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 .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
Claim(s) 1-8 and 10-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Beadle (US 7,874,709 B1) in view of Zhang et al. (US 2009/0097262 A1), Wagner et al. (US 5,481,443) and Dulberg (US 2,797,309).
Regarding claim 1, Beadle et al. teaches a lighting apparatus (see at least figures 1-16) comprising:
an in-ground landscape lighting fixture (see at least figure 5 and column 1, lines 11-15 discloses an in ground fixture) comprising:
a fixture housing (housing 100; see at least figure 1-5) defining a central axis (see at least figures 3-5); and a light-engine frame (see at least figure 5) that is configured to:
support: a light source (235); and a light-source-inclination retainer (see at least figure 4).
Beadle et al. does not explicitly teach a light-emitting diode (“LED”) light source.
Zhang et al. teaches an LED light source (57).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the time of the effective filing date of the invention to modify Beadle et al. to include a LED light source as taught by Zhang et al. as it is known in the art that LEDs have advantages of environmental protection, energy saving, high efficiency and long lifespan.
Beadle et al. modified by Zhang et al. does not explicitly teach a [light-engine frame] that is configured to be: inserted and removed from the housing; and rotated about the central axis.
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Wagner et al. teaches a light engine frame (assembly body 60; figure 1) that is configured to be inserted and removed from the housing (housing 12; figure 1) and rotated about the central axis (column 4, lines 45-51 where rotation about a central axis is disclosed “Biasing element 76 provides tension between retaining members 54a–b, which applies friction through the arcuate surface 74a–b to arcuate surfaces 64a-c of assembly body 60 to resist free motion of assembly 52 arising from external forces such as vibration while allowing circular rotation through 15° about a neutral or central axis. When supplied with power, lamp 56 of assembly 52 emanates light from out of the interior of assembly body 60 through the opening therein and from out of the interior of housing 12 through the opening therein through the full range of motion.”).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to modify Beadle et al. modified by Zhang et al. to include a light engine frame configured to be inserted and removed from the housing and rotated about the central axis as taught by Wagner et al. so that the light emanates light from out of the interior of the assembly body through the opening therein and from out of the interior of housing through the opening therein through the full range of motion (column 4, lines 45-51 of Wagner et al.).
Beadle et al. does not explicitly teach the light-engine frame comprises a protrusion that extends outwardly from the light-engine frame and is configured to: be inserted into an annular slot in the fixture housing; and rotate about the center axis when the protrusion is disposed in the annular slot.
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Dulberg (US 2,797,309) teaches a protrusion (18) that extends outwardly from the light-engine frame (see figure 1A) and is configured to: be inserted into an annular slot (11 and 14; figure 1A) in the fixture housing (figure 1A); and rotate about the center axis when the protrusion (18) is disposed in the annular slot.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to modify Beadle et al. to include a protrusion and annular slot as taught by Dulberg to provide safety means by controlling movement of the apparatus (see column 1, lines 34-39 of Dulberg).
Regarding claim 2, Beadle et al. modified by Dulberg teaches the apparatus of claim 1, but Beadle et al. does not explicitly teach wherein the light-engine frame is further configured to be axially secured inside the housing by the protrusion that is configured to: extend into the annular slot in the housing; and be removed from the annular slot .
Dulberg teaches a light engine frame that is further configured to be axially secured inside the housing (figure 1A) by the protrusion (18) that is configured to: extend into the annular slot (11 and 14; figure 1A) in the housing (figure 1A); and be removed from the annular slot (11 and 14; figure 1A).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to modify Beadle et al. to include a protrusion and annular slot as taught by Dulberg to provide safety means by controlling movement of the apparatus (see column 1, lines 34-39 of Dulberg).
Regarding claim 3, Beadle et al. modified by Dulberg teaches the apparatus of claim 2 but Beadle et al. does not explicitly teach wherein the protrusion is biased by elasticity of the frame to remain in the annular slot.
Dulberg teaches the protrusion (18) is biased by elasticity of the frame (17’ and 12 combined) to remain in the annular slot (11 and 14; figure 1A).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to modify Beadle et al. to include a protrusion and annular slot as taught by Dulberg to provide safety means by controlling movement of the apparatus (see column 1, lines 34-39 of Dulberg).
Regarding claim 4, Beadle et al. modified by Dulberg teaches the apparatus of claim 2, but Beadle et al. does not explicitly teach wherein the annular slot includes a groove in an inner wall of the housing.
Dulberg teaches wherein the annular slot (11 and 14) includes a groove (see at least figure 2A) in an inner wall of the housing (see figure 2A).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made to modify Beadle et al. to include an annular slot including a groove in the inner wall of the housing as taught by Dulberg to provide safety means by controlling movement of the apparatus (see column 1, lines 34-39 of Dulberg).
Regarding claim 5, Beadle et al. further teaches the apparatus of claim 4, wherein the groove extends 360° circumferentially about the axis (see at least figure 5).
Regarding claim 6, Beadle et al. further teaches the apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light-engine frame (see at least figure 5) is further configured to support a beam angle changing lens (300; see at least figure 5).
Regarding claim 7, Beadle et al. modified by Zhang and Wanger et al. teaches the apparatus of claim 6 and Zhang et al. further teaches wherein the lens (108) is movable with respect to the LED light source (57) by rotating a slotted cylinder (see at least figure 16) about the axis (see at least figure 16).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the time of the effective filing date of the invention to modify Beadle et al. to include a LED light source as taught by Zhang et al. as it is known in the art that LEDs have advantages of environmental protection, energy saving, high efficiency and long lifespan.
Regarding claim 8, Beadle et al. modified by Zhang et al. and Wagner et al. teaches the apparatus of claim 1 Beadle et al. does not explicitly teach wherein the light-engine frame is further configured to support heat-exchange fins.
Zhang et al. further teaches wherein the light-engine frame is further configured to support heat-exchange fins (74; see at least figures 2-16).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the time of the effective filing date of the invention to modify the light engine of Beadle et al. to support heat-exchange fins as taught by Zhang et al. to draw heat out of the fixture so that higher intensity light sources can be used (see abstract of Zhang et al.).
Regarding claim 10, Beadle et al. modified by Zhang et al. and Wagner et al. teaches the apparatus of claim 1, and Beadle et al.’709 further teaches wherein the light source (235) is configured to rotate about the axis with the frame (see at least figure 1-5). However, Beadle et al.’709 does not teach an LED light source.
Zhang et al. teaches an LED light source (57; paragraph [0049]).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the time of the effective filing date of the invention to modify Beadle et al. to include a LED light source as taught by Zhang et al. as it is known in the art that LEDs have advantages of environmental protection, energy saving, high efficiency and long lifespan.
Regarding claim 11, Beadle et al. modified by Zhang et al. and Wagner et al. teaches the apparatus of claim 1 but Beadle et al. does not explicitly teach wherein the LED light source is configured to rotate through 180 continuous degrees.
Zhang et al. further teaches wherein the LED light source (57) is configured to rotate through 180 continuous degrees (see at least figures 10-16).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the time of the effective filing date of the invention to modify Beadle et al. to include a LED light source as taught by Zhang et al. as it is known in the art that LEDs have advantages of environmental protection, energy saving, high efficiency and long lifespan.
Regarding claim 12, Beadle et al. modified by Zhang et al. and Wagner et al. teaches the apparatus of claim 1 and Beadle et al. further teaches wherein the light source (235) is configured to incline relative to the housing (100) while being supported by the frame (see at least figure 5). However, Beadle et al. does not teach an LED light source. Zhang et al. teaches an LED light source 57.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the time of the effective filing date of the invention to modify Beadle et al. to include a LED light source as taught by Zhang et al. as it is known in the art that LEDs have advantages of environmental protection, energy saving, high efficiency and long lifespan.
Regarding claim 13, Beadle et al. modified by Zhang et al. and Wagner et al. teaches the apparatus of claim 1 and Beadle et al. further teaches wherein the light source 235) is configured to be removable from the housing (100) with the frame (see figure 5). However, Beadle et al. does not explicitly teach an LED light source
Zhang et al. teaches an LED light source (57).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the time of the effective filing date of the invention to modify Beadle et al. to include a LED light source as taught by Zhang et al. as it is known in the art that LEDs have advantages of environmental protection, energy saving, high efficiency and long lifespan.
Regarding claim 14, Beadle et al. modified by Zhang et al. and Wagner et al. teaches the apparatus of claim 1 and Beadle et al. further teaches wherein the light-source-inclination retainer (see figure 1-5) and includes a biased catch configured to retain a pin (see figure 3-5) in a predetermined position corresponding to an inclination of the light source (235). However, Beadle et al. does not teach an LED light source.
Zhang et al. teaches an LED light source 57.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the time of the effective filing date of the invention to modify Beadle et al. to include a LED light source as taught by Zhang et al. as it is known in the art that LEDs have advantages of environmental protection, energy saving, high efficiency and long lifespan.
Regarding claim 15, Beadle et al. modified by Zhang et al. and Wagner et al. teaches the apparatus of claim 1 and Beadle et al. further teaches wherein the light-source-inclination retainer defines a slot (s see figures 3-5) that is configured to guide the pin (see figure 3-5) as the pin inclines with the light source (235).However, Beadle et al. does not teach an LED light source.
Zhang et al. teaches an LED light source 57.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the time of the effective filing date of the invention to modify Beadle et al. to include a LED light source as taught by Zhang et al. as it is known in the art that LEDs have advantages of environmental protection, energy saving, high efficiency and long lifespan.
Regarding claim 16, Beadle et al. modified by Zhang et al. and Wagner et al. teaches the apparatus of claim 1 and Beadle et al. further teaches wherein the light source (235) is configured to tilt relative to the frame (see at least figure 5). However, Beadle et al. does not explicitly teach an LED light source.
Zhang et al. teaches an LED light source 57.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the time of the effective filing date of the invention to modify Beadle et al. to include a LED light source as taught by Zhang et al. as it is known in the art that LEDs have advantages of environmental protection, energy saving, high efficiency and long lifespan.
Claim(s) 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Beadle et al. (US 7,874,709 B1) in view of Zhang et al. (US 2009/0097262 A1), Wagner (US 5,481,443) and Dulberg (US 2,797,309) as applied to claim 1 above and further in view of Jiang et al. (US 2016/0363267 A1).
Regarding claim 9, Beadle et al. modified by Zhang et al., Wagner et al. and Dulberg teaches the apparatus of claim1 but Beadle et al. does not teach an LED light source. However, Zhang et al. further teaches wherein the LED light source (57).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the time of the effective filing date of the invention to modify Beadle et al. to include a LED light source as taught by Zhang et al. as it is known in the art that LEDs have advantages of environmental protection, energy saving, high efficiency and long lifespan.
Zhang et al. does not explicitly teach the light source has LEDs that in aggregate are configured to consume no less than 750 W in operation.
Jiang et al. teaches an LED bulb comprising an LED filament 11 that has a brightness that that may easily exceed 700 Im (see paragraph [0056]).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the time of the effective filing date of the invention to modify the light source of Zhang et al. to include an LED light source configured to consume no less than 750W in operation as taught by Jiang et al. so as to achieve a lower heat dissipation (see paragraph [0056] of Jiang et al.).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-16 have been considered but are moot in view of new grounds of rejection necessitated by applicant’s amendment of independent claim 1. Therefore, claim 1 is now rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Beadle (US 7,874,709 B1) in view of Zhang et al. (US 2009/0097262 A1), Wagner et al. (US 5,481,443) and Dulberg (US 2,797,309)..
Claims 2-16 remain rejected based on dependency on a rejected base claim.
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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JESSICA MCMILLAN APENTENG whose telephone number is (571)272-5510. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
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/JESSICA M APENTENG/Examiner, Art Unit 2875
/ABDULMAJEED AZIZ/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2875
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