DETAILED ACTION
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 .
Claim Objections
Claim 6 is objected to because of the following informalities: the phrase “a stop is mounted fixedly on the roller, the stop being in contact with the ratchet element)” is indefinite because the closed parentheses appears to be a typographical error. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Regarding independent claim 1, the phrase “a first rotation shaft fixed to a body” is indefinite because it is unclear whether this is the same element as the previously recited “body.”
Regarding independent claim 1, the phrase “a roller mounted . . .” is indefinite because it is unclear whether this is the same element as the previously recited “roller.”
Regarding claim 7, the phrase “a functional clearance” is indefinite because the specification has not specified which element in the drawings corresponds to the functional clearance, and it is not clear from the written description what is considered to be a functional clearance.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 1, 2, 6, 7 and 11-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wolner et al. (US 2005/0051659) in view of Hansen (US 3,421,605).
Regarding independent claim 1, Wolner discloses a detection device (see Abstract; FIGS. 1, 2) configured to detect a speed of rotation of a roller (111) (see ¶ 0026) of a clamping device (100) of a wire element (see ¶ 0025) comprising: - a body (101); - a first rotation shaft (126) fixed to a body (via (140)); - a roller (111) mounted rotating around the first rotation shaft (see FIG. 1; ¶ 0022), the first rotation shaft defining a first axis of rotation for the roller (see FIG. 1); - a clamp (118) fixed to the body (see ¶ 0023) and having a first contact surface (141); - at least one member (128) fixed to the roller so as to rotate around the first axis of rotation in an annular volume arranged between the first axis of rotation and the clamp (see FIG. 2), the at least one member having a second contact surface (129), the at least one member being mounted movable with respect to the first axis of rotation between a first member position in which a first distance between the first axis of rotation and a distal part of the second contact surface is smaller than a second distance between the first axis of rotation and a proximal part of the first contact surface (see FIG. 1, the members (128) being located in the first position) and a second member position in which the first distance is greater than the second distance (see ¶ 0026, “the base portion 129 [pivots] away from the plate 143 and engage at least one of the ratcheting teeth 141 of the brake hub 118”), rotation of the roller generating a centrifugal force designed to move the second contact surface away from the first axis of rotation to increase the value of the first distance so that the second contact surface is in contact with the first contact surface when the speed of rotation of the roller exceeds a threshold speed of rotation (see ¶ 0026, “the base portion 129 [pivots] away from the plate 143 and engage at least one of the ratcheting teeth 141 of the brake hub 118”), the clamp blocking one direction of rotation of the roller when the first contact surface is in contact with the second contact surface (see ¶ 0026), wherein the member has a ratchet element (129), the ratchet element comprising the second contact surface (see FIG. 2).
Wolner does not disclose that the member has a flyweight portion and a ratchet element arranged one after the other in a direction parallel to the first axis of rotation; wherein, in the second member position, the flyweight portion is devoid of contact with the clamp; and wherein a distal part of the flyweight portion is farther from the first axis of rotation than a distal part of the second contact surface in an observation along the first axis of rotation.
Hansen teaches a detection device configured to detect a speed of rotation of a roller (see col. 1, lines 31-60; FIGS. 1, 2), comprising: at least one member (19, 20) fixed to the roller so as to rotate around the first axis of rotation in an annular volume arranged between the first axis of rotation and a clamp (15) (see FIG. 1), the at least one member having a second contact surface (27, 29), the at least one member being mounted movable with respect to the first axis of rotation between a first member position in which a first distance between the first axis of rotation and a distal part of the second contact surface is smaller than a second distance between the first axis of rotation and a proximal part of the first contact surface (see FIG. 1, the members (19, 20) being located in the first position) and a second member position in which the first distance is greater than the second distance (see col. 3, lines 34-41), rotation of the roller generating a centrifugal force designed to move the second contact surface away from the first axis of rotation to increase the value of the first distance so that the second contact surface is in contact with the first contact surface when the speed of rotation of the roller exceeds a threshold speed of rotation (see col. 3, lines 34-41), the clamp blocking one direction of rotation of the roller when the first contact surface is in contact with the second contact surface (see FIG. 1; col. 3, lines 34-41), the at least one member (19, 20) comprising a flyweight portion (28, 30) and a ratchet element (27, 29) arranged one after the other in a direction parallel to the first axis of rotation (see FIG. 2), the ratchet element comprising the second contact surface (see FIG. 1); wherein, in a second member position, the flyweight portion is devoid of contact with a clamp (15) (see FIGS. 1, 2; flyweights (28, 30) are spaced above clamp (15)); and wherein a distal part of the flyweight portion is farther from the first axis of rotation than a distal part of the second contact surface in an observation along the first axis of rotation (see FIG. 1, distal end of flyweights (28, 30) extend radially farther than distal part of contact surfaces (27, 29)).
It would have been obvious to configure the detection device of Wolner to have a flyweight, as taught by Hansen, to positively insure the locking engagement upon sudden acceleration of the roller (see e.g. Hansen, col. 3, lines 34-55).
Regarding claim 2, Hansen teaches that in the first member position, a radial distance between the first axis of rotation and the distal part of the flyweight portion is greater than a radial distance between the first axis of rotation and a proximal part of the first clamping surface (see FIG. 1).
Regarding claim 6, Hansen teaches that the member is mounted rotatable around a second rotation shaft (21, 22) between the first member position and the second member position, wherein a stop (24, 26) is mounted fixedly on the roller (see FIG. 1; col. 4, lines 41-46), the stop being in contact with the ratchet element when the member is in the second member position to reduce the mechanical stress on the second rotation shaft (see FIG. 1).
Regarding claim 7, Hansen discloses that the ratchet element and the second rotation shaft define a functional clearance at least in the form of an arc of a circle the first axis of rotation of which is the centre to reduce the mechanical stress on the second rotation shaft (see FIG. 1, showing functional clearance between member (19, 27) and stop (24)).
Regarding claim 11, Hansen teaches that the flyweight portion is mounted fixedly with respect to the second contact surface (see FIGS. 1, 2).
Regarding claim 12, Wolner discloses a clamping device of a wire element comprising a detection device according to claim 1 (see Abstract, FIGS. 1, 2).
Regarding claim 13, Wolner discloses a method for clamping a wire element comprising the following steps:- providing a clamping device according to claim 1 (see claim 1, above) and a wire element (see ¶ 0005) fitted in the clamping device in contact with the roller (see ¶ 0005); - making the wire element run inside the clamping device so as to make the roller rotate up to a threshold speed of rotation to block the roller and block the wire element inside the clamping device (see ¶ 0026).
Claims 3-5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wolner et al. (US 2005/0051659) in view of Hansen (US 3,421,605), as applied to claim 1, above, and further in view of Feng (US 2022/0234868).
Regarding claim 3, Wolner does not disclose that the roller is hollow and the clamp is arranged inside the roller.
Feng teaches a detection device (see Abstract; FIGS. 1-16) configured to detect a speed of rotation of a roller (158) (see ¶ 0007), wherein a the roller is hollow (see FIG. 12, hollow space housing elements (168, 182, 188 and at least a portion of (198)) and a clamp (198) is arranged inside the roller (see FIG. 12).
It would have been obvious to configure the roller of Wolner to be hollow and to arrange the clamp in side the roller to provide a more axially compact device, in addition to the roller providing a protective cover over the clamp and pawl members (see e.g. Feng, FIG. 12).
Regarding claim 4, Feng teaches that the member is mounted rotatable around a second rotation shaft (183) between the first member position and the second member position (see FIGS. 15, 16), the second rotation shaft being fixed to the roller and mounted rotatable around the first rotation shaft inside the roller (see e.g. FIGS. 2, 15, 16).
Regarding claim 5, Feng teaches that the clamp (198) and the at least one member (182, 188) are located inside the roller (see FIG. 12). Therefore, when a flyweight, as taught by Hansen, is integrally formed with the at least one member, the flyweight would also be located within the roller.
Claims 1, 6-8 and 11-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hung (US 9,861,841) in view of Hansen (US 3,421,605).
Regarding independent claim 1, Hung discloses a detection device (see Abstract; FIGS. 1-5) configured to detect a speed of rotation of a roller (40) (see col. 4, lines 48-57) of a clamping device (125) of a wire element (200) comprising: - a body (10); - a first rotation shaft (20); - a roller (40) mounted rotating around the first rotation shaft (see FIGS. 1, 2), the first rotation shaft defining a first axis of rotation for the roller (see FIG. 2); - a clamp (125) fixed to the body (see FIG. 2) and having a first contact surface (125); - at least one member (62) fixed to the roller so as to rotate around the first axis of rotation in an annular volume arranged between the first axis of rotation and the clamp (see col. 4, lines 29-35), the at least one member having a second contact surface (see FIG. 4), the at least one member being mounted movable with respect to the first axis of rotation between a first member position (see col. 4, lines 29-35) in which a first distance between the first axis of rotation and a distal part of the second contact surface is smaller than a second distance between the first axis of rotation and a proximal part of the first contact surface (see FIG. 3) and a second member position (see col. 4, lines 48-57; FIG. 4) in which the first distance is greater than the second distance (see col. 4, lines 48-57; FIG. 4), rotation of the roller generating a centrifugal force designed to move the second contact surface away from the first axis of rotation to increase the value of the first distance so that the second contact surface is in contact with the first contact surface when the speed of rotation of the roller exceeds a threshold speed of rotation (see col. 4, lines 48-57; FIG. 4), the clamp blocking one direction of rotation of the roller when the first contact surface is in contact with the second contact surface (see FIG. 4), wherein the member has a ratchet element (62), the ratchet element comprising the second contact surface (see FIG. 4).
Hung does not disclose that the member has a flyweight portion and a ratchet element arranged one after the other in a direction parallel to the first axis of rotation; wherein, in the second member position, the flyweight portion is devoid of contact with the clamp; and wherein a distal part of the flyweight portion is farther from the first axis of rotation than a distal part of the second contact surface in an observation along the first axis of rotation.
Hansen teaches a detection device configured to detect a speed of rotation of a roller (see col. 1, lines 31-60; FIGS. 1, 2), comprising: at least one member (19, 20) fixed to the roller so as to rotate around the first axis of rotation in an annular volume arranged between the first axis of rotation and a clamp (15) (see FIG. 1), the at least one member having a second contact surface (27, 29), the at least one member being mounted movable with respect to the first axis of rotation between a first member position in which a first distance between the first axis of rotation and a distal part of the second contact surface is smaller than a second distance between the first axis of rotation and a proximal part of the first contact surface (see FIG. 1, the members (19, 20) being located in the first position) and a second member position in which the first distance is greater than the second distance (see col. 3, lines 34-41), rotation of the roller generating a centrifugal force designed to move the second contact surface away from the first axis of rotation to increase the value of the first distance so that the second contact surface is in contact with the first contact surface when the speed of rotation of the roller exceeds a threshold speed of rotation (see col. 3, lines 34-41), the clamp blocking one direction of rotation of the roller when the first contact surface is in contact with the second contact surface (see FIG. 1; col. 3, lines 34-41), the at least one member (19, 20) comprising a flyweight portion (28, 30) and a ratchet element (27, 29) arranged one after the other in a direction parallel to the first axis of rotation (see FIG. 2), the ratchet element comprising the second contact surface (see FIG. 1); wherein, in a second member position, the flyweight portion is devoid of contact with a clamp (15) (see FIGS. 1, 2; flyweights (28, 30) are spaced above clamp (15)); and wherein a distal part of the flyweight portion is farther from the first axis of rotation than a distal part of the second contact surface in an observation along the first axis of rotation (see FIG. 1, distal end of flyweights (28, 30) extend radially farther than distal part of contact surfaces (27, 29)).
It would have been obvious to configure the detection device of Hung to have a flyweight, as taught by Hansen, to positively insure the locking engagement upon sudden acceleration of the roller (see e.g. Hansen, col. 3, lines 34-55).
Regarding claim 2, Hansen teaches that in the first member position, a radial distance between the first axis of rotation and the distal part of the flyweight portion is greater than a radial distance between the first axis of rotation and a proximal part of the first clamping surface (see FIG. 1).
Regarding claim 6, Hansen teaches that the member is mounted rotatable around a second rotation shaft (21, 22) between the first member position and the second member position, wherein a stop (24, 26) is mounted fixedly on the roller (see FIG. 1; col. 4, lines 41-46), the stop being in contact with the ratchet element when the member is in the second member position to reduce the mechanical stress on the second rotation shaft (see FIG. 1).
Regarding claim 7, Hansen discloses that the ratchet element and the second rotation shaft define a functional clearance at least in the form of an arc of a circle the first axis of rotation of which is the centre to reduce the mechanical stress on the second rotation shaft (see FIG. 1, showing functional clearance between member (19, 27) and stop (24)).
Regarding claim 8, Hung discloses that the body comprises a first flange (121) and a second flange (122), the first rotation shaft being fixed to the first flange and to the second flange (see col. 2, line 65 to col. 3, line 5), the roller being located between the first flange and the second flange (see FIGS. 1, 2), and wherein the clamp is mounted fixedly on the second flange (see FIGS. 1, 2).
Regarding claim 11, Hansen teaches that the flyweight portion is mounted fixedly with respect to the second contact surface (see FIGS. 1, 2).
Regarding claim 12, Hung discloses a clamping device of a wire element comprising a detection device according to claim 1 (see Abstract, FIGS. 1-5).
Regarding claim 13, Hung discloses a method for clamping a wire element comprising the following steps:- providing a clamping device according to claim 1 (see claim 1, above) and a wire element (200) fitted in the clamping device in contact with the roller (see FIGS. 1, 2); - making the wire element run inside the clamping device so as to make the roller rotate up to a threshold speed of rotation to block the roller and block the wire element inside the clamping device (see col. 4, lines 48-57; FIG. 4).
Double Patenting
Claims 1-8 and 11-13 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-9 of copending Application No. 18/369,021 (reference application). Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because claims 1 and 4 of the reference application recite every element in claim 1 of the present application, thereby rendering claim 1 of the present application obvious. Furthermore, all of the elements of claims 2-8 and 11-13 are recited in claims 1-9 of the reference application.
This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection because the patentably indistinct claims have not in fact been patented.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 9 and 10 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NICHOLAS J LANE whose telephone number is (571)270-5988. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
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/NICHOLAS J LANE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3616
December 17, 2025