atus includes (a) a reciprocating, load-
underlying, support surface (e.g., car), (b) rigid or semi-
rigid means for contacting and limiting the travel of the
load support surface to the fixed vertical path, and (c)
either (1) drive-means* (e.g., fluid motor, manually
operated linkage) for transmitting to the load support
surface the force necessary to shift the load between the
levels or (2) motion resisting means (e.g., counter-
weight) for slowing the travel of the load supporting
surface when moving from a higher load entry level to a
lower load exit level.
In addition, this class is the locus for a fixedly mounted
apparatus (i.e., vehicle lift) which elevates a discrete
vehicle, in its entirety, from a lower entrance and exit
level to a significantly higher upper level where the
vehicle is intended to be repaired or inspected when the
apparatus includes both (a) a vertically reciprocating,
vehicle-underlying support surface and (b) drive-
means* for transmitting to the support surface the force
necessary for it to elevate the vehicle.
Further, this class is the locus for a mobile wheeled or
tracked apparatus (e.g., forklift) which travels to, picks
up, and shifts a discrete load, in its entirety, from one
level to another vertically spaced level and then carries
the load, while still fully supported thereby, a short hori-
zontal distance (e.g., length of a warehouse) to a load
discharge point; when the apparatus includes (a) a verti-
cally reciprocating load support surface (e.g., forks)
which travels only along a confined linear path and (b)
drive-means* for transmitting to the support surface the
force necessary for it to elevate the load.
This class also provides for a subcombination of one of
the above types of apparatus when (a) no specific locus
for the subcombination exists in another class and (b)
the subcombination is limited to use with the above
types of apparatus by a structural modification.
Finally, this class also provides for an ancillary device
(e.g., call registration system) which is (a) used exclu-
sively with and (b) has its operation either influencing
or being influenced by the operation of one of the above
types of apparatus when no particular locus exists for
the device in another class.
SECTION II - LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES
AND WITHIN THIS CLASS
Elevating apparatus otherwise proper for this class
which is either (a) specially modified for use with or
within another disparate apparatus (e.g., machine tool,
furnace), (b) in combination with structure for treating
the discrete load or vehicle in some manner (e.g., work
cutting) or (c) claimed in combination with specific
details of a distinct disparate apparatus (e.g., endless
feeding belt) or distinct structure (e.g., rack) is classified
in other classes (e.g., Class 414, subclass 564, Class
414, subclasses 592+).
Elevating apparatus which is constructed in such a man-
ner that the support surface for the load or vehicle is
inherently self-charged or self-discharged during move-
ment along its fixed generally vertical path of travel is
excluded from this class and is classified in other han-
dling classes (e.g., Class 414, subclasses 595+).
An apparatus including a load or vehicle support surface
which travels in a circuit around a fixed pathway having
both a vertical and a horizontal segment is excluded
from this class and is found in other handling classes
(e.g., Class 198, subclasses 321+).
The load or vehicle support surface of an apparatus
proper for this class is intended to support the load or
vehicle only for a short period of time during handling
and is not intended for either (a) supporting an article in
a nonuse storage location (e.g., Class 312, subclass 247
vertically moveable cabinet) (b) supporting a useable
machine or tool (e.g., Class 248, subclasses 646+ mov-
able machinery support) or (c) moving one portion of a
machine or article relative to another portion thereof
(e.g., an operator). In the situation when a vehicle is
supported, the surface may also support the vehicle dur-
ing the time necessary for its repair or inspection.
The line between an elevator proper for this class (187)
and a jack proper for Class 254, Implements or Appara-
tus for Applying Pushing or Pulling Force is as follows:
(A) Class 187 provides for elevating apparatus which
(1) lifts the entire load a significant distance, (2) is either
stationary, nonmanually transported as a unit between
use locations, or supported, at least in part, by a building
it services in use, and (3) has a load supporting surface 187 - 2 CLASSIFICATION DEFINITIONS May 2008
1
May 2008
intended to be guided along or confined to (e.g., located
within a shaft) a linear path; and
(B) Class 254 provides for jacking apparatus which
either (1) elevates only one portion of the load, (2) is
manually pulled as an assembled self-supporting unit
between use locations or carried and is also positioned
under the load, or (3) is stationary mounted at a particu-
lar location and is capable of lifting the load only a rela-
tively short distance (e.g., far less than the distance
between the floor and ceiling of a room).
The discrete load proper for this class (187) is either (a)
an animal, (b) an article, (c) a unitized bulk material
(e.g., cotton bail, ice block) or (d) a group or mix thereof
moved as a unit between levels.
SECTION III - REFERENCES TO OTHER
CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
52,
Static Structures (e.g., Buildings), subclass 30
for an elevator combined with building struc-
ture other than that necessary to support or
guide the elevator.
104,
Railways, subclasses 35+ for structure shifting
railroad vehicles through use of a turntable and
subclasses 127+ for an elevator having its
operation interconnected with that of an ele-
vated railway.
108,
Horizontally Supported Planar Surfaces, sub-
classes 20+ for a power driven surface and sub-
classes 144.11+ for a vertically adjustable sur-
face which supports a load (e.g., lowers as
articles are being stacked) but does not trans-
port it as a unit between vertical locations.
182,
Fire Escape, Ladder, or Scaffold, subclasses
141+ for a platform having elevating or lower-
ing means which is used to either escape a fire
or in the maintenance of a building.
186,
Merchandising, subclasses 22+ for an elevator
or drop used to service a store and subclasses
47 and 51 for an elevator used in servicing a
dining room.
212,
Traversing Hoists, subclass 319 for a traveling
bridge-type crane having a load engager (other
than a platform, cage, or similar device) which
is mounted for guided vertical movement
toward and away from the bridge.
244,
Aeronautics and Astronautics, subclasses
137.1+ for means (e.g., elevator ) to load cargo
or a passenger onto an aircraft.
312,
Supports: Cabinet Structure, subclass 247 for
a vertically movable cabinet.
318,
Electricity: Motive Power Systems, appropri-
ate subclasses for electric motor controls, per
se.
405,
Hydraulic and Earth Engineering, subclass 3
for means for lifting a marine vessel during
portage, launching, or removing.
414,
Material or Article Handling, as following sub-
classes: 246, 247+, 249+, 260, and 264 for a
vertically moving vehicle carrier, which carrier
is adapted for charging or discharging a facility
for the parking of wheeled vehicles; subclass
281 for a means for charging or discharging
plural, static structures, and wherein the means
includes a portable elevating device having a
load sustaining surface; subclasses 364+ for
the combination of a pivotably or tiltably mov-
able structure for supporting a wheeled, load-
transporting type vehicle and reorienting the
vehicle into a load-releasing attitude, and the
vehicle being unloaded thereby, and wherein
the axis of pivot or tilt of the structure is verti-
cally shiftable (e.g., by means in the nature of
an elevator or hoist); subclasses 422+ for a
receptacle emptying device of an elevator type;
subclass 427 for a wheel and wheel type article
handler and transporter having a wheel engag-
ing means of an elevator type; subclass 441 for
a motion responsive load handler and trans-
porter wherein the handler is operated by a
ground-engaging wheel and is guided for recti-
linear movement in a vertical or inclined path;
subclasses 458+ for a vehicle having load han-
dling means in the nature of spaced, shelf-like
load engaging portions which portions engage
the load from opposite sides and elevate it for
transport; subclasses 460+ for a vehicle which
straddles a load and elevates it onto load sup-
porting structure; subclass 471 for a self-load-
ing or unloading vehicle having a load
receiving portion which is pivotable relative to
the horizontal, and wherein means is provided
for also raising or lowering the portion and its
axis of pivot; subclasses 495+ for a self-load-
ing or unloading vehicle having a load receiv-
ing portion which is movable in a vertical or
inclined path; subclasses 540+ for a self-load-
ing or unloading vehicle having a load han-
dling means which raises or lowers a load in a
path which includes vertical rectilinear move-
ment; subclass 564 for a combination of carri-
ers, at least one of which is an elevator or hoist
and another is an endless or rotary carrier; sub- May 2008 CLASSIFICATION DEFINITIONS