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.
Claims 1, 6, 9, 11-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a1 as being anticipated by Stock et al. (US 11,155,413).
In regard to claim 1, Stock shows a spiral chute 10 that includes a center column assembly 14 with a column made up of a plurality of segments 52/54, a plurality of support arm mounting brackets formed by the threaded ends of the members 112 affixed to an exterior of the column in a spiral configuration through apertures 114 spiraling around the column (see figure 3), and a plurality of chute segments 100/102/130/132. Each chute segment includes a support arm 100 with a distal end 134 and a proximal end 116/118. A stiffener 132 is coupled to the distal end 134 of the support arm 100. A chute section 102/130 is operatively coupled to the support arm 100 and the stiffener 132. The proximal end 116/118 of each of the plurality of support arms 100 is removably attached to a respective support arm mounting bracket 112.
It is recognized that the mounting bracket formed by the threaded end of member 112 does not resemble the support bracket described in the present application. However, it is believed that it may still be considered to be a “bracket” when the term is given a reasonable broad interpretation. For example, Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines “bracket” as “1: an overhanging member that projects from a structure (such as a wall) and is usually designed to support a vertical load or to strengthen an angle” or “2: a fixture (as for holding a lamp) projecting from a wall or column”. The bracket 112 of Stock projects from the column and hangs partially above the support arm 100 to support a vertical load so that it fits within the first definition above. Alternatively, the bracket 112 defined a fixture projecting from a column for holding a structure so that it fits within the second definition above.
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In regard to claim 6, chute section mounting brackets 106 couple the chute section 102 to the support arm 100.
In regard to claim 9, the support arm mounting brackets formed by the threaded ends of the members 112 are affixed to the exterior of the column by engagement with threaded portion 116 of the support arm. This fixation of the mounting bracket is permanent as long as no outside forces are applied to the member 112.
In regard to claims 11-12, the spiral chute 10 includes 16 a base assembly disposed at a lower end of the column 14 that is configured to be affixed to a support surface and selectively detachable from the column 14 (see column 4, lines 45 to column 5, line 25).
In regard to claim 13, when being assembled, the spiral chute described above would be secured to a column to a support surface (see column 4). The column 14 would have a plurality of support arm mounting brackets 112 affixed to an exterior surface of the column 16 in a spiral configuration. A plurality of chute segments 100/102/130/132 would be provided, each of which would have a support arm 100 with a distal end 134 and a proximal end 116/118. A stiffener 132 would be coupled to the distal end of the support arm 100 and chute sections 102/130 would be operatively coupled to the support arm 100 and the stiffener 132. The proximal end 116/118 of each of the plurality of support arms 100 would also be attached to respective ones of the plurality of support arm mounting brackets 112.
Claims 1-3, 6, 9-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a1 as being anticipated by Heddles et al. (US 8,733,529).
In regard to claim 1, Heddles shows a spiral chute 2 that includes a center column assembly with a column 6, a plurality of support arm mounting brackets 8 affixed to an exterior of the column in a spiral configuration, and a plurality of chute segments 26/14. Each chute segment includes a support arm 26 with a distal end DE and a proximal end 52. A stiffener 58 is integrally coupled to the distal end DE of the support arm 26. A chute section 14 is operatively coupled to the support arm 26 and the stiffener 58. The proximal end 52 of each of the plurality of support arms 26 is removably attached to a respective support arm mounting bracket 8.
It is recognized that the mounting brackets 8 appear to extend from the column 6 at angles spaced 90° or180° relative to each other around the column 6. However, the brackets 8 may still be said to be affixed in a spiral configuration as they follow the spiral path of the chute.
In regard to claim 2, each support arm mounting bracket 8 has an upper portion UP, a middle portion MP, and a lower portion LP. Each support arm 26 has a middle portion X that is attached to the middle portion MP of the support arm mounting bracket 8.
Each support arm 26 has a lower portion Y that is attached to the lower portion LP of the support arm mounting bracket 8.
In regard to claim 6, chute section mounting brackets 32 couple the chute section 14 to the support arm 26 (see figure 6).
In regard to claims 9-10, the support arm mounting brackets 8 are affixed to the exterior of the column 6. This fixation of the mounting bracket may be via welding (see column 3. Line45-50) so that the brackets would be permanently affixed to the column 6appears to be permanent as no means for removal is discussed.
In regard to claims 11-12, the spiral chute 2 includes a base assembly 4 disposed at a lower end of the column 6 that is configured to be affixed to a support surface and selectively detachable from the column 6 (see fasteners discussed in column 3, lines 35-40).
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In regard to claim 13, when being assembled, the spiral chute described above would be secured to a column to a support surface (see column 3, lines 25-30). The column 6 would have a plurality of support arm mounting brackets 8 affixed to an exterior surface of the column 6 in a spiral configuration. A plurality of chute segments 26/14 would be provided, each of which would have a support arm 26 with a distal end DE and a proximal end 52. A stiffener 58 would be integrally coupled to the distal end of the support arm 26 and chute sections 14 would be operatively coupled to the support arm 26 and the stiffener 58. The proximal end 52 of each of the plurality of support arms 26 would also be attached to respective ones of the plurality of support arm mounting brackets 8.
In regard to claims 14-15, each support arm mounting bracket 8 has an upper portion UP, a middle portion MP, and a lower portion LP. Each support arm has a middle portion X. As such, the step of attaching the proximal end 52 to the support arm mounting brackets 8 would include attaching the middle portion X of the support arm to the middle portion MP of the support arm mounting bracket. Each support arm 26 also has a lower portion Y and the step of attaching the proximal end 52 to the support arm mounting brackets 8 would include attaching the lower portion Y of the support arm to the lower portion LP of the support arm mounting bracket 8.
Claims 1-3, 6, 9, 11-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a1 as being anticipated by Mumford (US 1,458,915).
In regard to claim 1, Mumford shows a spiral chute (figure 1) that includes a center column assembly with a column 6, a plurality of support arm mounting brackets 8/12 affixed to an exterior of the column in a spiral configuration, and a plurality of chute segments 2/3/4/5/14/18/19/22/23. Each chute segment includes a support arm 14 with a distal end DE and a proximal end PE. A stiffener 18 is coupled to the distal end DE of the support arm 26. A chute section 2/3/4/5 is operatively coupled to the support arm 14 and the stiffener 18. The proximal end PE of each of the plurality of support arms 14 is removably attached to a respective support arm mounting bracket 8/12 by bolts 15/16.
In regard to claim 2, each support arm mounting bracket 8/12 has an upper portion UP, a middle portion MP, and a lower portion LP. Each support arm 26 has a middle portion X that is attached to the middle portion MP of the support arm mounting bracket 8/12.
Each support arm 14 has a lower portion Y that is attached to the lower portion LP of the support arm mounting bracket 8/12.
In regard to claim 6, chute section mounting brackets 22/23 couple the chute section 2/3 to the support arm 14.
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In regard to claim 9, the support arm mounting brackets 8/12 are affixed to the exterior of the column 6. This fixation would be permanent as long as the botts 9 and 10 aren’t loosened.
In regard to claims 11-12, the spiral chute includes a base assembly 7 disposed at a lower end of the column 6 that is configured to be affixed to a support surface and selectively detachable from the column 6 (see lines 100-110 on page 1 discussing mounting the column in a base suggesting if the column can be mounted to the base, it may be detachable is some fashion or with enough force).
In regard to claim 13, when being assembled, the spiral chute described above would be secured to a column to a support surface (see column 3, lines 25-30). The column 6 would have a plurality of support arm mounting brackets 8/12 affixed to an exterior surface of the column 6 in a spiral configuration. A plurality of chute segments 2/3/4/5/14/18/19/22/23 would be provided, each of which would have a support arm 14 with a distal end DE and a proximal end PR. A stiffener 18 would be integrally coupled to the distal end of the support arm 14 and chute sections 2/3/4/5 would be operatively coupled to the support arm 14 and the stiffener 18. The proximal end PE of each of the plurality of support arms 14 would also be attached to respective ones of the plurality of support arm mounting brackets 8/12.
In regard to claims 14-15, each support arm mounting bracket 8/12 has an upper portion UP, a middle portion MP, and a lower portion LP. Each support arm has a middle portion X. As such, the step of attaching the proximal end PE to the support arm mounting brackets 8/12 would include attaching the middle portion X of the support arm to the middle portion MP of the support arm mounting bracket. Each support arm 14 also has a lower portion Y and the step of attaching the proximal end PE to the support arm mounting brackets 8/12 would include attaching the lower portion Y of the support arm to the lower portion LP of the support arm mounting bracket 8.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 4-5, 7-8, and 16-19 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MARK A DEUBLE whose telephone number is (571)272-6912. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday flex schedule.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Gene Crawford can be reached at 571-272-6911. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MARK A DEUBLE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3651