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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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, 5, 8, 11-14, 16-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a)(1) as being anticipated by APA (prior art Fig 3A &3B).
Regarding claim 1: APA (Fig 3A &B) shows a planetary roller screw arrangement configured to convert rotary motion to linear motion, comprising: a threaded nut (210) having: a first longitudinal length (L10’); and a first threaded portion (218), and a first end of the first threaded portion (118) and a second end of the first threaded portion define a second longitudinal length (L20’); a threaded spindle (220) having a second threaded portion (222), and a first end of the second threaded portion and a second end of the second threaded portion define a third longitudinal length (L30’), the threaded spindle (220) disposed within the threaded nut (210); a plurality of threaded planets (240): arranged radially between the threaded spindle (120) and the threaded nut (210); having a third threaded portion configured to be threadedly engaged with the first threaded portion, and a first end of the third threaded portion and a second end of the third threaded portion (243) define a fourth longitudinal length (L60’); and rotation of one of the threaded nut (210) or the threaded spindle (220) causes relative linear displacement between the threaded spindle (220) and the plurality of threaded planets (240) via the first threaded portion (218), the second threaded portion (222), and the third threaded portion (243); the fourth longitudinal length (L60’) is greater than the third longitudinal length (L30’).
Regarding claim 4: APA (Fig 3A &B) shows wherein first longitudinal length (L10’) is greater than the third longitudinal length (L30’).
Regarding claim 5: APA (Fig 3A &B) shows wherein the third threaded portion (243) threadedly engages the second threaded portion (222).
Regarding claim 8: APA (Fig 3A &B) shows, wherein the threaded spindle (220) is configured to move to a linear position where the third longitudinal length (L30’) does not overlap with the second longitudinal length (L20’) in an axial direction.
Regarding claim 11: APA (Fig 3A &B) shows further comprising: a first planet ring (260) arranged at a first end of the threaded nut, the first planet ring configured to: i) rotatably support a first end of each one of the threaded planets, and ii) rotate relative to the threaded nut; and a second planet ring (262) arranged at a second end of the threaded nut, the second planet ring configured to: i) rotatably support a second end of each one of the threaded planets (240), and ii) rotate relative to the threaded nut.
Regarding claim 12: APA (Fig 3A &B) shows a planetary roller screw arrangement configured to convert rotary motion to linear motion, comprising: a threaded nut (210) comprising: a first planet ring (260) fixed to a first end; and a second planet ring (262) fixed to a second end, the first planet ring (260) and the second planet ring (262) defining a first longitudinal length (L10’) of the threaded nut; and a bore having a first threaded portion, the first threaded portion spanning a second longitudinal length (L20’); a threaded spindle (220) having a second threaded portion spanning a third longitudinal length (L30’); a plurality of threaded planets (240) rotatably supported by the first planet ring (260) and the second planet ring (262), the plurality of threaded planets (240): arranged radially between the threaded spindle (220) and the threaded nut (210); and having a third threaded portion configured to be threadedly engaged with the first threaded portion (see fig 2), the third threaded portion spanning a fourth longitudinal length (L60’); and the first longitudinal length (L10’) is greater than the third longitudinal length (L30’).
Regarding claim 13: APA (Fig 3A &B) shows wherein the fourth longitudinal length (L60’) is greater than the third longitudinal length (L30’).
Regarding claim 14: APA (Fig 3A &B) shows wherein a first end of the plurality of threaded planets (240) defines a first axial travel stop for the threaded spindle (220) and a second end of the plurality of threaded planets defines a second axial travel stop for the threaded spindle.
Regarding claim 16: APA (Fig 3A &B) shows a planetary roller screw arrangement configured to convert rotary motion to linear motion, comprising: a threaded nut (210) having a bore , the bore comprising: a first threaded portion arranged at a first end of the bore, a first end of the first threaded portion (218) and a second end of the first threaded portion defining a first longitudinal length (L20’); and a second non-threaded portion arranged between the first threaded portion and a second end of the bore in an axial direction, a first end of the second non-threaded portion and a second end of the non-threaded portion defining a second longitudinal length (L10’, see fig 3A); a plurality of threaded planets (240) having: a first planet end rotatably supported by the first end of the bore; a second planet end rotatably supported by the second end of the bore (see fig 2); and a second threaded portion: i) configured to threadedly engage the first threaded portion, and ii) extending across the second non-threaded portion in an axial direction toward the second planet end; and a threaded spindle (220) having a third threaded portion configured to threadedly engage the plurality of threaded planets (240) so as to move the threaded spindle linearly relative to the plurality of threaded planets; and a first end of the third threaded portion and a second end of the threaded portion define a third longitudinal length (L30’) that is less than the second longitudinal length (L20’).
Regarding claim 17: APA (Fig 3A &B) shows wherein rotation of one of the threaded nut (210) or the threaded spindle (220) causes relative linear displacement between the threaded spindle and the plurality of threaded planets (240).
Regarding claim 18: APA (Fig 3A &B) shows wherein the third threaded portion is configured to threadedly engage the first threaded portion (see fig 3A).
Regarding claim 19: APA (Fig 3A &B) shows wherein the second longitudinal length (L10’) is greater than the first longitudinal length (L20’, see fig 3A).
Regarding claim 20: APA (Fig 3A &B) shows wherein the second threaded portion extends continuously with a constant outer diameter (see fig 2).
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Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 2, 3, 6-7, 9-10, 15 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The admitted prior art (Fig 3A &3B) or the other references cited failed to show wherein the fourth longitudinal length is greater than the second longitudinal length. Wherein a ratio of the fourth longitudinal length to the third longitudinal length is at least 1.5.
It also failed to show wherein the first end of the threaded spindle is coupled to a first push rod, and a second end of the threaded spindle is coupled to a second push rod. wherein the first end of the threaded spindle is coupled to a push rod, and the push rod is configured as an abutment that limits radial deflection of the plurality of threaded planets.
The admitted prior art (Fig 3A &3B) or the other references cited failed to show or render obviousness that a first internal gear arranged at a first end of the threaded nut; and a second internal gear arranged at a second end of the threaded nut; and the first internal gear and the second internal gear (having internal gear teeth engaging with the plurality of threaded planets
a first planet gear arranged at a first end, the first planet gear configured to engage the first internal gear; and a second planet gear arranged at a second end, the second planet gear configured to engage the second internal gear.
a first internal gear arranged at the first end of the threaded nut, the first internal gear configured to engage a first gear arranged on each one of the plurality of threaded planets; and a second internal gear arranged at the second end of the threaded nut, the second internal gear configured to engage a second gear arranged on each one of the plurality of threaded planets.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure for example EP 4303466 shows threaded nut and threaded spindle (7) and threaded planets (8a, 8a) with threaded portion.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ZAKARIA ELAHMADI whose telephone number is (571)270-5324. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 10-6 EST.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Minnah Seoh can be reached on 571-270-7778. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ZAKARIA ELAHMADI/
Examiner, Art Unit 3618
Prosecution Insights