A41D OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
Introduced: September 1968
Classification Context
- Section:
- HUMAN NECESSITIES
- Class:
- WEARING APPAREL
- Subclass:
- OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
Description
A41D covers outerwear garments, protective clothing, and wearable accessories designed to be worn over or alongside basic apparel. This classification includes jackets, coats, cloaks, overcoats, rainwear, and garments providing protection against environmental hazards, weather, chemicals, or occupational risks. It encompasses functional design features such as closures, fastenings, padding, linings, and integrated accessories like hoods, pockets, and straps, as well as specific protective equipment such as aprons, vests, and specialized work garments. The class excludes basic undergarments and intimate apparel (covered under A41B) and focuses on items worn as outer layers or protective layers.
Filing statistics
IPC subclass A41D recorded 165,987 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 10,073 in 2013 to 11,423 in 2023 (+13%), peaking at 32,490 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class A41 are NIKE (840 applications), NIKE INNOVATE (719 applications) and 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY (MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY) (444 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
A41D ranks 1st of 6 subclasses with filings in A41, with 165,987 applications between 2013 and 2023, 67.6% of the class. Annual filings grew 13% from 2013 to 2023, below the class as a whole (+26%).
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A41D | Outerwear; Protective Garments; Accessories | 165,987 | 67.6% |
| 2 | A41B, Shirts; Underwear; Baby Linen; Handkerchiefs | Shirts; Underwear; Baby Linen; Handkerchiefs | 26,797 | 10.9% |
| 3 | A41H, Appliances or Methods for Making Clothes, e.g. for Dress-Making or for Tailoring, Not Otherwise Provided for | Appliances or Methods for Making Clothes, e.g. for Dress-Making or for Tailoring, Not Otherwise Provided for | 18,428 | 7.5% |
| 4 | A41C, Corsets; Brassieres | Corsets; Brassieres | 15,625 | 6.4% |
| 5 | A41F, Garment Fastenings; Suspenders | Garment Fastenings; Suspenders | 10,594 | 4.3% |
| 6 | A41G, Artificial Flowers; Wigs; Masks; Feathers | Artificial Flowers; Wigs; Masks; Feathers | 8,153 | 3.3% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Related Keywords
16 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
Navigate with arrow keys, Enter to open
- A41D 1/00 Garments
- A41D 10/00 Pyjamas; Nightdresses
- A41D 11/00 Garments for children
- A41D 13/00 Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D 15/00 Convertible garments
- A41D 17/00 Gaiters; Spats
- A41D 19/00 Gloves
- A41D 20/00 Wristbands or headbands, e.g. for absorbing sweat
- A41D 23/00 Scarves; Head-scarves; Neckerchiefs
- A41D 25/00 Neckties
- A41D 27/00 Details of garments or of their making
- A41D 29/00 Uniforms; Parts or accessories of uniforms
- A41D 3/00 Overgarments
- A41D 31/00 Materials specially adapted for outerwear
- A41D 5/00 Fur garments; Garments of fur substitutes
- A41D 7/00 Bathing gowns; Swim-suits, drawers, or trunks; Beach suits
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class A41, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- NIKE US 840
- NIKE INNOVATE US 719
- 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY (MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY) US 444
- SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) 351
- HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 287
- TORAY INDUSTRIES JP 257
- JIANGXI INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY 248
- ZHEJIANG SCI TECH UNIVERSITY 235
- GUANGDONG COSMO-LADY INDUSTRIAL COMPANY 219
- GUNZE 218