E04 BUILDING
Description
Class E04 encompasses the structural design, construction methods, and physical components of buildings and permanent structures. It covers load-bearing systems (foundations, walls, roofs, floors), structural frames, and integrated building elements including doors, windows, and interior finishing systems. The classification includes both traditional construction techniques and modern prefabrication methods, as well as specialized building systems for particular purposes such as movable or temporary structures. Adjacent classes in Section E address specific infrastructure (roads, railways, hydraulic works), while E04 focuses specifically on enclosed or semi-enclosed structures intended for human occupancy or use.
Filing statistics
CPC E04 recorded 509,479 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 6 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 25,926 in 2013 to 48,347 in 2023 (+86%), peaking at 65,952 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class E04 are CHINA CONSTRUCTION EIGHTH ENGINEERING DIVISION (1,675 applications), CHINA MCC17 GROUP COMPANY (1,593 applications) and ZHEJIANG YASHA DECORATION COMPANY (1,551 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
6 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- E04B GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; )
- E04C STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S)
- E04D ROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS (coverings of outer walls by plaster or other porous material E04F13/00)
- E04F FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS (windows, doors E06B)
- E04G SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
- E04H BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D)
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filings, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- CHINA CONSTRUCTION EIGHTH ENGINEERING DIVISION 1,675
- CHINA MCC17 GROUP COMPANY 1,593
- ZHEJIANG YASHA DECORATION COMPANY 1,551
- SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) 1,297
- GOLD MANTIS FINE DECORATION TECHNOLOGY (SUZHOU) COMPANY 1,212
- SHENYANG JIANZHU UNIVERSITY 926
- VAELINGE INNOVATION SE 901
- CHINA MCC5 GROUP CORPORATION 894
- VKR HOLDING DK 854
- SHANGHAI BAOYE GROUP CORPORATION 753