DETAILED ACTION
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 1-9 and 13-23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over B1 (US20200206550) in view of B2 (20200047006).
1: B1 discloses a fall limiting device, comprising: a fall arrest mechanism (Fig. 1, 11, [0025]: “self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) 11A-11N”) configured to control a lifeline extending therefrom, said control comprising one or more of: paying out the lifeline ([0103]: “extension or retraction length of lifeline”), retracting the lifeline ([0103]: “extension or retraction length of lifeline”), and brake events indicating a fall arrest condition ([0103]: “the rotational speed of disc 132 which may be associated with the velocity by which lifeline 128 is extending or retracting, the rotational acceleration of disc 132 which may be associated with the acceleration of which lifeline 128 is extending or retracting (e.g., such as in the fall of worker 10), and the like”); a sensor system configured to monitor one or more aspects of said control of the lifeline ([0004]: “SRLs may be configured to incorporate one or more electronic sensors for capturing data that is indicative of operation of the SRL”) and to record data on a non-transitory computer-readable medium ([0146]: “computer-readable media generally may correspond to (1) tangible computer-readable storage media which is non-transitory”); and a data output system configured to provide access to the recorded data ([0004]: “ SRLs may be configured to transmit the usage data to a management system”).
B1 fails to explicitly teach a retraction dampener subassembly configured to slow retraction of the lifeline and wherein the sensor system monitors rotation of the retraction dampener subassembly to determine lifeline pay out or retraction. However, at [0068], B1 does teach that “SRL 11 also includes housing 96 that houses an energy absorption and/or braking system and computing device 98”. Also, B2 teaches, in the context of fall limiting devices, a retraction dampener subassembly (702, Fig. 24) configured to slow retraction of the lifeline (B2 at [0132]: “energy harvester 702 may be integrated with an eddy-current braking assembly”) and wherein the sensor system monitors rotation of the retraction dampener subassembly to determine lifeline pay out or retraction (see B2 at [0136]: “the energy harvester 702 functions as a sensor as well, similar to how a rotary encoder functions. The signal processor 729 is powered by the energy storage device 710. The signals record angles and rotations of the elongate member that can be converted to length of extension/retracting of a lanyard or a self-retracting lifeline”). It 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 to have included a retraction dampener subassembly configured to slow retraction of the lifeline and wherein the sensor system monitors rotation of the retraction dampener subassembly to determine lifeline pay out or retraction in the fall limiting device of B1 according to the teachings of B2 in order to further monitor performance of the fall limiting device, see e.g., B2 at [0136]: “With a clock in controller 720, speed and acceleration of extension/retracting of a lanyard or a self-retracting lifeline can be calculated from the signals. The total cycles of components, reversal of rotational motion, could be recorded by measuring rotation of the energy harvester 702 as well”).
2: B1 in view of B2 disclose the device of claim 1, wherein the recorded data comprises a length of the lifeline that has been paid out of the fall arrest mechanism over a period of time ((0075]: “For example, extension sensor 106 may measure extension and/or retraction of lifeline and apply the extension and/or retraction to a time scale (e.g., divide by time)”).
3: B1 in view of B2 disclose the device of claim 1, wherein maintenance or retirement decisions regarding the fall limiting device are made based on the recorded data ([0085]: “For example, output unit 118 may be configured to generate an output that indicates a status of SRL 11 (e.g. that SRL 11 is operating correctly or needs to be inspected, repaired, or replaced)”).
4: B1 in view of B2 disclose the device of claim 1, wherein the sensor system is configured to monitor rotation of a gear or a drum around which the lifeline is wound ([0075]: “in some examples extension sensor 106 may also include one or more magnetic sensors configured to measure changes in a magnetic field produced as a result of the drum rotating relative to housing 96”).
5: B1 in view of B2 disclose the device of claim 4, wherein the sensor system comprises a rotary encoder that outputs a signal based on a change of position of the gear or drum with which the rotary encoder is interfaced ([0075]: “Extension sensor 106 may include one or more of a rotary encoder, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, or another sensor for determining position and/or rotation”).
6: B1 in view of B2 disclose the device of claim 4, wherein the sensor system comprises a magnetometer that detects relative variances of the gear, drum, a wire coil, or magnets associated with the gear or drum during movement of the gear or drum ([0101]: “During operation, magnetic sensor 136 measures the magnetic field generated by magnet 138”).
7. B1 in view of B2 disclose the device of claim 4, further comprising a counter that is configured to be incremented mechanically based on rotation of the gear or drum or electronically incremented based on optical or electrical monitoring of rotation of the gear or drum ([0113]: “In some examples, the regions of ferromagnetic material 134 may be disposed about the perimeter in a repeating pattern with each castellation (e.g., region of ferromagnetic material 134) sufficiently separated from a neighboring castellation by a non-ferromagnetic region 135 such that magnetic sensor 136 is able to detect and distinguish as each region of ferromagnetic material 134 and each non-ferromagnetic region 135 as the respective regions are brought in close proximity to magnet 138 as disc 132 rotates about shaft 126”).
8: B1 in view of B2 disclose the device of claim 1, wherein the data output system is a wireless data output system that transmits recorded data while the fall limiting device is being used ([0027]: “In other examples, SRLs 120 or hubs 14 may send usage data to PPEMS 6. For example, PPEMS 6 may receive the usage data from SRLs 120 or hubs 14 in real time as the usage data is generated. In other examples, PPEMS 6 may receive stored usage data”).
9: B1 in view of B2 disclose the device of claim 1, wherein the sensor system further outputs an identifier associated with the sensor system ([0065]: “Other credentials may include device identifiers or device profiles that are allowed to access PPEMS 6”, see also, [0073]: “For example, the operating system may facilitate the communication of data from electronic sensors (e.g., extension sensor 106 such as a magnetic sensor, tension sensor 108, accelerometer 110, location sensor 112, altimeter 114, and/or environmental sensors 116) to communication unit 104”).
13: B1 in view of B2 disclose the device of claim 1, further comprising a maintenance indicator configured to display an indication of whether the fall limiting device is in a maintenance-needed state based on the recorded data ([0089]: “Output unit 118 may interpret the received alert data and generate an output (e.g., an audible, visual, or tactile output) to notify a worker using SRL 11 of the alert condition (e.g., that the likelihood of a safety event is relatively high, that the environment is dangerous, that SRL 11 is malfunctioning, that one or more components of SRL 11 need to be repaired or replaced, or the like)”).
14: B1 in view of B2 disclose the device of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to prevent use of the fall limiting device based on the recorded data ([0089]: “In some instances, output unit 118 (or processors 100) may additionally or alternatively interpret alert data to modify operation or enforce rules of SRL 11 in order to bring operation of SRL 11 into compliance with desired/less risky behavior. For example, output unit 118 (or processors 100) may actuate a brake on lifeline 92 in order to prevent lifeline 92 from extending from housing 96”).
15. B1 in view of B2 disclose the device of claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism prevents use of the fall limiting device when maintenance is required or when the fall limiting device should be retired ([0095]: “PPEMS 6 may also lock out SRL 11 such that SRL 11 will not operate after SRL 11 has experienced an impact or is in need of service”).
16. B1 in view of B2 disclose the device of claim 1, wherein the fall limiting device is configured to wirelessly receive a signal and to limit operation of the fall limiting device based on that signal ([0027]: “In general, each of environments 8 include computing facilities (e.g., a local area network) by which SRLs 11 are able to communicate with PPEMS 6. For example, physical environments 8 may be configured with wireless technology, such as 802.11 wireless networks, 802.15 ZigBee networks, and the like”).
17: B1 in view of B2 disclose the device of claim 16, wherein the fall arrest mechanism is configured to limit a length of lifeline that can be paid out at one time based on the received signal ([0095]: “Additionally or alternatively, according to aspects of this disclosure, usage data from sensors of SRLs 11 may be used to determine alerts and/or actively control operation of SRLs 11. For example, PPEMS 6 may determine that a safety event such as a fall is imminent and active a brake of SRL 11”).
18: B1 discloses a method of operating a fall limiting device, comprising: providing a fall arrest mechanism (Fig. 1, 11, [0025]: “self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) 11A-11N”) configured to control a lifeline extending therefrom, said control comprising one or more of: paying out the lifeline ([0103]: “extension or retraction length of lifeline”), retracting the lifeline, and brake events indicating a fall arrest condition ([0103]: “the rotational speed of disc 132 which may be associated with the velocity by which lifeline 128 is extending or retracting, the rotational acceleration of disc 132 which may be associated with the acceleration of which lifeline 128 is extending or retracting (e.g., such as in the fall of worker 10), and the like”); monitoring one or more aspects of said control of the lifeline using a sensor system ([0004]: “SRLs may be configured to incorporate one or more electronic sensors for capturing data that is indicative of operation of the SRL”); recording data from the sensor system on a non-transitory computer-readable medium ([0146]: “computer-readable media generally may correspond to (1) tangible computer-readable storage media which is non-transitory”); and transmitting the recorded data from the fall limiting device ([0004]: “ SRLs may be configured to transmit the usage data to a management system”).
B1 fails to explicitly disclose slowing retraction of the lifeline using a retraction dampener subassembly and monitoring rotation of the retraction dampener subassembly using the sensor system to determine lifeline pay out or retraction. However, at [0068], B1 does teach that “SRL 11 also includes housing 96 that houses an energy absorption and/or braking system and computing device 98”. Also, B2 teaches, in the context of methods of operating a fall limiting device, slowing retraction of the lifeline using a retraction dampener subassembly (702, Fig. 24, also see B2 at [0132]: “energy harvester 702 may be integrated with an eddy-current braking assembly”) and monitoring rotation of the retraction dampener subassembly using the sensor system to determine lifeline pay out or retraction (see B2 at [0136]: “the energy harvester 702 functions as a sensor as well, similar to how a rotary encoder functions. The signal processor 729 is powered by the energy storage device 710. The signals record angles and rotations of the elongate member that can be converted to length of extension/retracting of a lanyard or a self-retracting lifeline”). It 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 to have included slowing retraction of the lifeline using a retraction dampener subassembly and monitoring rotation of the retraction dampener subassembly using the sensor system to determine lifeline pay out or retraction in the method of operating a fall limiting device of B1 according to the teachings of B2 in order to further monitor performance of the fall limiting device, see e.g., B2 at [0136]: “With a clock in controller 720, speed and acceleration of extension/retracting of a lanyard or a self-retracting lifeline can be calculated from the signals. The total cycles of components, reversal of rotational motion, could be recorded by measuring rotation of the energy harvester 702 as well”).
19. B1 discloses a fall limiting device, comprising: a fall arrest mechanism (Fig. 1, 11, [0025]: “self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) 11A-11N”) configured to control a lifeline extending therefrom, said control comprising one or more of: paying out the lifeline ([0103]: “extension or retraction length of lifeline”), retracting the lifeline, and applying a braking force to the lifeline during a fall arrest condition ([0103]: “the rotational speed of disc 132 which may be associated with the velocity by which lifeline 128 is extending or retracting, the rotational acceleration of disc 132 which may be associated with the acceleration of which lifeline 128 is extending or retracting (e.g., such as in the fall of worker 10), and the like”); a sensor system configured to monitor one or more aspects of said control of the lifeline ([0004]: “SRLs may be configured to incorporate one or more electronic sensors for capturing data that is indicative of operation of the SRL”).
B1 fails to explicitly teach a retraction dampener subassembly configured to slow retraction of the lifeline and wherein the sensor system monitors rotation of the retraction dampener subassembly to determine lifeline pay out or retraction. However, at [0068], Blackford does teach that “SRL 11 also includes housing 96 that houses an energy absorption and/or braking system and computing device 98”. Also, B2 teaches, in the context of fall limiting devices, a retraction dampener subassembly (702, Fig. 24) configured to slow retraction of the lifeline (B2 at [0132]: “energy harvester 702 may be integrated with an eddy-current braking assembly”) and wherein the sensor system monitors rotation of the retraction dampener subassembly to determine lifeline pay out or retraction (see B2 at [0136]: “the energy harvester 702 functions as a sensor as well, similar to how a rotary encoder functions. The signal processor 729 is powered by the energy storage device 710. The signals record angles and rotations of the elongate member that can be converted to length of extension/retracting of a lanyard or a self-retracting lifeline”). It 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 to have included a retraction dampener subassembly configured to slow retraction of the lifeline and wherein the sensor system monitors rotation of the retraction dampener subassembly to determine lifeline pay out or retraction in the fall limiting device of B1 according to the teachings of B2 in order to further monitor performance of the fall limiting device, see e.g., B2 at [0136]: “With a clock in controller 720, speed and acceleration of extension/retracting of a lanyard or a self-retracting lifeline can be calculated from the signals. The total cycles of components, reversal of rotational motion, could be recorded by measuring rotation of the energy harvester 702 as well”).
20. B1 in view of B2 discloses the fall limiting device of claim 1, wherein the lifeline is wound around a lifeline gear (331, Fig. 10) and the retraction dampener subassembly comprises a retraction dampener gear (338, Fig. 10) configured to interact with the lifeline gear (via star gear 335).
21. B1 in view of B2 discloses the fall limiting device of claim 20, wherein the retraction dampener gear (338, Fig. 10) is configured to apply a counterforce to a retraction force applied by the lifeline gear (see also Figs. 11 and 12 and B2 at [0089] to [0094], particularly, see B2 at [0094]: “Driven by a set of star gears with a ratio of 1:6 to 1:10, the conductors rotate fast as the lifeline is being pulled and retracted and eddy currents are induced in them”).
22. B1 in view of B2 disclose the fall limiting device of claim 21, wherein the sensor system is configured to detect rotation of the retraction dampener gear (338, Fig. 10)and process the detected rotation of the retraction dampener gear into an estimated amount of lifeline payout or retraction based on a gear ratio between the retraction dampener gear and the lifeline gear (see e.g., B2 at [0136]: “With a clock in controller 720, speed and acceleration of extension/retracting of a lanyard or a self-retracting lifeline can be calculated from the signals. The total cycles of components, reversal of rotational motion, could be recorded by measuring rotation of the energy harvester 702 as well” also see B2 at [0094]: “Driven by a set of star gears with a ratio of 1:6 to 1:10, the conductors rotate fast as the lifeline is being pulled and retracted and eddy currents are induced in them”).
23. B1 in view of B2 disclose the device of claim 1, wherein the fall arrest mechanism comprises a pawl (2107, Fig. 21 of B2) biased toward a stowed position (see the springs in Fig. 21), wherein the pawl is configured to be deployed to an engaged position during the fall arrest condition, and wherein the sensor system monitors brake events based on detection of the pawl in the engaged position (see B2 at [0105]: “Displacement of eccentric deflectors or pawls could be used as a sensor. An example of a self-retracting lifeline 1400 including eccentric deflectors or pawls is shown in FIG. 14. The deflectors or the pawls 1405 move as the drum 1401 of the self-retracting lifeline 1400 rotates with angular speeds and/or accelerations” and also [0121]: “During a fall, the pawls 2107 engage a stationary tooth on a ratchet (not shown) which prevents the brake disc 2103 from further rotation while the drum 2101 continues to rotate”).
Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over B1 (US2020206550) in view of B2 (20200047006) and further in view of Thompson (US20190374798).
10: B1 in view of B2 fails to disclose the device of claim 1, further comprising a recharging module and a battery; wherein the recharging module is configured to harvest energy from at least one of the paying out or retracting of the lifeline or via solar power to recharge the battery, wherein the sensor system is powered via the battery. Thompson teaches a recharging module and a battery; wherein the recharging module is configured to harvest energy from at least one of the paying out or retracting of the lifeline or via solar power to recharge the battery, wherein the sensor system is powered via the battery (Thompson, [0156]: “The self-retracting lanyard 112e differs from the self-retracting lanyards 112, 112a, 112b, 112c, 112 in the inclusion of a solar charging system comprising one or more solar panels 188 (e.g. photovoltaic cells) and a charger 190 for charging the battery or other power supply element 156 within the manual control housing 128 using energy generated by the solar panel(s) 188”). It 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 to have included a recharging module and a battery; wherein the recharging module is configured to harvest energy from at least one of the paying out or retracting of the lifeline or via solar power to recharge the battery, wherein the sensor system is powered via the battery in the device of B1 in view of B2 according to the teachings of Thompson in order to power the “motion sensor on the manual control housing 128” (Thompson, [0113]).
Claims 11 and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over B1 (US2020206550) in view of B2 (20200047006).and further in view of Lasckiewicz (WO2021010847).
11: B1 in view of B2 discloses the device of claim 1, wherein the fall arrest mechanism is contained within a protective shell that comprises a case (Blackford, [0002]: “housing 122”).
B1 in view of B2 fails to explicitly disclose that the case is rollable, although the rounded surfaces of Blackford’s case appear to impart a measure of “rollability” and thereby disclose the case being rollable. Blackford fails to disclose a first contact surface ring encompassing the case, and a second contact surface ring encompassing the case. Lasckiewicz teaches a first contact surface ring (Lasckiewicz, Fig. 1, 6) encompassing the case, and a second contact surface ring encompassing the case (Lasckiewicz, Fig. 1, 7). It 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 to have included a first contact surface ring encompassing the case, and a second contact surface ring encompassing the case of B1 in view of B2 according to the teachings of Lasckiewicz in order to impart further damage reducing “rollability” to the case in the event of a case tip over, and further, to make it easier to move the device (Lasckiewicz, pg. 2, last line).
12: B1 in view of B2 and further in view of Lasckiewicz disclose the device of claim 11, wherein the first and second contact surface rings are positioned so as to enable access to a control associated with the sensor system (Lasckiewicz, Fig. 1, note that Lasckiewicz’ positioning of the first and second contact surface rings enables unimpeded access to the device).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1, 18, and 19 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
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.
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Blackford (US20210308502) discloses improvements to fall protection equipment.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Ben Pezzlo whose telephone number is (571)272-9656. The examiner can normally be reached M to Th 7 to 5.
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/BAP/ Examiner, Art Unit 3634
/DANIEL P CAHN/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3634
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