US PATENT CLASS 483
Class Notes
Current as of: June, 1999
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DEFINITION
Classification: 483/
This is the generic class relating to a process or apparatus comprising use of either (A) means for supporting an implement in position for operative engagement with a workpiece combined with means to transfer the implement to or from that support, or (B) means for storing an implement in a position of repose remote from the operative position, combined with means to transfer the implement to or from the storage means.
NOTES TO THE CLASS DEFINITION
(1) Note. "Transfer" is used to designate a bodily conveying of the implement from one position to another. The transfer means need not be distinct from both the means for supporting the implement in operative engagement and the storage means, i.e., the support or storage means may comprise the transfer means.
(2) Note. "Workpiece" includes material to be modified by the implement into a product of manufacture and may comprise a portion of stock material to be separated therefrom subsequent to modification, or material to be tested by use of an implement comprising a probe.
(3) Note. "Operative engagement" refers to the relative implement-workpiece movement during mutual contact which the implement performs its intended function on the workpiece.
(4) Note. "Implement" consists of a workpiece modifying device, (e.g., a cutting, abrading, or deforming tool intended to remove material from the workpiece or plastically strain the workpiece during contact therewith). Note that an assembling tool (e.g., a wrench or a screwdriver) is not considered to be an implement to be transferred under this class.
Exceptions
Because it is handled in the manner of the "implement" of this class, each of the following is treated as an implement in this class: (a) a probe intended to detect or measure a parameter of the workpiece during contact therewith, (b) a tool holder that supports a work engaging tool (e.g., chuck, collet or adapter), (c) a work holder that supports a workpiece for rotation during treatment, (e.g., a chuck, collet or adapter). (d) a nonfiller type electrode used for machining, e.g., for spot welding, electric discharge machining (i.e., by EDM), electro-chemical machining (i.e., by ECM), etc. (5) Note. The means for supporting the implement must be distinct from the means for storing, e.g., the mere recitation of a machine tool with a turret or other means to shift or index the implement is considered insufficient subject matter for original classification in this class.
(6) Note. Transferring an implement of this class combined with transferring another member (e.g., an assembling tool) using the same transfer means is included in this class.
(7) Note. This class was derived in 1991 from the art then stored in subclass 568 tool changer of Class 29, Metal Working. It was assumed that all references appropriate for original classification in this class (Class 483) were either as original or as cross-reference in that subclass. Inquiries were made of various Post Classifiers and Examiners, but NO ART WAS SCREENED THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN 29/568.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
A. RELATIONSHIP TO MATERIAL HANDLING CLASSES
Class 483 includes a process or apparatus comprising use of tool transfer means combined either with a support means where the tool is to engage a workpiece or with a storage means. Also, this class includes "tool changing" combined with other material handling.
Means to transfer a tool, per se, is to be found in the appropriate material handling class.
Means to transfer a member other than a tool is to be found in the appropriate material handling class.
Also see References to Other Classes, below, referencing this section.
B. RELATIONSHIP TO CLASSES MAKING USE OF A WORKPIECE MODIFYING "TOOL"
Class 483 includes use of a material treating tool combined with significantly recited tool changing. Also see References to Other Classes, below, referencing this section.
C. RELATIONSHIP TO MATERIAL STORAGE CLASSES
Class 483 includes a tool storage means combined with a tool transfer means.
Also see References to Other Classes, below, referencing this section.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
29, Metal Working, for any of several metal working operations under that class definition which may be combined with, by name only, a tool changing process or apparatus. The combination of Class 29 Metal Working with a significantly recited tool transfer device is to be found in this class (Class 483). (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool".)
52, Static Structures (e. g., Buildings),
29+, for a building including means to move an article.
65, Glass Manufacturing, for manufacturing of an article from glass. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above)
72, Metal Deforming, for shaping of preformed metal generally, search especially
238+, for apparatus for deforming by use of a roller couple combined with means to introduce or remove at least one roller with respect to the couple. This is an exception to the general rule that the combination of a Class 72 process or apparatus with a Tool Changing process or apparatus is to be found in Class 483. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above) 81, Tools,
57.5, for a wrench or screwdriver carrying a turret head.
82, Turning, for cutting of rotating work. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above)
83, Cutting, for subdividing a workpiece by use of a sharp cutting edge. Search particularly
481, for a cutting machine having a rotatable disc tool pair or tool and carrier with means to permit (as distinguished from transfer) replacement of the tool. Search subclasses 549+ for a cutting machine including plural tools selectively engaged by a single drive, especially subclass 552 for a
turret from which the tool is not removed during cutting operation. Search subclasses 563+ for a cutting machine including a particular drive means and provision for the tool to be displaced to an inactive position, other than for storage. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above)
100, Presses, for a process or apparatus for compressing material without a shaping. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above)
140, Wireworking, generally for a (a) combined process or apparatus for forming or shaping wire to form a wire product, (b) for assembling an article of wire, or (c) for means peculiar to the manufacture of an article from wire. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above)
142, Wood Turning, for cutting of rotating wood. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above)
144, Woodworking, generally for a process or apparatus including (a) combined operations in manufacturing an article from wood, or (b) for an operation peculiar to the making of an article from wood. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above)
173, Tool Driving or Impacting, for a tool support with a driver. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above)
198, Conveyors: Power-Driven, generally for apparatus for advancing a load over a predetermined path or path section. (see Relationship to Material Handling Classes, above.) 204, Chemistry: Electrical and Wave Energy,
194+, for an electrolytic apparatus and especially subclass 224 for an ECM (i.e., electro-chemical machining) apparatus with localized area applicators. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above)
205, Electrolysis: Processes, Compositions Used Therein, and Methods of Preparing the Compositions,
640+, for electrolytic erosion to change the shape or surface configuration of a workpiece (e.g., etching, polishing, etc.). (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above)
206, Special Receptacle or Package,
372+, for a special receptacle for plural tools. (see Relationship to Material Storage Classes above.)
211, Supports: Racks, especially
1.51+, for a power operated storage supply. (see Relationship to Material Storage Classes above.)
212, Traversing Hoists, generally for apparatus or method for lifting and shifting a load from a suspended support. (see Relationship to Material Handling Classes above.)
219, Electric Heating,
50+, for a process or apparatus of treating metal by electric heating. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above) 221, Article Dispensing, generally for a process or apparatus for dispensing discrete objects from a supply. (see Relationship to Material Handling Classes above.)
264, Plastic and Nonmetallic Article Shaping or Treating: Processes, for a method of molding or shaping an article of flowable material, generally. Note that shaping of metal or glass is generally provided for elsewhere. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above)
279, Chucks or Sockets, generally for a means of general utility for making a permanent or temporary connection between an article, such as a tool, and a holder.
318, Electricity: Motive Power Systems, generally for a system including an electrical motor for actuating a tool changer or a control therefor and wherein the electrical motor, as claimed, is the sole and ultimate electric load device supplied to the system.
407, Cutters, for Shaping, generally for a tool adapted for removing material from a workpiece. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above)
408, Cutting by Use of Rotating, Axially Moving Tool, generally for a process or apparatus wherein a turning cutter removes material from a workpiece during relative axial infeed therewith. Search
35, for apparatus for removing material from a workpiece by an axially advancing, rotating cutter combined with a turret for plural cutters not removable from the turret during cutting. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above)
409, Gear Cutting, Milling, or Planing, generally for a process or apparatus for removing material from a workpiece with a cutter to shape an article. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above)
425, Plastic Article or Earthenware Shaping or Treating: Apparatus, for means for molding or shaping an article of flowable material, generally. Note that means for shaping of
metal or glass is generally provided for elsewhere. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above)
451, Abrading, generally for a machine or process for removing material from a workpiece by abrading or polishing. (See Relationship to Classes Making Use of a Workpiece Modifying "Tool" above)
414, Material or Article Handling, generally for a process or device for displacing an article with respect to a support or supply, or for a tool transfer device, per se. (See Relationship to Material Handling Classes.) 901, Robots, (an art collection class) generally for a reprogrammable manipulator adapted for moving articles through programmed motions repetitively. (See Relationship to Material Handling Classes.)