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 § 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 1-18 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.
With respect to "shaft" in lines 4-11 on the second page of claim 1 (see also claim 12 for identical rejection) the following limitations are indefinite for multiple references to the same element:
wherein the arm support unit (53) is connected to the turning support unit (52) so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft (62a?; FIGS. 9A, 9B) of a connection portion with the turning support unit (52) in a plan view,
wherein a center shaft (62b?) of rotation of the arm support unit (53) relative to the second end portion (52b) of the turning support unit (52) and a center shaft (62a?) of rotation of the arm unit (54) relative to the arm support unit (53) are disposed on the same line,
wherein the arm unit (54) is connected to the arm support unit (53) so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft (62b?) of a connection portion with the arm support unit (53) in a plan view.
Its unclear to what "shaft" is further limiting. FIGS. 9A, 9B disclose shafts 62a, 62b are disposed on a same line, e.g. colinear. In other words "a center shaft of the rotation of the arm support unit" in the second limitation should be rewritten as –the rotation shaft of the arm support unit— because "a rotation shaft" in the first limitation provides antecedent basis. And, "a rotation shaft of a connection portion" in the third limitation should be rewritten as –a center shaft of a connection portion— because "a center shaft of rotation of the arm unit" in the second limitation provides antecedent basis.
Claims 2-11 & 13-18 are rejected by virtue of respectively depending from claims 1 & 12.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GREGORY W ADAMS whose telephone number is (571)272-8101. The examiner can normally be reached Mon - Fri, 8am-5pm.
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/GREGORY W ADAMS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3652
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