G
SECTION G — PHYSICS
 G

Note(s)

  1. In this section, the following term is used with the meaning indicated:
    • "variable" (as a noun) means a feature or property (e.g., a dimension, a physical condition such as temperature, a quality such as density or colour) which, in respect of a particular entity (e.g., an object, a quantity of a substance, a beam of light) and at a particular instant, is capable of being measured; the variable may change, so that its numerical expression may assume different values at different times, in different conditions or in individual cases, but may be constant in respect of a particular entity in certain conditions or for practical purposes (e.g., the length of a bar may be regarded as constant for many purposes).
  2. Attention is drawn to the definitions of terms or expressions used, appearing in the notes of several of the classes in this section, in particular those of "measuring" in class G01 and "control" and "regulation" in class G05.
  3. Classification in this section may present more difficulty than in other sections, because the distinction between different fields of use rests to a considerable extent on differences in the intention of the user rather than on any constructional differences or differences in the manner of use, and because the subjects dealt with are often in effect systems or combinations, which have features or parts in common, rather than "things", which are readily distinguishable as a whole. For example, information (e.g., a set of figures) may be displayed for the purpose of education or advertising (G09), for enabling the result of a measurement to be known (G01), for signalling the information to a distant point or for giving information which has been signalled from a distant point (G08). The words used to describe the purpose depend on features that may be irrelevant to the form of the apparatus concerned, for example, such features as the desired effect on the person who sees the display, or whether the display is controlled from a remote point. Again, a device which responds to some change in a condition, e.g., in the pressure of a fluid, may be used, without modification of the device itself, to give information about the pressure (G01L) or about some other condition linked to the pressure (another subclass of class G01, e.g., G01K for temperature), to make a record of the pressure or of its occurrence (G07C), to give an alarm (G08B), or to control another apparatus (G05).

    The classification scheme is intended to enable things of a similar nature (as indicated above) to be classified together. It is therefore particularly necessary for the real nature of any technical subject to be decided before it can be properly classified.

  
INSTRUMENTS
 G01
MEASURING (counting G06M); TESTING
 G01

Note(s)

  1. This class covers, in addition to "true" measuring instruments, other indicating or recording devices of analogous construction, and also signalling or control devices insofar as they are concerned with measurement (as defined in Note 2 below) and are not specially adapted to the particular purpose of signalling or control.
  2. In this class, the following term is used with the meaning indicated:
    • "measuring" is used to cover considerably more than its primary or basic meaning. In this primary sense, it means finding a numerical expression of the value of a variable in relation to a unit or datum or to another variable of the same nature, e.g. expressing a length in terms of another length as in measuring a length with a scale; the value may be obtained directly (as just suggested) or by measuring some other variable of which the value can be related to the value of the required variable, as in measuring a change in temperature by measuring a resultant change in the length of a column of mercury. However, since the same device or instrument may, instead of giving an immediate indication, be used to produce a record or to initiate a signal to produce an indication or control effect, or may be used in combination with other devices or instruments to give a conjoint result from measurement of two or more variables of the same or different kinds, it is necessary to interpret "measuring" as including also any operation that would make it possible to obtain such a numerical expression by the additional use of some way of converting a value into figures. Thus the expression in figures may be actually made by a digital presentation or by reading a scale, or an indication of it may be given without the use of figures, e.g. by some perceptible feature (variable) of the entity (e.g. object, substance, beam of light) of which the variable being measured is a property or condition or by an analogue of such a feature (e.g. the corresponding position of a member without any scale, a corresponding voltage generated in some way). In many cases there is no such value indication but only an indication of difference or equality in relation to a standard or datum (of which the value may or may not be known in figures); the standard or datum may be the value of another variable of the same nature but of a different entity (e.g. a standard measure) or of the same entity at a different time.

      In its simplest form, measurement may give merely an indication of presence or absence of a certain condition or quality, e.g. movement (in any direction or in a particular direction), or whether a variable exceeds a predetermined value.

  3. Attention is drawn to the Notes following the titles of class B81 and subclass B81B relating to "micro-structural devices" and "micro-structural systems" and the Notes following the title of subclass B82B relating to "nano-structures". [7]
  4. Attention is drawn to the Notes following the title of section G, especially as regards the definition of the term "variable".
  5. In many measuring arrangements, a first variable to be measured is transformed into a second, or further, variables. The second, or further, variables may be (a) a condition related to the first variable and produced in a member, or (b) a displacement of a member. Further transformation may be needed.  [6]

    When classifying such an arrangement, (i) the transformation step, or each transformation step, that is of interest is classified, or (ii) if interest lies only in the system as a whole, the first variable is classified in the appropriate place.  [6]

    This is particularly important where two or more conversions take place, for instance where a first variable, for example pressure, is transformed into a second variable, for example an optical property of a sensing body, and that second variable is expressed by means of a third variable, for example an electric effect. In such a case, the following classification places should be considered: the place for the transformation of the first variable, that for sensing the condition caused by that variable, subclass G01D for expression of the measurement, and finally the place for the overall system, if any.  [6]

  6. The measurement of change in the value of a physical property is classified in the same subclass as the measurement of that physical property, e.g. measurement of expansion of length is classified in subclass G01B.
 G01B
MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS, OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS (measuring human body, see the relevant places, where such exist, e.g. A41H 1/00, A43D 1/00, A61B 5/103; measuring appliances combined with walking-sticks A45B 3/00; sorting according to dimensions B07; methods or devices for measuring, specially adapted for metal-rolling mills B21B 38/00; tool-setting or drawing instruments not specially modified for measuring B23B 49/00, B23Q 15/00-B23Q 17/00, B43L; measuring or gauging equipment specially adapted for grinding or polishing operations B24B 49/00; combinations of measuring devices with writing-implements B43K 29/00; geodetical, nautical or aeronautical measuring, surveying, rangefinding G01C; photogrammetry or videogrammetry G01C 11/00; measuring force or stress, in general G01L 1/00; investigating or analysing surface structures in atomic ranges using scanning-probe techniques G01N 13/00; investigating or analysing particle size, investigating or analysing surface area of porous material G01N 15/00; radio direction-finding, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effect, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S; geophysical measuring G01V; measuring length or roll diameter of film in cameras or projectors G03B 1/00; combinations of measuring devices with means for controlling or regulating G05; methods or arrangements for converting the position of a manually-operated writing or tracing member into an electrical signal G06K 11/00; measuring elapsed travel of recording medium in recording or playback equipment, sensing diameter of record in autochange gramophones G11B; details of scanning-probe apparatus, in general G12B 21/00; means structurally associated with electric rotary current collectors for indicating brush wear H01R 39/00; indicating consumption of electrodes in arc lamps H05B 31/00)
 G01B

Note(s)

  1. This subclass covers measuring of position or displacement in terms of linear or angular dimensions. [4]
  2. In this subclass, the groups are distinguished by the means of measurement which is of major importance. Thus the mere application of other means for giving a final indication does not affect the classification.
  3. Attention is drawn to the Notes following the title of class G01.
  4. Machines operated on similar principles to the hand-held devices specified in this subclass are classified with these devices.
  5. Measuring arrangements or details thereof covered by two or more of groups G01B 3/00-G01B 17/00 are classified in group G01B 21/00 if no single other group can be selected as being predominantly applicable.
 G01B
Subclass index
MEASURING DEVICES CHARACTERISED BY THE MATERIAL 1/00
PREDOMINANT METHODS USED IN MEASURING DEVICES
Mechanical 3/00, 5/00
Electric or magnetic 7/00
By fluids 13/00
By light waves; by other electro-magnetic waves or radiation 9/00, 11/00; 15/00
By sonic waves 17/00
OTHER MEASURING ARRANGEMENTS 21/00
P:90 G01B 1/00
Measuring instruments characterised by the selection of material therefor
P:70 G01B 3/00
Instruments as specified in the subgroups and characterised by the use of mechanical measuring means (arrangements for measuring particular parameters G01B 5/00; devices of general interest specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material B65H 75/34)  [2]
 G01B 3/02
·  Rulers or tapes with scales or marks for direct reading
 G01B 3/11
·  Chains for measuring length
 G01B 3/12
·  Measuring wheels
 G01B 3/14
·  Templates for checking contours
 G01B 3/16
·  Compasses, i.e. with a pair of pivoted arms
 G01B 3/18
·  Micrometers
 G01B 3/20
·  Slide gauges
 G01B 3/22
·  Feeler-pin gauges, e.g. dial gauges (for measuring contours or curvatures G01B 5/20)
 G01B 3/30
·  Bars, blocks, or strips in which the distance between a pair of faces is fixed, although it may be preadjustable, e.g. end measure, feeler strip
 G01B 3/34
·  Ring or other apertured gauges, e.g. "go/no-go" gauge
 G01B 3/38
·  Gauges with an open yoke and opposed faces, i.e. calipers, in which the internal distance between the faces is fixed, although it may be preadjustable
 G01B 3/46
·  Plug gauges for internal dimensions with engaging surfaces which are at a fixed distance, although they may be preadjustable
 G01B 3/56
·  Gauges for measuring angles or tapers, e.g. conical calipers
P:60 G01B 5/00
Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical means (instruments of the types covered by group G01B 3/00 per se G01B 3/00)  [2]
 G01B 5/004
·  for measuring coordinates of points  [6]
 G01B 5/008
·  ·  using coordinate measuring machines  [6]
 G01B 5/02
·  for measuring length, width, or thickness (G01B 5/004, G01B 5/08 take precedence)  [6]
 G01B 5/08
·  for measuring diameters
 G01B 5/14
·  for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures (G01B 5/24 takes precedence)
 G01B 5/18
·  for measuring depth
 G01B 5/20
·  for measuring contours or curvatures
 G01B 5/24
·  for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
 G01B 5/26
·  for measuring areas, e.g. planimeter (integrators in general G06G)
 G01B 5/28
·  for measuring roughness or irregularity of surfaces
 G01B 5/30
·  for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. mechanical strain gauge
P:50 G01B 7/00
Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic means
 G01B 7/004
·  for measuring coordinates of points  [6]
 G01B 7/008
·  ·  using coordinate measuring machines  [6]
 G01B 7/02
·  for measuring length, width, or thickness (G01B 7/004, G01B 7/12 takes precedence)  [6]
 G01B 7/12
·  for measuring diameters
 G01B 7/14
·  for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures (G01B 7/30 takes precedence)
 G01B 7/16
·  for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. by resistance strain gauge
 G01B 7/26
·  for measuring depth
 G01B 7/28
·  for measuring contours or curvatures
 G01B 7/30
·  for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
 G01B 7/305
·  ·  for testing perpendicularity  [6]
 G01B 7/31
·  ·  for testing the alignment of axes
 G01B 7/315
·  ·  for testing wheel alignment
 G01B 7/32
·  for measuring areas (integrators in general G06G)
 G01B 7/34
·  for measuring roughness or irregularity of surfaces
P:10 G01B 9/00
Instruments as specified in the subgroups and characterised by the use of optical measuring means (arrangements for measuring particular parameters G01B 11/00)  [2]
 G01B 9/02
·  Interferometers
 G01B 9/021
·  ·  using holographic techniques  [2]
 G01B 9/04
·  Measuring microscopes (microscopes in general G02B 21/00)
 G01B 9/06
·  Measuring telescopes (telescopes in general G02B 23/00)
 G01B 9/08
·  Optical projection comparators
 G01B 9/10
·  Goniometers for measuring angles between surfaces
P:0 G01B 11/00
Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical means (instruments of the types covered by group G01B 9/00 per se G01B 9/00)  [2]
 G01B 11/02
·  for measuring length, width, or thickness (G01B 11/08 takes precedence)
 G01B 11/03
·  ·  by measuring coordinates of points  [3]
 G01B 11/04
·  ·  specially adapted for measuring length or width of objects while moving
 G01B 11/06
·  ·  for measuring thickness
 G01B 11/08
·  for measuring diameters
 G01B 11/14
·  for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures (G01B 11/26 takes precedence; rangefinders G01C)
 G01B 11/16
·  for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. optical strain gauge
 G01B 11/22
·  for measuring depth
 G01B 11/24
·  for measuring contours or curvatures
 G01B 11/26
·  for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
 G01B 11/27
·  ·  for testing the alignment of axes
 G01B 11/275
·  ·  for testing wheel alignment
 G01B 11/28
·  for measuring areas (integrators in general G06G)
 G01B 11/30
·  for measuring roughness or irregularity of surfaces
P:30 G01B 13/00
Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of fluids
P:20 G01B 15/00
Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of wave or particle radiation (G01B 9/00, G01B 11/00 take precedence)  [4]
 G01B 15/02
·  for measuring thickness
P:40 G01B 17/00
Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations  [4]
 G01B 17/02
·  for measuring thickness
 G01B 17/04
·  for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. by vibrating string
 G01B 17/06
·  for measuring contours or curvatures  [6]
 G01B 17/08
·  for measuring roughness or irregularity of surfaces  [6]
P:80 G01B 21/00
Measuring arrangements or details thereof in so far as they are not adapted to particular types of measuring means of the other groups of this subclass  [3]
 G01B 21/02
·  for measuring length, width, or thickness (G01B 21/10 takes precedence)  [3]
 G01B 21/06
·  ·  specially adapted for measuring length or width of objects while moving  [3]
 G01B 21/08
·  ·  for measuring thickness  [3]
 G01B 21/10
·  for measuring diameters  [3]
 G01B 21/16
·  for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects  [3]
 G01B 21/18
·  for measuring depth  [3]
 G01B 21/20
·  for measuring contours or curvatures, e.g. determining profile  [3]
 G01B 21/22
·  for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes  [3]
 G01B 21/28
·  for measuring areas (integrators in general G06G)  [3]
 G01B 21/30
·  for measuring roughness or irregularity of surfaces  [3]
 G01B 21/32
·  for measuring the deformation in a solid  [3]