F41C - Definition 
Definition statement
This subclass covers:
Smallarms means a firearm which is generally held with one or both hands for firing.
Smallarms in the sense of man-portable firearms, i.e. a weapon capable of launching a projectile by confined deflagration of a pyrotechnic propellant, such as pistols, rifles, shotguns or the like, and details and accessories that are unique to smallarms
Pistols:
- Pistols including revolvers,
- Signal, starting and alarm pistols,
- Cap-firing pistols (including toy pistols),
Shoulder-fired smallarms:
- Rifles, carbines, shotguns,
- Submachine guns, machine carbines,
- Machine guns
Other types of smallarms:
- Hidden smallarms, e.g. in pencils, walking-stick guns,
- Smallarms specially adapted for underwater use,
- Muzzle-loading smallarms; smallarms with flintlock mechanism; accessories therefor
Parts of smallarms:
- Butts; butt plates; stocks,
- Attachment of slings,
- Stocks or grips for pistols
- Forestocks; handgrips; hand guards
Miscellaneous attachments for smallarms; accessories:
- Arrangements for mounting accessories for smallarms including means for mounting of monopods, bipods, tripods or shields,
- Adaptations of smallarms for firing grenades or ammunitions for special purposes, e.g. signaling, smoke producing, deterrent dispersing, marking or sensor carrying; barrel attachments therefor
- Smallarms combined with thrusting or cutting weapons; bayonets; bayonet mounts,
- Attachments for wire cutting,
- Balancing or stabilizing arrangements
Means for wearing or carrying smallarms
- Holsters including special attachments therefor
- Containers for carrying smallarms
- Handles for carrying smallarms
Relationship between large subject matter areas
In addition to the classification of the smallarm as whole in subclass F41C the functional details of these weapons should be classified in the relevant groups of subclass F41A. F41A is added to F41C if the functional feature is a part of invention, for example F41A 3/76, F41A 9/27, F41A 15/02, F41A 3/58, F41A 19/41, F41A 5/06, F41A 11/04, F41A 23/02.
References relevant to classification in this subclass
This subclass does not cover:
Arrangement of guns on vessels | B63G 1/00 |
Arrangement of military equipment in aircraft | B64D 7/00 |
Weapons for projecting missiles without use of explosive or combustible propellant charge | F41B |
Pistols or machine guns operated without detonators | A63H 5/04 |
Pistols for shooting bolts into concrete constructions, metal walls or the like | B25C |
Hand-held nailing tools operated by combustion pressure generated by detonation of a cartridge | B25C 1/10 |
Informative references
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Spades per se | A01B 1/02 |
Slaughtering pistols | A22B 3/02 |
Supports for articles placed thereon in general | F16M 11/00, F16M 13/00 |
Functional features or details common to both smallarms and ordnance, mountings therefor | F41A |
Thrusting or cutting weapons per se | F41B 13/00 |
Rocket launchers adapted to be carried by a person, e.g. bazookas | F41F 3/045 |
Sighting devices | F41G 1/00 |
Armour shields per se | F41H 5/06 |
Shields for smallarms | F41H 5/12 |
Glossary of terms
In this subclass, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
| Machine gun | firearm with a long rifled barrel capable of sustained firing in full automatic mode, the projectiles are fed form a belt or a high capacity magazine can be fitted or portable |
| Submachine gun | short, light weight machine gun, designed to fire pistol cartridges |
| Rifle | shoulder fired firearm with a long rifled barrel. Rifles can be capable for firing with magazine fed projectiles in single shot mode (repeater rifle) or in semi automatic and full automatic mode (assault rifle) |
| Carbine | short shoulder fired firearm, originally for cavalry use |
| Shotgun | smooth booth bore shoulder fired firearm for firing shot at a relatively short distance |
| Under-barrel grenade launcher | firearm for launching grenades, can be an auxiliary firearm attach to a primary firearm, usually single shot |
Synonyms and Keywords
In patent documents the following terms "machine carbine", "submachine gun" and "automatic firearm" are often used as synonyms. Also, these terms can be used as keywords.
In patent documents the following terms "scattergun", "shotgun" and "peppergun" are often used as synonyms. Also, these terms can be used as keywords.
In patent documents the following terms "repeating rifle" and "repeater rifle" are often used as synonyms. Also, these terms can be used as keywords.