F41B WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
Introduced: September 1968
Classification Context
- Section:
- MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- Class:
- WEAPONS
- Subclass:
- WEAPONS FOR PROJECTING MISSILES WITHOUT USE OF EXPLOSIVE OR COMBUSTIBLE PROPELLANT CHARGE; WEAPONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
Description
F41B covers non-explosive and non-combustible missile projection systems, including mechanical, pneumatic, and elastic-force weapons such as crossbows, bows, catapults, slingshots, and air-powered guns. This subclass encompasses both traditional and modern designs that rely on mechanical energy storage and release mechanisms rather than chemical propulsion. It also serves as a residual category for weapon types not specifically classified elsewhere in the F41 weapons hierarchy. Adjacent classes F41A (firearms using explosive/combustible propellant) and F41C (edged weapons) are excluded.
Filing statistics
IPC subclass F41B recorded 13,533 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 1,004 in 2013 to 1,215 in 2023 (+21%), peaking at 1,404 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
F41B ranks 4th of 7 subclasses with filings in F41, with 13,533 applications between 2013 and 2023, 14.3% of the class. Annual filings grew 21% from 2013 to 2023, below the class as a whole (+24%).
| Rank | Subclass | Title | Applications | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F41H, Armour; Armoured Turrets; Armoured or Armed Vehicles; Means of Attack or Defence, e.g. Camouflage, in General | Armour; Armoured Turrets; Armoured or Armed Vehicles; Means of Attack or Defence, e.g. Camouflage, in General | 23,348 | 24.8% |
| 2 | F41A, Functional Features or Details Common to Both Smallarms and Ordnance, e.g. Cannons; Mountings for Smallarms or Ordnance | Functional Features or Details Common to Both Smallarms and Ordnance, e.g. Cannons; Mountings for Smallarms or Ordnance | 22,919 | 24.3% |
| 3 | F41G, Weapon Sights; Aiming | Weapon Sights; Aiming | 15,221 | 16.1% |
| 4 | F41B | Weapons for Projecting Missiles Without Use of Explosive or Combustible Propellant Charge; Weapons Not Otherwise Provided for | 13,533 | 14.3% |
| 5 | F41J, Targets; Target Ranges; Bullet Catchers | Targets; Target Ranges; Bullet Catchers | 7,499 | 7.9% |
| 6 | F41C, Smallarms, e.g. Pistols or Rifles; Accessories Therefor | Smallarms, e.g. Pistols or Rifles; Accessories Therefor | 7,242 | 7.7% |
| 7 | F41F, Apparatus for Launching Projectiles or Missiles From Barrels, e.g. Cannons; Launchers for Rockets or Torpedoes; Harpoon Guns | Apparatus for Launching Projectiles or Missiles From Barrels, e.g. Cannons; Launchers for Rockets or Torpedoes; Harpoon Guns | 4,573 | 4.8% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Related Keywords
10 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- F41B 1/00 Blow guns, i.e. tubes for impelling projectiles, e.g. peas or darts, by the force of the breath
- F41B 11/00 Compressed-gas guns, e.g. air guns; Steam guns
- F41B 13/00 Thrusting-weapons; Cutting-weapons carried as side-arms
- F41B 15/00 Weapons not otherwise provided for
- F41B 3/00 Sling weapons
- F41B 4/00 Friction-wheel operated launchers
- F41B 5/00 Bows; Crossbows
- F41B 6/00 Electromagnetic launchers
- F41B 7/00 Spring guns
- F41B 9/00 Liquid ejecting guns, e.g. water pistols
Top Applicants
Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class F41, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT
- NEXTER SYSTEMS FR 509
- AGENCY FOR DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT KR 461
- RHEINMETALL WAFFE MUNITION DE 409
- BAE SYSTEMS GB 388
- CHONGQING JIANSHE INDUSTRY (GROUP) COMPANY 352
- AXON ENTERPRISE US 345
- LIG NEX1 COMPANY KR 323
- RAYTHEON COMPANY US 320
- KRAUSS-MAFFEI WEGMANN & COMPANY DE 263
- NANJING UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 228