DefinitionWhile theoretically all abrading (or grinding) may be said to involve a cutting action, the cutting instrument being a natural one, for example, the sharp edges of randomly oriented crystals, as opposed to the teeth of a file, milling tool, or the like, nevertheless there is a practical distinction between an abrading (or grinding) device on the one hand, and a cutting device on the other, as means of working various materials, which is sufficiently well understood throughout the industrial world to permit this distinction to be made in the classification of inventions relating to such devices. The present classification therefore excludes any and every form of cutting, milling, or filing if the abrading is done with materials of sufficiently fine grain to produce a light-reflecting surface or polish. The term "abrading" may include a polishing device that acts by removal of an integral portion of the material acted upon, but not such as depends upon the application of a coating capable of taking a polish by friction or upon a compression, consolidation, or swaging of the material, for which see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, below. Every invention relating to abrading must have to do either with an abrading element; a tool consisting of an abrading element or material and a holder by which it may be put to use; a machine embodying an abrading material or tool and means for moving it or the work, or an action equivalent to that of a tool; a holder for the work; a method or process of abrading; an attachment or accessory to a tool, machine, or process; or a plurality of these features. An abrasive tool distinguished solely by the abrasive material or composition will be found elsewhere. See References to Other Classes, below. Abrading machines are herein broadly classed under either of two headings, viz., an abrading machine using a tool or material of definite shape or character or an abrading machine having no such tool or material. The known types of tool are an endless band of abrasive material, a nonrotary block or pad, and a rotary cylinder or disk. Machines using a tool are differentiated from one another, first, by the character of the tool as to the motion given thereto or by the absence of such motion, its function being accomplished by movement of the work, and, second, by the manner of handling the work. A moving tool has either a continuous longitudinal motion in one direction, a reciprocating motion, a rotary motion, or a combination of two or more of these motions. In the present classification, no patents are placed under the title "Machine, Reciprocating Tool" in which the tool has other than a reciprocating movement, nor any under the title "Rotary Tool" in which it has other than a rotary motion. Those combining these motions are placed under the title "Machine, Rotary Reciprocating Tool." As to the second differentiation for machine, it is to be noted that there is scarcely a type of work-handling means which has not been applied to and used with each and every type of tool. In the case of a machine using a rotary tool, a further differentiation is based upon whether the abrading is done by the peripheral or curved face or by the radial or diametrical plane face of the tool or by a combination of abrading surfaces (for example, a cup-shaped tool), and upon the pluralization of tools with opposed working faces, between which the work is treated. In the case of a stationary tool machine, reciprocating tool machine, or tool, per se, differentiation is based upon the flexible or rigid characteristics of the tool. An abrading machine is included which depends upon the use of an amorphous or loose granular mass of abrading material in which the work is immersed or through which it is passed or which is forcibly carried in contact with the work. This will be found under the title "By use of plural work holders, without tool" and the subclasses indented thereunder, and under the titles, "Machine"; "Machine, Rotary Tool"; "Sandblast"; or "Tumbling device" and the subclasses indented thereunder. A machine which uses abrading instruments of more than one of the types recognized in this classification is placed under the title "Machine, combined"; and those in which an abrading means is inseparably organized with means for subjecting the material handled to other treatment are placed under the title "Machine, combined, with nonabrading operations." With two exceptions (for which see Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, below), apparatus in which the abrading operation is in the nature of cleaning by removal of foreign or extraneous material from the surface of the work rather than of an integral portion of the work itself is classified in this class. A shot-peening machine and process for removing material from a workpiece, as opposed to that for deforming or burnishing a workpiece surface, are found in this class. |
Lines with other classes and within this classThe present classification of abrading excludes any and every form of cutting, milling, or filing if the abrading is done with materials of sufficiently fine grain to produce a light-reflecting surface or polish. Abrading may include a polishing device that acts by removal of an integral portion of the material acted upon, but not such as depends upon the application of a coating capable of taking a polish by friction or upon a compression, consolidation, or swaging of the material, such as is involved in the method or a device classified in Class 29, Metal Working, subclasses 90.01+ and Class 144, Woodworking, subclass 49. CLASS 15 EXCEPTIONS Shotting apparatus for bottle cleaning is classified in Class 15, Brushing, Scrubbing, and General Cleaning and a machine or system for cleaning the inside of tubular work by passing a solid (sometimes abradant) cleaning instrumentality through such work in a fluid stream is also classified in Class 15. A device for cleaning by the use of brushes only, without an abradant and with or without a liquid, are excluded from this class (451) and will be found in Class 15. |
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