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 § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 1-3, 7, 9, 11, 23-24, 26, 30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nicholson (US 2013/0318801) in view of Saitou (WO 2008133317 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Nicholson shows a plunge saw (Figures 1a-d) comprising:
a plunge assembly (38, Figure 1a), wherein the plunge assembly includes:
a motor (10, Figure 1b) attached to the plunge assembly, the motor including a motor shaft (an output shaft for a blade 8 mounted thereon, Figure 4a) configured to rotate about a shaft rotational axis (a rotation axis of the output shaft);
an arbor (83, Figure 4a) and configured to operatively attach a circular saw blade (8, see the discussion of the arbor bolt 82 in Paras. 79-80) to the motor shaft (Figure 4a) and to receive a torque from the motor when the motor shaft rotates about the shaft rotational axis (Figure 4a);
a base plate (6, Figure 1d) that defines an arbor-facing side and an arbor-opposed side (top and bottom sides of the base plate);
a base plate pivot (axis 34, Figure 1c) that operatively attaches the plunge assembly to the arbor-facing side of the base plate such that a user of the plunge saw may pivot the plunge assembly relative to the base plate from a retracted orientation to a plunged orientation and plunge the circular saw blade into a the workpiece (see the saw blade being in/out of the base plate 6 in Figures 4a, 5a);
however, Nicholson silently discuss that a cut indicator configured to project a light line onto the workpiece such that the light line visually indicates, on the workpiece, a location of an edge of the circular saw blade, wherein the cut indicator includes a light source attached to the plunge assembly on the same side of the circular saw motor and configured to project the light line, such that
the light source is configured to project light past the circular saw blade such that a first portion of the light is incident upon the circular saw blade and a second portion of the light is incident upon the workpiece, wherein the second portion of the light defines the light line, such that the location of the edge of the circular saw blade is indicated on the workpiece by a transition from a shadow of the circular saw blade to the light line.
Saitou shows a plunge saw (a circular saw 1, Figures 1-2) having a cut indicator (see the last line of the Disclosure of Invention “which is improved in visibility of a position of a processing member with respect to a work” and see discussion of an illuminating device 70, Figure 2 including LEDs 73, 74 as seen in Figure 4 and in page 18, first few lines of the 2nd paragraph “since the light of the LEDs 73 and 74 directly illuminates the one side surface 21A of the circular saw blade 21 and the area therearound, the one side surface 21A of the circular saw blade 21 can be illuminated brighter”), wherein the illuminating device is mounted on a plunge mechanism and the same side of a motor (10; Figure 2 shows the illuminating device 70 mounted on a cover 40 via screw 71 for directly illuminating the one side surface 21A of the circular saw blade 21 as discussed above),
wherein the cut indicator has a light source (LEDs 73-74) is configured to project light past the circular saw blade (see the discussion above) such that a first portion of the light is incident upon the circular saw blade and a second portion of the light is incident upon the workpiece (see the discussion above, “the light of the LEDs 73 and 74 directly illuminates the one side surface 21A of the circular saw blade 21 and the area therearound”),
wherein the second portion of the light defines the light line (it is inherently because the area therearound and the light reflection from the blade surface are lines), such that the location of the edge of the circular saw blade is indicated on the workpiece by a transition from a shadow of the circular saw blade to the light line (see the discussion above and see the cutting lines in Figures 8-9).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have had a cut indicator, as taught by Saitou to Nicholson’s plunge saw, in order to allow a cutting efficiency that is improved (the last line of the Disclosure of Invention of Saitou).
Regarding claims 2-3, the modified saw of Nicholson shows that the cut indicator includes a leading edge cut indicator, and further wherein the light line is a leading edge light line configured to visually indicate, on the workpiece, a leading location of a leading edge of the circular saw blade and the leading edge cut indicator is configured to project the light line onto the workpiece when the plunge saw is in both the retracted orientation and the plunged orientation (see claim 1 above discussed the LEDs directly illuminate to the saw blade that inherent has a leading edge light line and Figures 8-9 of Saitou shows the cutting line 103A).
Regarding claim 7, the modified saw of Nicholson shows that the cut indicator is configured to project the light line in a direction that is at least substantially perpendicular to a blade plane within which the circular saw blade is configured to rotate (see discussion in claim 1 above “the LEDs directly illuminate to the saw blade”) .
Regarding claim 9, the modified saw of Nicholson shows that the light source is a cut indicator LED (LEDs 73-74 of Saitou) configured to project the light line.
Regarding claim 11, the modified saw of Nicholson shows that the light source is configured to project a light arc, and further wherein the light line is defined by a portion of the light arc that is incident upon the workpiece (this is inherent limitation since the LEDs is mounted on the plunging housing or cover; during plunging the saw, the light beam movement form an arc).
Regarding claim 23, the modified saw of Nicholson teaches a method of operating a plunge saw, the method comprising:
actuating a switch of the plunge saw (26);
responsive to the actuating, initiating rotation of a circular saw blade of the plunge saw (this is inherent step and see claim 1 for a motor or a drive unit for rotating a saw blade and Para. 62 of Nicholson);
responsive to the actuating, initiating projection of a light line onto a workpiece to visually indicate, on the workpiece, a location of an edge of the circular saw blade (see Saitou’s reference); and
during the rotation of the circular saw blade and also during projection of the light line, plunging the circular saw blade into the workpiece (see the discussion of Saitou’s reference and claims above);
wherein projection of the light line includes projecting light past the circular saw blade in a direction away from a motor of the plunge saw (see Saitou’s reference, all beams are away from the motor),
the modified saw of Nicholson also discusses that a first portion of the light is incident upon a motor facing side of the circular saw blade (see Saitou’s reference) and a second portion of the light is incident on the workpiece (see the discussion in claim 1 above), wherein the second portion of the light defines the light line, such that the location of the edge of the circular saw blade is indicated on the workpiece by a transition from a shadow of the circular saw blade to the light line (see the discussion above).
the modified saw of Nicholson also discusses that the cut indicator attaches to the plunge assembly on a same side of the circular saw blade as the motor (see claim 1 above).
Regarding claim 24, the modified saw of Nicholson teaches that the initiating projection includes initiating projection of a leading edge light line onto the workpiece.
Regarding claim 26, the modified saw of Nicholson shows that the cut indicator is configured to indicate the location of the edge of the circular saw blade, but it is unclear whether it is for at least a threshold indication time of at least 5 seconds or not.
However, it would have been an obvious matter of design choice to a person of ordinary skill in the art to provide the cut indicator configured to indicate the location of the edge of the circular saw blade for at least a threshold indication time of at least 5 seconds because discovering an optimum value (at least 5 seconds) would have been a mere design consideration based on how fast an operator can align the blade to the workpiece (in order to allow the indicator light on the saw blade) or how fast the operator can plunge the saw blade to cut the workpiece. Such a modification would have involved only routine skill in the art to accommodate the aforementioned requirement depending on the capacity of the motors or drivers or the operator performance. It has been held that discovering an optimum value of a result effective variable involves only routine skill in the art. In re Boesch, 617 F.2d 272, 205 USPQ 215 (CCPA 1980). The claim would have been obvious because a person of ordinary skill has good reason to pursue the known options within technical grasp.
Regarding claim 30, the modified saw of Nicholson shows all of the limitations as stated in claims 1 and 23 including the cut indicator that is mounted on the plunge assembly at the same side of the motor as discussed in Saitou’s reference (see the modification in claim 1 above).
Claims 16-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nicholson in view of Saitou and Wu (US 2004/0049927).
Regarding claim 16, the modified saw of Nicholson shows all of the limitations as stated above except a switch configured to selectively supply an electric current to the motor and the cut indicator.
Wu shows a switch (82) configured to selectively supply an electric current to the motor and the cut indicator (Para. 33).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have modified the plunger saw of the modified saw of Nicholson to have a single switch configured to selectively supply an electric current to the motor and the cut indicator, as taught by Wu, in order to be conveniently actuated the motor and the indicating unit by one switch.
Regarding claim 17, the modified saw of Nicholson shows that the cut indicator is configured to indicate the location of the edge of the circular saw blade when the switch selectively applies the electric current to the cut indicator (see the discussion in claim 1 above).
Regarding claims 18, the modified saw of Nicholson shows that the cut indicator is configured to indicate the location of the edge of the circular saw blade, but it is unclear whether it is for at least a threshold indication time of at least 5 seconds or not.
However, it would have been an obvious matter of design choice to a person of ordinary skill in the art to provide the cut indicator configured to indicate the location of the edge of the circular saw blade for at least a threshold indication time of at least 5 seconds because discovering an optimum value (at least 5 seconds) would have been a mere design consideration based on how fast an operator can align the blade to the workpiece (in order to allow the indicator light on the saw blade) or how fast the operator can plunge the saw blade to cut the workpiece. Such a modification would have involved only routine skill in the art to accommodate the aforementioned requirement depending on the capacity of the motors or drivers or the operator performance. It has been held that discovering an optimum value of a result effective variable involves only routine skill in the art. In re Boesch, 617 F.2d 272, 205 USPQ 215 (CCPA 1980). The claim would have been obvious because a person of ordinary skill has good reason to pursue the known options within technical grasp.
Claims 1-7, 9-11, 23-26, 30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nicholson (US 2013/0318801) in view of Tung (US 2008/0017005) and Chang (US 6584695).
Regarding claim 1, Nicholson shows a plunge saw (Figures 1a-d) comprising:
a plunge assembly (38, Figure 1a), wherein the plunge assembly includes:
a motor (10, Figure 1b) attached to the plunge assembly, the motor including a motor shaft (an output shaft for a blade 8 mounted thereon, Figure 4a) configured to rotate about a shaft rotational axis (a rotation axis of the output shaft);
an arbor (83, Figure 4a) and configured to operatively attach a circular saw blade (8, see the discussion of the arbor bolt 82 in Paras. 79-80) to the motor shaft (Figure 4a) and to receive a torque from the motor when the motor shaft rotates about the shaft rotational axis (Figure 4a);
a base plate (6, Figure 1d) that defines an arbor-facing side and an arbor-opposed side (top and bottom sides of the base plate);
a base plate pivot (axis 34, Figure 1c) that operatively attaches the plunge assembly to the arbor-facing side of the base plate such that a user of the plunge saw may pivot the plunge assembly relative to the base plate from a retracted orientation to a plunged orientation and plunge the circular saw blade into a the workpiece (see the saw blade being in/out of the base plate 6 in Figures 4a, 5a);
however, Nicholson silently discuss that a cut indicator configured to project a light line onto the workpiece such that the light line visually indicates, on the workpiece, a location of an edge of the circular saw blade, wherein the cut indicator includes a light source configured to project the light line, such that
the light source attaches on the plunge assembly on a same side of the circular blade as the motor and is configured to project light past the circular saw blade such that a first portion of the light is incident upon the circular saw blade and a second portion of the light is incident upon the workpiece, wherein the second portion of the light defines the light line, such that the location of the edge of the circular saw blade is indicated on the workpiece by a transition from a shadow of the circular saw blade to the light line.
Tung shows a plunge saw (a circular saw 100, Figure 4) having a cut indicator (200) mounted on one side of a saw blade (11), wherein the cut indicator has a light source (a plurality of light emitting diodes 4) is configured to project light past the circular saw blade (Figure 4) such that a first portion of the light is incident upon the circular saw blade (Figure 4 below) and a second portion of the light is incident upon the workpiece (Figure 4 below), wherein the second portion of the light defines the light line, such that the location of the edge of the circular saw blade is indicated on the workpiece by a transition from a shadow of the circular saw blade to the light line (see Para. 30 “a portion of scattering light L emitted is shielded by the circular saw blade 11 to form a light path for being a cut line” and also see Para. 36).
Chang shows a cutting indicator (Figure 3) having a light source (11) mounted on a rotation shaft (45, Figure 2) on the same side of a motor (40).
Based on the teachings of Tung and Chang, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have has a cut indicator, as taught by Tung, on the same side of the motor, as taught by Change, to Nicholson’s plunge saw, in order to allow the cutting location of the circular saw blade that is to provide good accuracy (Para. 36 of Tung).
Doing so, the light source attaches to the plunge assembly on the same side of the circular saw blade as the motor. See Applicant’s speciation, the background of the Disclosure, lines 10-11, for defining the plunge assembly as “a plunge assembly, which is operatively attached to a circular saw blade” and page 5 states that “motor 90 and arbor 100 may form a portion of, or may be referred to herein as forming a portion of, a plunge assembly 84”, therefore, the light source of Chang on the rotation shaft, is operatively attached to a circular saw blade, is configured to plunge during operating and meet the limitation.
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Regarding claims 2-3, the modified saw of Nicholson shows that the cut indicator includes a leading edge cut indicator, and further wherein the light line is a leading edge light line configured to visually indicate, on the workpiece, a leading location of a leading edge of the circular saw blade (see Tung’s Figure 4 having a light path for a cut line as discussed in Tung’s para. 30) and the leading edge cut indicator is configured to project the light line onto the workpiece when the plunge saw is in both the retracted orientation and the plunged orientation (Figure 4 of Tung).
Regarding claims 4-5, the modified saw of Nicholson shows that the cut indicator includes a trailing edge cut indicator, and further wherein the light line includes a trailing edge light line configured to visually indicate, on the workpiece, a trailing location of a trailing edge of the circular saw blade and wherein the trailing edge cut indicator is configured to project the light line onto the workpiece when the plunge saw is in the plunged orientation (see Tung’s Figure 6, there are 3 diodes 4 around the board which is mounted on the blade via an output shaft 1; therefore, while the saw blade is rotated, the light path is generated from the trailing to leading edges of the saw blade).
Regarding claim 6, the modified saw of Nicholson shows that the cut indicator includes both a trailing edge cut indicator and the leading edge cut indicator (see claims 2-5 above).
Regarding claim 7, the modified saw of Nicholson shows that the cut indicator is configured to project the light line in a direction that is at least substantially perpendicular to a blade plane within which the circular saw blade is configured to rotate (see Tung’s Figure 4 above) .
Regarding claim 9, the modified saw of Nicholson shows that the light source is a cut indicator LED (3 diodes, Figure 6 of Tung) configured to project the light line.
Regarding claims 10-11, the modified saw of Nicholson shows that the light source is configured to project collimated light, wherein the collimated light defines the light line (Tung’s Para. 27 “The light path molding apparatus 200 emits scattering light L is shielded by the circular saw blade 11 to form an obvious light path on cut objects (not shown) for being cut”) and the light source is configured to project a light arc, and further wherein the light line is defined by a portion of the light arc that is incident upon the workpiece (Tung’s figure 6 shows 3 diodes on the circular board 3, the light from the diodes can be formed an arc that is incident upon the workpiece. Also, Tung’s Figure 4 shows the light is incident to the saw blade, it can be light arc).
Regarding claim 23, the modified saw of Nicholson teaches a method of operating a plunge saw, the method comprising:
actuating a switch of the plunge saw (26);
responsive to the actuating, initiating rotation of a circular saw blade of the plunge saw (this is inherent step and see claim 1 for a motor or a drive unit for rotating a saw blade and Para. 62 of Nicholson);
responsive to the actuating, initiating projection of a light line onto a workpiece to visually indicate, on the workpiece, a location of an edge of the circular saw blade (see Tung’s Figures 4-6); and
during the rotation of the circular saw blade and also during projection of the light line, plunging the circular saw blade into the workpiece (see the discussion of Tung’s reference and claims above);
wherein projection of the light line includes projecting light past the circular saw blade in a direction away from a motor of the plunge saw (see Tung’s Figure 4, all beams are away from the motor),
the modified saw of Nicholson also discusses that a first portion of the light is incident upon a motor facing side of the circular saw blade (see Tung’s Figure 4 above that show a top portion of light is incident to a top portion of the saw blade 11) and a second portion of the light is incident on the workpiece (Tung’s Figure 4 shows a horizontal line), wherein the second portion of the light defines the light line, such that the location of the edge of the circular saw blade is indicated on the workpiece by a transition from a shadow of the circular saw blade to the light line (Tung’s figure 4) and
the light source attaches on the plunge assembly on a same side of the circular blade as the motor (see the discussion of claim 1 above).
Regarding claims 24-25, the modified saw of Nicholson teaches that the initiating projection includes initiating projection of a leading edge light line onto the workpiece and wherein, responsive to the plunging, the initiating projection further includes initiating projection of a trailing edge light line onto the workpiece (see the discussions in claims 2-5 above).
Regarding claim 26, the modified saw of Nicholson shows that the cut indicator is configured to indicate the location of the edge of the circular saw blade, but it is clear whether it is for at least a threshold indication time of at least 5 seconds or not.
However, it would have been an obvious matter of design choice to a person of ordinary skill in the art to provide the cut indicator configured to indicate the location of the edge of the circular saw blade for at least a threshold indication time of at least 5 seconds because discovering an optimum value (at least 5 seconds) would have been a mere design consideration based on how fast an operator can align the blade to the workpiece (in order to allow the indicator light on the saw blade) or how fast the operator can plunge the saw blade to cut the workpiece. Such a modification would have involved only routine skill in the art to accommodate the aforementioned requirement depending on the capacity of the motors or drivers or the operator performance. It has been held that discovering an optimum value of a result effective variable involves only routine skill in the art. In re Boesch, 617 F.2d 272, 205 USPQ 215 (CCPA 1980). The claim would have been obvious because a person of ordinary skill has good reason to pursue the known options within technical grasp.
Regarding claim 30, the modified saw of Nicholson shows all of the limitations as stated in claims 1 and 23.
Claims 16-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nicholson in view of Tung, Chang and Wu (US 2004/0049927).
Regarding claim 16, the modified saw of Nicholson shows all of the limitations as stated above except a switch configured to selectively supply an electric current to the motor and the cut indicator.
Wu shows a switch (82) configured to selectively supply an electric current to the motor and the cut indicator (Para. 33).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have modified the plunger saw of the modified saw of Nicholson to have a single switch configured to selectively supply an electric current to the motor and the cut indicator, as taught by Wu, in order to be conveniently actuated the motor and the indicating unit by one switch.
Regarding claim 17, the modified saw of Nicholson shows that the cut indicator is configured to indicate the location of the edge of the circular saw blade when the switch selectively applies the electric current to the cut indicator (see the discussion in claim 1 above).
Regarding claims 18, the modified saw of Nicholson shows that the cut indicator is configured to indicate the location of the edge of the circular saw blade, but it is unclear whether it is for at least a threshold indication time of at least 5 seconds or not.
However, it would have been an obvious matter of design choice to a person of ordinary skill in the art to provide the cut indicator configured to indicate the location of the edge of the circular saw blade for at least a threshold indication time of at least 5 seconds because discovering an optimum value (at least 5 seconds) would have been a mere design consideration based on how fast an operator can align the blade to the workpiece (in order to allow the indicator light on the saw blade) or how fast the operator can plunge the saw blade to cut the workpiece. Such a modification would have involved only routine skill in the art to accommodate the aforementioned requirement depending on the capacity of the motors or drivers or the operator performance. It has been held that discovering an optimum value of a result effective variable involves only routine skill in the art. In re Boesch, 617 F.2d 272, 205 USPQ 215 (CCPA 1980). The claim would have been obvious because a person of ordinary skill has good reason to pursue the known options within technical grasp.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 04/08/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive for the reason below.
With regards to “the light source attaches to the base plate or the plunge assembly”, it appears not overcome the previous rejections by the art because Applicant’s specification defines that “motor 90 and arbor 100 may form a portion of, or may be referred to herein as forming a portion of, a plunge assembly 84” that means the light source on the output shaft of the motor is considered as “the light source attaching to the plunge assembly”.
Also, see new art, Saitou’s LEDs 73-74 attached on a plunge assembly (a housing cover 40).
With regards to the drawing objections, Applicant addressed it, therefore, it is mooted.
However, if Applicant still believes that the claimed invention’s apparatus/method different from the prior art’s apparatus/method or needs to discuss the rejections above or suggestion amendments that can be overcome the current rejections, Applicant should feel free to call the Examiner to schedule an interview.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
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/NHAT CHIEU Q DO/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3724 4/15/2026
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