US PATENT CLASS 116
Class Notes
Current as of: June, 1999
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DEFINITION
Classification: 116/
(A) This class is limited to mechanical, as distinguished from electrical, devices for giving signals of the nature of either alarms or indicators, which signals are generally due to some movement of some part or element from a normal or nonsignaling or signal-controlling position. The signal may be of any type which appeals to any one or more of the senses, but is generally a bell, horn, whistle, semaphore, light-shutter, explosive device, pointer, or flag. Methods are classified in the appropriate subclasses with the signal devices unless specifically provided for by a method subclass.
(B) The patents of this class are divided into several main groups:
(1) Those for devices having combined functions, as signaling, and also some additional function, as igniting a lamp, fastening a door or window, etc.
(2) Those adapted for some special purpose, as code signaling, ships' telegraphs, vehicle motion and direction, street traffic, etc.
(3) Those which are for alarms, such as bells, horns, whistles, rattles, etc.
(4) Those for indicators, as pointers, semaphores, drop-annunciators, etc.
(5) Those for novel horns, whistles, bells, flags, etc., per se.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
(A) Where the claims cover printed cards, or printed calendars, pictures, labels, tags or signs, either stationary or which may be made to appear at windows or apertures, the patents are placed in Class 40, Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting, with the exception of patents of the following functional subclasses of this class (116), viz., 21, 32, 35+, 63, and 72, when other than mere signs are present. Generally signs normally hidden and adapted to be made to appear at a window in a casing are in Class 40, Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting, subclasses 28+, but an exception is made in this class (116), subclasses 42+.
(B) This class does not ordinarily include conventional signals and/or alarms applied to devices of other main classes where the structure of such devices is specifically claimed or is materially modified in order to cooperate with the conventional signal mechanism.
(C) As between this class and any of the electrical classes, in the following cases the patents will be found classified in the appropriate electrical classes:
(1) When an electrical means for transmitting the signal, which is to be indicated, is claimed, whether in combination with mechanical signalling means or not. The inclusion of a magnetic means (which acts in the nature of an adhesive or fastening) to hold a nonelectrical signal in position is not sufficient to exclude the device from Class 116.
(2) When the indication is given by an electrical signal, such as an electric light, bell or meter, which indicator is claimed.
(3) Electrical signals, per se, such as electric bells, horns, etc.
(D) The class in general includes the communication of information, except when otherwise specifically classified - as, for example, in classes 434, Education and Demonstration; 40, Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting; 178, Telegraphy; 181, Acoustics; 235, Registers; 246, Railway Switches and Signals; 250, Radiant Energy; 340, Communications: Electrical; 342, Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices (e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation); 343, Communications: Radio Wave Antennas; 346, Recorders; 375, Pulse or Digital Communications; and 455, Telecommunications.
(E) The production of sound, per se, is excluded; for which see Classes 42, Firearms; 446, Amusement Devices: Toys; 84, Music; 102, Ammunition and Explosive Devices, appropriate subclasses for explosive or ignitable devices and processes which may be useful for signal purposes; 181, Acoustics; 369, Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval, and 623, Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof or Aids and Accessories Therefor, subclass 9 for larynxes.
(F) The classes referred to under "Search Class" below which takes the combination where a signal or alarm is claimed are regarded as superior to this class.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
21, 32, 35+, 63, and 72, (see Lines With Other Classes, section A, above).
42, (see Lines With Other Classes, section A, above).
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
4, Baths, Closets, Sinks, and Spittoons,
314, for an indicator combined with closet structure.
14, Bridges,
49, for signals with features specific to bridges.
33, Geometrical Instruments,
300+, for methods of an apparatus for signaling direction by utilizing forces such as terrestrial gravitation or magnetism.
40, Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting, (see Lines With Other Classes, A and B, above for the line between Class 40 and Class 116).
42, Firearms, for producers of sound per se (see section (see Lines With Other Classes, E, for the line between Class 42 and Class 116).
43, Fishing, Trapping, and Vermin Destroying 16, and 17 for signals for signaling that a fish has been hooked.
49, Movable or Removable Closures,
13+, for a device that signals the position of a closure.
52, Static Structures (e.g., Building),
105, for signaling means combined with structure of the class type.
70, Locks, conventional or unmodified lock, latch, bolt, or knob structure when merely used to operate a signal, is placed in Class 116; also whenever any modification of the lock, latch, bolt, or knob is made in order to cooperate with a signal it is placed in this class (116). In Class 70, search
330+, for visual, contractual or audible signals for effecting the release of combination type locks and subclasses 432+, for devices to indicate the condition of locking mechanism.
73, Measuring and Testing, for signals or indicators combined with measuring apparatus Class 73, also includes measuring devices wherein response is made to a condition over a range or a series of indications are given which follow or vary
with the variation of the condition. Class 116 includes devices for giving a signal (other than electrical) of the presence or absence of a condition. Class 116 also includes in
114+, indicating means such as dial and pointer structures, wherein such means is independent of any particular measuring instrument.
81, Tools,
479, for electric signal devices associated with wrenches or screwdrivers that indicate when a selected torque is reached on the work. 83, Cutting,
522, for a signaling means and a cutting device.
84, Music, for devices for producing music and
169, for signals associated with automatic musical instruments and subclasses 477+ for signals to be used with keyboards for teaching music.
99, Foods and Beverages: Apparatus,
285, for beverage infuser with signaling means; and subclasses 342+ for cooking apparatus with signaling means.
109, Safes, Bank Protection, or a Related Device,
21, for transaction and display partitions and counters with alarm signal, or indicator, subclass 31 for combined fluent material releasing, generating and/or distributing means with alarm, signal, or indicator and subclasses 38+ for signal, indictor, or alarm combined with miscellaneous structure.
114, Ships,
246, for steering mechanism signaling means for locating the position of a ship in a tow train.
118, Coating Apparatus,
712+, for coating apparatus combined with signal or indicator means. 137, Fluid Handling,
227+, 524 and 551+ for fluid handling means combined with signaling devices.
149, Explosive and Thermic Compositions or Charges, appropriate subclasses for explosive or ignitable compositions which may be useful for signal purposes.
178, Telegraphy, for signaling means limited to use in telegraph systems or apparatus (see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, C and D above, for the line between Class 178 and Class 116).
182, Fire Escape, Ladder, or Scaffold,
18, for signaling devices combined with a ladder, scaffold or fire escape.
185, Motors: Spring, Weight, or Animal Powered,
14, for composite motor with spring winding indicator, subclass 36 for weight motor winding indicator and subclass 44 for spring winding indicator.
200, Electricity: Circuit Makers and Breakers,
167, for electric switch operators which are provided with means to show either the location of the switch or the operated position (e.g., off or on) of the switch contacts, and appropriate subclasses for mere circuit controllers for electrical signals, and see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, C and D above.
206, Special Receptacle or Package, for a pill box or container with a label or indicia and nothing movable, adjustable, or selective with respect to the indicia. 210, Liquid Purification or Separation,
85+, for signaling means combined with a separator.
212, Traversing Hoists,
276+, for a crane having a random condition sensor which regulates an indicator or alarm device and subclasses 282+ for other cranes equipped with an indicator.
215, Bottles and Jars,
365+, for devices for indicating the nature of or quantity of the contents of receptacles.
221, Article Dispensing,
2+, for structure to facilitate dispensing or removal of particular dosage with a label or indicia and nothing movable, adjustable, or selective with respect to the indicator.
222, Dispensing,
14+, for indicators for presetting volume or rate of flow of dispensers of the cut-off type, subclasses 23+ for dispensers with recorder, register, indicator, signal or exhibitor and subclasses 154+ for dispensers with gauges and scales.
232, Deposit and Collection Receptacles, 34, for sight signals, subclass 35 for door controlled sight signals, subclass 36 for door controlled sound signals and subclass 37 for door operated indicators.
234, Selective Cutting (e.g., Punching),
4+, for a typos:graphical tape punch provided with means to indicate approach to and entry into the "justification zone"; and appropriate subclasses for a selective cutting machine with indicating means for various operating conditions.
235, Registers, for signaling means associated with calculating or registering equipment. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, D for the line between Class 116 and Class 235.)
241, Solid Material Comminution or Disintegration,
101.01, for signaling means combined with comminuting apparatus.
242, Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding,
305+, for a fishing reel with an unwinding indicator; subclasses 534+ and 563+ for a winding machine and unwinding machine control, respectively, which may include an indicator; and subclass 912 for a cross reference-collection of indicators and alarms.
246, Railway Switches and Signals, for railway signals. (see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, D for the line between Class 116 and 246).
250, Radiant Energy, appropriate subclasses for electrical and nonelectrical detection of invisible electromagnetic or nuclear radiation, X-ray apparatus, the irradiation of material by electromagnetic or nuclear radiation, supports for irradiated material, detectors and sources, electro-magnetic energy generation and sources, radiation controlling elements, light wave communication systems, and photocell circuits and apparatus. See also Lines With Other Classes and Within this Class, sections C and D of the Class 116, Class Definitions.
340, Communications: Electrical, for electric signals. (see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, C and D above for the line between Class 116 and Class 340.)
342, Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices (e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation), appropriate subclasses for radar signaling systems (see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, C and D for the line between Class 116 and Class 342).
346, Recorders,
3+, for steam engine indicators and 17+ for signals, indicators or alarms associated with recorders.
359, Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,
515+, for signal reflectors and subclasses 436+ for scale or indicia reading devices
362, Illumination,
23+, for illuminated scale or dial which may include a broad recitation of indicia on the scale or dial.
368, Horology: Time Measuring Systems or Devices,
272+, for clock-work-operated striking-trains, including different toned bells and subclasses 210+ for devices to signal when a timepiece needs winding or for showing the degree to which it is wound.
369, Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval, for signalling associated with sound recording or reproducing devices. (See Lines With Other Classes, E for the line between Class 116 and Class 369).
374, Thermal Measuring and Testing, for a signal or indicator combined with a thermal measurement. Class 374 includes a measurement made by a series of indications to as to produce a quantitative indication.
385, Optical Waveguides, for light transmitting fibers, rods, or pipes. 400, Typewriting Machines,
610.1+, for billing devices with indicating scales, subclass 249 for ribbon mechanism signals and subclasses 703+ for miscellaneous indicators associated with typewriting machines.
401, Coating Implements With Material Supply,
194, for signaling means combined with a coating implement.
402, Binder Device Releasably Engaging Aperture or Notch of Sheet,
3, for visual identification means.
406, Conveyors: Fluid Current,
34+, for signals and indicators associated with pneumatic dispatching apparatus and other fluid current conveyors.
408, Cutting by Use of Rotating Axially Moving Tool,
16, and 116 for signaling means combined with structure of the class type.
414, Material or Article Handling, 148, for the combination of a chamber of a type utilized for a heating function and material charging or discharging means therefor, and wherein is further provided an alarm, indicator, or signal, and subclass 289 for the combination of a static receptacle, and means for charging or discharging, or facilitating the charging or discharging of, the receptacle, and wherein is further provided an alarm, indicator, or signal.
415, Rotary Kinetic Fluid Motors or Pumps,
116, for signaling means combined with structure of the class type.
416, Fluid Reaction Surfaces (i.e., Impellers),
31+, for signaling means combined with structure of the class type.
417, Pumps,
63, for signaling means combined with structure of this class type.
418, Rotary Expansible Chamber Devices,
2, for signaling means combined with structure of the class type.
424, Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,
9.1+, for a drug, bio-affecting, or body treating composition, according to the main Class 424 definitions, used for in vivo diagnosis or in vivo testing wherein no radionuclide is involved and subclasses 10.1+ for drug, bio-affecting, or body treating compositions with an identification or warning feature.
425, Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus, 169, for signaling means combined with structure of the class type.
431, Combustion,
13, for signaling or inspection means combined with structure of the class type.
432, Heating,
32, for signaling or inspection means combined with structure of the class type.
434, Education and Demonstration,
222+, for devices for teaching the art of signaling such as telegraphy or wigwagging (see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, D above for the line between Class 35 and Class 116).
441, Buoys, Rafts, and Aquatic Devices,
6+, for wreck signalling buoys.
446, Amusement Devices: Toys, has visual and audible devices whose purpose is for amusement or recreation, but not working models, or devices, even though called toys, which if made of sufficient size would be operative devices of the kind found in other classes. Mouth-operated devices for producing sound are in Class 446 except where the device is used in producing music. (see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, E above for the line between Class 446 and Class 116).
483, Tool Changing, 12, for apparatus including a tool transfer means combined with either a tool support or storage means and combined with an alerting means.