Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
This is a first office action on the merits of application SN 18/708,277 and filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Interpretation
Claims 26 and 47 recites that “before mounting…when mounting” which is considered to be a recitation of the intended use of the claimed invention must result in a structural difference between the claimed invention and the prior art in order to patentably distinguish the claimed invention from the prior art. If the prior art structure is capable of performing the intended use, then it meets the claim.
Drawings
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 first sliding part being indirectly clamped on the second pipe body through the second sliding part of claims 26 and 47 must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). 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.
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 26-44 and 47-50 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.
Regarding claim 26 recites the phrase "indirectly clamped" renders the claim(s) indefinite because the claim(s) include(s) elements not actually disclosed (those encompassed by "indirectly"), thereby rendering the scope of the claim(s) unascertainable. See MPEP § 2173.05(d).
Claim 26 recites that the sliding part is referred to as “before mounting…when mounting” which renders the claims indefinite since it is unclear as to what state of assembly is being positively claimed to create “a sliding structure”. It is suggested to positively claim the fully assembled structure and positively claim the features that enable the “before mounting” method.
Regarding claim 47 recites the phrase "being clamped…indirectly" renders the claim(s) indefinite because the claim(s) include(s) elements not actually disclosed (those encompassed by "indirectly"), thereby rendering the scope of the claim(s) unascertainable. See MPEP § 2173.05(d).
Claim 47 recites that the sliding part is referred to as “before mounting…when mounting” which renders the claims indefinite since it is unclear as to what state of assembly is being positively claimed to create “a actuator”. It is suggested to positively claim the fully assembled structure and positively claim the features that enable the “before mounting” method.
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.
Claim(s) 26-32, 36, and 42-44 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by US Patent 9,629,452 to Chen.
Chen teaches
26. A sliding structure, comprising: a first pipe body (41); a second pipe body (42); a first sliding part (5); and a second sliding part (6), wherein: the second pipe body is slidable provided inside the first pipe body; a first side of the second sliding part is clamped on an outer wall (as best seen in figures 5-7) of the second pipe body and a second side of the second sliding part is slidable connected to an inner wall (as best seen in figures 5-7) of the first pipe body; before mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body, the first sliding part is clamped on the second pipe body and a part of the first sliding part extends beyond an end of the second pipe body, the first sliding part being clamped on the second pipe body directly or indirectly through the second sliding part (as best seen in figures 5-7, the first sliding part is capable of being attached to the second pipe body before being attached to the first pipe body. The examiner considers this capability since the attachment pawls/tooth (531) have enough clearance to operate when the pipes are attached together and the inclined surface would automatically bias the pawl/connecting part as the sliding part is slid into attachment); and when mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body, the first sliding part is detached from the end of the second pipe body, a first side of the first sliding part is clamped on the inner wall of the first pipe body (as best seen in figures 5-7), and a second side of the first sliding part is slidable connected to the outer wall of the second pipe body (as best seen in figures 5-7).
27. wherein the first sliding part comprises: a flange edge (as best seen in figure 7); a plurality of connecting parts (53); and a plurality of first sliders (52), wherein: each connecting part of the plurality of connecting parts is arranged between the flange edge and a corresponding first slider of the plurality of first sliders; and when mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body, the flange edge abuts against an end face of the first pipe body, and the plurality of connecting parts and the plurality of first sliders are provided between the first pipe body and the second pipe body (as best seen in figure 7).
28. where in: a plurality of second slotted holes (421) are arranged at an end of the outer wall of the second pipe body; the second sliding part comprises a second boss (631) and a second slider (62) connected to the second boss; the second boss is clamped inside a second slotted hole (as best seen in figures 5-7) of the plurality of the second slotted holes; and the second slider is slidable connected to the first pipe body when mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body.
29. wherein, before mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body, the first sliding part is clamped on the second pipe body directly, and the plurality of first sliders are inclined towards an inner side of the second pipe body and extend beyond the end of the second pipe body, so that the plurality of first sliders are clamped on the end of the second pipe body (the examiner considers that the connecting parts are flexible enough to be placed in the position claimed).
30. wherein: the first sliding part comprises a plurality of clamping parts (53,531), each clamping part of the plurality of clamping parts is provided between a corresponding first slider (52) of the plurality of first sliders and a corresponding connecting part of the plurality of the connecting part (); the plurality of clamping parts face the second pipe body; and before mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body, the plurality of clamping parts are clamped on and abuts against the end of the second pipe body (as best seen in figures 5-7).
31. wherein each clamping part comprises a transition surface (base of the slider as best seen in figure 6), a first end of the transition surface being connected to the corresponding first slider and a second end of the transition surface being connected to the corresponding connecting part (as best seen in figure 6).
32. wherein, before mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body, the first sliding part is clamped on the second pipe body indirectly through the second sliding part, the first sliding part is engaged with the second sliding part, and the plurality of first sliders extend beyond the end of the second pipe body (as best seen in figures 5-7).
36. wherein: a sliding gap (as best seen in figure 7) exists between the first pipe body and the second pipe body; interference fit is realized between each first slider of the plurality of first sliders and the sliding gap; and clearance fit is realized between each connecting part of the plurality of connecting parts and the second pipe body (as best seen in figure 7).
42. wherein the plurality of first sliders are arranged along a circumferential direction of the second pipe body (as best seen in figure 5).
43. further comprising a plurality of second sliding parts (62), wherein second sliders of the plurality of second sliding parts are arranged along a circumferential direction of the second pipe body (as best seen in figure 5).
44. wherein the first sliding part is an annular structure (as best seen in figure 5), an unclosed C-shaped annular structure, or formed by splicing two opposite half rings.
Claim(s) 26, 27, 29-32, 35-42, 44, and 47-49 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by US Patent Publication 2006/0118682 to Asquith.
Asquith teaches
26. A sliding structure, comprising: a first pipe body (14); a second pipe body (15); a first sliding part (23); and a second sliding part (25), wherein: the second pipe body is slidable provided inside the first pipe body; a first side of the second sliding part is clamped on an outer wall of the second pipe body and a second side of the second sliding part is slidable connected to an inner wall of the first pipe body; before mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body, the first sliding part is clamped on the second pipe body and a part of the first sliding part extends beyond an end of the second pipe body, the first sliding part being clamped on the second pipe body directly or indirectly through the second sliding part; and when mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body, the first sliding part is detached from the end of the second pipe body, a first side of the first sliding part is clamped on the inner wall of the first pipe body, and a second side of the first sliding part is slidable connected to the outer wall of the second pipe body (as best seen in figures 8-9, the first sliding part is capable of being attached to the second pipe body before being attached to the first pipe body. The examiner considers this capability since the attachment pawls/tooth (29) have enough clearance to operate when the pipes are attached together and the inclined surface would automatically bias the pawl/connecting part as the sliding part is slid into attachment).
27. wherein the first sliding part comprises: a flange edge (27); a plurality of connecting parts (29,30); and a plurality of first sliders (32), wherein: each connecting part of the plurality of connecting parts is arranged between the flange edge and a corresponding first slider of the plurality of first sliders; and when mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body, the flange edge abuts against an end face of the first pipe body, and the plurality of connecting parts and the plurality of first sliders are provided between the first pipe body and the second pipe body (as best in figures 5-7, and 9).
29. wherein, before mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body, the first sliding part is clamped on the second pipe body directly, and the plurality of first sliders are inclined towards an inner side of the second pipe body and extend beyond the end of the second pipe body, so that the plurality of first sliders are clamped on the end of the second pipe body (as best seen in figures 5-7 and 9).
30. wherein: the first sliding part comprises a plurality of clamping parts (29,30), each clamping part of the plurality of clamping parts is provided between a corresponding first slider (32) of the plurality of first sliders and a corresponding connecting part of the plurality of the connecting part (as best seen in figures 9); the plurality of clamping parts face the second pipe body; and before mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body, the plurality of clamping parts are clamped on and abuts against the end of the second pipe body (as best seen in figure 9).
31. wherein each clamping part comprises a transition surface (portion of material connecting as best seen in figures 6 and 7), a first end of the transition surface being connected to the corresponding first slider and a second end of the transition surface being connected to the corresponding connecting part.
32. wherein, before mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body, the first sliding part is clamped on the second pipe body indirectly through the second sliding part, the first sliding part is engaged with the second sliding part, and the plurality of first sliders extend beyond the end of the second pipe body (as best seen in figures 8 and 9).
35. wherein: a sliding gap (as best seen in figures 8 and 9) exists between the first pipe body and the second pipe body; a thickness of each connecting part of the plurality of connecting parts is less than a width of the sliding gap; and a thickness of each first slider of the plurality of first sliders is more than or equal to the width of the sliding gap.
36. wherein: a sliding gap (as best seen in figures 8 and 9) exists between the first pipe body and the second pipe body; interference fit is realized between each first slider of the plurality of first sliders and the sliding gap; and clearance fit is realized between each connecting part of the plurality of connecting parts and the second pipe body (as best seen in figures 8-10 ).
37. wherein: the first sliding part comprises a plurality of first bosses (29); each first slider of the plurality of first sliders is provided with a corresponding first boss of the plurality of first bosses on a side facing the first pipe body; a plurality of first slotted holes (41) are provided at an end of the inner wall of the first pipe body; and each first slotted hole of the plurality of first slotted holes accommodates a corresponding first boss of the plurality of first bosses.
38. wherein, before mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body, a gap exists between each first boss and the inner wall and the first pipe body (as best ).
39. wherein the plurality of first slotted holes do not penetrate the inner wall of the first pipe body (as best seen in figure 9).
40. wherein: a first side of each first slotted hole far away from the flange edge forms a chamfered surface (as best figure 9); and a second side of each first slotted hole close to the flange edge abuts against the corresponding first boss.
41. wherein: a first side of each first boss of the plurality of first bosses far away from the flange edge forms a guide slope (as best seen in figure 9); and before mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body, the guide slope is configured for guiding the first pipe body.
42. wherein the plurality of first sliders are arranged along a circumferential direction of the second pipe body.
44. wherein the first sliding part is an annular structure (figure 6), an unclosed C-shaped annular structure, or formed by splicing two opposite half rings.
47. An actuator, comprising: a sliding structure, comprising a first pipe body (14), a second pipe body (15), a first sliding part (23), and a second sliding part (25); a driving part (motor); a box body (21); and a screw rod assembly, comprising a hollow transmission rod (18), a screw rod (20) and a nut (19); wherein: the second pipe body is slidable provided inside the first pipe body; a first side of the second sliding part is clamped on an outer wall of the second pipe body and a second side of the second sliding part is slidable connected to an inner wall of the first pipe body; before mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body, the first sliding part is clamped on the second pipe body and a part of the first sliding part extends beyond an end of the second pipe body, the first sliding part being clamped on the second pipe body directly or indirectly through the second sliding part (as best seen in figures 8-9, the first sliding part is capable of being attached to the second pipe body before being attached to the first pipe body. The examiner considers this capability since the attachment pawls/tooth (29) have enough clearance to operate when the pipes are attached together and the inclined surface would automatically bias the pawl/connecting part as the sliding part is slid into attachment); when mounting the first pipe body to the second pipe body, the first sliding part is detached from the end of the second pipe body, a first side of the first sliding part is clamped on the inner wall of the first pipe body, and a second side of the first sliding part is slidable connected to the outer wall of the second pipe body; the driving part is provided inside the box body; the box body is fixedly connected to a first end of the sliding structure; the screw rod assembly is provided inside the sliding structure; a first end of the hollow transmission rod is connected to a rotating end of the driving part and a second end of is fixedly connected to the nut; a screw rod is disposed inside the hollow transmission rod and an outer peripheral surface of the screw rod is engaged with the nut by threads; an end of the screw rod far away from the box body is connected to a second end of the sliding structure; and the driving part drives the sliding structure to perform concertina movement by the screw rod assembly.
48. wherein: the end of the screw rod far away from the box body is directly connected to a bottom plate; an outer peripheral surface of the bottom plate is fixedly connected to an inner wall of the second pipe body; and the box body is fixedly connected to the first pipe body (as best seen in figure 2).
49. wherein: the end of the screw rod far away from the box body is directly connected to a bottom plate; an outer peripheral surface of the bottom plate is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the first pipe body; and the box body is fixedly connected to the second pipe body (as best seen in figure 2).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 45 and 46 allowed.
Claims 33 and 34 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.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TIMOTHY MICHAEL AYRES whose telephone number is (571)272-8299. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 11:30-8.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Dan Troy can be reached at (571) 270-3742. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/TIMOTHY M AYRES/Examiner, Art Unit 3637
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