Drawings
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, features related to making rotational backlash 15 minutes or less must be shown. 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. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. 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 Rejections - 35 USC § 112
Claims 3 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the enablement requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention. Claim 3 recites the limitation, “a rotational backlash amount in the plunging type constant velocity universal joint is set to 15 minutes or less.” However, the specification fails to disclose how “rotational backlash” is measured or how to necessarily make it 15 minutes or less.
Claim 3 is 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 3 recites the limitation, “a rotational backlash amount in the plunging type constant velocity universal joint” but fails to define between which elements or other features this rotational backlash is measured.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
Claims 1-2 & 4-5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Kobayashi, JP 2019-190550 (all citations taken from its US equivalent, US 11,835,096). Kobayashi discloses a plunging type constant velocity universal joint (1), comprising:
an outer joint member (2) comprising a cylindrical inner peripheral surface (6) having a plurality of linear track grooves (7) extending along an axial direction;
an inner joint member (3) comprising a spherical outer peripheral surface (8) having a plurality of linear track grooves (9) which are opposed to the plurality of linear track grooves of the outer joint member and extend along the axial direction;
a plurality eight (col. 17, line 39) of torque transmission balls (4) incorporated between the plurality of linear track grooves of the outer joint member and the plurality of linear track grooves of the inner joint member; and
a cage (5), which is configured to accommodate the torque transmission balls in pockets (5a), and comprises a spherical outer peripheral surface (12) and a spherical inner peripheral surface (13), which are guided in contact (col. 9, lines 49-54) with the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the outer joint member and the spherical outer peripheral surface of the inner joint member, respectively,
wherein a curvature center (O1) of the spherical outer peripheral surface and a curvature center (O2) of the spherical inner peripheral surface of the cage are offset (f) toward opposite sides in the axial direction with respect to a joint center (O3),
wherein Fig. 7C shows a spherical clearance (see also col. 16, lines 66-67) that allows guide in contact is formed between the spherical outer peripheral surface of the inner joint member and the spherical inner peripheral surface of the cage, and a positive axial clearance (d1) is formed between the pocket of the cage and the torque transmission ball.
As to claim 2, the positive axial clearance (d1) between the pocket (5a) of the cage (5) and the torque transmission ball (4) is set within a range of from +0.001 mm to +0.050 mm (col. 16, line 10).
As to claim 4, although Kobayashi is silent with regard to a transverse cross-sectional shape of each of the track groove (7) of the outer joint member (2) and the track groove (9) of the inner joint member (3) being a gothic arch shape that allows angular contact with the torque transmission ball (4), such a feature is inherent in a plunging type constant velocity universal joint (see also Item 5a below).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
At Fig. 4 and the last paragraph of page 168, Universal Joint and Driveshaft Design Manual discloses the track grooves of a plunging type constant velocity universal joint like that of Kobayashi typically have elliptical (i.e. gothic) transverse cross-sectional shape.
Yamazaki discloses rotational backlash in a fixed constant velocity universal joint (col. 1, lines 51-60)
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/Greg Binda/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3679