This class includes the elementary structure of a running-gear for a land vehicle, that is, commonly known as a "wheel" or an "axle", per se. The combination of a "significant" wheel or axle with "nominal" other structure, i.e., wherein the wheel or axle comprises the dominant feature or essential part, is also found in this class.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
(1) This class is subordinate to Class 280, Land Vehicles, and distinguishes therefrom by the above definition.
(2) This class is subordinate to Class 180, Motor Vehicles. The broader or more comprehensive combinations of cooperating structure of a wheel and axle with other elements of a motor-vehicle are classified in Class 180. Such cooperating structure on the wheel and axle is found in this class (301) only where its modification is for wheel and axle structure purposes alone.
(3) The combination of a detailed wheel with a detailed brake is found in Class 301. A brake with only enough wheel structure to support the brake is found in Class 188, Brakes.
(4) A wheel or the combination of a wheel with a resilient tire or with a resilient wheel component is normally found in Class 301. A resilient tire, a resilient wheel, or a resilient wheel component is found in Class 152. For example, a resilient tire with a rim including details of the rim allowing the tire to be seated thereon is found in Class 152, but it is found in Class 301 if further including mounting structure for supporting that structure on a bearing hub. A traction-increasing device supported by a wheel, even though combined with a resilient tire, is found in Class 301, but another traction-increasing device operative to engage the tread of the tire and permit resilient operation thereof is found in Class 152.
(5) A device which functions as a transportation means for a vehicle, but which is not a true wheel, is found in Class 180, Motor Vehicles, subclasses 7.1+; and Class 305, Wheel Substitutes for Land Vehicles.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
29, Metal Working,
894.3+, for a process of making (including assembling) a wheel or wheel part.
74, Machine Element or Mechanism, for a casing for an axle; or for an axle (especially a motor vehicle axle) which involves improvement in the gear casing or in the gearing. An axle housing, per se (which may be recited as an "axle") is found in Class 301.
152, Resilient Tires and Wheels (see Lines With Other Classes, 4, above).
180, Motor Vehicles (see Note 2 and Lines With Other Classes and With This Class, above).
280, Land Vehicles, for a vehicle riding on a runner(s) or for a runner, per se. (see Lines With Other Classes, (1) above.)
305, Wheel Substitutes for Land Vehicles,
7, for a rigid circular track provided with a wheel or roller within the track the axis of which is eccentrically positioned with relation to the axis of the track, said wheel or roller being adapted to roll on a lower portion of the track, and subclasses 124+ for wheels especially modified to be used in flexible track apparatus for land vehicles. For a patent claiming a wheel, per se, to be placed in Class 305 the wheel as disclosed must include structure which coacts with a track part, such as a flanged rim, or a grooved rim which structure is adapted to interengage with a portion of a flexible track. A wheel which does not incorporate such structure, even though disclosed as being a flexible track-supporting wheel, is classified in this class (301). 384, Bearings, for a vehicle wheel bearing.
474, Endless Belt Power Transmission Systems or Components, particularly