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 .
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 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.
Status of Claims
Claims 1 – 20 are pending.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 05/03/2025 was filed before the first office action. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 1, 3, 9, 11, 13 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Congdon (U. S. Patent No. 3,079,623).
Regarding Independent Claim 1, Congdon teaches a vacuum accessory (Fig. 1) comprising: a nozzle body (adaptor, 24) defining a cavity and a vacuum inlet port selectively connectable to a vacuum conduit (Col. 2, lines 1 – 18); and a squeegee attachment assembly (head, 7) removably connected to the nozzle body (24), the squeegee attachment assembly (7) comprising: a housing (chamber, 22) selectively connectable to the nozzle body (24), wherein the housing (22) defines a suction inlet (Col. 2, lines 5 – 8); and a squeegee assembly (squeegee, 30) rotatably connected to the housing (22) such that the squeegee assembly (30) is rotatable relative to the suction inlet (Figs. 2 – 4), wherein the squeegee assembly (30) is at least partially disposed within the suction inlet (Fig. 2), wherein the squeegee assembly (30) is rotatable between a forward position (Fig. 3), in which the squeegee assembly (30) occludes a forward side of the suction inlet (Fig. 3), and a rearward position (Fig. 4), in which the squeegee assembly (30) occludes a rearward side of the suction inlet (Fig. 4).
Regarding Claim 3, Congdon teaches the vacuum accessory (Fig. 1) wherein the squeegee assembly (30) is rotatable from a neutral position (Fig. 2) to the forward position (Fig. 3) and from the neutral position (Fig. 2) to the rearward position (Fig. 4), wherein the forward position(Fig. 3) and the rearward position (Fig. 4) are approximately equal degrees of rotation from the neutral position (Fig. 2).
Regarding Claims 9 and 19, Congdon teaches the vacuum accessory of claim 1 and squeegee attachment assembly according to claim 11 wherein the housing (22) includes a clip (38) positioned over the suction inlet and defining a clip pocket (38; Figs. 2 and 6), wherein at least a portion of the squeegee assembly (30) is disposed within the clip pocket (38), and wherein the squeegee assembly (30) is rotatable within the clip pocket (38) between the forward (Fig. 3) and rearward (Fig. 4) positions.
Regarding Independent Claim 11, Congdon teaches a squeegee attachment assembly (7) for use with a vacuum accessory (Fig. 2), the squeegee attachment assembly (7) comprising: a housing (chamber, 22) defining a suction inlet (Fig. 2), the housing (22) including at least one connector (23) to selectively connect the squeegee attachment assembly to a nozzle body a housing selectively connectable to the nozzle body (24), wherein the housing (22) defines a suction inlet (Col. 2, lines 5 – 8); and a squeegee assembly (squeegee, 30) rotatably connected to the housing (22) such that the squeegee assembly (30) is rotatable relative to the suction inlet (Figs. 2 – 4), wherein the squeegee assembly (30) is at least partially disposed within the suction inlet (Fig. 2), wherein the squeegee assembly (30) is rotatable between a forward position (Fig. 3), in which the squeegee assembly (30) occludes a forward side of the suction inlet (Fig. 3), and a rearward position (Fig. 4), in which the squeegee assembly (30) occludes a rearward side of the suction inlet (Fig. 4).
Regarding Claim 13, Congdon teaches the squeegee attachment assembly (Fig. 1) wherein the squeegee assembly (30) is rotatable from a neutral position (Fig. 2) to the forward position (Fig. 3) and from the neutral position (Fig. 2) to the rearward position (Fig. 4), wherein the forward position(Fig. 3) and the rearward position (Fig. 4) are approximately equal degrees of rotation from the neutral position (Fig. 2).
Claim 20 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Sassano (U. S. Patent No. 3,210,792).
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Regarding Independent Claim 20, Sassano teaches a method of assembling a vacuum accessory (Fig. 1) including a nozzle body (10) and a squeegee attachment assembly (Annotated Fig. 1), the squeegee attachment assembly (Annotated Fig. 1) including a squeegee assembly (12; Annotated Fig. 1) and a housing (36) defining a suction inlet (Fig. 1), the method comprising: positioning a base portion (33) of a squeegee blade (30) in a holder pocket (17) defined by one of a first holder bracket (Annotated Fig. 1) and a second holder bracket (Annotated Fig. 1) of a holder assembly (combined first and second brackets; Annotated Fig. 1); connecting the first holder bracket to the second holder bracket to retain the base portion (33) within the holder assembly (via 17); rotatably connecting the holder assembly to a clip (36) of the housing such that the squeegee assembly is at least partially disposed within the suction inlet and rotatable relative to the suction inlet between a forward position (Col. 3, lines 40 – 52), in which the squeegee assembly (12) occludes a front side of the suction inlet, and a rearward position (Col. 3, lines 40 – 52), in which the squeegee assembly (12) occludes a rear side of the suction inlet (Fig. 7); and connecting the squeegee assembly to the nozzle body (Fig. 2).
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.
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 2 and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Congdon (U. S. Patent No. 3,079,623) in view of Mache (U.S. Patent No. 5,184,372).
Regarding Claims 2 and 12, Congdon teaches the vacuum accessory of claim 1 and squeegee attachment assembly according to claim 11 as discussed above.
Congdon does not teach the housing includes a lower surface defining a plurality of channels oriented perpendicular to the suction inlet.
Mache, however, teaches the housing (chamber, 7) includes a lower surface (bottom surface, 17) defining a plurality of channels (ribs, 22) oriented perpendicular to the suction inlet (inlet of 6, Fig. 2).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the accessory of Congdon to further include the housing includes a lower surface defining a plurality of channels oriented perpendicular to the suction inlet, as taught by Mache, to provide an accessary that is capable of directing suction pressure towards the intake port, thus providing an improved vacuuming experience.
Claims 4 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Congdon (U. S. Patent No. 3,079,623).
Regarding Claims 4 and 14, Congdon teaches the vacuum accessory of claim 3 and squeegee attachment assembly according to claim 13 as discussed above.
Congdon does not explicitly teach the forward position and the rearward position are at least 10 degrees of rotation from the neutral position, however, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the accessory of Congdon to further include the forward position and the rearward position are at least 10 degrees of rotation from the neutral position, as claimed, since such a modification would have involved a mere change in the size/angle of a component. A change in size/angle is generally recognized as being within the level of ordinary skill in the art (MPEP 2144.04).
Claims 5 – 8, 10 and 15 – 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Congdon (U. S. Patent No. 3,079,623) in view of Sassano (U. S. Patent No. 3,210,792).
Regarding Claims 5 and 15, Congdon teaches the vacuum accessory of claim 1 and squeegee attachment assembly according to claim 11 as discussed above.
Congdon does not explicitly teach the squeegee assembly comprises: a holder assembly including a first holder bracket and a second holder bracket rotatably connected to the first holder bracket, wherein the first and second holder brackets are rotatable between an open position and a closed position in which the holder assembly defines a holder pocket; and a squeegee blade including a blade portion and a base portion, wherein the base portion is sized and shaped to be received within the holder pocket and the blade portion extends outside of the holder pocket.
Sassano, however, teaches the squeegee assembly (12) comprises: a holder assembly (Annotated Fig. 1) including a first holder bracket (Annotated Fig. 1) and a second holder bracket (Annotated Fig. 1) rotatably connected to the first holder bracket (Annotated Fig. 1; via 25), wherein the first (Annotated Fig. 1) and second holder brackets (Annotated Fig. 1) are rotatable between an open position and a closed position in which the holder assembly defines a holder pocket (17; Annotated Fig. 1); and a squeegee blade (30) including a blade portion (132) and a base portion (33), wherein the base portion (33) is sized and shaped to be received within the holder pocket (17) and the blade portion (32) extends outside of the holder pocket (17).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the accessory of Congdon to further include a holder assembly including a first holder bracket and a second holder bracket rotatably connected to the first holder bracket, wherein the first and second holder brackets are rotatable between an open position and a closed position in which the holder assembly defines a holder pocket; and a squeegee blade including a blade portion and a base portion, wherein the base portion is sized and shaped to be received within the holder pocket and the blade portion extends outside of the holder pocket, as taught by Sassano, to provide an accessary that is capable of keeping the blade in full contact with the surface to be cleaned thus preventing gaps that can cause streaking and smearing.
Regarding Claims 6 and 16, Congdon, as modified, teaches the vacuum accessory of claim 5 and squeegee attachment assembly according to claim 15 as discussed above.
Congdon does not explicitly teach one of the first holder bracket and the second holder bracket includes a keyed opening and the other of the first holder bracket and the second holder bracket includes a keyed clip sized and shaped to be received within the keyed opening, wherein the keyed clip is disposed within the keyed opening to selectively connect the first holder bracket to the second holder bracket.
Sassano, however, teaches one of the first holder bracket (Annotated Fig. 1) and the second holder bracket (Annotated Fig. 1) includes a keyed opening (23) and the other of the first holder bracket (Annotated Fig. 1) and the second holder bracket (Annotated Fig. 1) includes a keyed clip (20) sized and shaped to be received within the keyed opening (23), wherein the keyed clip (20) is disposed within the keyed opening (23) to selectively connect the first holder bracket to the second holder bracket (Annotated Fig. 1).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the accessory of Congdon to further include one of the first holder bracket and the second holder bracket includes a keyed opening and the other of the first holder bracket and the second holder bracket includes a keyed clip sized and shaped to be received within the keyed opening, wherein the keyed clip is disposed within the keyed opening to selectively connect the first holder bracket to the second holder bracket, as taught by Sassano, to provide an accessary that is capable of keeping the blade in full contact with the surface to be cleaned thus preventing gaps that can cause streaking and smearing.
Regarding Claims 7 and 17, Congdon, as modified, teaches the vacuum accessory of claim 5 and squeegee attachment assembly according to claim 15 as discussed above.
Congdon does not explicitly teach the first holder bracket defines a first alignment feature and the second holder bracket defines a second alignment feature, wherein the first and second alignment features are in contact with one another when the first holder bracket and the second holder bracket are in the closed position.
Sassano, however, teaches the first holder bracket (Annotated Fig. 1) defines a first alignment feature (20) and the second holder bracket (23) defines a second alignment feature (Annotated Fig. 1), wherein the first and second alignment features are in contact with one another when the first holder bracket and the second holder bracket are in the closed position (Annotated Fig. 1).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the accessory of Congdon to further include the first holder bracket defines a first alignment feature and the second holder bracket defines a second alignment feature, wherein the first and second alignment features are in contact with one another when the first holder bracket and the second holder bracket are in the closed position, as taught by Sassano, to provide an accessary that is capable of keeping the blade in full contact with the surface to be cleaned thus preventing gaps that can cause streaking and smearing.
Regarding Claims 8 and 18, Congdon teaches the vacuum accessory of claim 5 and squeegee attachment assembly according to claim 15 as discussed above.
Congdon does not explicitly teach the holder assembly contacts a front side of the suction inlet when the holder assembly is rotated in the forward position, thereby restricting further forward rotation, and wherein the holder assembly contacts a rear side of the suction inlet when the holder assembly is rotated in the rearward position, thereby restricting further rearward rotation.
Sassano, however, teaches the holder assembly (Annotated Fig. 1) contacts a front side of the suction inlet when the holder assembly is rotated in the forward position (Col. 3, lines 40 – 52), thereby restricting further forward rotation, and wherein the holder assembly (Annotated Fig. 1)contacts a rear side of the suction inlet when the holder assembly is rotated in the rearward position (Fig. 7), thereby restricting further rearward rotation (Col. 3, lines 40 – 52).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the accessory of Congdon to further include the holder assembly contacts a front side of the suction inlet when the holder assembly is rotated in the forward position, thereby restricting further forward rotation, and wherein the holder assembly contacts a rear side of the suction inlet when the holder assembly is rotated in the rearward position, thereby restricting further rearward rotation, as taught by Sassano, to provide an accessary that is capable of keeping the blade in full contact with the surface to be cleaned thus preventing gaps that can cause streaking and smearing.
Regarding Claim 10, Congdon teaches the vacuum accessory of claim 9 as discussed above.
Congdon does not explicitly teach the housing includes a plurality of clips disposed at different locations along a length of the suction inlet.
Sassano, however, teaches the housing (Annotated Fig. 1) includes a plurality of clips (13) disposed at different locations along a length of the suction inlet (bolts, 13 are disposed in the suction inlet.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the accessory of Congdon to further include the housing includes a plurality of clips disposed at different locations along a length of the suction inlet, as taught by Sassano, to provide an accessary that is capable of keeping the blade in full contact with the surface to be cleaned thus preventing gaps that can cause streaking and smearing.
Conclusion
Art made of record, however, not relied upon for the current rejection is as follows: U. S. Patent No. 10,235,260 B2 to Lenkiewicz teaches a surface cleaning apparatus has a base configured to be moved across a surface to be cleaned, a fluid delivery system, and a fluid recovery system with a suction nozzle assembly defining a fluid flow path. A squeegee is provided in the suction nozzle assembly and is mounted within the fluid flow path to slide forwardly and rearwardly within the suction nozzle assembly as the base is moved rearwardly and forwardly, respectively
Contact Information
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KATINA N HENSON whose telephone number is (571)272-8024. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Thursday; 5:30am to 3:30pm.
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/KATINA N. HENSON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3723
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