US PATENT SUBCLASS 451 / 1
PRECISION DEVICE OR PROCESS - OR WITH CONDITION RESPONSIVE CONTROL

Current as of: June, 1999
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451 /   HD   ABRADING

1PRECISION DEVICE OR PROCESS - OR WITH CONDITION RESPONSIVE CONTROL {7}
2  DF  .~> Condition responsive control for sandblasting {1}
4  DF  .~> Tape controlled
5  DF  .~> Computer controlled
6  DF  .~> By optical sensor
7  DF  .~> Controlling temperature
8  DF  .~> With indicating {2}
11  DF  .~> With feeding of tool or work holder {6}

DEFINITION

Classification: 451/1

PRECISION DEVICE OR PROCESS - OR WITH CONDITION RESPONSIVE CONTROL:

(under the class definition) Process or apparatus comprising use of means for regulating and limiting the depth of cut of the grinder by controlling the feed of the grinder toward the work or of the work toward the grinder.

(1) Note. Means for regulating and limiting the depth of

cut of the grinder are often referred to as "sizing" devices.

(2) Note. The above definition is as it has been for a long time (except that it now includes processes) and under which the indented subclasses (except subclasses 2 and 76) are defined. It is intended that the "condition responsive" art will be collected in this and the indented subclasses, to be defined in the future, as follows: WITH CONDITION RESPONSIVE CONTROL: Abrading (or grinding) under the class definition including the process of or means for: (1) detecting any of the following characteristics: (a) a state or a property; (b) a change in a state or property or an occurrence of a predetermined event in any of the following: (i) a workpiece being abraded; (ii) the abraded product; (iii) the abrading machine or tool; or (iv) the environment of the machine or tool affecting the operation thereof; and (2) initiating or modifying (as a direct result of such detection) a force or impulse other than that generated or transmitted by the detecting means; and, (3) regulating or modifying (as a direct result of such initiation) the operation.

(3) Note. This definition requires that a patent claim at least four instrumentalities or use of same, for original placement herein. One of these is an abrading device. The other three are: (a) a sensor (e.g., a photocell system, trip lever, pressure diaphragm, etc.) to detect a condition stated in (a) of the definition; (b) an activator (e.g., an element to make or break an electric circuit, a clutch, a valve, etc.) to cause a release of energy more than or different from that accounted by mere change in condition (e.g., position, movement, etc.) of the sensor while it is functioning; and, (c) a controller (e.g., a motor or driver for said apparatus) to change or cause the operation of said apparatus. Therefore, a cam follower (or sensor) directly linked to a controller, whereby follower movement directly effects controller movement, is not proper subject matter for this subclass due to lack of an activator as defined. However, the same claimed structure is included herein if, for example, a claimed cam follower is disclosed as breaking an electrical circuit that energizes a motor.

(4) Note. A voluntary act of the person operating the machine (the "operative") is not proper subject matter for this subclass; e.g., disclosure of an abrading machine having an on/off switch adapted to be manipulated by the operative to start or stop the machine (even though the switch initiates a release of energy) is not included under the limitations of this definition.