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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 10/27/2023, 3/14/2025, & 11/19/2025 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the examiner has considered the information disclosure statements.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-8, 12-13, & 15-26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Belligotti (Italian Patent Application Publication # ITBO20110225A1).
Regarding Claim 1, Belligotti discloses an energy supply device for a piece of furniture (i.e. furniture/cabinet 1) with a furniture carcass and a movable furniture part (i.e. drawer/door) for supplying an electrical consumer (i.e. light source 8) with electrical energy, the energy supply device comprising:
a current supply rail (i.e. electrified bars 16/17), wherein the current supply rail can be arranged on the furniture carcass or on the movable furniture part; and
a contacting device (i.e. first contacts 13 & second contacts 14) to be arranged at least partially on the movable furniture part or on the furniture carcass, the contacting device including:
a contact element for galvanically conductively contacting the current supply rail; and
a switchable load-switching element (i.e. control 18) for enabling a current supply from the current supply rail to the electrical consumer via the contacting device (Fig. 1-3; Page 2-7).
Regarding Claim 2, Belligotti discloses that through a movement (i.e. opening and closing) of the movable furniture part (i.e. drawer/door) relative to the furniture carcass, the current supply rail (i.e. electrified bars 16/17) is galvanically conductively contactable by the contact element (i.e. first contacts 13 & second contacts 14) and/or the load-switching element (i.e. control 18) is switchable (Fig. 1-3; Page 2-7).
Regarding Claim 3, Belligotti discloses that through a movement (i.e. opening and closing) into a predefined or predefinable position of the movable furniture part (i.e. drawer/door) relative to the furniture carcass, preferably through a movement into or out of an end position of the movement of the movable furniture part, the current supply rail (i.e. electrified bars 16/17) is galvanically conductively contactable by the contact element (i.e. first contacts 13 & second contacts 14) and/or the load-switching element (i.e. control 18) is switchable (Fig. 1-3; Page 2-7).
Regarding Claim 4, Belligotti discloses that the load-switching element has a measuring contact and, with the measuring contact, a galvanically conductive contacting of the contact element with the current supply rail is measurable (i.e. through a sensor, rectifier, transformer, and regulator) (Fig. 1-3; Page 2-7).
Regarding Claim 5, Belligotti discloses that the galvanically conductive contacting of the contact element with the current supply rail is measurable, using the measuring contact, through reaching a predefined or predefinable position of the movable furniture part relative to the furniture carcassmeasuring a voltage applied to the current supply rail (i.e. through a sensor, a rectifier, transformer, and regulator) (Fig. 1-3; Page 2-7).
Regarding Claim 6, Belligotti discloses that a current supply (i.e. electric generator) from the current supply rail (i.e. electrified bars 16/17) to the electrical consumer (i.e. light source 8) can be enabled in a substantially power-free manner by the load-switching element (i.e. control 18) (Fig. 1-3; Page 4-7). Control 18 can control the supply of current or power to light source 8 through bars 16/17.
Regarding Claim 7, Belligotti discloses that the load-switching element is a first load-switching element for a first electrical consumer, the energy supply device further comprising a second load-switching element for a second electrical consumer, and the second load-switching element is switchable depending on the switching state of the first load-switching element (Fig. 1-3; Page 4-7). Light source 8 can comprise a plurality of light sources that can be independently electrically powered by means of control 18.
Regarding Claim 8, Belligotti discloses that the contact element (i.e. first contacts 13 & second contacts 14) and the load-switching element (i.e. control 18) are arranged in a common modular unit (i.e. luminous/light media 4) (Fig. 1-3; Page 2-7).
Regarding Claim 12, Belligotti discloses that the current supply rail (i.e. electrified bars 16/17) has at least two galvanically conductive contact surfaces or contact points (Fig. 1-3; Page 4-5).
Regarding Claim 13, Belligotti discloses that the energy supply device comprises a voltage source (i.e. power supply 9 or electrical source), in particular a direct current voltage source (i.e. rectifier, transformer, and/or regulator which converts the alternating electrical source to direct current voltage) and/or an alternating current voltage source (i.e. alternating electrical source), for supplying the electrical consumer (i.e. light source 8) with electrical energy (Fig. 1-3; Page 4-7).
Regarding Claim 15, Belligotti discloses a piece of furniture (i.e. furniture/cabinet 1) comprising a furniture carcass, a furniture part (i.e. drawer/door) movable relative to the furniture carcass, in particular in the form of a drawer, wherein the furniture part is to be arranged at least partially in an interior of the furniture carcass, and the energy supply device according to claim 1 (Fig. 1-3; Page 2-7).
Regarding Claim 16, Belligotti discloses that the contacting device (i.e. first contacts 13 & second contacts 14) of the energy supply device is arranged on a back wall, facing an interior of the furniture carcass, of the movable furniture part (Fig. 1-3; Page 2-7).
Regarding Claim 17, Belligotti discloses that the current supply rail (i.e. electrified bars 16/17) of the energy supply device is arranged on a back wall of the furniture carcass facing an interior of the furniture carcass (Fig. 1-3; Page 2-7).
Regarding Claim 18, Belligotti discloses that the movable furniture part has an interface (i.e. luminous/light media 4) preferably formed on the contacting device to which the electrical consumer is to be detachably coupled (Fig. 1-3; Page 2-7).
Regarding Claim 19, Belligotti discloses an electrical consumer (i.e. light source 8) (Page 4-7).
Regarding Claim 20, Belligotti discloses an electrical consumer (i.e. light source 8) in the form of a light source is arranged in or on the furniture carcass, and the light source is arranged above the movable furniture part, based on an installed position (Fig. 1-3; Page 2-7).
Regarding Claim 21, Belligotti discloses a method for supplying an electrical consumer (i.e. light source 8) that can be arranged in or on a piece of furniture (i.e. furniture/cabinet 1) with electrical energy by the energy supply device according to claim 1 one a piece of furniture, the method comprising:
galvanically conductively contacting the current supply rail (i.e. electrified bars 16/17) with the contact element using a contacting device (i.e. first contacts 13 & second contacts 14); and
enabling a current supply from the current supply rail to the electrical consumer via the contacting device and the load-switching element (i.e. control 18) (Fig. 1-3; Page 2-7).
Regarding Claim 22, Belligotti discloses that a predefined or predefinable position of the movable furniture part (i.e. drawer/door) relative to the furniture carcass
Regarding Claim 23, Belligotti discloses that in a contact-measuring method step, a galvanically conductive contacting of the contact element with the current supply rail is measured with a measuring contact of the load-switching element (i.e. through a sensor, rectifier, transformer, and regulator) (Fig. 1-3; Page 2-7).
Regarding Claim 24, Belligotti discloses that the galvanically conductive contacting of the contact element with the current supply rail is measurable, using the measuring contact, through reaching a predefined or predefinable position of the movable furniture part relative to the furniture carcass
Regarding Claim 25, Belligotti discloses that the load-switching element is a first load-switching element for a first electrical consumer, and the energy supply device further comprising a second load-switching element for a second electrical consumer, and a switching of the second load-switching element is effected depending on a switching state of the first load-switching element (Fig. 1-3; Page 4-7). Light source 8 can comprise a plurality of light sources that can be independently electrically powered by means of control 18.
Regarding Claim 26, Belligotti discloses a use of the energy supply device according to claim 1 for supplying the electrical consumer (i.e. light source 8) to be arranged in or on a piece of furniture (i.e. furniture/cabinet 1) with electrical energy (Fig. 1-3; Page 2-7).
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 9-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Belligotti (Italian Patent Application Publication # ITBO20110225A1) in view of Hettich (German Patent Application Publication # DE202006006185).
Regarding Claim 9, Belligotti does not explicitly disclose that the contact element has a spring contact for galvanically conductively contacting the current supply rail.
Hettich teaches that the contact element (i.e. contact element 14/14’) has a spring contact (i.e. spring-loaded contact pins 15’) for galvanically conductively contacting the current supply rail (i.e. conductor track 13) (Fig. 5, 6A-6B; Paragraphs 0010, 0023, 0024).
Hettich teaches that it is well known in the art of power supplies for use in furniture to use a spring contact in order to keep the contact element pre-tensioned and pressed against a conductor track or current supply rail which maintains a permanent electrical connection and compensates for assembly tolerances. It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art to use a spring contact for the contact elements of Belligotti, as taught by Hettich, in order to keep the contact element pre-tensioned and pressed against a conductor track or current supply rail which maintains a permanent electrical connection and compensates for assembly tolerances.
Regarding Claim 10, Belligotti in view of Hettich discloses that the spring contact (i.e. spring-loaded contact pins 15’) has a pivotable spring finger (i.e. spring 16) (Hettich: Fig. 5, 6A-6B; Paragraphs 0010, 0023, 0024).
Regarding Claim 11, Belligotti in view of Hettich discloses that the load-switching element (i.e. Belligotti: control 18/ Hettich: one line of conductor tracks 13 which functions as a data line for a control system) is switchable by a movement of the pivotable spring finger (i.e. spring-loaded contact pins 15’) (Hettich: Fig. 6A; Paragraph 0019, 0023, 0024).
Claim 14 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Belligotti (Italian Patent Application Publication # ITBO20110225A1) in view of Karg (US Patent Application Publication # 2011/0193454).
Regarding Claim 14, Belligoti does not explicitly disclose a rechargeable energy storage device, from which, at least when the load-switching element is open, the electrical consumer is to be supplied with electrical energy, at least for a limited duration.
Karg teaches a rechargeable energy storage device (i.e. chargeable current storage means 11), from which, at least when the load-switching element is open, the electrical consumer (i.e. current consumer 4) is to be supplied with electrical energy, at least for a limited duration (Fig. 1-5, 14-16, 20-23; Paragraphs 0007, 0024-0032).
Karg teaches that it is well known in the art of furniture with a power supply to include a rechargeable energy storage device or current storage means in order to supply energy to the electrical/current consumer when the drawer is open and the electrical/current consumer is disconnected from the power supply unit. It would have been obvious to one skilled in the art to include a rechargeable energy storage device in the device of Belligotti, as taught by Karg, in order to continue supplying energy to the electrical/current consumer when the drawer is open and the electrical/current consumer is disconnected from the power supply unit.
Relevant Cited Art
The cited art in PTO-892 was found during the examiner's search, but was not relied upon for this office action. However, it is still considered pertinent to the applicant's disclosure.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RHADAMES J ALONZO MILLER whose telephone number is (571)270-7829. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri 10am-6pm PST.
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/RJA/Examiner, Art Unit 2847
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