CPC Definition - Subclass B60S

Last Updated Version: 2023.01
SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
Cleaning of vehicles (by apparatus not integral with vehicle B60S 3/00; cleaning in general B08B; de-icing of aircraft B64D; heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas H05B 3/84)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Cleaning devices used for cleaning any parts of the vehicle and being fixed to the vehicle (defogging devices, wipers for windscreen or rear windows, nozzles distributing washing liquid, scrapers fixed to the wheels, ...).

The cleaning devices being separate to the vehicle are to be found under B60S 3/00.

Relationships with other classification places

Heated wires embedded in the windshield are to be found in H05B 3/84 and defrosting by deflecting air from the air-conditioning unit is classified in B60H. B60S 1/023 is therefore only concerned with the specific control of the defrosting (in particular automatic control using sensors for external conditions)

Hydrophobic films when applied to windscreens are both classified in B60S 1/02 and C09K 3/18.

The group B60S 1/0818 and subgroups are concerned with rain sensors for automatic control of the windscreen wipers. The documents concerned with the type of detection should have both a classification in B60S 1/0818 or subgroups and a classification in the corresponding type of detection (optical detection G01N 21/45, by varying capacitance G01N 27/22). When the document is about a multi-functional camera, only an Indexing Code (namely B60S 1/0844) but no EC symbol is given to this document. The groups for those documents should be either stereoscopic detection H04N 13/00 or image or video understanding of scenes exterior to a vehicle G06V 20/56.

The group B60S 1/0848 concerns the cleaning of cameras when the camera is used as a rain sensor for controlling the wipers on the vehicle. Automatic cleaning of cameras is classified under H04N. Cleaning of radars or external cameras installed on vehicles (by wipers or heating devices) are classified in B60S 1/56.

The documents concerned with the electric wiper motors are normally classified in H02K 7/116 but get a classification in B60S 1/166 as well. The same rule applies to gearings F16H 1/00, ball-joints F16C, sealings F16F or other functional fields.

The extrusion of the wiper rubber is classified in B29C 69/00, only an Indexing Code (B60S 2001/3898) is given in our field. The same applies to the chemical composition of coatings for wiper blade rubbers, the relevant field being C08J 7/00 and the Indexing Code B60S 2001/3829.

Packaging for wiper blades are both classified in B60S 1/38 (if applicable B60S 1/3848) and B65D.

Washing liquid nozzles having specific features for creating a specific spray (e.g. fluidic oscillators) are both classified in B60S 1/52 and B05B.

Water heaters for heating washing liquid for windscreen washer reservoirs are both classified in B60S 1/488 and F24H 1/12. Documents showing reservoirs of washing liquid can also be classified in pumps (F04D), liquid level indicator (G01F 23/00), funnels (B67C 11/00) or front structure of car body (B62D 25/08). Some reservoirs are combined with cooling fluid expansion reservoirs for heating purposes, they should get both classifications B60S 1/487 and F01P 11/029 .

The group B60S 1/54 is concerned with cleaning by using air. However, defrosters for the windscreen deflecting air from the air-conditioning device are classified in B60H.

The group B60S 1/56 is concerned with cleaning of other part or devices than the front window. However a specific group exist in B60R 1/06 for cleaning rear-view mirrors. When cleaning is made using a wiper, a relevant classification for wipers in groups B60S 1/04 - B60S 1/44 is added.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Air-conditioning for vehicles

B60H

Cleaning of rear-view mirrors

B60R 1/06

De-icing of aircraft

B64D

Heating arrangements for transparent or reflecting areas

H05B 3/84

Informative references

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

Suction cleaners

A47L 9/00

Spraying devices

B05B

Cleaning in general

B08B

Extrusion of wiper blades

B29C 69/00

Packaging (for wiper blades)

B65D

Coating of wiper blades

C08J 7/00

Hydrophobic films

C09K 3/18

Casings of wiper motors

H02K

Electric wiper motors

H02K 7/116

Special rules of classification

The groups B60S 1/04 - B60S 1/44 are concerned with windscreen wipers and their different consisting parts (mounting on the vehicle B60S 1/04, electric control B60S 1/08, motor-reduction units B60S 1/166, transmissions B60S 1/18 - B60S 1/24, wiper arms B60S 1/34, wiper blades* B60S 1/38, Connection between wiper arm and wiper blade B60S 1/40).

* The term "wiper blade" relates to the wiper squeegee (wiping lip) together with its support structure. The structure is either made of articulated elements (B60S 1/3801) or from a single flat element (flat-type wiper blade B60S 1/3848). A flat-type wiper blade should always either get an EC or an Indexing Code under B60S 1/3848 even if only visible on the figures (this remark is particularly relevant for documents concerned with connectors for wiper blade and wiper arm).

Warning : A series of Indexing Codes B60S 2001/3812 - B60S 2001/3846 does not have a corresponding EC classification. They are however to be used when their titles correspond specifically to the wiper blades described in the documents.

The flat-type wiper blades B60S 1/3848 have a corresponding EC/Indexing Code scheme except for B60S 2001/3898 (only Indexing Code). Here the general rule applies: Invention information under EC - Additional information under Indexing Code

The blade-arm connection does not have a corresponding EC or Indexing Code scheme. Some specific details of connections are only present in the Indexing Code scheme. The document got usually the best relevant EC classification. If the best classification is an Indexing Code symbol, this Indexing Code is given together with one EC and other Indexing Codes related to additional information.

Vehicle cleaning apparatus not integral with vehicles (cleaning in general B08B; cleaning peculiar to waterborne vessels B63B 57/00, B63B 59/00; ground equipment for cleaning aircraft B64F 5/30)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Washing bays and separate hand-held devices specific for cleaning vehicles. The term vehicles has to be understood in its broad sense as cleaning devices for golf carts, shopping trolleys or wheelchairs are also classified here.

Cleaning of car structure (for example before painting) is not covered by this groups as it concerns only complete vehicle being in use. Cleaning of dismounted wheels can however be found under B60S 3/042.

Relationships with other classification places

Documents relating to cleaning in general are classified in B08B.

Bicycle chain cleaners are classified in B60S 3/041 and B62J.

Documents showing ice-scrapers, mops or window-cleaning are only classified in A47L except if only used in combination with a vehicle (in this case the classification B60S 3/045 is added).

When a document discloses the characteristics of a brush for car wash systems, it should be both classified in B60S 3/06 and in A46B.

Washing with textiles curtains strips should be classified in B60S 3/04 and not in B60S 3/06 (rotating brushes).

References
References out of a residual place

Examples of places in relation to which this place is residual:

Cleaning peculiar to waterborne vessels

B63B 57/00, B63B 59/00

Ground equipment for cleaning aircraft

B64F 5/30

Informative references

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

Mops, ice scrapers

A47L

Cleaning in general

B08B

Bicycle chain cleaners

B62J

Conveyors

B65G 19/02

Multistage treatment applied to waste water

C02F 9/00

Chemical mixing devices

C09K

Cleaning or de-greasing metallic material

C23G 5/00

Drying devices

F26B 21/00

Servicing, maintaining, repairing or refitting of vehicles ({collecting or removing exhaust gases in workshops B08B 15/002; straightening vehicle body parts B21D 1/12, B21D 1/14}; vehicles adapted to carry a workshop for servicing or maintenance B60P 3/14; servicing rail locomotives B61K; {registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C 5/00: testing of vehicles G01M 17/00; arrangements for electrical testing G01R 31/00; devices for monitoring or checking brake systems B60T 17/22; filling or draining lubricant F01M 11/04; means for collecting, retaining, or draining-off lubricant F16N 31/00; draining of lubricant from gearing F16H 57/0406; assembly or repair of springs or dampers F16F 9/3271; tool, instrument or work supports or storage means used in association with vehicles B25H 5/00})
Definition statement

This place covers:

Methods for repairing and the combination of services.

Very few documents are present in this group as there seem always to be a better place to classify these documents. JPO seem to use it more frequently.

Relationships with other classification places

Tools or bench devices : B25B 1/00

Registering or indicating the working of vehicles G07C 5/00

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Straightening vehicle body parts

B21D 1/12

Devices for monitoring or checking brake systems

B60T 17/22

Assembling motor vehicles

B62D 65/00

Filling or draining lubricant

F01M 11/04

Assembly or repair of springs or dampers

F16F 9/32

Draining of lubricant from gearing

F16H 57/04

Means for collecting, retaining, or draining-off lubricant

F16N 31/00

Testing of vehicles

G01M 17/00

Arrangements for electrical testing

G01R 31/00

Administration of vehicle repair process

G06Q 10/00

Registering or indicating the working of vehicles

G07C 5/00

Informative references

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

Collecting or removing exhaust gases in workshops

B08B 15/002

Tools or bench devices

B25B 1/00

Vehicles adapted to carry a workshop for servicing or maintenance

B60P 3/14

Servicing rail locomotives

B61K

Registering or indicating the working of vehicles

G07C 5/00

Supplying fuel to vehicles; General disposition of plant in filling stations (apparatus for transferring measured quantities of petrol, oil, or the like from storage space to vehicles B67D)
Definition statement

This place covers:

This group is only concerned with the exterior arrangement of service station plants but not with the dispensing of the fuel itself which is classified in subclass B67D. Documents in this group are concerned with mobile fuel stations, arrangement of service or technical rooms, arrangement of other services like cleaning, tyre air refill or similar subject matter.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Transferring measured quantities of petrol, oil, or the like from storage space to vehicles

B67D

Informative references

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

Buildings or like structures

E04H 1/12

Coin-freed apparatus

G07F

Displaying, advertising

G09F 27/00

Supplying air for tyre inflation (arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles B60C 23/00; tyre pressure gauges G01L 17/00 {; pumps actuated by muscle power F04B 33/00})
Definition statement

This place covers:

Air supply for vehicle tyre inflation.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Arrangement of tyre inflating devices on vehicles

B60C 23/00

Informative references

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

Mounting or dismounting of wheels

B60B 29/00

Pumps actuated by muscle power

F04B 33/00

Filling of containers with liquefied gases under pressure

F17C 5/06

Tyre pressure gauges

G01L 17/00

Supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles (exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L 53/80)
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Battery exchange service stations
  • Exchanging batteries in general for vehicles
Relationships with other classification places

Service stations with an automatic system for recharging batteries, without battery exchange, are classified in B60L 53/50.

Exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles is covered by B60L 53/80.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles

B60L 53/80

Informative references

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

Arrangement of batteries in the vehicle

B60K

Charging batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles

B60L 53/00

Arrangement of batteries in fork lift trucks

B66F 9/00

Automatic payment

G07F

Electrochemical generators

H01M

Circuit arrangements for charging batteries

H02J 7/00

Ground-engaging vehicle fittings for supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring the vehicle, wholly or in part, e.g. built-in jacks ({props for vehicle draw bars B60D 1/66; anti-theft devices acting on vehicle jacking means B60R 25/001}; lifting devices in general B66F, supports in general F16M)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Only supporting devices being fixed to the vehicle.

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:

Root extracting machines

A01G 23/04

Outriggers for cranes

B66C 23/80

Vehicles for placing portable bridges

E01D 15/127

Outriggers for ground engaging machines

E02F 9/00

Outriggers for concrete pumps

E04G 21/00

Informative references

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

Props for vehicle draw bars

B60D 1/66

Auxiliary drives from a ground wheel

B60K 25/08

Load transporting devices (loading platforms)

B60P

Anti-theft devices acting on vehicle jacking means

B60R 25/001

Track vehicles with additional or alternative ground wheels

B62D 55/02

Vehicles with ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. walking members

B62D 57/02

Lifting devices in general

B66F

Supports in general

F16M

Vehicle modifications for receiving separate lifting, supporting, or manoeuvring devices
Definition statement

This place covers:

Documents in that group are concerned with vehicles presenting supporting elements for receiving separate lifting devices i.e. devices which are not an integral part of the vehicle (like the classical scissors jack for example).

Vehicle-manoeuvring devices separate from the vehicle (vehicle lifting {, e.g. liftable turntables} or pushing devices B66F; {workshop equipment B25H})
Definition statement

This place covers:

Only turntables or traverses specifically designed to move vehicles

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Conveyors for vehicles

B62D 65/18

Vehicle lifting or pushing device

B66F 3/00

Equipment fixed to parking garages

E04H 6/40

Informative references

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

Workshop equipment

B25H

Castors for vehicles

B62B 5/00

Conveyors in general

B65G