AIR-CUSHION VEHICLES

Description

B60V covers air-cushion vehicles (hovercraft) and related technology for generating, maintaining, and controlling the air cushion beneath the craft. This classification includes propulsion systems, steering mechanisms, skirt designs, and air supply/pressure regulation systems specific to hovering and ground-effect vehicles. Applications encompass passenger and cargo transport over water, marshland, and other surfaces where conventional wheeled or water-based vessels are impractical. Adjacent classes address conventional vehicle propulsion (B60K) and marine vessel design (B63B).

Filing statistics

CPC subclass B60V recorded 860 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 59 in 2013 to 56 in 2023 (-5%), peaking at 116 applications in 2016. The most active applicants in class B60 are HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY (31,729 applications), FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES (29,270 applications) and KIA MOTORS CORPORATION (23,892 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings