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Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 1 of 26
`Receipt number AUSFCC-7617073
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF FEDERAL CLAIMS
`
`ANCRA INTERNATIONAL LLC,
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`v.
`
`THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
`
`Defendant.
`
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`
`22-58 C
`Case No. __________
`
`COMPLAINT
`
`Plaintiff Ancra International LLC (“Ancra”), through its undersigned counsel, brings this
`
`action against the United States (“Defendant” or “Government”) under 28 U.S.C. § 1498(a). In
`
`support of this action, Ancra states and alleges as follows:
`
`NATURE OF ACTION
`
`1.
`
`This is an action against the Government pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1498(a) for
`
`infringement of one or more claims of Ancra’s U.S. Patent Number 8,646,820 (“’820 Patent”),
`
`issued February 11, 2014, and U.S. Patent Number 9,394,935 (“’935 Patent”), issued July 19,
`
`2016, both entitled “Hook Assembly with Variable Angular Hook Orientation.” Both Patents
`
`were duly and legally issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”) to
`
`Ancra. A true and correct copy of the ’820 Patent is attached as Exhibit A hereto, and a true and
`
`correct copy of the ’935 Patent is attached as Exhibit B hereto.
`
`2.
`
`The facts detailed below, when stated to be “upon information and belief,”
`
`constitute allegations that are likely to have further evidentiary support after a reasonable
`
`opportunity for further investigation or discovery.
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 2 of 26
`
`
`
`3.
`
`Upon information and belief, the Government, through the Defense Logistics
`
`Agency Aviation (“DLA Aviation”) for use by the United States Air Force (“USAF”), has
`
`infringed and is infringing one or more of the claims of the ’820 Patent and the ’935 Patent
`
`through the use of the inventions of such claims by or for the United States under one or more
`
`government contracts.
`
`4.
`
`Through this action, Ancra seeks recovery of reasonable and entire compensation
`
`for the use and manufacture without license from Ancra or lawful right, by and for the
`
`Government, of inventions described in and covered by the ’820 Patent and the ’935 Patent.
`
`
`
`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
`
`5.
`
`This is an action for unauthorized use of patented inventions under 28 U.S.C. §
`
`1498(a). This Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action and venue is proper in
`
`this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1498(a).
`
`PARTIES
`
`6.
`
`Ancra is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the state of
`
`Delaware with its principal place of business at 601 S. Vincent Avenue, Azusa, CA 91702.
`
`7.
`
`Ancra has had no more than five hundred employees at any time during the five-
`
`year period preceding the use of the patented inventions by or for the United States.
`
`8.
`
`Defendant is the United States, acting through DLA Aviation and the USAF.
`
`
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 3 of 26
`
`
`
`
`
`FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
`
`I.
`
`ANCRA IS THE SOLE OWNER OF THE ’820 PATENT AND THE ’935
`PATENT.
`
`9.
`
`For more than a decade, Ancra has been manufacturing and selling hook
`
`assemblies with associated chains and chain tensioners to DLA Aviation for use by the USAF.
`
`10.
`
`In 2011, in response to a change in USAF specifications in a solicitation that
`
`required the hook assemblies to have variable angular hook orientations, Ancra developed a
`
`novel solution having a spring-based indexing mechanism that permitted the hook to be rotated
`
`between a hook-up orientation and a hook-down orientation (and vice-versa) and locked in
`
`place. Figures 24 (hook-up orientation) and 25 (hook-down orientation) of the ’820 Patent and
`
`the ’935 Patent are representative:
`
`
`
`
`
`11.
`
`Ancra’s versatile hook assemblies, with variable angular hook orientations,
`
`beneficially provide users with the option of maintaining at or hauling to/from a usage site a
`
`smaller inventory of hook assemblies, as multiple hook assemblies with different, fixed angular
`
`hook orientations are no longer necessary. Among other advantages, a smaller inventory of
`
`hook assemblies requires less transportation and/or storage space and reduces overall inventory
`
`weight, while otherwise maintaining or increasing efficiencies due to the variable hook
`
`orientations.
`
`12.
`
`This new Ancra hook assembly was qualified for use by the USAF in February
`
`3
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 4 of 26
`
`
`
`2014, and DLA Aviation first awarded a contract to Ancra for the purchase of its new hook
`
`assembly in July 2014.
`
`13.
`
`Ancra filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/482,321 at the PTO on
`
`May 4, 2011 (“’321 application”), and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/508,779, on
`
`July 18, 2011 (“’779 application”).
`
`14.
`
`Thereafter, Ancra filed U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No. 13/460,907
`
`at the PTO on May 1, 2012 (“’907 application”), claiming the benefit of the ’321 application
`
`and the ’779 application. The ’907 application issued as the ’820 Patent on February 11, 2014.
`
`15.
`
`Additionally, Ancra filed U.S. Continuation Patent Application No. 14/020,287
`
`at the PTO on September 6, 2013 (“’287 application”), claiming priority to the ’907 application,
`
`and the benefit of the ’321 application and the ’779 application. The ’287 application issued as
`
`the ’935 Patent on July 19, 2016.
`
`16.
`
`Each of the ’820 Patent and the ’935 Patent is a lawfully issued, valid, and
`
`enforceable United States Patent.
`
`17.
`
`Since the issuance of the ’820 Patent and the ’935 Patent, Ancra has continued to
`
`engage in the manufacture and sale of chain tensioners covered by one or more claims of the
`
`’820 Patent and the ’935 Patent, including the manufacture and sale of its Aircraft Chain
`
`Tensioner, Part No. 50096-10, for DLA Aviation and use by the USAF.
`
`II.
`
`THE GOVERNMENT BEGAN INFRINGING ANCRA’S PATENTS.
`
`18.
`
`On information and belief, in April 2017, the USAF approved purchase of hook
`
`assemblies of another company, Davis Aircraft Products Co, Inc. (“Davis”).
`
`19.
`
`On information and belief, Davis is a corporation organized under the laws of
`
`the State of New York with its principal place of business at 1150 Walnut Ave, Bohemia, NY,
`
`4
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 5 of 26
`
`
`
`11716.
`
`20.
`
`Since then, DLA Aviation has repeatedly rejected Ancra’s bids on its contracts
`
`for additional hook assemblies with variable angular hook orientations, and on information and
`
`belief, has contracted to purchase tens of thousands of units from Davis instead.
`
`21.
`
`On information and belief, Davis is selling its hook assemblies with variable
`
`angular hook orientations to DLA Aviation at prices lower than the prices offered by Ancra to
`
`DLA Aviation.
`
`22.
`
`On information and belief, Davis has been manufacturing, marketing, and selling
`
`in the United States several hook assemblies as part of the Davis FDC5723 and FDC853A
`
`series chain gear products, including product No. FDC5723M15, illustrated below, to DLA
`
`Aviation for use by the USAF.
`
`23.
`
`On information and belief, Davis’ FDC5723 and FDC853A series chain gear
`
`products, and particularly part No. FDC5723M15, directly infringe Ancra’s ’820 Patent and
`
`’935 Patent, as illustrated below in paragraphs 27 to 54.
`
`24.
`
` On July 22, 2020, DLA Aviation issued a new solicitation, SPE4A7-20-R-0818
`
`(the “Solicitation”), for the purchase of additional chain tensioner units with the same
`
`specifications in prior contracts—i.e., hook assemblies with variable angular hook orientations.
`
`25.
`
`The Solicitation, similar to other previous DLA Aviation contracts for the same
`
`chain tensioner units, contains Federal Acquisition Regulation (“FAR”) 52.227-1
`
`“Authorization and Consent,” wherein the Government “authorizes and consents to all use and
`
`manufacture, in performing this contract or any subcontract at any tier, of any invention
`
`described in and covered by a United States patent . . . Embodied in the structure or
`
`composition of any article the delivery of which is accepted by the Government under this
`
`5
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 6 of 26
`
`contract . . . .”
`
`26.
`
`The bid submission deadline for the Solicitation closed on December 23, 2021.
`
`Ancra has submitted its bid and, upon information and belief, Davis also has submitted a bid.
`
`III.
`
`INFRINGEMENT OF THE ’820 PATENT.
`
`27.
`
`The photographs set forth below of an exemplary Davis Chain Gear Assembly
`
`(“Exemplary Chain Gear Assembly”), Part No. FDC5723M15, accurately show the features of
`
`the assembly.
`
`
`
`
`
`28.
`
`The Exemplary Chain Gear Assembly infringes the ’820 Patent literally and /or
`
`under the doctrine of equivalents.
`
`29.
`
`The Exemplary Chain Gear Assembly infringes at least independent claims 1, 6,
`
`and 13 of the ’820 Patent.
`
`
`
`30.
`
`Solely by way of example, as shown in the photographs of paragraphs 31 through
`
`43 below, some of which are annotated, the Exemplary Chain Gear Assembly meets every
`
`limitation recited in claim 1 of the ’820 Patent.
`
`6
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 7 of 26
`
`
`
`31.
`
`The Exemplary Chain Gear Assembly is a hook assembly, as recited in the
`
`preamble of claim 1 of the ’820 Patent.
`
`
`The Exemplary Chain Gear Assembly includes a hook subassembly comprising a
`
`32.
`
`hook with a first axis.
`
`
`
`
`
`33.
`
`The Exemplary Chain Gear Assembly includes a support subassembly.
`
`7
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 8 of 26
`
`34.
`
`The Exemplary Chain Gear Assembly includes an indexing mechanism
`
`comprising cooperating components on the hook and support subassemblies.
`
`8
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 9 of 26
`
`35.
`
`The indexing mechanism releasably biasably maintains the hook and support
`
`subassemblies in a first operative relationship wherein the hook has a first angular orientation
`
`relative to the support subassembly around the first axis.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`9
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 10 of 26
`
`
`
`
`
`36.
`
`The indexing mechanism permits the hook and support subassemblies to be
`
`changed from the first operative relationship to be releasably maintained in a second operative
`
`relationship, wherein the hook has a second angular orientation relative to the support
`
`subassembly around the first axis.
`
`
`
`10
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 11 of 26
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`37. More specifically, the limitations of paragraphs 35-36 are realized by relatively
`
`moving at least first and second components on the hook subassembly, support subassembly, and
`
`indexing mechanism along the first axis against a biasing force produced on at least one of the
`
`first and second components with the hook and support subassemblies initially in the first
`
`operative relationship to thereby place the hook subassembly, support subassembly, and indexing
`
`mechanism into a first transition relationship. This is shown in the figures below.
`
`11
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 12 of 26
`
`
`
`
`
`38. With the hook subassembly, support subassembly and indexing mechanism in the
`
`first transition relationship shown above, relative turning at least part of the hook and support
`
`subassemblies around the first axis thereby places the hook subassembly, support subassembly,
`
`and indexing mechanism into a second transition relationship, shown below.
`
`12
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 13 of 26
`
`
`
`
`
`39. With the hook subassembly, support subassembly, and indexing mechanism in the
`
`second transition relationship, relative moving the at least first and second components along the
`
`first axis under the biasing force thereby places the hook and support subassemblies into the
`
`second operative relationship.
`
`
`
`13
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 14 of 26
`
`
`
`
`
`40.
`
`The hook subassembly includes an elongate shank and the support subassembly
`
`comprises a body.
`
`41.
`
`The indexing mechanism includes the first component that is movable relative to
`
`the elongate shank along the first axis.
`
`
`
`14
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 15 of 26
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`42.
`
`The first component is keyed against turning relative to the body around the first
`
`axis, with the second component comprising a portion of the shank, the portion of the shank and
`
`first component having keying surfaces that cooperate to prevent the shank and body from
`
`turning relative to each other around the first axis with the hook and support subassemblies in
`
`each of the first and second operative relationships.
`
`15
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 16 of 26
`
`
`
`
`
`43.
`
`The body has an elongate slot and the first component is movable relative to the
`
`body along the first axis and has a radially projecting arm that is guided in the slot as the first
`
`component moves relative to the body along the first axis.
`
`
`
`16
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 17 of 26
`
`
`
`
`
`IV.
`
`INFRINGEMENT OF THE ’935 PATENT.
`
`44.
`
`The Exemplary Chain Gear Assembly infringes the ’935 Patent literally and/or
`
`under the doctrine of equivalents.
`
`45.
`
`The Exemplary Chain Gear Assembly infringes at least independent claims 1, 9,
`
`and 19 of the ’935 Patent.
`
`46.
`
`Solely by way of example, as shown in the annotated photographs of paragraphs
`
`47 through 54 below, the Exemplary Chain Gear Assembly meets every limitation recited in
`
`claim 1 of the ’935 Patent.
`
`47.
`
`The Exemplary Chain Gear Assembly is a hook assembly, as recited in the
`
`preamble of claim 1 of the ’935 Patent.
`
`48.
`
`The Exemplary Chain Gear Assembly includes a hook subassembly comprising a
`
`hook with a first axis.
`
`
`
`
`
`17
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 18 of 26
`
`49.
`
`The Exemplary Chain Gear Assembly includes a support subassembly.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`18
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 19 of 26
`
`50.
`
`The Exemplary Chain Gear Assembly includes an indexing mechanism
`
`comprising cooperating components on the hook and support subassemblies.
`
`
`
`
`
`51.
`
`The hook subassembly includes an elongate shank and the support subassembly
`
`includes a body comprising a base.
`
`
`
`19
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 20 of 26
`
`52.
`
`The indexing mechanism includes a first component that is movable relative to
`
`the elongate shank along the first axis.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`20
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 21 of 26
`
`
`
`
`
`53.
`
`The indexing mechanism includes a second component, the first component
`
`keyed against turning relative to the body around the first axis, the second component
`
`comprising a portion of the shank, the portion of the shank and first component having keying
`
`surfaces that cooperate to prevent the shank and body from turning relative to each other around
`
`the first axis with the hook and support subassemblies when the hook is positioned in a first
`
`angular relationship with the support subassembly, and when the hook is positioned in a second
`
`angular relationship, which is opposite from the first angular relationship.
`
`
`
`21
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 22 of 26
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`54.
`
`The body has an elongate slot and the first component is movable relative to the
`
`body along the first axis and has a radially projecting arm that is guided in the slot as the first
`
`component moves relative to the body along the first axis.
`
`22
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 23 of 26
`
`
`
`
`
`CLAIM FOR RELIEF
`
`(Unlicensed Use and Manufacture Under 28 U.S.C. § 1498(a))
`
`55.
`
`56.
`
`Ancra re-alleges and incorporates the foregoing paragraphs.
`
`Ancra is the sole owner of the ’820 Patent and the ’935 Patent, including all
`
`rights to enforce the patents and collect past and future damages for infringement.
`
`57.
`
`Upon information and belief, Davis’ FDC5723 and FDC853A series chain gear
`
`products, and particularly product No. FDC5723M15, infringe at least independent claims 1, 6,
`
`and 13 of the ’820 Patent and independent claims 1, 9, and 19 of the ’935 Patent.
`
`58.
`
`Upon information and belief, the Government has entered into contracts, and
`
`may enter into future contracts, with Davis, who has been and is now manufacturing and selling
`
`components and products that practice at least one invention claimed in and covered by the ’820
`
`23
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 24 of 26
`
`
`
`Patent and at least one invention claimed in and covered by the ’935 Patent without license or
`
`any other right.
`
`59.
`
`The Government has expressly or impliedly authorized Davis’ infringing activity
`
`with respect to the ’820 Patent and the ’935 Patent.
`
`60.
`
`Ancra has been, and continues to be, damaged by the Government through its
`
`contractors and subcontractors, including Davis, owing to the purchase and use of the Davis
`
`infringing products and, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1498(a), is entitled to recover reasonable and
`
`entire compensation from the Government for all infringing inventions manufactured and used
`
`during the relevant time for which Ancra is entitled to collect damages and for subsequent use.
`
`61.
`
`Ancra also seeks reasonable litigation costs, attorney and expert witness fees,
`
`taxable costs, and delay compensation for interest computed from the time payment should
`
`have been made for a license to the ’820 Patent and the ’935 Patent.
`
`PRAYER FOR RELIEF
`
`Ancra requests the following relief:
`
`A.
`
`Entry of judgement that the ’820 Patent and the ’935 Patent are enforceable and
`
`not invalid;
`
`B.
`
`Entry of judgment that the inventions set forth in the ’820 Patent and the ’935
`
`Patent have been manufactured and sold by Davis for purchase and use by and for the United
`
`States without license or lawful right within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. §1498(a);
`
`C.
`
`An award of reasonable and entire compensation for Ancra for all unauthorized
`
`manufacture and sale by Davis for purchase and use by and for the United States of the
`
`inventions claimed in the ’820 Patent and the ’935 Patent, in an amount to be determined at trial;
`
`24
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 25 of 26
`
`
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`D.
`
`An award of reasonable attorneys’ fees, expert fees and other costs incurred by
`
`Ancra in connection with its pursuit of this action, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1498(a) and as are
`
`available under applicable law;
`
`E.
`
`F.
`
`Pre-judgment and post-judgment interest on the damages assessed; and
`
`All such other and further relief, both at law and in equity, to which Ancra may be
`
`entitled, or as this Court deems proper and just.
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`Respectfully submitted,
`
`/s/ Stephen McBrady
`Stephen McBrady
`William H. Frankel
`CROWELL & MORING LLP
`1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
`Washington, DC 20004
`Tel: (202) 624-2500
`Fax: (202) 628-5116
`SMcBrady@crowell.com
`
`
`
`Counsel for Plaintiff
`
`
`
`Dated: January 18, 2022
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`OF COUNSEL:
`
`Jacob Bachman
`Charles Baek
`
`CROWELL & MORING LLP
`1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
`Washington, DC 20004
`Tel: (202) 624-2500
`
`
`
`
`25
`
`

`

`Case 1:22-cv-00058-RTH Document 1 Filed 01/18/22 Page 26 of 26
`
`
`
`CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
`
`
`
`I certify that on January 18, 2022, a copy of the forgoing Complaint was filed
`
`electronically using the Court’s Electronic Case Filing (ECF) system. I understand that notice of
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`this filing will be served on Defendant’s Counsel via the Court’s ECF system.
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`/s/ Stephen McBrady
`Stephen McBrady
`CROWELL & MORING LLP
`1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
`Washington, DC 20004
`Tel: (202) 624-2500
`Fax: (202) 628-5116
`SMcBrady@crowell.com
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`26
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`

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