IPC Definitions - January 01, 2012

E01D - Definition fr

Definition statement

This subclass covers:

Spanning structures (e.g. railway bridges) for allowing traffic (e.g. pedestrians, automobiles, trains) to travel across naturally occurring obstructions (e.g. gorges, bodies of water) or over man-made obstacles (e.g. roads, canals). Each spanning structure including obstruction or obstacle traversing structure that provides a passageway for traffic and links or is held up by:

Spanning structures used for purposes other than carrying traffic (e.g. aqueducts) that are structurally similar to spanning structures for traffic and traverse the same types of obstructions and obstacles.

Specially adapted components for use in spanning structures (e.g. suspension cable clamps).

Accessories or ancillary devices specially adapted for use with spanning structures (e.g. drawbridge gates that are actuated when the span moves).

Methods specially adapted for constructing spanning structures (e.g. specially adapted bridge erecting or assembling techniques).

Methods specially adapted for restoring damaged (e.g. replacing dilapidated decking) or structurally augmenting (e.g. strengthening existing component to allow increased traffic load) existing spanning structures.

Methods specially adapted for demolishing or dismantling spanning structures.

Apparatus specially adapted for constructing, restoring, augmenting, or demolishing spanning structures.

References relevant to classification in this subclass

This subclass does not cover:

Highways or trackways for toys that may include bridges

A63H 18/00

Model railway bridges

A63H 19/34

Arrangement of ship-based onboard ramps or gangways

B63B 27/14

Bridges extending between terminal buildings and aircraft for embarking or disembarking passengers

B64F 1/305

Loading ramps

B65G 69/28

Supports that may include structure for spanning a road and supporting electric lines or communication cable going to overhead road signs or traffic signals

E01F 9/011

Floating tunnels or submerged bridge-like tunnels

E02D 29/067

Laying or reclaiming pipes; Repairing or joining pipes on or under water

F16L 1/00

Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing

F16L 3/00

Floating power or information cables

H01B 7/12

Overhead installations of electric lines or cables

H02G 7/00

Installations of electric cables or lines in or on the ground or water

H02G 9/00

Installations of electric cables or lines in or upon bodies of water that are supported by floats

H02G 9/12

Informative references

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

Constructions in general and structures which are not restricted to walls

E04B 1/00

Wrecking of buildings in general

E04G 23/08

Towers, masts, poles and methods of erecting such structures

E04H 12/00

Flexible rubber or plastic pipes that are buoyant

F16L 11/133

Pipeline systems for gases, liquids, or viscous products

F17D 1/00

Demolition of tall structures

F42D 3/02