US PATENT SUBCLASS 227 / 2
WITH CONTROL MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SENSED CONDITION


Current as of: June, 1999
Click HD for Main Headings
Click for All Classes

Internet Version by PATENTEC © 1999      Terms of Use



227 /   HD   ELONGATED-MEMBER-DRIVING APPARATUS

2WITH CONTROL MEANS RESPONSIVE TO SENSED CONDITION {3}
3  DF  .~> Responsive to work feed means
4  DF  .~> Responsive to position of work support or anvil
5  DF  .~> Work-responsive {1}


DEFINITION

Classification: 227/2

(under the class definition) Subject matter including means for: (a) detecting any of the following characteristics: a state or property, a change in a state or property, or the occurrence of a predetermined event, in any of the following: the work*, the product of a machine, the machine itself, any part of the machine, or the environment of the machine affecting the operation thereof; and (b) initiating (as a direct result of such detection) a force or energy impulse other than that generated or transmitted by the detecting means; and (c) regulating or modifying (as a direct result of such initiation) the operation of said machine.

(1) Note. This definition requires a patent to claim at least four instrumentalities for original placement herein. One of these must be a member driving machine, or a device (e.g., work feeder, work-heater, product-handler) necessary to the proximate function of member driving. The other three are: (a) a senser (e.g., photo-cell system, trip-lever, pressure diaphragm) to detect a condition as stated in (a) of the this subclass definition; (b) an activator (e.g., an element to make or break an electric circuit, a clutch, a valve) to cause a release of energy more than, or different from, that accounted for by mere change in condition (e.g., position or movement) of the senser while it is functioning; and (c) a controller (e.g., a motor or driver for said machine or device) to change or cause the operation of said machine or device. Therefore, a cam follower (or senser) directly linked to a controller, whereby follower movement directly effects controller movement, is not proper subject matter for this subclass due to lack of an activator as defined. On the other hand, disclosure of a cam follower that makes and breaks an electrical circuit that energizes a motor, may be placed herein.

(2) Note. A voluntary act of the person operating the machine is not proper subject matter for this subclass. For example, disclosure of an on-off switch manipulated by an operative to start and/or stop the machine (even though the switch initiates a release of energy), should be considered for subclass 1, but is not classified herein.

(3) Note. The machine that is regulated by the control means is not limited to a member driving machine of this

class. It can be another machine associated with the member driver if the claim reciting the other machine and member driver is acceptable for original placement into this class (227).

(4) Note. The control systems disclosed in the patents of this and indented subclasses are similar in concept to control systems of other classes, particularly Class 226, Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length and Class 83, Cutting. The total operations and the claimed combinations are, of course, different, but the control systems, per se, found in Classes 83 and 226 are usually analogous to those herein, and may be applicable to the machines of this class (227). In the "SEARCH CLASS" notes for the subclasses indented hereunder, reference to this (4) Note indicates that the other class and subclass should be considered because the control system, per se, of a patent in the other class may be similar to a control system, per se, of this (227) class. The notes to Class 83, subclass 399 (which see) summarize all the subclasses in Class 83 pertaining to "control" subclasses therein.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS 72, Metal Deforming,

6+, for control means in a metal deforming machine, wherein the control means, per se, is similar to those of this and indented subclasses.

83, Cutting, and see (4) Note, above.

226, Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length, and see (4) Note, above.

228, Metal Fusion Bonding,

8+, for control means in a metal fusion bonding machine, wherein the control means, per se, is similar to those of this and indented subclasses.