general application having a wear resisting or friction increasing traffic carrying surface. 182,  Fire Escape, Ladder, or Scaffold,   subclasses 222 and 228.2 for anti-skid features. 520,  Synthetic Resins or Natural Rubbers,   appropriate subclasses, particularly Class 523, subclass 150 for a composition containing a synthetic resin having utility as a friction element to impart nonskidding or nonslipping properties to surfaces used in pedestrian or vehicular movement or to processes of preparing said composition.

20	Abrasive impregnated:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 19.  Anti-slip surface structure characterized by gritlike grains or particles (natural or synthetic) embedded into the surface. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 51,  Abrasive Tool Making Process, Material, or Composition,   for an abrasive material or composition, per se, and see the search notes thereunder.

21	Including metal:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 19.  Anti-slip surface structure characterized by the inclusion of exposed metal elements in the surface. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 70, for a pavement including terrazzo-like components with exposed metal members at the surface disclosed as anti-slip in character. Where the metal members are substantially coextensive with pavement thickness and also with either pavement width or length, such member is considered to be a reinforcement for subclasses 70, and 134+, for reinforcement structure, per se.

22	Including light admitting means:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 17.  Pavement structure having a transparent or translucent element which allows light through the pavement. (1) Note. Included here are many devices wherein the light admitting means is mounted in a vault cover. Because of the number and age of patents involved, no cross-reference is being made to subclasses 25+. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 220,  Receptacles,   subclasses 602 and 662+ for receptacles having transparent end and sidewalls respectively. 362,  Illumination,   subclass 326 for illumination refractors. 428,  Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles,   subclass 67 for a stock material product which comprises an element embedded within a substrate and visible therein.

23	With removable lens:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 22.  Light admitting structure wherein the light admitting element is replaceable without destruction of the supporting structure. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 359,  Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,   subclasses 642+ for lens elements, per se, and lens housings of general utility.

24	Concrete frame:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 22.  Light admitting structure wherein the housing or support for the light admitting means is Portland cement concrete. (1) Note. The term "frame" is here intended to signify more than a mere lens, glass setting or seal made of cement.

25	Vault cover-closure:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 17.  Pavement structure relating to movable means adapted to form part of the pavement surface while spanning an opening in said surface, which adaptation enhances the traffic bearing function of this pavement portion; e.g., inhibits tilting, rotation, "jumping", noise, etc. (1) Note. Nominal Reference to location in road or pavement, to strength, or details as to fit, will not require classification in Class 404. (2) Note. A complete search for vault cover-closure must include subclasses 22+ above. See (1) Note under subclass 22. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 49,  Movable or Removable Closures,   appropriate subclasses for similar closures-even if called "manhole covers" or "vault closures" -which do not directly provide for traffic bearing characteristics subclasses 21 , 34, 41, and 465 for manhole covers and frames and subclasses 504 and 505 for frames. 52,  Static Structures (e.g., Buildings),   subclasses 19+ for a manhole. 70,  Locks,   subclasses 158+ for locking structure associated with a manhole cover. 137,  Fluid Handling,   subclass 371 for a valve or water well cover. 220,  Receptacles,   subclasses 220+ for manhole cover structure. 292,  Closure Fasteners,   appropriate subclasses for securing devices for a manhole cover. 454,  Ventilation,   appropriate subclasses for a movable closure combined with means to supply, distribute, regulate, treat or direct air in a tortous path or to change the direction of flow of the air.

26	Elevation or level adjustment:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 25.  Vault cover-closure structure including means to vary the relative height or angularity of the cover structure with respect to the pavement. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 49,  Movable or Removable Closures,   subclass 505 for an expandable or contractable frame.

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