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
Applicant previously elected without traverse Species A (Figures 6-9) in the reply filed on 2/25/2026.
Status of Claims
The status of the claims as filed in the submission dated 5/28/2026 are as follows:
Claims 3 and 4 are cancelled by the applicant;
Claims 1, 2, and 5-20 are pending;
Claims 1, 2, and 5-20 are being examined.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked. As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
Currently, no claim limitations invoke 112(f).
Drawings
The drawings were received on 5/28/2026. These drawings are accepted.
Specification
The amended title of the invention was received on 5/28/2026 and is accepted.
The amended specification was received on 5/28/2026 and is accepted.
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.
Claims 9-10 and 14-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Lu (US2019/0069429A1, as previously cited).
Re Claim 9. Lu teaches an information handling system comprising: a printed circuit board (20) including a plurality of connectors (Figures 1-3; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30; Paragraphs 12 and 32 teach removing components from the circuit board 20, thus the circuit board forms connections between the circuit board and removable components. Thus, Lu teaches the circuit board includes a plurality of connectors); and
a heatsink (10) (Figures 1-3; The assembly is thermally conductive and thus is considered a heatsink) in physical communication with the printed circuit board, the heatsink including (Figures 1-3; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30);
an arm portion (101) in physical communication with a main body (102) and with a hinge (1032, 1014 combine to form the hinge) (Figures 1-3; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30),
the arm portion including a movable portion (the arm is moveable) configured to transition between a closed position and an open position (Figures 1-3, wherein Figure 1 illustrates a closed position in which the end 1011 of the arm is connected to the hinge and the other end 1012 is contacting the main body. Figure 2 illustrates the arm in the open position; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30)
wherein the movable portion includes a thermal conductor material on a lower surface of the movable portion (the bottom surface is made of a thermal conductor material. It is noted that the applicant has not set forth a specific material or material property, and thus any material can be interpreted as a thermal conductor material. Therefore, the bottom surface of the moveable portion is considered a thermal conductor material), wherein the connectors are not visible when the movable portion is in the closed position and the connectors are visible when the movable portion is in the open position (Figures 1-3; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30); and
a latch (104) in physical communication with the movable portion of the arm portion, the latch to transition between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the latch to securely hold the movable portion in the closed position (Figures 1-3; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30).
Re Claims 10. Lu teaches a static upper portion (top surface of 102) in physical communication with in the main body and with the hinge, wherein the static upper portion is coupled to the movable portion via the hinge (Figures 1-3; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30).
Re Claim 14. Lu teaches the movable portion is not in physical communication with the static lower portion when the movable portion is in the open position (Figures 1-3; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30).
Re Claims 15. Lu teaches the movable portion transitions from the closed position to the open position when the latch is in the unlocked position (Figures 1-3; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30).
Re Claims 16. Lu teaches in response to a force being exerted on the movable portion, the movable portion rotates around the hinge (Figures 1-3; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30).
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 17-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lu (US2019/0069429A1, as previously cited).
Re Claim 17. Lu teaches an information handling system comprising:
a printed circuit board (20) including a plurality of connectors (Figures 1-3; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30; Paragraphs 12 and 32 teach removing components from the circuit board 20, thus the circuit board forms connections between the circuit board and removable components. Thus, Lu teaches the circuit board includes a plurality of connectors); and
a heatsink (10) (Figures 1-3; The assembly is thermally conductive and thus is considered a heatsink) in physical communication with the printed circuit board, the heatsink including (Figures 1-3; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30);
a main body (102) in physical communication with the processor; an arm portion (101) in physical communication with the main body and with a hinge (1032, 1014 combine to form the hinge) (Figures 1-3; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30),
the arm portion including a movable portion (the arm is moveable) configured to transition between a closed position and an open position (Figures 1-3, wherein Figure 1 illustrates a closed position in which the end 1011 of the arm is connected to the hinge and the other end 1012 is contacting the main body. Figure 2 illustrates the arm in the open position; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30),
wherein the movable portion includes a thermal conductor material on a lower surface of the movable portion (the bottom surface is made of a thermal conductor material. It is noted that the applicant has not set forth a specific material or material property, and thus any material can be interpreted as a thermal conductor material. Therefore, the bottom surface of the moveable portion is considered a thermal conductor material), wherein the connectors are not visible when the movable portion is in the closed position and the connectors are visible when the movable portion is in the open position (Figures 1-3; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30); and
a latch (104) in physical communication with the movable portion of the arm portion, the latch to transition between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the latch to securely hold the movable portion in the closed position (Figures 1-3; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30).
Lu teaches a circuit board (20) but fails to specifically recite a processor. The examiner takes Official Notice of the well-known and ubiquitous use of processors on circuit boards. The use of processors on circuit boards is well-known and understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, it would have been obvious to include a processor on the circuit board of Lu as this is a well-known and understood design. The examiner’s assertion of Official Notice of common knowledge or well-known in the art statement is taken to be admitted prior art because the applicant has failed to traverse the examiner’s previous assertion of official notice (See MPEP 2144.03(c)).
Re Claim 18. Lu teaches a static upper portion (top surface of 102) in physical communication with in the main body and with the hinge, wherein the static upper portion is coupled to the movable portion via the hinge (Figures 1-3; Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30).
Claims 11, 13, and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Lu (US2019/0069429A1, as previously cited) in view of Wallner (US2022/0295674A1, as previously cited).
Re Claims 11 & 19. Lu teaches a static lower portion in physical communication with in the main body but fails to specifically teach the static lower portion includes a plurality of heat pipes.
However, Wallner teaches a heatsink (1) comprising a static lower portion (7) includes a plurality of heat pipes (generally denoted by 11, 12 in Figures 1-3) (Figures 1-3; Paragraphs 59, 83-86).
Therefore, in view of Wallner's teaching, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to add heat pipes to the static lower portion of Lu in order to better dissipate heat from the assembly, as is well-understood in the art.
Re Claims 13. Lu as modified by Wallner teach the heat pipes are located within both the main body and the static lower portion (Lu Figures 1-3, Paragraphs 12-18, 28-30; Wallner Figures 1-3, Paragraphs 59, 83-86).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1, 2, and 5-8 are allowed.
Claims 12 and 20 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Claim 1 recites “A heatsink comprising: a main body; a hinge; an arm portion in physical communication with the main body and with the hinge, the arm portion including a movable portion configured to transition between a closed position and an open position, wherein the movable portion includes a thermal conductor material on a lower surface of the movable portion; a latch in physical communication with the movable portion of the arm portion, the latch to transition between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the latch to securely hold the movable portion in the closed position; and a static lower portion in physical communication with in the main body, wherein the static lower portion includes a plurality of heat pipes, wherein the heat transfer material is in physical communication with the heat pipes when the movable portion is in the closed position and the heat transfer material is not in physical communication with the heat pipes when the movable portion is in the closed position”. The closest prior art of record Lu (US2019/0069429A1, as previously cited) teaches a heatsink comprising a main body, a hinge, an arm with a moveable portion comprising a thermal conductor material, a latch and a static lower portion. Lu fails to specifically teach the static lower portion includes a plurality of heat pipes, wherein the heat transfer material is in physical communication with the heat pipes when the movable portion is in the closed position and the heat transfer material is not in physical communication with the heat pipes when the movable portion is in the closed position. There would be no motivation to further modify the prior art without utilizing impermissible hindsight reasoning or without changing the principle of operation of the prior art. Therefore, the invention is novel and non-obvious in view of the prior art. Claims 12 and 20 recite similar limitations and thus are allowable for the same reasons.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 5/28/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues on page 9 of the reply that claims 9 and 17 are allowable since they “recite features similar to claim 1”. However, claims 9 and 17 are not of the same scope as claim 1. Specifically, claims 9 and 17 fails to recite the plurality of heat pipes in a static lower portion that are in contact with the heat transfer material (as recited in claims 12 and 20). Therefore, the applicants’ argument is not persuasive.
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 TRAVIS RUBY whose telephone number is (571)270-5760. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 9AM-5PM.
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, Jianying Atkisson can be reached at 571-270-7740. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/TRAVIS RUBY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3763
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