Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, each of the plurality of pockets having at least one raceway formed on the hardened steel inner surface of the housing. must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because the detailed description fails to describe:
The claimed invention recited at claims 1-3, 15 & 17, a tripod joint comprising a plurality of pockets, each having at least one raceway formed on the hardened steel inner surface of the tripod housing.
The axially facing end surface recited in claim 16.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
Claims 1-3 & 15-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Universal Joint and Driveshaft Design Manual (SAE Manual). SAE Manual discloses a
tripod joint comprising:
a multi-part pot (see Fig. 1 on page 131) including a housing part (HOUSING) and base (HOUSING END COVER), the housing part having a hardened steel inner surface (see first full paragraph at the second column of page 137) defining a plurality of pockets (see “axial ball bores” at first full paragraph at the second column of page 137) each configured to receive a roller (BALL in Fig. 1 on page 131),
wherein each of the plurality of pockets includes at least one raceway (see shaded areas in Fig. 9) formed on the hardened steel inner surface,
wherein the housing part having has an open first end and the base is attached to a second end opposite the open first end (see Fig. 1 on page 131),
wherein a shaft extends from an exterior surface of the base (see Fig. 1 on page 141),
wherein Figs. 1 at pages 131 & 141 show the base is separately formed from the housing part, and Fig. 9 at page 137 shows the housing part (FLANGED TYPE) has an axially facing end surface for contacting the base at a joint (see also Figs. 1 at pages 131 & 141).
Claims 5-7, 14, 16 & 19-21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by VELOCITYHAUS. VELOCITYHAUS discloses a tripod joint comprising: a multi-part pot including a housing part (see “Housing” and a base with extending shaft (see “axle”), the housing part having an aluminum alloy (see “aluminum” inner surface defining a plurality of pockets (see photos),
wherein each the raceways comprises a pocket includes at least one insert (see “contact shells”) mounted on an interior the aluminum alloy inner surface of the housing part to form a raceway (see photos),
wherein each of the raceway inserts is formed from a material (see “steel”) having a hardness greater than a hardness of a material of the aluminum alloy housing part,
wherein each raceway insert covers at least side walls of each pocket (see photos),
wherein the housing has an axially facing end surface for connecting to the base (see photos).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the rejected claims have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Greg Binda whose telephone number is (571)272-7077. The examiner can normally be reached 9:30-5:30 et.
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/Greg Binda/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3679
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