TARGETS; TARGET RANGES; BULLET CATCHERS

Introduced: September 1968

Classification Context

Section:: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Class:: WEAPONS
Subclass:: TARGETS; TARGET RANGES; BULLET CATCHERS

Description

F41J covers targets, target ranges, and bullet-catching systems used for firearms testing, military training, and shooting practice. This classification includes stationary and moving targets, target frames and supports, backstops, bullet traps, and range infrastructure designed to safely contain projectiles and facilitate marksmanship evaluation. It encompasses mechanical and electronic target systems but excludes weapons and ammunition themselves, which fall under other F41 subclasses, and does not cover general sports equipment used in non-weapons contexts.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass F41J recorded 7,499 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 346 in 2013 to 723 in 2023 (+109%), peaking at 904 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

Related Keywords

TARGETStargets or target ranges for WEAPON(S)

8 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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F41J 1/00 Targets; Target stands; Target holders
F41J 11/00 Target ranges
F41J 13/00 Bullet catchers
F41J 2/00 Reflecting targets, e.g. radar-reflector targets; Active targets transmitting electromagnetic waves
F41J 3/00 Targets for arrows or darts, e.g. for sporting or amusement purposes
F41J 5/00 Target indicating systems; Target-hit or score detecting systems
F41J 7/00 Movable targets which are stationary when fired at
F41J 9/00 Moving targets, i.e. moving when fired at

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