B21K MAKING FORGED OR PRESSED METAL PRODUCTS, e.g. HORSE-SHOES, RIVETS, BOLTS OR WHEELS
Introduced: September 1968
Classification Context
- Section:
- PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- Class:
- MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- Subclass:
- MAKING FORGED OR PRESSED METAL PRODUCTS, e.g. HORSE-SHOES, RIVETS, BOLTS OR WHEELS
Description
B21K covers mechanical metal-working processes that form metal products through forging, pressing, or similar deformation techniques without substantial material removal. This includes manufacturing discrete metal articles such as rivets, bolts, horseshoes, wheels, and other components shaped by impact, pressure, or combined force. The classification encompasses both the machinery and methods for cold or hot forming operations, as well as finishing steps integral to the forging or pressing process. Adjacent classes (B21C-B21F) address continuous or specialized metal-forming operations, while B21H-B21J cover metal-cutting and surface-treatment activities excluded from this subclass.
Filing statistics
IPC subclass B21K recorded 18,766 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 979 in 2013 to 2,225 in 2023 (+127%), peaking at 2,261 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class B21 are JFE STEEL (2,318 applications), JFE STEEL (2,294 applications) and POSCO (POHANG IRON AND STEEL COMPANY) (2,083 applications).
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
In class comparison
B21K ranks 6th of 9 subclasses with filings in B21, with 18,766 applications between 2013 and 2023, 2.8% of the class. Annual filings grew 127% from 2013 to 2023, below the class as a whole (+146%).
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B21D, Working or Processing of Sheet Metal or Metal Tubes, Rods or Profiles Without Essentially Removing Material; Punching Metal | Working or Processing of Sheet Metal or Metal Tubes, Rods or Profiles Without Essentially Removing Material; Punching Metal | 351,007 | 53.1% |
| 2 | B21C, Manufacture of Metal Sheets, Wire, Rods, Tubes, Profiles or Like Semi-Manufactured Products Otherwise Than by Rolling; Auxiliary Operations Used in Connection With Metal-Working Without Essentially Removing Material | Manufacture of Metal Sheets, Wire, Rods, Tubes, Profiles or Like Semi-Manufactured Products Otherwise Than by Rolling; Auxiliary Operations Used in Connection With Metal-Working Without Essentially Removing Material | 84,269 | 12.8% |
| 3 | B21B, Rolling of Metal | Rolling of Metal | 71,906 | 10.9% |
| 4 | B21F, Working or Processing of Metal Wire | Working or Processing of Metal Wire | 67,229 | 10.2% |
| 5 | B21J, Forging; Hammering; Pressing Metal; Riveting; Forge Furnaces | Forging; Hammering; Pressing Metal; Riveting; Forge Furnaces | 53,883 | 8.2% |
| 6 | B21K | Making Forged or Pressed Metal Products, e.g. Horse-Shoes, Rivets, Bolts or Wheels | 18,766 | 2.8% |
| 7 | B21H, Making Particular Metal Objects by Rolling, e.g. Screws, Wheels, Rings, Barrels, Balls | Making Particular Metal Objects by Rolling, e.g. Screws, Wheels, Rings, Barrels, Balls | 9,223 | 1.4% |
| 8 | B21L, Making Metal Chains | Making Metal Chains | 2,434 | 0.4% |
| 9 | B21G, Making Needles, Pins or Nails of Metal | Making Needles, Pins or Nails of Metal | 1,702 | 0.3% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Related Keywords
16 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- B21K 1/00 Making machine elements
- B21K 11/00 Making cutlery wares; Making garden tools or the like
- B21K 13/00 Making locksmiths' goods, e.g. handles for cases
- B21K 15/00 Making blacksmiths' goods
- B21K 17/00 Making sport articles, e.g. skates
- B21K 19/00 Making articles for agricultural machinery
- B21K 21/00 Making hollow articles not covered by any single one of groups
- B21K 23/00 Making other articles
- B21K 25/00 Uniting components to form integral members, e.g. turbine wheels and shafts, caulks with inserts, with or without shaping of the components
- B21K 27/00 Handling devices, e.g. for feeding, aligning, discharging; Cutting-off means; Arrangement thereof
- B21K 29/00 Arrangements for heating or cooling during processing
- B21K 3/00 Making engine or like machine parts not covered by; Making propellers or the like
- B21K 31/00 Control devices specially adapted for positioning tool carriers
- B21K 5/00 Making tools or tool parts, e.g. pliers
- B21K 7/00 Making railway appurtenances; Making vehicle parts
- B21K 9/00 Reconditioning railroad accessories, e.g. rails
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class B21, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- JFE STEEL 2,318
- JFE STEEL JP 2,294
- POSCO (POHANG IRON AND STEEL COMPANY) KR 2,083
- NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION JP 1,650
- NSSMC (NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL) JP 1,631
- SMS GROUP DE 1,472
- BAOSHAN IRON & STEEL COMPANY 1,181
- SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) 1,079
- ANHUI JIANGHUAI AUTOMOBILE 984
- HYUNDAI STEEL COMPANY KR 980