US1836 patent classification
The US1836 patent classification system is a name invented here. It's the technology classification used by the U.S. patent office to classify patents from some time in 1836 until about 1867 when Joan Goodbody's poster says the number of classes jumped to 36. U.S. patents in this period may all have been classified in this system but the class is not shown on the patent itself or in any standard database we've found. Particular archival books show the classification and the Ellsworth book categorizes 1839-41 patents into these categories. Recheck: https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Timeline.pdf
Sources: Ellsworth, 1842; J.G. Moore, 1860; Gustavus Weber, 1924
This category system was made up of 22 technology classes, plus an administrative class for changes to existing patents. They are numbered from 1 to 23. I believe later classifications don't have administrative categories, only technology classes -- a slight concept change. The table below has a full list of these 23 categories.
| Class | Name | Notes from JG Moore 1855/1860 book plus (some notes now) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agriculture | Including instruments and operations |
| 2 | Metallurgy | And manufacture of metals, and instruments therefor |
| 3 | Fibrous and Textiles substances | Manufacture of, including machinery and modes of preparation |
| 4 | Chemical Processes | Manufactures and compounds, distillations, dyeing, etc. |
| 5 | Calorifics | Comprising lamps, fire-places, stoves, heating apparatus, furnaces, etc. |
| 6 | Steam and Gas Engines | Including boilers and furnaces therefor, and parts thereof |
| 7 | Navigation and Maritime Implements | Models, vessel construction, rigging, propulsion, etc. |
| 8 | Mathematical, Philosophical, and Optical Instruments | Including chronometers, etc. |
| 9 | Civil Engineering and Architecture | Including all that appertain thereto |
| 10 | Land Conveyances | Modes of, as wheeled vehicles, railroad cars, wheels, etc |
| 11 | Hydraulics and Pneumatics | Inclusive of machinery and processes thereof |
| 12 | Lever, Screw, and Mechanical Power | As applied to human labor |
| 13 | Grinding Mills and Mill-Gearing | Including mechanical movements and horse-power |
| 14 | Lumber | Including machines and tools for preparing and manufacturing |
| 15 | Stone and Clay manufactures | Including moulds, machinery, etc. |
| 16 | Leather | Including processes of manufacture, and ditto of boots, shoes, saddlery, etc. |
| 17 | Household Furniture | Machines and implements for domestic use, etc. |
| 18 | Arts | Polite, fine, and ornamental, including painting, sculpture, music, printing, etc. |
| 19 | Fire Arms and Implements of War | Including manufacture of powder, shot, etc. |
| 20 | Surgical and Medical Instruments | Including trusses, dental instruments, etc. |
| 21 | Wearing Apparel | Articles for the toilet, including instruments of manufacture, etc. |
| 22 | Miscellaneous | |
| 23 | Extensions, Reissues, Improvements, etc. |
| Enclosing categories | US patent classification systems |
|---|---|
| Subcategories | US1836 class 7, US1836 class 11, US1836 class 19, US1836 class 16 |
| Keywords | |
| Start year | 1836 |
| End year | 1867 |
