A. This is the generic class for a power transmission system wherein a power input pulley* is in driving engagement with a belt* for advancing the belt along an endless path of travel and wherein a power output pulley is engaged with the belt at a position along such endless path to be driven by the belt and supply power for driving a load; or for a component part or auxiliary device intended for use in such system and not provided for elsewhere.
B. This is also the generic class for structure, per se, in the form of a pulley*, guide roll* or other belt*-contacting structure for driving, guiding, tensioning, or shifting the belt, or for such structure in combination with a nominally claimed belt.
(1) Note. A nominal recitation of a load device in combination with and driven by the power transmission system defined in the Class Definition, paragraph A of the General Statement of Class Subject Matter, above, will not exclude a patent from being placed in this class.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
A method or apparatus for manufacturing a device of this class is not found herein, but is found in an appropriate manufacturing class. See References to Other Classes, below.
A belt*, per se, is found in numerous classes as will be exemplified in the search and line notes below. Unless a line note is specifically provided in the SEARCH CLASS notes below, a patent claiming a belt, per se, is properly classified in this or another class providing for such belt if the sole disclosure is for subject matter provided for in such class, or in Class 428 depending on the line established between such class and Class 428. If there is disclosure for multiple intended uses for the belt, one of which is for a power transmission system as defined in the above paragraph A of the General Statement of Class Subject Matter, then the patent is properly classified in this class (474) unless
there is at least one claim specific to the intended use in another class, in which instance classification is in the other class.
Class 198, Class 226, and Class 254 provide specifically for a device, per se, in the nature of a pulley*, guide roll*, or other device for advancing, guiding, or directing a cable or web of flexible or articulated material, which may be endless, along an intended path of travel. In Class 198, the intended use of such device is in connection with an endless conveyor. In Class 226, the intended use of such device is in connection with feeding of material of indefinite length to a station where an operation is to be performed on the material. In Class 254, the intended use of such device is in connection with a cable for applying a pushing or pulling force to an object to be moved. In each of these classes, line notes should be inspected as to the line between themselves or between other classes. However, the line between these other classes (198, 226, and 254) and this class (474) is as follows: (a) if the sole disclosure of the device, per se, mentioned above is for intended use in a system provided for in the Class Definition, paragraph A of the General Statement of Class Subject Matter of this class (474) or if the disclosure is unclear as to intended use but it is apparent that the device may be used in said system, classification is in this class (474); (b) if the sole disclosure of the device, per se, mentioned above is for intended use in connection with the kind of device identified above with regard to one of the other classes (198, 226, or 254), then classification is in such other classes; (c) if there is disclosure of multiple intended uses for the device, one of which is appropriate for the system provided for in the Class Definition, paragraph A of the General Statement of Class Subject Matter of this class (474), then classification is in this class unless there is at least one claim specific to the intended use in one of the other classes (198, 226, or 254), in which instance classification is in the other class. This class was formed from patents in Class 74, subclasses 216.5-258 (inclusive), and in Class 74, subclasses 611 and 722. Regarding class superiority as between this class (474) and Class 74, all subclasses appearing in the Class 74 schedule above subclass 640 are superior to the class. Furthermore, a combination of a device of this subclass with a Class 74 device as may be found in Class 74, subclasses 650, 655, 661, 664, 670, 718, 720, 721, 745+, or 190-216.3 (inclusive) is considered superior to this class. This class is superior to all other subclasses in Class 74 indented under subclass 640 and to all other subclasses coordinate with Class 74, subclass 640, but lower in the Class 74 schedule than subclass 640.
Caveat. Other than the patents involved in the formation of this class as identified in above, no other subclasses in Class 74 or any other class were screened; and so, when appropriate other search areas in Class 74 and in the classes
indentified in the Search Notes below should be given consideration.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning, particularly
256.5+, for a cleaning device mounted to act on a moving surface, and see (1) Note following the definition of subclass 92 of this class (474) for a statement of the line.
16, Miscellaneous Hardware, particularly
210+, for sash cord guide.
19, Textiles: Fiber Preparation, particularly
244+, for a fiber drafting apron in the form of an endless band; and subclasses 240+ for a variable speed device operating in connection with a fiber drafting roll.
24, Buckles, Buttons, Clasps, etc., particularly 31+, for a device for connecting opposite ends of a band to form a belt*. A connector, per se, is in Class 24, but a connector claimed in combination with belt structure is in this class (474).
29, Metal Working, particularly
892+, for a method of making a pulley* or guide roll* (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, above.).
30, Cutlery, particularly
380, and 381+ for a hand-manipulable cutting implement in the form of an endless band or chain.
57, Textiles: Spinning, Twisting, and Twining, particularly
21, for an aparatus for forming an endless band by a twisting or twining operation; subclasses 104+ for a belt* power transmission for driving a spinning, twisting, or twining mechanism; and subclass 201 for an endless band formed by a spinning, twisting, or twining operation.
59, Chain, Staple, and Horseshoe Making, for a method or apparatus for manufacturing a device found in Class 474. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, above.)
59, Chain, Staple, and Horseshoe Making, particularly
1+, for a method or apparatus for making a chain; and subclasses 78+ for a general purpose or ornamental chain.
72, Metal Deforming, 409.15, for apparatus to apply a deformable metal belt clip.
74, Machine Element or Mechanism, appropriate subclasses for other power transmission systems and components, and see Lines With Other Classes, and Within This Class, above.
83, Cutting, particularly
788+, for cutting device in the form of an endless band or chain. Regarding Class 83 or any other cutting class, a patent claiming a belt*, per se, for carrying a cutting element is classified in this class (474) unless there is a claim reciting a cutting element, such as a cutting tip or blade which is to perform a cutting function.
104, Railways,
172.1+, and 173.1+ for chain or cable car propelling means.
105, Railway Rolling Stock, particularly
101+, for a rolling stock wheel or axle drive system in the form of a belt* and pulley* drive; and subclasses 105+ for a belt tightener for such a drive system.
106, Compositions: Coating or Plastic, particularly
36, for a coating or plastic composition used to enhance friction grip such as on a pulley*.
156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, particularly
137+, for a method of making a belt*, and see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, above. 162, Paper Making and Fiber Liberation, particularly
348+, for an endless band forming mold used in producing liquid laid fibrous products; subclass 257 for automatic control of transverse movement of such a forming mold; and subclass 273 for means to maintain a desired degree of tension in an endless forming surface.
180, Motor Vehicles, particularly
230, 231, 239, 241, 251, 350+, 357, 366, and 373 for a motor vehicle including an endless band for transmitting drive to the wheels.
184, Lubrication, appropriate subclasses for lubrication systems in general, and particularly
15.1+, for a chain or cable lubricator. If the structure of a belt*, pulley* or guide roll* is modified for the purpose
of facilitating admission of lubricant, classification is in Class 474, but lubrication devices and systems are in Class 184.
185, Motors: Spring, Weight, or Animal Powered, particularly
16, for a belt* intended to be driven by an animal treading on the belt.
187, Elevator, Industrial Lift Truck, or Stationary Lift for Vehicle,
251+, for means for raising or lowering an elevator car which includes a car supporting cable.
191, Electricity: Transmission to Vehicles, particularly 63+, for a trolley head mounted for rolling contact with an electric conductor.
198, Conveyors: Power-Driven, particularly
804+, for an endless conveyor, and see the line notes in Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, above. See also a listing of the other classes having structure pertinent to an endless conveyor following the definition of subclass 804 in Class 198, and a listing of classes pertinent to belt* tighteners following the definition of subclass 813 in Class 198.
211, Supports: Racks, particularly
119.02+, for an endless cable clothesline with supporting and tightening structure.
226, Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length, appropriate subclasses for structure for driving or guiding material of indeterminate length, and see the line note in Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, above.
242, Winding and Reeling, appropriate subclasses for a reel, spool, guide, or tensioning device used in connection with winding of flexible material.
248, Supports, particularly
646+, for a support for a movable machine wherein adjustability may provide a belt*-tensioning feature.
254, Implements or Apparatus for Applying Pushing or Pulling Force, appropriate subclasses for a drum or guide intended to be used in connection with a cable for applying a pulling or pushing force to an object to be moved, and see the lines notes in Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, above.
280, Land Vehicles, particularly 250, and 261 for a land vehicle having a belt or chain power transmission.
305, Wheel Substitutes for Land Vehicles, appropriate subclasses for an endless track intended for use as a wheel substitute on a land vehicle.
318, Electricity: Motive Power Systems, for electric motor control, and particularly
6+, for control of tension in material being driven; subclass 10 for control of forward or reverse of a device being driven; subclass 11 for control for variable speed of a device being driven; and subclass 15 for electric motor driven gearing including belt and pulley drive systems.
322, Electricity: Single Generator Systems,
42, for control for a belt drive in such a system; and subclass 43 for control of belt slip.
384, Bearings, appropriate subclasses for bearings, per se, which may be used with a pully* or guide roll*.
399, Electrophotography,
162+, for photoconductive belt members and subclasses 297+ for transfer, particularly subclass 313 for roller or belt electrostatic transfer.
403, Joints and Connections, appropriate subclasses for connections, per se, and particularly
230+, for a connection between the side of a member and a rod extending transverse thereto.
428, Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles, appropriate subclasses for stock material, and see the reference to Class 474 in the Class Definition of Class 428. 433, Dentistry,
105, and 110+ for dental apparatus including an endless belt transmission.
451, Abrading,
296+, for an abrading tool comprising an endless band; and subclass 311 for a tightener for an abrading band.
464, Rotary Shafts, Gudgeons, Housings, and Flexible Couplings for Rotary Shafts, particularly
51+, for a flexible connection between a shaft and a driven member.
475, Planetary Gear Transmission Systems or Components for planetary gear transmissions combined with a device of Class 474.
477, Interrelated Power Delivery Controls, Including Engine Control, especially
44+, for interrelated engine and belt-type transmission control.
492, Roll or Roller, for a roll, per se, not elsewhere provided for, and see the search notes thereunder.
GLOSSARY: The following Glossary will define certain terms used in the class and subclass definitions of this class so as to facilitate understanding and simplify such definitions.
BELT
A power transferring member forming an endless loop and constructed of flexible material or of articulated rigid links to permit the member to conform to a radius of curvature of a pulley* drive face and intended, in use, to be driven in an endless path; and, by contact with the pulley drive face, to transmit power to or extract power from the pulley.
PULLEY
A device rotatable about an axis and having a drive face radially spaced from the axis of rotation for intended power transferring engagement with a belt* to drive the belt on its endless path or to extract power from the belt to drive an output load device.
GUIDE ROLL
A device rotatable about an axis and having a belt*-contacting face radially spaced from the axis of rotation for intended engagement with the belt to aid in directing the belt along an intended path of travel. A guide roll, as distinguished from a pulley*, is not intended to provide driving power to, or extract power from, a belt.