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Patent No. 5996568

Process For Propelling Foodstuffs or the Like into a Crowd

A method of launching foodstuffs into a crowd for promotional and entertainment purposes.

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Class 24 - Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.

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958 Subclasses


Subclasses list

Definition

This class provides for buckles, buttons, clasps, cord and rope holders, pins, separable fasteners, etc., which have become so varied in use and so allied in structure as to belong to no specific art, but are novel only as to their structures. There are, however, several types of fastenings included where the devices are but slightly identified with the art and are closely analogous to the main titles above cited. Such patents are retained under more or less art titles. Devices which embrace fastenings as above, but also include elements which connect them with various specific arts, have been excluded as far as practicable.

The fastenings have been classified structurally as far as possible, and where two or more simple fastenings are contained in one structure, it is found in subclasses indicating the kinds of fastenings so combined. This scheme is followed also through out those art subclasses which have been retained, where possible.

Many of the securing means placed within subclasses 287+ claim with the means an amount of structure-to-be-secured* necessary for either (a) completing the securing operation, (b) connecting components of the securing means together, (c) linking distinct securing means together, or (d) mounting the securing means. The mere naming of or recitation of the above (i.e., a-d) limited amount of structure-to-be-secured* will not exclude classification from Class 24, unless this subject matter is provided for elsewhere. Specific details or specificity of the structure-to-be-secured* going beyond this amount are excluded for this class and are placed in the particular class providing for that type of structure-to-be-secured*, combination, or mounting.

(1) Note. A securing means claimed in combination with a tool for operating it is classified in the appropriate class for the tool when a specific detail of the tool is claimed.

Lines with other classes and within this class

All U. S. patents within subclasses 287+ are placed according to the following procedure: Original patents having claims defining subject matter within the scope normally associated with these subclasses should be placed within the first occurring subclass array and furthest, sequentially indented subclass thereunder which the claimed subject matter fits and if there are additional subclasses indented thereunder, on disclosure into the first occurring and furthest, sequentially indented subclass which the disclosed and claimed subject matter fits. It is additionally considered mandatory to cross-reference any independent claims(s), other than the one governing original placement or other claims defining the same subject matter, below into different subclass arrays using the same principles of placement by which the original is placed. Further, if the subject matter of the patent used in placing the original is a species of a generic claim and there are plural species disclosed in the patent, then it is mandatory to cross-reference the patent to the first subclass immediately above and under which the original"s subclass is indented which can fully accept the subject matter of all claimed and disclosed species. However, if the patents are more than 17 years old, the cross-referencing of any claimed subject matter to a different subclass array, either above or below that into which the original is placed, is solely discretionary and is not mandatory if it is felt that the claimed subject matter is already well represented in these other subclass arrays.

LINE BETWEEN CLASS 24 AND CLASS 2

The line with Class 2, Apparel, and this class (24) with respect to garment supporters is as follows:

Class 24 takes single or combined securing means used to support a garment or to hold parts of a garment supporter together when either (a) no significant structural feature of the garment or held parts is claimed or (b) the specific configuration of the held parts of the supporter is not claimed. Examples of the garment supporters proper for Class 24 are (1) two distinct securing means connected by a single nominally recited strip or strand, (2) cooperating components of a securing means located on the ends of a nominally recited belt, strip, or strand for holding the ends together to form a loop, and (3) securing means for holding together two or more named garments or named parts of a garment supporter.

Class 2 takes all other garment supporters or parts thereof not provided for elsewhere.

Patents claiming either (1) two or more discrete, rigid* or semirigid* (i.e., nonflaccid), joined members and details peculiar to their common joint or (2) a fastener constructed with features peculiarly adapting it for use with such members (e.g., angle clamp, converging clasp for members having divergent cross sections, jointed connector allowing relative movement between members) and disclosing that the members are (a) mere stock material having only general utility until joined together into a particular assemblage (e.g., framework members transmitting force to one another), (b) components of an assemblage, each of which have the same utility before and after joining, but when joined together interact with each other to accomplish a common task and no longer have any independent operation (e.g., torque transmitting rods, pipeline), (c) subcomponents of an assemblage one of which having utility only when interacting with the other to accomplish a specific task (e.g., windshield wiper and windshield), or (d) articles each having independent utility and when joined together cooperate with each other to change, enhance, or make interdependent their operation (e.g., articulated trailers) have been classified in the appropriate class (e.g., Class 64, Class 74, Class 248, Class 280, Class 285, Class 439, or Class 403) based on details of the members or joint.

LINE BETWEEN CLASS 24 AND CLASS 248

The line between this class (24) and Class 248 is largely based on disclosure. Thus, inventions which involve distinct means for engaging a support and a supported article wherein the sole disclosure is of a support against gravity are classifiable in Class 248 even though it may be possible to find other utility therefore. Subcombinations of such devices are classifiable in Class 248 in the absence of a clear indication of general utility for the subcombination. For example, a clip* in general is classified in this class (24) even when disclosed as having a supporting function; however, when a clip* is particularly adapted for service as a support against gravity (e.g., the gripping jaw is gravity actuated) or as a hold down and there is no other utility disclosed, then it is classified in Class 248.

Devices intended for transmitting an active pushing, pulling, lifting, or driving force through their structure from a force input element to a separate (a) transportable load, (b) piece of work or (b) tool are classified elsewhere based upon the type of function of the input element (e.g., if it is a cable, if it is a handle, if it is for a load grab of a vertically swinging load support, if it is a pushing or pulling implement, if it is for a tool holding chuck, if it is a press--See the search class notes below for this subject matter)
 
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