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IPC Class
F41

WEAPONS

Classification Context

Section:
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Class:
WEAPONS

Description

F41 encompasses mechanical weapons and their components, including firearms, artillery, ammunition, and related firing mechanisms. This class covers the design and manufacture of conventional kinetic weapons systems such as guns, cannons, rifles, pistols, and their constituent parts (barrels, actions, breech mechanisms). It also includes non-firearm weapons like bows, crossbows, and catapults, as well as ammunition types, propellant charges, and ignition systems. Related blasting applications and pyrotechnic devices are covered under the broader F section heading, though primary focus remains on weaponry mechanisms and their technical implementation.

Filing statistics

IPC F41 recorded 94,335 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 7 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 6,478 in 2013 to 8,043 in 2023 (+24%), peaking at 10,309 applications in 2020. The most active applicants in class F41 are NEXTER SYSTEMS (509 applications), AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT (461 applications) and RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION (409 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

In class comparison

F41 comprises 7 subclasses with filings; the largest is F41H with 24.8% of the class's 94,335 applications between 2013 and 2023.

Subclasses of class F41 by patent applications, 2013–2023
RankSubclassTitleApplicationsShare
1F41H, Armour; Armoured Turrets; Armoured or Armed Vehicles; Means of Attack or Defence, e.g. Camouflage, in GeneralArmour; Armoured Turrets; Armoured or Armed Vehicles; Means of Attack or Defence, e.g. Camouflage, in General23,34824.8%
2F41A, Functional Features or Details Common to Both Smallarms and Ordnance, e.g. Cannons; Mountings for Smallarms or OrdnanceFunctional Features or Details Common to Both Smallarms and Ordnance, e.g. Cannons; Mountings for Smallarms or Ordnance22,91924.3%
3F41G, Weapon Sights; AimingWeapon Sights; Aiming15,22116.1%
4F41B, Weapons for Projecting Missiles Without Use of Explosive or Combustible Propellant Charge; Weapons Not Otherwise Provided forWeapons for Projecting Missiles Without Use of Explosive or Combustible Propellant Charge; Weapons Not Otherwise Provided for13,53314.3%
5F41J, Targets; Target Ranges; Bullet CatchersTargets; Target Ranges; Bullet Catchers7,4997.9%
6F41C, Smallarms, e.g. Pistols or Rifles; Accessories ThereforSmallarms, e.g. Pistols or Rifles; Accessories Therefor7,2427.7%
7F41F, Apparatus for Launching Projectiles or Missiles From Barrels, e.g. Cannons; Launchers for Rockets or Torpedoes; Harpoon GunsApparatus for Launching Projectiles or Missiles From Barrels, e.g. Cannons; Launchers for Rockets or Torpedoes; Harpoon Guns4,5734.8%

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Additional Content

stock the portion of a long gun that supports or affixes the working components of the firearm.

Related Keywords

CLEANING weaponsGUNSHOLSTERSHOWITZERSMILITARY offensive or defensive apparatusSHOOTINGweaponsWEAPON(S)

7 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filings, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. NEXTER SYSTEMS FR 509
  2. AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT KR 461
  3. RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION DE 409
  4. BAE SYSTEMS GB 388
  5. CHONGQING JIANSHE INDUSTRY (GROUP) COMPANY 352
  6. AXON ENTERPRISE US 345
  7. LIG NEX1 COMPANY KR 323
  8. RAYTHEON COMPANY US 320
  9. KRAUSS-MAFFEI WEGMANN & COMPANY DE 263
  10. NANJING UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 228