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 .
This Office Action is in response to papers filed on 3/19/2026. Amendments made to the claims and the Applicant's remarks have been entered and considered.
Claims 1, 7, 10, 14, 16 have been amended. Claims 13, 15 are cancelled.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 3/19/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Regarding the rejection of claim 14 and dependent claims, the Applicant argued that Beyerl et al. (US 2017/0288499 A1) does not teach an inner race of a bearing coupled to a post of an end cap of a housing, as claimed in claim 14.
This argument is not persuasive because newly applied Kato (JP 62037044 A) shows this feature.
Regarding the rejections of claims 1 and 7 and dependent claims, the Applicant argued that Zhao (CN 203193448 U) does not teach a stator including a frame, a first end of the frame defining a first end plane, a second end of the frame opposite the first end and defining a second end plane, and the fan blades at least partially between the first end plane and the second end plane. Rather, Zhao's radiator fan 31 is located entirely outside the motor stator 13. Zhao does not teach a frame of a stator defining an outer periphery of a motor and a plurality of fan blades disposed within the outer periphery of the motor. Rather, as discussed above with respect to claim 1, Zhao's radiator fan 31 is disposed entirely outside of the motor stator 13.
This argument is not persuasive because, as shown by FIG. 1 of Zhao reproduced below, a majority of an axial length of the fan 31 is inside the end windings 15:
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Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Zhao (CN 203193448 U).
As to claim 1, Zhao shows (FIG. 1, 3) :
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A brushless DC electric motor 100 (para[0027]) comprising:
a stator 13 including a frame 15F and a plurality of windings 15 configured to generate magnetic fields;
a rotor 12 including a plurality of permanent magnets configured to interact with the magnetic fields generated by the plurality of windings 15 (permanent magnets are implied by the brushless motor); and
a fan 31 coupled for co-rotation with the rotor 12, the fan 31 including a plurality of blades,
wherein the frame 15F includes a first end 15FA defining a first end plane 15FA and a second end 15FB opposite the first end 15FA, the second end 15FB defining a second end plane 15FB such that the plurality of windings 15 are disposed between the first end plane 15FA and the second end plane 15FB, and
wherein the plurality of blades of the fan 31 is positioned at least partially between the first end plane 15FA and the second end plane 15FB (para [0029], [0030], fan 31 FIG. 3, fan 31 is radially inside of windings 15, frame 15F is at tip ends of windings 15).
As to claim 2/1, Zhao further shows (FIG. 1, 3) the fan 31 is configured to generate an airflow along a rotational axis of the rotor 12 (see arrows) .
As to claim 3/1, Zhao further shows (FIG. 1, 3) the fan 31 is configured to generate an airflow radially away from a rotational axis of the motor 100 (see arrows).
As to claim 4/1, Zhao further shows (FIG. 1, 3) the rotor 12 includes an output shaft 11, and wherein the fan 31 is coupled for co-rotation with the output shaft 11.
As to claim 5/1, Zhao further shows (FIG. 1, 3) the plurality of blades has a length measured parallel to a rotational axis 11 of the motor 100, and wherein half of the length of the plurality of blades is disposed between the first end plane 15FA and the second end plane 15FB (more than half the length of the fan 31 is within the stator 13).
As to claim 6/5/1, Zhao further shows (FIG. 1, 3) a majority of the length of the plurality of blades is disposed between the first end plane 15FA and the second end plane 15FB (more than half the length of the fan 31 is within the stator 13).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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(s) 7-12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhao (CN 203193448 U) in view of Zucca (US 2021/0315101 A1).
As to claim 7, Zhao shows (FIG. 1, 3 above) A machine comprising:
a brushless DC electric motor 100 including
a stator 13 with a frame 15F, the frame 15F defining an outer periphery of the brushless DC electric motor 100,
a rotor 12 disposed within the stator 13,
an output shaft 11 coupled to the rotor 12, the output shaft 11 extending along a rotational axis of the brushless DC electric motor 100, and
a fan 31 with a plurality of fan blades coupled for co-rotation with the output shaft 11,
a housing 20 in which the brushless DC electric motor 100 is disposed,
wherein a portion of the plurality of fan blades is disposed within the outer periphery of the brushless DC electric motor 100 (para [0029], [0030], fan 31 FIG. 3, fan blades shown in FIG. 1 and 3, fan blades are radially inside of windings 15, frame 15F is at tip ends of windings 15).
Zhao does not show:
a power tool;
a camshaft driven by the brushless DC electric motor;
an anvil extending from the housing; and
a hammer configured to reciprocate along the camshaft to deliver striking rotational impacts to the anvil in response to rotation of the camshaft.
Zucca shows (FIG. 1, 2):
a power tool;
a camshaft 46 driven by the brushless DC electric motor;
an anvil 44 extending from the housing; and
a hammer 48 configured to reciprocate along the camshaft 46 to deliver striking rotational impacts to the anvil 44 in response to rotation of the camshaft 46 (para [0030]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the machine of Zhao to have:
a power tool;
a camshaft 46 driven by the brushless DC electric motor;
an anvil 44 extending from the housing; and
a hammer 48 configured to reciprocate along the camshaft 46 to deliver striking rotational impacts to the anvil 44 in response to rotation of the camshaft 46
as taught by Zucca, for the advantageous benefit of performing work on a workpiece as taught by Zucca (para[0030]).
As to claim 8/7, Zhao in view of Zucca was discussed above with respect to claim 7, and Zhao further shows the fan 31 is configured to generate an airflow along the rotational axis of the brushless DC electric motor 100 (FIG. 1 see arrows).
As to claim 9/8/7, Zhao in view of Zucca was discussed above with respect to claim 7, and Zhao further shows the fan 31 is configured to generate an airflow radially away from the rotational axis of the brushless DC electric motor 100 (FIG. 1 see arrows).
As to claim 10/7, Zhao in view of Zucca was discussed above with respect to claim 7, and Zhao further shows (FIG. 1, 3) wherein at least half of a length of the plurality of fan blades is disposed within the outer periphery of the brushless DC electric motor 100 (fan blades are radially inside of windings 15 FIG. 1).
As to claim 11/7, Zhao in view of Zucca was discussed above with respect to claim 7, and Zhao further shows (FIG. 1):
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the housing 20 includes an end cap 21 and a post 21A extending from the end cap 21, wherein a bearing 14A is disposed on the post 21A and configured to rotatably support the rotor 12.
As to claim 12/11/7, Zhao in view of Zucca was discussed above with respect to claim 7, and Zhao further shows (FIG. 1) the bearing 14A rotatably supports the fan 31.
Claim(s) 14-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Beyerl et al. (US 2017/0288499 A1, hereinafter Beyerl) in view of Kato (JP 62037044 A).
As to claim 14, Beyerl shows (FIG. 1, 53) A power tool 100 comprising:
a brushless DC electric motor 2000 including
a stator 2100 defining an outer periphery of the brushless DC electric motor 2000,
a rotor 2200 disposed within the stator 2100,
an output shaft 2300 coupled to the rotor 2200, the output shaft 2300 extending along a rotational axis of the brushless DC electric motor, and
a fan 2400 coupled for co-rotation with the output shaft 2300,
a housing supporting the brushless DC electric motor 2000;
a battery selectively coupled to the housing, the battery configured to provide power to the brushless DC electric motor 2000; and
an output configured to be driven by the brushless DC electric motor 2000,
wherein the housing includes an end cap 900, and
wherein the fan 2400 is rotatably supported (para[0067], gear case 900 supports the entire motor including the fan para[0090],[0110]).
Beyerl does not show:
the end cap with a post;
An inner race of a bearing is coupled to the post,
the fan is rotatably supported by an outer race of the bearing.
Kato shows:
a post 3g;
An inner race of a bearing 8 is coupled to the post 3g,
the fan 6 is rotatably supported by an outer race of the bearing 8 (FIG. 1, page 3, lines 6-19).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the fan 2400 of Beyerl to have:
the end cap 900 with a post 3g;
an inner race of a bearing 8 is coupled to the post 3g,
the fan 2400 is rotatably supported by an outer race of the bearing 8
as taught by Kato, for the advantageous benefit of the motor can be made very thin as taught by Kato (page 5, lines 1-7).
As to claim 16/14, Beyerl in view of Kato was discussed above with respect to claim 14, and Beyerl further shows (FIG. 1, 53) the bearing 2700 is recessed within the fan 2400 such that a rear end of the bearing 2700 is flush with a rear surface of the fan 2400.
As to claim 17/14, Beyerl in view of Kato was discussed above with respect to claim 14, and Beyerl further shows (FIG. 1, 53) at least a portion 2226 of the fan 2400 is disposed within the outer periphery of the brushless DC electric motor 2000 (para[0111]).
As to claim 18/17/14, Beyerl in view of Kato was discussed above with respect to claim 17, and Beyerl further shows (FIG. 1, 53) the fan 2400 is an axial flow fan.
As to claim 19/18/17/14, Beyerl in view of Kato was discussed above with respect to claim 18, and Beyerl further shows (FIG. 1, 53) the fan 2400 is further configured to generate an airflow radially away from a rotational axis of the brushless DC electric motor 2000 (is capable of performing the claimed function).
As to claim 20/17/14, Beyerl in view of Kato was discussed above with respect to claim 17, and Beyerl further shows (FIG. 1, 53) at least half of a length of the fan 2400 is disposed within the outer periphery of the brushless DC electric motor 2000 (fan 2400 integral with rotor frame 2200 para[0111]).
Conclusion
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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ROBERT E MATES whose telephone number is (571)270-5293. The examiner can normally be reached M to F 12:00pm to 8pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, TULSIDAS PATEL can be reached at (571)272-2098. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ROBERT E MATES/Examiner, Art Unit 2834
/TULSIDAS C PATEL/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2834
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