Description
This is the residual home for all subject matter, not elsewhereclassified, relating to the measuring, testing (or sensing) of electricproperties, (e.g., determining ground resistivity, determining frequencyof an alternating current, determining kilowatt hour demand), orthe measuring, testing or sensing of nonelectric properties by electricmeans (e.g., determining moisture, a nonelectric property, by measuringconductance with a resistance bridge; determining speed, a nonelectricproperty by use of an electric tachometer).
(1)Note. Measuring and testing have been distinguished as beingquantitative and qualitative, respectively, but in these definitions theterms are used synonymously.
(2)Note. This class was produced in 1953 by making officialthe unofficial digests which had been established by the Examinersof Class 175 (Division 48) during the period from about 1905 to1952, and, in the case of subclasses 76+, by cursorilyrevising the unofficial digests which had been established by theExaminers of Classes 171 and 172 (Division 69) during the periodfrom about 1902 to 1952. A caveat is given: While it is believedthat the titles and definitions are reasonably correct, no assurance canbe given that all of the patents, issued prior to the date of reclassification,are in the proper subclass, since only some of the individual patentswere read during the reclassification project. Consequently, in makinga thorough search in this class, it is advisable to investigateevery subclass which may possibly be pertinent and not, in orderto shorten the search, to rely upon the principle of superiorityof subclass subject matter because of position in schedule, sincethe principle is applicable only in classes where each patent hasbeen analyzed and placed in the schedule in accordance with thatportion of the disclosed subject matter which is claimed.
(3)Note. Measuring and testing requires sensing and signalingor indicating to exhibit the result of the sensing. Sensing is synonymouswith condition responsive. Sensing merely detects the presenceand/or magnitude of the condition.
(4)Note. Since many other classes include condition responsivesubclasses, often entitled automatically responsive or automatic, thesearch for sensing, in order to be complete, must extend to theclass which relates to the environment in which the sensing occurs.Some of these classes are listed below under SEARCH CLASS.
(5)Note. Since Class 324 takes, under the class definition,only measuring and testing not elsewhere classified, the search,in order to be complete, must in appropriate instances extend tothe other classes listed below under SEARCH CLASS.
(6)Note. The combination of the subject matter of this class(324) and an art environment is generally classified with the art environmentwhere that environment is significant, either by virtue of a significant disclosedrelationship or by virtue of a claimed relationship, as where atest is made of the condition of a portion of a telephone systemwithout making said portion of the telephone system unavailablefor use. Where the art environment is recited by name only thecombination may be classified, in some instances, with the art environment,and in others, in this class (324). For a list of some of the otherclasses which contain pertinent subject matter, see the classesreferred to under SEARCH CLASS.