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 .
Status of Claims
Claims 1, 2, 5, 8, 21, 23, and 25-30 have been amended. Claims 9-20 have been canceled. Claims 31-42 have been added. Claims 1-8, 21-42 have been examined on the merits.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see Page 9, filed 12/09/2025, with respect to the amendments to
the claim objections are persuasive. The claim objections have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s arguments, see Page 9-10, filed 12/09/2025, with respect to the previous 35 U.S.C. § 112(b) rejections are persuasive. The previous 35 U.S.C. § 112(b) rejections have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s arguments, see Pages 10-14, filed 12/09/2025, with respect to the rejections under 35 U.S.C. § 102(a)(1) and 35 U.S.C. 103 have been considered but are moot because the claims have been amended and the new grounds of rejection do not rely on the reference or combination of references applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Claim Objections
Claim 37 is objected to because of the following informalities: “terminates at the separator”, and should be “terminates at a separator” to avoid an antecedent error.
Claim 42 is objected to because of the following informalities: “the inlet of the vertical support”, and should be “an inlet of the vertical support” to avoid an antecedent error.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 1-8 and 21-42 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Downham et al. (U.S. Patent No. 6,122,796 A).
Referring to claim 1: Downham et al. discloses a vertical support (1 Fig. 1) which is free standing on a floor (shown in Fig. 1) and which is configured to dock a hand vacuum cleaner (2 Fig. 1), the hand vacuum cleaner comprising a first battery (“the hand-held cleaner 2 could be powered by a re-chargeable battery” Col. 5, lines 60-61)
and a dust collection region (dust collection region of 20 Figs. 1 and 2), the vertical support comprising:
a first end (end of 29 Fig. 1),
a second end (end of 4 Fig. 1), and
a longitudinal axis (vertical line between end of 29 and end of 4) extending between the first end (end of 29 Fig. 1) and the second end (end of 4 Fig. 1), wherein the first end (end of 29 Fig. 1) is higher than the second end (end of 4 Fig. 1) when the vertical support (1 Fig. 1) is perpendicular to a flat surface (shown in Fig. 1),
a dust collector (8 Fig. 1) positioned between the first end (end of 29 Fig. 1) and the second end (end of 4 Fig. 1); and a power source (“In this case, the upright cleaner 1 would include a recharger base unit which, when the hand-held cleaner 2 is carried by the upright cleaner, connects to the rechargeable battery in order to recharge it” Col. 5, lines 63-67) positioned between the first end and the second end,
wherein a docked configuration (docked configuration shown in Fig. 1) corresponds to the hand vacuum cleaner (2 Fig. 1) being docked with the vertical support (1 Fig. 1) whereby a portion (portion of 20) of the hand vacuum cleaner abuts a portion (portion of 18 Fig. 1) of the vertical support to provide a closed volume (closed volume of 1 when closed by 2, which is configured for moving/ storing dust/ debris) that is external to the hand vacuum cleaner (2 Fig. 1) when said portion (portion of 20) of the hand vacuum cleaner is positioned at an inlet (18 Fig. 1) of the vertical support and in the docked configuration (docked configuration shown in Fig. 1),
a door (23 and 25 Figs. 1-4) of the dust collection region of the hand vacuum cleaner (2 Fig. 1) is movable to an open position (open position of 23 shown in Figs. 3 and 4) wherein a portion of the door (23 and 25 Figs. 1-4) is positioned (shown inside the closed volume between its walls shown in Figs. 3 and 4) in the closed volume and the dust collector (8 Fig. 1) receives detritus (“dust within the dust collection chamber 20 is sucked into the dust collection bag 8 within the dust compartment 9 of the upright cleaner.” Col. 5, lines 23-26) from the dust collection region (dust collection region of 20 Figs. 1 and 2) of the hand vacuum cleaner and the power source charges the battery of the hand vacuum cleaner (“In this case, the upright cleaner 1 would include a recharger base unit which, when the hand-held cleaner 2 is carried by the upright cleaner, connects to the rechargeable battery in order to recharge it” Col. 5, lines 63-67).
Referring to claim 2: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 1, wherein, in the docked configuration (docked configuration shown in Fig. 1), the door (23 and 25 Figs. 1-4) of the dust collection region (dust collection region of 20 Figs. 1 and 2) of the hand vacuum cleaner (2 Fig. 1) is aligned with the inlet (18 Fig. 1) of the vertical support (1 Fig. 1).
Referring to claim 3: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 2, wherein the door (23 and 25 Figs. 1-4) is adjacent to a dirty air inlet (31 Fig. 4) of the hand vacuum cleaner (2 Fig. 1).
Referring to claim 4: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 3, wherein, when the vertical support (1 Fig. 1) is perpendicular to the flat surface (shown in Fig. 1), the dirty air inlet (31 Fig. 4) faces downwardly (shown in Figs. 1 and 4).
Referring to claim 5: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 3, wherein, when the vertical support (1 Fig. 1) is perpendicular to the flat surface (shown in Fig. 1), the inlet (18 Fig. 1) of the vertical support (1 Fig. 1) is higher than (inlet walls of 18 are shown higher than 31 in Fig. 4) the dirty air inlet (31 Fig. 4) of the hand vacuum cleaner (2 Fig. 1).
Referring to claim 6: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 2, wherein the door (23 and 25 Figs. 1-4) is biased closed (“The valve 23 is a flap which is pivotally mounted for movement about a fulcrum 25 (see FIG. 2), and is biassed towards a closed position closing the collection mouth” Col. 5, lines 2-5).
Referring to claim 7: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 2, wherein the inlet (18 Fig. 1) of the vertical support is sized and positioned to receive the door (23 and 25 Figs. 1-4) when the door is open (shown in Figs. 3 and 4), the door (23 Figs. 1-4) configured to be opened outwardly (door 23 opens outwardly from 18).
Referring to claim 8: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 2, further comprising a protrusion (26 Fig. 3) proximate the inlet (18 Fig. 1) of the vertical support, wherein, upon docking of the hand vacuum cleaner (2 Fig. 1) with the vertical support (1 Fig. 1), the protrusion (26 Fig. 3) is configured to unlock the door (23 and 25 Fig. 3) by rotating a lever (23 Fig. 3) of the hand vacuum cleaner that keeps the door locked (23 and 25 Fig. 3).
Referring to claim 21: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 1, wherein, when the vertical support (1 Fig. 1) is perpendicular to the flat surface (shown in Fig. 1), a handle (13 Fig. 1) of the hand vacuum cleaner is higher than (shown higher in Fig. 1) the inlet (18 Fig. 1) of the vertical support (1 Fig. 1).
Referring to claim 22: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 1, wherein the detritus (“dust within the dust collection chamber 20 is sucked into the dust collection bag 8 within the dust compartment 9 of the upright cleaner.” Col. 5, lines 23-26) comprises any one or more of dust, dirt, and debris.
Referring to claim 23: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 1, wherein the hand vacuum (2 Fig. 1) includes a housing (housing of 2 Fig. 1) having a handle (13 Fig. 1), and when the vertical support (1 Fig. 1) is perpendicular to the flat surface (shown in Fig. 1) and the vacuum housing (housing of 2 Fig. 1) is connected to the vertical support (1 Fig. 1), the handle (13 Fig. 1) is higher than (shown higher in Fig. 1) the inlet (18 Fig. 1) of the vertical support dust collector (8 Fig. 1).
Referring to claim 24: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 1, wherein the hand vacuum (2 Fig. 1) includes a surface cleaning head (20 Fig. 1).
Referring to claim 31: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 1, wherein the hand vacuum cleaner (2 Fig. 1) has a dirty air inlet (31 Fig. 4) at a front end (front end where 24 is located of 2 shown in Fig. 2) of the hand vacuum cleaner (2 Fig. 1), the dust collection region (dust collection region of 20 Figs. 1 and 2) of the hand vacuum cleaner has a region front end (inner region of 20 closest to 24 in Fig. 2) at the front (front end where 24 is located of 2 shown in Fig. 2) of the hand vacuum cleaner, and in the docked configuration (docked configuration shown in Fig. 1) and in a dirt emptying mode (mode of “dust within the dust collection chamber 20 is sucked into the dust collection bag 8 within the dust compartment 9 of the upright cleaner.” Col. 5, lines 23-26), the region front end (inner region of 20 closest to 24 in Fig. 2) is opened (opened by 26 Fig. 3) whereby detritus is transferred to the dust collector.
Referring to claim 32: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 31, wherein the dust collection region (dust collection region of 20 Figs. 1 and 2) of the hand vacuum cleaner has a front wall (front wall of 23 which seals with inner walls of 20) at the region front end (inner region of 20 closest to 24 in Fig. 2), and in the docked configuration, the front wall (front wall of 23 which seals with inner walls of 20) is opened.
Referring to claim 33: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 1, wherein the hand vacuum cleaner has a dirty air inlet (31 Fig. 4) at a front end (front end where 24 is located of 2 shown in Fig. 2) of the hand vacuum cleaner, and in the docked configuration and in a dirt emptying mode (mode of “dust within the dust collection chamber 20 is sucked into the dust collection bag 8 within the dust compartment 9 of the upright cleaner.” Col. 5, lines 23-26), the front end (front end where 24 is located of 2 shown in Fig. 2) is opened whereby detritus is transferred to the dust collector.
Referring to claim 34: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 1, wherein, in the docked configuration, a lowermost portion (lowermost portion of region 20 shown coupled to 1 shown in Fig. 1) of the dust collection region (dust collection region of 20 Figs. 1 and 2) of the hand vacuum cleaner is opened, whereby the dust collector (8 Fig. 1) receives the detritus (“dust within the dust collection chamber 20 is sucked into the dust collection bag 8 within the dust compartment 9 of the upright cleaner.” Col. 5, lines 23-26) from the dust collection region (dust collection region of 20 Figs. 1 and 2) in the absence of the detritus travelling upwards.
Referring to claim 35: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 1, wherein, in the docked configuration (docked configuration shown in Fig. 1), the inlet (18 Fig. 1) of the vertical support (1 Fig. 1) faces upwardly (shown in Fig. 1).
Referring to claim 36: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 1, wherein the dust collector (8 Fig. 1; “The dust collection bag of the upright cleaner is normally disposable, so that dust collected therein is disposed of without spillage.” Col. 1, lines 26-28) is removable for emptying and is closed when removed for emptying.
Referring to claim 37: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 1, wherein, in a dirt emptying mode (mode of “dust within the dust collection chamber 20 is sucked into the dust collection bag 8 within the dust compartment 9 of the upright cleaner.” Col. 5, lines 23-26) in the docked configuration (docked configuration shown in Fig. 1), a passage (7 Fig. 1) extends from the inlet (18 Fig. 1) of the vertical support (1 Fig. 1) to the dust collector (8 Fig. 1) of the vertical support (1 Fig. 1), the passage (7 Fig. 1) terminates at the separator (11 Fig. 1) and detritus from the dust collection region (dust collection region of 20 Figs. 1 and 2) of the hand vacuum cleaner (2 Fig. 1) travels in a single direction from the inlet (18 Fig. 1) of the vertical support (1 Fig. 1) to an inlet (inlet of 8 shown in Fig. 1) of the dust collector (8 Fig. 1) of the vertical support (1 Fig. 1).
Referring to claim 38: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 3, wherein the hand vacuum cleaner (2 Fig. 1) has an upper end (upper end of 21 shown in Fig. 2) having a dirty air inlet (21 Fig. 2) and the door (23 and 25 Figs. 1-4) closes a bottom wall (bottom wall of 20) of the hand vacuum cleaner.
Referring to claim 39: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 1, wherein the door (23 and 25 Figs. 1-4) is moveable to the open position automatically upon connection (open automatically via 26 shown in Fig. 3) of the hand vacuum cleaner to the support (1 Fig. 1).
Referring to claim 40: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 1 wherein the vertical support (1 Fig. 1) comprises an engaging member (26 Fig. 3) that depresses an actuator (25 Fig. 3) of the hand vacuum cleaner upon connection of the hand vacuum cleaner (2 Fig. 1) to the support (1 Fig. 1), the actuator (25 Fig. 3) enabling opening of the door (23 and 25 Fig. 3).
Referring to claim 25: Downham et al. discloses a dock (1 Fig. 1) of a hand-carriable surface cleaner (2 Fig. 1),
the dock (1 Fig. 1) comprising:
a dust collection chamber (8 Fig. 1) connectable in fluid communication with a dust collection(dust collection region of 20 Figs. 1 and 2) of the hand-carriable surface cleaner (2 Fig. 1) including walls (walls of 20 which are configured for holding dust/ debris shown in Figs. 1 and 2) creating an internal volume (shown in Figs. 1-4), wherein at least a portion (portion closest to 24 Fig. 2) of one of the walls comprises a door (23 and 25 Figs. 1-4) and the door is pivotally openable into (into has been construed as “in direction of” consistent with Merriam-Webster’s definition) the dock (1 Fig. 1) to establish said fluid communication,
a mechanical interface (mechanical interface of 7 and 16 shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 4) mechanically mating with surfaces of the hand-carriable surface cleaner (2 Fig. 1), the mechanical interface configured to vertically support (shown vertically supporting 2 in Fig. 1) the hand-carriable surface cleaner (2 Fig. 1); and a power interface (“In this case, the upright cleaner 1 would include a recharger base unit which, when the hand-held cleaner 2 is carried by the upright cleaner, connects to the rechargeable battery in order to recharge it” Col. 5, lines 63-67) establishing electrical communication with a battery (“the hand-held cleaner 2 could be powered by a re-chargeable battery” Col. 5, lines 60-61) of the hand-carriable surface cleaner when the hand-carriable surface cleaner (2 Fig. 1) is docked with the dock (1 Fig. 1), the power interface charging the battery (“connects to the rechargeable battery in order to recharge it” Col. 5, lines 63-67).
Referring to claim 26: Downham et al. discloses the dock of Claim 25, comprising a suction motor (“The upright body 16 also includes a suction fan 11 and a motor (not shown) for driving the suction fan.” Col. 4, lines 38-40) operable to draw air from the dust collection region (dust collection region of 20 Figs. 1 and 2) of the hand-carriable surface cleaner (2 Fig. 1) to the dust collection chamber (8 Fig. 1).
Referring to claim 27: Downham et al. discloses the dock of Claim 25, wherein the door (23 and 25 Figs. 1-4) is biased closed (“The valve 23 is a flap which is pivotally mounted for movement about a fulcrum 25 (see FIG. 2), and is biassed towards a closed position closing the collection mouth” Col. 5, lines 2-5).
Referring to claim 28: Downham et al. discloses the dock of Claim 25, comprising a seal (“to receive the auxiliary hand-held cleaner 2 with an air tight seal.” Col. 4, lines 49-50) operable with said door (23 and 25 Figs. 1-4) to enhance airtightness of the fluid communication between the dust collection chamber (8 Fig. 1) of the dock (1 Fig. 1) and the dust collection region (dust collection region of 20 Figs. 1 and 2) of the hand-carriable surface cleaner (2 Fig. 1).
Referring to claim 29: Downham et al. discloses the dock of Claim 25, comprising linkages (linkages 26 and which mate to 7 shown in Fig. 3) operable to open the door (23 and 25 Figs. 1-4)when the hand-carriable surface cleaner (2 Fig. 1) is vertically supported by the mechanical interface (shown in Fig. 1).
Referring to claim 30: Downham et al. discloses the dock of Claim 25, comprising an air treatment chamber (9 Fig. 1).
Referring to claim 41: Downham et al. discloses a vertical support (1 Fig. 1) which is free standing on a floor (shown in Fig. 1) and which is configured to dock a hand vacuum cleaner (2 Fig. 1), the hand vacuum cleaner comprising a dirty air inlet (31 Fig. 4) at a front end (front end where 24 is located of 2 shown in Fig. 2) of the hand vacuum cleaner, a first battery (“the hand-held cleaner 2 could be powered by a re-chargeable battery” Col. 5, lines 60-61) and a dust collection region (dust collection region of 20 Figs. 1 and 2), the vertical support comprising:
a first end (top end of 29 Fig. 1),
a second end (bottom end of 4 Fig. 1), and
a longitudinal axis (vertical line between end of 29 and end of 4) extending between the first end (end of 29 Fig. 1) and the second end (end of 4 Fig. 1), wherein the first end (end of 29 Fig. 1) is higher than the second end (end of 4 Fig. 1) when the vertical support (1 Fig. 1) is perpendicular to a flat surface (shown in Fig. 1),
a dust collector (8 Fig. 1) positioned between the first end (end of 29 Fig. 1) and the second end (end of 4 Fig. 1); and
a power source (“In this case, the upright cleaner 1 would include a recharger base unit which, when the hand-held cleaner 2 is carried by the upright cleaner, connects to the rechargeable battery in order to recharge it” Col. 5, lines 63-67) positioned between the first end and the second end (top and bottom end of 1),
wherein a docked configuration (docked configuration shown in Fig. 1) corresponds to the hand vacuum cleaner (2 Fig. 1) being docked with the vertical support (1 Fig. 1) and, in the docked configuration and in a dirt emptying mode (mode of “dust within the dust collection chamber 20 is sucked into the dust collection bag 8 within the dust compartment 9 of the upright cleaner.” Col. 5, lines 23-26), the front end (front end where 24 is located of 2 shown in Fig. 2) is opened (25 is opened Figs. 1-4) whereby the dust collector receives detritus (“dust within the dust collection chamber 20 is sucked into the dust collection bag 8 within the dust compartment 9 of the upright cleaner.” Col. 5, lines 23-26) from the dust collection region (dust collection region of 20 Figs. 1 and 2) of the hand vacuum cleaner and the power source charges the battery of the hand vacuum cleaner (“In this case, the upright cleaner 1 would include a recharger base unit which, when the hand-held cleaner 2 is carried by the upright cleaner, connects to the rechargeable battery in order to recharge it” Col. 5, lines 63-67).
Referring to claim 42: Downham et al. discloses the vertical support of Claim 41, wherein, in the docked configuration (docked configuration shown in Fig. 1), the inlet (18 Fig. 1) of the vertical support (1 Fig. 1) faces upwardly (shown in Fig. 1).
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
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CHRISTOPHER SOTO
Examiner
Art Unit 3723
/CHRISTOPHER SOTO/Examiner, Art Unit 3723
/MONICA S CARTER/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3723