DETAILED ACTION
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 .
Election/Restrictions
Upon further consideration by the examiner, the previous restriction requirement has been withdrawn. Upon conducting a search for the invention of Group II, there was no burden in conducting a search for the inventions of Groups I and III. Therefore, Claims 1 through 10 have been examined together.
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 through 10 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.
In Claim 1, the phrases of “the first arrangement of receiving pockets” (line 16) and “the second arrangement of receiving pockets” (lines 17-18), each lack positive antecedent basis. Apparently, these phrases are referring to “first annular arrangement of receiving pockets” (line 11) and “second annular arrangement of receiving pockets” (lines 13-14). Also, what is the phrase “the bending unit” (first occurrence at line 32, second occurrence at line 33) referring to? Is this phrase referring to “a first bending unit” (line 10), or “a second bending unit” (lines 11-12)? Lastly, the term “both” (line 42) appears to be incomplete and raises a great deal of confusion as to what previous limitations are being referred to.
In Claim 5, it is unclear if the latter phrase of “a first arrangement of receiving pockets” (line 22) is referring to an earlier phrase of “a first annular arrangement of receiving pockets” (lines 11-12). Also, it is unclear if the latter phrase of “a second arrangement of receiving pockets” (line 24) is referring to an earlier phrase of “a second annular arrangement of receiving pockets” (lines 13- Als14). The phrase of “the first and second bending devices” (line 29) lacks antecedent basis. It appears that the phrase is referring to “first bending unit” (line 10) and “second bending unit” (line 12), respectively. Also, what is the phrase “the bending unit” (first occurrence at line 29, second occurrence at line 31) referring to? Is this phrase referring to “a first bending unit” (line 10), or “a second bending unit” (line 12)? The term “both” (line 39) appears to be incomplete and raises a great deal of confusion as to what previous limitations are being referred to. Lastly, the phrase of “the other part of the first and second arrangement” (line 52) lacks positive antecedent basis.
Allowable Subject Matter
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter.
The closest prior art references are directed to:
U.S. Publication 2020/0395825 to Binder et al (hereinafter “Binder”); and
U.S. Publication 2009/0302705 to Guercioni (hereinafter “Guercioni”).
Binder discloses a conductor end shaping device for shaping conductor ends (e.g. 34a, 34b, etc.) comprising:
a radial bending device (e.g. 52, Fig. 6) for widening the conductor ends and including a plurality of widening tools (e.g. 140, 142) configured to bend the conductor ends in the radial direction such that, after bending, a first part of the conductor ends is situated at a first radial position and a second part of the conductor ends is situated at a second radial position (e.g. Figs. 2 to 3),
a circumferential bending device (e.g. 54) for twisting the conductor ends by bending in a circumferential direction, the circumferential bending device comprising a first bending unit configured to be rotated in a first direction of rotation and having a first annular arrangement of receiving pockets (e.g. 176, Fig. 19).
However, Binder does not teach a second bending unit arranged concentrically thereto and configured to be rotated in the second direction of rotation and having a second annular arrangement of receiving pockets (emphasis added).
Guercioni discloses a conductor end shaping device a radial bending device for widening the conductor ends and including a plurality of widening tools configured to bend the conductor ends in the radial direction such that, after bending, a first part of the conductor ends is situated at a first radial position and a second part of the conductor ends is situated at a second radial position,
a circumferential bending device for twisting the conductor ends by bending in a circumferential direction, the circumferential bending device comprising a first bending unit (e.g. 30, Fig. 2) configured to be rotated in a first direction of rotation and having a first annular arrangement of receiving pockets (e.g. 38), and a second bending unit (e.g. 32) arranged concentrically thereto and configured to be rotated in the second direction of rotation and having a second annular arrangement of receiving pockets (e.g. 38).
However, it would not be obvious to combine Binder and Guercioni. For example, to modify Binder by adding a circumferential bending device as taught by Guercioni, would destroy the overall structure of the conductor end shaping device of Binder.
Accordingly, Claims 1 through 10 would be allowable if rewritten 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 and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
a) Japanese Patent Publication, JP 2014-4128129, discloses a method and device (e.g. 110, Fig. 8) for shaping conductor ends (Sg, Fig. 4, see SOLUTION).
b) Non-Patent Literature IEEE Publication to Glaessel et al, entitled "Manufacturing Influences on the Motor Performance of Traction Drives with Hairpin Winding", discloses a device for shaping coil ends (e.g. Fig. 2, see entire document).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to A. DEXTER TUGBANG whose telephone number is (571)272-4570. The examiner can normally be reached Mon - Fri 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, THOMAS J. HONG can be reached at 571-272-0993. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/A. DEXTER TUGBANG/ Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3729
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