US PATENT SUBCLASS 166 / 75.11
ABOVE GROUND APPARATUS

Current as of: June, 1999
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166 /   HD   WELLS

75.11ABOVE GROUND APPARATUS {25}
76.1  DF  .~> Having structure for converting from one mode of operation to another; e.g., valve to packer
77.1  DF  .~> Moving tubing or cable into an existing well {2}
77.51  DF  .~> With means facilitating connecting or disconnecting supported tubing or rod sections {2}
85.1  DF  .~> With assembly or disassembly means (e.g., handling, guiding, or tool feature) {4}
86.1  DF  .~> Inner member anchor or seal with valve {3}
88.1  DF  .~> Inner member anchor or seal with lateral port {3}
78.1  DF  .~> With tube rotating means (rotary tables)
79.1  DF  .~> Cap having transporting means or ground support
80.1  DF  .~> Having retractable pipe section to allow closing of gate type valve or flapper valve for rod or pipe
81.1  DF  .~> Fluid catcher around pipe coupling
82.1  DF  .~> Releasable seal or cleaner disengaged by projection on inner member {1}
84.1  DF  .~> With seal for reciprocating member {4}
90.1  DF  .~> With means for inserting fluid into well
75.15  DF  .~> With means for injecting solid or particulate material into the well
91.1  DF  .~> With flow restrictions (e.g., chokes or beans)
92.1  DF  .~> Cap or head pivotably attached to tube or casing
93.1  DF  .~> Split cap or head
94.1  DF  .~> Laterally adjustable cap or head
95.1  DF  .~> Central valve or closure and lateral port
96.1  DF  .~> External anchoring or bracing means
97.1  DF  .~> With valve on cap or head
75.13  DF  .~> Well caps or casing heads
75.14  DF  .~> Suspension means
75.12  DF  .~> Treatment of produced fluids
97.5  DF  .~> Parallel pipes extending along distinct paths through wellhead

DEFINITION

Classification: 166/75.11

ABOVE GROUND APPARATUS:

(under the class definition) Device comprising means peculiar to a well; e.g., recitation of a cable, pipe, rod, tubing or casing for insertion in a bore hole and intended to function with the means and remain at or above the surrounding terrain.

(1) Note. For purposes of this subclass ground level is either (a) the level at which a person may work outside the casing of the well; this working space being provided either in the open, by a cellar, or tunnel or (b) the level; e.g., in a trench, at which a laterally running pipe line for discharging well fluid from or inserting treating fluid into the well is connected to the well casing.

(2) Note. This subclass includes those means adjacent the

defined level though actually below it.

(3) Note. Devices dropped into or forced down along the length of the well conduit for functioning inside the conduit, and of a type usually used below ground level, are excluded even though they may function above ground level. Such devices are classified on other features, usually as packers, plugs, pistons or wipers.

(4) Note. A well device which is disclosed as being under water but in which no claim is made to a feature peculiarly adapting the device to function under water is considered as if the water were not present and is classifiable in this subclass.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

51, for a means of placing a mass of filter material; e.g., gravel, in a final position in the well. 65.1+, for devices with electrical means.

67+, for above and below ground apparatus in combination.

348, for underwater suspension means.

357, for separator attached to a well under water.

360, for underwater assembly means.

365, for underwater disassembly means.

368, for a wellhead which is above ground but below water.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning,

210.1+, and 236.01 for wipers or scrapers applied to well heads for cleaning pipes, rods, or cable passing to or from the well with no more of the well casing being claimed than is necessary to support the wiper or scraper. The wiping or scraping device may include lateral ports, for the purpose only of disposing of material removed from an inner member being wiped.

138, Pipes and Tubular Conduits,

89+, for pipes or pipe fittings (including well pipe and fittings) having closures or plugs, or closures and plugs limited by structure to use with pipes. Class 138 takes such devices even if named for use with a well casing but a well feature such as a lateral port causes classification in Class 166. 169, Fire Extinguishers,

69, for means for extinguishing well fires involving more than a mere cap, plug, flow diverter or means for inserting fluid in the well.

175, Boring or Penetrating the Earth,

207+, for earth boring apparatus including above ground means for handling drilling fluid or cuttings and especially subclasses 209+ for such apparatus in which the means engages the bore entrance.

251, Valves and Valve Actuation,

1.1+, for blowout preventers of the type comprising plural relatively movable flow obstructing members controlling flow through the annular passage between an inner rod or pipe and a surrounding casing or tubing head and having characteristics which go beyond a mere packing means. Addition of a lateral port in a casing head structure for diverting flow from the well is enough to cause classification in Class 166, but Class 251 takes blowout preventers or other valves in appropriate subclasses even though the valve is operated by the well fluid pressure or there are plural valves and broad recitations of casing or casing head structure.

277, Joint Packing,

31, for annular seals or blowout preventers between an inner cable, rope, rod or pipe and a casing head. Addition of a well feature such as a port for handling fluid will cause classification in Class 166. A means for causing fluid to tighten the packing, however, would be classifiable in Class 277 with the packing.

285, Pipe Joints or Couplings,

123.3+, for joints between concentric pipes. Class 285 takes casing heads with means for sealing inner pipes which are normally stationary, including means for sealing such inner pipes while they are being run into the well, and/or means for anchoring pipes against movement up or down with the anchoring feature comprising more than a mere pipe coupling resting on a sealing or valve device. The claiming of a fluid handling feature such as a port or valve will cause classification in Class 166.