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 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 29-56 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. In each of claims 29, 31, 46 and 52, “in particular” in indefinite. In claim 29, lines 15, 16 and 17, the “UP1” and “UP2” are not consistent with the respective load and guide flank. In claim 29, the last paragraph there is no antecedent basis for “the respective intersection point”; it should be clarified that it is each intersection point and associated transition point that defines a distance. In lines 18 and 20 the “LF” and “FF” were not found in the drawings. In claim 31, there is no antecedent basis for “the respective connecting line”. In claim 36, there is no antecedent basis for “the numerical eccentricity”. In claim 38, there is no antecedent basis for “the distance” and “the pitch”. In claim 42, there is no antecedent basis for “the percentage protrusion”. In claim 45, there is no antecedent basis for “the base thread radius”. In claim 50, “a preforming elevation” is a double inclusion and suggested should be --one of the preforming elevations-- and “the nearest” and “the beginning” lack antecedent basis. In claim 54, “the pitch” and “the increase” lack antecedent basis. The claims should be further reviewed and revised accordingly to ensure complete compliance with section 112. The claims were examined as best understood.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 29-59 appear would be allowable if rewritten or amended 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.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: in the context of the claim invention the prior art does not disclose a thread profile with an ellipse shaped crest having a relatively narrow profile as required by the limitation of the distances between the transition and intersection points being less than 90% the distance from the intersection points and the ellipse apex.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Subenbach (US 7,658,581), Otten (US 10,036,413), Prichard (US 8,684,646), Chu (US 11,313,401) and Oliver (US 3,394,626) are all cited to teach threads with a curved crest and a relatively narrow profile but none teach an ellipse shape. Yamaki (US 7,780,388), Williams (US 5,141,379), Skierski (US 3,831,415), Okuwaki (US 10,954,985) and Kahn (US 3,213,742) are all cited to teach thread elevations at a screw tip region.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to FLEMMING SAETHER whose telephone number is (571)272-7071. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30 - 7:00 eastern.
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/FLEMMING SAETHER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3675
