Definition

Class 269 is the residual locus for patents to a device which, during a work treating operation, contacts a workpiece for the purpose of (a) supporting the work against the force of gravity; or (b) preventing movement of the work in a particular direction or in all directions while, as disclosed, such work is supported against the force of gravity; or (c) providing a surface juxtaposed to the work for constraining the motion of a tool during its performance of such work treating operation.

Holding articles together so that (by disclosure) a glue, cement or adhesive may set and secure said articles together is considered to be a work holding operation for this class. Thus a clamp or vise, disclosed for use by cabinet makers, carpenters, woodworkers, etc., to hold plural pieces together while an adhesive (previously applied) sets, is properly classifiable in this class.

A "clamp" means, per se, to grasp or draw portions of a mold or flask either together or onto a base or support is structurally so similar to the work holders of this class that patents to such clamp are classified in this class. This is a specific exception to the functional workholding concept otherwise maintained for this class.

PLACEMENT OF PATENTS

The following statement is supplemental to the explanation set forth on pages I and II of the Manual of Classification.

As among coordinate subclasses, the rule of superiority followed in this class requires placement of the "original" patent copy in the first or highest subclass providing for claimed subject matter. As between a subclass, providing for such claimed subject matter, and subclasses indented thereunder, patent placement is in the first of such indented subclasses providing for disclosed subject matter. Thus, depending upon the "superiority" of a particular subclass, an original copy of a specific patent may be placed therein on the basis of either claim or disclosure.

For example: A patent discloses a holder with a pair of relatively movable jaws and an aligned hole in each of the jaws so that a punch can move through the holes and perforate the paper while the paper is held by the jaws. Only relatively movable jaw means are broadly claimed. On the basis of claimed subject matter the patent falls into subclass 86, but then on the basis of the disclosed subject matter the patent would be placed in the indented subclass 87.

Lines with other classes and within this class

A. This class is intended to be, ultimately, the general locus for all work holders regardless of the treatment that is disclosed as being performed on the so held work. At present, however, most work treating classes include patents directed to work holders effective during the treatment which characterizes such class. With the exceptions enumerated below, no attempt has been made to incorporate such work holders into this class. For a partial list of work treating classes that provide for their own work holders, see "Holders, Work" in the "Index To Classification".

B. At present, patents to be found in this class have been screened from Class 29, Metal Working, subclasses 2.1+ and 700+; Class 30, Cutlery; Class 73, Measuring and Testing; Class 82, Turning, subclasses 46+; Class 83, Cutting; Class 223, Apparel Apparatus; Class 225, Severing by Tearing or Breaking; Class 156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture.

C. In addition to the above listed loci for work holders that have been screened and the appropriate patents placed in this class, the following loci have been abolished and substantially all the patents reassigned to this class: Class 29, Metal Working, subclasses 284+; Class 65, Glass Manufacturing; Class 81, Tools, subclasses 17+; Class 409, Gear Cutting, Milling, or Planing; Class 144, Woodworking, subclasses 288, 289+.

D. As other loci are screened, or reclassified, and patents for work holders moved to this class, appropriate notation will be added to B and C above.

HOLDER, PER SE, ELSEWHERE CLASSIFIED

(A) The following classes have provision for specific types of article holding devices; and patents claiming such holding devices as the sole claimed means for supporting the work against gravity and falling within the definitions of such classes are to be found in such classes rather than in this class (269) even though work is disclosed as being treated while so supported: Class 24, Buckles, Buttons, Clasps, etc.; Class 81, Tools ;Class 108, Horizontally Supported Planar Surfaces; Class 187, Elevator, Industrial Lift Truck, or Stationary Lift for Vehicle, subclasses 203+ for a stationary lift for a roadway vehicle which is to be repaired or inspected; Class 211, Supports: Racks;Class 242, Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding;Class 248, Supports, subclasses 26.1+;Class 249, Static Molds, subclasses 205+ for mold adjuncts that hold mold parts in operative relation;Class 254, Implements or Apparatus for Applying Pushing or Pulling Force;Class 279, Chucks or Sockets;Class 285, Pipe Joints or Couplings;Class 384, Bearings;Class 312, Supports: Cabinet Structure;Class 335, Electricity: Magnetically Operated Switches, Magnets, and Electromagnets, subclasses 285+; Class 403, Joints and Connections; Class 433, Dentistry, subclasses 49+ for work holder specific to use in dentistry, especially subclasses 54+ for articulators.

If, however, additional means not provided for in any of these classes are claimed as supporting the work against gravity, the patent will be found in this class. Also, if a tool couple element* is claimed in addition to the holding means the patent will be found in this class.

(B) Holding material for a nontreating purpose:

A device for holding material solely for a nontreating purpose will not be found in this class but will be found in the class providing for such holding means. See Class 248, Supports, which is the locus of art for supports of general utility. If a patent claims a holder which is disclosed as being usable either to support work while it is treated or to support material for a nontreating purpose, the patent will be found in this class with a cross-reference in the appropriate material supporting or holding class based on the nontreating disclosure.

(C) Relationship to work treating classes whose work holding subcombinations are placed in this class.

Exemplary types of treating and nontreating operations:

The following operations are deemed to come within the definition of treating as set forth under the definitions of this class: Stretching material, Testing material, Winding material about a core, Assembly as by moving (i.e., with means for moving) an article from one position to a second position where it will be secured to a second article. (Putting a cap on a receptacle is considered to be an assembling operation and therefore a treating operation).

Exemplary operations considered to be of nontreating type: Inspecting, measuring and gauging, filling a receptacle. Merely holding an article or articles in place so that the article can be secured to another article while so held is considered to be a work holding operation of this class. See RELATIONSHIP TO ASSEMBLY MEANS below.

WORK HOLDER IN COMBINATION WITH TREATING MEANS

(A) A patent claiming a work holder which has a claimed work treating instrumentality as a part thereof, which is disclosed as treating the work without cooperating with a coacting tool will be found in the class providing for such treatment, and not in this class.

Examples:

A patent claiming a fixed blade for severing work by manually drawing the work thereagainst with a transverse tearing action is found in Class 225, Severing by Tearing or Breaking.

A patent claiming a work holder having a brush mounted therein, for coating work moved against it, goes beyond this class.

(B) Work holder having as a part thereof, specific means which takes part in the treating function:

(1) A patent claiming a work holder including a tool couple element*, and claiming in combination therewith the cooperating element of the tool couple or the support for the cooperating element, will be placed in the appropriate treating class no matter how broadly the cooperating element or its support is claimed. For example, a work holder having a claimed edge or inserted cutting stick that is disclosed as coacting with a movable cutter to cut the work will be found in this class only if the movable cutter or its support is not claimed.

(2) Distinction between a treating tool, per se, and a work holder having a tool couple element*.

(a) A patent claiming a work treating tool, per se, will not be found in this class even though the tool is disclosed as supporting the work against gravity, if the portion of the work contacted by the tool is only that portion of the work which is to be treated and portions of the work immediately adjacent thereto.

(b) A patent claiming a work holder having a treating tool, per se, as a part only thereof will be found in this class.

(C) The following exceptions to this rule of distinction are:

Excluded from this class is a patent claiming a roller having a tool couple element* thereon and rotating about its axis for the purpose of having work moved about the periphery of the roller and partially envelop the periphery, so that a portion of the work in contact with the periphery can be treated while the roller is rotating and while the work is moving about the periphery and another portion of the work has relative movement with respect to the roller. Such a patent is considered to be drawn to a tool and its support and will be found in the class of the tool couple element. Compare with RELATIONSHIP TO MATERIAL HANDLING CLASSES, Movable work holder, paragraph 2, below.

Also excluded from this class is a patent claiming a work holder carrying a tool couple element* which holder and element are disclosed as being relatively movable during the treatment of the work. Such a patent will be found in the class of the tool couple element.

(C) Claimed combination of a work holder and a nominally recited treating means:

The claiming of a work holder and the recitation of a work treating means or its support (not part of or carried by the work holder) is considered to go beyond the scope of this class unless the tool or tool support is nominally claimed. If the tool or tool support is nominally claimed, the patent does not exceed the boundaries of this class unless there is claimed a tool couple element* as described in WORKHOLDER IN COMBINATION WITH TREATING MEANS, below. The following, for example, are considered not to be nominal recitations of the work treating means or its support:

(1) A limitation to a treating means structure or characteristic as, for example, the claiming of a tool as being "sharp" or the claiming of a tool or its support as being "movable".

(2) A limitation to the relative positions of the treating means or its support and the work holder as, for example, the claiming of a tool or its support as being "above" the work holder.

RELATIONSHIP TO MATERIAL HANDLING CLASS

(A) Movable work holder:

The subject matter of this class includes a work holder having means for moving the work holder while it is holding the work, either before, during or after treatment. Where, however, such apparatus has been recognized as a material transporter in an existing body of art, a patent thereto will be found in such body of art. See the list of classes in the class definition of Class 414, Material or Article Handling. Where the claimed apparatus includes in addition to the details of the recognized material transporter a tool or tool couple element* the patent will not be found in a material transporting class but in either this class or in the appropriate work treating class depending on the criteria set forth above in WORK HOLDER IN COMBINATION WITH TREATING MEANS, above. For example, a patent claiming an endless belt conveyor whose upper run is disclosed as holding work while it is treated will be found in either Class 271, Sheet Feeding or Delivering, Class 226, Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length or Class 198, Conveyors: Power-Driven; such work holding means being a recognized material transporter. If the patent also claims a guide overlying the upper run and having the disclosed function of guiding a work cutting tool, the patent will be found in this class. If the tool on the guide is claimed, the patent will be found in the class of such tool.

The following exemplifies the rule set forth in the preceding subsection. Excluded from this class is a patent claiming a roller and not claiming a tool couple element* on the roller, said roller rotating about its axis for the purpose of having work moved about the periphery of the roller, and partially enveloping the periphery, so that a portion of the work in contact with the periphery can be treated while the roller is rotating and the work is moving about the periphery and while another portion of the work has relative movement with respect to the roller. Such a patent will be found in the appropriate material transporting class. Compare this paragraph with WORKHOLDER IN COMBINATION WITH TREATING MEANS, above.

A material transporter having the disclosed function of (a) taking work to, or away from, an article to which said work is secured as well as (b) holding said work in position while it is being secured to, or unsecured from, said article is considered to be beyond the scope of this class. See Class 414, subclasses 10+, Class 29, subclasses 700+ and Class 254 for such a device.

(B) Product removal means:

The subject matter of this class includes a work holder having means for moving a product relative to the work holder. Where however, such combination has been recognized as a material transporter in a recognized body of art, the patent will be found in such body of art. Where the claimed apparatus includes, in addition to the details of such recognized material transporter, a tool or tool couple element* the patent will not be found in such recognized material transporting class, but either in this class or in the appropriate work treating class depending on the criteria set forth in WORK HOLDER IN COMBINATION WITH TREATING MEANS, above. For example; a patent claiming delivery rollers for removing sheets from a table, which table is disclosed as holding work during treatment will be found in Class 271, Sheet Feeding or Delivering, even though the table is claimed. If the patent also claims a slot in the table having the disclosed function of guiding a work cutting tool, the patent will be found in this class. If the tool moving in the slot also is claimed, the patent will be found in the class of such tool.

(C) Means to feed work to a work holder:

The basic subject matter of this class does not include the claimed combination of a work holder and a means for moving the work relative to a work holder portion, or for enabling such movement to take place. Nor does the basic subject matter of this class include a device for moving work with respect to a work holder portion regardless of whether the device supports or holds the work during treatment of the work. For example, a gripper which holds and moves work with respect to another work holder portion (claimed or disclosed) is excluded from this class. Such a combination or device will be found in the class appropriate for the work moving means. If the referred to combination also includes a significantly claimed tool or tool couple element*, the patent will be found in the class of the tool. See Class 399, Electrophotography, subclasses 377+ for holder of original and subclass 393 for copy medium input tray; all support structure is limited to use with an electrophotos:graphic device.

If it is not clear from a patent specification whether a claimed element of the patent is intended to move the work relative to the holder or act as a part of a work holder, the element will be construed as being a part of a work holder and the patent will be found in this class. If such element is disclosed as being capable of either moving the work with respect to the work holder or acting as part of the work holder, the patent will be found in the appropriate material transporting class and may be cross-referenced in this class.

For example: Where the claimed subject matter of a patent includes an abutment which moves across a work supporting surface that underlies the work and a drive means for producing unidirectional intermittent movement of the abutment across the supporting surface, the abutment will be construed as pushing the work across the supporting surface and the patent will be found in the appropriate material transporting class.

(D) Means to guide moving work or product with respect to the work holder:

The subject matter of this class includes a work holder and passive means constraining movement of the work towards or over the work holder, or of the product away from the work holder, to a desired path. Where, however, such apparatus has been recognized as a material handler in a recognized body of art, the patent will be found in such body of art. Where the apparatus includes, in addition to the details of such recognized material handler, a tool or tool couple element*, the patent will not be found in such recognized material handling art, but either in this class or in the appropriate work treating class depending on the criteria set forth in WORK HOLDER IN COMBINATION WITH TREATING MEANS, above. For example, a patent claiming only a trough which, by disclosure, serves to support a pipe for a cutting operation while the pipe is moving along the trough will be found in Class 193, Conveyors, Chutes, Skids, Guides, and Ways. As a second example, an invention relating to a power-driven conveyor having means to facilitate working on the conveyed load at a work station is included in Class 198, Conveyors: Power-Driven, subclasses 339+, or, in the case of a power-driven conveyor having means to change the attitude of the conveyed load relative to the conveying direction, in subclasses 373+ of the same class. As a third example, a patent claiming a flat work supporting table having air jets mounted therein which blow against the bottom of the work so as to permit the work to be moved more easily over the table will be found in Class 414, Material or Article Handling, subclass 676. If either patent claims, in addition, a slot in the trough or table which is disclosed as coacting with a movable cutter to cut the work, the patent will be found in this class. If, in addition, the cutting tool is claimed, the patent will be found in the class of such tool.

RELATIONSHIP TO ASSEMBLY MEANS (CLASS 29)

The claimed recital of means to hold a piece of work relative to another piece of work for purposes of juxtapositioning and/or securing has been considered to be a work holding operation for this class. (See above, HOLDER, PER SE, ELSEWHERE CLASSIFIED, section C, Exemplary styles of treating and nontreating operations, 2nd paragraph). However, the inclusion of (A) means to move the individual pieces to effect such juxtapositioning or (B) means to guide the pieces during movement is considered to be an assembling operation for Class 29, subclasses 700+. For example, with respect to (B), a patent with limitations to a work holder including a tapered pin (said taper being claimed) so as to align the holder with another holder during relative movement of said holders, no means for such movement being claimed, is considered to go beyond a work holding function for this class, and would be placed in the assembling art of Class 29.

RELATIONSHIP TO PRESS MEANS (CLASS 100)

Structural differences between devices labeled vise, clamp, work holder, or press are often lacking. The differences, if any, lie in the use to which these devices are applied. Where material is engaged and compacted by the engaging means the term "press" (Class 100) is considered appropriate. Where material is engaged to support and/or immobilize said material during treatment the term "work holder" (Class 269) is considered appropriate. It should be noted that Class 100 is only the residual press class, other classes (such as 65, 72, etc.) providing for presses relating to specific material and modifications. Similarly, Class 269 is only the residual work holder class, other classes (Class 65, Class 118, Class 408, Class 451, etc.) including work holders effective during the specific treatment characterizing such classes.

The work holders of Class 269 (with one exception - tool couple element*) do not include means to modify or treat the material engaged. For the purpose of keeping similar structure together it is deemed best that, as between Class 100 and Class 269, the setting of an adhesive, previously applied, to material is considered to be a treatment of said material, which material is therefore considered to be "work". Thus a device to hold plural pieces while an adhesive (previously applied) sets, is considered appropriate for this class (269). However, a work holder for holding plural pieces while an adhesive sets, proper for Class 269, combined with means for heating, cooling or fluid contact, is considered a combination classifiable in Class 100.

A device for continuously processing material, involving means for a shifting area of contact between the device and the material, while a bonding agent between component parts of the material sets, is considered to be a form of treating device in itself and as such is excluded from Class 269.

Class 100 is considered to be superior to Class 269 and as such the appropriate locus for patents relating to work gripping devices not clearly provided for in Class 269 or by the notes thereto.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

Convertible devices:

A patent claiming a device with means which by adjustment, addition, removal or reassembly of one or more of its parts may, at the discretion of an operative, be capable of performing a function as a work holder for this class or a function falling within the scope of another class will be placed in said other class. For example, a patent for a device which, as claimed, is adjustable for use as a vise or readjustable for use as a wrench will be placed in Class 81, subclasses 53+, a with the wrench art.

A patent claiming a work holder having relatively movable jaws convertible to a work shaping means, said conversion providing means to hold and shape work is placed in Class 29, Metal Working, subclass 560.1 with appropriate cross-reference in this class and/or the proper shaping class for specific individual features.

Relationship to classes of composition of matter:

A work holder defined in terms of its composition, without any significant structure claimed, will be found in the class providing for the composition and not in this class.

Relationship to classes of power transmitting means:

A patent limited in its claims to a means for driving or moving a work holder element, with the element defined merely as the named load of the driving or moving means, will be found in the class providing for such driving or moving means and not in this class. If any significant structure of the holder element is claimed, the patent will be found in this class.

Combination with work supply holder:

This class includes the combination of a work holder and a holder for the supply of work which is to be placed in the work holder. An example of such a work supply holder is a reel from which a web of the work may be unwound to be placed on the work holder. The work supply holder is not considered to be a work holder unless that portion of the work which is on the work supply holder is disclosed as being treated.

Combination with geometrical instrument or geometrical indicia:

This class includes the combination of a work holder and a geometrical instrument or geometrical indicia, as for indicating desired distances along or positions in the basic device of this class.

Processes of work holding:

Class 29, Metal Working, subclass 559, is the residual locus of patents directed to methods of holding work. A patent including a claim to a work holding method would be placed in subclass 559 and cross-referenced back to Class 269, if necessary, for disclosed or claimed work holding structure.

Processes of making a work holder:

Class 76, Metal Tools and Implements, Making, subclasses 101.1+, is the residual locus for patents to a blank for, or a process of, making a work holder.

The class of adhesive bonding:

Class 156, Adhesive Bonding and Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, subclasses 502 and 503 include work-holder with treatment means, e.g., heating, cutting, etc.