US PATENT CLASS 212
Class Notes
Current as of: June, 1999
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DEFINITION
Classification: 212/
Apparatus and methods for lifting a load and shifting it laterally by an elevating means applied through a support from which a load engager is suspended and including one of the following:
A load engager freely suspended by a flexible member.
A bridge* or a boom* on which a load-supporting trolley* is adapted to move to shift the load laterally.
A trolley,* per se.
A vertically swinging boom* claimed without regard to a self-loading or unloading feature (e.g., a bucket, fork, or grab type load engager).
(1) Note. This class is the residual locus for boom sluing or luffing apparatus and subcombinations thereof which are otherwise unprovided for.
(2) Note. Subclasses 71 through 345, inclusive, were not screened during reclassification of the remaining subclasses. Accordingly, those subclasses preceding subclass 71 will be found to contain all relevant patents except those claiming linear hoists.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES In the Class Definition above, regarding vertically swinging booms, apparatus having a vertically swinging boom comprised of relatively movable segments and disclosed as having a self-loading load engager (e.g., a backhoe or steam shovel) are self-loading apparatus and should be considered for Class 414, Material or Article Handling. (Note, however, that in accordance with the other part of the Class Definition, regarding load engagers, if the load engager is suspended by a flexible member, the apparatus is proper for Class 212).
The "lateral shifting" criterion specified in the class definition requires more than merely supporting a hoist on a wheeled vehicle to render the hoist ambulant. See search notes to Class 254 below.
As indicated in the general search notes below, many classes provide for traversing hoists of specific application, which generally include but are not limited to those patents which claim load engager structure peculiar to the specified application.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
5, Beds,
87.1, for a traversing hoist having structure peculiarly adapted for the transfer of invalids to or from a bed.
37, Excavating,
115+, for traversing hoist-type excavators having specifically claimed ground-engaging (digging) structure.
52, Static Structures (e.g., Buildings),
111+, for a rigid elongated member, a section of which is movable relative to another section or a base, and mechanical motive means to effect such movement; subclass 632 for a passive, axially extensible elongated member; and subclasses 633+ for the specific structure of an elongated rigid member, per se. Class 212 is the residual locus for combinations of a load-handler boom and a sluing or luffing mechanism therefor. Class 212, subclasses 347+, contain patents to boom structure, per se, where structure peculiar to load handling is recited (e.g., cable guide, chafing strip, etc.). 105, Railway Rolling Stock,
163.1, for overhead crane trucks (trolleys). Hoisting means or structure peculiar thereto must be claimed for original placement in Class 212.
114, Ships,
365+, for life craft handling, particularly subclasses 368+ for a davit peculiarly adapted for lowering a life craft.
134, Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids,
76+, for cleaning apparatus of the Class 134 type claimed in combination with a traversing hoist to transfer the work.
187, Elevator, Industrial Lift Truck, or Stationary Lift for Vehicle,
222+, for an industrial lift truck or required component thereof (e.g., forklift), and subclasses 240+ for transportable elevator.
254, Implements or Apparatus for Applying Pushing or Pulling Force,
84+, for traversing jacks which lift a load from below and shift it laterally; subclasses 266+ for hoisting drum features; and subclasses 389+ for cable guide structure.
414, Material or Article Handling,
143.1, for ship-charging or discharging apparatus in the nature of a hoist line bucket; subclass 191 for the charging of a chamber of a type utilized for a heating function by means of a driven device for transporting material to and/or into, or into and within, the chamber, and wherein the device comprises a traversing hoist having a material-underlying support or a material-attracting and gripping means; subclasses 391+ for the combination of a driven device external of a wheeled, load-transporting type vehicle for raising or lowering a load which is to be taken from the vehicle, and the vehicle being unloaded thereby; subclass 399 for the combination of a device external of a wheeled, load-transporting type vehicle for raising or lowering a load which is to be moved to the vehicle, and the vehicle being loaded thereby; subclasses 486+ for a self-loading or -unloading vehicle having a load-receiving portion which is pivotable relative to the horizontal, and wherein the vehicle has means to raise a load above said portion for deposit thereon or therein, by way of further explanation, a self-loading or unloading vehicle of that class (414) handles only a load being moved to or from the vehicle; subclasses 540+ for a self-loading or unloading vehicle having a load-handling means which raises or lowers a load in a path which includes vertical, rectilinear movement; subclasses 560+ for traversing hoists combined with additional material-handling means; subclasses 564, 569, and 571 for hoists combined with additional material-handling means; subclass 591 for apparatus having a self-loading grasp suspended below a boom or bridge for guided vertical movement; subclasses 592+ for a hoist with loading or unloading means; and subclasses 680+ for vertically swinging load supports. Class 414 takes the following patents to apparatus having means to raise a load and shift it horizontally:
Those which specifically claim a self-loading engager (e.g., bucket, fork, grab, magnet, etc.) which is not suspended by a flaccid member.
Those which disclose a self-loading engager only and claim a vertically swinging boom comprised of relatively movable segments.
Those which claim the vehicle portion of a vehicle-mounted hoist which is disclosed solely for loading or unloading the vehicle, with the exception of those patents claiming means to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the traversing hoist from the vehicle (Class 212, subclasses 180+).
Those which claim a separate load-transporting vehicle which is to be loaded by the hoist (as disclosed).
Those which are claimed in combination with additional handling means not of the Class 212 type.
452, Butchering,
79, and 178 for a handling device (e.g., traversing hoist) which is peculiar to that art.
483, Tool Changing, generally for a process or apparatus including means to transfer a tool combined with tool support or storage means.
GLOSSARY:
BOOM
An elongated member protruding from a mast, crane body, trolley, or other supporting structure and from which the load is suspended.
BRIDGE
An elongated member supported horizontally at two spaced points and which either serves as or bears a track or guide between the supporting points on which a load-supporting trolley or a traveling bridge is adapted to move.
TROLLEY
A movable carriage adapted to shift a load laterally by moving along a track or other guiding means and which supports or guides a member from which the load is suspended.