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 .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference character:
“102” has been used to designate both first side compartment and second side compartment. The examiner can see how using a single reference character to denote the first and second side compartments is reasonable, however, there are major differences between the two side compartments that the examiner believes warrants different reference numerals which would make the description of the invention clearer. For example, the first side compartment is a motor compartment and remains fixed, while the second side compartment is designed to move toward and away from the first side compartment when the compartment motor is operated. Designating these features with different reference numerals would more clearly describe the invention.
“206” has been used to designate both the first obround chain guide and second obround chain guide. Once again, the examiner can see how using a single reference character to denote the first and second obround chain guides is reasonable, however, there are major differences between the two guides that the examiner believes warrants different reference numerals which would make the description of the invention clearer. For example, the first obround guide is fixed on the first side compartment wall, while the second obround guide is attached to the inner wall of the second side compartment and is configured to slide. Designating these features with different reference numerals would more clearly describe the invention.
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. 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 1-6 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.
Claim 1 recites:
“…a splined shaft having a first end connect to the compartment drive motor via a fixed chain sprocket attached to a first obround chain guide attached to a bottom part of the inner wall of the first side compartment, and a second end connected to a splined hub attached to a sliding chain sprocket attached to a second obround chain guide attached to a bottom part of the inner wall of the second side compartment, wherein the splined shaft is configured to be rotated by the compartment drive motor and the sliding chain sprocket is configured to simultaneously slide along the splined shaft while the fixed chain sprocket at the other end of the splined shaft is configured to turn but not slide”
However, the specification states in paragraph 0035:
“At middle of the compartments under the platform 101 there is a splined shaft 202 that extends from one compartment to another. One end of the shaft is connected to arms drive motor 201 located inside the motor comprising side compartment. The arms drive motor 201 is configured to turn the shaft. The other end of the splined shaft 202 is supported by a splined hub that has a sliding chain sprocket 205 attached to it. In turn this splined hub is mounted to the inner wall of one of the two compartments via a bearing housing 216. This means that the sliding chain sprocket 205 slides along the splined shaft while rotated by the splined shaft.”
The specification further goes on the teach that the trapezoidal screw, 210, is connected to the compartment drive motor, 214, on its one end.
It is the examiner’s understanding that the spline shaft is directly connected to the arms drive motor and turning of the spline shaft causes rotation of the chain sprockets, 217, and 205, and therefore movement of the arms. Furthermore, turning of the spline shaft does not result in simultaneous sliding of the chain sprocket along the splined shaft. This movement happens as a result of turning of the trapezoidal screw by the compartment drive motor.
Appropriate correction to claim 1 is needed to align the claim language with how the invention is described in the specification and the interaction between the spline shaft, trapezoidal screw, and chain guides functions.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-6 would be allowable if rewritten or amended 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.
Applicant claims a shuttle for automated warehouse systems, the shuttle comprising: first and second side compartments, arms drive motor, compartment drive motor, and wheel drive motor, a splined shaft, first and second obround chain guides, a fixed chain sprocket and a sliding chain sprocket, telescopic arms with a first and second part both comprising a toothed rack, the distance between the first and second side compartments adjustable via a trapezoidal screw, and the shuttle has wheels driven by the wheel drive motor.
The fixed chain sprocket is claimed to be attached to a first obround guide, and a the second sliding chain sprocket is attached to a second obround guide, and can slide along the splined shaft. The toothed racks are in contact with the obround chain guides and the arms are configured to extend upon moving the chain around the guide via turning of the splined shaft.
After an extensive search of the prior art the examiner was unable to find a teaching of a shuttle with the claimed features, either alone or in combination.
Commonly owned US 2024/0010424 is an example of an automated shuttle system of the prior art. In this example there is a shuttle comprising: first and second side compartment, a compartment drive motor, 6, connected to a trapezoidal screw, 9, wheels and a wheel drive motor. US ‘424 further teaches an arms drive motor, 5, however each arm has its own motor, and the arms are not connected to a single motor through a spline shaft and chain guides, as claimed in this invention.
US 2021/0237976 is another example of an automates shuttle system with telescopic arms with movable sides adjustable to item widths. However, the mechanism of movement is completely different and it does not teach the spline shaft, chain guides, chain sprockets, or trapezoidal shaft, as claimed.
The claimed structural features of the automated shuttle of the instant application were found to be patentably distinct, both alone and in combination, from the prior art, as such claims 1-6 are allowable subject matter.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US 2024/0010424 and US 2021/0237976, as mentioned above, teach similar automated shuttle systems with variable widths and telescopic arms. Further examples of these shuttles among the prior art include US 2023/0183001 and US 2018/0339858.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KAITLIN S JOERGER whose telephone number is (571)272-6938. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:30-5 (CST).
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, Ernesto Suarez can be reached at (571)270-5565. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/KAITLIN S JOERGER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3655
28 September 2026
