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
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-9 and 12-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(A)(1) as being anticipated by Liao (2022/0303371).
Regarding Claim 1: Liao teaches a rotating shaft assembly, comprising: a base (figs. 13a-13c), wherein the base comprises a first portion (11) and a second portion (10) that are fixedly connected (figs. 13a-13c), and a first sliding groove (area holding 32) is formed between the first portion and the second portion (figs. 13a-13c); and a swing arm (32), wherein the swing arm comprises a rotating part (portion in the groove including 321) and a swinging part (flatter portion not in the grooves in figs. 13a-13c), the rotating part is slidably connected to the first sliding groove (figs. 13a-13c), and when the rotating part slides relative to the first sliding groove (figs. 13a-13c), the swinging part rotates relative to the base (figs. 13a-13c); wherein the rotating part comprises at least one first surface (portion 321 is pointing at in fig. 13a) and at least one second surface (middle section of rotating part in fig. 13b), the at least one first surface is disposed opposite to a side surface of the first portion (figs. 13a-13c), the at least one second surface is disposed opposite to a side surface of the second portion (figs. 13a-13c), and along a rotation axis of the swinging part, at least a portion of the first surface and at least a portion of the second surface are staggered (figs. 13a-13c), and wherein a second concave part is disposed on a side surface that is of the rotating part and that faces the rotation axis of the swinging part (figs. 13a-13c), a first convex part is disposed on the second portion (figs. 13a-13c), at least a partial structure of the first convex part extends into the second concave part (figs. 13a-13c), and a bottom wall of the second concave part comprises the second surface (figs. 13a-13c, wherein the constructional shapes of Liao are identical to those of the current application as shown in the figures cited).
Regarding Claim 2: Liao teaches there are at least two swing arms (figs. 13a-13c), the at least two swing arms comprise a first swing arm (figs. 13a-13c) and a second swing arm (figs. 13a-13c), and a swinging part of the first swing arm and a swinging part of the second swing arm are disposed on two sides of the base (figs. 13a-13c).
Regarding Claim 3: Liao teaches the rotating shaft assembly further comprises a shaft cover (area below 10 in fig. 13c), and the shaft cover is connected to the base (figs. 13a-13c).
Regarding Claim 4: Liao teaches the rotating part comprises two first surfaces (figs. 13a-13c), and the at least one second surface is located between the two first surfaces along the rotation axis of the swinging part (figs. 13a-13c).
Regarding Claim 5: Liao teaches the first portion (11) comprises a first body part (the area where 11 is pointing in fig. 13b) and two connecting parts (the area where 11 is pointing in fig. 13b) located on two sides of the first body part (figs. 13a-13c), each connecting part comprises two pressing blocks (side edges where 111 is pointing in fig. 13b), each first surface is disposed opposite to a third surface of one pressing block (figs. 13a-13c), and the third surface is a side surface that is of the pressing block and that faces the second portion (figs. 13a-13c).
Regarding Claim 6: Liao teaches the connecting part further comprises a connecting member (figs. 13a-13c), and the connecting member is connected to the two pressing blocks (figs. 13a-13c).
Regarding Claim 7: Liao teaches the connecting member is in a strip shape (figs. 13a-13c), a first strip groove is disposed on a side surface that is of the rotating part and that is away from the shaft cover (figs. 13a-13c), the first strip groove extends in a length direction of the connecting member (figs. 13a-13c), and at least a partial structure of the connecting member is disposed in the first strip groove (figs. 13a-13c).
Regarding Claim 8: Liao teaches a first concave part is disposed on a side surface that is of the rotating part and that is away from the rotation axis of the swinging part (figs. 13a-13c), at least a partial structure of the pressing block is disposed in the first concave part (figs. 13a-13c), and a bottom wall of the first concave part comprises the first surface (figs. 13a-13c).
Regarding Claim 12: Liao teaches a swinging part of the first swing arm and a swinging part of the second swing arm are symmetrically disposed on two sides of the base (figs. 13a-13c).
Regarding Claim 13: Liao teaches wherein both the first surface and the second surface are arc-shaped surfaces (figs. 13a-13c).
Regarding Claim 14: Liao teaches wherein both the first surface and the second surface are circular arc surfaces (figs. 13a-13c), and a central axis of the first surface coincides with a central axis of the second surface (figs. 13a-13c).
Regarding Claim 15: Liao teaches wherein a thickness of the rotating part varies in a radial direction (figs. 13a-13c).
Regarding Claim 16: Liao teaches wherein at least a partial structure of the rotating part is disposed in the first sliding groove (figs. 13a-13c).
Regarding Claim 17: Liao teaches wherein the first portion and the second portion are an integral structure (figs. 13a-13c).
Regarding Claim 18: Liao teaches wherein a manner of connecting the first portion and the second portion comprises at least one of a welding connection, a bonding connection, a screw connection, and a nut connection col 35 lines 18-45).
Regarding Claim 19: Liao teaches a terminal device, wherein the terminal device comprises a housing (2000, 3000), a flexible display screen (4000), and a rotating shaft assembly (figs. 13a-13c); the rotating shaft assembly comprises a base (figs. 13a-13c) and a swing arm (32); the base comprises a first portion (11) and a second portion (10) that are fixedly connected (figs. 13a-13c), and a first sliding groove (area holding 32) is formed between the first portion and the second portion (figs. 13a-13c); the swing arm (32) comprises a rotating part (321) and a swinging part (flatter portion not in the grooves in figs. 13a-13c), the rotating part is slidably connected to the first sliding groove (figs. 13a-13c), and when the rotating part slides relative to the first sliding groove (figs. 13a-13c), the swinging part rotates relative to the base (figs. 13a-13c); the rotating part comprises at least one first surface (portion 321 is pointing at in fig. 13a) and at least one second surface (middle section of rotating part in fig. 13b), the at least one first surface is disposed opposite to a side surface of the first portion (figs. 13a-13c), the at least one second surface is disposed opposite to a side surface of the second portion (figs. 13a-13c), and along a rotation axis of the swinging part (figs. 13a-13c), at least a portion of the first surface and at least a portion of the second surface are staggered (figs. 13a-13c); wherein a second concave part is disposed on a side surface that is of the rotating part and that faces the rotation axis of the swinging part (figs. 13a-13c), a first convex part is disposed on the second portion (figs. 13a-13c), at least a partial structure of the first convex part extends into the second concave part (figs. 13a-13c), and a bottom wall of the second concave part comprises the second surface (figs. 13a-13c, wherein the constructional shapes of Liao are identical to those of the current application as shown in the figures cited); and the flexible display screen is connected to the housing (figs. 1a-3b), the flexible display screen comprises a bending region (area C in fig. 2), the rotating shaft assembly is located on a non-display side of the flexible display screen (figs. 1a-3b), and the rotating shaft assembly is disposed in a correspondence with the bending region (figs. 1a-3b).
Regarding Claim 20: Liao teaches the terminal device is a terminal device with a foldable screen (figs. 1a-3b and paragraph [0185).
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 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liao (2022/0303371) as applied to the claims above, and further in view of Nguyen (11,340,660).
Regarding Claim 10: Liao lacks a specific teaching of a first limiting block is disposed on the bottom wall of the second concave part, and the first limiting block is located on a side that is of the rotating part and that is away from the swinging part; and a third concave part is disposed on a side surface that is of the first convex part and that faces the second concave part, and at least a partial structure of the first limiting block is disposed in the third concave part.
Nguyen teaches a first limiting block (200) is disposed on the bottom wall of the second concave part (figs. 10-13), and the first limiting block is located on a side that is of the rotating part (figs. 10-13) and that is away from the swinging part (figs. 10-13); and a third concave part (110, 132, 131) is disposed on a side surface that is of the first convex part (figs. 10-13) and that faces the second concave part (figs. 10-13), and at least a partial structure of the first limiting block is disposed in the third concave part (figs. 10-13).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to modify the apparatus of Liao by having a first limiting block is disposed on the bottom wall of the second concave part, and the first limiting block is located on a side that is of the rotating part and that is away from the swinging part; and a third concave part is disposed on a side surface that is of the first convex part and that faces the second concave part, and at least a partial structure of the first limiting block is disposed in the third concave part as disclosed by Nguyen in order to allow more control over the device while it is being opened and closed to fold the display wherein the greater control of the swinging movement will lead to an increased reliability of the hinging device and a decreased chance of damage to the internal components of the hinge or display device which would require repair or replacement of the components.
Claim(s) 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liao (2022/0303371) as applied to the claims above, and further in view of Hwang (11,809,239).
Regarding Claim 11: Liao lacks a specific teaching of a first through hole is disposed on the swinging part, and when at least two swing arms are in an unfolded state, an end part of the second portion extends into the first through hole in a thickness direction of the rotating shaft assembly.
Hwang teaches a first through hole (212_5) is disposed on the swinging part (fig. 5), and when at least two swing arms are in an unfolded state (fig. 18), an end part (213_3) of the second portion extends into the first through hole (figs. 5-6 and 18) in a thickness direction of the rotating shaft assembly (figs. 5-6 and 18).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to modify the apparatus of Liao by having a first through hole is disposed on the swinging part, and when at least two swing arms are in an unfolded state, an end part of the second portion extends into the first through hole in a thickness direction of the rotating shaft assembly as disclosed by Hwang in order to allow for a better and stronger connection between the hinging portions of the device and the supporting portions of the device which will increase the reliability of the hinging device itself and in turn decrease the chance of damage to the internal components of the hinge or display device which would require repair or replacement of the components.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 3/27/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. In regards to claim 1 the applicant argues the changing in shape of the components would require a fundamental mechanical redesign and argues this based upon the downward force upon the swing arm. While the examiner understands the force dispersion within the hinging portion of the apparatus this argument is moot as it does not relate to the shaping of the concave portions in relation to each other. It is also noted the prior art hold an identical shape to the current application which reads on the claims as currently written. The limitations and specific functions of the structural design of the application which the applicant is attempting to argue are not in the claim language as currently written which renders those arguments moot. For this reason the claims are considered to be finally rejected.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The prior art not relied upon but cited in the notice of references PTO-892 all relate as they include multiple references to hinging electronic devices including features similar to the current application.
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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANTHONY MICHAEL HAUGHTON whose telephone number is (571)272-9087. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9a-5p.
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, Imani Hayman can be reached at 571-270-5528. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/ANTHONY M HAUGHTON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2841
Prosecution Insights