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[Sun]

Can the term perpendicular be used to define the relation between:
two non-intersecting lines that extend along directions that are orthogonal to each other

[khazzah]

Can the term perpendicular be used to define the relation between:
two non-intersecting lines that extend along directions that are orthogonal to each other

Suggest you provide more context for the question.

Are you drafting a spec with a definition in mind, and you're asking if this is a good definition?

Or do you have claims and are looking to amend to add the word "perpendicular"?

Or are you fighting a rejection in which the word "perpendicular" is used?

[Sun]

The question is with regards to drafting an application.

In a 1st embodiment a shaft pivots about an axis that passes perpendicularly through its center.

In a 2nd embodiment the shaft pivots about a similar oriented axis but when the axis is moved sideways a certain distance.

The question is will the following claim cover both embodiments:

A device comprising a shaft that extends perpendicular to an axis about which it pivots.

My concern is that the 2nd embodiment might not be covered by this claim if the term perpendicular only relates to two lines that must intersect.

[JimIvey]

It's been more than 30 years since high school geometry, but I vaguely recall that "perpendicular" lines are co-planar and therefore necessarily intersect.  I believe the term for lines that don't intersect because they're not co-planar is "skew".

I think the relationship you're looking for (if I understand you correctly) is a line that is "normal" to a plane in which the other line lies.

Regards.

[smgsmc]

It's been more than 30 years since high school geometry, but I vaguely recall that "perpendicular" lines are co-planar and therefore necessarily intersect.  I believe the term for lines that don't intersect because they're not co-planar is "skew".

I think the relationship you're looking for (if I understand you correctly) is a line that is "normal" to a plane in which the other line lies.

Regards.

I follow the convention that Jim has described. But I've also found that many people don't distinguish between (or are sloppy about) perpendicular/normal/orthogonal.  So your spec should be clear about the sense in which you are using the term.  Expanding on Jim's discussion, you would have
(assuming I understand your geometry correctly):

an axis of rotation
a plane normal to (or orthogonal to) the axis of rotation
a shaft whose longitudinal axis lies on the plane.

Spec should describe what is the longitudinal axis of the shaft.