1. This class is the generic class for instruments or portions of instruments employed for the measurement of time passage in units of hours, minutes, seconds, or fractions thereof or the like.
2. Also this class is the residual class for systems or devices or portions thereof, so constituted as to effect (i.e., control) the operation of the time measuring instrument.
B. SUBCOMBINATIONS OF TIME PIECE SYSTEMS OR DEVICES
1. This class includes signal indicators (e.g., alarms, striking mechanisms, displays, etc.) specially designed for operation with or by time measuring instruments.
2. Similarly, other parts of time measuring instruments, (e.g., time bases, escapements, oscillators, etc.) relating to the subject matter of other classes but designed to function as components of timepiece systems or devices are classified in this class.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
COMBINATIONS OF OTHER APPARATUS WHICH INCLUDE APPARATUS OFTHIS CLASS
A. Subject matter where the time measuring system or device is controlled by a disparate device is classified here only if not elsewhere classifiable. B. Noninteractive combinations of disparate devices and time measuring systems or devices are classifiable here if the time measuring art is more than nominally claimed, or not elsewhere classifiable.
C. This class does not include the following subject matter:
(1) Excepting the apparatus combinations as provided for in the Class Definition, B, and in Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, paragraphs A and B above, systems or devices or portions thereof whose operation is affected (i.e., controlled) by a time measuring mechanism.
(2) Systems or devices which perform computations involving time or nontime parameters with an output time signal or indication (e.g., average wait time, estimated time of arrival, etc.), such subject matter can be found elsewhere. (See References to Other Classes, below.)
(3) Systems or devices where the time indicating means is a tracing, marking, or the like made by a recording instrument is excluded, such subject matter being proper elsewhere. (See References to Other Classes, below.)
(4) Sundials and like instruments which measure time by the position of a shadow are classified elsewhere. (See References to Other Classes, below.)
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
7, Compound Tools,
101+, for compound tools for watchmaking or repair.
29, Metal Working, 896.3+, 231+, and 807+ for processes of timepiece assembly.
33, Geometrical Instruments,
268+, for straight-line ray-type celestial instruments with time indicators, e.g., sundials.
33, Geometrical Instruments, for sundials and like instruments which measure time by the position of a shadow. (Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Combinations of Other Apparatus")
40, Card, Picture, or Sign Exhibiting,
107+, and 358 for printed or painted display calendars; and subclass 335 for pen or pencil carried calendar indicator.
63, Jewelry, for timepiece jewelry attachments or housings.
73, Measuring and Testing,
1.43+, for proving or calibrating of timepieces.
81, Tools,
6+, and 122+ for watchmakers tools.
84, Music, 484, for metronomes or the like.
116, Signals and Indicators,
206+, for chemically activated time lapse indicators.
206, Special Receptacle or Package,
301+, for timepiece storage or shipping cases.
224, Package and Article Carriers,
152, and 164 through 180 for timepiece carriers, e.g., watch bracelet.
235, Registers,
114, for time register mechanisms.
248, Supports,
114+, for external supports for timepieces. 283, Printed Matter,
2+, for printed calendars, per se.
331, Oscillators,
3, for atomic clocks devices.
340, Communications: Electrical,
825+, 870.01+, 914, and 926 for electrical communications involving time signals.
342, Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices (e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation),
61+, and 73+ for systems in which the time interval between transmission and reception of a returned radio wave is determined.
1+, for visual display systems with selective electrical control.
346, Recorders, appropriate subclasses for time measuring apparatus where the time-indicating means is a tracing, marking or the like made by a recording instruments. (see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Combinations of Other Apparatus")
359, Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements, appropriate subclasses, especially 36+, for liquid crystal electro-optical display systems and devices.
360, Dynamic Magnetic Information Storage or Retrieval,
12, for time announcement machines controlled by condition responsive (not time) devices.
377, Electrical Pulse Counters, Pulse Dividers, or Shift Registers: Circuits and Systems, for pulse counters and pulse counting systems, especially
20, for pulse counters used for measuring time combined with measurement of another parameter.
379, Telephonic Communications,
13, 70+, 114+, 131+, and 190+ for telephone time announcement and timing mechanisms.
434, Education and Demonstration,
304, for educational time teaching devices.
455, Telecomunications,
231, and 344 for clock radio combinations. 701, Data Processing: Vehicles, Navigation, and Relative Location,
203, for systems or devices which perform computations involving time or nontime parameters with an output time signal or indication (e.g., average wait time, estimated time of arrival, etc.). (see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Combinations of Other Apparatus")
702, Data Processing: Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing,
176+, for time duration or rate measuring.
705, Data Processing: Financial, Business Practice, Management, or Cost/Price Determination,
418, for systems or devices which perform computations involving time or nontime parameters with an output time signal or indication (e.g., average wait time, estimated time of arrival, etc.). (see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Combinations of Other Apparatus")
968, Horology, for U. S. patents relating to horology classified according to the European Patent Classification System (EPC), the concept to horology in the EPC is based on an industry type philosophy and therefore encompasses significantly more subject matter than is provided in Class 368, and includes, e.g., conventional clocks and watches, electronic time-pieces, sun dials, watchmakers, or watch repair tools, calibration, etc.