US PATENT SUBCLASS 356 / 372
BY MENSURATION

Current as of: June, 1999
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356 /   HD   OPTICS: MEASURING AND TESTING

372BY MENSURATION {8}
373  DF  .~> Of article displacement {1}
375  DF  .~> Of position
376  DF  .~> Of contour or profile {1}
378  DF  .~> Of cavities
379  DF  .~> Of area or volume {1}
381  DF  .~> Of thickness {1}
383  DF  .~> Of length
384  DF  .~> Of width or diameter {2}

DEFINITION

Classification: 356/372

BY MENSURATION:

(under the class definition) Subject matter including means for determining quantifiable characteristics of an article, such as a dimension, the area of a surface or its precise position with respect to a reference.

(1) Note. This subclass and those indented thereunder provide for the actual measuring or comparing of articles where an image of the article and a scale are viewed. If only the image of a scale is viewed the patent is classified in Class 359, subclasses 436+; or Class 353 if projection is involved. If only the image of the article is viewed the patent is classified in Class 359, subclass 373, where a compound lens system is employed; or in Class 353 if projection of an image is present.

(2) Note. Article testing devices where a mechanical pickup or feeler engages or contacts the workpiece even though significant optical structure is recited in the claims are classified elsewhere.

(3) Note. In general, photocells together with optical structure in the light path are classified elsewhere. For classification in these subclasses 372+ of Class 356, the photocell and optical combination must be so related as to or must include structure to give an indication of the measurement such as being within or without the range of tolerance with the light beam is passed to the profile of the master or article under test.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

138+, for angle measurement.

355+, and 357+, for mensuration involving light interference.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS 33, Geometrical Instruments, especially

501+, for testing devices including a feeler which contact the article. See (2) Note above.

250, Radiant Energy,

216+, for photocells together with optical structure in the light path; subclass 358 for object measurement involving

nonvisible radiant energy. See (3) Note above.

359, Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,

373, for object comparison compound lens systems; subclasses 436+ for scale readers; and subclasses 798+ and 804+ for object viewing structure involving lenses generally, i.e., not compound.