Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2024-05-28)
Rejection types: 112 - Written Description/Enablement

CLAIMS:
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1\. A threaded bolt for a hinge arrangement, comprising a cylindrical main body (6), characterized in that, on its outer circumferential surface, the cylindrical main body (6) has a first frustoconical projection (8) and a second frustoconical projection (10) which adjoins the first frustoconical projection (8), wherein the diameter of that side of the first frustoconical projection (8) that faces toward the second frustoconical projection (10) is smaller than the diameter of that side of the second frustoconical projection (10) that faces toward the first frustoconical projection (8), and the first frustoconical projection (8) comprises at least one tooth (12) on its outer circumferential surface, which tooth protrudes radially beyond an imaginary continuation of the second frustoconical projection (10).
2\. The threaded bolt according to claim 1, characterized in that the main body (6) comprises a blind hole (14), in which a screw (16) can be screwed.
3\. The threaded bolt according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by two teeth (12) or three teeth (12).
4\. A hinge arrangement, comprising a first hinge part (18) with a through-bore (20) and a frustoconical hinge eyelet (22), characterized by a threaded bolt (4) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tooth (12) is pressed in a wall (24), defining the hinge eyelet (22), of the first hinge part (18) such that the second frustoconical projection (10) rests areally against the wall (24) and a cavity (26) is formed between the first frustoconical projection (8) and the wall (24).

5\. The hinge arrangement according to claim 4, characterized by a screw (16), which is screwed to the threaded bolt (4) in the through-bore (14).

6\. The hinge arrangement according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the cavity (26) is in the form of a frustoconical ring.

7\. The hinge arrangement according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that an outer circumferential surface of the second frustoconical projection (10) and the wall (24) defining the hinge eyelet (22) are free of unevennesses.

8\. The hinge arrangement according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that a second hinge part (36) is rotatably fixed to the threaded bolt (4).

9\. The hinge arrangement according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the first hinge part (18) is fixed to a body of a motor vehicle or to a door of the motor vehicle.

10\. The hinge arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the second hinge part is fixed to the door of the motor vehicle or to the body of the motor vehicle.

OFFICE ACTION:
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 § 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 11-20 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 claim 11, lines 11-12, it is not clear what exactly is defined as “an imaginary continuation of the second frustoconical projection.  The second frustoconical projection has various physical/geometric quantities.  It is unclear what “imaginary continuation” is referring to.  Therefore, the claim is ambiguous.
In claim 12, it is not clear whether the “two teeth or three teeth” are further limitations of the “at least one tooth” stated in claim 1 or addition elements.
In claim 13, line 3, it is not clear which of the teeth “the tooth” is referring to.  There are multiple teeth.  Further, for clarity, the comma “,” after “a wall” (line 3) and “eyelet” (line 4) should be deleted.
Claim 20 is indefinite because the claim, including all limitation of claim 19, would include an embodiment having both the first hinge part and the second hinge part fixed to a vehicle body or an embodiment having both the first hinge part and the second hinge part fixed to the vehicle door.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 11-20 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.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.  See attached PTO-892.
Related prior art references:
US 6,490,759 B1 (Brueckner et al.) shows a motor vehicle hinge including a threaded bolt having a frustoconical project, a screw screwable to a blind hole of the bolt, the projection of the threaded bolt adapted to rest on a top of a hinge part to form a steam-tight sealing.
CN 101435298 B (CN) shows a motor vehicle hinge including a threaded bolt having a cylindrical body, a frustoconical projection, and a blind bore, a screw threaded in the blind bore, and a first hinge part having a frustoconical eyelet receiving the frustoconical projection.


NEXT OFFICE 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 .
EXAMINER'S AMENDMENT
An examiner’s amendment to the record appears below. Should the changes and/or additions be unacceptable to applicant, an amendment may be filed as provided by 37 CFR 1.312. To ensure consideration of such an amendment, it MUST be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee.
The application has been amended as follows:
Amended claims 20-22 as:
20.	The hinge arrangement according to claim [[19]] 18 , wherein the second hinge part is [[also]] fixed to a  [[the]] body of a  [[the]] motor vehicle.
21.	The hinge arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the first hinge part is fixed to a door of a  [[the]] motor vehicle.
22.	The hinge arrangement according to claim [[21]] 18, wherein the [[first]] second hinge part is [[also]] fixed to a [[the]] door of a  [[the]] motor vehicle.
Conclusion
Note that the changes shown above have been made by the Examiner in order to obviate a further rejection under 35 USC 112(b).  Embodiments of original claim 20 and claim 22 would render the claimed invention indefinite/inoperable by having both the first hinge part and the second hinge part mounted to a vehicle body or mounted to a vehicle door.

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20040025294A1: Claims:
An automotive hinge, comprising: (a) a door component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel, said door component comprising a conical pivot axis aperture; (b) a body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure, said body component comprising a pivot arm; (c) the door component and the body component being adapted to rotate about a pivot axis; (d) the body component comprising an upstanding, conical structural feature extending from the body component and adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally fixed to the pivot arm of the body component; (e) the conical structural feature comprising an external conical bearing surface; such that when the hinge is assembled, the door component interleaves over the body component, dimensionally locating said door and body components by means of the walls of the conical pivot axis aperture of the door component interacting with the external conical bearing surface of the conical structural feature.
(a) a door component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel, said door component comprising a conical pivot axis aperture;
(b) a body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure, said body component comprising a pivot arm;
(c) the door component and the body component being adapted to rotate about a pivot axis;
(d) the body component comprising an upstanding, conical structural feature extending from the body component and adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally fixed to the pivot arm of the body component;
(e) the conical structural feature comprising an external conical bearing surface;
such that when the hinge is assembled, the door component interleaves over the body component, dimensionally locating said door and body components by means of the walls of the conical pivot axis aperture of the door component interacting with the external conical bearing surface of the conical structural feature.
The automotive hinge of claim 1 , wherein the conical structural feature is wrought from the base material of the hinge body component.
The automotive hinge of claim 1 , wherein the conical structural feature is machined, forged or cast in the base material of the hinge body component.
The automotive hinge of claim 1 , further comprising a rigid bushing configured to fit over the conical structural feature to contact said conical bearing surface.
The automotive hinge of claim 4 , wherein the rigid bushing comprises an internal tapered surface and wherein said internal tapered surface comprises a lubricating coating or film.
The automotive hinge of claim 5 , wherein said lubricating coating or film comprises the polymer PTFE.
The automotive hinge of claim 4 , wherein the rigid bushing comprises a split line adapted to permit elastic expansion of the dimensions of the bushing.
The automotive hinge of claim 7 , wherein the rigid bushing comprises an unlubricated externally facing surface to facilitate clamping of said bushing into the conical pivot axis aperture.
The automotive hinge of claim 4 , wherein the rigid bushing further comprises a base comprising a horizontal surface configured substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said bushing, said horizontal surface being adapted to carry vertical hinge loadings.
The automotive hinge of claim 4 , wherein the conical structural feature comprises a distal end and further comprises an outward step proximate said distal end, said step being configured to retain the rigid bushing.
The automotive hinge of claim 1 , wherein the body component and door component are retained in assembly by a bolt configured to thread coaxially into an internally threaded feature in the conical structural feature.
The automotive hinge of claim 1 , wherein the body component and door component are retained in assembly by a clip, nut or other similar mechanical fastening means.
An automotive hinge comprising: (a) a door component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel, said door component comprising a conical pivot axis aperture; (b) a body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure said body component comprising a pivot arm; (c) the door component and the body component being adapted to rotate about a pivot axis; (d) the body component comprising an upstanding, conical structural feature, wrought from the base material of the body component extending from the body component and adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally fixed to the pivot arm of the body component; (e) said conical structural feature comprising an external conical bearing surface; (f) a rigid bushing configured to fit over the conical structural feature; (g) said rigid bushing comprising an internally facing surface comprising a lubricating coating or film adapted to contact said conical bearing surface of the conical structural feature; (h) said rigid bushing further comprising a split line and an unlubricated externally facing surface to facilitate clamping of said bushing into the conical pivot axis aperture; (i) said rigid bushing further comprising a base comprising a horizontal surface configured substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said bushing, said horizontal surface being adapted to carry vertical hinge loadings; such that when the hinge is assembled, the door component interleaves over the body component, dimensionally locating said door and body components by means of the walls of the conical pivot axis aperture of the door component interacting with the external conical bearing surface through the interposed rigid bushing.
(b) a body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure said body component comprising a pivot arm;
(d) the body component comprising an upstanding, conical structural feature, wrought from the base material of the body component extending from the body component and adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally fixed to the pivot arm of the body component;
(e) said conical structural feature comprising an external conical bearing surface;
(f) a rigid bushing configured to fit over the conical structural feature;
(g) said rigid bushing comprising an internally facing surface comprising a lubricating coating or film adapted to contact said conical bearing surface of the conical structural feature;
(h) said rigid bushing further comprising a split line and an unlubricated externally facing surface to facilitate clamping of said bushing into the conical pivot axis aperture;
(i) said rigid bushing further comprising a base comprising a horizontal surface configured substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said bushing, said horizontal surface being adapted to carry vertical hinge loadings;
such that when the hinge is assembled, the door component interleaves over the body component, dimensionally locating said door and body components by means of the walls of the conical pivot axis aperture of the door component interacting with the external conical bearing surface through the interposed rigid bushing.
The automotive hinge of claim 13 , wherein the conical structural feature is machined, forged or cast in the base material of the hinge body component.
The automotive hinge of claim 13 , wherein the conical, structural feature comprises a distal end and further comprises an outward step proximate said distal end, said step being configured to retain the rigid bushing.
The automotive hinge of claim 13 , wherein the body component and the door component are retained in assembly by a bolt configured to thread coaxially into an internally threaded feature in the conical structural feature.
The automotive hinge of claim 13 , wherein the body component and the door component are retained in assembly by a clip, nut or other similar mechanical fastening means.
An automotive hinge comprising: (a) a body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure, said body component comprising a conical pivot axis aperture; (b) a door component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel, said door component comprising a pivot arm; (c) the body component and the door component being adapted to rotate about a pivot axis; (d) the door component comprising a conical structural feature extending from the door component and adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally fixed to the pivot arm of the door component; (e) the conical structural feature comprising an external conical bearing surface; such that when the hinge is assembled, the door component interleaves over the body component, dimensionally locating said body and door components by means of the walls of the conical pivot axis aperture of the body component interacting with the external conical bearing surface of the conical structural feature.
(a) a body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure, said body component comprising a conical pivot axis aperture;
(b) a door component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel, said door component comprising a pivot arm;
(c) the body component and the door component being adapted to rotate about a pivot axis;
(d) the door component comprising a conical structural feature extending from the door component and adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally fixed to the pivot arm of the door component;
such that when the hinge is assembled, the door component interleaves over the body component, dimensionally locating said body and door components by means of the walls of the conical pivot axis aperture of the body component interacting with the external conical bearing surface of the conical structural feature.
The automotive hinge of claim 18 , wherein the conical, structural feature is wrought from the base material of the hinge door component.
An automotive hinge comprising: (a) a body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure, said body component comprising a conical pivot axis aperture; (b) a door component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel, said door component comprising a pivot arm; (c) the body component and the door component being adapted to rotate about a pivot axis; (d) the door component comprising a conical structural feature, wrought from the base material of the door component, extending from the door component, and adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally fixed to the pivot arm of the door component; (e) said conical structural feature comprising an external conical bearing surface; (f) a rigid bushing configured to fit over the conical structural feature; (g) said rigid bushing comprising an internally facing tapered surface comprising a lubricating coating or film adapted to contact said conical bearing surface of the conical structural feature; (h) said rigid bushing further comprising a split line and an unlubricated externally facing surface to facilitate clamping of said bushing into the conical pivot axis aperture; (i) said rigid bushing further comprising a base comprising a horizontal surface configured substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said bushing, said horizontal surface being adapted to carry vertical hinge loadings; such that when the hinge is assembled, the door component interleaves over the body component, dimensionally locating said body and door components by means of the walls of the conical pivot axis aperture of the body component interacting with the external conical bearing surface of the conical structural feature through the interposed rigid bushing.
(d) the door component comprising a conical structural feature, wrought from the base material of the door component, extending from the door component, and adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally fixed to the pivot arm of the door component;
(g) said rigid bushing comprising an internally facing tapered surface comprising a lubricating coating or film adapted to contact said conical bearing surface of the conical structural feature;
such that when the hinge is assembled, the door component interleaves over the body component, dimensionally locating said body and door components by means of the walls of the conical pivot axis aperture of the body component interacting with the external conical bearing surface of the conical structural feature through the interposed rigid bushing.
The automotive hinge of claim 20 , wherein the conical structural feature is machined, forged or cast in the base material of the hinge door component.
The automotive hinge of claim 20 , wherein the conical structural feature comprises a distal end and further comprises an outward step proximate said distal end, said step being configured to retain the rigid bushing.
The automotive hinge of claim 20 , wherein the door component and the body component are retained in assembly by a bolt configured to thread coaxially into an internally threaded feature in the conical structural feature.
The automotive hinge of claim 20 , wherein the body component and the door component are retained in assembly by a clip, nut or other similar mechanical fastening means.
An automotive hinge comprising: a) a door component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel, said door component comprising a conical pivot axis aperture; b) a body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure said body component comprising a pivot arm; c) the door component and the body component being adapted to rotate about a pivot axis; d) the body component comprising an upstanding, conical structural feature, extending from the body component and adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally fixed to the pivot arm of the body component; e) said door component conical pivot axis aperture comprising an internal conical bearing surface; f) a rigid bushing configured to fit into the conical pivot axis aperture; g) said rigid bushing comprising an externally facing surface comprising a lubricating coating or film adapted to contact said internal conical bearing surface of the conical pivot axis aperture; h) said rigid bushing further comprising an unlubricated internally facing surface to facilitate clamping of said bushing onto the conical structural feature; such that when the hinge is assembled, the door component interleaves over the body component, dimensionally locating said door and body components by means of the outer surface of the conical structural feature of the body component interacting with the internal conical bearing surface through the interposed rigid bushing.
a) a door component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel, said door component comprising a conical pivot axis aperture;
b) a body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure said body component comprising a pivot arm;
c) the door component and the body component being adapted to rotate about a pivot axis;
d) the body component comprising an upstanding, conical structural feature, extending from the body component and adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally fixed to the pivot arm of the body component;
e) said door component conical pivot axis aperture comprising an internal conical bearing surface;
f) a rigid bushing configured to fit into the conical pivot axis aperture;
g) said rigid bushing comprising an externally facing surface comprising a lubricating coating or film adapted to contact said internal conical bearing surface of the conical pivot axis aperture;
h) said rigid bushing further comprising an unlubricated internally facing surface to facilitate clamping of said bushing onto the conical structural feature;
such that when the hinge is assembled, the door component interleaves over the body component, dimensionally locating said door and body components by means of the outer surface of the conical structural feature of the body component interacting with the internal conical bearing surface through the interposed rigid bushing.
The automotive hinge of claim 25 , wherein the conical structural feature is wrought from the base material of the body component.
The automotive hinge of claim 25 , wherein the conical structural feature is machined, forged or cast in the base material of the hinge body component.
The automotive hinge of claim 25 , wherein the rigid bushing further comprises a split line to facilitate mounting of the bushing and clamping of the bushing onto the conical structural feature.
The automotive hinge of claim 25 , wherein said rigid bushing further comprises a horizontal surface configured substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said bushing, said horizontal surface being adapted to carry vertical hinge loadings.
An automotive hinge comprising: a) a body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure, said body component comprising a conical pivot axis aperture; b) a door component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel, said door component comprising a pivot arm; c) the body component and the door component being adapted to rotate about a pivot axis; d) the door component comprising a conical structural feature extending from the door component and adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally fixed to the pivot arm of the door component; e) the body component conical pivot axis aperture comprising an internal conical bearing surface; f) a rigid bushing configured to fit into the conical pivot axis aperture; g) said rigid bushing comprising an externally facing surface comprising a lubricating coating or film adapted to contact said internal conical bearing surface of the conical pivot axis aperture; h) said rigid bushing further comprising an unlubricated internally facing surface to facilitate clamping of said bushing onto the conical structural feature; such that when the hinge is assembled, the door component interleaves over the body component, dimensionally locating said door and body components by means of the outer surface of the conical structural feature of the door component interacting with the internal conical bearing surface through the interposed rigid bushing.
a) a body component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular body structure, said body component comprising a conical pivot axis aperture;
b) a door component adapted to be mounted to a vehicular closure panel, said door component comprising a pivot arm;
c) the body component and the door component being adapted to rotate about a pivot axis;
d) the door component comprising a conical structural feature extending from the door component and adapted to be coaxially aligned with the pivot axis and structurally fixed to the pivot arm of the door component;
e) the body component conical pivot axis aperture comprising an internal conical bearing surface;
such that when the hinge is assembled, the door component interleaves over the body component, dimensionally locating said door and body components by means of the outer surface of the conical structural feature of the door component interacting with the internal conical bearing surface through the interposed rigid bushing.
The automotive hinge of claim 30 , wherein the conical structural feature is wrought from the base material of the door component.
The automotive hinge of claim 30 , wherein the conical structural feature is machined, forged or cast in the base material of the door component.
The automotive hinge of claim 30 , wherein the rigid bushing further comprises a split line to facilitate mounting of the bushing and clamping of the bushing onto the conical structural feature.
The automotive hinge of claim 30 , wherein said rigid bushing further comprises a horizontal surface configured substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said bushing, said horizontal surface being adapted to carry vertic
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