F16C - Definition 
Definition statement
This subclass covers:
Shafts (e.g. telescopic shafts).
Flexible shafts.
Mechanical means for transmitting movement in a flexible sheathing (e.g. Bowden cables).
Crankshafts or elements specially adapted for use in crankshafts such as:
- cranks;
- crossheads;
- crankshaftbearings;
- connecting-rodbearings.
Connecting-rods or links pivoted at both ends that function in a similar manner to connecting-rods.
Pivots and pivotal connections (e.g. ball-joints).
Rotary engineering elements (e.g. rolls, drums or discs) other than gearing, coupling, clutch or brake elements.
Bearings such as:
- sliding bearings for rotating parts;
- rolling contact bearings for rotating parts;
- linear bearings.
Parts or details of bearings such as:
- cooling details;
- lubricating details;
- use of specific materials;
- bearing assemblages.
Specially adapted methods or apparatus for assembling together several separately formed components into a structure covered by this subclass (e.g. apparatus for assembling together crankshafts).
Relationship between large subject matter areas
F16C is a general function-orientated place.
Application-orientated places for this subject matter are provided elsewhere in the IPC – see below.
References relevant to classification in this subclass
This subclass does not cover:
Piston-rods, i.e. rods rigidly connected to the piston | F16J 7/00 |
Control cables for flexible medical endoscopes | A61B 1/005 |
Control cables for flexible technical endoscopes | G02B 23/24 |
Connecting-rods Connecting-rods for driving wheels of railway locomotives B61C 17/10 Pivotal connection of pistons with connecting-rods F16J 1/14 Shafts, crank shafts Arrangement or mounting of transmissions in vehicles characterised by arrangement, location, or type of main drive shafting, e.g. cardan shaft B60K 17/22 Axle-boxes for rail vehicles B61F 15/00 Propeller shafts or paddle-wheel shafts for ships B63H 23/34 Flexible shafts Flexible shafts in dental machines A61C 1/18 Mechanical means for transmitting movement in a flexible sheathing Control cables for change-speed gearing control B60K 20/02 Control cables for actuating brakes B60T 7/08, B60T 11/04 Control cables for brake-actuating mechanisms specially adapted for cycles B62L 3/02 Control cables for gearing speed-change mechanisms specially adapted for cycles B62M 25/02 Pivots and pivotal connections Arrangements of steering linkage connections B62D 7/16 Hinges for doors, windows, or wings E05D Rotary engineering elements other than gearing, coupling, clutch or brake elements Guide rollers in feeding webs B65H 27/00 Calender rolls, bearings therefor D21G 1/02 Flywheels F16F 15/30 Correcting- or balancing-weights or equivalent means for balancing rotating bodies F16F 15/32 Rotary drums or rollers for heat-exchange or heat-transfer apparatus F28F 5/02 Applications of bearings Bearings for agricultural machines A01B 71/04 Bearings for threshing machines A01F 12/58 Bearings for drawers for furniture A47B 88/00 Adaptation of roll bearings for metal-rolling mills B21B 31/07 Bearings for movable or adjustable work or tool supports B23Q 1/25 Hubs for vehicles B60B 27/00 Axle units; Parts thereof B60B 35/00 A mountings for shafting in vehicles B60K 17/24 Bearings for connecting-rods for driving wheels of railway locomotives B61C 17/10 Axle-boxes for rail vehicles with roller, needle, ball or journal bearings B61F 15/00 Bearings for steering heads B62K 21/06 Spindle-bearings for spinning or twisting arrangements D01H 7/12 Bearings or hinges of bridges E01D 19/04 Bearings allowing movement of building constructions E04B 1/36 Bearings specially adapted for roller shutters or for roller blinds E06B 9/174, E06B 9/50 Bearings for drill bits E21B 10/22 Arrangement of bearings in rotary-piston machines or engines F01C 21/02 Arrangement of bearings in non-positive displacement machines or engines F01D 25/16 Arrangement of bearings in gas-turbine plants F02C 7/06 Bearings for joint couplings F16D 3/00 Bearings for gyroscopes G01C 19/16 Bearings or suspensions for moving parts of measuring instruments G01D 11/02 Arrangements of bearings in weighing apparatus G01G 21/02 Testing of bearings G01M 13/04 Arrangements of bearings in instruments for measuring electric variables G01R 1/10 Arrangements of bearings for apparatus for measuring time integral of electric power or current G01R 11/12 Bearings for clockwork G04B 31/00 Shock-damping bearings for watches or clocks G04B 31/02 Bearings in dynamo-electric machines H02K 5/15, H02K 5/16 Structural association with bearings of dynamo-electric machines H02K 7/08 Informative references Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search: Rotary coupling elements, e.g. intermediate discs of couplings F16D 3/00, e.g. F16D 3/78, F16D 3/79 Axially displaceable couplings F16D 3/06 Universal joints for transmitting rotary motion F16D 3/16 Rotary clutch elements, e.g. clutch discs or plates F16D 13/00, e.g. F16D 13/38, F16D 13/64 Rotary brake elements, e.g. brake discs F16D 65/00, e.g. F16D 65/12 Rubber springs with stiff outer sleeve and inner sleeve or pin F16F 1/38 Crank gearings F16H 21/18 Crank gearings with adjustment of throw F16H 21/20 Camshafts F16H 53/02 Rotary gearing elements, e.g. gears, sprockets, pulleys F16H 55/00, e.g. F16H 55/17, F16H 55/30, F16H 55/36 Generation or transmission of movements for final actuating mechanisms within change-speed- or reversing-gearings with at least one movement being transmitted by a cable F16H 61/36 Supports for apparatus with ball-joint heads F16M 11/14 Hinges for spectacles G02C 5/22 Magnetic levitation devices. H02N 15/00 Making machine elements B21K 1/00 Making specific metal objects by operations not covered by a single other subclass than B23P or a group in subclass B23P B23P 15/00 Making parts of bearings Making parts of bearings, sleeves, cages for bearings or the like by punching of metal or by working or processing of sheet metal or metal tubes, rods or profiles without essentially removing material B21D 53/10, B21D 53/12 Rolling of rings, balls or rollers B21H 1/12, B21H 1/16 Forging or pressing of rings, balls, rollers or cages for bearings B21K 1/02, B21K 1/05 Casting of bearing shells B22D 15/02 Smoothing or roughening of bearing surfaces B23P 9/00 Hand tools for inserting or withdrawing sleeves or bearing races B25B 27/06 Producing bushes for bearings from plastics B29D 33/00 Indexing scheme associated with subclass B29C (shaping or joining of plastics) B29L 31/04 Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching, tempering, adapted for rings or bearing races C21D 9/40 Alloys C22C Electroplating of bearings C25D 7/10
Glossary of terms In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
Synonyms and Keywords In patent documents the expression/word "Bowden cable" is often used instead of "control cable" which is used in the classification scheme of this subclass.
Rotary engineering element
Any engineering element, other than a rotating element used in gearing, clutches, couplings or brakes, which rotates so far as its features are affected only by the fact that it rotates.
Bearing
A component of a machine or mechanism that is positioned between two relatively movable elements of the machine or mechanism and that has a surface formed for sliding or rolling contact with these elements when they move relative to each other for the sole function of reducing the friction that would otherwise result from their relative movement.
Connecting-rod or link pivoted at both ends
A reciprocating or oscillating elongated member of a machine or mechanism that is intended to be pivotally connected to and positioned between two relatively movable elements of the machine or mechanism for the purpose of transmitting force or conveying motion between the elements when it reciprocates or oscillates.
Crankshaft
A shaft with one or more cranks for turning reciprocating or oscillating motion into rotary motion.
Flexible shaft
An elongated member, normally a cylindrical rod, that is bendable along its length and rotates about its longitudinal axis to transmit torque or convey motion.
Bowden cable
A control cable consisting of an elongated member enclosed within a housing and that is bendable along its length and shifts along its longitudinal axis relative to its housing to transmit motion or force.
Roll, drum, disc
An element of a machine or mechanism in the form of a roller that has a generally curved surface that contacts work and revolves about its axis when the work shifts relative to it.
Shaft
An elongated member, normally a cylindrical rod, that rotates about its longitudinal axis to transmit torque or convey motion from a gear or other rotary body supported by it to another part of its machine or mechanism.