Dave,
Shortly after this discussion WIPO published a search report addressing the related international application. The international search report is available at
http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/images1/PC...9/09079049.pdf.
Of note is that the search report identifies an 'X' type reference, that is one that, in the view of the searcher, makes the identified claims unpatentable in view of the prior art. The reference is a patent application publication to Leonard Clark and H. Peter Greene, published as US 2004-0200924. The KIPO searcher believes that this reference reads on all 15 claims appearing in the international application, making them unpatentable in some WIPO countries under existing local law.
Sikorsky, in keeping with its duty of disclosure in prosecution of the related US application, has duly disclosed the international search report and the references it identifies individually, to the USPTO.
It will be interesting to see if the USPTO examiner applies the reference in an initial, non-final rejection.
- Cheers