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
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they do not include the following reference sign(s) mentioned in the description: numeral 3 – butt-joining mechanism 3 [0043]. It appears that numeral 5 shown in fig. 1 should be corrected to 3. 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. 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). 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.
Claims 1-6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
Claim 1 recites “a second support plate” (21) and “a third support plate” (31), however, a first support plate is lacking, rendering the structure inadequate. Similarly, the claim recites “second pneumatic grippers” (23), “second annular guide rail” (22), “second movable ring” (24) and “third pneumatic grippers” (33), third annular guide rail” (32) & “third movable ring” (36), but lacks first pneumatic grippers, first annular guide rail, and first movable ring. The recited incomplete arrangement fails to clearly set forth the scope, rendering the claim indefinite. It appears that claim 4 includes the necessary elements of the first clamping part, which should be incorporated into claim 1.
Appropriate corrections are requested.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 7 is allowed.
Claims 1-6 would be allowable if amended to overcome 112 rejection noted above.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: None of prior art discloses or suggests welding apparatus frame comprising both horizontal clamping mechanisms along with vertical clamping mechanisms, an adjustment mechanism for controlling a rotation angle of the clamping and butt-joining mechanisms, which includes recited structure of support plate, annular guide rails and pneumatic grippers, wherein the adjustment mechanism is connected to a driving mechanism that is fixedly connected to the bracket.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 2/13/26 complies with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Inquiry
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DEVANG R PATEL whose telephone number is (571) 270-3636. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday 8am-5pm, EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Keith Walker can be reached on 571-272-3458. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DEVANG R PATEL/
Primary Examiner, AU 1735
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