UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 2231371450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`15/391,044
`
`12/27/2016
`
`Fumio SHINANO
`
`PANDP0187US
`
`9530
`
`MARK D. SARALINO (PAN)
`RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
`1621 EUCLID AVENUE
`19TH FLOOR
`CLEVELAND, OH 44115
`
`PICHLEK MARIN
`
`ART UNIT
`2872
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
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`DELIVERY MODE
`
`06/28/2019
`
`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.
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`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above—indicated "Notification Date" to the
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`following e—mail address(es):
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`ipdoeket@rennerotto.eom
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`0,7709 A0170” Summary
`
`Application No.
`15/391,044
`Examiner
`MARIN PICHLER
`
`Applicant(s)
`SHINANO etal.
`Art Unit
`AIA (FITF) Status
`2872
`Yes
`
`- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet wit/7 the correspondence address -
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE g MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing
`date of this communication.
`|f NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from 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, even if timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1). Responsive to communication(s) filed on 05/28/2019.
`[:1 A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
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`2a). This action is FINAL.
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`2b) C] This action is non-final.
`
`3)[:] An election was made by the applicant in response to 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 Expat/7e Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`5)
`Claim(s)
`
`1—13 is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above claim(s)
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`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`E] Claim(s)
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`is/are allowed.
`
`Claim(s) fl is/are rejected.
`
`[:1 Claim(s) _ is/are objected to.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`6 7
`
`8
`
`
`
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`[j Claim(s)
`9
`* If any claims have been determined aflowabie. you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
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`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
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`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPeredback@uspto.gov.
`
`Application Papers
`10)[:] The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`11)[:] The drawing(s) filed on
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`is/are: a)D accepted or b)l:] 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:
`
`a)D All
`
`b)I:I Some**
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`c)CI None of the:
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`1.[:] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`2.[:] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`
`3.[:] Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in 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) C] Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2) D Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date_
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) C] Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) CI Other-
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`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
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`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20190618
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 15/391,044
`Art Unit: 2872
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`Page 2
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`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first
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`inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`Response to Amendment
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`The amendment filed on 05/28/2019 has been entered. Claims 1-13 remain pending in the
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`application. Claims 1 and 7 have been amended by the Applicant.
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`Examiner Notes
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`Examiner cites particular columns and line numbers in the references as applied to the claims
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`below for the convenience of the applicant. Although the specified citations are representative of the
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`teachings in the art and are applied to the specific limitations within the individual claim, other passages
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`and figures may apply as well. It is respectfully requested that, in preparing responses, the applicant fully
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`consider the references in entirety as potentially teaching all or part of the claimed invention, as well as
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`the context of the passage as taught by the prior art or disclosed by the examiner.
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`Priority
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`As required by e M.P.E.P. 201 .14(c), acknowledgement is made of applicant’s claim for priority
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`based on applications JP 2015-256483, filed on 12/28/2015 and JP 2016-213982, filed on
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`1/01/2016 (Japan).
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`Receipt is acknowledged of papers submitted under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), which papers have
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`been placed of record in the file.
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`However, to overcome a prior art rejection, applicant(s) must submit a translation of the foreign
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`priority papers in order to perfect the claimed foreign priority because said papers has not been made of
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`record in accordance with 37 CFR 1.55. See MPEP § 201.15.
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`The applicant’s drawings submitted are acceptable for examination purposes.
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`Drawings
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/391,044
`Art Unit: 2872
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`Page 3
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 1 12
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`The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
`
`(a) IN GENERAL—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention,
`and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms
`as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly
`connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the
`inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
`
`The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
`
`The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner
`and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any
`person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and
`use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his
`invention.
`
`Claims 1-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre—AIA), first paragraph,
`
`as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject
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`matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one
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`skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the inventor(s), at the
`
`time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. Specifically, the amended
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`claims 1 and 7 now include a new negative limitation “a guide groove along the optical axis is not
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`provided between the lens hood and the tip member”, for which it is unclear how it is or can be supported
`
`by the original specification or the drawings. Specifically, it is unclear how the above limitation can be
`
`supported given that the4re is a groove as annular groove clearance S1 that is also extending along the
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`optical axis and is provided between the lens hood and the tip member, as nicely depicted in Figures 8A-
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`B, and disclosed in paragraphs [70, 73, 86]. Applicant has not pointed out where the new claim limitations
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`are supported, nor does there appear to be a written description of the claim limitation noted above in the
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`application as filed. Therefore the support for the limitation is not apparent, and applicant has not pointed
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`out where the limitation is supported (see MPEP 2163.04, Sec. l). The limitation above will be tre3ated
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`broadly in light of the original specification and the drawings such that there can be space or clearances
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`due to structures of the lens hood and the tip member between them, and/or that longitudinal structures
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`(e.g. along optical axis) may still be present as integral parts of the lens hood or the tip member. It is
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`suggested to amend the claim and provide explanations for the support.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/391,044
`Art Unit: 2872
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`Page 4
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`Claims 2-6 and 8-13 depend on claim 1 and therefore inherit the same deficiencies.
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 1 12
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
`(b) CONCLUSION—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing
`out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the
`invention.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second paragraph:
`The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly
`claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
`
`Claims 1-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), second
`
`paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject
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`matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, or for pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
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`Claims 1 and 7 now include a new negative limitation “a guide groove along the optical axis is
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`not provided between the lens hood and the tip member” at the end of each claim 1 and 7. However, this
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`limitation is confusing because it is unclear how it can be interpreted and treated given that is unclear how
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`it is or can be supported by the original specification or the drawings. Specifically, it is unclear how the
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`above limitation can be supported given that there is a groove as annular groove clearance S1 that is
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`also extending along the optical axis and is provided between the lens hood and the tip member, as
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`nicely depicted in Figures 8A-B, and disclosed in paragraphs [70, 73, 86]. Therefore it is unclear what
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`kind of a groove space or clearance stretching along the optical axis direction can or cannot be present
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`between the tip member and the lens hood, or if some groove spacing can or cannot be present as an
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`integral part of the lens hood or the tip member? The limitation above will be treated broadly in light of
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`the original specification and the drawings such that there can be space or clearances due to structures
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`of the lens hood and the tip member between them, and/or that longitudinal structures (e.g. along optical
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`axis) may still be present as integral parts of the lens hood or the tip member. It is suggested to amend
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`the claim and provide explanations for the support.
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`Claims 2-6 and 8-13 depend on claim 1 and therefore inherit the same deficiencies.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/391,044
`Art Unit: 2872
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`Page 5
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and
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`103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for
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`the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale
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`supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections
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`set forth in this Office action:
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`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.
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`Claims 1-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chang (of record)
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`US 20130170036 in view of Shinohara et al. (hereafter Shinohara, of record) US 20030128973.
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`In regard to independent claim 1, and claims 5 and 11, Chang teaches (see Figs. 1-11) a lens
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`barrel (i.e. lens 10, 100 and lens cap/lens hood, Abstract, paragraphs [02-04, 08-09, 22-27, 29-34]) of an
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`optical apparatus (i.e. of an optical apparatus, camera, paragraphs [04-05, 09, 22, 29], see Figs. 1-6; note
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`also corresponding structures as shown in Figs. 7-11 for second embodiment, paragraphs [29-34])
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`comprising:
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`a tip member disposed (i.e. lens 10 with ring 20, linkage sets 30, 31, 32, paragraphs [2227]; also
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`lens 100 with ring 60, linkage sets 70, 71, 72, paragraphs [22-27]) on a subject side in an optical axis
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`direction in optical axis direction (i.e. on the front end of lens and sleeve in optical axis direction,
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`paragraphs [0024, 30], as depicted in Figs. 1-6, 7-11), and including an optical system (i.e. optics of lens
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`10, 100 and lens cap/lens hood, paragraphs [02-04, 08-09, 22-27, 29-34]);
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`a lens hood (i.e. sleeve 50, 90 of lens cap lens hood, Abstract, paragraphs [08-09, 22, 29])
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`mounted on the tip member (i.e. on 10 with 20, 30-32; on 100, 60, 70-71, paragraphs [22-27, 29-34]),
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`and moving in the optical axis direction between a predetermined storage position and a use position
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`protruded to the subject side with respect to the storage position (i.e. sleeve 50(90) moves along optical
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/391,044
`Art Unit: 2872
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`Page 6
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`axis direction relative to 10,20, 30 (100, 60, 70) from closed position forward to open position of use, as
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`depicted in Figs. 3-6, 9-11, paragraphs [22-27, 29-34]); and
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`a sliding member (i.e. lip 53 and rails 52; groove 901 (with 902, 903), and ring with resilient plate
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`60, 64, paragraphs [24-27, 31-34], see e.g. Figs. 2, 8) provided on an inner circumferential surface side of
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`the lens hood (i.e. on inner circumferential surface side of 50, 90, paragraphs [24-27, 31-34], see e.g.
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`Figs. 2, 8), and when the lens hood moves from the storage position to the use position (Le. 50, 90 slides
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`from closed to open position, depicted in Figs. 3-6, 9-11), the sliding member moving to the subject side
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`in the optical axis direction in a state where the sliding member is in contact with an outer circumferential
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`surface of the tip member (i.e. as 50, 90 slides , 53, 52 is in contact with 10,20, 30; also 901 (with 902,
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`903), is in contact with 100, 60 via 64, depicted in Figs. 3-6, 9-11, paragraphs [22-27, 2934]),
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`wherein in a state where the lens hood (50; 90 in closed position) is located at the storage
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`position (50; 90 in closed position), an interval of at least a portion of a clearance formed between the
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`inner circumferential surface of the lens hood and the outer circumferential surface of the tip member (i.e.
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`interval(s) as part of clearance gap between annular lip 53, outer surface of sleeve 50 and outer surface
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`of 10 with ring 20 and linkage set 30 with 31 on both sides; also 90 with 100, 60, 70, as clearly depicted in
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`Figs. 3 and 9, e.g. paragraphs [22-24]) is narrowed toward the subject side in the optical axis direction
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`(i.e. as the interval(s) of clearance gap is narrowed towards the front end in optical axis direction due to
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`inclined surface 311 of 30, 31, and the narrower clearance gap between 903-901 groove and surface of
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`60, as best depicted in Figs. 3, 4, and 9, see also paragraphs [22-27, 2934]),
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`when the lens hood moves (i.e. as sleeve 50, or 90 of lens cap lens hood slides and moves, see
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`paragraphs [08-09, 22, 29], as depicted in e.g. Figs. 1-6) the sliding member moves in the portion of the
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`clearance (i.e. lip 53 and rails 52; groove 901 (with 902, 903), and/or ring with resilient plate 60, 64,
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`moves/slides in part of clearance gap between annular lip 53, outer surface of sleeve 50 and outer
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`surface of 10 with ring 20 and linkage set 30 with 31 on both sides; also 90 with 100, 60, 70, as clearly
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`depicted in Figs. 3 and 9, e.g. paragraphs [22-24]),
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`a shape of the sliding member is either of an annular shape or an arc-shape, and a central axis of
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`the shape is coaxial with the optical axis (i.e. as lip 53 has annular shape, centered around optical axis of
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`the lens 10, as clearly depicted in Figs. 2-3, 8-9, see e.g. paragraphs [22-27, 29-34]; and ring with
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`Application/Control Number: 15/391,044
`Art Unit: 2872
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`Page 7
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`resilient plate part 60, 64 also has annular ring shape, centered around optical axis of the lens 100, as
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`clearly depicted in Figs. 2-3, 8-9, see e.g. paragraphs [22-27, 29-34] paragraphs [24-27, 31-34], see e.g.
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`Figs. 2, 8), and
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`a guide groove along the optical axis is not provided between the lens hood and the tip member
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`(as best understood and in light of 112(a)(b) issues noted above, no guide groove along the optical axis is
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`provided between the lens hood sleeve 50 and the tip member lens 10, or hood 90 and lens tip 100,
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`because element 52 are rails (52) that are formed on the inner periphery of the sleeve 50 as integral part
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`of the sleeve 50 and are for linkage set of the covering structure 40, 41, see paragraphs [24-25], and/or
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`also grooves 901 are defined in the inner periphery of the sleeve 90 as integral part of the sleeve 50 and
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`are for ring 60 and covering structure 80 covers 81, 82, paragraphs [29-32], i.e. not between sleeve and
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`lens 50/90 and 10, 10).
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`But Chung does not explicitly disclose that the sling member moves while being deformed and
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`that is formed of a felt material.
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`However, Shinohara teaches in the same field of invention of Lens apparatus with lens barrel
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`having vapor-resistant ventilation and optical instrument using lens apparatus (see e.g. Figs. 2-10, Title,
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`Abstract, paragraphs [02, 22-19, 25-26, 44, 80-85, 118]), and further teaches that the sling member that
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`is formed of a felt material moves while being deformed (i.e. as sliding ring 25 of water repellant felt
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`member 26 that slides on moving cylinder 9 that moves relative to ring felt member 25, 26 and the hood-
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`holding ring 12 in the clearance around cylinder 9, and is so deformed at least to an extent since such felt
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`material prevents water and vapor from passing into the lens barrel provides a seal, i.e. sealing effect
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`between the sliding member with such ring felt material during relative movement with the lens barrel, see
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`paragraphs [0080-85, 90, 118]).
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`Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing
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`date of the claimed invention to apply the water-repellent felt material that is used as water repellent for
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`preventing water droplets and vapor from passing into the lens barrel due to sealing effect between the
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`sliding ring with felt material and the moving cylinder as taught by Shinohara to the sliding member lip of
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`Chang in order to provide water-repellency by such felt material that prevents water droplets and vapor
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`from passing into the lens barrel by providing sealing effect between the sliding member with felt material
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`Application/Control Number: 15/391,044
`Art Unit: 2872
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`Page 8
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`and the lens barrel
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`that move relatively to each other (see Shinohara, paragraphs [0080, 83, 85, 90,
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`118]).
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`Regarding claim 2, the Chang- Shinohara combination teaches the invention as set forth above
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`and Chang further teaches (see Figs. 1-1 1) that the outer circumferential surface of the tip member (i.e.
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`outer surface of 10, 20, 30) has an inclined surface disposed obliquely to the optical axis direction (i.e.
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`inclined surface of bar 311 of 31, as depicted in Figs. 3-6, paragraphs [22—27]), and
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`the portion of the clearance is formed between the inner circumferential surface of the lens hood
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`and the inclined surface (i.e. as part of the clearance gap between inner surface of 50 and inclined
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`surface of bar 311 of 31, 30, as depicted in Figs. 3-5, paragraphs [22-27]).
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`Regarding claim 3, the Chang- Shinohara combination teaches the invention as set forth above
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`and Chang further teaches (see Figs. 1-1 1) that a recess (i.e. see recess formed by 20, 10 and 311 of 31,
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`30, as depicted in e.g. Figs. 5-6, paragraphs [22-27]) in which the sliding member is disposed in a state
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`where the lens hood is located at the use position (Le. 53 disposed in open position, as best depicted in
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`Fig. 6, paragraphs [22—27], as modified) is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the tip member
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`(i.e. as recess formed on outer circumferential surface of 20, 10 and 311 of 31 , 30, as depicted in e.g.
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`Figs. 5-6, paragraphs [22—27]).
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`Regarding claim 4, the Chang- Shinohara combination teaches the invention as set forth above
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`and Chang further teaches (see Figs. 1-11) that in the state where the lens hood is located at the storage
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`position (Le. 50 in closed position, see Figs. 3, 4), an interval between the inner circumferential surface of
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`the lens hood and a surface of the recess facing the inner circumferential surface (i.e. clearance gap
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`between inner surface of 50 and a surface of recess formed by 20, 10 and 311, see Figs. 4, 3) has a size
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`approximately equivalent to an interval between the inner circumferential surface of the lens hood
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`provided with the sliding member and the outer circumferential surface of the tip member (i.e. has
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`approximate size as the clearance gap of inner surface of 50 with 53 and as modified, and the outer
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`surface of 10 of 10, 20, 30, as best depicted in Figs. 3 and 4, see also paragraphs [22—27]).
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`Regarding claim 6, the Chang- Shinohara combination teaches the invention as set forth above
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`and Chang further teaches (see Figs. 1-1 1) that the sliding member (i.e. as lip 53 and rails 52, and as
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`modified) is in contact with the inclined surface in the state where the lens hood is located at the storage
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 15/391,044
`Art Unit: 2872
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`Page 9
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`position (i.e. as lip of 53 with 50 is in contact with the inclined surface of bar 311 of 31 via 50 in the closed
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`position, as depicted in Figs. 3, 4, paragraphs [22-27], and as modified by Chang).
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`In regard to independent claim 7, Chang teaches (see Figs. 1-11) camera comprising a lens
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`barrel and a camera body to which the lens barrel is attached (i.e. an optical apparatus, camera,
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`paragraphs [04-05, 09, 22, 29], with lens 10, 100 and lens cap/lens hood, Abstract, paragraphs [02-04,
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`08-09, 22-27, 29-34], see Figs. 1-6; note also corresponding structures as shown in Figs. 7-11 for second
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`embodiment, paragraphs [29-34]), the lens barrel (with lens 10, 100 and lens cap/lens hood ) having:
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`a tip member disposed (i.e. lens 10 with ring 20, linkage sets 30, 31, 32, paragraphs [22-27]; also
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`lens 100 with ring 60, linkage sets 70, 71, 72, paragraphs [22-27]) on a subject side in an optical axis
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`direction in optical axis direction (i.e. on the front end of lens and sleeve in optical axis direction,
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`paragraphs [0024, 30], as depicted in Figs. 1-6, 7-11), and including an optical system (i.e. optics of lens
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`10, 100 and lens cap/lens hood, paragraphs [02-04, 08-09, 22-27, 29-34]);
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`a lens hood (i.e. sleeve 50, 90 of lens cap lens hood, Abstract, paragraphs [08-09, 22, 29])
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`mounted on the tip member (i.e. on 10 with 20, 30-32; on 100, 60, 70-71, paragraphs [22-27, 29-34]),
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`and moving in the optical axis direction between a predetermined storage position and a use position
`
`protruded to the subject side with respect to the storage position (i.e. sleeve 50(90) moves along optical
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`axis direction relative to 10,20, 30 (100, 60, 70) from closed position forward to open position of use, as
`
`depicted in Figs. 3-6, 9-11, paragraphs [22-27, 29-34]); and
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`a sliding member (i.e. lip 53 and rails 52; groove 901 (with 902, 903), and resilient plate 64,
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`paragraphs [24-27, 31-34], see e.g. Figs. 2, 8) provided on an inner circumferential surface side of the
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`lens hood (i.e. on inner circumferential surface side of 50, 90, paragraphs [24-27, 31-34], see e.g. Figs. 2,
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`8), and when the lens hood moves from the storage position to the use position (Le. 50, 90 slides from
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`closed to open position, depicted in Figs. 3-6, 9-11), the sliding member moving to the subject side in the
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`optical axis direction in a state where the sliding member is in contact with an outer circumferential
`
`surface of the tip member (i.e. as 50, 90 slides , 53, 52 is in contact with 10,20, 30; also 901 (with 902,
`
`903), is in contact with 100, 60 via 64, depicted in Figs. 3-6, 9-11, paragraphs [22-27, 29-34]),
`
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`Application/Control Number: 15/391,044
`Art Unit: 2872
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`Page 10
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`wherein in a state where the lens hood (50; 90 in closed position) is located at the storage
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`position (50; 90 in closed position), an interval of at least a portion of a clearance formed between the
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`inner circumferential surface of the lens hood and the outer circumferential surface of the tip member (i.e.
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`interval(s) as part of clearance gap between annular lip 53, outer surface of sleeve 50 and outer surface
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`of 10 with ring 20 and linkage set 30 with 31 on both sides; also 90 with 100, 60, 70, as clearly depicted in
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`Figs. 3 and 9, e.g. paragraphs [22-24]) is narrowed toward the subject side in the optical axis direction
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`(i.e. as interval(s) clearance gap is narrowed towards the front end in optical axis direction due to inclined
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`surface 311 of 30, and the narrower clearance gap between 903-901 groove and surface of 60, as best
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`depicted in Figs. 3, 4, and 9, see also paragraphs [22-27, 29-34]), and
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`when the lens hood moves (i.e. as sleeve 50, or 90 of lens cap lens hood slides and moves, see
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`paragraphs [08-09, 22, 29], as depicted in e.g. Figs. 1-6) the sliding member moves in the portion of the
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`clearance (i.e. lip 53 and rails 52; groove 901 (with 902, 903), and/or ring with resilient plate 60, 64,
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`moves/slides in part of clearance gap between annular lip 53, outer surface of sleeve 50 and outer
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`surface of 10 with ring 20 and linkage set 30 with 31 on both sides; also 90 with 100, 60, 70, as clearly
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`depicted in Figs. 3 and 9, e.g. paragraphs [22-24]),
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`a shape of the sliding member is either of an annular shape or an arc-shape, and a central axis of
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`the shape is coaxial with the optical axis (i.e. as lip 53 has annular shape, centered around optical axis of
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`the lens 10, as clearly depicted in Figs. 2-3, 8-9, see e.g. paragraphs [22-27, 29-34]; and ring with
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`resilient plate part 60, 64 also has annular ring shape, centered around optical axis of the lens 100, as
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`clearly depicted in Figs. 2-3, 8-9, see e.g. paragraphs [22-27, 29-34] paragraphs [24-27, 31-34], see e.g.
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`Figs. 2, 8), and
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`a guide groove along the optical axis is not provided between the lens hood and the tip member
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`(as best understood and in light of 112 issues noted above, no guide groove along the optical axis is
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`provided between the lens hood sleeve 50 and the tip member lens 10, or hood 90 and lens tip 100,
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`because element 52 are rails (52) that are formed on the inner periphery of the sleeve 50 as integral part
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`of the sleeve 50 and are for linkage set of the covering structure 40, 41, see paragraphs [24-25], and/or
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`also grooves 901 are defined in the inner periphery of the sleeve 90 as integral part of the sleeve 50 and
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`Application/Control Number: 15/391,044
`Art Unit: 2872
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`Page 11
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`are for ring 60 and covering structure 80 covers 81, 82, paragraphs [29-32], i.e. not between sleeve and
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`lens 50/90 and 10, 10).
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`But Chung does not explicitly disclose that the sling member moves while being deformed.
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`However, Shinohara teaches in the same field of invention of Lens apparatus with lens barrel
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`having vapor-resistant ventilation and optical instrument using lens apparatus (see e.g. Figs. 2-10, Title,
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`Abstract, paragraphs [02, 22-19, 25-26, 44, 80-85, 118]), and further teaches that the sling member that
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`is formed of a felt material moves while being deformed (i.e. as sliding ring 25 of water repellant felt
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`member 26 that slides on moving cylinder 9 that moves relative to ring felt member 25, 26 and the hood-
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`holding ring 12 in the clearance around cylinder 9, and is so deformed at least to an extent since such felt
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`material prevents water and vapor from passing into the lens barrel provides a seal, i.e. sealing effect
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`between the sliding member with such ring felt material during relative movement with the lens barrel, see
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`paragraphs [0080-85, 90, 118]).
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`Therefore it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing
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`date of the claimed invention to apply the water-repellent felt material that is used as water repellent for
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`preventing water droplets and vapor from passing into the lens barrel due to sealing effect between the
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`sliding ring with felt material and the moving cylinder as taught by Shinohara to the sliding member lip of
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`Chang in order to provide water-repellency by such felt material that prevents water droplets and vapor
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`from passing into the lens barrel by providing sealing effect between the sliding member with felt material
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`and the lens barrel
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`that move relatively to each other (see Shinohara, paragraphs [0080, 83, 85, 90,
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`118]).
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`Regarding claim 8, the Chang- Shinohara combination teaches the invention as set forth above
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`and Chang further teaches (see Figs. 1-1 1) that one end of the sliding member is fixed to the inner
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`circumferential surface of the lens hood (i.e. as e.g. lip 53, or rails 52, and as modified; groove 901 (with
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`902, 903), and resilient plate 64, is part of Le. fixed on inner circumferential surface side of 50, or 90,
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`paragraphs [24-27, 31-34], as depicted in e.g. Figs. 2, 8, and also as modified see claim 1 above)
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`Regarding claim 9, the Chang- Shinohara combination teaches the invention as set forth above
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`and Chang further teaches (see Figs. 1-11) that the tip member is configured to be separated into a first
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`Application/Control Number: 15/391,044
`Art Unit: 2872
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`Page 12
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`part in the subject side and a second part in an imaging surface side (i.e. as e.g. the ring 20 in the subject
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`side and lens 10 in the (towards) the imaging surface side, paragraphs [22-27]; also as ring 60 and the
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`lens 100, paragraphs [22-27, 31-34], as depicted in e.g. Figs. 1-3, 7-9).
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`Regarding claim 10, the Chang- Shinohara combination teaches the invention as set forth above
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`and Chang further teaches (see Figs. 1-11) that a protrusion which protuberates directing to the lens
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`hood (i.e. as each linkage 31 or each plate 64 that is each on an outer circumferential surface of part of
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`10, 20,
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`is protruding to the sleeve 50 or 90 paragraphs [22-27, 31-34], as depicted in e.g. Figs. 1-3, 7-9),
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`is arranged on an outer circumferential surface of a part of the tip member (i.e. as each linkage 31 or
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`each plate 64 that is each on an outer circumferential surface of part of 10, 20, as depicted in e.g. Figs. 2-
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`3, 8-9, paragraphs [22-27, 31 -34]).
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`Regarding claim 12, the Chang-Shinohara combination teaches the invention as set forth above
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`and Chang further teaches (see Figs. 1-1 1) that the sliding member is a first sliding member (i.e. as lip 53
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`of 50; groove 901 (with 902, 903) of 90, , paragraphs [24-27, 31-34], see e.g. Figs. 2, 8, and as modified);
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`and
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`the lens barrel further comprises:
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`a second sliding member (i.e. rails 52 of 50, and ring 20 with linkages 31; and resilient plate 64 of
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`ring 60, paragraphs [24-27, 31-34], see e.g. Figs. 2, 8) provided on the inner circumferential surface side
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`of the lens hood (i.e. on inner circumferential surface side of 50, 90, paragraphs [24-27, 31-34], see e.g.
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`Figs. 2, 8); and
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`the first sliding member and the second sliding member are each annular and aligned in the
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`optical axis direction (i.e. as annular lip 53 of 50 is annular (and as modified); and groove 901 (with 902,
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`903) and 90 is annular and aligned with optical axis of lens 10, 100, paragraphs [24-27, 31-34], see e.g.
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`Fig