US PATENT CLASS 482
Class Notes
Current as of: June, 1999
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DEFINITION
Classification: 482/
This class provides for apparatus intended to be operated by a human user for the purpose of: (a) facilitating the conditioning or developing of a muscle of the user by repetitive or continuous activity of the user or, (b) participating in a track, field, gymnastic, or athletic activity, unless by analogy of structure or by other function the apparatus is classified elsewhere.
(1) Note. In some of the definitions of subclasses hereunder, the phrase "significance is attributed" is used to describe a function that is the primary use of the structure of patents therein. The structure of the apparatus may be capable of use for other purposes, but the claimed disclosure of the patent so placed indicates the intended primary function of the structure as that described by the title and definition of the subclass.
(2) Note. Conditioning or developing a muscle includes helping a user, e.g., an infant or invalid, to walk or learn how to walk unless provided for elsewhere. See Subclass References to the Current Class, below.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
Apparatus claimed for measuring the amount of force exerted while exercising with a Class 482 type exercise apparatus is proper for Class 482. Apparatus intended for use only in measuring the strength of an individual for a testing purpose
or for measuring the strength of an individual while exercising but not claiming any positive exerciser structure is found elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below. A reference claiming a diagnostic or other exercise measurement type feature, e.g., pulse monitoring, repetition counting, respiratory function, etc., in addition to strength testing or claiming a feature related to monitoring stamina would generally be classified in this class (482) unless a placement controlling claim directed solely to use as a diagnostic device is present thus making it proper for classification elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below.
Patents placed into this class in accordance with part (a) of this class definition clearly show that the disclosed purpose is to condition or develop the user's own body through active user involvement, i.e., not caused by external stimulation. Apparatus operated by a person or machine to move the body of the user, i.e., passive user involvement, for a similar purpose are classified as originals elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
51, see the Search Class notes, for apparatus intended to help a user to walk or learn how to walk. REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
73, Measuring and Testing, particularly
379.01+, for a device for measuring and testing of muscular strength. See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, above.
84, Music,
465+, for an exercise device for a musician.
104, Railways, particularly
62, for a railway vehicle traveling along a fixed track and used for physical training.
116, Signals and Indicators, for a mechanical signal or indicator, per se.
119, Animal Husbandry, particularly
29+, for an exercise device for an animal.
135, Tent, Canopy, Umbrella, or Cane, particularly 65+, for a cane, stick, crutch, swagger stick, walker, etc. used to aid human locomotion. Also see Subclass References
to the Current Class, above.
280, Land Vehicles, for a wheeled walker, skates, skis, bicycle, or other land vehicle having user propelling structure. Also see Subclass References to the Current Class, above.
297, Chairs and Seats, particularly
5+, for a walker provided with a seat whereby the user may either stand or sit.
340, Communications: Electrical, particularly
573.1+, for an electrical alarm or indicator responsive to a condition of a human body or animal.
364, Electrical Computers and Data Processing Systems, particularly
410.1+, for a computer or data processing system related to an athletic contest.
434, Education and Demonstration, particularly
258+, for a device used for developing or testing coordination.
441, Buoys, Rafts, and Aquatic Devices, particularly 55+, for a swimming aid to increase stroke efficiency and subclasses 65+ for a water skimming or walking device.
472, Amusement Devices, for an amusement device in general and particularly
1+, for an amusement roundabout, subclasses 85+ for a race track or accessory therefor, subclasses 92+ for a surface or enclosure for an athletic or exhibition event and subclass 136 for an amusement building or part thereof.
473, Games Using Tangible Projectile, for a device related to a contest of skill and where the result can be determined based upon a rule, and
441+, in particular, for a tackling or blocking dummy used in football practice
600, Surgery,
300+, for apparatus used for the medical evaluation of the condition of a living body by a diagnostician. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, above).
601, Surgery: Kinesitherapy,
23+, for a passively used exercise device (See Lines With
Other Classes and Within This Class, above).