DefinitionSUBJECT MATTER OF THE CLASS (A) The purpose of this class is to provide a search for subject matter directed to means for driving a tool and also reciting some feature relating to the tool, or reciting a combination of features peculiar to driving a tool which cause separate classification in the specific motor classes, and in the specific machine element and mechanism classes to be impractical, but which subject matter is of such general application in the tool arts that separate classification in each specific tool class is also impractical. (B) The term, tool, as used in this class means primarily a work contacting element which functions to effect some physical alteration in the work, such as chipping or boring, but is also used to include other elements which are driven in the same manner as such a tool (e.g., a nail or post). It must be noted, however, as explained in the next paragraph, that a means which impacts a tool is not in itself, regarded as a tool. (C) The term, impacting device, as used in this class defines a means including a mass of material (i.e., hammer head) which is specifically intended to deliver an impact or blow to a tool as defined in paragraph B and is not itself a tool but is defined as a species of means for driving a tool. (D) This class, in accordance with the purpose of paragraph A, provides for an impacting device, as defined in paragraph C, or a means to actuate the hammer head of an impacting device, said impacting device or means to actuate said hammer head being claimed in combination with at least one of the following features relating to a tool as defined in paragraph B: (1) a nominally recited tool, (2) a means to retain or hold a tool to receive a blow, (3) a means to align a tool with respect to the hammer head to receive a blow, or (4) a means (anvil) situated between the hammer head and a tool and which is intended to transmit a blow from the hammer head to the tool. (E.) This class also provides for a motor and/or a machine element or mechanism for driving a tool claimed in combination with one or more of the following: (1) a means for causing, controlling, or selectively preventing the advancing movement of a driven tool, (2) a cleansing means, i.e., a means for cleaning the area of tool operation or (3) a manipulating handle. In the absence of a separate drive means, a means to cause, control or selectively prevent advance claimed in combination with a cleansing means will be classified in this class. (F) This class also provides for processes of operating apparatus included under the class definition and not claiming any additional feature limiting the process to a particular art. (G) This class also is intended to provide for subject matter in accordance with the purpose of paragraph A not specifically provided for in paragraphs D, E and F or excluded by paragraphs H and J. Examples of such subject matter are means for driving a tool combined with (1) a vehicle support for the drive, (2) work engaging means supporting the drive or (3) means to adjust the position of the axis of tool advance. This class also includes subcombinations of impacting device structure which are not elsewhere classifiable such as a specific means to transmit an impact from a hammer head to a tool. (H) This class is not intended to provide original classification for a claim having any specific recitation of (1) the work contacting portion of the tool, (2) plural, cooperating tools (e.g., angularly related tools), (3) and underlying work support opposed to the tool, or (4) any other specifically recited feature pointing to classification in a particular tool art and not provided for in this definition. An exception to (1) is that the recitation of the work contacting portion of the tool as being broadly provided with a cleansing fluid passage or port is not considered to define the work contacting portion of the tool with sufficient specificity to preclude classification from Class 173. (J) Not all classes have been cleared of art such as defined herein. This class, therefore has only such art as is cleared from other classes. Section III of the class definition indicates those classes which have bodies of art in conflict with the definitions of this class. | 
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