(under subclass 362) Process which includes a step of using a claimed structural instrumentality or portion thereof (not classifiable in any subclass above 362) for engaging and/or applying force to work to deform it in carrying out the claimed process.
(1) Note. The structural instrumentality may be named as a whole or defined by the recitation of sufficient parts or attributes thereof to enable its identification as metal-deforming apparatus. Thus, claimed recitation of a tool couple, a single deforming tool, or a surface or shape which must necessarily be attributed to a tool will place a patent in this or an indented subclass. Process terms which express or imply specific apparatus, such as, for example, in the underlined expressions below, are appropriate for this subclass: die express, die shape, drop forge, hammer swage, force between surfaces. Examples of process terms which do not denote apparatus limitations for this subclass are: Reduce, enlarge, shape, form, draw, forge, bend, stretch, upset, work, swage. These are manipulative steps capable of accomplishment manually or by unspecified types of apparatus. Search any appropriate subclass above for a process for carrying out an operation classified in such subclass.
