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 § 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 38, 39, 40, 46 and 47 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.
The term “substantially” in claims 38, 39 and 40 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term: substantially” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention.
A broad range or limitation together with a narrow range or limitation that falls within the broad range or limitation (in the same claim) may be considered indefinite if the resulting claim does not clearly set forth the metes and bounds of the patent protection desired. See MPEP § 2173.05(c). In the present instance, claim 40, 46 and 47 recites the term “preferably”, The claim(s) are considered indefinite because there is a question or doubt as to whether the feature introduced by after the term “preferably” is (a) merely exemplary of the remainder of the claim, and therefore not required, or (b) a required feature of the claims.
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 28-38, 40-47 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Choi [US Pub # 2009/0146019].
Regarding claim 28: Choi shows a return device (60) for returning at least one line, comprising: an elongated return element (520) for returning the at least one line; a mounting device (510) for mounting the return element on an articulated arm robot (20, see fig 1); and a guiding device (300+400) for guiding the at least one line (40); wherein the return element (520) is designed as an elastic swing element.
Regarding claim 29: Choi shows wherein the return element (520) serves for length compensation and for lateral direction compensation for the at least one line ([0047]).
Regarding claim 30: Choi shows wherein the guiding device (300+400) forms a free end of the return device (see fig 2).
Regarding claim 31: Choi shows wherein the return element (520) extends axially between the mounting device (510) and the guiding device (300+400) and the mounting device (510) and the guiding device (300+400) are formed at opposite axial ends of the return element (see fig 2).
Regarding claim 32: Choi shows wherein the return element (520) is configured to be freely swingable (see [0046]); is configured for multidimensional elastic returning of the at least one line in all three spatial directions; and is deformable elastically in its longitudinal and lateral direction ([0046]).
Regarding claim 33: Choi shows wherein the guiding device (300+400) is freely movable elastically in space relative to the mounting device by way of the return element.
Regarding claim 34: Choi shows wherein the return element (520) is a coil spring (see fig 2).
Regarding claim 35: Choi shows wherein the guiding device (300+400) is configured to guide the at least one line (40) transversely past the return element, and defines a guiding axis for the at least one line and the guiding axis is oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis of the return element (see fig 2).
Regarding claim 36: Choi shows wherein the return element (520) is configured to be bent, pulled and twisted by the at least one line (see [0046]).
Regarding claim 37: Choi shows wherein the return element (520) forms a cantilever arm supported at the mounting device (510) and projects away from the mounting device (510) in order to distance the guiding device (300) from the mounting device (510) by way of the longitudinal extend of the return element (520) and in order to form a lever arm for returning the at least one line by way of the longitudinal extend of the return element (see fig 2).
Regarding claim 38: Choi shows wherein the return element (520) is elastically bendable transversely to its longitudinal axis and laterally elastically deflectable relative to its longitudinal axis (see [0046]), and the guiding device defines a guiding axis for the at least one line and the return element (520) is configured to be moved transversely, in particular substantially orthogonally, to the guiding axis of the guiding device (300+400).
Regarding claim 40: Choi shows an articulated arm robot, comprising: a robot base; a first pivotable robot arm (10); a second pivotable robot arm (20); preferably a robot hand section; and at least one return device, including: an elongated return element (520) for returning the at least one line; a mounting device (510) for mounting the return element (520) on an articulated arm robot; and a guiding device (300+400) for guiding the at least one line; wherein the return element (520) is designed as an elastic swing element (see [0046]).
Regarding claim 41: Choi shows wherein the return element (520) projects from the articulated arm robot (see fig 1) in order to distance the guiding device (300+400) and thus the at least one line from the articulated arm robot by way of the longitudinal extend of the return element (520) and in order to form a lever arm for returning the at least one line by the longitudinal extend of the return element (520).
Regarding claim 42: Choi shows wherein the second robot arm (20) is supported pivotably about a movement axis at the first robot arm by a robot hinge section (411, see fig 6A).
Regarding claim 43: Choi shows wherein the mounting device (510) is attached to the second robot arm (20) and to the robot hinge section.
Regarding claim 44: Choi shows wherein the mounting device and thus the return element is pivotable with the second robot arm.
Regarding claim 45: Choi shows wherein the return element (520) comprises a base position to which it strives to return and in which it extends substantially in a straight line (see fig 2).
Regarding claim 46: Choi shows wherein the return element (520), preferably in the base position, is oriented transversely, preferably substantially orthogonally, to a movement axis of the second robot arm (20) is oriented transversely, preferably substantially orthogonally, to a longitudinal axis of the second robot arm is oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first robot arm, and is oriented away from the articulated arm robot starting from the mounting device (510).
Regarding claim 47: Choi shows wherein the at least one line is fixed to the second robot arm (20) and to the robot hand section and preferably the second robot arm (20) and the robot hand section (30) is movable relative to the guiding device (300+400).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 39 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Choi [US Pub # 2009/0146019] in view of [EP 1284177].
Regarding claim 39: Choi shows wherein the at least one line comprises a guiding hose (50) Choi does not explicitly show a guiding link chain, in particular for accommodating at least one fluid line for fluid transmission and at least one cable for energy and information transmission.
However Garanchet shows a guiding link chain, in particular for accommodating at least one fluid line for fluid transmission and at least one cable for energy and information transmission (see translation “…The device according to the invention can find application for any automaton comprising moving parts supplied by elements of energy supply beam, both electric and fluid, as it was recalled…”).
It would have been obvious to someone having ordinary skill in the art at the time of the effective filling date to have the guide to accommodate fluid line to prevent fluid clogging and lines tangling.
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Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. For example [DE 101587] shows robot with cable with return element (25 ), guide (26) and mounting element (27) .
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ZAKARIA ELAHMADI whose telephone number is (571)270-5324. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 10-6 EST.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Minnah Seoh can be reached on 571-270-7778. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ZAKARIA ELAHMADI/
Examiner, Art Unit 3618