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 .
Applicant’s election, without traverse, of Group 1 claims 1-15 directed to a bicycle component or intermediate product is acknowledged. Accordingly, claims 16-20 are withdrawn from consideration at this time.
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.
Claims 1-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ciavatta et al., U.S. Pre Grant Publication 20070199403 in view of Walker et al., U.S. Pre Grant Publication 2020/0164431.
Regarding claims 1-4, 6-9, 11, 14Ciavatta discloses a bicycle pedal crank having an elongated body with a first end portion and a second end portion. Figure 1 of Ciavatta shows a hollow core. Paragraph 0029 discloses at least two layers of composite materials comprising unidirectional structural fibers. Paragraph 0031 discloses that the cavity [hollow portion] formed from polyurethane [polymeric material]. Paragraph 0032 discloses that the structural fibers are incorporated into a polymeric material. Paragraph 0034 discloses that the structural fibers can include carbon fibers. Ciavatta discloses that the polymeric material can include thermoplastics and thermosetting resins. Applicant’s claims include open language and can include other material with the polymer based material for layer of second polymeric material disposed on the hollow container.
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Ciavatta is silent to the cavity including a water-soluble core. Walker discloses cast components such as bicycle components [0010]. Walker discloses a core includes hollow microspheres [see Figure 2 and 0014]. Additionally, Paragraph 0019 of Walker discloses that the core can include water soluble binder. Also, paragraph 0019 can include cellulose polymer derivatives. Also, paragraph 0023 discloses that the core can include salt-based materials binder. Paragraph 0025 discloses that the salt-based cores include sodium chloride, potassium chloride. It is disclosed in paragraph 0003 of Walker discloses that the core can include silicate based-materials. Paragraph 0030 discloses the components have strength and durability. Ciavatta and Walker are analogous art in that both references are directed to a bicycle component. One of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention would utilize the materials of Walker in the cavity of Ciavatta to provide enhanced strength and durability to the bicycle crank.
Regarding claim 5, 13 and 15, Figure 1 shows a preformed connector disposed on the hollow container 38 which is integrated with the composite laminate. Applicant’s claim is not specific to the connector.
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Regarding claim 10, paragraph 0029 discloses at least two layers, which can include three layers, of composite materials comprising unidirectional structural fibers
Regarding claim 12, Figure shows an attachment features 38, 39. Applicant’s claim is not specific to the attachment features.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CAMIE S THOMPSON whose telephone number is (571)272-1530. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30 am - 5:30 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jennifer Boyd, can be reached at 571-272-7783. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CAMIE S THOMPSON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1786
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