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Entering IPC and USPC patent classes

Using the Find Class dialog box to enter IPC and USPC patent classes

The Find Class dialog box is available when entering a patent query.

1. In the patent field list, select the desired patent class format:

1. • Main US Class

   • IPC Class

   • Additional US Classes

   • Additional IPC Classes

A Find Classes link appears at the right of the patent field list.

2. Click Find Classes at the right of the patent field list.

3. In the Find Class dialog box, do one of the following:

1. • To search for a patent class by words in the patent class title, select Words in title, type the keywords contained in the title, and then click (Find).

   • To search for patent classes by classification code, select Class number below the text box and type the beginning part of the patent class code. Click (Find) to view all patent class codes and titles that begin with the characters that you entered.

4. Select the appropriate check boxes to choose the patent classes. To clear all selections, click Clear All.

5. Click OK.

Entering IPC fields manually

You can narrow your search by manually specifying an International Patent Class (IPC) field, when the Find Class dialog box is not available.

The International Patent Class (IPC) Code is made up of the following subdivisions: Section, Class, Subclass, Group, and Subgroup. For example, C 7 D 487 4, where C is the Section, 7 is the Class, D is the Subclass, 487 is the Group, and 4 is the Subgroup. The following table summarizes the format of each IPC Code part:

IPC Syntax

Entering U.S. patent class fields manually

You can narrow your search by manually specifying a U.S. Patent Class (USPC) field, when the Find Class dialog box is not available.

The USPC code is made up of the following subdivisions: Class, Subclass, and Group. For example, Plt009.17, where Plt is the Class, 009 is the Subclass, and 17 is the Group. The following table summarizes the format of each USPC Code part:

USPC Syntax