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 .
Response to Amendment
The Amendment filed January 20th, 2026 has been entered. Claims 1, 3-4 and 6-14 are pending. Claims 1 and 6-9 have been amended and claims 2 and 5 have been canceled by the Applicant.
Terminal Disclaimer
The terminal disclaimer filed on January 20th, 2026 disclaiming the terminal portion of any patent granted on this application which would extend beyond the expiration date of any patent granted on Application No.17403895 (U.S. Patent No. 11869734 B2) has been reviewed and is accepted. The terminal disclaimer has been recorded.
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, “wherein a first part of the chain is at least partially wrapped around the chain wheel”; “wherein a second part of the chain is at least partially wrapped around the chain wheel”; and “wherein a third part of the chain is at least partially wrapped around the chain wheel” of claim 1; must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). 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
Claim 1 is objected to because:
Claim 1, line 14, “an earthing fixed contact” should be -the fixed earth contact- to be consistent.
Claim 1, line 21, “a flexible link” should be -the flexible link-.
Claim 1, line 29, “the position” lacks antecedent basis.
Claim 1, line 31, “is drive” should be deleted.
Claim 1, line 32, “the position” lacks antecedent basis.
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.
Claim 1 is 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.
Claim 1, phrases, “wherein a first part of the chain is at least partially wrapped around the chain wheel”; “wherein a second part of the chain is at least partially wrapped around the chain wheel”; and
“wherein a third part of the chain is at least partially wrapped around the chain wheel” are unclear and leave doubts as how to determine, identify or show, “a first part”, “a second part” and “a third part” of the chain wrapped around the chain wheel, from the drawings or sufficiently described in the specification.
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.
Claims 1, 3-4 and 6-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Taniguchi et al EP1361633 [Taniguchi] in view of Dong et al, CN102545088 [Dong].
Regarding claim 1, Taniguchi discloses (figs.2-6) a switch (700) for a medium voltage or high voltage switchgear, comprising:
a first fixed contact (114);
a second fixed contact (132);
a moveable contact (130);
a fixed earth contact (112);
at least one flexible link (140); and
a contact drive (150),
where, in an on state of the switch (700), the moveable contact (130) is in a position that connects the first fixed contact (114) to the second fixed contact (132),
where, in an off state of the switch (700), the moveable contact (130) is in a position where the first fixed contact (114) is not connected to the second fixed contact (132);
where, in an earthing state of the switch (700), the movable contact (130) is configured to be in a position that connects the second fixed contact (132) to an earthing fixed contact (112).
Taniguchi fails to explicitly disclose wherein, the at least one flexible link is directly connected to the moveable contact;
wherein, the at least one flexible link engages with the contact drive, and wherein the contact drive is configured to pull the moveable contact via the at least one flexible link and the contact drive is configured to push the moveable contact via the at least one flexible link;
wherein the contact drive comprises at least one chain wheel configured to engage with the at least one flexible link, and wherein rotation of a chain wheel of the at least one chain wheel in a first direction is configured to pull a flexible link and wherein rotation of the chain wheel in a direction counter to the first direction is configured to push the flexible link;
wherein the at least one flexible link comprises at least one chain, wherein the at least one chain comprises a push chain, wherein the push chain, when extended in a longitudinal axis, is configured to enable the chain to bend out of the axis in a first direction perpendicular to the axis and is configured to resist the chain being bent out of the axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
wherein activation of the contact drive in a first mode is configured to move the moveable contact to a position such that the switch is in the on state, wherein a first part of the chain is at least partially wrapped around the chain wheel;
wherein, activation of the contact drive in a second mode is drive is configured to move the moveable contact to a position such that the switch is in the off state, wherein a second part of the chain is at least partially wrapped around the chain wheel;
wherein activation of the contact drive in a third mode is configured to move the moveable contact to a position such that the switch is in the earthing state, wherein a third part of the chain is at least partially wrapped around the chain wheel; and
wherein the switch is configured to transition between the second mode and the third mode without entering the first mode.
Dong discloses (fig.1)a switching device where, at least one flexible link (13) is directly connected to a moveable contact (14);
where, the at least one flexible link (13) engages with a contact drive (20), and
where the contact drive (20) is configured to pull the moveable contact (14) via the at least one flexible link (13) and the contact drive (20) is configured to push the moveable contact (14) via the at least one flexible link (13);
where the contact drive (20) comprises at least one chain wheel (12) configured to engage with the at least one flexible link (13), and where rotation of a chain wheel (12) of the at least one chain wheel (12) in a first direction is configured to pull the flexible link (13) and where rotation of the chain wheel (12) in a direction counter to the first direction is configured to push the flexible link (13);
where the at least one flexible link (13) comprises at least one chain (13), where the at least one chain (13) comprises a push chain (13), where the push chain (13), when extended in a longitudinal axis, is configured to enable the chain (13) to bend out of the axis in a first direction perpendicular to the axis and is configured to resist the chain (13) being bent out of the axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
where activation of the contact drive (20) in a first mode is configured to move the moveable contact (14) to a position such that the switch is in the on state, where a first part of the chain (13) is at least partially wrapped around the chain wheel (12);
where, activation of the contact drive (20) in a second mode is drive is configured to move the moveable contact (14) to a position such that the switch is in the off state, where a second part of the chain (13) is at least partially wrapped around the chain wheel (12);
where activation of the contact drive (20) in a third mode is configured to move the moveable contact (14) to a position such that the switch is in the earthing state, where a third part of the chain (13) is at least partially wrapped around the chain wheel (12); and
where the switch is configured to transition between the second mode (switch off) and the third mode (earthing state) without entering the first mode (switch on).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the switching device of Taniguchi with the inclusion of the flexible link of Dong, thereby providing the beneficial effects a power transmission device to control the opening/closing of the switch, which has a compact structure, few parts, and low cost.
Regarding claim 3, Taniguchi and Dong further disclose a link guide (Dong, 11), where at least part of at least one flexible link (13) is configured to run within or adjacent to the link guide (11) in a longitudinal direction, and
where the link guide (11) is configured to inhibit the at least one flexible link (13) from flexing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
Regarding claim 4, Taniguchi further discloses where the at least one flexible link (140) comprises at least one toothed belt [para.0039].
Regarding claim 6, Taniguchi and Dong further disclose where the at least one chain wheel (Dong, 13) is configured to rotate through less than one revolution when the switch transitions between the second mode and the third mode.
Regarding claim 7, Taniguchi and Dong further disclose where the contact drive (Dong, 20) is configured to pull the at least one flexible link (13) to transition from the second mode to the third mode.
Regarding claim 8, Taniguchi and Dong further disclose where the contact drive (Dong, 20) is configured to push the at least one flexible link (13) to transition from the third mode to the second mode.
Regarding claim 9, Taniguchi and Dong further disclose where the switch is configured to transition between the second mode and the first mode without entering the third mode.
Regarding claim 10, Taniguchi and Dong further disclose where the at least one cog wheel (Dong, 12) is configured to rotate through less than one revolution when the switch transitions between the second mode and the first mode.
Regarding claim 11, Taniguchi and Dong further disclose where the contact drive (Dong, 20) is configured to push the at least one flexible link (13) to transition from the second mode to the first mode.
Regarding claim 12, Taniguchi and Dong further disclose where the contact drive (Dong, 20) is configured to pull the at least one flexible link (13) to transition from the first mode to the second mode.
Regarding claim 13, Taniguchi and Dong further disclose a compartment (16) configured to accommodate a length of the at least one flexible link (Dong, 13) when the contact drive (20) pulls the at least one flexible link (13),
where a maximum internal dimension of the compartment (16) is less than the length of the at least one flexible link (13).
Regarding claim 14, Taniguchi and Dong further disclose a medium voltage or high voltage (intended use) switchgear, comprising at least one switch.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s amendments and arguments filed January 20th, 2026 have been fully considered. All relevant arguments have been addressed in the new rejections, above.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new grounds 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 WILLIAM A BOLTON whose telephone number is (571)270-5887. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri: 7:30AM - 5:00PM.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Renee S Luebke can be reached at (571)-272-2009. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/WILLIAM A BOLTON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2833