B61G COUPLINGS; DRAUGHT AND BUFFING APPLIANCES (vehicle connections in general B60D)
Description
B61G covers mechanical couplings and shock-absorbing devices specifically designed for joining and cushioning impacts between railway vehicles and train sets. This includes coupler heads, drawbars, buffer systems, and associated hardware that facilitate train formation while mitigating longitudinal forces during acceleration, braking, and coupling operations. The classification extends to both automatic and manual coupling mechanisms as well as the structural components that transmit draft and buffering forces between adjacent vehicles.
Filing statistics
CPC subclass B61G recorded 4,478 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 216 in 2013 to 327 in 2023 (+51%), peaking at 519 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class B61 are SIEMENS MOBILITY (2,967 applications), SIEMENS (2,133 applications) and ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES (1,691 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
6 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- B61G 1/00 Couplings comprising interengaging parts of different shape or form and having links, bars, pins, shackles, or hooks as coupling means
- B61G 11/00 Buffers (springs F16F)
- B61G 3/00 Couplings comprising mating parts of similar shape or form which can be coupled without the use of any additional element or elements
- B61G 5/00 Couplings for special purposes not otherwise provided for
- B61G 7/00 Details or accessories
- B61G 9/00 Draw-gear
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B61, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- SIEMENS MOBILITY DE 2,967
- SIEMENS DE 2,133
- ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES FR 1,691
- CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG COMPANY 1,100
- BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION DE 1,085
- MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION JP 880
- BYD COMPANY 821
- KRRI KR 761
- HITACHI JP 752
- CRRC ZHUZHOU LOCOMOTIVE COMPANY 721