CPC Definition - Subclass F16C
This place covers:
The elements of Subclass F16C are various general mechanical engineering elements or units which have in common that they all relate to:
- conducting (transmitting) or supporting (guiding) load (force, torque) in combination with
- controlled relative movement.
In general Subclass F16C it encompasses:
- elongated mechanical engineering elements for transmitting rotary or linear or combined movement in combination with actuating or driving;
- mechanical engineering elements to support relatively moving elements (rotating, pivoting or linear movement);
- construction of rotating bodies in view of load due to movement (centrifugal load).
The elongated elements to transmit linear, rotary or combined movement, e.g. push-pull type movement, comprise:
- Flexible shafts conveying rotary movement (torque);
- Shafts (torque), telescopic shafts, crankshafts;
- Cranks, eccentrics;
- Mechanical means for transmitting movement in a flexible sheathing, e.g. Bowden cables;
- Connecting-rods or links pivoted at both ends with similar function.
The supporting elements allowing relative rotary, linear or combined motion comprise:
- Axles (to support a rotating body);
- Crossheads;
- Crankshaft bearings;
- Connecting rod bearings;
- Pivots;
- Rolls, drums, discs;
- Bearings.
Since the individual mechanical engineering elements of Subclass F16C are not a coherent group they will be defined individually in more detail below.
General distribution of subject-matter in Subclass F16C (index):
Flexible Mechanical elements for transmitting movement / force F16C 1/00:
Rotary/Torque | Linear - Push/Pull |
Flexible shafts F16C 1/02 | Mechanical in a flexible sheathing: F16C 1/10 |
Shafts, Axles, Cranks, Eccentrics | |
Crossheads | |
Connecting rods | |
Resisting rotary force |
Support elements allowing relative displacement between parts:
Bearings for crankshafts/connecting rods, F16C 9/00 | Pivots F16C 11/00 |
Bearings for rolls, drums discs F16C 13/02 | Rolls, discs F16C 13/00 |
Bearings
Bearings with sliding or rolling contact:
For rotary parts F16C 17/00 - F16C 27/08 | For parts moving only linearly F16C 29/00 |
Aligning, Positioning | |
Wear / Play | |
Resilient |
For parts which both rotate and move linearly F16C 31/00
Other bearings (F16C 32/00)
Magnetic | |
Hydrostatic |
Details or accessories of bearings:
Details or parts thereof | |
Lubrication | |
Sealing | |
Resilient support | |
Rigid Mounting; Housings | |
Cooling | |
Relieving load | |
Accessories | |
Assembling |
Bearings are general mechanical engineering elements which support or guide and are adapted to position one part moving with respect to another part of an arrangement, i.e. to allow constrained relative motion between the two parts. One of the parts supports the load imposed thereon by the other part. The bearing is intended to reduce friction between the two relatively moving parts, which are typically larger than the bearing itself.
It is noted that apart from bearings many other objects, such as vehicle wheels, conveyor rollers etc., also meet the above criteria. These objects are classified elsewhere.
Further it is noted here that in general the expression "bearing" is also used for supports between parts which are (quasi) stationary.
Due to the lack of relative movement such bearing are not bearings in the sense of this section of Subclass F16C.
Apart from the bearings per se the section "bearings" also covers:
- the direct surrounding of the bearing, i.e. the interaction of the bearing with the two relatively moving parts;
- the individual parts of the bearing, such as sleeves, rolling elements, races, separators, cages;
- materials suited for these parts;
- methods specific for making the parts, as far as they are not covered by other groups;
- details involving the proper functioning of the bearing such as sealings, lubrication, cooling, damping means, monitoring;
- parts, although not required for the bearing function, which are integrated in the bearing as far as the way they are integrated is of relevance.
Bearings are distinguished and classified in the respective groups and groups according to
- the type of movement they allow;
- principle of operation;
- suitability for load direction.
Movement between the two parts:
- rotary motion (e.g. of a shaft or axle);
- linear motion (e.g. cross head, linear bearing);
- oscillating respectively spherical movement;
- combined movements, e.g. helical.
Principle of operation, i.e. the means to reduce friction.
Sliding contact, e.g. plain bearings (bushings, journal bearings, sleeve bearings) including:
- dry operated sliding bearings relying on material selected to reduce friction (rubbing contact, solid lubricants);
- lubricated sliding bearings with lubricant separating parts;
- more particular bearings with pressurised fluid (gas or liquid) in the gap between the parts, i.e. making use of low viscosity:
- pressurised by hydrodynamic effect (wedges, pressure generating grooves);
- hydrostatically pressurised by external means;
- rolling contact, e.g. with rolling elements such as balls or rollers rolling between the parts or rocking motion;
- fields such as electromagnetic field, magnetic bearings.
Loads:
- radial load;
- axial load;
- combined radial and axial load;
- lateral loads (linear bearings).
Combination of principles can be used within a bearing or bearing arrangement, e.g. to support different load directions or to take account of various operating conditions, e.g. speed.
Subclass F16C is a general function-orientated place.
The elements defined in F16C (shafts, connecting rods, pivots, rolls, bearings) are typical examples of function-oriented elements which are used in a wide variety of applications throughout all sections of the IPC.
Subclass F16C as part of Class F16 relates to "Engineering Elements or units". This limits the elements classified in F16C.
Further the elements in F16C are also strongly correlated to:
- the materials or the half-products (Section C, Chemistry; Metallurgy) from which they are made, respectively
- the processes used in their manufacture (Section B, Performing Operations).
Further it is noted that there is a strong correlation with the neighbouring Subclasses in Class F16 relating to other mechanical engineering elements.
Accordingly:
- First it has to be established whether the relevant technical information relates to an engineering element or unit as defined in F16C.
- Further, whether the relevant technical information is or could (also) be relevant for another Subclass.
- Forwarding the document to one or more other technical fields, when the relevant technical information could be relevant for that field.
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:
Bearings for rotary parts (groups F16C 17/00 - F16C 27/00)
Bearings of rotating parts specially adapted for agricultural purposes | |
Bearings for threshing machines | |
Tomographs | |
Mounting or supporting mixing devices | |
Adaptation of roll bearings for rolling mills | |
Movable or adjustable work or tool supports with a mechanism with rotating pairs only | |
Swash plate in percussive tool | |
Portable power tools | |
Vehicle wheel hubs with ball or roller bearings | |
Arrangement of bearings of torque transmitting axles in axle units | |
MacPherson strut | |
Arrangements of mountings for shafting of transmissions in vehicles | |
Bearings for connecting-rods for driving wheels of railway locomotives | |
Axle boxes with bearings of rail vehicles | |
Bearings specially adapted for steering heads | |
Bearings for mounting spindles in spinning arrangements for imparting permanent twist | |
Bearings of bridges | |
Turntables in dredgers for soil-shifting | |
Bearings specially adapted for roller shutters or for roller blinds | |
Bearing, sealing, lubricating of drives used in bore holes (in earth drilling) | |
Details of bearings or lubricating of roller bits (drill bits in earth drilling) | |
Arrangement of bearings in rotary-piston machines or engines | |
Arrangement of bearings in non-positive displacement Machines or engines (turbines) | |
Turbochargers (gas turbines) | |
Arrangement of bearings in gas-turbine plants | |
Bearings in wind motors | |
Bearings in pumps (non-positive displacement), | |
Shaft support structure in gearing | |
Refrigeration machines | |
Bearings for gyroscopes | |
Bearings or suspensions for moving parts of measuring arrangements | |
Arrangements of bearings in weighing apparatus | |
Arrangements of bearings in instruments for measuring electric variables | |
Arrangements of bearings for apparatus for measuring time integral of electric power or current | |
Bearings in horology | |
Bearings for HDD (storage discs) | |
Mounting arrangements for bearing-shields or end plates in electro-dynamic machines | |
Means for supporting bearings or for fitting them in the bearing-shield in electro-dynamic machines | |
Structural association with bearings of dynamo-electric machines |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Materials or half products used in F16C
Layered products essentially comprising metal | |
Shaped ceramic products | |
Organic macromolecular compounds (plastics, resins) | |
Lubricating compositions | |
Alloys in general |
Methods used in making parts in F16C
Manufacture by compacting/sintering metallic powder; | |
Composite articles of metallic powder (at least partly) | |
Build-up welding of surfaces | |
Build-up welding using laser beam | |
Connecting metal parts; | |
Grinding and polishing | |
Injection moulding plastics; | |
Composites with reinforcements | |
Coating metallic material; Coating with metallic material | |
Electroplating |
Parts or elements used in F16C
Rivets | |
Circlips | |
Screws | |
Springs | |
Suppression of vibration in rotating systems | |
Sealings between relatively-moving surfaces | |
Lubricating |
Relation with IPC classification rules
Reference is made to the paper copy of Volume 5 of the Eighth Edition (2006) of the International Patent Classification "Guide to the IPC" respectively the version of 2009 available as PDF-file on the site of the WIPO.
Chapters VIII to XI (paragraphs 75. to 155.) of this publication deal with the general classification rules of the IPC.
Predominant IPC classification rules in F16C:
The IPC-guide refers to "invention information" (cf. paragraphs 77. and 78.). This definition is not followed, since "the addition to the prior art" of most documents at the time of publication is not clear. In Subclass F16C the criteria for classification derive from the following rules (cf. paragraphs 102. and 133. of the IPC-Guide):
- Establishing relevant technical information from the document classified;
- Classifying this information in a way allowing efficient retrieval.
They apply to the classification of new documents as well as documents reclassified during reorganisation.
Warning: A large number of documents from the back file do not comply with the present criteria.
For efficient retrieval:
Most documents should preferably have two or more classification symbols (EC, Indexing Code not necessarily all in F16C):
- one symbol to describe the general configuration (preamble type information, field of use), particular of the example(s) given and;
- one or more further symbols are used to identify the special technical features described in the document.
In exceptional cases one symbol could be sufficient, e.g. in small groups specifying both types of information or when the general configuration is defined too broad. In this context reference is made to Chapter IX of the IPC-guide.
The technical information is to be classified as specific as possible, i.e. as close as possible to the embodiments described.
For large documents, e.g. WO-publications based on multiple priorities, multiple symbols would be required particularly in view of non-unitary technical content.
However, when too many examples are given a more general classification symbol could be expedient.
Apart from the configuration of the subject to be classified per se, particular attention should be paid to the following topics:
- the materials used,
- the methods and processes used in making,
- the half products and parts used, and
- the field of application.
These topics could, apart from classification in an appropriate F16C group, also be made retrievable by a symbol in the corresponding Subclass when the technical content is considered relevant enough therefore. References to other Subclasses and groups are given below as relationships to other subject matter areas, limiting references relevant for classification and informative references.
Further since a major part of documents to be classified have no search report the corresponding sections of the IPC-guide are particularly relevant, i.e. IPC-guide paragraphs 124. to 130. combined with the observations in paragraphs 131. to 134.
In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
rotary engineering element | any engineering element, other than a rotating element used in gearing, clutches, couplings or brakes, which rotates so far as its features are affected only by the fact that it rotates. |
bearing | a component of a machine or mechanism that is positioned between two relatively movable elements of the machine or mechanism and that has a surface formed for sliding or rolling contact with these elements when they move relative to each other for the sole function of reducing the friction that would otherwise result from their relative movement. |
connecting-rod or link pivoted at both ends | a reciprocating or oscillating elongated member of a machine or mechanism that is intended to be pivotally connected to and positioned between two relatively movable elements of the machine or mechanism for the purpose of transmitting force or conveying motion between the elements when it reciprocates or oscillates. |
axle | an elongated element to support a rotating part, e.g. a wheel or roll. loads are bending moments and radial load. It may be stationary or rotating with the part fixed thereto. |
shaft | an elongated element, normally a rod of circular cross-section, that rotates about its longitudinal axis to transmit torque, e.g. by conveying motion from a gear wheel supported by it to another part of a machine or mechanism. |
crankshaft | a shaft with one or more cranks for turning reciprocating or oscillating motion into rotary motion. |
flexible shaft | an elongated element, that is bendable along its length and rotates about its longitudinal axis to transmit torque or convey rotary motion. |
Bowden cable | a control cable consisting of an elongated member enclosed within a housing bendable along its length and shiftable along its longitudinal axis relative to its housing to transmit motion or force. |
roll, drum, disc | an element of a machine or mechanism in the form of a roller that has a generally curved surface that contacts work or (linear) moving part and revolves about its axis when the work shifts relative to it. |
In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used as synonyms:
- "sliding bearing", "sliding contact bearing", "slide bearing", "plain bearing", "gliding bearing", "friction bearing", "hydrodynamic bearing" and "fluid dynamic bearing"
- "rolling bearing", "antifriction bearing", "roller bearing", "rolling bearing", "rolling contact bearing", "ball bearing", "needle bearing" and "rolling element bearing"
- "linear bearing" and "linear motion guide"
- "connecting-rod", "conrod", "con rod" and "piston rod"
- "Bowden cable" and "control cable"
This place covers:
There are two distinct groups of elements which, apart from being elongated and flexible, have a different function:
- Flexible shafts conveying rotary motion, respectively
- Flexible means to transmit push-pull movement.
The shaft itself or the transmitting means themselves provide flexibility.
It is noted that:
- flexible shafts are functionally related to shafts (cf. F16C 3/00) which also convey rotary motion, i.e. are used as drive shaft, whereas
- "Bowden mechanisms" are functionally related to connecting rods (cf. F16C 9/00) which are also built to transmit push-pull movements, i.e. they are typically used for control-movements.
The two groups of elements are thus related to different fields (see limiting and informative references below).
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:
Control cables for flexible medical endoscopes | |
Flexible shafts (in surgery instruments) | |
Endoscopic instruments | |
Flexible shaft in dental machines | |
Control cables for flexible technical endoscopes |
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:
Control cables for change-speed gearing control | |
Adjusting rear mirror by cables | |
Control cables for actuating brakes | |
Transmitting braking action using cables | |
Control cables for brake-actuating mechanisms specially adapted for cycles | |
Control cables for gearing speed-change mechanisms specially adapted for cycles | |
Operation of locks by Bowden cable | |
Movement transmitted by a cable in actuating mechanism of change speed or reversing-gearings | |
Control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only |
Bowden cable | Control cable |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Constructional features of ropes and cables | |
Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects |
This place does not cover:
Flexible shafts | |
Camshafts |
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:
Axle units; Parts thereof; Arrangements for lubrification of axles | |
Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles characterised by arrangement, location, or type of drive shafting, e.g. cardan shaft | |
Propeller shafts or paddle-wheel shafts for ships |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Forged or pressed shafts | |
Balancing shafts |
This place does not cover:
Crank gearings | |
Crank gearings with adjustment of throw |
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:
Using cranks in rotary pistons |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Compensation of inertia forces of crankshafts |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Adjustable crank mechanisms |
This place does not cover:
Heads rigid with cross heads | |
Inhibiting shift in gearing during unfavourable conditions | |
Pivotal connection of pistons with connecting-rods | |
Piston-rods, i.e. rods rigidly connected to the piston |
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:
Coupling-rods for locomotive driving wheels | |
Variable connecting rods in internal combustion engines | |
Varying compression ratio by alteration of piston stroke | |
Piston drive of fuel pumps | |
Actuating brakes by pistons | |
Gearing with links and levers |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Forged or pressed connecting rods |
Connecting-rod | conrod, con rod, piston rod |
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:
Crankshaft bearings fitted in the crankcase |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Breaking machines for rings, i.e. pre-cutting and subsequent breaking |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Bearings adjustable for play in general |
This place covers:
This place does not cover:
Hinges for doors, windows, or wings | |
Devices for moving wings into open or closed position | |
Yielding couplings, i.e. with means permitting movement between the connected parts during the drive | |
Rubber springs with stiff outer sleeve and inner sleeve or pin | |
Hinges of laptops | |
Hinges of mobile phones |
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:
Joints in manipulators | |
Pivoted suspension arms | |
Arrangement of steering linkage connections | |
Pivots in dredgers for soil-shifting | |
Centre pivot of rocking arms | |
Pipe joints with hinge | |
Stands with attachment allowing pivoting | |
Hinges for spectacles |
This place does not cover:
Universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts | |
Supports for apparatus with ball-joint heads |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Bellows |
This place covers:
Rotary bodies shaped substantially as a body of revolution, i.e. axisymmetrical bodies respectively bodies having rotational symmetry, with an outer or inner functional surface such as:
- rolls
- drums
- discs.
The rotary body allows relative movement of another part or product tangentially along the rotary body, particularly along a linear path, i.e. it is used to support, transport and/or treat another part or product which moves relatively along the functional surface.
Rolls are only classified in group F16C 13/00 when the general built up of the roll itself is of relevance.
Most rolls, particularly those for treating material, are specifically designed for that purpose and are therefore to be classified in the appropriate field of application (see the references relevant to classification below).
Wheels which support vehicles to move along a path come within the ambit of the above definition of rolls, discs or the like in group F16C 13/00. However, wheels as dedicated complete systems, do not qualify as "engineering elements or units" in the sense of F16.
Vehicle wheels and castors are to be classified in Subclass B60B.
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:
Treatment of products moving tangentially relatively to a roll
Shape or construction of rollers of roller mills | |
Rollers or balls co-operating with rings or discs for disintegrating | |
Using rollers to apply liquids | |
Rollers for hand tools for applying liquids | |
Rolls used in rolling of metal | |
Backing rolls acting on rolls to inhibit deflection of same under load | |
Adaptation of roll neck bearings of rolls used in rolling of metal | |
Deflection control of rolls used in rolling of metal | |
Bending sheet metal by drawing procedure making use of forming-rollers | |
Making tubes by bending sheet metal making use of forming-rollers | |
Rolls used in continuous casting of metals | |
Rollers for making articles of indefinite length in compression moulding | |
Rollers used in pressing for surface shaping | |
Producing rollers or cylinders | |
Presses characterised by the use of rotary pressing members, e.g. rollers, rings, discs | |
Embossing paper | |
Cylinders of printing machines | |
Construction of inking rollers in printing machines | |
Shells for rollers of printing machines | |
Rollers in drafting machines or arrangements (spinning or twisting) | |
Roll for heating or cooling yarn, thread, cord, rope, or the like | |
Rolls for calendering, pressing, ironing, glossing or glazing textile fabrics | |
Rolls, e.g. as guiding mechanism, in wet end of machines for making continuous webs of paper | |
Rolls, e.g. pressure rolls or suction rolls, in wet presses of the press section of paper making machines | |
Cylinders in dryer section of paper making machines | |
Rolls or their bearings in calenders | |
Rolls, e.g. for developing or fixing, in apparatus for electrographic processes | |
Rollers as part of ohmic resistance heating devices | |
Heated rollers with induction heating apparatus |
Rollers used in supporting, transporting, respectively feeding or conveying
Balls as rolling elements in ball bearings | |
Rollers or needles as rolling elements in roller bearings | |
Rollers or wheels for sliding drawers | |
Wheels for roller skates | |
Rollers for supporting or handling sheets in typewriters or printers | |
Rolls used in conveying | |
Rollers for feeding articles separated from piles;Feeding articles to machines | |
Feed or guide rollers for handling thin or filamentary material | |
Construction of conveyor rollers for transporting hot glass sheets or ribbons | |
Rollers or pulleys in means for varying tension of belts, ropes, or chains | |
Rollers as cam followers | |
Toothed wheels | |
Chain wheels | |
Pulleys | |
Conveyor rollers in furnaces |
Application oriented places for drums
Closed drums for drying solid material | |
Rolls, drums, cylinders of long length for drying material with progressive movement | |
Rotary drum furnaces | |
Rotary drums or rollers for heat-exchange or heat-transfer apparatus |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Making wheels or the like from sheet metal |
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:
Flywheels |
Hydrostatic bearings are to be classified in F16C 32/06.
Other fluid bearings (hydrodynamic ) are to be classified in the appropriate place in F16C 17/00 and/or F16C 33/10.
Not all sliding elements are part of a sliding-contact bearing.
Also other sliding parts, e.g. parts of pistons and cylinders (cf. groups F16J 1/00 - F16J 10/00), sliding-seals (cf. group F16J 15/34+), valves (cf. subclass F16K) and toothed gear wheels (cf. subclass F16H) are sometimes referred to in a generalised way as sliding element, e.g. in the claims.
In such cases the description is to be checked to apply the correct subclass.
This place covers:
Ball bearings whereby all of the following requirements are met:
- only balls are provided as load supporting rolling elements,
- the balls are of essentially the same size,
- the balls are provided in rows, and
- the row(s) of balls are circular, i.e. the balls move along a full circle.
This place covers:
Roller bearings whereby all of the following requirements are met:
- only rollers are provided as load supporting rolling elements,
- the rollers are of essentially the same size,
- the rollers are provided in rows, and
- the row(s) of rollers are circular, i.e. the rollers move along a full circle.
This place covers:
Other types of rolling bearings include e.g. rolling bearings whereby:
- the size of balls or rollers of one row differ substantially in size with respect to those of another row,
- the balls or rollers are provided in an irregular array,
- the balls or rollers are stationary but rotatable with respect to one of the relatively moving members, e.g. rollers giving local support at two or more points (cf. F16C 13/04),
- the balls or rollers are provided in a partial circular row, i.e. with only partial enclosure of the member to be borne, e.g. with recirculation
- the balls or rollers move along a helical path.
The other types of ball and roller bearings have in common that the following requirements of groups F16C 19/02 and F16C 19/22 (cf. corresponding definition statements above) do not apply, i.e. that:
- the rolling elements are of essentially the same size,
- the rolling elements are provided in rows,
- the rows are circular, i.e. the rolling elements run in a full circle.
This place covers:
Measures taken in view of conditions which are not normal, i.e. not relating to the proper functioning of the bearing at its operating speed, and which are not already covered by other groups. A few examples are:
- starting or stopping
- Brinelling;
- creeping of rings, fretting;
- corrosion.
Examples of groups dealing with a variety of undesired conditions:
- Misalignment (cf. F16C 23/00)
- Load or preload; Play; Thermal expansion (cf. F16C 25/00)
- Vibration/Noise (cf. F16C 27/00)
- Thermal load (cf. F16C 37/00)
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Force sensors associated with a bearing | |
Testing of bearings |
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:
Hooke's joint with ball or roller bearings |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Measuring play on bearings |
This place does not cover:
Elastic hydrostatic bearings | |
Shock-damping bearings for watches or clocks |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Centrifuges | |
Squeeze film damping |
This place does not cover:
Bearings with sliding surfaces of rubber or synthetic rubber |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Construction of units comprising rigid inner and outer members with rubber or the like between them |
This place does not cover:
Complete systems such as railways and conveyor systems are similar to linear bearings (F16C 29/00) but do not qualify as "engineering elements or units" in the sense of Class F16. They are dealt with in the appropriate parts of "Transporting" in Section B, particularly in Subclass B61 ("Railways") and B65 ("Conveying; ... ").
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:
Slides or guides for drawers in furniture | |
Arrangement of ways in the general build-up of a machine tools | |
Movable or adjustable work or tool supports | |
With sliding pairs only | |
Slide constructions in car seats | |
Fluid actuated devices | |
Optics | |
Apparatus for microlithography | |
Positioning in chip manufacture |
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:
Protective coverings for parts of machine tools |
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:
Means for securing sliding members in any desired position |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Preventing relative movement between machine parts in general |
This place does not cover:
Screw mechanisms, e.g. with balls or rollers |
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:
Movable tool or work supports with sliding pairs and rotating pairs |
This place covers:
Details for all types of bearings, i.e. they are not limited to rotary sliding contact or rolling element bearings but, as far as applicable, they also cover the other bearing types (e.g. linear, magnetic, hydrostatic etc.).
This place does not cover:
Magnetic levitation devices |
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:
Blood pumps | |
Magnetic suspension or levitation of vehicles | |
Railway systems with sliding or levitation systems | |
Vacuum pumps | |
Fluid pumps with magnetic bearings | |
Pumps for elastic fluid with magnetic bearings | |
Flywheel systems; | |
Electro-motor with magnetic bearings |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Materials
Making alloys by powder metallurgy | |
Alloys based on copper | |
Alloys based on tin | |
Alloys based on nickel or cobalt | |
Alloys based on aluminium | |
Making ferrous alloys by powder metallurgy | |
Ferrous alloys (steel) |
Methods used in making parts of bearings
Flanging or other edge treatment, e.g. of tubes by action of pressing tools | |
Making parts of bearings by working or processing of sheet metal or metal tubes, rods or profiles without essentially removing material or punching | |
Making cages for bearings by working or processing of sheet metal or metal tubes, rods or profiles without essentially removing material or punching | |
Making rings for balls or roller bearings by rolling metal | |
Making balls, rollers, cone rollers, or like bodies for bearings by rolling metal | |
Upsetting (working sheet metal); | |
Riveting (working sheet metal) | |
Making balls or rollers for bearings by forging or pressing | |
Making ball races by forging or pressing | |
Making cages by forging or pressing | |
Casting using a mould or core of bearing shells | |
Treating or finishing surfaces mechanically, e.g. smoothing or roughening of bearings | |
Producing bushes for bearings from plastics or from substances in a plastic state | |
Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching, tempering, adapted for rings or bearing races | |
Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching, tempering, adapted for rings or bearing races | |
Changing the physical structure of non-ferrous metals or alloys by heat treatment or by hot or cold working | |
Electroplating of bearings |
Other
Lubrication in general |
This place does not cover:
Elastic or yielding bearings whereby rubber is of interest apart from the surface itself |
This place covers:
Bearings with details of the sealing arrangements.
Seals specifically constructed to be incorporated in or which are directly associated with bearings.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Sealings in general |
This place covers:
Mounting of a bearing to surrounding parts in a fixed way.
Housings such as bearings shields which can be handled as a unit together with the bearing.
Mounting of bearings which is not rigid, i.e. in such a way that they are adjustable for position, alignment, wear or play with respect to the housing or with resilient support, are to be classified in the appropriate places for rotary bearings in groups F16C 23/00, F16C 25/00 and F16C 27/00 respectively for linear bearings in F16C 29/00.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Hand tools for inserting or withdrawing sleeves or bearing races | |
Devices for fastening in general | |
Attachment of a member on a shaft |
This place covers:
Means to remove heat from the bearing area, i.e. by radiation, conduction or heat exchange, excluding cooling lubricant or by means of lubricant (cf. groups F16C 33/10 and F16C 33/66).
This place covers:
Means exerting a force on the relative moving part directed against the load and cooperating in the load direction with the actual bearing which attains the desired position.
Means providing a preload on the bearing, which could be considered as negative relief, actually serve to reduce play and are e.g. to be classified in the appropriate groups (e.g. F16C 25/00, F16C 29/12, F16C 32/067 ).
This place covers:
Elements which are not directly related to the bearing function, i.e. parts mounted to or integrated with the bearing but providing an additional functionality such as speed sensors, as far as there integration in the bearing is of relevance.
Load-equalizing elements.
Elements involved in protecting the bearing when not in use.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Means for measuring angular speed mounted in bearings |
This place covers:
Joining of the parts of a bearing, optionally simultaneously with mounting. It also embraces joining bearing parts which are split.
For a slide bearing this involves typically joining bearing bushes, shells and washers; optionally providing other parts such as seals.
For a rolling element bearing this involves typically providing rolling elements between the races, optionally providing other parts such as cages and seals.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Machines or tools for assembling parts | |
Devices for fastening in general |