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 § 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.
Claim(s) 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Hanan (US 20170356212).
Regarding claim 1, A movable operating apparatus, provided in an automatic pool cleaning device which interacts with an outside terminal wirelessly (“Referring to FIG. 16, an antenna 113 is illustratively provided in the buoy assembly 102 and electrically connected to the cable 106. The cable 106 can be a single conductor wire having a water-impermeable covering that is preferably reinforced with a flexible wire cabling to provide added strength when lifting the cleaner 10 out of the pool 130 by the handle 110 of the receiver assembly 102. The antenna 113 receives (and transmits) wireless signals between the remote and on-board controllers 120 and 46.” Hanan: paragraph 72)
and uses a battery for local power supply, (“Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, the pool cleaner 10 includes a housing 11 having a bottom/lower portion or base 12 and an upper portion which can form a cover 13 above the base 12 (FIG. 4). The base 12 and upper portion and/or cover 13 collectively define an interior chamber 14 (FIG. 6) in which a propulsion drive motor assembly 78 (FIG. 5), a filter 90, an optional battery 92, an electric water pump assembly 80, electronic controller(s) 46, sensors, optional communication circuitry, and other cleaner assemblies and components are housed.” Hanan: paragraph 40)
comprising: at least one buoyance operating end, located in an accommodation chamber on a surface of the automatic pool cleaning device, and connected to the automatic pool cleaning device via a traction rope; (“Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21, preferably, the retractable cable 106 is wound about a spool or spindle 107 that is rotatably mounted in buoy assembly 102. Alternatively, the spool 107 and retractable cable 106 are mounted on-board the cleaner 10, on the housing 11 or within the interior chamber 14 of the cleaner 10. The spool 107 can be configured with a spool rotation mechanism 112 so that the retractable cable 106 is adjustable in length as the buoy assembly 102 floats on the water surface and the cleaner 10 traverses at different depths of the pool. The spool rotation mechanism 112 can include a resilient member or spring to form a spring-loaded spool, an electric motor (e.g., solenoid), or otherwise be configured to automatically adjust the length of the cable 106 such that there is minimal slack as between the cleaner 10 and the buoy assembly 102. The buoyancy of the buoy assembly 102 is sufficient to overcome the negative buoyancy of the cleaner 10 and thereby assist in lifting and raising the cleaner 10 off the bottom surface of the pool when retracting the cable 106.” Hanan: paragraph 67)
an electric control lock, comprising a lock driving mechanism driven by an electric signal, and a locking member driven by the lock driving mechanism, wherein the locking member limits the buoyance operating end when the electric control lock is in a locked state, and removes the limitation when the electric control lock is in an unlocked state; and a lock control circuit, electrically coupled to the electric control lock, and configured to transmit an unlocking signal to the electric control lock to unlock the electric control lock in response to a trigger signal generated when the automatic pool cleaning device stops working, such that the buoyance operating end floats and carries the traction rope out of the accommodation chamber to a water surface; (“Referring now to FIG. 21, in an embodiment where the spool 107 operates with a rotation mechanism 112 that is a spring, a first locking mechanism 115 is provided to selectively lock the spool 107 or the cable 106 so that the length of the cable 106 does not change. For example, the spool 107 can include a centralized spring 112 (drawn in phantom) and the locking mechanism 115 can include a latch 116 that interfaces with a strike member 117 formed on the outer surface of the spool 107. When the latch 116 and strike member 117 are disengaged, the spool spring recoils to retract and wrap the cable 106 about the outer surface of the spool 107. When the latch 116 is engaged with the strike member 117, the length of cable 106 is held constant. In another aspect, a tensioner or drag mechanism (not shown) can be provided to allow the length of cable to increase as the cleaner 10 moves along deeper portions of the pool 130 and then retract when moving to shallower areas of the pool. Alternatively, in an embodiment where the spool 107 operates with a rotation mechanism 112 that is an electric motor, the first locking mechanism 115 is not required and the controller 46 or 120 can provide command signals to the spool motor 112 to rotate in direction to either retract or release the cable 106. For example, a command signal from a remote controller can be sent to reverse the spool motor direction (or release the locking mechanism) to retract the cable 106 and thereby cause and/or assist the cleaner to rise from the submerged surface of the pool.” Hanan: paragraph 68)
wherein the buoyance operating end is configured to move the automatic pool cleaning device out of a swimming pool in response to a user’s operation. (“the buoy assembly 102 illustratively includes a housing 104 and a handle 110. The handle 110 (e.g., a rotatable handle) is preferably provided on the buoy assembly 102 to enable an end user to grasp and lift the cleaner 10 out of the pool” Hanan: paragraph 64)
Regarding claim 2, The movable operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electric control lock is a magnetic lock; and the electric control lock comprises: a conductor, electrically coupled to the lock control circuit; wherein the conductor generates a current when a voltage is applied across the conductor by the unlocking signal of the lock control circuit, so as to form a magnetic field acting force on the locking member, to drive the locking member to remove the limitation. (“Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 21, a second locking mechanism 108, e.g., preferably one or more sets of magnets 109 are provided to secure the buoy assembly 102 to the top portion of the cleaner 10 when the cable 106 is fully retracted. For example, a first of a pair of magnets 109 can be mounted on the lower portion of the buoy assembly 102 and a second of the pair of magnets 109 with opposite polarity is attached to the upper portion of the cable strain relief 119 or an opposing upper surface of the cleaner housing 11. The magnets 109 can be a pair of ring or toroidal shaped magnets, although such shapes and quantity of magnets is not considered limiting. When the cable 106 is reeled in, the magnets 109 will be magnetically attracted to each other when in close proximity and “lock” together to thereby prevent the unwinding or unspooling of the cable 106 and separation of the buoy housing 104 from the cleaner 10. The second magnetic locking mechanism 109 conveniently allows the end user to remove the cleaner 10 from the pool 130 as a single unit without any possible interference by the cable 106. Although the second locking mechanism 108 is described and shown as including a pair of magnets 109, such configuration is not considered limiting, as a latching mechanism or other locking mechanism can be implemented.” Hanan: paragraph 69)
Regarding claim 6, The movable operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the buoyance operating end comprises a gripping portion adapted to a gripping shape of a user's hand. (“the buoy assembly 102 illustratively includes a housing 104 and a handle 110. The handle 110 (e.g., a rotatable handle) is preferably provided on the buoy assembly 102 to enable an end user to grasp and lift the cleaner 10 out of the pool” Hanan: paragraph 64)
Regarding claim 7, The movable operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of the at least one buoyance operating end is no less than two, and/or the at least one buoyance operating end is arranged on a top of a front end or a rear end of the automatic pool cleaning device. (Hanan: figures 15, 16, 17 & “Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21, preferably, the retractable cable 106 is wound about a spool or spindle 107 that is rotatably mounted in buoy assembly 102. Alternatively, the spool 107 and retractable cable 106 are mounted on-board the cleaner 10, on the housing 11 or within the interior chamber 14 of the cleaner 10. The spool 107 can be configured with a spool rotation mechanism 112 so that the retractable cable 106 is adjustable in length as the buoy assembly 102 floats on the water surface and the cleaner 10 traverses at different depths of the pool. The spool rotation mechanism 112 can include a resilient member or spring to form a spring-loaded spool, an electric motor (e.g., solenoid), or otherwise be configured to automatically adjust the length of the cable 106 such that there is minimal slack as between the cleaner 10 and the buoy assembly 102. The buoyancy of the buoy assembly 102 is sufficient to overcome the negative buoyancy of the cleaner 10 and thereby assist in lifting and raising the cleaner 10 off the bottom surface of the pool when retracting the cable 106.” Hanan: paragraph 67)
Regarding claim 8, The movable operating apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a rope collecting member, arranged in the accommodation chamber, hooked to the traction rope, and configured to wind the traction rope. (“Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21, preferably, the retractable cable 106 is wound about a spool or spindle 107 that is rotatably mounted in buoy assembly 102. Alternatively, the spool 107 and retractable cable 106 are mounted on-board the cleaner 10, on the housing 11 or within the interior chamber 14 of the cleaner 10. The spool 107 can be configured with a spool rotation mechanism 112 so that the retractable cable 106 is adjustable in length as the buoy assembly 102 floats on the water surface and the cleaner 10 traverses at different depths of the pool. The spool rotation mechanism 112 can include a resilient member or spring to form a spring-loaded spool, an electric motor (e.g., solenoid), or otherwise be configured to automatically adjust the length of the cable 106 such that there is minimal slack as between the cleaner 10 and the buoy assembly 102. The buoyancy of the buoy assembly 102 is sufficient to overcome the negative buoyancy of the cleaner 10 and thereby assist in lifting and raising the cleaner 10 off the bottom surface of the pool when retracting the cable 106.” Hanan: paragraph 67)
Regarding claim 9, The movable operating apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: an electric rope retractor, comprising a rope winding mechanism and a rope retracting drive motor for driving the rope winding mechanism to act, wherein the rope retracting drive motor is coupled to the battery via an electric line to obtain power supply; wherein the rope retracting drive motor is electrically coupled to a rope winding signal output terminal of a controller, and controls the rope winding mechanism to wind up the traction rope in response to a rope winding control signal output from the rope winding signal output terminal; wherein the rope winding control signal is generated based on a wireless control signal received by a wireless communication circuit electrically coupled to the controller. (“Referring now to FIGS. 20 and 21, preferably, the retractable cable 106 is wound about a spool or spindle 107 that is rotatably mounted in buoy assembly 102. Alternatively, the spool 107 and retractable cable 106 are mounted on-board the cleaner 10, on the housing 11 or within the interior chamber 14 of the cleaner 10. The spool 107 can be configured with a spool rotation mechanism 112 so that the retractable cable 106 is adjustable in length as the buoy assembly 102 floats on the water surface and the cleaner 10 traverses at different depths of the pool. The spool rotation mechanism 112 can include a resilient member or spring to form a spring-loaded spool, an electric motor (e.g., solenoid), or otherwise be configured to automatically adjust the length of the cable 106 such that there is minimal slack as between the cleaner 10 and the buoy assembly 102. The buoyancy of the buoy assembly 102 is sufficient to overcome the negative buoyancy of the cleaner 10 and thereby assist in lifting and raising the cleaner 10 off the bottom surface of the pool when retracting the cable 106.” Hanan: paragraph 67)
Regarding claim 12, is interpreted and rejected as claim 1 stated above.
Regarding claim 13, The automatic pool cleaning device according to claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to, when detecting a signal indicating to stop working, control the automatic pool cleaning device to move close to an edge of a pool. (“In one aspect, the controller 46 of the cleaner includes programing to move the cleaner to a sidewall of the pool once the controller 46 receives the electronic signal signifying that the above-described predetermined condition was satisfied (e.g., low battery signal example, cleaning program is finished, and the like). The movement of the cleaner to the sidewall of the pool occurs prior to reversing the rotational direction of the propeller 83 to thereby enable the end-user to more easily grasp the cleaner 10 from the waterline at the edge of the pool without using an extension pole. The end-user can then retrieve the cleaner 10 to perform a maintenance routine, e.g., install a replacement battery, empty/clean the filter, and the like, and/or park and store the cleaner for future use.” Hanan: paragraph 58)
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.
Claim(s) 10, 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hanan in view of Liu (US 20230374807).
Regarding claim 10, The movable operating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the buoyance operating end comprises: a swimming mechanism, and a swimming drive motor configured to drive the swimming mechanism to act; wherein the swimming drive motor is coupled to the battery via an electric line, or is coupled to a second battery carried by the buoyance operating end to obtain power supply; and the swimming drive motor controls the swimming mechanism to swim in at least one direction in response to a swimming trigger signal is not specifically disclosed by Hanan. Liu discloses a pool cleaner with a floating buoy that teaches adding a swimming mechanism to the buoy (“Referring to FIG. 3 again, in this embodiment, the first travel module 11 includes travel impellers 20 and impeller driving motors 21; the travel impellers 20 are symmetrically distributed on two sides of the floating body 8, and the impeller driving motors 21 are disposed in the floating body 8 and are connected to the travel impellers 20.” Liu: paragraph 46). Modifying Hanan to include a swimming mechanism on its floating buoy would increase the overall utility of the system by providing the user with means to bring the buoy closer to them for retrieving the pool cleaner. Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify Hanan according to Liu.
Regarding claim 11, The movable operating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the swimming drive motor is coupled to the battery via the electric line that is located in the traction rope. (“It should be noted that the power assembly 3 involved in this technical solution may be a rechargeable lithium battery, and circuits for the wireless transmission module, charging, motor driving and remote control all belong to the prior art.” Liu: paragraph 56)
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 3, 4, 5 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: the prior art does not disclose nor suggest the particular type of locking mechanisms as described in claims 3 and 4 nor the particular electrical components of the automatic pool cleaning device.
Conclusion
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Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TRAVIS R HUNNINGS whose telephone number is (571)272-3118. The examiner can normally be reached M: 6-7:30a, 9:30a-4:45p, 8:30-10p; T: 6-7:30a, 12-4p, 7:30p-12a; W: 6-7:30a, 9:30a-4:45p; H: 6-7:30a, 8:15a-4:45p; F: 12:00-4:45p.
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/TRAVIS R HUNNINGS/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2689