(1) Devices in the form of one or more flexible panel units (see paragraph B of this section);
(2) Devices in the form of panel units made up for plural strips, slats, or panels interconnected for relative motion (see paragraph C of this section);
(3) Devices in the form of panel units or partitions, including those completely rigid and/or portable, having means combined therewith for facilitating the passage of insects therethrough in one direction and preventing or making their passage difficult in the reverse direction (see subclass 12 and the notes thereunder);
(4) Devices in the form of portable partitioning panel units (see subclass 351 and the notes thereunder);
(5) Combinations of (1) through (5) with each other, with rigid panel units, including rigid closures, or with other structure not elsewhere provided for (see subclass 127 and the notes thereunder).
B. Flexible panel units are considered to be all those in which a flexible fabric or other flexible sheet material forms the panel portion, even though it may have a rigid frame, rigid enforcements, rigid support means for one or more edges thereof, or combinations of these features.
C. Panel units made up of plural strips, slats or panels interconnected for relative motion include all units in which means are provided for directly connecting adjacent elements together to provide for relative motion therebetween. The individual strip, slat or panel elements may be rigid. The relative motion provided may be, for example, one or more relative swinging or pivotal motions, relative sliding motions, or combinations of such motions. Panel units made up of plural rigid strips, slats or panels are not considered to be interconnected for relative motion and are, therefore, excluded (1) where a single strip, slat or panel is movably connected to a second strip, slat or panel which is immovably mounted or supported or (2) where the only connection therebetween is a common operator and/or a common support.
Such common support may be a single frame having either or both (1) rigid strips, slats or panels immovably mounted thereon, (2) rigid strips, slats or panels movably mounted thereon and connected only through the frame and/or by common operating means.
D. These devices are termed, for example, closure, partition, weather protective, ventilation, ornamentation and like devices, more specifically called awnings, curtains, shades, blinds, gates, doors, windows, shutters, screens, roll tops for desks, picture screens, fire place screens,
photos:graphic backgrounds, vehicle storm fronts, shields, visors, robes or aprons, etc.
E. Since this is the generic class, it takes the subject matter specified in paragraphs A to C only when of a character not provided for in some other main class, for which see the notes below.
F. The devices classified in this class and detailed in paragraphs A - C, supra, have been generically termed flexible and portable panels. Those closures and panels not of the flexible panel type, have been generically called rigid closures and rigid panels. See References to Other CLasses, below
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
The following notes are those considered necessary to stand out in connection with the main class definition. Many of them are repeated in connection with subclass definitions, and other notes to other main classes occur only under the particular subclasses to which they are pertinent.
(1) Note. Combinations. In general, art devices of which a flexible or portable panel is but a part are classified with the appropriate art and cross-referenced in this class when the disclosure of structure of the panel, its mounting and/or operating means warrants the same. However, combinations of flexible or portable panels as above defined, with other closures or panels (herein called rigid closures or rigid panels) are in this class, subclasses 19+ and subclasses 87+.
(2) Note. Enclosures. This class does not have flexible or portable panels related to each other or to other structure to form enclosures. For such devices, see the class appropriate to the type of enclosure claimed, as the various receptacle, cabinet, building structure, tent, vehicle, etc., classes; and also Class 128, Surgery, subclass 205.26. Enclosures should be distinguished from this Class 160 subclasses 19+ and other nonplanar flexible and portable panel arrangements such as are in subclasses 45+ (including subclass 53 and subclasses 56+), 86, 88, 131+, 183, 262, and 352.
(3) Note. Support Subcombinations. For classification of support subcombinations for flexible and portable panels of the hanging and drape type, see References to Other Classes.
(4) Note. Other Subcombinations Elsewhere Classified. In general, elemental parts of flexible and portable panels, which are useful in other relations and which have attained a separate status in the art as separate subjects matter for invention are provided for in other main classes. When proper provision could not be found, such parts or subcombinations were left in this class (160). General notes to: Stock Material (e.g., web, sheet, strand) will be found in Class 428. Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles.
(5) Note. Joints, in general, will be found in Class 403, Joints and Connections. However, fabric fastening means and joints of flexible and portable panels are classified in this class (160), subclasses 382+ and related art is set forth in the notes to such subclasses.
Strand Guides will be found in either Class 16, Miscellaneous Hardware, subclasses 1+, 94+, 210+, 215, and 219; Class 74, Machine Element or Mechanism, when used in apparatus which transmits power between element of a machine or an adjustable article; or Class 254, Implements or Apparatus for Applying Pushing or Pulling Force, subclasses 389+ when used with the implements or apparatus which bodily moves a load between two locations. See Class 15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning, subclass 246, where combined with means to wipe or clean cord or rope; and Class 24, Buckles, Buttons, Clasps, etc., subclasses 115+ where combined with cord and rope holding means.
(6) Note. Making of closures, partitions and panels, flexible and portable. Single step methods and single operation apparatus for making devices here classified, and subcombinations thereof, will be found in the various manufacturing classes. Plural step methods and plural operation apparatus, not otherwise classified, are found in Class 29, Metal Working, particularly subclass 24.5 for the assembly or combined making and assembly of venetian blinds, and the Notes in that class (29) refer to other appropriate loci.
(7) Note. For devices designed for covering a supporting surface to receive wear which could otherwise meet the definitions of this class, see References to Other Classes.
(8) Note. Pistons and followers of the flexible panel type have been excluded from this class and may be found in the pertinent subclasses of Classes 217, Wooden Receptacles; 220, Receptacles; 222, Dispensing and 92, Expansible Chamber Devices.
(9) Note. Where any device or combination of devices classifiable in this class has an associated roll or roller, the roll or roller operating means will be either classified or cross-referenced in subclasses 238+.
(10) Note. For designs for flexible and portable closures, partitions, and panels, such as curtains, shades, screens, gates, etc., and for designs of parts usable therewith, see References to Other Classes.
LINE WITH CLASS 211, CLASS 160, AND CLASS 16
Class 211, Supports: Racks, particularly subclasses 87+ for the structure of both single and plural rods or other elongated elements claimed in combination with mounting means
(including those of the bracket type) constructed to movably support the elongated element and having operating means, and also takes nonmovably mounted single or plural rods where features or rod structure in addition to the connection between the rod and bracket are claimed (not pertaining to the means for fastening the hanging or drape fabric). Features in addition to the above, claiming the fabric either broadly or specifically, means to fasten the fabric to the elongated element, means to operate the fabric, etc., cause classification in Class 160, Flexible or Portable Closure, Partition, or Panel or Class 16, Miscellaneous Hardware. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, (3) Note)
LINE WITH CLASS 248, CLASS 211, CLASS 160, AND CLASS 16 Class 248, Supports, particularly subclasses 251+ take the bracket mountings for both single and plural poles or other elongated elements both, per se, and in combination with the pole or elongated element where only those features pertaining to the connection with the bracket (see the reference in this note to Class 211) are claimed, and even though the bracket is adjustable, where no operating means (see the reference in this note to Class 211) are claimed. Where features other than above enumerated are claimed, see Classes 211, Supports: Racks; 16, Miscellaneous Hardware, and 160, Flexible or Portable Closure, Partition, or Panel. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, (3) Note, for related information.)
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
2, Apparel, appropriate subclasses for flexible fabric hangings, drapes and fabric filled frames forming portions of apparel,
2.5, for portable body worn or carried panels which have penetrating resistive features.
4, Baths, Closets, Sinks, and Spittoons, particularly
588, and subclass 608 for shower baths with curtains.
5, Beds, for flexible panels combined with features of bed structure; subclasses starting with 186.1+ for bottoms, many of which are in the form of flexible panels,
163, for screens and curtains for upending bedsteads, subclass 492 for pillow-sham holders and subclass 512 for screens.
14, Bridges, Particularly
50+, for rigid bridge gates and for bridge gates of the flexible panel type where features of bridge structure or relation are claimed. 16, Miscellaneous Hardware, for miscellaneous types of subcombinations utilized in conjunction with flexible and portable panel combinations, see particularly
2+, for bushing or lining thimbles; subclasses 49+ for combined checks and closers; subclasses71+ for closers; subclasses 82+ for closure checks; subclasses 86.1+ and 87+ for panel hangers, travelers, and/or tracks (the lines with the last group of subclasses are set forth in note (3) of the main class definition of this class (160)); subclasses 110+ and the notes thereunder for handles; subclasses 193+ for sash, frame, or panel balances; subclasses 221+ for hinges; subclasses 403 and the notes thereunder, for paper weights; and subclass 404 and the notes thereunder, for weights of general application.
16, Miscellaneous Hardware,
87+,. These subclasses take (a) nonmovably mounted tracks, both per se and in combination with their supporting means; (b) travelers, per se, (except as set forth in notes (4) to (6), subclass 87.2) and in combination with the track as in (a); and (c) either (a) or (b) in combination with the hanging fabric or other flexible sheet material where only those features thereof are claimed as pertain to connection with the travelers. Features claimed in addition to those enumerated above (such as movable mounting of track, fabric operating means, additional characteristics of the fabric, etc.) cause classification in Class 160, Flexible or Portable Closure, Partition, or Panel. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, (3) Note, for related information.)
27, Undertaking,
27, for flexible and portable panels associated with casket carriers.
38, Textiles: Ironing or Smoothing, particularly
66, for pressing machine roll or platen covers and ironing table covers and subclasses 102.1+ for a cloth-stretcher frame.
40, Card Picture, or Sign Exhibiting, for devices of the flexible or portable panel type specialized to display information by printing or other characters or combined with other card, picture or sign exhibiting features.
43, Fishing, Trapping, and Vermin Destroying, particularly
7+, for nets; subclass 59 for burglar traps; subclasses 60+ for imprisoning traps; subclasses 64+ for self and ever set traps and subclass 119 for window, screen or door insect traps.
47, Plant Husbandry, for flexible and portable panels specialized for the purposes of such class or combined with other plant husbandry features.
52, Static Structures (e.g., Buildings),
177+,. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, (7) Note.)
55, Gas Separation, for flexible and portable panels designed and disclosed for gas separation.
69, Leather Manufactures,
19.1+, for a frame type skin or hide stretcher.
70, Locks, for flexible and portable panels combined with locks, where only those characteristics are claimed that are required for the application or operation of the lock.
105, Railway Rolling Stock, for flexible and portable panels combined with other features of rolling stock construction;
8.1+, for such panels combined with vestibule connections between adjacent cars; subclass 324 for sleeping car curtains and rods and subclasses 332+ for passenger cars convertible from open to closed types.
108, Horizontally Supported Planar Surfaces,
67+, for a horizontally supported planar surface having a flexible coplanar extension surface.
109, Safes, Bank Protection, or a Related Device, particularly 10+, for flexible panels in combination with a desk, counter or display surface, with or without a partition, arranged for protection against attack or having attack actuated operating means, and in the appropriate subclasses for nonfabric panels of penetrating resistive types.
112, Sewing,
402+, for sewn stock material including edging, ruffles or embroidery.
114, Ships,
102.1+, for a sail or control means therefor and rigging and subclasses 240+ for torpedo nets, where features specialized to ships are claimed, subclasses 117+ for doors, subclasses 173+ for ports and subclasses 201+ for hatches and covers of the flexible and portable panel type, where ship features in addition to those necessary for the mounting and operation of the panel are claimed.
126, Stoves and Furnaces, particularly
500+, and subclasses 201+ for flexible and portable panels where features of fireplace, stove, or furnace construction or particular relations thereto are claimed.
135, Tent, Canopy, Umbrella, or Cane,
87+, for flexible and portable panels organized to form a substantially complete enclosure with or without a roof and also for self-supporting portable roofs of flexible material.
165, Heat Exchange,
98+, for a radiator with an adjustable face covering means. 181, Acoustics,
148+, and 157+ for diaphragms and their mounting for acoustic purposes.
182, Fire Escape, Ladder, or Scaffold,
21+, for a ladder convertible to a shutter.
185, Motors: Spring, Weight, or Animal Powered, for spring motors of general application.
209, Classifying, Separating, and Assorting Solids, for flexible and portable panels designed for such purpose.
210, Liquid Purification or Separation,
483+, for a supported or shaped filter medium.
211, Supports: Racks, particularly
87+, for the structure of both single and plural rods or other elongated elements claimed in combination with mounting means (including those of the bracket type) constructed to movably support the elongated element and having operating means, and also takes nonmovably mounted single or plural rods where features or rod structure in addition to the connection between the rod and bracket are claimed (not pertaining to the means for fastening the hanging or drape fabric). (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class and Within This Class, above.)
220, Receptacles,
200+, and the notes thereto for the classification of closures in general. 220, Receptacles, for closures not of the flexible or portable panel type (called rigid closures), particularly
200+, and the notes to the definitions thereof.
223, Apparel Apparatus,
105, for curtain rod threaders.
226, Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length, appropriate subclasses for methods of, and apparatus for, feeding material without utilizing the leading or trailing ends to effect movement of the material.
242, Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding, especially
594+, for a dispensing rack with multiple coil supporting stations.
245, Wire Fabrics and Structure,
2+, for patches for wire fabrics.
248, Supports, particularly
251+,. These subclasses take the bracket mountings for both single and plural poles or other elongated elements both, per se, and in combination with the pole or elongated element where only those features pertaining to the connection with the bracket. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, above) 250, Radiant Energy,
483.1+, for fluorescent and phosphorescent screens.
256, Fences, appropriate subclasses for fences made of flexible panels.
271, Sheet Feeding or Delivering, for sheet feeding of general application.
280, Land Vehicles,
847+, for vehicle dust and mudguards in the form of flexible panels.
292, Closure Fasteners, for flexible panel type closures combined with closure fasteners, having those characteristics of the panel that are required for the fastener.
293, Vehicle Fenders, for vehicle fenders of the flexible panel type.
296, Land Vehicles: Bodies and Tops, for flexible panels combined with land vehicles, their bodies and tops,
97.1+, for flexible panels having (1) optical characteristics, (2) a particular location with respect to a car or its driver, or (3) in combination with auto body structure, and subclasses 210+ for land vehicle tops having
openings therein and movable closures therefor; and particularly subclass 219 for closures which comprise hinged sections or foldable or rollable material. See also subclass 218 for closures which may be removed from the vehicle.
297, Chairs and Seats, appropriate subclasses, for a panel used in seat construction wherein the panel has means limiting its use as a component of a seat; especially 452.1+, where a configuration is provided conforming to the shape of the buttocks or back of the occupant.
312, Supports: Cabinet Structure, for flexible panels combined with features of cabinet structure in addition to those necessary for the mounting or housing of the panel. When the cabinet is a hood, canopy, shield or storage chamber whose sole function is to house the panel or a part thereof, it is found in this Class 160,
19+,.
353, Optics: Image Projectors, for image projection apparatus in combination with a viewing screen.
359, Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,
443+, for projection screens, subclass 445 for those with acoustical properties, subclasses 591+ for panels having reflecting or refracting characteristics for distributing light to a building and subclasses 885+ for optical filters.
362, Illumination,
278, for light projectors having a foldable or collapsible light screen or for projectors having an operator for a light screen.
396, Photography, for flexible and portable panels (a) combined with features of photos:graphic instrumentalities provided for in such class, or (b) having features specially adapting the same to instrumentalities of such class (as
3, for photos:graphic backgrounds where the surface characteristics or particular relation to the subject matter to be photographed are claimed, and subclasses 479+ for curtain-type shutters).
400, Typewriting Machines,
714, for devices for screening the keyboard from view. 404, Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus,
34+, for a pavement made of modules or blocks. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, (7) Note, above)
405, Hydraulic and Earth Engineering,
16+, for revetments. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, (7) Note, above.)
428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles,
37, for a spirally flat, wound strand or strip (e.g., braided rug), subclasses 68+ for a sheet enclosed or covered and not found in any other class, subclasses 98+ for a structurally defined web or sheet stock material not specially provided for in any other class; subclasses 221+ for a web or sheet stock material having a structurally defined element or component and not specifically provided for in any other class; and subclasses 411.1+ for nonstructural stock material in the form of a plural layer web or sheet.
454, Ventilation, appropriate subclass for flexible and portable panels with additional means (as pumps, valves, deflectors, etc.) for causing, directing or controlling air flow.
607, Surgery: Light, Thermal, and Electrical Application, particularly
96, for enclosures specially designed for sun baths even though formed of flexible or portable panels.
D5, Textile or Paper Yard Goods; Sheet Material. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, (10) Note, above.)
D6, Furnishings, 332+,. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, (10) Note, for related information.)
D8, Tools and Hardware. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, (10) Note, above)
D25, Building Units and Construction Elements. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, (10) Note, above.)