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 .
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the depressible button, spring interlock, and magnet and pin system recited in claims 3, 9, and 10 must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
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. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. 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 Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: “lock mechanism” in claims 1 and 7 and “lighting element” in claims 2 and 8.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1, 3, 5-7, 9, 15, and 17-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Tickner (US 5809850).
1. Tickner teaches an adapter (28) for joining a tool (30) having a tool stud (base 50) and a tool stud hole (base 50 is hollow, see Tickner figs. 3-8) to a threaded pole (22), said adapter comprising:
a body (32) having an internally threaded end (coupler 32 attaches to external threads of pole 22, which means it will have internal threads, see Tickner fig. 2 and 3:46-54),
an attachment end (tube 38) having a center hole opposite the internally threaded end (tube 38 is hollow and on an end distal from 32, see Tickner fig. 2 and 3:55-61);
a lock mechanism (34) entering the internally threaded end (screw 34 enters threaded end 32, Tickner fig. 2 and 3:46-54);
and an attachment lock (holes 42, see Tickner fig. 2) configured to interact with the tool stud and the attachment end when the tool stud is inserted into the center hole (base 50 includes detents 54 which interact with holes 42 to lock tool 30 in place when inserted into tube 38, see Tickner figs. 2, 4, and 9, and 4:12-18).
3. Tickner teaches the adapter of claim 1, further comprising a locking hole (holes 42) passing through the center hole (holes 42 are on opposing sides of tube 38, see Tickner figs. 2 and 13-14), and wherein the attachment lock is a depressible button configured to pass into at least a portion of the locking hole (detents 54 at least partly pass through holes 42, see Tickner figs. 2, 4, 9, and 13).
5. Tickner teaches the adapter of claim 1, wherein the internally threaded end of the body includes a first flat outer surface and a second flat outer surface with the first flat outer surface opposing the second flat outer surface (bottom portion of 40 is depicted has having flat surfaces corresponding to the opposing flat surfaces on tube 38, see Tickner fig. figs. 2-3).
6. Tickner teaches the adapter of claim 1, wherein the lock mechanism comprises a lock screw configured to pass into a threaded hole in a body sidewall at the internally threaded end (locking screw 34 is positioned at threaded end 32 and passes through a sidewall, see Tickner fig. 2 and 3:46-54).
7. Tickner teaches a kit for attaching a tool (30) to a threaded pole (22), said kit comprising:
an adapter (28) comprising
a body (32) having an internally threaded end (coupler 32 attaches to external threads of pole 22, which means it will have internal threads, see Tickner fig. 2 and 3:46-54),
an attachment end (tube 38) opposite the internally threaded end and comprising a center hole (tube 38 is hollow and on end distal from 32, see Tickner fig. 2 and 3:55-61),
a lock mechanism (34) for the internally threaded end (Tickner fig. 2 and 3:46-54),
an attachment lock (holes 42, see Tickner fig. 2) for the attachment end (holes 42 are on end of 38, see Tickner fig. 2);
the tool (30) having a tool stud (base 50) with a tool stud hole (base 50 is hollow, see Tickner figs. 3-8);
and wherein said attachment lock is configured to interact with the tool stud when the tool stud is inserted into the center hole (base 50 includes detents 54 which interact with holes 42 to lock tool 30 in place when inserted into tube 38, see Tickner figs. 2, 4, and 9, and 4:12-18).
9. Tickner teaches the kit of claim 7, further comprising a locking hole (holes 42) passing through the center hole (holes 42 are on opposing sides of tube 38, see Tickner figs. 2 and 13-14), and wherein the attachment lock is a depressible button configured to pass into at least a portion of the locking hole (detents 54 at least partly pass through holes 42, see Tickner figs. 2, 4, 9, and 13).
15. Tickner teaches the kit of claim 7, wherein the lock mechanism comprises a lock screw configured to pass into a threaded hole in a body sidewall at the internally threaded end (locking screw 34 is positioned at threaded end 32 and passes through a sidewall, see Tickner fig. 2 and 3:46-54).
17. Tickner teaches the kit of claim 7, wherein the tool is a light bulb extractor (see Tickner figs. 9-11 and 5:36-66).
18. Tickner teaches the kit of claim 17, wherein the light bulb extractor is selected from the group consisting of a spring-loaded friction removal tool and a broken bulb removal tool (grippers 52 are capable of elastic deformation and engage at least partly by friction, see Tickner 4:6-11 and figs. 9-10; because the grippers engage with ballast on a bulb, they would also be capable of removing a broken light bulb so long as the ballast was not broken off).
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 2 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Tickner as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Morse (US 4864899).
2. Tickner teaches the adapter of claim 1, but does not teach that the attachment end comprises a lighting element electrically connected to a power supply, said lighting element is configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch.
However, Morse teaches a lightbulb changing tool (10, Morse fig. 2) wherein the tool includes a lighting element (28, Morse fig. 4 and 2:39-47) at the attachment end (28 is positioned at an end connected to removable tool 40, see Morse fig. 4) that is electrically connected to a power supply (28 is connected to batteries 26, see Morse figs. 3-4), with said lighting element configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch (illuminating means 28 are controlled by a switch 35, see Morse fig. 2 and 3:3-9).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary sill before the effective filing date to integrate the teachings of Morse regarding a lighting element and associated power and control means into the device of Tickner such that the adapter further comprised a lighting element at the attachment end that is electrically connected to a power supply, with said lighting element configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch, as doing so would allow for illumination of a light fixture in a darkened room during a bulb removal or changing process. (Morse 3:10-13).
Claims 8, 10, 16, and 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Tickner as applied to claim 7 above, and further in view of Morse.
8. Tickner teaches the kit of claim 7, but does not teach that the adapter further comprises a lighting element at the attachment end that is electrically connected to a power supply, with said lighting element configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch.
However, Morse teaches a lightbulb changing tool (10, Morse fig. 2) wherein the tool includes a lighting element (28, Morse fig. 4 and 2:39-47) at the attachment end (28 is positioned at an end connected to removable tool 40, see Morse fig. 4) that is electrically connected to a power supply (28 is connected to batteries 26, see Morse figs. 3-4), with said lighting element configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch (illuminating means 28 are controlled by a switch 35, see Morse fig. 2 and 3:3-9).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary sill before the effective filing date to integrate the teachings of Morse regarding a lighting element and associated power and control means into the device of Tickner such that the adapter further comprised a lighting element at the attachment end that is electrically connected to a power supply, with said lighting element configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch, as doing so would allow for illumination of a light fixture in a darkened room during a bulb removal or changing process. (Morse 3:10-13).
10. Tickner as modified teaches the kit of claim 8, further comprising a locking hole (holes 42) passing through the center hole (holes 42 are on opposing sides of tube 38, see Tickner figs. 2 and 13-14), and wherein the attachment lock is a depressible button configured to pass into at least a portion of the locking hole (detents 54 at least partly pass through holes 42, see Tickner figs. 2, 4, 9, and 13).
16. Tickner as modified teaches the kit of claim 8, wherein the lock mechanism comprises a lock screw configured to pass into a threaded hole in a body sidewall at the internally threaded end (locking screw 34 is positioned at threaded end 32 and passes through a sidewall, see Tickner fig. 2 and 3:46-54).
19. Tickner as modified teaches the kit of claim 8, wherein the tool is a light bulb extractor (see Tickner figs. 9-11 and 5:36-66).
20. Tickner as modified teaches the kit of claim 19, wherein the light bulb extractor is selected from the group consisting of a spring-loaded friction removal tool and a broken bulb removal tool (grippers 52 are capable of elastic deformation and engage at least partly by friction, see Tickner 4:6-11 and figs. 9-10; because the grippers engage with ballast on a bulb, they would also be capable of removing a broken light bulb so long as the ballast was not broken off).
Claims 1 and 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Newman et al. (US 5148723, "Newman") in view of Robinson (US 7234743).
1. Newman teaches an adapter (10) for joining a tool (suction cup 12) having a tool stud (cylindrical base portion 22) with a tool stud hole (22 includes slots 38, see Newman figs. 3-4 and 2:3-23); to a threaded pole (70, see Newman fig. 1), said adapter comprising:
a body (18) having an internally threaded end (60, see Newman figs. 2-3 and 2:41-68),
an attachment end having a center hole opposite the internally threaded end (end including center hole 62 is distal to threaded bore 60, see Newman figs. 2-3 and 2:41-68); and
an attachment lock (combination of pin 16 and holes 64, see Newman figs. 2-4 and 2:31-41) configured to interact with the tool stud and the attachment end when the tool stud is inserted into the center hole (pin 16 extends through holes 64 and slots 38 in suction cup 12, see Newman fig. 3).
Newman does not teach the presence of a lock mechanism entering the internally threaded end.
However, Robinson teaches the concept of providing a lock mechanism (30) entering an internally threaded end (set screw 30 enters internally threaded end 46, see Robinson fig. 2) of an adapter (2) for attaching a tool (22) to a threaded pole (22, see Robinson figs. 1-2 and 3:8-47).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the adapter of Newman according to the teachings from Robinson such that it included a lock mechanism entering the internally threaded end, as doing so would secure the threaded connection against unwanted rotation (Robinson 3:45-47).
7. Newman teaches a kit (Newman fig. 1) for attaching a tool (12) to a threaded pole (70), said kit comprising:
an adapter (10) comprising a body (18) having an internally threaded end (60, see Newman figs. 2-3 and 2:41-68),
an attachment end opposite the internally threaded end and comprising a center hole (end including center hole 62 is distal to threaded bore 60, see Newman figs. 2-3 and 2:41-68),
an attachment lock (combination of pin 16 and holes 64, see Newman figs. 2-4 and 2:31-41) for the attachment end (pin 16 extends across bore 62, see Newman figs. 2-4);
the tool (suction cup 12) having a tool stud (cylindrical base portion 22) with a tool stud hole (22 includes slots 38, see Newman figs. 3-4 and 2:3-23);
and wherein said attachment lock is configured to interact with the tool stud when the tool stud is inserted into the center hole (pin 16 extends through holes 64 and slots 38 in suction cup 12, see Newman fig. 3).
Newman does not teach the presence of a lock mechanism for the internally threaded end.
However, Robinson teaches the concept of providing a lock mechanism (30) for an internally threaded end (set screw 30 enters internally threaded end 46, see Robinson fig. 2) of an adapter (2) for attaching a tool (22) to a threaded pole (22, see Robinson figs. 1-2 and 3:8-47).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the kit of Newman according to the teachings from Robinson such that it included a lock mechanism for the internally threaded end, as doing so would secure the threaded connection against unwanted rotation (Robinson 3:45-47).
Claim 4 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Newman in view of Robinson as applied to claims 1 and 7 above, and further in view of Barron (US 6223628).
4. Newman as modified teaches the adapter of claim 1, further comprising a string having a string first end configured to connect to a portion of the tool (string connected to holes 32 of ears 30 on suction cup 12 and may be pulled to release pressure from the suction cup, see Newman 3:11-23 and fig. 1). Newman does not teach the presence of a spool located between the internally threaded end and the attachment end.
However, Barron teaches the concept of providing a light bulb changing tool (10) including a string (77, see Barron figs. 1-2) for releasing a light bulb and further providing a spool (48, see Barron fig. 1) for storing the string between ends of the tool.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the adapter of Newman as modified according to the teachings of Barron regarding the provision of storage on a lightbulb changing tool such that it included a spool located between the internally threaded end and the attachment end, as Newman teaches that a string must be long enough for use by a distant operator (Newman fig. 1 and 3:11-23), which one of ordinary skill would understand to have a significant risk of tangling if stored in a disorderly fashion. Modifying the device to include an integral storage device such as the spool taught by Barron would ensure that a very long cord could be stored in a fashion that reduces the risk of the cord tangling. Furthermore, it would have been obvious to position such a storage device between the ends of the adapter to ensure that it didn't interfere with the connection mechanisms on either and would ensure that the string stayed with the adapter even if it were used with different poles.
Claims 11 and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Newman in view of Robinson as applied to claims 1 and 7 above, and further in view of Barron.
11. Newman as modified teaches the kit of claim 7, and further teaches the presence of string (to release pressure from the suction cup, see Newman 3:11-23), but does not explicitly teach that the adapter further comprises a spool that houses a string located between the internally threaded end and the attachment end of the adapter.
However, Barron teaches the concept of providing a light bulb changing tool (10) including a string (77, see Barron figs. 1-2) for releasing a light bulb and further providing a spool (48, see Barron fig. 1) for storing the string between ends of the tool.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the adapter of Newman as modified according to the teachings of Barron regarding the provision of storage on a lightbulb changing tool such that it included a spool located between the internally threaded end and the attachment end, as Newman teaches that a string must be long enough for use by a distant operator (Newman fig. 1 and 3:11-23), which one of ordinary skill would understand to have a significant risk of tangling if stored in a disorderly fashion. Modifying the device to include an integral storage device such as the spool taught by Barron would ensure that a very long cord could be stored in a fashion that reduces the risk of the cord tangling. Furthermore, it would have been obvious to position such a storage device between the ends of the adapter to ensure that it didn't interfere with the connection mechanisms on either and would ensure that the string stayed with the adapter even if it were used with different poles.
12. Newman as modified teaches the kit of claim 11, wherein a string first end is configured to connect to a portion of the tool (string is connected to holes 32 of ears 30 on suction cup 12 and may be pulled to release pressure from the suction cup, see Newman 3:11-23 and fig. 1).
Claim 8 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Newman in view of Robinson as applied to claim 7 above, and further in view of Morse (US 4864899).
8. Newman as modified teaches the kit of claim 7, the adapter further comprising a lighting element at the attachment end that is electrically connected to a power supply, with said lighting element configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch.
However, Morse teaches a lightbulb changing tool (10, Morse fig. 2) wherein the tool includes a lighting element (28, Morse fig. 4 and 2:39-47) at the attachment end (28 is positioned at an end connected to removable tool 40, see Morse fig. 4) that is electrically connected to a power supply (28 is connected to batteries 26, see Morse figs. 3-4), with said lighting element configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch (illuminating means 28 are controlled by a switch 35, see Morse fig. 2 and 3:3-9).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary sill before the effective filing date to integrate the teachings of Morse regarding a lighting element and associated power and control means into the device of Newman as modified such that the adapter further comprised a lighting element at the attachment end that is electrically connected to a power supply, with said lighting element configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch, as doing so would allow for illumination of a light fixture in a darkened room during a bulb removal or changing process. (Morse 3:10-13).
Claims 13 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Newman in view of Robinson and Morse as applied to claim 8 above, and further in view of Barron.
13. Newman as modified teaches the kit of claim 8, and further teaches the presence of string (to release pressure from the suction cup, see Newman 3:11-23), but does not explicitly teach that the adapter further comprises a spool that houses a string located between the internally threaded end and the attachment end of the adapter.
However, Barron teaches the concept of providing a light bulb changing tool (10) including a string (77, see Barron figs. 1-2) for releasing a light bulb and further providing a spool (48, see Barron fig. 1) for storing the string between ends of the tool.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the adapter of Newman as modified according to the teachings of Barron regarding the provision of storage on a lightbulb changing tool such that it included a spool located between the internally threaded end and the attachment end, as Newman teaches that a string must be long enough for use by a distant operator (Newman fig. 1 and 3:11-23), which one of ordinary skill would understand to have a significant risk of tangling if stored in a disorderly fashion. Modifying the device to include an integral storage device such as the spool taught by Barron would ensure that a very long cord could be stored in a fashion that reduces the risk of the cord tangling. Furthermore, it would have been obvious to position such a storage device between the ends of the adapter to ensure that it didn't interfere with the connection mechanisms on either and would ensure that the string stayed with the adapter even if it were used with different poles.
14. Newman as modified teaches the kit of claim 13, wherein a string first end is configured to connect to a portion of the tool (string is connected to holes 32 of ears 30 on suction cup 12 and may be pulled to release pressure from the suction cup, see Newman 3:11-23 and fig. 1).2. Tickner teaches the adapter of claim 1, but does not teach that the attachment end comprises a lighting element electrically connected to a power supply, said lighting element is configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch.
However, Morse teaches a lightbulb changing tool (10, Morse fig. 2) wherein the tool includes a lighting element (28, Morse fig. 4 and 2:39-47) at the attachment end (28 is positioned at an end connected to removable tool 40, see Morse fig. 4) that is electrically connected to a power supply (28 is connected to batteries 26, see Morse figs. 3-4), with said lighting element configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch (illuminating means 28 are controlled by a switch 35, see Morse fig. 2 and 3:3-9).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date to integrate the teachings of Morse regarding a lighting element and associated power and control means into the device of Tickner such that the adapter further comprised a lighting element at the attachment end that is electrically connected to a power supply, with said lighting element configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch, as doing so would allow for illumination of a light fixture in a darkened room during a bulb removal or changing process. (Morse 3:10-13).
Claims 8, 10, 16, and 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Tickner as applied to claim 7 above, and further in view of Morse.
8. Tickner teaches the kit of claim 7, but does not teach that the adapter further comprises a lighting element at the attachment end that is electrically connected to a power supply, with said lighting element configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch.
However, Morse teaches a lightbulb changing tool (10, Morse fig. 2) wherein the tool includes a lighting element (28, Morse fig. 4 and 2:39-47) at the attachment end (28 is positioned at an end connected to removable tool 40, see Morse fig. 4) that is electrically connected to a power supply (28 is connected to batteries 26, see Morse figs. 3-4), with said lighting element configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch (illuminating means 28 are controlled by a switch 35, see Morse fig. 2 and 3:3-9).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill before the effective filing date to integrate the teachings of Morse regarding a lighting element and associated power and control means into the device of Tickner such that the adapter further comprised a lighting element at the attachment end that is electrically connected to a power supply, with said lighting element configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch, as doing so would allow for illumination of a light fixture in a darkened room during a bulb removal or changing process. (Morse 3:10-13).
10. Tickner as modified teaches the kit of claim 8, further comprising a locking hole (holes 42) passing through the center hole (holes 42 are on opposing sides of tube 38, see Tickner figs. 2 and 13-14), and wherein the attachment lock is a depressible button configured to pass into at least a portion of the locking hole (detents 54 at least partly pass through holes 42, see Tickner figs. 2, 4, 9, and 13).
16. Tickner as modified teaches the kit of claim 8, wherein the lock mechanism comprises a lock screw configured to pass into a threaded hole in a body sidewall at the internally threaded end (locking screw 34 is positioned at threaded end 32 and passes through a sidewall, see Tickner fig. 2 and 3:46-54).
19. Tickner as modified teaches the kit of claim 8, wherein the tool is a light bulb extractor (see Tickner figs. 9-11 and 5:36-66).
20. Tickner as modified teaches the kit of claim 19, wherein the light bulb extractor is selected from the group consisting of a spring-loaded friction removal tool and a broken bulb removal tool (grippers 52 are capable of elastic deformation and engage at least partly by friction, see Tickner 4:6-11 and figs. 9-10; because the grippers engage with ballast on a bulb, they would also be capable of removing a broken light bulb so long as the ballast was not broken off).
Claims 1 and 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Newman et al. (US 5148723, "Newman") in view of Robinson (US 7234743).
1. Newman teaches an adapter (10) for joining a tool (suction cup 12) having a tool stud (cylindrical base portion 22) with a tool stud hole (22 includes slots 38, see Newman figs. 3-4 and 2:3-23); to a threaded pole (70, see Newman fig. 1), said adapter comprising:
a body (18) having an internally threaded end (60, see Newman figs. 2-3 and 2:41-68),
an attachment end having a center hole opposite the internally threaded end (end including center hole 62 is distal to threaded bore 60, see Newman figs. 2-3 and 2:41-68); and
an attachment lock (combination of pin 16 and holes 64, see Newman figs. 2-4 and 2:31-41) configured to interact with the tool stud and the attachment end when the tool stud is inserted into the center hole (pin 16 extends through holes 64 and slots 38 in suction cup 12, see Newman fig. 3).
Newman does not teach the presence of a lock mechanism entering the internally threaded end.
However, Robinson teaches the concept of providing a lock mechanism (30) entering an internally threaded end (set screw 30 enters internally threaded end 46, see Robinson fig. 2) of an adapter (2) for attaching a tool (22) to a threaded pole (22, see Robinson figs. 1-2 and 3:8-47).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the adapter of Newman according to the teachings from Robinson such that it included a lock mechanism entering the internally threaded end, as doing so would secure the threaded connection against unwanted rotation (Robinson 3:45-47).
7. Newman teaches a kit (Newman fig. 1) for attaching a tool (12) to a threaded pole (70), said kit comprising:
an adapter (10) comprising a body (18) having an internally threaded end (60, see Newman figs. 2-3 and 2:41-68),
an attachment end opposite the internally threaded end and comprising a center hole (end including center hole 62 is distal to threaded bore 60, see Newman figs. 2-3 and 2:41-68),
an attachment lock (combination of pin 16 and holes 64, see Newman figs. 2-4 and 2:31-41) for the attachment end (pin 16 extends across bore 62, see Newman figs. 2-4);
the tool (suction cup 12) having a tool stud (cylindrical base portion 22) with a tool stud hole (22 includes slots 38, see Newman figs. 3-4 and 2:3-23);
and wherein said attachment lock is configured to interact with the tool stud when the tool stud is inserted into the center hole (pin 16 extends through holes 64 and slots 38 in suction cup 12, see Newman fig. 3).
Newman does not teach the presence of a lock mechanism for the internally threaded end.
However, Robinson teaches the concept of providing a lock mechanism (30) for an internally threaded end (set screw 30 enters internally threaded end 46, see Robinson fig. 2) of an adapter (2) for attaching a tool (22) to a threaded pole (22, see Robinson figs. 1-2 and 3:8-47).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the kit of Newman according to the teachings from Robinson such that it included a lock mechanism for the internally threaded end, as doing so would secure the threaded connection against unwanted rotation (Robinson 3:45-47).
Claim 4 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Newman in view of Robinson as applied to claims 1 and 7 above, and further in view of Barron (US 6223628).
4. Newman as modified teaches the adapter of claim 1, further comprising a string having a string first end configured to connect to a portion of the tool (string connected to holes 32 of ears 30 on suction cup 12 and may be pulled to release pressure from the suction cup, see Newman 3:11-23 and fig. 1). Newman does not teach the presence of a spool located between the internally threaded end and the attachment end.
However, Barron teaches the concept of providing a light bulb changing tool (10) including a string (77, see Barron figs. 1-2) for releasing a light bulb and further providing a spool (48, see Barron fig. 1) for storing the string between ends of the tool.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the adapter of Newman as modified according to the teachings of Barron regarding the provision of storage on a lightbulb changing tool such that it included a spool located between the internally threaded end and the attachment end, as Newman teaches that a string must be long enough for use by a distant operator (Newman fig. 1 and 3:11-23), which one of ordinary skill would understand to have a significant risk of tangling if stored in a disorderly fashion. Modifying the device to include an integral storage device such as the spool taught by Barron would ensure that a very long cord could be stored in a fashion that reduces the risk of the cord tangling. Furthermore, it would have been obvious to position such a storage device between the ends of the adapter to ensure that it didn't interfere with the connection mechanisms on either and would ensure that the string stayed with the adapter even if it were used with different poles.
Claims 11 and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Newman in view of Robinson as applied to claims 1 and 7 above, and further in view of Barron.
11. Newman as modified teaches the kit of claim 7, and further teaches the presence of string (to release pressure from the suction cup, see Newman 3:11-23), but does not explicitly teach that the adapter further comprises a spool that houses a string located between the internally threaded end and the attachment end of the adapter.
However, Barron teaches the concept of providing a light bulb changing tool (10) including a string (77, see Barron figs. 1-2) for releasing a light bulb and further providing a spool (48, see Barron fig. 1) for storing the string between ends of the tool.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the adapter of Newman as modified according to the teachings of Barron regarding the provision of storage on a lightbulb changing tool such that it included a spool located between the internally threaded end and the attachment end, as Newman teaches that a string must be long enough for use by a distant operator (Newman fig. 1 and 3:11-23), which one of ordinary skill would understand to have a significant risk of tangling if stored in a disorderly fashion. Modifying the device to include an integral storage device such as the spool taught by Barron would ensure that a very long cord could be stored in a fashion that reduces the risk of the cord tangling. Furthermore, it would have been obvious to position such a storage device between the ends of the adapter to ensure that it didn't interfere with the connection mechanisms on either and would ensure that the string stayed with the adapter even if it were used with different poles.
12. Newman as modified teaches the kit of claim 11, wherein a string first end is configured to connect to a portion of the tool (string is connected to holes 32 of ears 30 on suction cup 12 and may be pulled to release pressure from the suction cup, see Newman 3:11-23 and fig. 1).
Claim 8 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Newman in view of Robinson as applied to claim 7 above, and further in view of Morse (US 4864899).
8. Newman as modified teaches the kit of claim 7, the adapter further comprising a lighting element at the attachment end that is electrically connected to a power supply, with said lighting element configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch.
However, Morse teaches a lightbulb changing tool (10, Morse fig. 2) wherein the tool includes a lighting element (28, Morse fig. 4 and 2:39-47) at the attachment end (28 is positioned at an end connected to removable tool 40, see Morse fig. 4) that is electrically connected to a power supply (28 is connected to batteries 26, see Morse figs. 3-4), with said lighting element configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch (illuminating means 28 are controlled by a switch 35, see Morse fig. 2 and 3:3-9).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary sill before the effective filing date to integrate the teachings of Morse regarding a lighting element and associated power and control means into the device of Newman as modified such that the adapter further comprised a lighting element at the attachment end that is electrically connected to a power supply, with said lighting element configured to turn on when a circuit between the lighting element and the power supply is closed by a switch, as doing so would allow for illumination of a light fixture in a darkened room during a bulb removal or changing process. (Morse 3:10-13).
Claims 13 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Newman in view of Robinson and Morse as applied to claim 8 above, and further in view of Barron.
13. Newman as modified teaches the kit of claim 8, and further teaches the presence of string (to release pressure from the suction cup, see Newman 3:11-23), but does not explicitly teach that the adapter further comprises a spool that houses a string located between the internally threaded end and the attachment end of the adapter.
However, Barron teaches the concept of providing a light bulb changing tool (10) including a string (77, see Barron figs. 1-2) for releasing a light bulb and further providing a spool (48, see Barron fig. 1) for storing the string between ends of the tool.
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the adapter of Newman as modified according to the teachings of Barron regarding the provision of storage on a lightbulb changing tool such that it included a spool located between the internally threaded end and the attachment end, as Newman teaches that a string must be long enough for use by a distant operator (Newman fig. 1 and 3:11-23), which one of ordinary skill would understand to have a significant risk of tangling if stored in a disorderly fashion. Modifying the device to include an integral storage device such as the spool taught by Barron would ensure that a very long cord could be stored in a fashion that reduces the risk of the cord tangling. Furthermore, it would have been obvious to position such a storage device between the ends of the adapter to ensure that it didn't interfere with the connection mechanisms on either and would ensure that the string stayed with the adapter even if it were used with different poles.
14. Newman as modified teaches the kit of claim 13, wherein a string first end is configured to connect to a portion of the tool (string is connected to holes 32 of ears 30 on suction cup 12 and may be pulled to release pressure from the suction cup, see Newman 3:11-23 and fig. 1).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Harrington et al. (US 11081309), O'Banion et al. (US 10818487), Gurwicz et al. (US 10429040), Groves et al. (US 10332737), Shaps et al. (US 9070544), Gatski (US 8555749), Johnson et al. (US 8516925), Orr (US 8281470), Johnson et al. (US 7856907), Saunders (US 7131352), Tse et al. (US 6553872), Marinescu (US 5317939), Metzler et al. (US 1541839), and Simms (US 0636229) teach relevant to the field of kits for changing lightbulbs
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/JONATHAN R ZAWORSKI/Examiner, Art Unit 3723
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