US PATENT CLASS 256
Class Notes
Current as of: June, 1999
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DEFINITION
Classification: 256/
This class includes that type of building structures commonly designated "fences" and characterized by a relatively low, generally openwork, structure adapted to serve the purposes of a barrier.
Those fences in which a part breaks, gives way, or separates under abnormal conditions are classified herein with the type of fence to which the invention is applied.
Posts described for use in fences, but which are of more general application, are classified under the more general appropriate building structure classes. Posts are included herein only when specially adapted for a fence and are classified with the type of fence to which they are adapted.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
24, Buckles, Buttons, Clasps, etc.,
68+, especially 71.1, for line stretchers or tighteners of general utility. Wire fences with stretching devices are in this class (256), subclasses 37+. Connectors between parts of a fence are classified in this class (256) with the type of fence involved. Class 24, subclasses 305+ provides for combinations of two or more simple forms of fastenings not for connecting fence parts.
49, Movable or Removable Closures, appropriate subclasses, for that movable portion of a fence commonly known as a "gate" and characterized by a normally open and closed position. A panel, per se, of general application, although forming part of a gate, is classified in
73, of this class (256). 52, Static Structures (e.g., Buildings), appropriate subclasses for barriers, poles and posts of more general application, particularly
40, for a shaft with an article support, 102 for an earth supported coping or edging, 103+ for a land marker or monument, 113 for a shaft with a spring actuated return, 153+ for a shaft with an embedded wing-type brace, 155+ and 166 for an earth anchor, 292+ for a footing for a vertical shaft, 300+ vertical structure with a cap, 415+ for a brick and mortar-type barrier, 633+ for openwork, e.g., lattice or
grating, and 720.1+ for elongated rigid members and see the reference to Class 256 in class definition of Class 52.
403, Joints and Connections, appropriate subclasses for joints of general utility. Connectors between parts of a fence are classified in this class (256) with the type fence involved.
404, Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus,
6+, for a traffic guide or barrier structure and subclasses 9+, for a traffic director structure.
405, Hydraulic and Earth Engineering, appropriate subclasses for earthwork barriers, especially
30+, for openwork wave or flow dissipating barriers. Fence structure, per se, of earthwork is classified in this class (256), subclass 19.
428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles,
544+, for stock materials, e.g., of indefinite length, which are all metal or have adjacent metal components. See the notes in the main Class Definition of Class 428.
GLOSSARY:
STRUCTURAL As used herein, this term applies to any relatively rigid slat or bar member used as an element of a fence.
WIRE
As used herein, this term includes not only metallic but also any nonmetallic rope, cord, or strand.