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 Objections
Claims 2 & 4-5 are objected to because of the following informalities: inconsistent claim language and grammatical error.
In claim 2, the phrases ‘first fixing base’ and ‘second fixing base’ are not otherwise disclosed but are understood to be the same components as the ‘first fixed base’ and ‘second fixed base’ in the instant specification [0026-0029]. Use of the term ‘fixed’ appears more appropriate as these components are a fixed part of the support structure, and it is suggested to amend for consistency.
In line 1 of claims 2, 4 & 5, the comma after each transitional phrase ‘wherein’ should be removed.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 1-7 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.
In claim 1, line 8, the phrase ‘positioning holes’ is used; however, disclosures in instant claim 4 and Fig. 3, item 2122 show a single ‘positioning hole’ centered on an axis.
The instant specification switches back and forth on use of the phrases ‘positioning hole’ and ‘positioning holes’ [See abstract, 0006, 0009 & 0028-0031]. However, it appears the ‘positioning grooves’ and the central ‘positioning hole’ are being used in combination as the plurality of ‘positioning holes’ [See 0030].
This shows inconsistent component plurality for the ‘positioning hole(s)’, which makes its component structure indefinite.
It is suggested to amend claim 1 or claim 4 for consistency (amending claim 1 appears more appropriate) which would avoid a lack of antecedent basis for “the positioning hole” on lines 2 & 4 of claim 4.
Claims 2-7 are rejected as they are dependent on claim 1.
For the sake of compact prosecution, claim 1 line 8 will be examined as “a positioning hole[[s]]”.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-7 would be allowed after resolution of claim objections and 35 U.S.C. 112(b) rejections.
Regarding claim 1, no prior art was found to teach a quick-change lifting welding head, wherein the quick positioning structure comprises a positioning chuck embedded in the support structure and a connecting disc arranged on the positioning chuck; and one side of the connecting disc is provided with several connecting posts connected to the amplitude-transforming welding structure, while the other side of the connecting disc is provided with positioning posts connected to the positioning holes.
The prior art of Aust (US20220072651A1) teaches an amplitude transformer (Fig. 2, item 4) connected to a coupling element (Fig. 2, 4a, 4b, item 8) by projections and recesses (Figs. 4a, 4b, items 27, 28; [0065, 0066]). However, this coupling element is positioned along the axis of the sonotrode (Fig. 1, item 1) for quick adjustment, not disconnection, of the sonotrode [0007, 0076]. Aust is silent on a positioning chuck system.
The prior art of Robinson (US3610506A) teaches an ultrasonic welder that can vary welding force via a transducer coupling section [Col. 2, lines 3-14]. The transducer (Fig. 3, item 40) comprises a coupler (Fig. 3, item 31) connecting to a welding tip (Fig. 1, item 32); however, the coupler is not a quick-disconnecting type. Robinson teaches the transducer and welding arm are connected to a slide support structure (Fig. 3, items 43, 47) configurated for vertical motion by an air cylinder actuator (Fig. 3, item 52; [Col. 3, lines 43-61]). Robinson is silent on quick disconnections and a positioning chuck system.
In a different field art, the prior art of Laubach (US6224121B1) teaches a quick-disconnect chuck which improves alignment and allows for rapid changes of the chuck and a plunger head of a chip test machine. The chuck comprises dowels and holes for quick connection and alignment [Col. 6, lines 35-62]. However, Laubach is silent on a chuck connection to the support structure, and silent on welding head components and their function.
There is no prima facie obvious rationale for combination of these arts, alone or with other discovered prior art, to teach all elements of instant claim 1.
Claims 2-7 would be allowable because they are dependent on claim 1.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GREGORY C GROSSO whose telephone number is (571)270-1363. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 8AM - 5PM.
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GREGORY C. GROSSO
Examiner
Art Unit 1748
/GREGORY C. GROSSO/Examiner, Art Unit 1748
/S. BEHROOZ GHORISHI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1748
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