code: protected ClassLoader getClassLoader() {
          ClassLoader classLoader = null;
          try {
              classLoader = Thread.currentThread().getContextClassLoader();
          } catch (Throwable ex) {
              // Cannot access thread context ClassLoader - falling back...
          }
          return (classLoader != null ? classLoader : getClass().getClassLoader());
      }
docs: SPRING PATCH: PREFER THREAD CONTEXT CLASSLOADER FOR APPLICATION CLASSES