F41F APPARATUS FOR LAUNCHING PROJECTILES OR MISSILES FROM BARRELS, e.g. CANNONS; LAUNCHERS FOR ROCKETS OR TORPEDOES; HARPOON GUNS
Introduced: September 1968
Last revised: January 1990
Classification Context
- Section:
- MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- Class:
- WEAPONS
- Subclass:
- APPARATUS FOR LAUNCHING PROJECTILES OR MISSILES FROM BARRELS, e.g. CANNONS; LAUNCHERS FOR ROCKETS OR TORPEDOES; HARPOON GUNS
Description
F41F covers mechanical systems and apparatus designed to propel projectiles, missiles, or similar objects through controlled launching mechanisms. This includes traditional barrel-based weapons such as cannons, guns, and rifles, as well as specialized launchers for rockets, torpedoes, and harpoons. The classification encompasses the structural, mechanical, and operational components of these launching devices, including breech mechanisms, firing systems, recoil systems, and barrel design features. Related ammunition feeding, ammunition itself, and general weapon construction details may fall under adjacent F41 subclasses.
Filing statistics
IPC subclass F41F recorded 4,573 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 281 in 2013 to 499 in 2023 (+78%), peaking at 523 applications in 2022. 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
F41F ranks 7th of 7 subclasses with filings in F41, with 4,573 applications between 2013 and 2023, 4.8% of the class. Annual filings grew 78% from 2013 to 2023, above 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 | 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 | 4,573 | 4.8% |
Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings
Related Keywords
4 direct subcodes
Child Classifications
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- F41F 1/00 Launching apparatus for projecting projectiles or missiles from barrels, e.g. cannons; Harpoon guns
- F41F 3/00 Rocket or torpedo launchers
- F41F 5/00 Launching-apparatus for gravity-propelled missiles or projectiles
- F41F 7/00 Launching-apparatus for projecting missiles or projectiles otherwise than from barrels
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