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 .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference character “118” has been used to designate both locking sleeve and ball bearings.
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, the edge of the pocket (claim 3) 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. 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.
Claim Objections
Claims 1 and 3 are objected to because of the following informalities: in line 11 of claim 1, “a number of a number” and in line 1 of claim 3, “wherein the one of the one of the one or more pockets” are objected to. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 3 is objected to for extra period at the end of the claim.
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 8 and 11 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.
Claim 8 recites the for the locking tabs and locking recesses not to be alignable when the locking pin is not disposed, which appears to be an error, since as in claim 7, the tabs and recesses are alignable when the pin is not disposed.
Similarly claim 11, recites for the tabs and recesses to be alignable when pin is not disposed and further recites for the tabs and recesses not to be alignable when the pin is not deposed, which ambiguous in eliminating an element (pin).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-4 and 6-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Rinner (5,848,680).
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Rinner discloses all of the limitations of claim 1, i.e., a ratcheting mechanism Fig. 4, partially shown here for a tool, the ratcheting mechanism comprising:
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[AltContent: arrow][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: textbox (RECESS)][AltContent: textbox (RECESS)][AltContent: textbox (RECESS)]a) a housing insert 16 including a central passage accommodating gear 19, one or more pawls 23, 24 moveably positioned within the housing adjacent the central passage, a number of locking recesses defined by projection 42 annotated Fig. 6 formed along a perimeter of the housing, and a bore 49 spaced from the central passage Fig. 4 and including a biased locking pin 49, 51’, Fig. 3 disposed therein;
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b) a gear 19 positioned within the central passage and selectively engageable with the one or more pawls Fig. 3; and
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c) a reverse cap 11 engaged with the housing over the gear Fig. 3, the reverse cap including a top wall Fig. 4 including an interior surface 52 having one or more pawl engaging pockets 34, 36, Fig. 7 or one pocket defined by cylindrical wall 33 formed therein, a peripheral side wall extending 61 outwardly therefrom and a number of locking tabs 47, 48, 50 formed along a perimeter of the side wall,
wherein the number of locking tabs 47, 48, 50 are alignable with and insertable through the number of locking recesses between 42 and rotatable with respect to the housing bayonet connection, and
wherein the locking pin 49 is positionable within one of the one or more pockets i.e., within cylindrical hollow interior 33 to function as a stop for the rotation of the reverse cap 11 relative to the housing 16 to prevent disengagement of the reverse cap from the housing i.e., locking pin 49 limited by groove 53, 06:46-52.
Regarding claim 2, PA (prior art, Rinner) meets the limitations, i.e., the ratcheting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the biased locking pin includes a spring 51’ disposed within the bore between the bore and the locking pin.
Regarding claim 3, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the ratcheting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the one of the one of the one or more pockets includes an edge 57 or 58 engageable with the locking pin 49 to function as a stop for rotation of the reverse cap relative to the housing.
Regarding claim 4, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the ratcheting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the mechanism does not include an exterior retaining ring engaging the reverse cap with the housing Fig. 4.
Regarding claim 6, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the ratcheting mechanism of claim 1, further comprising at least two locking recesses defined by 42 formed along a perimeter of the housing, and at least two locking tabs 47, 48, 50 formed along a perimeter of the side wall.
Regarding claim 7, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the ratcheting mechanism of claim 6, wherein the at least two locking recesses defined by 42 and the at least two locking tabs 47, 48, 50 are alignable when the locking pin 49, initial assembly is not disposed within the one of the one or more pockets.
Regarding claim 8, PA meets the limitations, as best understood, i.e., the ratcheting mechanism of claim 6, wherein the at least two locking recesses defined by 42 and the at least two locking tabs 47, 48 are not alignable when the locking pin is (not) disposed within the one of the one or more pockets limited rotation by pin to prevent disassembly.
Regarding claim 9, PA meets the limitations, i.e., a tool comprising Fig. 1:
a) a handle 10; and
b) the ratcheting mechanism of claim 1 disposed in the handle.
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[AltContent: arrow][AltContent: textbox (SQUARE
CONNECTION)]
Regarding claim 10, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the tool of claim 9, further comprising a shaft securing mechanism square center opening for non-rotatably engaging a shaft, annotated partial Fig. 4 disposed at least partially within the housing in alignment with the ratcheting mechanism.
Regarding claim 11, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the tool of claim 9, further comprising at least two locking recesses defined by 42 formed along a perimeter of the housing, and at least two locking tabs 47, 48, 50 formed along a perimeter of the side wall,
wherein the at least two locking recesses and the at least two locking tabs are alignable when the locking pin is not disposed within the one of the one or more pockets bayonet connection, and
wherein the at least two locking recesses and the at least two locking tabs are not alignable when the locking pin 49 is (not) disposed within the one of the one or more pockets preventing disassembly.
CLAIM 12
Rinner discloses all of the limitations of claim 12, i.e., a method for assembling a ratcheting mechanism for a tool, the method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a housing 16 including a central passage 18, Fig. 4, one or more pawls 23, 24 moveably positioned within the housing adjacent the central passage, a number of locking recesses defined by 42 formed along a perimeter of the housing, and a bore accommodating 49 spaced from the central passage and including a biased locking pin 49, 51’ disposed therein, a gear 19 positioned within the central passage and selectively engageable with the one or more pawls, and a reverse cap 11 engaged with the housing over the gear, the reverse cap including a top wall including an interior surface 53 having one or more pawl engaging pockets interior space defining a pocket formed therein, a peripheral side wall 61 extending outwardly therefrom and a number of a number of locking tabs 47, 48, 50 formed along a perimeter of the side wall,
b) aligning the number of locking tabs on the reverse cap with the number of locking recesses on the housing 03:40-42;
c) inserting the number of locking tabs through the number for locking recesses 03:40-43; and
d) rotating the reverse cap relative to the housing to position the locking pin within one of the one or more pockets 03:44.
Regarding claim 13, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the method of claim 12, wherein the step of inserting the number of locking tabs through the number for locking recesses further comprises pressing the locking pin 49 into the bore Fig. 3 in the housing.
Regarding claim 14, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the method of claim 13, wherein positioning the locking pin 49 within the one of the one or more pockets prevents re-alignment of number of locking tabs with the number of locking recesses via 57, 58.
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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 1-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Gauthier (6,948,605) in view of Rinner (5,848,680).
Gauthier`500 meets all of the limitations of claim 1, i.e., a ratcheting mechanism for a tool, the ratcheting mechanism comprising:
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a) a housing 20 including a central passage 26, one or more pawls 32 moveably positioned within the housing adjacent the central passage, 58 spaced from the central passage Fig. 4 and including a 56 disposed therein;
b) a gear 44 positioned within the central passage and selectively engageable with the one or more pawls Fig. 4; and
c) a reverse cap 14 engaged with the housing over the gear Fig. 5, the reverse cap including a top wall including an interior surface 72 having one or more pawl engaging pockets 70 formed therein, a peripheral side wall extending Fig. 5 outwardly therefrom,
wherein the number of locking tabs 47, 48, 50 are alignable with and insertable through the number of locking recesses between 42 and rotatable with respect to the housing bayonet connection, and
wherein the locking pin 56 is positionable within one of the one or more pockets 70 to function as a stop for the rotation of the reverse cap 14 relative to the housing 20 06:10-14, except for a number of locking recesses formed along a perimeter of the housing with a number of locking tabs formed along a perimeter of the side wall, a biased locking pin to prevent disengagement of the reverse cap from the housing. Gauthier`500 utilizes a circumferential clip 84 engaged with a groove 86 to rotatable secure the cap to the housing
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Rinner teaches an actuator cap 11 for a ratcheting mechanism with a bayonet type connection between the housing and the rotatable cap comprising a number of locking recesses defined by 42, annotated Fig. 6 above formed along a perimeter of the housing with a number of locking tabs 47, 48, 50, Fig. 7 formed along a perimeter of the side wall, the ratcheting mechanism further includes a biasing pin 49 providing a stop for the rotatable cap and retaining the cap axially locked with the housing.
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[AltContent: arrow][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: arrow][AltContent: textbox (RECESS)][AltContent: textbox (RECESS)][AltContent: textbox (RECESS)]It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective date of the invention, to modify the invention of Gauthier with the bayonet connection as taught by Rinner for an alternative means of coupling the cap eliminating the need for a clip and provide the locking pin with a biasing means insertable in the locking recess/pockets 70 as taught by Rinner for longitudinally securing the cap for the bayonet type connection without a clip 01:28-31.
Regarding claim 2, PA (prior art, Gauthier modified by Rinner) meets the limitations, i.e., the ratcheting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the biased locking pin includes a spring 51’ Rinner disposed within the bore between the bore and the locking pin.
Regarding claim 3, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the ratcheting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the one of the one or more pockets includes an edge 74 Gauthier engageable with the locking pin 56 biased as modified to function as a stop for rotation of the reverse cap relative to the housing 06:10-15 Gauthier.
Regarding claim 4, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the ratcheting mechanism of claim 1, wherein the mechanism does not include an exterior retaining ring engaging the reverse cap with the housing Fig. 4 Rinner.
Regarding claim 5, PA meets the limitations, i.e., ratcheting mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a pawl-biasing anchored 32, 62, 56 within the housing by the locking pin 56 and engaged with one of the one or more pawls Fig. 4 Gauthier
Regarding claim 6, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the ratcheting mechanism of claim 1, further comprising at least two locking recesses defined by 42 formed along a perimeter of the housing, and at least two locking tabs 47, 48, 50 Rinner formed along a perimeter of the side wall.
Regarding claim 7, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the ratcheting mechanism of claim 6, wherein the at least two locking recesses defined by 42 Rinner and the at least two locking tabs 47, 48, 50 are alignable when the locking pin 49 or modified 56, initial assembly is not disposed within the one of the one or more pockets.
Regarding claim 8, PA meets the limitations, as best understood, i.e., the ratcheting mechanism of claim 6, wherein the at least two locking recesses defined by 42 and the at least two locking tabs 47, 48 Rinner are not alignable when the locking pin is (not) disposed within the one of the one or more pockets limited rotation by pin to prevent disassembly.
Regarding claim 9, PA meets the limitations, i.e., a tool comprising Fig. 1:
a) a handle 12 Gauthier; and
b) the ratcheting mechanism of claim 1 disposed in the handle.
Regarding claim 10, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the tool of claim 9, further comprising a shaft securing mechanism 52, 50 Fig. 2 Gauthier disposed at least partially within the housing in alignment with the ratcheting mechanism.
Regarding claim 11, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the tool of claim 9, further comprising at least two locking recesses defined by 42 Rinner formed along a perimeter of the housing, and at least two locking tabs 47, 48, 50 Rinner formed along a perimeter of the side wall,
wherein the at least two locking recesses and the at least two locking tabs are alignable when the locking pin is not disposed within the one of the one or more pockets bayonet connection, and
wherein the at least two locking recesses and the at least two locking tabs are not alignable when the locking pin 49/modified 56 is (not) disposed within the one of the one or more pockets preventing disassembly.
CLAIM 12
Rinner discloses all of the limitations of claim 12, i.e., a method for assembling a ratcheting mechanism for a tool, the method comprising the steps of:
a) providing a housing 20 including a central passage 26, one or more pawls 32 moveably positioned within the housing adjacent the central passage Gauthier, a number of locking recesses defined by 42 Rinner formed along a perimeter of the housing, and a bore 58 Gauthier spaced from the central passage and including a biased locking pin 49/56 modified by Rinner, 51’ disposed therein, a gear 44 Gauthier positioned within the central passage and selectively engageable with the one or more pawls, and a reverse cap 14 Gauthier engaged with the housing over the gear, the reverse cap including a top wall including an interior surface 72 Gauthier having one or more pawl engaging pockets 70 formed therein, a peripheral side wall Fig. 5 Gauthier extending outwardly therefrom and a number of a number of locking tabs 47, 48, 50 modified by Rinner formed along a perimeter of the side wall,
b) aligning the number of locking tabs on the reverse cap with the number of locking recesses on the housing 03:40-42 Rinner;
c) inserting the number of locking tabs through the number for locking recesses 03:40-43; and
d) rotating the reverse cap relative to the housing to position the locking pin within one of the one or more pockets 03:44 Rinner.
Regarding claim 13, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the method of claim 12, wherein the step of inserting the number of locking tabs through the number for locking recesses further comprises pressing the locking pin 49/56 into the bore 59 Gauthier in the housing.
Regarding claim 14, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the method of claim 13, wherein positioning the locking pin 49/56 within the one of the one or more pockets prevents re-alignment of number of locking tabs with the number of locking recesses via 57, 58 Rinner bayonet type connection.
Conclusion
Prior art made of record and not relied upon at this time, are considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure. Gauthier et al. and Geo et al. are cited to show related inventions.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HADI SHAKERI whose telephone number is (571)272-4495. The fax phone number for forwarding unofficial documents for discussion purposes only is (571) 273-4495. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Brian Keller can be reached on 571 272 8548. The fax number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/Hadi Shakeri/
February 17, 2026 Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3723