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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
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.
Claims 1-4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a1 as being anticipated by Yakamoto et al. (JP2013204726).
Regarding claim 1, Yakamoto et al. discloses a cylindrical vibration isolator (fig 1, 100) in which an inner shaft member (10) and an outer cylindrical member (20) are connected by a main body rubber elastic body (at least 30), and a cylindrical intermediate sleeve (at least figs 2-7, 40)/240) that extends in a circumferential direction between the inner shaft member (10) and the outer cylindrical member (20) in a radial direction is fixed to the main body rubber elastic body (fig 1), wherein in a part of the intermediate sleeve in the circumferential direction, a slit (44/241) penetrating axially is formed, both end parts of the slit are straight parts extending axially (at least the elongated axial end portions, figs 2 and 5), and a direct overlap margin (figs 4 and 7) of the straight parts on both sides in axial view is smaller than a radial thickness (fig 3, t) of the intermediate sleeve. With regards to the direct overlap margin, it has been interpreted that at least figures 4 and 7 show wherein the slit having at least two axially extending straight slit portions that are circumferentially offset rather than fully aligned. When viewed in an axial projection (i.e. flattened view), only a limited portion of the straight slit regions overlaps directly. For example, in at least fig 4, the circumferential offset created by connecting portions 41 limits the aligned region between 44 and 45 with a lateral/circumferential shift introduced by regions 41. Figs 4a and 7a show wherein upper and lower straight slit portions located at circumferentially different positions and connected through intermediates portions 41, thereby producing a limited directly overlapping axial projection between the straight portions. The directly overlapping region has been interpreted to be smaller than the sleeve wall thickness (t).
Regarding claim 2, Yakamoto et al. discloses wherein the straight parts on both sides of the slit are formed at different positions in the circumferential direction of the intermediate sleeve (figs 2-7), and the slit comprises an intermediate part (at least 41) that mutually connects the straight parts on both sides in the circumferential direction.
Regarding claim 3, Yakamoto et al. discloses wherein in the intermediate part of the slit, an intermediate rubber (at least 30a /31) that mutually connects both axial side parts of the intermediate sleeve with respect to the intermediate part is provided (fig 1).
Regarding claim 4, Yakamoto et al. discloses an intermediate sleeve (40) for cylindrical vibration isolator (fig 1, 100), comprising a cylindrical part (40) extending in a circumferential direction between an inner shaft member (10) and an outer cylindrical member (20) in a radial direction (fig 1), the cylindrical part being connected to the inner shaft member (10) and the outer cylindrical member by a main body rubber elastic body (30/31), wherein in a part of the cylindrical part in the circumferential direction, a slit penetrating axially is formed, both end parts of the slit are straight parts extending axially, and a direct overlap margin (figs 4 and 7) of the straight parts on both sides in axial view is smaller than a radial thickness (fig 3, t) of the cylindrical part (40). With regards to the direct overlap margin, it has been interpreted that at least figures 4 and 7 show wherein the slit having at least two axially extending straight slit portions that are circumferentially offset rather than fully aligned. When viewed in an axial projection (i.e. flattened view), only a limited portion of the straight slit regions overlaps directly. For example, in at least fig 4, the circumferential offset created by connecting portions 41 limits the aligned region between 44 and 45 with a lateral/circumferential shift introduced by regions 41. Figs 4a and 7a show wherein upper and lower straight slit portions located at circumferentially different positions and connected through intermediates portions 41, thereby producing a limited directly overlapping axial projection between the straight portions. The directly overlapping region has been interpreted to be smaller than the sleeve wall thickness (t).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JAMES K HSIAO whose telephone number is (571)272-6259. The examiner can normally be reached 9-5, Monday-Friday.
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/JAMES K HSIAO/Examiner, Art Unit 3616
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