The patent has been granted
The patent has been granted, Grant of patent is intended, Request for examination was made, The international publication has been made
EP Register Verified
METAL GRAPHITE GROUNDING BRUSH MAINLY COMPOSED OF SILVER AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME
Publication No.
EP4068520
•
App No.
EP20892659
•
Filed by
Tris Inc.
•
Filed on
2020-11-18
•
Issued/Published on
2025-12-10
Publication No.
EP4068520
A1
Application No.
EP20892659
Filed: 2020-11-18
Grant Date
2025-12-10
Mention of grant
Active Oppositions
2 Active
EPO Oppositions
Patent Abstract / Summary
The metal graphite grounding brush including silver is made in slide contact with a peripheral surface of an axle and grounds the axle. The mass ratio between silver and carbonaceous components including a volatile component in the brush is silver above 30 % and up to 90 % and carbonaceous components less than 70 % and down to 10 %. When the total of silver and carbonaceous components is made 100 %, the volatile component is down to 2.0 % and up to 15 %. The brush grounds the axle reliably so that noise from a car radio is reduced and has a long service life and mechanical strength.
IPC Classifications
H01R4/64, H01R39/20, H01R39/26, H01R39/22, H01R43/12
H01R4/64, H01R39/20, H01R39/26
Priority Claims
JP 20190212628
Date: 2019-11-25
Designated Contracting States (38 EPC States)
AL
AT
BE
BG
CH
CY
CZ
DE
DK
EE
ES
FI
FR
GB
GR
HR
HU
IE
IS
IT
LI
LT
LU
LV
MC
MK
MT
NL
NO
PL
PT
RO
RS
SE
SI
SK
SM
TR
Parties & Representation
Applicants
Tris Inc.
1105-2 Kushida-cho, Matsusaka-city, Mie 515-0204
JPInventors (4)
IKEDA Mitsuo
c/o TRIS INC., 1105-2, Kushida-cho, Matsusaka- city, Mie 515-0204
JPKANAGAWA Hirotada
c/o TRIS INC., 1105-2, Kushida-cho, Matsusaka- city, Mie 515-0204
JPHIROTA Mitsuhiro
c/o TRIS INC., 1105-2, Kushida-cho, Matsusaka- city, Mie 515-0204
JPNISHIMURA Yoshihiro
c/o TRIS INC., 1105-2, Kushida-cho, Matsusaka- city, Mie 515-0204
JPRepresentatives / Agents
Kuhnen & Wacker Patent- und Rechtsanwaltsbüro PartG mbB
Prinz-Ludwig-Straße 40 A, 85354 Freising
DEZF Friedrichshafen AG
Gewerblicher Rechtsschutz, Löwentalerstraße 20
DEKey Procedural Dates
Request-For-Examination
2022-06-08
Mention Of Grant Published
2025-12-10
First-Examination-Report-Despatched
2025-07-15
Patent Oppositions
Official opposition proceedings filed against European Patent EP4068520 under EPC Article 99.
#1
Opponent
Company
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Löwentaler Strasse 20, DE
Representative
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Filing
Date
Opposition in Progress
2026-09-10
#2
Opponent
Company
ZF Friedrichshafen AG
Löwentaler Strasse 20, DE
Representative
—
Filing
Date
Opposition in Progress
2026-09-10
Legal Status & Event History
Official European Patent Office legal and procedural status changes recorded for this file.
| Date | Code | Event Description | Auth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-06-04 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2022-09-02 | PUAI | PUBLIC REFERENCE MADE UNDER ARTICLE 153(3) EPC TO A PUBLISHED INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION THAT HAS ENTERED THE EUROPEAN PHASE | EP |
| 2022-09-02 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2022-10-05 | 17P | REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION FILED | EP |
| 2022-10-05 | AK | DESIGNATED CONTRACTING STATES | EP |
| 2023-03-01 | DAX | REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT (DELETED) | EP |
| 2023-03-01 | DAV | REQUEST FOR VALIDATION OF THE EUROPEAN PATENT (DELETED) | EP |
| 2023-12-27 | RIC1 | INFORMATION PROVIDED ON IPC CODE ASSIGNED BEFORE GRANT | EP |
| 2023-12-27 | A4 | SUPPLEMENTARY SEARCH REPORT DRAWN UP AND DESPATCHED | EP |
| 2024-01-10 | RIC1 | INFORMATION PROVIDED ON IPC CODE ASSIGNED BEFORE GRANT | EP |
| 2025-07-15 | GRAP | DESPATCH OF COMMUNICATION OF INTENTION TO GRANT A PATENT | EP |
| 2025-07-15 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2025-08-13 | INTG | INTENTION TO GRANT ANNOUNCED | EP |
| 2025-11-07 | GRAA | (EXPECTED) GRANT | EP |
| 2025-11-04 | GRAS | GRANT FEE PAID | EP |
| 2025-11-07 | STAA | INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF AN EP PATENT APPLICATION OR GRANTED EP PATENT | EP |
| 2025-12-10 | AK | DESIGNATED CONTRACTING STATES | EP |
| 2025-12-10 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2025-12-24 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2025-12-31 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-04-10 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-04-10 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-13 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-14 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-17 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-15 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-04-28 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-04-30 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-05-15 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-05-18 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-06-29 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-03 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-09 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-10 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-15 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-17 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-18 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-21 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-07-25 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-08-06 | PG25 | LAPSED IN A CONTRACTING STATE [ANNOUNCED VIA POSTGRANT INFORMATION FROM NATIONAL OFFICE TO EPO] | EP |
| 2026-09-11 | PLBI | OPPOSITION FILED | EP |
| 2026-09-16 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-09-18 | PLAB | OPPOSITION DATA, OPPONENT'S DATA OR THAT OF THE OPPONENT'S REPRESENTATIVE MODIFIED | EP |
| 2026-09-23 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-09-10 | REG | REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CODE | EP |
| 2026-10-14 | 26 | OPPOSITION FILED | EP |
Patent & Non-Patent Citations
Cited documents and prior art referenced in search and examination reports.
Worldwide Patent Family
Related applications and patents in the same INPADOC worldwide family.
| Country | Publication Number | Kind | Publication Date | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP | EP4068520A1 | A1 | 2022-10-05 | Espacenet |
| EP | EP4068520A4 | A4 | 2023-12-27 | Espacenet |
| EP | EP4068520B1 | B1 | 2025-12-10 | Espacenet |
| CN | CN114556720A | A | 2022-05-27 | Espacenet |
| CN | CN114556720B | B | 2024-06-04 | Espacenet |
| JP | JP2021086668A | A | 2021-06-03 | Espacenet |
| JP | JP7250337B2 | B2 | 2023-04-03 | Espacenet |
| US | US2023006405A1 | A1 | 2023-01-05 | Espacenet |
| US | US11764532B2 | B2 | 2023-09-19 | Espacenet |
| WO | WO2021106700A1 | A1 | 2021-06-03 | Espacenet |
Official File Inspection
EPC Art. 128 Public Dossier
Complete European Patent Register Dossier (148 Total Documents)
The full inspection file for Application EP20892659 contains 148 total documents, including all notices of opposition, proprietor counter-statements, examination communications, third-party observations, and procedural forms. Below are all major recorded procedural filings and publication specifications.
Recorded Filings & Patent Specifications
Official publication specifications, opposition filings, proprietor replies, and procedural submissions.
European Patent Specification - Granted Patent (B1)
Publication Specification
Date: 2025-12-10
Procedure: Grant
EP4068520B1
Official European Patent Register Full Dossier
Publication Specification
Date: 2025-12-10
Procedure: All Proceedings (Examination & Opposition)
EP20892659
European Patent Application with Search Report (A1)
Publication Specification
Date: 2021-06-03
Procedure: Publication
EP4068520A1
Change - opposition data/opponent's data or that of the opponent's representative
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-09-18
Procedure: Opposition
0009299OPPO
Opposition filed
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-09-11
Procedure: Opposition
0009260
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-08-07
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-07-31
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-07-24
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-07-17
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-07-10
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-07-03
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-05-22
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-05-01
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-04-24
Procedure: Examination
0009250
Lapse of the patent in a contracting state
Dossier Filing
Date: 2026-04-17
Procedure: Examination
0009250
(Expected) grant
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-11-07
Procedure: Grant
0009210
New entry: Payment of fee for grant
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-11-04
Procedure: Grant
EPIDOSNIGR3
New entry: Payment of fee for publishing/printing
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-11-04
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNIGR5
New entry: Receipt of the translation of the claim(s)
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-11-04
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNIGR7
New entry: Renewal fee paid
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-10-31
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNRFE2
Renewal fee payment
Procedural Step
Date: 2025-10-30
Procedure: Examination
RFEE
New entry: Communication of intention to grant a patent
Dossier Filing
Date: 2025-07-15
Procedure: Grant
EPIDOSNIGR1
Intention to grant the patent
Procedural Step
Date: 2025-07-15
Procedure: Grant
IGRA
New entry: Renewal fee paid
Dossier Filing
Date: 2024-11-06
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNRFE2
Renewal fee payment
Procedural Step
Date: 2024-11-06
Procedure: Examination
RFEE
Amendment by applicant
Dossier Filing
Date: 2024-04-05
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS ABEX
The date on which the examining division becomes responsible, has been established
Dossier Filing
Date: 2024-04-04
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNEXAM52
Date on which the examining division has become responsible
Procedural Step
Date: 2024-04-03
Procedure: Examination
EXAM52
Amendments
Procedural Step
Date: 2024-04-03
Procedure: Examination
ABEX
Change - classification
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-12-08
Procedure: Examination
0008199IPCL
Supplementary search report
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-11-28
Procedure: Examination
0009016
Change - classification
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-11-24
Procedure: Examination
0008199IPCL
New entry: Renewal fee paid
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-11-03
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNRFE2
Renewal fee payment
Procedural Step
Date: 2023-11-02
Procedure: Examination
RFEE
Change - extension states
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-01-27
Procedure: Examination
0009199EXPT
Change: Validation states
Dossier Filing
Date: 2023-01-27
Procedure: Examination
0009199VAPT
New entry: Renewal fee paid
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-11-07
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNRFE2
Renewal fee payment
Procedural Step
Date: 2022-11-07
Procedure: Examination
RFEE
Publication in section I.1 EP Bulletin
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-09-02
Procedure: Examination
0009012
Request for examination filed
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-09-02
Procedure: Examination
0009171
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-08-08
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-06-29
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
Amendment by applicant
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-06-10
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS ABEX
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-06-10
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
Change - representative
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-06-09
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS FREP
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2022-06-09
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
Translation of the application
Procedural Step
Date: 2022-06-08
Procedure: Examination
TRAN
Payment of national basic fee
Procedural Step
Date: 2022-06-08
Procedure: Examination
FFEE
Payment of the fee for supplementary search
Procedural Step
Date: 2022-06-08
Procedure: Examination
SFEE
Payment of the first designation fee
Procedural Step
Date: 2022-06-08
Procedure: Examination
DEST
Payment of the fee for examination
Procedural Step
Date: 2022-06-08
Procedure: Examination
EXAM_PCT
PCT data prior to European publication
Dossier Filing
Date: 2021-06-04
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOS PCT
New entry: applicant or inventor
Dossier Filing
Date: 2021-06-04
Procedure: Examination
EPIDOSNWIAI
Validation of the patent
Procedural Step
Procedure: Examination
VAPT
Extension of the patent
Procedural Step
Procedure: Examination
EXPT
Language of the procedure
Procedural Step
Procedure: Examination
PROL
International searching authority
Procedural Step
Procedure: Examination
ISAT