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 characters "205" and "410" have both been used to designate the same element in Figure 4.
Reference characters denoting an overall element of the invention (such as reference character 410) should include an arrowhead at the end of its leader line.
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.
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they include the following reference character(s) not mentioned in the description: 230.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d), or amendment to the specification to add the reference character(s) in the description in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(b) 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.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities: The first page of the specification lacks a statement of the 371 status of the application and/or other priority claims.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Objections
Claims 29 and 32 are objected to because of the following informalities: The second instance of the phrase “of the tire” in line 2 of claim 29 should be removed.
The last line of claim 32 lacks punctuation.
Appropriate correction is required.
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.
Claim(s) 16-35 are is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Luchini et al (8,851,131) in view of Asper (WO 2020/076507).
Per claims 16 and 23, Luchini et al shows a non-pneumatic tire 40 having a lower ring 46 with a first diameter, and an upper ring 44 having a second diameter, with the second diameter greater than the first diameter. A plurality of spokes extend between, and interconnect, the lower 46 and upper 44 rings.
Per claims 17 and 24, the spokes are substantially C-shaped.
Regarding claims 18 and 25, the apex of each spoke is circumferentially offset from a base thereof by a distance. Luchini et al does not disclose that the offset distance being in the range of 0.5 to 2 times the difference between the second and first diameters. However, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention, and with a reasonable expectation of success, to set the offset distance of the spoke apex with respect to the difference between the first and second diameters at any value suitable for allowing the spokes to support a desired load without failing during use.
Regarding claims 21-22 and 28-29, Luchini et al does not specify the thickness or width of the spokes. However, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention, and with a reasonable expectation of success, to form the spokes of Luchini et al with a width and thickness suitable to support the desired loads imparted thereon during use without failing.
Regarding claims 16 and 23, Luchini et al does not disclose the values of tension or compression stiffness of the spokes . Asper teaches the use of a non-pneumatic tire having spokes, and that each plurality of spokes (i.e. spoke ring 110) has a stiffness value (k). Asper further teaches that the stiffness value is dependent upon the material and geometry of the spokes; further stating that spoke rings with a higher stiffness are more resistant to deformation and compression (see paragraph [0027]). Therefore, from this teaching, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention, and with a reasonable expectation of success, to form the spokes of Luchini et al with tension and compression stiffness values suitable to allow the tire to support the desired loads imparted thereon during use without failing, and the desired handling and ride characteristics.
Regarding claims 19-20 and 26-27, Luchini et al as modified by Asper does not specify that the spokes has at least one of linear tension and compression behavior. However, this is a function of the chemical and mechanical properties of the material used to form the spokes. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention, and with a reasonable expectation of success, to form the spokes from a material having linear tension and/or compression behavior, dependent upon the desired ride and handling characteristics.
Regarding claims 30-35, these claims set forth a method of manufacturing a non-pneumatic tire having the features of claims 16-29 above, including modeling and calculating values of parameters such as tension stiffness and compression stiffness. Such a method is well-known and common in the art, allowing one of ordinary skill, prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention, and with a reasonable expectation of success, to design a tire capable of supporting the desired loads imparted thereon during use without failing.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The references show non-pneumatic tires having spoke formations.
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