Description
Class 269 is the residual locus for patents to a device which,during a work treating operation, contacts a workpiece for the purposeof (a) supporting the work against the force of gravity; or (b)preventing movement of the work in a particular direction or inall directions while, as disclosed, such work is supported againstthe force of gravity; or (c) providing a surface juxtaposed to thework for constraining the motion of a tool during its performanceof such work treating operation.
Holding articles together so that (by disclosure) a glue, cementor adhesive may set and secure said articles together is consideredto be a work holding operation for this class. Thus, a clamp orvise, 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 drawportions of a mold or flask either together or onto a base or supportis structurally so similar to the work holders of this class thatpatents to such clamp are classified in this class. This is a specificexception to the functional workholding concept otherwise maintainedfor this class.
PLACEMENT OF PATENTS
The following statement is supplemental to the explanationset forth on pages I and II of the Manual of Classification.
As among coordinate subclasses, the rule of superiority followedin this class requires placement of the "original" patentcopy in the first or highest subclass providing for claimed subjectmatter. As between a subclass, providing for such claimed subjectmatter, and subclasses indented thereunder, patent placement isin the first of such indented subclasses providing for disclosed subjectmatter. Thus, depending upon the "superiority" ofa particular subclass, an original copy of a specific patent maybe placed therein on the basis of either claim or disclosure.
For example, a patent discloses a holder with a pair of relativelymovable jaws and an aligned hole in each of the jaws so that a punchcan move through the holes and perforate the paper while the paperis held by the jaws. Only relatively movable jaw means are broadlyclaimed. On the basis of claimed subject matter, the patent falls intosubclass 86, but then on the basis of the disclosed subject matter,the patent would be placed in the indented subclass 87.