US PATENT SUBCLASS 359 / 515
SIGNAL REFLECTOR

Current as of: June, 1999
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359 /   HD   OPTICS: SYSTEMS (INCLUDING COMMUNICATION) AND ELEMENTS

515SIGNAL REFLECTOR {11}
516  DF  .~> Body carried {3}
520  DF  .~> Moving {3}
527  DF  .~> For a signal source remote from observer
528  DF  .~> Light transmitting from source behind a reflector
529  DF  .~> 3-Corner retroreflective (i.e., cube corner, trihedral, or triple reflector type) {1}
534  DF  .~> Including a curved refracting surface {4}
546  DF  .~> Discrete reflecting elements formed as a unitary mass {2}
549  DF  .~> Rigidly mounted on vehicle {1}
551  DF  .~> Mounted on roadway
552  DF  .~> Mounted adjacent roadway
553  DF  .~> Emergency or temporary reflectors (i.e., portable self standing)

DEFINITION

Classification: 359/515

SIGNAL REFLECTOR:

(under the class definition) Subject matter wherein elements may be specular or diffusing to reflect a light to an observer for signalling purposes.

(1) Note. The presence of a reflector usually is the desired information com-unicated to an observer, i.e., any light, as from an observer's automobile headlights, reflected from the reflector makes the presence of the reflector, and thus danger or need for caution, known to the observer; however, in indented subclass 527, below, some of the reflectors reflect light from a traffic signal light to an observer or reflect light from a source to an observer merely to determine if the source is operating.

(2) Note. The structure of signs with the nominal recitation of a signal reflector are classified in Class 40. In particular an "indicia" design or the conveyance of specific information would be classifiable in Class 40.

(3) Note. Most of the patents in these subclasses relate to highway traffic in the form of indicating the presence of an approaching curve, vehicle, or pedestrian on a roadway.

(5) Note. Since Class 359 is considered superior to Class 116 (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class), the use of a signal reflector as a signal source or indicator will be clasified in Class 359, unless the details of the signals and indicators are specified.

(6) Note. Track reflectors having utility with railroads are classified in Class 246.

(7) Note. A nominal recitation, i.e., no optical limitations, of a signal reflector combined with the specifics of its support is classified in Class 248. (8) Note. The patents of this and indented subclasses are to use the signal reflector to attract attention as opposed to being the source of illumination of Class 362.

(9) Note. A lens, as in a plastic tail light of an automobile used to identify an automobile's presence to a following automobile, is classified in Signal Reflectors (subclasses 515+), rather than Lens (subclasses 642+).

(10) Note. A mirror, located along the side of the road to cause a light flash for identification of the edge of the road as an automobile approaches, is classified in Signal Reflectors (subclasses 515+), rather than Mirror, (subclasses 838+) since a nominal recitation of a mirror claimed with other structure is classified with the other structure.

(11) Note. The combination of an article of clothing and a signal reflector is classified in this subclass since the combination only is classified in Class 2, if not otherwise classifiable.

(12) Note. The combination of an animal collar (i.e., nominal recitation of a collar or harness) together with a signal reflector is classified with the signal reflector of this and indented sub-classes, while a reflector claimed in combination with more than a nominal collar is classified in Class 119, subclass 858.

SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:

514, for signal reflector sealing from mois-ture or foreign particles.

838+, for mirrors which reflect a substantial portion of incident light, but the re-flected light is not used for

signalling purposes.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

36, Boots, Shoes, and Leggings,

137, for light reflecting or illumination at-tached to a shoe. 40, Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting, sub-class 208 for a license plate and reflector,

219, for translucent mirrors with indicia, and subclasses 582+ for illuminated signs which may include reflective elements.

116, Signals and Indicators,

20, for helios:graphic code signaling and subclasses 63+ for mechanical street traffic signalling structure, such as a semphore, light shutter, or pointer.

119, Animal Husbandry,

858, for an animal collar including a reflector.

246, Railway Switches and Signals,

474, for railway track reflectors which are disclosed as having special utility with railroads.

248, Supports,

201+, for brackets and subclasses 466+ for mirror or picture type supports.

250, Radiant Energy,

483.1+, for reflectors including luminescent, fluorescent or phosphorescent material. 264, Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating Processes,

1.9, for reflective type.

301, Land Vehicles: Wheels and Axles,

37, for protectors or trim members.

313, Electric Lamp and Discharge Devices,

113+, for an electric lamp or discharge device with a reflector integral therewith.

340, Communications: Electrical, appropri-ate subclasses for traffic and vehicle signal lights,

815.4+, for visual indicator, and subclass 815.76 for lens type indicator.

342, Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices (e.g., Ra-dar, Radio Navigation),

5+, for radar reflectors, i.e., reflectors of radio frequency waves.

362, Illumination, for artificial illumination means, 459+, contains illumination with vehicle structure, subclasses 296+ for projectors with reflec-tors, and subclasses 341+ for constant reflectors.

404, Road Structure, Process, or Apparatus,

9+, includes reflector support structure combined with road structure.

427, Coating Processes,

162+, for optical element produced.

428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Ar-ticles,

98, for structurally de-fined web or sheet.