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 .
Election/Restrictions
Claims 17-21 and 23 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on May 22, 2006.
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 1-13, 15, 16 and 22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Hughes et al. (6,223,634 “Hughes”).
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Hughes discloses all of the limitations of claim 1, i.e., a cruciform-shaped driver comprising:
an axially elongated driver body 48, Fig. 9 extending from a first end tip to a second end handle;
a plurality of grooves defined by adjacent driving blades formed radially about a centerline of the driver body,
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wherein each of the plurality of grooves includes:
a pair of driving surfaces 52, 64, wherein each of the pair of driving surfaces is substantially opposed to the other Figs. 8, 9;
a transition surface between 66 and 54 extending between each of the pair of driving surfaces; and
at least one rib 60 formed into each pair of driving surfaces, wherein the at least one rib extends towards the transition surface.
Regarding claim 2, PA (prior art, Hughes) meets the limitations, i.e., the cruciform-shaped driver of claim 1, wherein the elongated driver body 48 is made from round bar stock Fig. 9.
Regarding claim 3, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the cruciform-shaped driver of claim 1, wherein the elongated driver body includes a hexagonal cross-section.
Regarding claim 4, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the cruciform-shaped driver of claim 1, wherein the first end of the elongated driver body 104 includes at least a first taper Fig. 9.
Regarding claim 5, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the cruciform-shaped driver of claim 1, wherein the plurality of grooves are formed at ninety degree (90⁰) intervals about the centerline Fig. 8.
Regarding claim 6, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the cruciform-shaped driver of claim 1, wherein the pair of driving surfaces 64 are non-parallel surfaces in which a distance between the pair of driving surfaces increases with the distance away from the transition surface taper Fig. 9.
Regarding claim 7, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the cruciform-shaped driver of claim 1, wherein the transition surface separates each of the pair of driving surfaces Fig. 8, and wherein the transition surface is arranged at an obtuse angle relative to the pair of driving surfaces Fig. 9.
Regarding claim 8, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the cruciform-shaped driver of claim 1, wherein the transition surface and the pair of driving surfaces 64 incorporate an irregular surface array of ribs 60, Fig. 9.
Regarding claim 9, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the cruciform-shaped driver of claim 8, wherein the irregular surface is a particulate surface 60 applied to increase surface friction 62. Note that while claims’ limitations are interpreted in view of the specification, limitations from specification are not read into the claims.
Regarding claim 10, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the cruciform-shaped driver of claim 1, wherein each of the grooves Fig. 8 is formed at a first angle α relative to the centerline of the driver body Fig. 8.
Regarding claim 11, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the cruciform-shaped driver of claim 1, wherein the at least one rib 60 is arranged skew to the centerline of the driver body Fig. 9.
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Regarding claim 12, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the cruciform-shaped driver of claim 1, wherein the at least one rib 60 comprises a first rib and a second rib Fig. 9, wherein the first rib 60 is formed on a first surface 64 RT blade of the pair of driving surfaces, wherein the second rib 60 is formed a second surface 64, adjacent facing blade of the pair of driving surfaces, and wherein the first rib 60 extends towards the second rib Fig. 9.
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Regarding claim 13, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the cruciform-shaped driver of claim 12, wherein at least the first rib 60, Rt blade is a pointed rib including an apex 62.
Regarding claim 15, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the cruciform-shaped driver of claim 12, wherein the first rib 64 is substantially parallel to the second rib adjacent facing rib, Figs. 9 and 8.
Regarding claim 16, PA meets the limitations, i.e., the cruciform-shaped driver of claim 12, wherein the first rib and the second rib extend from the first end of the driver body towards the second end Fig. 9.
CLAIM 22
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Hughes discloses all of the limitations of claim 22, i.e., a cruciform-shaped driver comprising:
a handle second end of 48 used to turn the head 12 supporting a tool shaft 12, wherein the tool shaft extends along a centerline of the handle;
an axially elongated driver 12, Fig. 9 extending along the centerline from a first end tip of the tool shaft opposite to the handle, wherein the axially elongated driver includes;
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a plurality of grooves defined by adjacent driving blades formed radially about the centerline, wherein each of the plurality of grooves comprises:
a pair of driving surfaces 64 Rt and adjacent facing other blade 64, wherein each of the pair of driving surfaces is substantially opposed the other Fig. 9; and
at least one rib 60 formed into each pair of driving surfaces 64, wherein the at least one rib extends towards one of the pair of driving surfaces Fig. 9.
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.
Claim 14 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hughes in view of Dilling (12,384,007).
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Hughes meets all of the limitations of claim 14, except for the cruciform-shaped driver of claim 12, to include at least a first rib 62 that is a rounded rib.
Dilling teaches a driver with a stabilizer comprising torque ribs e.g., 230 that are truncated and does not define a sharp apex. 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 Hughes with ribs that are not sharp as taught by Dilling to adapt the tool at least on one face, e.g., the tightening surface, with truncated blades that transfer torque to the workpiece without damaging or marring the work. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art, before the effective date of the invention, to utilize rounded instead of truncated ribs invention involves only routine skill in the art, requiring routine experimentations with predictable results.
Conclusion
Prior art made of record and not relied upon at this time, are considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure. Kozak and Simmons 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.
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/Hadi Shakeri/
June 13, 2026 Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3723
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