CPC training A63B+ - e-learningCPC field-specific training A63B: "Apparatus for physical training, gymnastics, swimming, climbing, or fencing; ball games; training equipment" Diego

CPC field-specific trainingA63B: "Apparatus for physical training, gymnastics, swimming, climbing, or fencing; ball games; training equipment"

Diego Tejada Biarge July 2019Examiner, European Patent Office

European Patent Office 2

Table of contents

§ What and where to classify

§ Orthogonal and indexing symbols

§ Neighbouring fields

§ Special rules for classification in A63B

European Patent Office

This section covers:

3

What and where to classify …Gymnastic apparatuses (A63B 1-19, 25)

This section does not cover:

Exercising apparatuses: Fitness devices for strength, cardio, particular parts of the body and electronic controls therefor (A63B 21-23, 26).

A63B 1-19, 25


What and where to classify …Exercising apparatuses (A63B 21-23, 26)

A63B 21-23, 26

A63B 26Exercising apparatus not covered by groupsA63B 21-23

A63B 23Exercising apparatus specially adapted for particular parts of the body

A63B 22Cardio vascular system, for training agility orco-ordination of movements

A63B 21Strengthening the muscles or joints ofthe body


What and where to classify …Climbing & mountaineering (A63B 27-29)

A63B 27-29§ It also includes apparatus forclimbing trees or poles.

§ Care needs to be taken withneighbouring technical fields;mainly depending on:

• whether the application is onlyfor lowering or also for climbing;

• whether it disclosesmechanical features or nomechanical features at all.


What and where to classify …Swimming (A63B 31-35)

A63B 31-35Care has to be takenwith neighbouringtechnical fields, e.g.:

§ body flotationsupports

§ bathing caps not specifically conceived for sporting purposes

§ snorkels

§ diving masks or goggles with means covering the nostrils.

6


A63B 47Devices for handling, holding, carrying or treating balls

A63B 45Manufacturing of balls: Often used orthogonallywith A63B 37-41

A63B 43Balls with special arrangements : Often used orthogonally with A63B 37-41

A63B 41 Hollow & non-rigid & inflatable

A63B 39 Hollow & non-rigid & non-inflatable

What and where to classify …Balls (A63B 37-47)

A63B 37-47

A63B 37

§ Solid balls, or§ Hollow balls which are rigid, or§ Golf balls (a sub-field on their own, not to be

mixed with the rest of A63B 37)

7


What and where to classify …Rackets, clubs, bats, ball games accessories

A63B15/00 Clubs for gymnastics or the like {, e.g. for swinging exercises}D+

A63B49/00 Stringed rackets, e.g. for tennis (strings therefor A63B51/00)A63B51/00 Stringing tennis, badminton or like rackets;Strings therefor;Maintenance of racket strings

D+

D+

A63B53/00 Golf clubsA63B55/00 Bags for golf clubs;Stands for golf clubs for use on the course;Wheeled carriers specially adapted for golf bagsA63B53/00 Golfing accessories

D+

D+

D+

A63B59/00 Bats, rackets or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00 {(details A63B60/00)}D+

A63B60/00 Details or accessories of golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like+ orthogonal!

8


What and where to classify …Ball games nets, targets or goals for ball games

A63B 61

A63B 63

A63B 61: Ball games nets(tennis nets, volley-ball nets, postsstraining or adjusting devices)

A63B 63: Targets orgoals for ball games(not golf cups!)

9


What and where to classify …Other groups, some warnings

A63B65/00 Implements for throwing (throwing toys A63H33/18 ){; Mechanical projectors, e.g. using spring force}

A63B67/00 Sporting games or accessories therefor, not provided for in groups A63B1/00 - A63B65/00

A63B69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports (training of parachutists B64D23/00)

A63B71/00 Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00 (starting appliances A63K3/02)

D+

D+

D+

+

don't forget to check the subgroups of A63B 69/0051 and of A63B 69/3611, which are used

note the difference between A63B 65 and A63B 69/40

used orthogonally apart from A63B 71/08 ;in A63B 71/08 be careful not to classify helmets or clothing

note the difference between A63B 69/0097 and targetsfor ball games (A63B 63)

not darts!

10


Table of contents






§ Gymnastic Exercising Apparatuses§ Exercising Apparatuses§ Electr. Controls A63B 24/low§ Climbing & Mountaineering§ Swimming§ Balls

• wherein Golf Balls A63B 37/0003/low§ Rackets, Clubs, Bats, Ball Games Accessories

• wherein Details A63B 60/low, A63B 60/46/low§ Targets or Goals for Ball Games§ Throwing§ Miscellaneous Games§ Training Equipment§ Other Games and Accessories Not Previously Covered

• wherein Indicating or scoring devices A63B 71/06 - /0697§ The Rest of the Orthogonal Symbols

("series 2000") A63B 2102/00 - A63B 2244/26

Orthogonal and indexing symbolsWhere are the indexing symbols nested in A63B?

è The Electronic Triad:Electr. Controls (A63B 24/low) & "Interface" (A63B 71/06) &"Measuring" (A63B 2220, A63B 2230, A63B 60/46)

12


Orthogonal and indexing symbolsElectric or electronic controls (A63B 24)

For A63B 1-23, 25, 26:

§ Group A63B 24 can be used both as Invention and Additional information, BUT it should not be used alone:It should always be complementing at least another group/sub-group which is used as Invention information and which refers to an apparatus of any of A63B 1-23, 25, 26

§ If the monitoring aspects of the invention are used as an inputto the apparatus for controlling it:

• The application pertains to A63B

§ If the monitoring aspects of the invention are only used asa feedback to the user:

• The application does not pertain to A63B

13



For the rest of A63B:

§ Only allocated as Additional information and used orthogonally

§ Applications only relating to software, electronic or data management (i.e. the measurements are not directly affecting the user, justsensing, recording or giving feedback to the user) and where the potentially inventive part does not deal with mechanical / constructional features of an apparatus pertaining to A63B arenot classified in A63B

§ Constructional feature on how the sensor is integrated/mounted on an apparatus pertaining to A63B, we do classify it in A63B.

§ Feedback, it can influence the user in two different ways:

a) Psychologically: Not for A63B, unless we classify the documentin A63B for other reasons.

b) Mechanically: A63B

14



Misleading expressions and words

§ for sport device

§ to use for training or exercising

§ during a physical exercise

§ for golf

§ golf ball measurement

§ providing golf ball data

§ ...

15

è Not necessarily for A63B!


Orthogonal and indexing symbolsGolf balls (A63B 37/0003/low): overview

We use a different approach than for the rest of A63B:

§ Mainly, we only classify the information disclosed in the Claims (as Invention Information)

§ If considered relevant, in the light of the invention as defined by the claims, also the parts of the Description relating to the same subject-matter (as Additional Information)

A63B37/0003 . {Golf balls (for practising drives A63B69/3655, for practising putts A63B69/3688)}

A63B37/0004 . . {Surface depressions or protrusions}

A63B37/0022 . . {Coatings, markings (methods for marking A63B45/02)}

A63B37/0023 . . {Covers}

A63B37/0038 . . {Intermediate layers, e.g. inner cover, outer core, mantle}

A63B37/005 . . {Cores}

A63B37/007 . . {Characteristics of the ball as a whole}

D

D

D

D

–

+

+

+

+

+

Dimples

Layers


Four layers:

1. Core

2. Intermediate layer/s

3. Cover

4. Coating/Marking/s

§ Golf balls have only one Cover and only one Core.

§ The rest of the Structural layers are simplyIntermediate layer/s.

Orthogonal and indexing symbolsGolf balls (A63B 37/0003/low): layers

17


Orthogonal and indexing symbolsGolf balls (A63B 37/0003/low): parallel index for the structural layers

18


A63B59A63B53A63B49

A63B60

Orthogonal and indexing symbolsDetails or accessories of golf clubs,bats, rackets or the like (A63B 60)

§ A63B 60 is used orthogonally but only for the following:

§ A63B 60 is allocated both as Invention or Additionalinformation, depending on the relative importance with the respect to the state of the art

19


§ A frictionally dissipative, vibration damping counterweight (16), positioned within a hollow shaft (11) at a grip end, has two components (17,18) contained in the hollow shaft in a state one component is loosely contained to move at small distances relativeto the other component.

§ Such movements of counterweight (16) can dissipate a significant portion of the energy that is transmitted through hollow shaft (11) by diminishing the amplitude of vibrations.

20

Orthogonal and indexing symbolsExample for orthogonal A63B 60

§ A63B53/00(Golf clubs)

§ A63B60/24(weighted handles)

§ A63B60/54(with means for damping vibrations)

US 6,007,431 A


Orthogonal and indexing symbolsIndicating or scoring devices (A63B 71/06 – 0697)

§ These are subgroups that should not be used if the invention does not refer to any constructional feature

§ For example, when the invention relates only to a display with features relating solely to displaying information, without any kind of constructional detail beyond the display itself, it will most probably belong only to another neighbouring fields

§ There will be cases in which multiple classification(i.e. in A63B an another neighbouring field) applies

21


Orthogonal and indexing symbols"series 2000"

§ A63B 2102/00-A63B 2244/26

§ Only allocated as Additional information !

§ Special mention is made of Measuring:

• A63B 2220, A63B 2230 (remember also A63B 60/46/low !)

• The purpose takes precedence over the measuring method

• Sensors for detecting an event when the magnitude isnot important:

A63B 2220/801 (Contact Switches)

• Position of the sensor: A63B 2220/83/low

22


Orthogonal and indexing symbolsExample for "series 2000"

US 2018/0214754 A1§ Attachment to a lacrosse goal to provide a backstop for stopping errant shot

attempts. § A convertible sport goal that can be configured into either a hockey goal or a

soccer goal with an attachment net which includes that can include Velcro straps. The attachment net attaches to the upper portion of a standard lacrosse goal to shrink the effective shooting area of the goal to hockey dimensions.

A63B63/004 (Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like)

A63B71/022(Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls)

A63B2102/14 (Lacrosse)

A63B2102/22;A63B2102/24

(Field ; Ice hockey)

A63B2243/0025 (Football, i.e. Soccer)

A63B2209/10 (With adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener)

A63B2225/09 (With adjustable dimensions)


Orthogonal and indexing symbolsThe Electronic Triad:Electr. Controls & Interface & Measuring

Other Features

Electr. ControlsA63B 24/low

InterfaceA63B 71/06/low

MeasuringA63B 2220/low

A63B 2230/00/lowA63B 60/46/low

24


Table of contents






Neighbouring fieldsIn generalDevices for producing waves in swimming pools E04H4/0006

Amusement arrangements involving water A63G31/007

Protective equipment in the form of clothing or garments for sporting purposes

A41D13/00

in the form of caps or hats A42B1/08

Helmets A42B3/00

Measuring movement of entire body A61B5/11

Measuring muscular strength for diagnostic purposes A61B5/22

Evaluating sense of balance A61B5/4023

Apparatus for passive exercising or massage A61H

Video games (see also “simulators for training below) A63F13/00

Video and computer games with photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells

A63F13/213

Computing the game score A63F13/46

Computing the motion/movement of game characters with respect to other game characters

A63F13/56

Manufacturing sport articles B21K17/00

General aspects of joining tubular articles; of joining long products; of joining single elements to tubular articles; hollow articles or bars; of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles

B29C66/50

Unicycles B62K1/00

Bicycles B62K3/00

Vessels or like floating structures for pleasure or sport B63B35/71, B63B35/73

Life-saving in water B63C9/00

Breathing aids for swimming, e.g. snorkels B63C11/12

Divers' sleds or like craft B63C11/46

Textile Fibres for sport, military D10B2507/00

Exercising for producing mechanical power F03G5/00

Hooks ; comprising snap hooks for mountaineering F16B45/00

Archers' finger tabs F41B5/16

Traps for clay-pigeon targets F41J9/18

Measuring of sport goods in general G01B5/0023

Measure arrangements char. optical means G01B11/00

Systems for determining distance or velocity using sonic waves

G01S11/14

Systems using reflection of acoustic waves G01S15/00

Systems using reflection of electromagnetic waves, velocity or trajectory

G01S17/58

GPS – receivers – sporting applications G01S19/19

Controlling member being movable by hand, e.g. joystick G05G6/047

Input interaction (Gesture, VR, GUI) G06F3/01+

Data acquisition and logging G06F17/40

Prescription of physical exercise, e.g. virtual trainers G16H20/30

Recognition of whole body movements, e.g. for sport training

G06K9/00342

Performance analysis G06Q10/0639

Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events G06Q10/02

Analysis of motion (image analysis) G06T7/20

Multi-camera tracking G06T7/292

Registering, indicating or recording the time of events or elapsed time, e.g. time-recorders; in connection with sports or games

G07C1/22

Race time recorders G07C1/24

Simulators for training G09B9/00

Devices for exercising or strengthening of fingers or armsin teaching music

G09B15/06

Teaching repetitive work cycles; Sequence of movements; sport

G09B19/0038

Matching music to exercise G10H2240/325G10H1/40

Advertising on sports articles, e.g. golf clubs G09F23/0066

Measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11


Neighbouring fieldsFor golf balls (typically chemistry or processing)

è Often, we do double classification both in A63Band in one of the other above-mentioned fields

B29B 17/02 Separating plastics from other materials.

B29C 35/00 Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking, vulcanising.

B29C 45/14819 Injection.

B29C 59/00 Surface shaping, e.g. embossing.

C08K 5/00 Use of organic ingredients.

C08K 5/098 Carboxylic acids, metal salts.

C08G 18/00 Polymeric products of isocyanates or isothiocyanates.

C08L 23/0876 Neutralised polymers, i.e. ionomers.

C08L 75/00 Compositions of polyureas or polyurethanes.

C08L 77/00 Compositions of polyamides obtained by reactions

C09D 1/ Coating compositions.

etc.


Table of contents






Special rules of classificationFor golf balls (A63B 37/0003/low)and golf clubs (A63B 53)

We use a different approach than for the rest of A63B

§ Mainly, we only classify the information disclosed in the Claims (as Invention Information)

§ If considered relevant, in the light of the invention as defined by the claims, also the parts of the Description relating to the same subject-matter (as Additional Information)


Thank you for your attention!

Documents

CPC training A63B+ - e-learningCPC field-specific training A63B: "Apparatus for physical training, gymnastics, swimming, climbing, or fencing; ball games; training equipment" Diego