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’s election without traverse of Group II, claims 9-20 in the reply filed on 22 April 2026 is acknowledged.
Claims 1-8 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 22 April 2026.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 29 February 2024 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to because of the following:
Figure 7: Numbers, letters, and reference characters must be at least .32 cm (1/8 inch) in height. See 37 C.F.R. 1.84(p)(3).
Figure 7: Blank reference boxes “860”, “862”, “872”, “874”, “876”, “890”, “864”, “866”, “896”, “892”, “894”, and “900” should also be labeled with their representative structure in order to more easily identify the structure quickly that is utilized in the invention without having to read through the specification. For example, reference box (860) should also be labeled – Processor --. See 37 C.F.R. 1.83(a) below.
1.83 Content of drawing.
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(a) The drawing in a nonprovisional application must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. However, conventional features disclosed in the description and claims, where their detailed illustration is not essential for a proper understanding of the invention, should be illustrated in the drawing in the form of a graphical drawing symbol or a labeled representation (e.g., a labeled rectangular box). In addition, tables that are included in the specification and sequences that are included in sequence listings should not be duplicated in the drawings.
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(b) When the invention consists of an improvement on an old machine the drawing must when possible exhibit, in one or more views, the improved portion itself, disconnected from the old structure, and also in another view, so much only of the old structure as will suffice to show the connection of the invention therewith.
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(c) Where the drawings in a nonprovisional application do not comply with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, the examiner shall require such additional illustration within a time period of not less than two months from the date of the sending of a notice thereof. Such corrections are subject to the requirements of § 1.81(d).
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[31 FR 12923, Oct. 4, 1966; 43 FR 4015, Jan. 31, 1978; paras. (a) and (c) revised, 60 FR 20195, Apr. 25, 1995, effective June 8, 1995; para. (a) revised, 69 FR 56481, Sept. 21, 2004, effective Oct. 21, 2004; para. (a) revised, 78 FR 62368, Oct. 21, 2013, effective Dec. 18, 2013]
PLEASE NOTE THAT A REFERENCE NUMERAL IS NOT A LABEL.
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference character “132” has been used to designate both an “O-ring”, as shown in Figure 1C, and a “second chamber section”, as shown in Figure 4.
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference character “130” has been used to designate both a “universal joint mechanism”, as shown in Figure 1C, and an “at least one attachment region”, as shown in Figure 4.
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference character “134” has been used to designate both a “grooved section on the exterior of the couplant housing section (116)”, as shown in Figure 1C, and a “plurality of grooves on the inner surface of the couplant housing section (116)”, as shown in Figure 4.
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference character “136” has been used to designate both “clips for attaching the articulating section (118) to the couplant housing section (116)”, as shown in Figure 1C, and a “acoustic window”, as shown in Figure 4.
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference character “140” has been used to designate both “a fluid inlet”, as shown in Figure 1C, and a “first wheel housing”, as shown in Figure 5.
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference character “142” has been used to designate both “one or more platforms, as shown in Figure 1C, and a “wheel/ball”, as shown in Figure 5.
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference character “144” has been used to designate both “bolts”, as shown in Figure 1C, and a “second wheel housing”, as shown in Figure 5.
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference character “146” has been used to designate both a “platform attached to the stem (112)”, as shown in Figure 1C, and an “attachment region”, as shown in Figure 5.
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, the following must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s).
Providing a robot arm connected to a stem of a scanning device, as recited in claim 9.
Providing a robot arm attached to a scanning device, as recited in claim 17.
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.
Specification
The lengthy specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification.
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
Paragraph [0068], line 6: Reference numeral – 100 – should replace reference numeral “110.”
Paragraph [0069], line 2: The term – cross-sectional – should replace the term “cross-section.”
Paragraph [0080], line 6: Reference numeral – 222 – should replace reference numeral “122.”
Paragraph [0082], line 4: Reference numeral – 250 – should be inserted after the term “portion.”
Paragraph [0082], line 5: Reference numeral – 352 – should be inserted after the term “region.”
Paragraph [0085], line 3: Reference numeral – 350 – should replace reference numeral “250.”
Paragraph [0085], line 4: Reference numeral – 350 – should be inserted after the term “portion.”
Paragraph [0085], line 5: Reference numeral – 352 – should be inserted after the term “region.”
Paragraph [0087], line 3: Reference numeral – 126 – should replace reference numeral “112.”
Paragraph [0087], lines 4-6 and 8: Reference numeral “130” has been previously used to represent a universal joint mechanism, as shown in Figure 1C.
Paragraph [0087], line 6: Reference numeral – 114 – should be inserted after the term “section.”
Paragraph [0088], lines 3 and 6: Reference numeral “132” has been previously used to represent an O-ring sealing the couplant housing section (116), as shown in Figure 1C.
Paragraph [0088], line 4: The article – the – should be inserted after the term “that.”
Paragraph [0088], line 5: Reference numeral – 116 – should be inserted after the term “section.”
Paragraph [0088], lines 6, 8-11, and 13: Reference numeral “136” has been previously used to represent a clips to attach to grooves (134) formed on the couplant housing section (116), as shown in Figure 1C.
Paragraph [0089], line 1: Reference numeral “132” has been previously used to represent an O-ring sealing the couplant housing section (116), as shown in Figure 1C.
Paragraph [0089], lines 2 and 4: Reference numeral “136” has been previously used to represent a clips to attach to grooves (134) formed on the couplant housing section (116), as shown in Figure 1C.
Paragraph [0092], line 2: Reference numeral “132” has been previously used to represent an O-ring sealing the couplant housing section (116), as shown in Figure 1C.
Paragraph [0092], lines 2-3 and 7-8: Reference numeral “134” has been previously used to represent a plurality of grooves located on the exterior surface of the couplant housing section (116), as shown in Figure 1C.
Paragraph [0093], lines 3 and 6: Reference numeral “146” has been previously used to represent a platform attached to the stem (112), as shown in Figure 1C.
Paragraph [0093], line 4: A – comma – should be inserted prior to the term “embodiment.”
Paragraph [0093], lines 7, 9, 12, and 14: Reference numeral “140” has been previously used to represent a fluid inlet, as shown in Figure 1C.
Paragraph [0093], lines 8, 10, 12, and 14: Reference numeral “144” has been previously used to represent bolts attaching to the platform, as shown in Figure 1C.
Paragraph [0094], line 10: The term – from – should replace the term “form.”
Paragraph [00100], lines 1 and 5: A – comma – should be inserted prior to the term “such.”
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Objections
Claims 9-20 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Re claim 9, claim line 6: The conjunction – and – should be inserted after the “semicolon” as this limitation is the penultimate structural limitation of the claim.
Re claim 9, claim line 13: The term – section – should be inserted after the term “housing.”
Re claim 9, claim line 16: The phrase “of the scanning device” is redundant as the stem forms a portion of the scanning device.
Re claim 16, claim line 1: The term – operational – should replace the term “operation.”
Re claim 17, claim line 6: The conjunction – and – should be inserted after the “semicolon” as this limitation is the penultimate structural limitation of the claim.
NOTE: Claims 10-16 and 18-20 are objected to based on their dependence from independent claims 9 and 17, respectively.
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.
Claims 11, 14, and 17-20 are 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.
Re claim 11, claim line 2: The term “narrow” is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “narrow” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. The specification fails to provide a definition for the term “narrow” such that one of ordinary skill in the art would not know how large the acoustic window could be and still be deemed to be narrow for purposes of meeting the claim limitation.
Re claim 14, claim line 1: The trademark/trade name AQUALENE is claimed. Where a trademark or trade name is used in a claim as a limitation to identify or describe a particular material or product, the claim does not comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph. See Ex parte Simpson, 218 USPQ 1020 (Bd. App. 1982). The claim scope is uncertain since the trademark or trade name cannot be used properly to identify any particular material or product. A trademark or trade name is used to identify a source of goods, and not the goods themselves. Thus, a trademark or trade name does not identify or describe the goods associated with the trademark or trade name. In the present case, the trademark/trade name is used to identify/describe a lens material and, accordingly, the identification/description is indefinite.
Re claim 17, claim lines 18-19: Is this test object the same test object previously recited in claim 17, claim line 16? The specification appear to discuss scanning only a single test object at a time.
Re claim 19, claim line 1: The trademark/trade name AQUALENE is claimed. Where a trademark or trade name is used in a claim as a limitation to identify or describe a particular material or product, the claim does not comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph. See Ex parte Simpson, 218 USPQ 1020 (Bd. App. 1982). The claim scope is uncertain since the trademark or trade name cannot be used properly to identify any particular material or product. A trademark or trade name is used to identify a source of goods, and not the goods themselves. Thus, a trademark or trade name does not identify or describe the goods associated with the trademark or trade name. In the present case, the trademark/trade name is used to identify/describe a lens material and, accordingly, the identification/description is indefinite.
Re claim 11, claim line 2: The term “narrow” is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “narrow” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. The specification fails to provide a definition for the term “narrow” such that one of ordinary skill in the art would not know how large the acoustic window could be and still be deemed to be narrow for purposes of meeting the claim limitation.
NOTE: Claims 18-20 are rejected based on their dependence from independent claim 17.
Allowable Subject Matter
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Prior art was not relied upon to reject claims 9-20 because the prior art of record fails to teach and/or make obvious the following:
Claims 9-16: Providing a sensor array housing system, comprising: couplant housing section includes a plurality of grooves extending inwardly from an interior surface of an interior chamber of the couplant housing section in combination with all of the remaining limitations of the claim.
Claims 17-20: Providing a method of nondestructive testing, comprising: providing a scanning device, comprising: a couplant housing section filled with at least one couplant fluid, wherein the couplant housing section includes a plurality of grooves extending inwardly from an interior surface of an interior chamber of the couplant housing section; wherein the ultrasonic waves have a wavelength equal to less than double a height of each of the plurality of grooves in combination with all of the remaining limitations of the claim.
The closest prior art, US 11460448, discloses a scanning device comprising a stem, a transducer housing section; a couplant housing section, wherein the couplant housing section is filled with at least one coupling fluid; and an articulating section, attached to a bottom end of the couplant housing section. The prior art, however, fails to disclose that the couplant housing section includes a plurality of grooves extending inwardly from an interior surface of an interior chamber of the couplant housing section.
Claims 9-10, 12-13, and 15-16 are objected, but would be allowable if the above noted claim objections were corrected.
Claims 11 and 14 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Claims 17-20 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
The prior art disclose various robotic inspection vehicles for scanning a test object.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DANIEL SEAN LARKIN whose telephone number is 571-272-2198. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM.
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, Laura Sweeney can be reached at 571-272-2160. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DANIEL S LARKIN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2855
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