DefinitionGENERAL STATEMENT OF CLASS SUBJECT MATTER This class is the generic class for devices, known as bearings, designed for general use, where one element continuously bears the weight of another, either suspended therefrom, or imposed thereon, and wherein there is either linear motion (e.g., a cross head) rotary motion (e.g., of a shaft or axle), or oscillating movement, (e.g., a lever) between the two elements. The bearings may have either sliding, or rolling contact with the supported member. The class includes (a) supports for bearings where such supports are specially formed to receive, and are placed in combination with, bearings, and when not limited to any classified art; (b) antifriction means, as balls, or rollers, designed to receive a rotating shaft, or to be used in connection with a pivoted, sliding, or rotary element; and (c) lubricating devices wherein any of the above bearings are modified for receiving and supplying lubricant. This class including methods pertaining to bearings, when not otherwise provided for. (1) Note. Patents issued prior to 1950 have not in all instances been classified by their claimed disclosure so that placement of these older patents does not necessarily indicate lines of classification. (2) Note. Necessary but not particularly sufficient criteria for inclusion in this class are that the "bearing" (1) have at least two moving parts that slide or roll against one another and (2) should be intended to reduce friction between significantly more massive elements than the bearing itself. |
Lines with other classes and within this classWhere the bearing forms but an element of a structure, and the claims are not limited to the bearing, or bearing support structure, see the appropriate art class. Claimed compositions of matter even though particularly adapted for use as bearings, or composition, per se, claimed either alone, or with other claims to a bearing element, are classified in the appropriate composition class and cross-referenced here. Also where a product is claimed as a stock material, that is, without sufficient structure in the claims to limit the product to bearing use, it is classified elsewhere. Many objects, such as, auto wheels, conveyor rollers or etc., theoretically meet the criteria in set forth in the Class Definition, General Statement of the Class Subject Matter, in the (2) Note, under (1), but are nonetheless not bearings as commonly understood and as such are not classified in this class, see search class for placement. |
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