Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 1 June 2026 has been considered by the examiner.
Drawings
The drawings were received on 15 May 2026. These drawings are approved.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Claim(s) 1-15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Abe et al (7,111,910).
Per claim 1, Abe et al shows a wheel having an annular rim 12 defining an axis and inboard and outboard sides. The rim 12 includes inboard and outboard bead seats, inboard and outboard well flanks that extend radially inwardly and towards the outboard and inboard sides, respectively. A well portion is defined between the inboard and outboard well flanks, and is defined by a plurality of curved and straight portions linked together. The well portion includes at least four transition portions of at least six varying thickness cross-sectional profiles (see column 6, lines 60-62 and column 7, lines 21-29, and Figure 1). A wheel disc including a centrally located hub with a plurality of bolt holes formed therein is inherently secured to the rim 12 to form the complete wheel.
Per claim 2, the wheel is a commercial vehicle wheel.
Per claim 3, the rim 12 is made by forming a metallic hoop.
Regarding claim 4, the limitation that the rim is formed by a flow forming process is a method limitation in a product claim, and thus receives no patentable weight (see MPEP 2113).
Per claim 5, the well portion has a first transition portion (generally at B) of increasing thickness in a direction from the outboard side to the inboard side of the rim 12.
Per claim 6, the well portion includes a second transition portion (generally C-D) of decreasing thickness in the direction from the outboard side to the inboard side of the rim 12.
Per claim 7, the second transition portion (C-D) includes a plurality of interconnected curved portions (as noted by four radii R therebetween).
Per claim 8, the well portion includes a straight cylindrical portion (generally B-C) between the first (B) and second (C-D) transition portions.
Per claim 9, the well portion includes a third transition portion (generally at noted by the two radii R adjacent the bottom dotted line of region D) of increasing thickness in the direction from the outboard side to the inboard side of the rim 12.
Per claim 10, the well portion includes a curved portion (the first of the two radii R defining the third transition portion) disposed between the second (C-D) and third transition portions.
Per claim 11, the well portion defines a fourth transition portion (generally at E) of decreasing thickness in the direction from the outboard side to the inboard side of the rim 12.
Per claim 12, the fourth transition portion (E) has a curved shape.
Per claim 13, Abe et al shows a commercial wheel having all of the features therein, as claim 13 incorporates the limitations of claims 1-11.
Per claim 14, Abe et al shows a commercial wheel having all of the features therein, as claim 14 incorporates the limitations of claim 7.
Per claim 15, Abe et al shows a commercial wheel having all of the features therein, as claim 15 incorporates the limitations of claim 12.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 15 May 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. The Applicant argues that Abe et al does not show the well portion including “at least four transition portions having at least six varying thickness cross-sectional profiles”. However, this is not the case, as Abe et al clearly discloses four transition portions (B, C, D, and E) that have six varying thickness cross-sectional profiles (13 and 14). The claims to not provide any limitations drawn to physical structure that precludes the wheel rim of Abe et al.
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 JASON R BELLINGER whose telephone number is (571)272-6680. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9-4.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Samuel (Joe) Morano can be reached at (571)272-6684. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JASON R BELLINGER/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3615
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