(under subclass 173.1) Device wherein the means is worn away or forever altered in shape just subsequent to or during operation of the device. Wear or alteration in shape is by design and usually occurs during device set up, break in, or under particular (i.e., extreme) operating conditions.
(1) Note. A wear surface which merely wears slowly over time due to the action of a working member blade and which is replaced when worn beyond a certain degree is not included in this subclass unless the surface has particular characteristics promoting wear under certain conditions.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
9, for devices including a destructible, fusible, or deformable nonreuseable part.
