(under subclass 170.1) Device wherein the means is worn away or forever altered in shape just subsequent to or during operation of the device. The 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 runner and which surface 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 part.
173.4, for a device having an erodable or deformable bearing, seal, or liner between a runner* blade* edge and a static part.
