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 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 1-4, 7, 9, and 11-12 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.
In claim 1, the support rings have “radially inwardly projecting edges” but does not disclose how many edges there are and then “an additional inward projection” is claimed but it is unclear how it is different from the “radially inwardly projecting edges.” What are the differences of the three edges/projections in fig. 10? And what are the differences of the four edges/projections in figure 11? Turning to the specification in an attempt to clarify the claims, the following issues/concerns are raised: the specification only discloses how fig. 10 has an additional inward projection but the specification is not fully clear on what they are. The drawings are also not clear on what are considered edges vs projections. As a result, it is unclear what is included in the plurality of edges and what is not, and what is an additional projection and what is not. An example to fix this issue is to claim two of the radially inwardly projection edges at the axial end of the support ring and an additional inward projection is between the axial end to cooperate with a respective one of the radially inward projection edges at the axial end to form the track for the washer or something similar.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 1-4, 7, 9, and 11-12 would be allowable if rewritten or amended 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.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the prior art of record does not disclose nor render obvious the combination set forth in claim 1.
As best understood, for claim 1, the prior art of record does not disclose nor render obvious an axial roller bearing assembly comprising the support ring has radially inwardly projecting edges to facilitate positioning of the support ring around the cage during assembling, and to also function as stops against axial movement of the support ring when the axial roller bearing assembly is in use, wherein the support ring is provided with an additional inwards projection, whereby a track is created for a thrust washer, whereby the thrust washer can be held in place by the support ring during handling and assembling in combination with the other claim limitations. As best understood, the limitation means that there are two edges at the axial ends of the support rings and at least an additional projection in between the two edges.
Response to Arguments
With regards to the objections, applicant amendments have overcome the previously raised issue.
With regards 35 U.S.C. 112(b) rejections, applicant amendments have overcome the previously raised issue.
Applicant’s arguments, see pages 5-8, filed 02/26/2026, with respect to claims 1-4, 7, 9, and 11-12 have been fully considered and are persuasive. The rejection of claims 1-4, 7, 9, and 11-12 has been withdrawn.
However, the new claim amendment has some clarity issues with the elements that are called “radially inwardly projecting edges” and “additional inward projection” as discussed above.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Salunke (US 8807842 B2) discloses a support ring with two edges/projections.
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.
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/AIMEE TRAN NGUYEN/Examiner, Art Unit 3617
/JOHN OLSZEWSKI/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3617