SAFETY DEVICES IN GENERAL;

Description

F16P covers general safety devices and protective mechanisms used across mechanical machinery and installations to prevent injury, damage, or malfunction. This includes guards, shields, protective covers, restraint systems, and mechanical fail-safes that function independently of the specific machine they protect. The classification encompasses safety devices for rotating shafts, cutting tools, moving parts, and hazardous areas, as well as devices that limit motion, prevent unintended operation, or contain debris. Subject matter specific to particular machine types (such as safety devices integral to motors, pumps, or textile machinery) is typically classified in the relevant technical subclass rather than F16P.

Filing statistics

CPC subclass F16P recorded 6,548 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 438 in 2013 to 419 in 2023 (-4%), peaking at 730 applications in 2017. The most active applicants in class F16 are SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES & COMPANY (22,817 applications), ZAHNRADFABRIK FRIEDRICHSHAFEN (10,523 applications) and HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY (7,933 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings