CPC Definition - Subclass B60D

Last Updated Version: 2026.01
VEHICLE CONNECTIONS
Definition statement

This place covers:

Types of hitches or devices which are not covered by this subclass include:

  • Carriers for bikes or other loads which are connected to hitches.
  • Hitches used not between vehicles, e.g. between bikes.
  • No 5th-wheel couplings.
  • Electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic connections as long as the hitch or part of the hitch is concerned, e.g. fixation to the hitch or sensor on the hitch.
References
Informative references

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

Parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, in general

A01B

Arrangement of signalling or lighting devices for vehicles in general

B60Q

Vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for

B60R

Servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting or manoeuvring of vehicles, not otherwise provided for

B60S

Brake control systems or parts thereof; Arrangement of braking elements on vehicles in general

B60T

Auxiliary devices or accessories specially adapted to cycles and not otherwise provided for

B62J

Testing of vehicles

G01M 17/00

Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices (fifth-wheel traction couplings B62D 53/08)
Definition statement

This place covers:

All kinds of couplings between vehicles, but not between bikes or motorbikes. If a connection is solely claimed for connecting multiple bikes or motorbikes or connecting trailers solely to bikes or motorbikes, then the connection should indeed not be classified in B60D but in the respective classes for bikes or motorbikes, e.g. B62K 27/00. For classifying such a document, it should then be referred to that field only.

However, in practice most of the connections are NOT explicitly claimed for bikes or motorbikes, which then makes the documents relevant to be classified in B60D.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Fifth-wheel traction couplings

B62D 53/08

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:

Devices specially adapted for connection between animals or tractors and agricultural machines or implements

A01B 59/00

Informative references

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

Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying cycles

B60R 9/10

Hand-propelled vehicles, e.g. hand carts

B62B

Cycles

B62K

Sidecars; Forecars; Trailers or the like specially adapted to be attached to cycles

B62K 27/00

Traction couplings or hitches characterised by their type
Definition statement

This place covers:

Traction couplings or hitches according to their type, e.g. ball-and-socket hitches or bolt-type couplings.

Ball-and-socket hitches
Definition statement

This place covers:

Ball-and-socket hitches, e.g. constructional details, auxiliary devices or their arrangement on the vehicle.

Draw-gear or towing devices characterised by their type
Definition statement

This place covers:

Gears according to their type, e.g. V-shaped draw gears or draw gears which consist of a single longitudinal bar.

{Arrangements or frames adapted to allow the connection of trailers to tractor three-point hitches}
References
Informative references

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

Coupling of multi-purpose tractors with equipment

B62D 49/065

consisting of articulated or rigidly assembled bars or tubes forming a V-, Y- or U-shaped draw gear
References
Informative references

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

Draw-gear or towing devices characterised by their type, consisting of at least two bars which are not connected or articulated to each other

B60D 1/173

characterised by arrangements for particular functions
Definition statement

This place covers:

Rather than for the features of the devices they are classified according to their function into the main or different sub-groups like remote control of release function, preventing unwanted disengagements etc.

for sway control {; Sway alarm means}
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Arrangements for sway control, e.g. stabilising or anti-fishtail devices.
  • Sway alarm means.
{using fluid dampers}
References
Informative references

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

Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium

F16F 9/00

{using friction dampers}
References
Informative references

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

Vibration-dampers or shock-absorbers with relatively-rotatable friction surfaces that are pressed together

F16F 7/02

Vibration-dampers or shock-absorbers with friction surfaces rectilinearly movable along each other

F16F 7/08

{the springs being of the bar or leaf type}
References
Informative references

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

Torsion springs consisting of bars or tubes

F16F 1/14

Leaf springs

F16F 1/18

for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers
Definition statement

This place covers:

Arrangements for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers, visual guide means or signalling aids.

References
Informative references

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

Traction couplings, hitches, draw-gear or towing devices comprising a lifting mechanism, e.g. for coupling while lifting

B60D 1/465

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

B60Q

Optical arrangements specially adapted for viewing trailer hitches

B60R 1/003

characterised by the mounting
Definition statement

This place covers:

Mountings or supports for hitches on the towing vehicle body. Opposite to this, class B60D 1/143 concerns also features related to mounting but specifically only draw gears fixed to the towed vehicle. B60D 1/48 is intended to further specify the kind of fixation of the vehicle hitch/draw gear to the towing vehicle body.

resiliently mounted (B60D 1/30 takes precedence)
References
Informative references

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

Tow ropes, chains or the like comprising resilient members

B60D 1/182

Springs; Shock-absorbers; Means for damping vibration

F16F

removably mounted
References
Informative references

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

Traction couplings, hitches, draw-gear or towing devices securing to the vehicle bumper

B60D 1/56

collapsible or retractable when not in use, e.g. hide-away hitches
References
Informative references

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

Removably mounted traction couplings, hitches, draw-gear or towing devices

B60D 1/52

Auxiliary devices
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Load, weight, angle, force, torque measuring or sensing devices.
  • Length of drawbar or position measuring devices.
  • Coupling monitoring systems such as alarm systems (theft prevention).
  • Brake system for hitches.
  • Safety devices.
  • Auxiliary accessories on hitches (such as steps).
References
Informative references

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

Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for

B60R 16/00

Ground-engaging vehicle fittings for supporting, lifting or manoeuvring the vehicle, wholly or in part, e.g. built-in jacks

B60S 9/00

Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor

G01R 21/00

Radio direction-finding; Radio navigation; Determining distance or velocity by use of radio waves; Locating or presence-detecting by use of the reflection or reradiation of radio waves; Analogous arrangements using other waves

G01S

Line connectors; Current collectors

H01R

Covers, caps or guards {, e.g. comprising anti-theft devices}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Covers, caps or guards, e.g. comprising anti-theft devices.

Fittings to facilitate pushing
Definition statement

This place covers:

Couplings for facilitating pushing.

References
Informative references

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

Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices

B60D 1/00

Vehicle bumpers

B60R 19/02

Steering arrangements for backing a normally-drawn trailer

B62D 13/06

Gangways for coupled vehicles, e.g. of concertina type
Definition statement

This place covers:

Bellow or concertina-type gangway between coupled vehicles, such as between two wagons, e.g. rotatable platforms.

References
Informative references

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

Communication passages between coaches; Adaptation of coach ends therefor

B61D 17/20

Flexible communication passages between coaches, e.g. bellows; Adaptation of coach ends therefor

B61D 17/22

Articulated buses with interconnecting passageway, e.g. bellows

B62D 47/025

Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
Definition statement

This place covers:

Connections not otherwise provided for like temporary vehicle connections which can be connected or unconnected while driving.