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
Figures 4 and 5, described as “conventional”, should be designated by a legend such as --Prior Art-- because only that which is old is illustrated. See MPEP § 608.02(g). Corrected drawings in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. The replacement sheet(s) should be labeled “Replacement Sheet” in the page header (as per 37 CFR 1.84(c)) so as not to obstruct any portion of the drawing figures. 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 1-20 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 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being incomplete for omitting essential elements, such omission amounting to a gap between the elements. See MPEP § 2172.01. The omitted elements are: at least a second “sliding portion” associated with a second “sliding groove”. The claimed invention is inoperable without the presence of a second sliding portion and a second sliding groove opposite the first sliding portion and the first sliding groove.
In claim 1, lines 5-6, “a first end surface of the two ends of the primary swing arm” is confusing since the claim suggests “a first end surface” formed at each of the two ends, amounting to two protruding portions. Perhaps, “a first end surface” should be “an end surface of the first end”.
In claim 1, lines 6-8, “the sliding portion is disposed on a side surface opposite to the primary swing arm in a width direction” cannot be understood structurally. First, it is not clear exactly what is “opposite to the primary swing arm in a width direction” (i.e., the sliding portion or the side surface). Second, “…disposed on a side opposite to the primary swing arm” does not make sense, since “a side” itself is referring to that of the primary swing arm.
In claim 1, lines 19-20, it is not clear exactly what “fitted with the stop portion in a rotation process of the primary swing arm” is meant, structurally and functionally. Specifically, it is not clear what the term “fitted” is embraced.
In claim 6, lines 2-3, “a direction in which the first end surface of the primary swing arm faces the second end” is confusing. As best understood, the first end surface and the second end of the swing arm are facing opposite directions. It is not clear exactly how the first end surface can face the second end.
In claim 10, lines 3-4, it is not clear what is defined as “an opening direction of the included angle”.
In claim 12, lines 7-9, “the first protrusion is configured as the stop portion…” contradicts with independent claim 1 in which the stop portion protrudes from an inner surface of the shaft cover (lines 16-17 of claim 1). Claim 12, directed to a second embodiment, cannot be structurally incorporated into claim 1. Thus, claim 12 fails to further limit the subject matter of claim 1.
In claim 12, line 10, “the recessed portion” lacks antecedent basis.
In claim 15, lines 4-5, “the first frame and the second frame are separately connected to a second end of a primary swing arm in the rotation mechanism” is confusing. First, it cannot be understood exactly how two frames are separately connected to a second end of a primary swing arm, without positively defining a separate (additional) primary swing arm. Second, the first frame and the second frame should be connected to two separate swing arms respectively, not separately connected to a second end of a primary swing arm.
Note that other claims, depending from the rejected claims, are also considered vague and indefinite.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 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.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See attached PTO-892.
Related prior art:
CN 116498640 B (CN) shows a rotational mechanism having a primary swing arm, the arm including a protruding portion formed on the underside of the swing arm, the protruding portion sliding in a groove of a sliding groove bracket, in a folded position the protruding portion engaging with a stop extending from an inner surface of the groove bracket, to prevent the swing arm disengaged from the groove bracket.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHUCK MAH whose telephone number is (571)272-7059. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:00-3:00.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jason San can be reached at 571-272-6531. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CHUCK Y MAH/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3677 CM
May 29, 2026
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