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 .
Priority
Acknowledgement is made of Applicant' s claim for priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) with reference to Application Number: CN202110297416.4 filed on oz3/19/2021.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the “the two sides of the mounting block are fixed with collars,” “the collars on the four movable rods,” and “the fixed arc rod is sleeved outside each connecting rod assembly, and is fixedly connected with the sliding rod through the support rod” must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). The features appear to be there but they should be labelled.
No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Objections
Claims 1-5 are objected to because of the following informalities:
In claim 1: the limitation “the middle part of the rocker” should be corrected to “a middle part.”
In claim 1: the limitation “the other end of the rocker is hinged with one end of the movable rod” should be corrected to “an opposite end of the rocker is hinged with one end of the movable rod.”
In claim 1: the limitation “the outer side of the hinged end of the rocker” should be corrected to “an outer side of the hinged end of the rocker.”
In claim 1: the limitation “in the initial state, the rocker is parallel to the movable rod” should be corrected to “in an initial state, the rocker is parallel to the moving rod.”
In claim 1: the limitation “the rod is connected by a spring;” should be corrected to “the fixed arc rod is connected by a spring”
In claim 1: the limitation “the top is an arc surface” should be corrected to “the top of the movable arc shaped rod is an arc surface”
Appropriate correction is required.
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 1-5 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.
The claims are replete with functional and indefinite language. A few examples of indefinite language follow below. This listing should not be considered to be an exhaustive list and applicant's cooperation is required to review the file to ensure the claims are in proper form, including dependency, antecedence, grammar, etc.
Regarding claim 1:
The limitation “the two link mechanisms are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the sliding rod” lacks antecedent basis. Only one link mechanism is previously recited.
The limitation “the connecting rod assembly comprises a rocker, a connecting rod and a movable rod” is indefinite because it is unclear whether each connecting rod assembly has these components or only one of the connecting rod assemblies has these components.
The limitation “one end of the rocker is hinged with the support, and the support is fixed on the support plate” lacks antecedent basis. It is unclear what “the support” refers to and whether this is the previously recited support plate or a new element.
The limitation “the hinged connection between the movable rod and the rocker The end face is a circular arc surface” is indefinite because it is unclear what this limitation means. The limitation appears to be missing words or has a typo that makes it impossible to decipher.
The limitation “the collars on the four movable rods” lacks antecedent basis. As stated above, it is unclear if each connecting rod assembly has each of the components recited. So it is unclear how many movable rods there are and there is a lack of antecedent basis for this limitation. Further, it is suggested this limitation be amended to clarify that each movable rod has a respective collar.
The limitation “the collars on the four movable rods are located on the same circumference, and the circumference and the mounting block are located on the same circle” is indefinite because it is unclear what it means. It’s unclear how the collars are located “on the same circumference and how that “circumference” and the mounting block are “on the same circle.” The components appear to be in the same plane in the initial state, so examiner suggests the limitation be amended to recite that in a clear way.
The limitation “the fixed arc rod is sleeved outside each connecting rod assembly, and is fixedly connected with the sliding rod through the support rod” is unclear because “the support rod” lacks antecedent basis. “a support rod” is previously recited and applicant’s disclosure labels the support rod 3 and shows it as the support rod that connects base 2 to support plate 1. In this limitation, the support rod appears to be the rod between element 12 and slide rod 4 as shown in figure 2. It is suggested applicant amend this limitation to recite “through an arc support rod” or in some manner that distinguishes it from the other support rod.
the limitation “the movable arc-shaped rod and the driven gear are fixedly connected through a connecting rod” is unclear because “a connecting rod” is previously recited as part of the connecting rod assembly. Therefore, it’s unclear if this is the same rod or a different rod. This limitation appears to claim a different “connecting rod” as shown in figure 3. Therefore, its unclear if this is the same rod or a different rod. It is suggested applicant name this connecting rod “a driven gear connecting rod” or something to distinguish it from the other connecting rod.
The limitation “the rod is connected by a spring” is unclear because it is unclear if the spring refers to the spring previously recited in the limitation “support rod, spring, and single-finger drive mechanism” or a different spring.
Regarding claim 2:
the limitation “among the four link assemblies of the link mechanism” lacks antecedent basis. Only two link mechanisms are previously recited and “link assemblies” is not previously recited.
Regarding claim 4
The limitation “wherein a pressure sensor is fixed in the collar” is unclear because it is unclear which collar is being referred to. Claim 1 claims several collars.
Regarding claim 5
Claim 5 recites “A method for utilizing the finger-assisted training device, as recited in claim 1, comprising steps of:” and recites method steps. A single claim which claims both an apparatus and the method steps of using the apparatus is indefinite (see MPEP 2173.05(p). In such a claim, it is unclear when infringement occurs, when one creates the apparatus or performs the method. Further, the claim recites some steps but also just describes the action of the apparatus in use.
“resetting both the electric cylinder and the rotating motor” is indefinite because it is unclear what “resetting” means in the claim. It is suggested applicant amend the claim to recite that the cylinder and motor are reset to an initial position.
“wherein at this time” is unclear because “this time” is arbitrary and not defined by the claim. It is suggested applicant amend the limitation to “wherein, when the electric cylinder and the rotating motor are reset to their reset state,”
“four movable rods of one link mechanism” lacks antecedent basis. As stated above, it is unclear if each connecting rod assembly has each of the components recited. So it is unclear how many movable rods there are and there is a lack of antecedent basis for this limitation. Further, it is suggested this limitation be amended to clarify that each movable rod has a respective collar.
“located on the opposite side of the movable arc rod” lacks antecedent basis. There is no previous side of the movable arc rod recited.
“when the rotary motor is in the reset state” lacks antecedent basis for “reset state.”
“so that the collar on each movable rod corresponds to the installation block” lacks antecedent basis for “the installation block”
The phrase “among them” is indefinite because it is unclear what “them” refers to.
“each rocking The rod then drives each movable rod to move inward” is indefinite because it is unclear what this limitation is describing. There appears to be a typo and missing words.
“acts on the restoring force of the corresponding spring” lacks antecedent basis for “restoring force” and “corresponding spring.” A restoring force is not previously recited and it is unclear if this is the same spring previously recited in claim 1 or a new spring. Further it is unclear how many springs are being recited
“and the limiting effect of the limit plate” lacks antecedent basis for “the limiting effect” and it is unclear which limit plate is being referred to.
“so that the collar on each movable rod performs one operation in turn with the installation block” is indefinite because it is unclear what “performs one operation in turn with the installation block” means.
“the action of the rings” lacks antecedent basis for “the action.”
“the direction of rotation is rotated” is indefinite because it is unclear how a direction is rotated. It is suggested the limitation be amended to say rotation is reversed.
“when the protrusion is in contact with the movable rod, press the end of the movable rod with the collar fixed to the sliding rod” is indefinite because “press the end” is an instruction and not a step in the method.
Again, this listing should not be considered to be an exhaustive list and applicant's cooperation is required. Applicant should check for other issues and make the changes as suggested and ensure that, in making the changes, no further 112 issues are created.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-5 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.
REASONS FOR ALLOWANCE
The claims in the instant application have not been rejected using prior art because no references, or reasonable combination thereof, could be found which disclose or suggest all the features of claim 1 or dependents therein.
The following is an Examiner’s statements for reasons for allowance:
Regarding claim 1, Song (CN 109045624), the closest prior art of record, teaches a finger rehab device comprising a base plate, a collar for the finger, and a driving mechanism for a sliding rod (see figs. 1 and 2 and pgs. 3-4 of the translation). Song does not teach all of the elements as recited in claim 1, including a single-finger drive mechanism, collars mounted on either side of the mounting block, link mechanisms with rockers, and collars on four movable rods (among other elements). Song is used for a single finger and has a specific mechanism and structure for that purpose. Therefore it would not have been obvious to modify Song to have the structural limitations as required by claim 1 arranged in the manner claimed. Applicant claims a very specific device for finger rehabilitation and it would not be obvious to modify Guo to have these features.
Wang (US PGPub 20220008238), Jiang (US PGPub 20220118313), Tsui et al.(US PGPub 20180177666), Pasbrig (US 4368728), and Schneck (US 4724827) teach hand rehab devices but none teach the specific structure as claimed in claim 1.
Accordingly, claim 1 and dependents therein patentably define over the prior art.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SAVANNAH GABRIEL whose telephone number is (571)272-6462. The examiner can normally be reached 7:30 - 4:30 M-F.
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/S.G./Examiner, Art Unit 3785
/VICTORIA MURPHY/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 4100