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 action is in response to applicant’s amendments and arguments filed 06/25/2026. Claims 1-4, 6-15, and 17-20 are currently pending for examination on the merits.
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.
Claims 11-13 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lim (KR 100462208 with English Machine Translation) (of record) in view of Yamane (US 2006/0090828).
Regarding claim 11, Lim discloses a tire (title), comprising: a groove portion (2) that is formed to extend circumferentially along a circumference of a tire tread (1) of the tire (see Figs. 1 and 2; [10]), the groove portion (2) comprising a bottom surface and first and second side surfaces (see Modified Figure 1 below); and a plurality of knurled portions (3) that are formed on the bottom and side surfaces of the groove portion (2) (see Figs. 1 and 2; [10]), wherein at least one of the knurled portions (3) comprises: a first protrusion that is formed on the groove bottom surface and extends lengthwise in a width direction of the groove portion (2) and is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction passing through a central axis of the tire (see Modified Figure 2 below), the first protrusion including first and second end portions corresponding to the first and second side surfaces, respectively (see Modified Figure 2 below); a second protrusion that is formed to extend in a height direction of the first side surface of the groove portion (2) and that extends from the first end portion of the first protrusion (see Modified Figure 2 below); and a third protrusion that is formed to extend in a height direction of the second side surface of the groove portion (2) and that extends from the second end portion of the first groove portion (see Modified Figure 2 below), wherein an interval between the second protrusions formed on the first side surface of the groove portion (2) and an interval between the third protrusions formed on the second side surface of the groove portion (2) are repeatedly alternately narrowed and then widened. Lim fails to explicitly disclose, however, that a protrusion height of the first protrusion of each knurled portion (3) is less than or equal to 0.8 mm.
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Modified Figure 1, Lim
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Modified Figure 2, Lim
Yamane teaches a similar tire (title), comprising: a groove portion (2) that is formed to extend circumferentially along a circumference of a tire tread (1) of the tire, the groove portion (2) comprising a bottom surface and first and second side surfaces (see Figs. 1-4; [0016]-[0018]); and a plurality of knurled portions (4) that are formed on the bottom and side surfaces of the groove portion (2) (see Figs. 2-4; [0017]-[0018]). Yamane further teaches that a protrusion height (h) of each knurled portion (4) at least at the bottom surface of the groove portion (2) is not less than 0.3 mm ([0019]; see also Figs. 5A-5C), with a specific example in which the protrusion height (h) is equal to 0.3 mm (see Example 1, Table 1), suggesting the claimed range of less than or equal to 0.8 mm. Yamane further teaches that configuring the knurled portions (4) in this way ensures suitable drainage performance of the groove portion (2) ([0019]; [0007]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the first protrusion of each knurled portion disclosed by Lim to have a protrusion height within the claimed range, as taught by Yamane, because they would have had a reasonable expectation that doing so would ensure suitable drainage performance of the groove portion.
Regarding claim 12, modified Lim discloses all of the limitations as set forth above for claim 11. Modified Lim further discloses that a bottom portion of the second protrusion extends from the first protrusion, and an upper end of the second protrusion is separated from the second protrusion of a first adjacent knurled portion (Lim: 3) (see Modified Figure 2 above); and wherein a bottom portion of the third protrusion extends from the first protrusion, and an upper end of the third protrusion is separated from the third protrusion of a second adjacent knurled portion (Lim: 3) (see Modified Figure 2 above).
Regarding claim 13, modified Lim discloses all of the limitations as set forth above for claim 11. Modified Lim further discloses that for adjacent knurled portions (Lim: 3), where the interval separating adjacent second protrusions is narrowed the interval separating respective adjacent third protrusions is widened, and where the interval separating adjacent second protrusions is widened the interval separating respective adjacent third protrusions is narrowed (see Modified Figure 2 above).
Regarding claim 20, modified Lim discloses all of the limitations as set forth above for claim 11. Modified Lim further discloses that a shape formed by two adjacent knurled portions (Lim: 3) is V-shaped (see Modified Figure 2 above).
Claims 1-4, 6, 9-10, 14-15, and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lim (KR 100462208 with English Machine Translation) (of record) in view of Yamane (US 2006/0090828) and Hoke (US 3,727,661) (of record).
Regarding claim 1, Lim discloses a tire (title), comprising: a groove portion (2) that is formed to extend circumferentially along a circumference of a tire tread (1) of the tire (see Figs. 1 and 2; [10]), the groove portion (2) comprising a bottom surface and first and second side surfaces (see Modified Figure 1 above), wherein each of the first and second side surfaces has a height mid-point located radially outward in a radial height direction from the groove bottom surface on each side surface halfway between a radial height of the groove bottom surface and a surface of the tire tread (1) (see Modified Figure 1 above); and a plurality of knurled portions (3) that are formed on the bottom and side surfaces of the groove portion (2) (see Figs. 1 and 2; [10]), wherein at least one of the knurled portions (3) comprises: a first protrusion that is formed on the groove bottom surface and extends lengthwise in a width direction of the groove portion (2) and is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction passing through a central axis of the tire (see Modified Figure 2 above), the first protrusion including first and second end portions corresponding to the first and second side surfaces, respectively (see Modified Figure 2 above); a second protrusion that is formed to extend in a height direction of the first side surface of the groove portion (2) and that extends from the first end portion of the first protrusion to an upper end of the second protrusion (see Modified Figure 2 above); and a third protrusion that is formed to extend in a height direction of the second side surface of the groove portion (2) and that extends from the second end portion of the first groove portion to an upper end of the third protrusion (see Modified Figure 2 above); wherein the upper end of the second protrusion extends beyond the height mid-point of the first side surface and the upper end of the third protrusion extends beyond the height mid-point of the second side surface (see Modified Figures 1 and 2 above), wherein each of the second and third protrusions has an angle from the surface of the tread (1) that is not perpendicular to the surface of the tread (1) (see Modified Figure 1 above), and wherein the plurality of knurled portions (3) are formed to extend in a zigzag manner circumferentially around the tire tread (1) along the groove portion (2) (see Fig. 2; [10]). Lim fails to explicitly disclose, however, that a protrusion height of the first protrusion of each knurled portion (3) is less than or equal to 0.8 mm.
Yamane teaches a similar tire (title), comprising: a groove portion (2) that is formed to extend circumferentially along a circumference of a tire tread (1) of the tire, the groove portion (2) comprising a bottom surface and first and second side surfaces (see Figs. 1-4; [0016]-[0018]); and a plurality of knurled portions (4) that are formed on the bottom and side surfaces of the groove portion (2) (see Figs. 2-4; [0017]-[0018]). Yamane further teaches that a protrusion height (h) of each knurled portion (4) at least at the bottom surface of the groove portion (2) is not less than 0.3 mm ([0019]; see also Figs. 5A-5C), with a specific example in which the protrusion height (h) is equal to 0.3 mm (see Example 1, Table 1), suggesting the claimed range of less than or equal to 0.8 mm. Yamane further teaches that configuring the knurled portions (4) in this way ensures suitable drainage performance of the groove portion (2) ([0019]; [0007]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the first protrusion of each knurled portion disclosed by Lim to have a protrusion height within the claimed range, as taught by Yamane, because they would have had a reasonable expectation that doing so would ensure suitable drainage performance of the groove portion.
Modified Lim still fails to disclose, however that a protrusion height of each of the second protrusion and the third protrusion is lower at the upper end of each of the second and third protrusions than at a bottom portion of each of the second and third protrusions, respectively, where each of the second and third protrusions extends from the first protrusion.
However, this configuration is known in the art. For instance, Hoke teaches a similar tire (title) comprising: a groove portion (16) formed to extend circumferentially along a circumference of a tread (10), and a plurality of knurled portions (18b) formed on the groove portion (see Figs. 1 and 5), wherein each of the knurled portions comprises: a first protrusion that is formed on the groove bottom surface, a second protrusion that is formed on a first side surface of the groove portion (16) and that extends from the first protrusion, and a third protrusion that is formed on a second side surface of the groove portion (16) and that extends from the first protrusion (see Modified Figure 5 below). Hoke further teaches that a protrusion height of each of the second protrusion and the third protrusion is lower at the upper end of each of the second and third protrusions than at a bottom portion of each of the second and third protrusions, respectively, where each of the second and third protrusions extends from the first protrusion (see Modified Figure 5 below; Col. 4, line 58-Col. 5, line 16). Hoke further teaches that configuring the knurled portions (18b) in this way can help to provide support for the side walls of the groove portion (16) and prevent stones from damaging the groove bottom (Col. 4, line 58-Col. 5, line 16).
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Modified Figure 5, Hoke
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the second and third protrusions disclosed by modified Lim to have lower heights at their upper ends, as taught by Hoke, because they would have had a reasonable expectation that doing so would provide support for the sidewalls of the groove portion and further prevent stones from damaging the groove bottom.
Regarding claim 2, modified Lim discloses all of the limitations as set forth above for claim 1. Modified Lim further discloses that the upper end of the second protrusion is separated from the second protrusion of a first adjacent knurled portion (Lim: 3), and wherein the upper end of the third protrusion is separated from the third protrusion of a second adjacent knurled portion (Lim: 3) (see Modified Figure 2 above).
Regarding claims 3 and 4, modified Lim discloses all of the limitations as set forth above for claim 1. Hoke further teaches that the protrusion height of each of the second and third protrusions is lowest at the respective upper end of each of the second and third protrusions, wherein respective protrusion heights of the second protrusion and the third protrusion decrease gradually from the respective bottom portions toward the respective upper ends thereof (see Modified Figure 5 above; Col. 4, line 58-Col. 5, line 16). Therefore, since modified Lim includes the teachings from Hoke regarding the protrusions heights of the second and third protrusions, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for modified Lim to have satisfied all of the limitations in claims 3 and 4.
Regarding claim 6, modified Lim discloses all of the limitations as set forth above for claim 1. Modified Lim further discloses that a width of the knurled portions (Lim: 3) is 0.5 to 5 mm (Lim: [11]), encompassing the claimed range of 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm. A prior art reference that discloses a range encompassing a somewhat narrower claimed range is sufficient to establish a prima facie case of obviousness. See MPEP §2144.05. Therefore, absent any showing of unexpected results or criticality, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for modified Lim to have satisfied the claimed range based on the encompassing range disclosed by modified Lim.
Regarding claim 9, modified Lim discloses all of the limitations as set forth above for claim 1. Modified Lim further discloses that a shape formed by two adjacent knurled portions (Lim: 3) is V-shaped (see Modified Figure 2 above).
Regarding claim 10, modified Lim discloses all of the limitations as set forth above for claim 2. Modified Lim further discloses that the plurality of knurled portions (Lim: 3) comprise adjacent knurled portions (Lim: 3) that are separate from each other (Lim: see Fig. 2).
Regarding claims 14 and 15, Lim discloses all of the limitations as set forth above for claim 11. Lim fails to disclose, however, that a protrusion height of each of the second and third protrusions is lower at an upper end of each of the second and third protrusions than at a bottom of each of the second and third protrusions, respectively, wherein respective protrusion heights of the second protrusion and the third protrusion decrease gradually from the respective bottom portions toward the upper ends thereof.
However, this configuration is known in the art. For instance, Hoke teaches a similar tire (title) comprising: a groove portion (16) formed to extend circumferentially along a circumference of a tread (10), and a plurality of knurled portions (18b) formed on the groove portion (see Figs. 1 and 5), wherein each of the knurled portions comprises: a first protrusion that is formed on the groove bottom surface, a second protrusion that is formed on a first side surface of the groove portion (16) and that extends from the first protrusion, and a third protrusion that is formed on a second side surface of the groove portion (16) and that extends from the first protrusion (see Modified Figure 5 above). Hoke further teaches that a protrusion height of each of the second protrusion and the third protrusion is lower at the upper end of each of the second and third protrusions than at a bottom portion of each of the second and third protrusions, respectively, wherein respective protrusion heights of the second protrusion and the third protrusion decrease gradually from the respective bottom portions toward the upper ends thereof (see Modified Figure 5 above; Col. 4, line 58-Col. 5, line 16). Hoke further teaches that configuring the knurled portions (18b) in this way can help to provide support for the side walls of the groove portion (16) and prevent stones from damaging the groove bottom (Col. 4, line 58-Col. 5, line 16).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the second and third protrusions disclosed by Lim to have gradually decreasing heights toward their upper ends, as taught by Hoke, because they would have had a reasonable expectation that doing so would provide support for the sidewalls of the groove portion and further prevent stones from damaging the groove bottom.
Regarding claim 17, Lim discloses all of the limitations as set forth above for claim 11. Lim further discloses that a width of the knurled portions (3) is 0.5 to 5 mm ([11]), encompassing the claimed range of 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm. A prior art reference that discloses a range encompassing a somewhat narrower claimed range is sufficient to establish a prima facie case of obviousness. See MPEP §2144.05. Therefore, absent any showing of unexpected results or criticality, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention for modified Lim to have satisfied the claimed range based on the encompassing range disclosed by Lim.
Claims 18-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lim (KR 100462208 with English Machine Translation) (of record) in view of Yamane (US 2006/0090828) as applied to claim 11 above, and further in view of Lundgren et al. (US 2017/0246914) (Lundgren) (of record).
Regarding claim 18, Lim discloses all of the limitations as set forth above for claim 11. Lim fails to explicitly disclose, however, that a pitch interval of the knurled portions (3) is from 10 mm to 30 mm.
However, this configuration is known in the art. For instance, Lundgren teaches a similar tire (title) comprising a groove portion (402) and a plurality of knurled portions (408) which are formed on bottom (406) and a side surface (404) of the groove portion (402) (see Fig. 4A; [0037]). Lundgren further teaches that a pitch interval (P) of the knurled portions (408) is from 8.0 mm and 12.0 mm, with a specific example of 11.6 mm ([0037]), suggesting the claimed range of 10 mm to 30 mm. Lundgren further teaches that configuring the knurled portions (408) in this way can help improve the traction of the tire, specifically on snow or mud ([0037]; abstract).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have configured the pitch interval of the knurled portions disclosed by Lim to fall within the claimed range, as taught by Lundgren, because they would have had a reasonable expectation that doing so would help improve the traction of the tire, specifically on snow or mud.
Regarding claim 19, Lim discloses all of the limitations as set forth above for claim 11. Lim fails to explicitly disclose, however, that a radius of a connection portion between the first protrusion and the second protrusion and a radius of a connection portion between the first protrusion and the third protrusion are from full radii to 2.5 mm.
However, this configuration is known in the art. For instance, Lundgren teaches a similar tire (title) comprising a groove portion (402) and a plurality of knurled portions (408) which are formed on bottom (406) and a side surface (404) of the groove portion (402) (see Fig. 4A; [0037]). Lundgren further teaches that the knurled portion (408) comprises a first protrusion which is formed on the bottom surface (406) of the groove portion and extends in a width direction of the groove portion (402) (see Modified Figure 4A below), and a second protrusion which is formed to extend in a height direction of one side of the groove portion (402) and extends from one side of the first protrusion (see Modified Figure 4A below). Lundgren further teaches that a connection portion (410) between the first portion and the second protrusion has a radius (R) between 1.0 mm and 3.0 mm ([0029]), overlapping the claimed range. In the case where the claimed range overlaps the range disclosed by the prior art, a prima facie case of obviousness exists. See MPEP §2144.05. Lundgren further teaches that this configuration can help improve the snow and mud traction of the tire ([0028]-[0029], abstract).
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Modified Figure 4A, Lundgren
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have configured the connection portions between the first protrusion and the second and third protrusions disclosed by Lim to have radii within the claimed range, as taught by Lundgren, because they would have had a reasonable expectation that doing so could help improve the snow and mud traction of the tire.
Claims 7-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lim (KR 100462208 with English Machine Translation) (of record) in view of Yamane (US 2006/0090828) and Hoke (US 3,727,661) (of record) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Lundgren et al. (US 2017/0246914) (Lundgren) (of record).
Regarding claim 7, modified Lim discloses all of the limitations as set forth above for claim 1. Modified Lim fails to explicitly disclose, however, that a pitch interval of the knurled portions (Lim: 3) is from 10 mm to 30 mm.
However, this configuration is known in the art. For instance, Lundgren teaches a similar tire (title) comprising a groove portion (402) and a plurality of knurled portions (408) which are formed on bottom (406) and a side surface (404) of the groove portion (402) (see Fig. 4A; [0037]). Lundgren further teaches that a pitch interval (P) of the knurled portions (408) is from 8.0 mm and 12.0 mm, with a specific example of 11.6 mm ([0037]), suggesting the claimed range of 10 mm to 30 mm. Lundgren further teaches that configuring the knurled portions (408) in this way can help improve the traction of the tire, specifically on snow or mud ([0037]; abstract).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have configured the pitch interval of the knurled portions disclosed by modified Lim to fall within the claimed range, as taught by Lundgren, because they would have had a reasonable expectation that doing so would help improve the traction of the tire, specifically on snow or mud.
Regarding claim 8, modified Lim discloses all of the limitations as set forth above for claim 1. Modified Lim fails to explicitly disclose, however, that a radius of a connection portion between the first protrusion and the second protrusion and a radius of a connection portion between the first protrusion and the third protrusion are from full radii to 2.5 mm.
However, this configuration is known in the art. For instance, Lundgren teaches a similar tire (title) comprising a groove portion (402) and a plurality of knurled portions (408) which are formed on bottom (406) and a side surface (404) of the groove portion (402) (see Fig. 4A; [0037]). Lundgren further teaches that the knurled portion (408) comprises a first protrusion which is formed on the bottom surface (406) of the groove portion and extends in a width direction of the groove portion (402) (see Modified Figure 4A above), and a second protrusion which is formed to extend in a height direction of one side of the groove portion (402) and extends from one side of the first protrusion (see Modified Figure 4A above). Lundgren further teaches that a connection portion (410) between the first portion and the second protrusion has a radius (R) between 1.0 mm and 3.0 mm ([0029]), overlapping the claimed range. In the case where the claimed range overlaps the range disclosed by the prior art, a prima facie case of obviousness exists. See MPEP §2144.05. Lundgren further teaches that this configuration can help improve the snow and mud traction of the tire ([0028]-[0029], abstract).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have configured the connection portions between the first protrusion and the second and third protrusions disclosed by modified Lim to have radii within the claimed range, as taught by Lundgren, because they would have had a reasonable expectation that doing so could help improve the snow and mud traction of the tire.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s amendments to the specification and claims have overcome each and every drawings objection and 112(b) rejection previously set forth in the Non-Final Office Action mailed 03/25/2026.
Applicant’s arguments with respect to amended independent claims 1 and 11 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
As such, claims 1-4, 6-15, and 17-20 stand rejected.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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.
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/B.C.D./Examiner, Art Unit 1749
/KATELYN W SMITH/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1749
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