F16S CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS IN GENERAL; STRUCTURES BUILT-UP FROM SUCH ELEMENTS, IN GENERAL
Introduced: September 1968
Description
F16S covers structural and constructional elements of general applicability used in mechanical engineering, including basic building blocks such as frames, supports, housings, and structural assemblies that are not specific to any particular machine type. This subclass encompasses generic structural solutions and combined structures built from fundamental mechanical components, excluding specialized elements classified in other F16 subclasses (such as bearings, seals, or fasteners) and machine-specific structural designs. The classification applies to structural principles and component combinations that serve a cross-cutting function across multiple mechanical systems and installations.
IPC and CPC are identically structured here. All 3 subcodes exist in both systems.
2 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.
Child Classifications
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- F16S 1/00 Sheets, panels, or other members of similar proportions; Constructions comprising assemblies of such members (built-up gratings F16S3/00; layered products B32B) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- F16S 3/00 Elongated members, e.g. profiled members; Assemblies thereof; Gratings or grilles (gratings or grilles formed from a sheet or the like F16S1/00, F16S1/08; frames for doors, windows or the like E06B1/00, E06B3/00) IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
- F16S 5/00 Other constructional members not restricted to an application fully provided for in a single class IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC
Top Applicants
Top Applicants (IPC)
Class F16,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES & COMPANY DE 21,545
- ZAHNRADFABRIK FRIEDRICHSHAFEN DE 9,446
- TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION 7,215
- HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY KR 6,846
- ROBERT BOSCH DE 6,106
- NTN CORPORATION 5,305
- SKF SE 4,219
- KIA MOTORS CORPORATION KR 3,852
- NSK 3,850
- HONDA MOTOR COMPANY 3,639
Top Applicants (CPC)
Class F16,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES & COMPANY DE 22,817
- ZAHNRADFABRIK FRIEDRICHSHAFEN DE 10,523
- HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY KR 7,933
- ROBERT BOSCH DE 7,059
- KIA MOTORS CORPORATION KR 4,867
- SKF SE 4,729
- TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION JP 4,111
- FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES US 3,838
- GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS US 3,575
- TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION 3,499