F
SECTION F — MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  
ENGINES OR PUMPS
 F01 - 
F04

Note(s)

Guide to the use of this subsection (classes F01-F04)

The following notes are meant to assist in the use of this part of the classification scheme.

  1. In this subsection, subclasses or groups designating "engines" or "pumps" cover methods of operating the same, unless otherwise specifically provided for.
  2. In this subsection, the following terms or expressions are used with the meanings indicated:
    • "engine" means a device for continuously converting fluid energy into mechanical power. Thus, this term includes, for example, steam piston engines or steam turbines, per se, or internal-combustion piston engines, but it excludes single-stroke devices. "Engine" also includes the fluid-motive portion of a meter unless such portion is particularly adapted for use in a meter;
    • "pump" means a device for continuously raising, forcing, compressing, or exhausting fluid by mechanical or other means. Thus, this term includes fans or blowers;
    • "machine" means a device which could equally be an engine and a pump, and not a device which is restricted to an engine or one which is restricted to a pump;
    • "positive displacement" means the way the energy of a working fluid is transformed into mechanical energy, in which variations of volume created by the working fluid in a working chamber produce equivalent displacements of the mechanical member transmitting the energy, the dynamic effect of the fluid being of minor importance, and vice versa;
    • "non-positive displacement" means the way the energy of a working fluid is transformed into mechanical energy, by transformation of the energy of the working fluid into kinetic energy, and vice versa;
    • "oscillating-piston machine" means a positive-displacement machine in which a fluid-engaging work-transmitting member oscillates. This definition applies also to engines and pumps;
    • "rotary-piston machine" means a positive-displacement machine in which a fluid-engaging work-transmitting member rotates about a fixed axis or about an axis moving along a circular or similar orbit. This definition applies also to engines and pumps;
    • "rotary piston" means the work-transmitting member of a rotary-piston machine and may be of any suitable form, e.g., like a toothed gear;
    • "cooperating members" means the "oscillating piston" or "rotary piston" and another member, e.g., the working-chamber wall, which assists in the driving or pumping action;
    • "movement of the co-operating members" is to be interpreted as relative, so that one of the "co-operating members" may be stationary, even though reference may be made to its rotational axis, or both may move;
    • "teeth or tooth equivalents" include lobes, projections or abutments;
    • "internal-axis type" means that the rotational axes of the inner and outer co-operating members remain at all times within the outer member, e.g., in a similar manner to that of a pinion meshing with the internal teeth of a ring gear;
    • "free piston" means a piston of which the length of stroke is not defined by any member driven thereby;
    • "cylinders" means positive-displacement working chambers in general. Thus, this term is not restricted to cylinders of circular cross-section;
    • "main shaft" means the shaft which converts reciprocating piston motion into rotary motion or vice versa;
    • "plant" means an engine together with such additional apparatus as is necessary to run the engine. For example, a steam engine plant includes a steam engine and means for generating the steam;
    • "working fluid" means the driven fluid in a pump and the driving fluid in an engine. The working fluid may be in a gaseous state, i.e., compressible, or liquid. In the former case coexistence of two states is possible;
    • "steam" includes condensable vapours in general, and "special vapour" is used when steam is excluded;
    • "reaction type" as applied to non-positive-displacement machines or engines means machines or engines in which pressure/velocity transformation takes place wholly or partly in the rotor. Machines or engines with no, or only slight, pressure/velocity transformation in the rotor are called "impulse type".
  3. In this subsection:
  4. For use of this subsection with a good understanding, it is essential to remember, so far as subclasses F01B, F01C, F01D, F03B, and F04B, F04C, F04D, which form its skeleton, are concerned:
    • the principle which resides in their elaboration,
    • the classifying characteristics which they call for, and
    • their complementarity.
      1. Principle

        This concerns essentially the subclasses listed above. Other subclasses, notably those of class F02, which cover better-defined matter, are not considered here.

        Each subclass covers fundamentally a genus of apparatus (engine or pump) and by extension covers equally "machines" of the same kind. Two different subjects, one having a more general character than the other, are thus covered by the same subclass.

        Subclasses F01B, F03B, F04B, beyond the two subjects which they cover, have further a character of generality in relation to other subclasses concerning the different species of apparatus in the genus concerned.

        This generality applies as well for the two subjects dealt with, without these always being in relation to the same subclasses.

        Thus, subclass F03B, in its part dealing with "machines", should be considered as being the general class relating to subclasses F04B, F04C, and in its part dealing with "engines" as being general in relation to subclass F03C.

      2. Characteristics
        1. The principal classifying characteristic of the subclass is that of genera of apparatus, of which there are three possible:

          Machines; engines; pumps.

        2. As stated above, "machines" are always associated with one of the other two genera. These main genera are subdivided according to the general principles of operation of the apparatus:

          Positive displacement; non-positive displacement.

        3. The positive displacement apparatus are further subdivided according to the ways of putting into effect the principle of operation, that is, to the kind of apparatus:

          Simple reciprocating piston; rotary or oscillating piston; other kind.

        4. Another classifying characteristic is that of the working fluid, in respect of which three kinds of apparatus are possible, namely:

          Liquid and elastic fluid; elastic fluid; liquid.

      3. Complementarity

        This resides in association of pairs of the subclasses listed above, according to the characteristics under consideration in respect of kind of apparatus or working fluid.

        The subclasses concerned with the various principles, characteristics and complementarity are shown in the subsection index below.

It is seen from this index that:

 F01 - 
F04
Subsection index
MACHINES
positive displacement
rotary or oscillating piston
liquid and elastic fluid or elastic fluidF01C
liquid onlyF04C
reciprocating piston or other
liquid and elastic fluid or elastic fluidF01B
liquid onlyF04B
non-positive displacement
liquid and elastic fluid or elastic fluidF01D
liquid onlyF03B
ENGINES
positive displacement
rotary or oscillating piston
liquid and elastic fluid or elastic fluidF01C
liquid onlyF03C
reciprocating piston or other
liquid and elastic fluid or elastic fluidF01B
liquid onlyF03C
non-positive displacement
liquid and elastic fluid or elastic fluidF01D
liquid onlyF03B
PUMPS
positive displacement
rotary or oscillating pistonF04C
reciprocating piston or otherF04B
non-positive displacementF04D
 F01
MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL (combustion engines F02; machines for liquids F03, F04); ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
 F02
COMBUSTION ENGINES (cyclically operating valves therefor, lubricating, exhausting, or silencing engines F01); HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
 F03
MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS (for liquids and elastic fluids F01; positive-displacement machines for liquids F04); WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
 F04
POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS (portable fire extinguishers with manually-operated pumps A62C 11/00, with power-driven pumps A62C 25/00; charging or scavenging combustion engines by pumps F02B; engine fuel-injection pumps F02M; ion pumps H01J 41/12; electrodynamic pumps H02K 44/02)
 F04

Note(s)

Combinations of positive-displacement and non-positive-displacement pumps are classified in subclass F04B as a general subclass for pumps, and in subclasses F04C, F04D in respect of matter specific to those subclasses.

  
ENGINEERING IN GENERAL
 F15
FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS; HYDRAULICS OR PNEUMATICS IN GENERAL
 F16
ENGINEERING ELEMENTS OR UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
 F17
STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS (water supply E03B)
  
LIGHTING; HEATING
 F21
LIGHTING (electric aspects or elements, see section H, e.g. electric light sources H01J, H01K, H05B)
 F21

Note(s)

  1. If the disclosure gives no indication as to whether it relates to electrical means or not, it should be classified as if it were in fact electric. [7]
  2. Attention is drawn to Note III following the Contents of Section of section H.
  3. Attention is drawn to the following places: [7]
    A01G 9/20Lights for cultivation in receptacles, forcing frames, greenhouses  [7] 
    A01K 63/06Aquaria  [7] 
    A01K 75/02Fishing nets  [7] 
    A01K 85/01Fishing baits  [7] 
    A01M 1/04Catching insects  [7] 
    A21B 3/10Baker's ovens  [7] 
    A45B 3/02Sticks  [7] 
    A45C 15/06Bags, purses, or the like  [7] 
    A45D 33/32Toilet or cosmetic powder containers  [7] 
    A45D 42/10Shaving mirrors  [7] 
    A47F 11/10Shop windows or showcases  [7] 
    A47L 9/30Suction cleaners  [7] 
    A61B 1/00Medical instruments for examining body cavities or tubes  [7] 
    A61C 13/15Curing dental plastics prostheses by light action  [7] 
    A61H 15/02Massage adapted for simultaneous treatment with light  [7] 
    A61N 5/06Radiation therapy  [7] 
    A63B 15/02Clubs  [7] 
    A63B 43/06Balls  [7] 
    A63C 17/26Roller skates or skate boards  [7] 
    A63H 1/24Tops  [7] 
    A63H 17/28Toy vehicles  [7] 
    A63H 19/20Model railways  [7] 
    B25B 23/18Spanners, wrenches, screwdrivers  [7] 
    B26B 19/46Hair clippers or dry shavers  [7] 
    B26B 21/46Accessories for razors  [7] 
    B41B 21/08Photographic composing machines  [7] 
    B41J 29/19Typewriters or selective printing machines  [7] 
    B43K 29/10Writing implements  [7] 
    B44D 3/24Lamps for baking lacquers used in painting or artistic drawing  [7] 
    B60QArrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general  [7] 
    B61D 29/00Railway vehicles  [7] 
    B61L 5/18Railway light signals  [7] 
    B61L 9/00Points, form signals, or gates  [7] 
    B62J 6/00Cycles  [7] 
    B63B 45/00Ships  [7] 
    B63C 9/20Life-buoys, life-belts, lifejackets  [7] 
    B64D 47/02Aircraft  [7] 
    B67D 5/66Apparatus for transferring liquids  [7] 
    D05B 79/00Sewing machines  [7] 
    E01F 9/016Road signs  [7] 
    E01F 9/053Road surface markings  [7] 
    E04H 15/10Tents or canopies  [7] 
    E05B 17/10Locks or keys  [7] 
    F24F 3/056Air conditioning systems  [7] 
    F24F 13/078Outlets for directing air into rooms or spaces combined with lighting fixtures  [7] 
    F25D 27/00Cooling or freezing apparatus  [7] 
    F27D 21/02Furnaces, kilns, ovens or retorts  [7] 
    F41G 1/35Night sights  [7] 
    G01C 9/32Levels  [7] 
    G01C 17/24Compasses  [7] 
    G01D 11/28Measuring arrangements  [7] 
    G01G 23/30Weighing apparatus  [7] 
    G01K 1/06Thermometers  [7] 
    G01P 1/08Speedometers  [7] 
    G01R 1/08Instruments for measuring  [7] 
    G02B 21/06Microscopes  [7] 
    G02B 25/02Magnifying glasses  [7] 
    G02B 27/20Light-pointers  [7] 
    G02B 27/34Optical instruments  [7] 
    G02C 11/04Spectacles  [7] 
    G02F 1/1335Liquid crystals  [7] 
    G02F 1/157Electrochromic cells  [7] 
    G03B 15/02Illuminating scene for taking photographs  [7] 
    G03B 15/03Cameras  [7] 
    G03B 27/16Contact photographic printing  [7] 
    G03B 27/54Projection photographic printing  [7] 
    G04B 19/30Clocks  [7] 
    G04C 17/02Time indicating by electric lamps  [7] 
    G04C 19/02Time signalling by electric lamps  [7] 
    G08B 5/36Visible signalling or calling systems  [7] 
    G08B 17/103Actuation of fire alarms  [7] 
    G08G 1/095Traffic lights  [7] 
    G09F 13/00Illuminated signs  [7] 
    G09F 19/22Advertising or display means on roads or walls  [7] 
    G09F 21/10, 
    G09F 21/14Aircraft advertising  [7] 
    G09F 21/20Advertising on ships  [7] 
    G09F 23/04Illuminated advertising on or in specific articles  [7] 
    G12B 11/00Indicating elements of instruments  [7] 
    H01H 73/14Indicating lamps in circuit-breaker switches  [7] 
    H01H 85/32Indicating lamps in fuses  [7] 
    H01Q 1/06Lighting of aerials  [7] 
    H01R 13/717Coupling devices with built-in light bulbs  [7] 
    H03K 21/20Pulse counter or frequency divider indicators using glow-discharge lamps  [7] 
    H04M 1/22Illuminating of telephone substation equipment  [7] 
 F22
STEAM GENERATION (chemical or physical apparatus for generating gases B01J; chemical generation of gas, e.g. under pressure, Section C; removal of combustion products or residues, e.g. cleaning of the combustion contaminated surfaces of tubes of boilers, F23J; generating combustion products of high pressure or high velocity F23R; water heaters not for steam generation F24H, F28; cleaning of internal or external surfaces of heat-transfer conduits, e.g. water tubes of boilers, F28G)
 F22

Note(s)

In this class, the following term is used with the meaning indicated:

  • "steam" covers also other condensable vapours, e.g. mercury, diphenyl, diphenyl oxide.

 F23
COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION PROCESSES
 F23

Note(s)

In this class, the following terms or expressions are used with the meanings indicated:

  • "combustion" means the direct combination of oxygen gas, e.g. in air, and a burnable substance. Any other heat-producing combination of chemical substances, e.g. hydrogen peroxide and methane, iron oxide and aluminium, is covered by section C or by subclass F24J;
  • "combustion chamber" means a chamber in which fuel is burned to establish a self-supporting fire or flame and which surrounds that fire or flame;
  • "burner" means a device by which fluent fuel is passed to a combustion space where it burns to produce a self-supporting flame;
  • "air" means a mixture of gases containing free oxygen and able to promote or support combustion.

 F24
HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING (protecting plants by heating in gardens, orchards, or forests A01G 13/06; baking ovens and apparatus A21B; cooking devices other than ranges A47J; forging B21J, B21K; specially adapted for vehicles, see the relevant subclasses of classes B60-B64; combustion apparatus in general F23; drying F26B; ovens in general F27; electric heating elements or arrangements H05B)
 F24

Note(s)

In this class, the following terms are used with the meanings indicated:

  • "stove" includes apparatus which may have an open fire, e.g. fireplace;
  • "range" means an apparatus for cooking having elements that perform different cooking operations or cooking and heating operations.

 F25
REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION OR SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
 F26
DRYING
 F27
FURNACES; KILNS; OVENS; RETORTS (specially adapted for a purpose covered by a single other class and specifically mentioned in that class, see the class in question, e.g. bakery ovens A21B, glass melting furnaces C03B, coke or gas-making apparatus C10B, C10J, apparatus for cracking hydrocarbons C10G, blast furnaces C21B, converters for making steel C21C, furnaces for heat treatment of metal C21D; furnaces for electroslag or arc remelting of metals C22B 9/00; enamelling ovens C23D; combustion apparatus F23; electric heating H05B)  [4]
 F27

Note(s)

  1. This class covers:
    • furnaces, kilns, ovens, retorts, open sintering apparatus and other similar apparatus for heat treatment of materials or articles, and details or accessories therefor, in general;
    • the arrangement of electrical heating elements in or on furnaces.
  2. This class does not cover:
    • combustion apparatus per se, i.e. apparatus for direct combination of oxygen gas and a burnable substance; [7]
    • electrical heating elements per se;
    • processes carried on within the furnaces.
  3. In this class, the following term is used with the meaning indicated:
    • "furnaces" covers kilns, ovens, or retorts.
 F28
HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL (heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials C09K 5/00; arrangement or mounting of heat-exchangers in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F 13/30)
 F28

Note(s)

  1. In this class, the following expressions are used with the meanings indicated:
    • "heat exchange" means the heating or cooling of a fluid or fluent solid by direct or indirect contact with a heated or cooled fluid or fluent solid;
    • "heat transfer" means the heating or cooling of a fluid or fluent solid by direct contact with a heated or cooled surface or body.
  2. Apparatus using heat exchange or heat transfer (as defined in Note (1) above) for specific purposes is classified either in subclass F28B or in the appropriate subclasses of, for example, classes F22, F24, F25, F26, or F27; if no such other subclass is appropriate, such apparatus is classified in subclass F28C or F28D.
  
WEAPONS; BLASTING
 F41
WEAPONS
 F41

Note(s)

  1. This class covers also means for practice and training which may have aspects of simulation, e.g. in apparatus for so-called "military games", although simulators are generally covered by class G09.  [4]
  2. In this class, the following terms or expressions are used with the meanings indicated:
    • "smallarm" means a firearm which is generally held with one or both hands for firing, but this term also includes a light machine-gun which may be supported on a tripod or the like during firing;  [5]
    • "gun" means any weapon having a barrel and a trigger or firing mechanism for projecting a missile; it may be a piece of ordnance or a smallarm. It may use combustible or explosive propellant charges, air pressure, electromagnetism or other propulsive forces;  [5]
    • "revolver-type gun" means a gun having a revolving drum magazine, the chambers of which are used successively as firing chamber;  [5]
    • "revolver" means a revolver-type pistol;  [5]
    • "semi-automatic firearm" means a firearm from which one shot is fired after actuation of the trigger and which then returns to a condition for firing a subsequent shot upon renewed actuation of the trigger;
    • "automatic firearm" means a firearm which will continue firing so long as the initial firing pressure is maintained on the trigger;
    • "sighting" means bringing into visual coincidence a direction defined by a so-called "sighting" device with the direction of a target;
    • "aiming" means bringing a weapon to a direction differing from the sighting direction by corrections in order that the projectile may hit the target;
    • "laying" means setting a weapon in the correct position for hitting a target.
  3. Attention is drawn to the definitions of "projectile", "missile" and "rocket" given in Note (2) following the title of class F42.  [4]
 F42
AMMUNITION; BLASTING
 F42

Note(s)

  1. This class covers also means for practice or training which may have aspects of simulation, although simulators are generally covered by class G09.
  2. In this class, the following terms or expressions are used with the meanings indicated:
    • "primer" effects the first explosive step in the sequence of explosion;  [2]
    • "percussion cap" means a primer which is struck to explode;  [2]
    • "igniter" effects the first spark-producing or heat-producing step but may not be explosive;  [2]
    • "firing-means" or "initiator" (used respectively in the arts of weaponry and blasting) means a device acting directly on the primer, which device may or may not form part of the fuze;  [2]
    • "detonator" or "detonator charge" means a charge used to amplify the explosion of the primer;  [2]
    • "fuze" means an assembly or mechanism which incorporates safety and arming means in order that the explosion can only take place under certain conditions; this assembly or mechanism determines also the moment (instantaneous or delayed) or the manner, e.g. impact, proximity, hydrostatic pressure, of the firing;  [2]
    • "ammunition" covers propulsive charge and projectile whether or not forming a single body, unless otherwise made clear;  [2]
    • "projectile", "missile" or "projectile or missile" means any body which is projected or propelled;  [4]
    • "guided missile" means projectile or missile which is guided during at least part of its trajectory;  [4]
    • "rocket" means projectile or missile which is self-propelled, during at least part of its trajectory, by a rocket engine, i.e. by a jet-propulsion engine carrying both fuel and oxidant therefor;  [4]
    • "fuse" or "fuse cord" means a continuous train of explosive enclosed in a usually flexible cord or cable for setting-off an explosive charge in the art of blasting.  [5]
 F99
SUBJECT MATTER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR IN THIS SECTION  [8]