Drawings
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with:
37 CFR 1.83(a) because they fail to show features corresponding to the following claim limitations:
Claim 5: engaging portions 21a pressing the accessory device
Claim 6: biasing portion 30a provided between a plurality of first inclined surface portions 26
37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they do not include the following reference sign(s) mentioned in the description: 4.
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
Claim 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(d) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 4th paragraph, as being of improper dependent form for failing to further limit the subject matter of the claim upon which it depends.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
Claims 1, 10 & 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Lecoeut, US 3,682,069. Lecoer discloses an imaging apparatus 1 having a mounting apparatus comprising:
a first ring member 3 that engages (see Fig. 2) with an accessory device 7-9 (see also “rigid assembly” at col. 2, line 30) in a case where the accessory device is mounted;
a locking member 6 that is rotatably supported, presses the first ring member engaging (see “contact” at col. 2, line 58) with the accessory device in an optical axis direction (see arrow in Fig. 1) of the accessory device to lock (see “locked” at col. 2, line 63) the accessory device in a case where the locking member is rotated in a first direction (see “screwing in” at col. 1, line 21 and “screwed home” at col. 2, lines 50-51 & 65), and releases the pressing in a case where the locking member is rotated in a second direction (see “screwing . . . out ” at col. 1, line 21); and
a pin member 10 that is movable in the optical axis direction and engages with the
accessory device (see Fig. 1).
Claims 1-4 & 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Iinuma, US 2021/0200067. Iinuma discloses an imaging apparatus 100 having a mounting apparatus 800 comprising:
a first ring member 400 that engages (see Fig. 10) with an accessory device 200 in a case where the accessory device is mounted;
a locking member 500 that is rotatably (see paragraph 0045) supported, presses the first ring member engaging with the accessory device in an optical axis direction (see paragraph 0043) of the accessory device to lock (see “fixing” at paragraph 0007) the accessory device in a case where the locking member is rotated in a first direction 950, and releases the pressing in a case where the locking member is rotated in a second direction 960,
wherein the first ring member includes a plurality of first inclined surface portions 406 of which thicknesses in the optical axis direction change,
the locking member includes a plurality of second inclined surface portions 508 of which thicknesses in the optical axis direction change, and
in a case where the locking member is rotated in the first direction, the second inclined
surface portion overlaps the first inclined surface portion along a radial direction of the locking
member, so that the locking member is pressed in the optical axis direction (see paragraphs 0046-0047),
wherein each of the first inclined surface portion and the second inclined surface portion is provided at three locations (see paragraph 0048 and Figs. 5B-6A),
wherein in a case where the locking member is rotated in the first direction, a start point portion of the second inclined surface portion rotates while pressing against the first inclined surface portion, the thickness of which increases in the first direction (see paragraph 0048 & Figs. 8A-8B),
wherein a biasing portion 604 that biases the accessory device engaging with the first ring member, wherein the biasing portion is provided between a plurality of first inclined surface portions 406 in the first ring member, the thicknesses of which vary in the optical axis direction.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 5-9 & 11 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
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Greg Binda whose telephone number is (571)272-7077. The examiner can normally be reached 9:30-5:30 et.
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/Greg Binda/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3679
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