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Classification Resources
 

 [Search a list of Patent Appplications for class 258]   CLASS 258,RAILWAY MAIL DELIVERY
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

This class is intended to include means particularly adapted to transfer mail bags, train-orders, and the like to or from moving vehicles, especially fixed-way vehicles in rapid motion.

SECTION II - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

104, Railways,   particularly subclass 124 , for systems of transferring mail between a central station and outlying rural districts.
186, Merchandising,   for miscellaneous systems for transferring parcels, cash and the like within the limits of a building.
198, Conveyors: Power-Driven,   for devices for transferring material in general, including mail and the like, to endless carriers.
406, Conveyors: Fluid Current,   appropriate subclasses for conveying of solids (including article carriers) by means of a fluid current.
414, Material or Article Handling,   subclass 265 for a guided, wheeled device for transporting mail and external means cooperating therewith for loading or unloading the device; and subclass 593 for an elevator or hoist and loading or unloading means therefor and wherein the elevator or hoist is specially adapted to the handling of mail.
417, Pumps,   subclass 232 , for devices particularly adapted to transfer water to a moving vehicle.

SECTION III - GLOSSARY

RECEIVER

As herein used, this term designates the device or element to which the load is delivered.

SUPPORT

As herein used, this term designates the device or element from which the load is delivered.

(1) Note. Either "receiver" or "support" may be mounted on the ground or on the vehicle.

SUBCLASSES

[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 1]    1MISCELLANEOUS:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Means and parts and accessories peculiar thereto not classifiable elsewhere, including, for example, article or message carriers in the form of missiles, adapted to be thrown to or from a moving vehicle.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 1.2]    1.2AIRCRAFT IN FLIGHT:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Means for transferring a load to or from an aircraft in flight.
(1) Note. Search this class, appropriate subclasses, for means under the main class definition for transferring a load to or from a moving aircraft not in flight.

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74, Machine Element or Mechanism,   subclass 2 and indented subclasses, for mechanisms for releasing or tripping portions of machines to cause other portions to automatically operate due to the expenditure of the potential energy possessed by such parts.
89, Ordnance,   subclasses 1.51+ for bomb, flare, and signal dropping.
182, Fire Escape, Ladder, or Scaffold,   subclasses 137+ for a net comprising a body catcher.
212, Traversing Hoists,   subclass 116 for trips, stops and knockers used in load-suspension cable hoists.
244, Aeronautics and Astronautics,   particularly subclasses 2+ for means whereby an aircraft in flight may pick up or release another aircraft, including gliders, singly or in trains: subclasses 135 for supplying fuel to or discharging from an aircraft in flight: subclass 136 for discharging and diffusing material in air from aircraft in flight: subclass 137 for loading or unloading aircraft in general, including the mere dumping of a load from the aircraft whether in flight or not: subclasses 138+ for parachutes or other devices either, per se, or in combination with aircraft structure, for safely lowering persons, cargo, or aircraft structure to the ground.
292, Closure Fasteners,   subclass 332 and indented subclasses, for trippers used in closure fasteners.
294, Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements,   subclass 86.4 and indented subclasses, for grapples and their operating means.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 1.4]    1.4To or from another moving vehicle and/or requiring circular aircraft flight:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.2.  Means by which (a) the load transfer takes place between an aircraft and a second moving vehicle, including other aircraft, ships, railway-vehicles, etc., or (b) arrangements which require an aircraft in flight to maintain a substantially circular course in order to take on a discharge the load.
(1) Note. Mere turntables for aligning a ground receiver or support with the direction of flight of the aircraft are not "moving vehicles" within the meaning of this subclass.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

414, Material or Article Handling,   subclasses 137.1+ , for means for transferring a load to a ship in the sea.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 1.6]    1.6With projector:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.2.  Means having catapult or other means for throwing or projecting the load from a support to a receiver.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

5+,for means for projecting a load to or from a moving vehicle other than an aircraft in flight, and see the notes thereto for related devices.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 1.8]    1.8Load exchange:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 1.2.  Means by which one load is discharged from while another is picked up by the aircraft, usually either simultaneously or as a result of a substantially continuous operation.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

11,and indented subclasses, for other load-exchange devices for moving vehicles other than aircraft in flight.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 2]    2SIGNALING FEATURE:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Apparatus of the railway-mail delivery type comprising as a part thereof some element designed for purposes of imparting information or signaling.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

246, Railway Switches and Signals,   subclass 19 .
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 3]    3HAND TOOLS:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Devices particularly adapted to be held by a person for transferring mail bags, missives, etc., to a moving vehicle.
(1) Note. Compare Class 294, Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements, subclass 19.1, and indented subclasses, for similar manually-held devices for transferring pictures or packages to elevated supports or shelves.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

1,for mere missiles, i.e., article or message carriers adapted to be thrown to or from a moving vehicle.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 4]    4MAGNETIC:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Devices for receiving mail bags, missives, and the like from or transferring them to a moving vehicle which have magnetically operated parts.
(1) Note. Compare Classes in Search Notes below for electromagnetic lifting devices, for conveyors, and for magnets and electromagnets.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

198, Conveyors: Power-Driven,   subclass 350 , 381, 619, 679, 690.1, and 805.
294, Handling: Hand and Hoist-Line Implements,   subclasses 86.4+ for electromagnetic lifting devices.
310, Electrical Generator or Motor Structure,   subclasses 12.01 through 12.33for a linear electrical motor, per se.
335, Electricity: Magnetically Operated Switches, Magnets, and Electromagnets,   subclasses 209+ for magnets and electromagnets.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 5]    5PROJECTORS:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Means for throwing or projecting a mail bag, missive, or the like to or from moving vehicles.
(1) Note. Chutes, hoppers, or releasing devices comprising no means other than the weight of the load itself for imparting to the load a lateral or longitudinal movement with respect to the vehicle are excluded.
(2) Note. Compare classes in the Search Notes below for nonexplosive devices for projecting missiles; for conveyors: and for devices of general application for throwing material.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

124, Mechanical Guns and Projectors,   for nonexplosive devices for projecting missiles;
198, Conveyors: Power Driven,   subclasses 414+ , and 638+.
414, Material or Article Handling,   appropriate subclasses, for devices of general application for throwing material.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 6]    6Automatically actuated:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 5.  Projectors actuated automatically by movement of the vehicle along the track.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 7]    7Spring:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 6.  Automatically actuated projectors comprising a spring for imparting movement to the load.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 8]    8CAR-POSITIONED RECEIVER OR SUPPORT:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Means comprising a receiver or a support adapted to be thrown into operative position by movement of the vehicle along the track or roadway.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

4,for similar devices actuated by mechanism one element of which is an electromagnet.
6+,for receivers and supports that are thrown into operative position by the movement of the vehicle during the process of ejecting a load.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 9]    9LATERALLY SLIDING RECEIVER OR SUPPORT:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Means comprising a receiver or support that is movable laterally of the track by a sliding motion.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

5,and indented subclasses, for devices that slide laterally to eject a load.
8,for laterally sliding receivers or supports that are thrown into operative position by movement of a vehicle along a track or roadway.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 10]    10LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING AUXILIARY TRACK:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Means comprising an auxiliary receiving or supporting track that extends in a general direction longitudinally of the main track.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

104, Railways,   subclass 20 , for devices designed to transfer passengers to moving trains.
414, Material or Article Handling,   subclass 337 and 338 for external means for cooperating a wheeled vehicle for loading or unloading the same, and comprising static structure for supporting the load being moved to or from vehicle.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 11]    11COMBINED RECEIVER AND SUPPORT:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Means comprising inventions in the combination of a receiver and a support or in both receiver and support.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

4,5+, 8, 9, and 10, for other combined receivers and supports.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 12]    12Fork and other receiver:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 11.  Combined receivers and supports comprising two types of receivers one only of which is a bar, hook, V-shaped, or similar comparatively sharp or pointed instrument.
(1) Note. A fork receiver combined with supplemental receiving elements designed to cooperate with the fork in the act of receiving or to constitute a depository for the load received by the fork is deemed to be a "fork receiver only".
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 13]    13Retaining feature:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 12.  Devices of the type set forth by the title, comprising modifications of a fork receiver, specially designed to prevent the load from rebounding from the receiver.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

15+,and 22, for retainers.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 14]    14Fork receiver only:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 11.  Combined receivers and supports comprising a single type of receiver consisting of a bar, hook, V-shaped, or other comparatively sharp or pointed instrument.
(1) Note. Skeleton scoops and the like are excluded.
(2) Note. Search this class, subclasses in the title of which the word "fork" occurs, for fork receivers.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 15]    15Retaining feature:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 14.  Devices of the type indicated by the title, comprising modifications of a fork receiver, specially designed to prevent the load from rebounding from the receiver. Search this class, all subclasses in the title of which the words "retaining feature" occur, for retainers.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 16]    16Impact-operated load release:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 15.  Devices of the type set forth by the title, comprising modifications of a fork receiver, specially designed to prevent the load from rebounding from the receiver, and also latch or similar means operated by contact with some element as the vehicle moves along the track for releasing another load from its support.
(1) Note. Similar devices wherein the bag or load is released by a receiver or the like that contacts directly therewith are excluded.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

6,and indented subclass for impact-operated load projecting devices.
9,12 and indented subclass, and also all subclasses in the title of which the words "impact operated load release" occur, for other load releasing features.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 17]    17Receiver-engaging feature:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 15.  Devices of the type indicated by the title, comprising modifications of a fork receiver, specially designed to prevent the load from rebounding from the receiver, and also some special means connected with the load for engaging with the receiver and sustaining the shock incident to contact therewith.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

3,10, 12+, 18, and 26, for special devices for sustaining the shock incident to contact of bag or other load with receiver.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 18]    18Receiver-engaging feature:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 14.  Combined receivers and supports comprising a single type of receiver consisting of a bar, hook, V-shaped, or other comparatively sharp or pointed instrument, and also means to which the load is attached, for engaging with a receiver, usually for the purpose of receiving the shock of impact.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

3,12+, 17, and 26, for special devices for sustaining the shock incident to contact of bag or other load with receiver.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 19]    19Impact-operated load release:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 11.  Combined receivers and supports not elsewhere classifiable, comprising a support in the form of a latch, or similar member, mounted either on the vehicle or along the track, and means, either along the track or on the vehicle, respectively, for contacting with and releasing the load-holding means.
(1) Note. Similar devices wherein the bag or load is released by a receiver or the like that contacts directly therewith are excluded.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

6,and indented subclass, for impact- operated load projecting devices.
9,12+, and also all subclasses in the title of which the words "impact operated load release" occur, for other load releasing features.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 20]    20RECEIVERS:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Devices of the railway-mail delivery type not elsewhere classifiable, mounted either on the vehicle or along the track, for receiving the load, respectively, from a support along the track or on the vehicle.
(1) Note. Compare class in Search Notes below for letter boxes.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

3,5+, 8, 9, 10, and 11+.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

232, Deposit and Collection Receptacles,   appropriate subclasses for letter boxes.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 21]    21Fork:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 20.  Receivers comprising a bar, hook, V-shaped, or similar comparatively sharp or pointed instrument.
(1) Note. Skeleton scoops and the like are excluded. Search this class, all subclasses in the title of which the word "fork" occurs.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 22]    22Retaining feature:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 21.  Fork receivers comprising some special means for preventing the load from rebounding from the receiver. Search this class, all subclasses in the title of which the words, "retaining feature" occurs.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 23]    23SUPPORTS:
 This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Devices of the railway-mail delivery type, mounted either on the vehicle or along the track, for supporting the load preparatory to delivering it to a receiver mounted, respectively, along the track or on the vehicle.
(1) Note. Compare class in Search Notes below for supports of general application. Search this class, all subclasses except subclass 20, and subclasses thereunder.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

248, Supports,   for supports of general application.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 24]    24Interconnected arms:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 23.  Supports comprising two or more arms, not integral or rigidly connected, the movement of one of which is dependent upon a prior or simultaneous movement of the other.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

15,
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 25]    25Impact-operated load release:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 23.  Supports comprising a load-holding means in the form of a latch or similar device, mounted either on a vehicle or along a track, and means, either along the track or on the vehicle, respectively, for contacting with and releasing the load-holding means.
(1) Note. Similar devices wherein the bag or load is released by a receiver or the like that contacts directly therewith are excluded.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

6+,for impact-operated load projecting devices.
9,12+, and also all subclasses in the title of which the words "impact operated load release" occur, for other releasing features.
  
[List of Patents for class 258 subclass 26]    26Receiver-engaging feature:
 This subclass is indented under subclass 23.  Supports comprising a special means to which the load is attached for engaging with a receiver, usually for the purpose of receiving the shock of impact, thus preventing injury to bags and other loads.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

3,10, 11+, and all subclasses in the title of which the words "receiver engaging feature" occur.
  
United States Patent and Trademark Office