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`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`17/801,774
`
`08/23/2022
`
`Shohei MIZUMA
`
`091777-0100
`
`6958
`
`Rimon PC - Panasonic Corporation
`8300 Greensboro Dr.
`Suite 500
`McLean, VA 22102
`
`ROJAS, BERNARD
`
`2837
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`08/01/2024
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e-mail address(es):
`USPTOmail @rimonlaw.com
`
`eofficeaction @appcoll.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-16 and 21-24 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C] Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-16 and 21-24 is/are rejected.
`(] Claim(s)__ is/are objectedto.
`C] Claim(s)
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http:/Awww.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10)(2 The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)() The drawing(s) filed on
`is/are: a)(] accepted or b)(_] objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121(d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`—_c)Z None ofthe:
`b)1 Some**
`a)) All
`1.¥) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.2) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.2.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`*“ See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3)
`
`4)
`
`(LJ Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20240213
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`17/801,774
`MIZUMA etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF)StatusExaminer
`Bernard Rojas
`2837
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORYPERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensionsof time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1)C) Responsive to communication(s) filed on
`CA declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiledon
`
`2a)C) This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)This action is non-final.
`3) An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4)() Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/801,774
`Art Unit: 2837
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013,
`
`is being examined
`
`underthefirst inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
`
`Priority
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`
`The information disclosure
`
`statement
`
`(IDS)
`
`submitted on 08/23/2022 and
`
`07/26/2023 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly,
`
`the
`
`information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`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-AlA) for the rejection will
`
`not be considered a new ground ofrejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale
`
`supporting the rejection, would be the same undereither status.
`
`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 madein 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.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/801,774
`Art Unit: 2837
`
`Page 3
`
`Claims 1-11, 21, 22 and 24 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being
`
`anticipated by Bayles et al. [US 3,887,888].
`
`Claim 1, Bayles et al. discloses a contact device [figure 1], comprising: a first
`
`contact [28]; a second contact [34]
`
`that is movable relative to the first contact and is
`
`brought into contact with [figure 1] or separated from [figure 2] the first contact [28]; a first
`
`body part [20] including the first contact [28]; asecond body part [33] including the second
`
`contact [34]; and a yoke [40; col. 3 line 53 to col. 4 line 9] arranged adjacent to at least
`
`oneof the first body part [20] or the second body part, wherein at least a part of the yoke
`
`[40] is arranged along magnetic flux generated by a current flowing through one body part
`
`of the first body part [20] and the second bodypart that is adjacent to the yoke, in a region
`
`wherethe first body [20] part and the second body part [33] overlap each other when
`
`viewed along an axis in which the first contact and the second contact moverelative to
`
`each other while the first contact and the second contact are in contact with each other
`
`[figures 1-3].
`
`Claim 2, Bayles et al. discloses the contact device according to claim 1, wherein
`
`the body part [20] adjacent to the yoke [40] includesafirst surface [top surface on which
`
`contact28 is located] that faces an opposing body part [33], and a second surface [bottom
`
`surface opposite the top surface] on an opposite side to the first surface that faces the
`
`opposing body part [figures 1-3], and the yoke [40]
`
`includes a section [44] arranged
`
`adjacent to the second surface [figures 2 and 3].
`
`Claim 3, Bayles et al. discloses the contact device according to claim 1, wherein
`
`the yoke [40] includes a section [44] that overlaps with a contact region in which thefirst
`
`contact [28] and the second contact [34] make contact with each other [figure 2] when
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/801,774
`Art Unit: 2837
`
`Page 4
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`viewed along the axis in which the first contact and the second contact moverelative to
`
`each other[figures 1-3].
`
`Claim 4, Bayles et al. discloses the contact device according to claim 1, wherein
`
`the yoke[40] is arranged to overlap with a contact [28] of the body part [20] adjacent to
`
`the yoke [40] when viewed along the axis in which the first contact [28] and the second
`
`contact [33] moverelative to each other [figures 1-3].
`
`Claim 5, Bayles et al. discloses the contact device according to claim 1, wherein
`
`the body part [20] adjacent to the yoke [40] includesafirst surface [top surface on which
`
`contact 28 is located] that faces an opposing body part [83], a second surface [bottom
`
`surface opposite the top surface] on an opposite side to the first surface that faces the
`
`opposing body part, and a third surface [sides connecting the top surface to the bottom
`
`surface] provided in continuation from the first surface and the second surface, and the
`
`yoke [40] includes a section [42] arranged along the third surface [figure 3].
`
`Claim 6, Bayles et al. discloses the contact device according to claim 5, wherein
`
`the section arranged along the third surface of the yoke protrudes outward from thefirst
`
`surface [figures 1-3].
`
`Claim 7, Bayles et al. discloses the contact device according to claim 1, wherein
`
`the yoke includes a section [42] arranged spaced apart from an outer surface [bottom
`
`surface of 20] of the body part [20] adjacent to the yoke [40; figures 1-3].
`
`Claim 8, Bayles et al. discloses the contact device according to claim 1, wherein
`
`the yoke [40] is fixed to the body part [20] adjacent to the yoke[figures 1-3, the yoke 40
`
`does not move when the movable contact moves].
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/801,774
`Art Unit: 2837
`
`Page 5
`
`Claim 9, Bayles et al. discloses the contact device according to claim 1, wherein
`
`the first [28] contact includes twofirst contacts [28 Left and 28 Right; figures 1 and 2] the
`
`second contact[33] includes two second contacts [34 Left and 34 Right; figures 1 and 2],
`
`the first body part [20] includes twofirst body parts [20 Left and 20 Right; figures 1 and
`
`2], and the second body [33] part includes one second body part [figures 1 and 2], one
`
`second contact [34 Left] of the two second contacts is brought into contact with and is
`
`separated from onefirst contact [20 Left] of the two first contacts [figures 1 and 2], and
`
`the other second contact [34 Right] of the two second contacts is brought
`
`into contact
`
`with and is separated from the otherfirst contact [20 Right] of the twofirst contacts [figures
`
`1 and 2], the twofirst contacts are arranged side by side in an axis intersecting an axis in
`
`whichthefirst contacts and the second contacts [figures 1 and 2], which are broughtinto
`
`contact with and are separated from each other, moverelative to each other, one [20 Left]
`
`of the twofirst body parts has the onefirst contact [28 Left], and the other of the twofirst
`
`body parts [20 Right] has the otherfirst contact [28 Right], and the one second body part
`
`[33] includes the two second contacts [34; figures 1 and 2].
`
`Claim 10, Bayles et al. discloses the contact device according to claim 9, wherein
`
`the yoke [40] includesafirst yoke [40 Left] arranged near where the onefirst contact [28
`
`Left] and the one second contact[34 Left; figures 1-2], which are brought into contact with
`
`[figure 2jJand are separated from [figure 1] each other, are located, and a second yoke[40
`
`Right] arranged near wherethe otherfirst contact [28 Right] and the other second contact
`
`[34 Right], which are brought
`
`into contact with [figure 2] and are separated from each
`
`other[figure 1], are located.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/801,774
`Art Unit: 2837
`
`Page 6
`
`Claim 11, Bayles et al. discloses the contact device according to claim 10, wherein
`
`the yoke[40] includes aconnecting section connecting the first yoke and the second yoke
`
`[figures 1-3].
`
`Claim 21, Bayles et al. discloses the contact device according to claim 1, wherein
`
`the yoke [40] is arranged adjacent to only oneof the first body part [20] and the second
`
`body part [figures 1-3].
`
`Claim 22, Bayles et al. discloses the contact device according to claim 1, wherein
`
`the yoke [40] includes a plurality of yokes [40 Left and 40 Right] arranged adjacent to the
`
`first body part [20] and the second body part [figures 1-3].
`
`Claim 24, Bayles et al. discloses an electromagnetic relay, comprising: the contact
`
`device according to claim 1 [figures 1-4, abs].
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`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-AlA) for the rejection will
`
`not be considered a new ground ofrejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale
`
`supporting the rejection, would be the same undereither status.
`
`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 patentfora claimed invention may notbe 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 beforethe effective filing date of the claim edinvention to a person having ordinaryskill
`in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the
`mannerin which the invention was made.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/801,774
`Art Unit: 2837
`
`Page 7
`
`This application currently namesjoint inventors.
`
`In considering patentability of the
`
`claims the examiner presumes that
`
`the subject matter of
`
`the various claims was
`
`commonly owned as of the effectivefiling date of the claimed invention(s) absent any
`
`evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to
`
`point out the inventor and effectivefiling dates of each claim that was not commonly
`
`owned as of the effectivefiling date of the later invention in order for the examiner to
`
`consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2)
`
`prior art against the later invention.
`
`Claims 12-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Bayles
`
`et al. [US 3,887,888] in view of Lee et al. [US 2017/0032913].
`
`Claim 12, Bayles et al. discloses the contact device according to claim 1, with the
`
`exception of the first body part includesafirst protrusion part that protrudes toward the
`
`second body part at an end part of the first body part in an axis crossing the axis in which
`
`the first contact and the second contact move relative to each other.
`
`Lee et al. teaches a contact device [figures 2-4], comprising: a first contact [111];
`
`a second contact [121] that is movable relative to the first contact and is brought
`
`into
`
`contact with or separated from the first contact [111]; a first body part [110] including the
`
`first contact [111]; a second body part [120] including the second contact [121]; wherein
`
`the first body part [111]
`
`includes a first protrusion part [181] that protrudes toward the
`
`second body part [120] at an end part of the first body part in an axis crossing the axis in
`
`whichthefirst contact and the second contact moverelative to each other[figures 2-4].
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to include thefirst protrusion of Lee etal. in the contact
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/801,774
`Art Unit: 2837
`
`Page 8
`
`device of Bayles et al.
`
`ion order to direct and dissipate arc in order to enhancereliability
`
`[Lee et al. abs].
`
`Claim 13, Bayles et al. as modified discloses the contact device according to claim
`
`12, wherein Leeet al. teaches that a tip of the first protrusion [181] part is located closer
`
`to the second body part [120] than a tip of the first contact [111] to the second body part
`
`[120; figures 2-4].
`
`Claim 14, Bayles et al. as modified discloses the contact device according to claim
`
`1, wherein Leeet al. teaches that the second body part [120] includes a second protrusion
`
`part [182] that protrudes towardthefirst body part [110] at an end part of the second body
`
`part [120] in an axis crossing the axis in which the first contact and the second contact
`
`moverelative to each other[figures 2-4].
`
`Claim 15, Bayles et al. as modified discloses the contact device according to claim
`
`14, wherein a tip of the second protrusion part [182] is located closerto the first body part
`
`than a tip of the second contactto the first body part [figures 2-4].
`
`Claim 16, Bayles et al. discloses the contact device according to claim 1, with the
`
`exception of the first body part includes a first protrusion part that protrudes toward the
`
`second body part at an end part of the first body part in an axis crossing the axis in which
`
`the first contact and the second contact moverelative to each other, and the second body
`
`part includes a second protrusion part that protrudes toward thefirst body part at an end
`
`part of the second bodypart in an axis crossing the axis in which thefirst contact and the
`
`second contact move relative to each other.
`
`Lee et al. teaches a contact device [figures 2-4], comprising: a first contact [111];
`
`a second contact [121] that is movable relative to the first contact and is brought
`
`into
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/801,774
`Art Unit: 2837
`
`Page 9
`
`contact with or separated from the first contact [111]; a first body part [110] including the
`
`first contact [111]; a second body part [120] including the second contact[121]; wherein
`
`
`
`the first body part [110] includesafirst protrusion part [181] that protrudes toward the
`
`second body part [120] at an end part of the first body part in an axis crossing the axis in
`
`whichthefirst contact and the second contact moverelative to each other[figures 2-4],
`
`and the second body part [120] includes a second protrusion part [182] that protrudes
`
`toward the first body part [110] at an end part of the second bodypart in an axis crossing
`
`the axis in which the first contact and the second contact move relative to each other
`
`[figures 2-4].
`
`It would have been obviousto one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to include the first and second protrusions of Leeet al.
`
`in the contact device of Baylesetal. in order to direct and dissipate arc in order to enhance
`
`reliability [Lee et al. abs].
`
`Claim 23 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Baylesetal.
`
`[US 3,887,888] in view of Uchida [US 2013/0021122].
`
`Claim 23, Bayles et al. discloses the contact device according to claim 1, with the
`
`exception of a direction of a current flowing through thefirst body part is different from a
`
`direction of a current flowing through the second body part in a region wherethefirst body
`
`part and the second body part overlap when viewed along the axis in which thefirst
`
`contact and the second contact move relative to each other.
`
`Uchida teaches a contact device [figures 1-15], comprising: a first contact [14]; a
`
`second contact[25] that is movable relative to the first contact and is brought into contact
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/801,774
`Art Unit: 2837
`
`Page 10
`
`with or separated from thefirst contact [14]; a first body part [13] including the first contact
`
`[14]; a second body part [23] including the second contact [25]; wherein the direction of
`
`the current flowing betweenthefirst body part and the second body part can be selected
`
`[figure 3-6] in order to adjust the resulting Lorentz force, wherein a direction of a current
`
`flowing through thefirst body part is the same froma direction of a current flowing through
`
`the second body part in a region where thefirst body part and the second body part
`
`overlap when viewed along the axis in which thefirst contact and the second contact
`
`moverelative to each other[figure 6, same arrangement as Bayles et al.] and wherein a
`
`direction of a current flowing through the first body part is different from a direction of a
`
`current flowing through the second bodypart in a region wherethefirst body part and the
`
`second body part overlap when viewed along the axis in whichthefirst contact and the
`
`second contact moverelative to each other[figure 10].
`
`It would have been obviousto one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to adjust the orientation of the first body part relative
`
`to the second body part in the contact device of Bayleset al. in order to adjust the resulting
`
`Lorentz force as taught by Uchida since a simple substitution of one known elementfor
`
`another, producing a predictable result, renders the claim obvious.
`
`Conclusion
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to Bernard Rojas whose telephone numberis (571)272-
`
`1998. The examiner can normally be reached Mon. thru Fri. 7:00 am - 4:00 pm.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/801,774
`Art Unit: 2837
`
`Page 11
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful,
`
`the examiner's
`
`supervisor, Shawki S Ismail can be reached on (571) 272-3985. The fax phone number
`
`for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
`Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be
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`obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is
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`visit: httos://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/pate nt -
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`
`/BERNARD ROJAS/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2837
`
`