U.S. patents available from 1976 to present.
U.S. patent applications available from 2005 to present.

Icon_funbox Bizarre Patents

Patent No. 5979328

Vehicular Impact Signaling Device

An apparatus for the deployment of a visible plume to alert other motorists that a proximate motor vehicle has been involved in a collision.

Newsletter  PatentStorm News

Make the Most of Our Site

See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.

Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.

Registered users: Manage your profile.

 

Class 160 - Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel

RSS Feeds for this Class: Rss Patents   Rss Applications   What is RSS?
434 Subclasses


Subclasses list

Definition

A. This is the generic class for:

(1) Devices in the form of one or more flexible panel units (see paragraph B of this section);

(2) Devices in the form of panel units made up for plural strips, slats, or panels interconnected for relative motion (see paragraph C of this section);

(3) Devices in the form of panel units or partitions, including those completely rigid and/or portable, having means combined therewith for facilitating the passage of insects therethrough in one direction and preventing or making their passage difficult in the reverse direction (see subclass 12 and the notes thereunder);

(4) Devices in the form of portable partitioning panel units (see subclass 351 and the notes thereunder);

(5) Combinations of (1) through (5) with each other, with rigid panel units, including rigid closures, or with other structure not elsewhere provided for (see subclass 127 and the notes thereunder).

B. Flexible panel units are considered to be all those in which a flexible fabric or other flexible sheet material forms the panel portion, even though it may have a rigid frame, rigid enforcements, rigid support means for one or more edges thereof, or combinations of these features.

C. Panel units made up of plural strips, slats or panels interconnected for relative motion include all units in which means are provided for directly connecting adjacent elements together to provide for relative motion therebetween. The individual strip, slat or panel elements may be rigid. The relative motion provided may be, for example, one or more relative swinging or pivotal motions, relative sliding motions, or combinations of such motions.

Panel units made up of plural rigid strips, slats or panels are not considered to be interconnected for relative motion and are, therefore, excluded (1) where a single strip, slat or panel is movably connected to a second strip, slat or panel which is immovably mounted or supported or (2) where the only connection therebetween is a common operator and/or a common support.

Such common support may be a single frame having either or both (1) rigid strips, slats or panels immovably mounted thereon, (2) rigid strips, slats or panels movably mounted thereon and connected only through the frame and/or by common operating means.

D. These devices are termed, for example, closure, partition, weather protective, ventilation, ornamentation and like devices, more specifically called awnings, curtains, shades, blinds, gates, doors, windows, shutters, screens, roll tops for desks, picture screens, fire place screens, photographic backgrounds, vehicle storm fronts, shields, visors, robes or aprons, etc.

E. Since this is the generic class, it takes the subject matter specified in paragraphs A to C only when of a character not provided for in some other main class, for which see the notes below.

F. The devices classified in this class and detailed in paragraphs A - C, supra, have been generically termed flexible and portable panels. Those closures and panels not of the flexible panel type, have been generically called rigid closures and rigid panels. See References to Other CLasses, below.

Lines with other classes and within this class

The following notes are those considered necessary to stand out in connection with the main class definition. Many of them are repeated in connection with subclass definitions, and other notes to other main classes occur only under the particular subclasses to which they are pertinent.

(1) Note. Combinations. In general, art devices of which a flexible or portable panel is but a part are classified with the appropriate art and cross-referenced in this class when the disclosure of structure of the panel, its mounting and/or operating means warrants the same. However, combinations of flexible or portable panels as above defined, with other closures or panels (herein called rigid closures or rigid panels) are in this class, subclasses 19+ and subclasses 87+. (2) Note. Enclosures. This class does not have flexible or portable panels related to each other or to other structure to form enclosures. For such devices, see the class appropriate to the type of enclosure claimed, as the various receptacle, cabinet, building structure, tent, vehicle, etc., classes; and also Class 128, Surgery, subclass 205.26. Enclosures should be distinguished from this Class 160 subclasses 19+ and other nonplanar flexible and portable panel arrangements such as are in subclasses 45+ (including subclass 53 and subclasses 56+), 86, 88, 131+, 183, 262, and 352. (3) Note. Support Subcombinations. For classification of support subcombinations for flexible and portable panels of the hanging and drape type, see References to Other Classes. (4) Note. Other Subcombinations Elsewhere Classified. In general, elemental parts of flexible and portable panels, which are useful in other relations and which have attained a separate status in the art as separate subjects matter for invention are provided for in other main classes. When proper provision could not be found, such parts or subcombinations were left in this class (160). General notes to: Stock Material (e.g., web, sheet, strand) will be found in Class 428. Stock Material or Miscellaneous Articles. (5) Note. Joints, in general, will be found in Class 403, Joints and Connections. However, fabric fastening means and joints of flexible and portable panels are classified in this class (160), subclasses 382+ and related art is set forth in the notes to such subclasses. Strand Guides will be found in either Class 16, Miscellaneous Hardware, subclasses 2.1+, 94+, 210+, 215, and 219; Class 74, Machine Element or Mechanism, when used in apparatus which transmits power between element of a machine or an adjustable article; or Class 254, Implements or Apparatus for Applying Pushing or Pulling Force, subclasses 389+ when used with the implements or apparatus which bodily moves a load between two locations. See Class 15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning, subclass 246, where combined with means to wipe or clean cord or rope; and Class 24, Buckles, Buttons, Clasps, etc., subclasses 115+ where combined with cord and rope holding means. (6) Note. Making of closures, partitions and panels, flexible and portable. Single step methods and single operation apparatus for making devices here classified, and subcombinations thereof, will be found in the various manufacturing classes. Plural step methods and plural operation apparatus, not otherwise classified, are found in Class 29, Metal Working, particularly subclass 24.5 for the assembly or combined making and assembly of venetian blinds, and the Notes in that class (29) refer to other appropriate loci. (7) Note. For devices designed for covering a supporting surface to receive wear which could otherwise meet the definitions of this class, see References to Other Classes. (8) Note. Pistons and followers of the flexible panel type have been excluded from this class and may be found in the pertinent subclasses of Classes 217, Wooden Receptacles; 220, Receptacles; 222, Dispensing and 92, Expansible Chamber Devices. (9) Note. Where any device or combination of devices classifiable in this class has an associated roll or roller, the roll or roller operating means will be either classified or cross-referenced in subclasses 238+. (10) Note. For designs for flexible and portable closures, partitions, and panels, such as curtains, shades, screens, gates, etc., and for designs of parts usable therewith, see References to Other Classes. LINE WITH CLASS 211, CLASS 160, AND CLASS 16 Class 211, Supports: Racks, particularly subclasses 87.01+ for the structure of both single and plural rods or other elongated elements claimed in combination with mounting means (including those of the bracket type) constructed to movably support the elongated element and having operating means, and also takes nonmovably mounted single or plural rods where features or rod structure in addition to the connection between the rod and bracket are claimed (not pertaining to the means for fastening the hanging or drape fabric). Features in addition to the above, claiming the fabric either broadly or specifically, means to fasten the fabric to the elongated element, means to operate the fabric, etc., cause classification in Class 160, Flexible or Portable Closure, Partition, or Panel or Class 16, Miscellaneous Hardware. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, (3) Note) LINE WITH CLASS 248, CLASS 211, CLASS 160, AND CLASS 16 Class 248, Supports, particularly subclasses 251+ take the bracket mountings for both single and plural poles or other elongated elements both, per se, and in combination with the pole or elongated element where only those features pertaining to the connection with the bracket (see the reference in this note to Class 211) are claimed, and even though the bracket is adjustable, where no operating means (see the reference in this note to Class 211) are claimed. Where features other than above enumerated are claimed, see Classes 211, Supports: Racks; 16, Miscellaneous Hardware, and 160, Flexible or Portable Closure, Partition, or Panel. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, (3) Note, for related information.)

 
Sign InRegister
Username  
Password   
forgot password?