DETAILED ACTION
This is the first office action for US Application 19/048,332 for a Method and Apparatus for Engine Hot Section Maintenance.
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 .
Claim Objections
Claims 15 and 16 are objected to because of the following informalities: Line 3 of claim 15, the word “a” should be deleted and replaced with - - an - -. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 4 and 14 are 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.
Claims 4 and 14 recite the limitation "the mobile support" in line 1. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-3, 5-13 and 17-20 are allowed. Claims 4 and 14 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Claims 15 and 16 would be allowable pending correction of the objection noted above.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: The prior art of record discloses maintenance systems for aircraft engines, but does not disclose or suggest the specific features of a static member removably securable to a first case of the engine, slidably engaged with a mobile member that is removably securable to a second case of the engine, in a direction parallel to a central axis of the aircraft engine, a brace fixture secured to the static member and a shaft supporting rod removably securable to the brace fixture, and an intermediate support removably secured to the static member.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 2022/0048647 to Henriksen
US 2021/0324764 to Muller
US 2026/0035104 to Fujita
US 5271218 to Taylor
US 12703510 to Binette
US 9885286 to Murphy
US 10221724 to Murphy
US 11247787 to Henderson US 2023/0111699 to Henriksen
The above prior art discloses various engine support apparatuses.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to STEVEN M MARSH whose telephone number is (571)272-6819. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Thurs 9 am-7:30 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Terrell McKinnon can be reached at 571-272-4797. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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STEVEN M. MARSH
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3632
/STEVEN M MARSH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3632
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