This is the generic class for devices, per se, of general application which are used for closing or opening electrical circuits and the combination of these devices with their operating means. In the combined devices there must be something more than the mere inclusion of a circuit maker or breaker broadly.
Combinations of circuit makers and breakers with electrical plugs, sockets, or other connectors are in this class.
This class includes devices known as "controllers", "circuit-closers", "switches", "circuit-breakers", "interrupters", "distributers", "thermal-cut-offs", "fuses", and "electrical thermostats".
Electrical systems or circuits are excluded from this class. These systems or circuits are classified in the various electrical or art classes, depending on the particular form of electrical system or of the apparatus controlled.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
A circuit maker or breaker of this class (200) can be distinguished from an electrical connector of Class 439, Electrical Connectors, in that a circuit maker or breaker comprises an assemblage of parts including both a movable
contact and its mating contact wherein there is a positive (permanent) physical connection between the contacts such that a contact is restricted to move with respect to a mating contact along a prescribed path each time the circuit maker or breaker operates, whereas an electrical connector is physically separated from the distinct, mating connector each time the circuit is broken.
The combination of an electrical circuit maker or breaker with an electrical connector will be found in this class (200). For example, an electrical connector with a distinct switch actuated by a mating connector is included in this class (200), especially in subclasses 61.58+. An electrical connector that includes integrally therewith a "switching" component actuated by coupling engagement with a mating connector is to be found in Class 439. Search especially Class 439, subclass 188 for an electrical connector having circuit interrupting provision effected by mating.
An electrical connector, per se, may include movable contacts and be in the class of electrical connectors. For example, Search Class 439, subclasses 43+ for an electrical connector with a selectable circuit wherein no details of the circuit structure is set forth; subclasses 152+ for an electrical connector detachable from a mating connector by snap or quick-break action; subclasses 259+ for a connector with a contact moved laterally into engagement with a mating contact in a "zero insertion force device"; subclasses 296+ for an electrical connector with coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in addition to the contact, especially subclasses 310+ for a retaining means with distinct movement-actuating means to move a coupling part axially; and subclasses 374+ for an electrical connector with guiding means for mating of a coupling part. This class (200) has not been screened to verify placement according to this line.
Search should be made in the art or special application classes for circuit-controllers of such special type as to be peculiarly adapted for those arts-- e.g., telegraph keys in Class 178, Telegraphy, telephone-switches in Class 379, Telephonic Communications.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
75, Specialized Metallurgical Processes, Compositions for Use Therein, Consolidated Metal Powder Compositions, and Loose Metal Particulate Mixtures, for patents claiming a metal composition, e.g., an alloy or a composition having a continuous phase of free metal made by consolidating metal particles.
148, Metal Treatment,
400+, for elemental metal or alloys which (a) are the product of a Class 148 process (e.g., heat treated, age hardened), (b) are claimed in terms of specific magnetic properties or as having particular internal structure which affects the magnetic properties, (c) are amorphous, (d) possess the property of shape memory, (e) are the product of a significant Class 164, Metal Founding, step (e.g., chill cast, directionally solidified, etc.), (f) are the product of the dispersion of particulate matter in molten metal which particulate retains its identity in the final product (e.g., dispersion strengthened, etc.).
178, Telegraphy, see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, above.
234, Selective Cutting (e.g., Punching), appropriate subclasses, and particularly
59+, for a pattern-controlled selective cutting machine wherein the pattern sensor may involve electrical circuit-controllers.
252, Compositions, 500+, for electrically conductive compositions and devices defined solely in terms of the composition of which they are composed. Included are contacts and switches defined solely in terms of their composition or stock.
313, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices, appropriate subclasses. Class 313 is the generic class for space discharge devices. See
146+, of Class 313 for discharge devices which are provided with a movable electrode. Some discharge devices are closely analogous in structure to some types of circuit makers and breakers. See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class in Class 313 for the distinction between a space discharge device and a circuit maker and breaker.
314, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices: Consumable Electrodes, appropriate subclasses for electric space discharge devices designed to pass an electric current (e.g., arc, spark, etc.) between two electrodes spaced apart in a vacuum or a gas or vapor atmosphere (including atmospheric air). See Class 314 where the discharge device is provided with an electrode which is consumed during the operation and has means to feed the electrodes together to compensate for the consumption of the electrode.
333, Wave Transmission Lines and Networks,
101+, for plural channel systems including branched circuits with switching, subclass 13 for resonator type breakdown discharge system, e.g., T-R or R-T systems, and subclass 262 for long line elements and components which may perform a switching or blocking function, e.g., long line short
circuiting switches and long line shorting plugs.
334, Tuners,
47+, for tuners which are varied or adjusted by a switching operation which usually involves a make and break type switch.
343, Communications: Radio Wave Antennas,
768, for slot type antennas with periodic control of the slot or coupling; subclass 777 for plural wave guide type antennas with control of the individual antenna; subclass 876 for antennas with switching between the antennas and lines; and subclass 904 for antennas which may be combined with a switch.
361, Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices, 600+, for arrangements of circuit closures on a mounting or in a housing. See also, subclass 115 for specific circuit breaker structure in protection of safety of a system or device.
379, Telephonic Communications, see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, above.
420, Alloys or Metallic Compositions, for alloys containing metal or metallic compositions which contain a continuous phase of metal.
427, Coating Processes,
58+, for coating processes, per se, wherein an electrical product is produced.
428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles, appropriate subclasses, especially
379+, for coated electrical conductors which may include contacts and switches, but which are merely coated bases recited solely as a substrate with a particular coating therein; see also subclasses 411.1+ for a composite web or sheet which is characterized solely by the compositions of the layers.
439, Electrical Connectors, see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, above.