`
`
`
`EXHIBIT 2004
`
`EXHIBIT 2004
`
`

`

`
`
`In the U.S. Patent and-Trademark Office
`
`' i” *7 ”Z133 4,
`
`us. Patent Application S.N.
`
`09528351
`
`51/5”
`
`Title: MODULAR TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR COVERINGS FOR
`ARCHITECTURAL OPENINGS
`
`Filing Date: March 20, 2000
`
`Group Art Unit:
`
`3534
`
`Examiner:
`
`Blair M. Johnson
`
`rt ECE
`
`-
`I'VEE
`
`SE? litilfii
`
`1’936% MAIL 800M
`
`CERTiFICATE OF MAILING
`I hereby certify that this correspondence is being deposited with the US.
`Postal Service as first class mail in an envelope addressed to: Commissioner of
`Patents and Trademarks, Washington. DC. 20231, on M12, Ravi
`r"
`Name {:Agotw bwsfiegly
`Datemmyaw/
`Signature up
`
`
`
`Amendment
`
`Commissioner of Patents
`Box Non-fee Amendment
`
`Washington DC. 20231
`
`Dear Sir:
`
`This paper is being filed in response to the Office Action mailed June 12.
`2001. Please amend the application as follows:
`
`
`
`In the claims:
`
`//
`
`a"
`
`Please cancel claims 35-44, 45-52, 53-56, 57—66. and 11 -118. without
`prejudice, as relating to distinct inventions that have been restricted out of this
`application.
`
`_
`
`/" r’” r'" /
`
`Please amend claims 4. 16, 21. 83, 120, and 124 and add claims 126-128
`as follows:
`
`4.
`
`A transport mechanism for a covering for architectural openings [as
`
`recited in claim 3]. comprising:
`
`a lift rod having an axis of rotation;
`
`

`

`a pluraiigg of lift modules, each including a lift sp_ool driven by said
`
`lift rod;
`
`a transmission module. including a transmission input shaft; a
`transmission output shaft which drives said lift rod; a transmission mechanism;
`
`and a transmission module housing which contains said transmission
`
`m
`
`a power module, including a power output shaft, means for
`
`inputting power to drive said power output shaft, and a power module housing
`
`which contains said power output shaft and said means for inputting power;
`
`wherein said power module housing and said transmission module housing are
`
`mounted with the pgwer output shaft of the power module driving the
`
`transmission input shaft, so that driving the power output shaft drives the lift rod
`
`through the transmission module; and
`
`wherein said power module housing includes proiections and
`
`recesses, for aligning said power module housing with another similarly-shaped
`
`housing or adapter; and wherein said power module housing includes a hook and
`
`a hook-receiving recess for hooking said power module housing together with
`
`another similarly-shaped housing or adapter; and
`
`further comprising a transmission adapter mounted on said
`
`transmission housing. including projections and recesses that mate with the
`
`corresponding projections and recesses in said power module housing.
`
`16.
`comprising:
`
`A transport mechanism for a covering for architectural openings.
`
`a power module, including a power spool. having an axis of rotation; an
`
`output shaft driven by the power spool; a spring having two spring axes of
`
`rotation. the first spring axis of rotation being the resting axis and the second
`
`spring axis of rotation being the axis of rotation of the power spool; and a housing
`
`containing said power spool and said spring;
`
`a lift rod driven by said output shaft; [and]
`
`
`
`

`

`a plurality of lift spools driven by said lift rod; at least one of said lift
`
`spools having an outer surface and a range of motion;
`
`a lift cord' and
`
`means for ensuring that said lift cord wraps onto the outer surface
`
`of said at least one lift spool in only; a single layer throughout its range of motionI
`
`thereby effectively preventing overwra pping.
`
`21.
`
`A transport mechanism [as recited in claim 16] for a covering for
`
`architectural openings. comprising:
`
`
`a power module. including a power spool having an axis of
`
`rotation; an output shaft driven by said power spool; a spring having two spring
`
`axes of rotation, the first spring axis of rotation being the resting axis and the
`
`second spring axis of rotation being the axis of rotation of the power spool; and a
`
`housing containing said power spool and said spring;
`
`a lift rod driven by said output shaft;
`
`a plurality of lift spools driven by said lift rod; and further comprising
`
`a transmission module. including a transmission input shaft; 2-: transmission
`
`output shaft; a transmission mechanism; and a transmission module housing,
`
`which contains said transmission mechanism, wherein said power module output
`
`shaft drives said transmission input shaft. and said transmission output shaft
`
`drives said lift rod.
`
`83.
`
`A transport mechanism [as recited in claim 82,} for a covering for
`
`architectural openings. comprising:
`
`an elongated lift rod;
`
`a plural itv of lift spools driven by said lift rod;
`
`a power module. comprising a power output shaft; and means for
`
`inputting power to drive said power output shaft;
`
`3 transmission module, comprising a transmission drive shaft; a
`
`transmission driven shaft parallel to said transmission drive shaft; and a
`
`

`

`transmission cord having a first end connected to said transmission drive shaft
`
`and a second end connected to said transmission driven shaft, and being
`
`wrapped around the outer surface of at least one of said transmission drive and
`
`driven shafts wherein at least one of said transmission drive and driven shafts
`
`has a tapered outer surface; and a transmission housing containing said
`
`transmission drive and driven shafts so that said transmission can be removed
`
`from said transport mechanism assembly without affecting the relative gositions
`of said transmission drive and driven shaftsI wherein said power output shaft
`
`drives said lift rod through said transmission module;
`
`a first locking pin, which is received in the transmission housing and
`
`locks the driven shaft in a position in which the transmission cord is prewound on
`
`the driven shaft' and further comprising a second locking pin received in the
`
`transmission housing [3] fl locking the driven shaft in a position in which the
`
`transmission cord is prewound on the driven shaft[, wherein a person installing
`
`the transmission can dispose of the locking pin that will be more difficult to reach
`
`during installation and use the locking pin that is more accessible, depending
`
`upon the orientation of the transmission].
`
`120. A transport mechanism fora covering for architectural openings.
`
`comprising:
`
`a power module. inciuding a power spool. having a first axis of
`rotation; an output shaft driven'by the power spool; a spring having two spring
`
`axes of rotation. the first spring axis of rotation being the resting axis and the
`
`second spring axis of rotatiOn being the axis of rotation of the power spool; and a
`
`housing containing said power spool and said spring; and
`
`a lift spool driven by said power module and having a second axis
`
`of rotation; a lift cord mounted on said lift spool. said lift cord having a diameter
`
`and a cover on said lift sgool defining a gag between said cover and said lift cord
`
`which is less than two times the diameter of the lift cord, in order to ensure that
`
`the lift oord wraps onto said lift spool in a single lager. without ovemragging.
`
`CK
`
`

`

`
`
` 124. A transport mechanism as recited in claim 120; [and further
`
`comprising a lift cord] wherein said lift cord is wrapped onto said lift Spool.
`
`
`
`
`126. A transport mechanis
`
`a covering for architectural openings as
`
`recited in claim 16. wherein said ou
`
`rface is tapered. and further comprising
`
`a kicker cooperating with said at Is
`
`one lift spool 50 as to define a narrow gap
`
`
`
`to direct said lift cord to-wrap onto said outer surface in a single layer.
`
`”ia . A transport mechanism for a covering for architectural openings
`having at least one lift cord. comprising:
`
`
`
`a power module. including a power spool. having an axis of rotation; an
`
`output shaft driven by the power spool; a substantially constant forcesprihg
`having two spring axes of rotation. the first spring axlsofrotatlopnt—ieing the
`
`resting axis and the second spring axis of rotation being the axis of rotation of the
`
`power spool; and a housing containing said power spool and said spring;
`
`a transmission module. having a transmission input shaft. a transmission
`mechanism, a transmission output shait, and a transmission module housing
`which contains said transmission mechanism; and
`
`a wind-up spool. having an axis of rotation for winding the lift cord.
`
`wherein the power module drives the wind-up spool through the transmission
`
`module, so as to drive the wind-up spool about its axis of rotation for retracting
`
`and extending the covering, thereby providing a proper amount of torque to the
`
`wind-up spool at all positions of the covering by means of said transmission
`mechanism.
`
`Ll
`
`./
`8. A transport mechanism for alcovering for architectural openings.
`'
`ll
`comprising:
`
`a power module, including a power spool. having a first axis of
`
`rotation; an output shaft driven by said power spool; a spring having two spring
`
`axes of rotation. the first spring axis of rotation being the resting axis and the
`
`it?
`
`

`

`
`
`oiti"t
`
`L!
`
`second spring axis of rotation being the first axis of rotation of the power spool;
`and a housing containing said power spool and said spring;
`'
`
`a tift rod driven by said power module and having a second axis of
`
`rotation; and
`
`a transmission module, including a transmission input shaft; a
`
`transmission output shaft; a transmission mechanism; and a transmission
`
`module housing, which. contains said transmission mechanism. wherein said
`power module output shaft drives said transmission input shaft, and said
`
`transmission output shaft drives said lift rod.
`'“'\
`
`The amended claims are reproduced below in clean form:
`
`
`f / A transport mechanism for a covering for architectural
`
`openings, comprising:
`
`a lift rod having an axis of rotation;
`
`a plurality of lift modules. each including a lift spool driven by said
`
`lift rod;
`
`a transmission module, including a transmission input shaft; a
`
`transmission output shaft which drives said lift rod; a transmission mechanism;
`
`and a transmission module housing which contains said transmission
`
`mechanism;
`
`a power module, including a power output shaft, means for
`
`inputting power to drive said power output shaft, and a power module housing
`
`which contains said power output shaft and said means for inputting power;
`
`wherein said power module housing and said transmission module housing are
`
`mounted with the power output-shaft of the power module driving the
`
`transmission input shaft, so that driving the power output shaft drives the lift rod
`
`through the transmission module; and
`
`wherein said power module housing includes projections and
`
`recesses, for aligning said power module housing with another similarly-shaped
`
`fillCi
`
`

`

`l
`
`:
`
`housing or adapter: and wherein said power module housing includes a hook and
`a hook-receiving recess for hooking said power module housing together with
`another similarly-shaped housing or adapter; and
`further comprising a transmission adapter mounted on said
`
`transmission housing. including projections and recesses that mate with the
`
`corresponding projections and recesses in said power module housingT
`
`16.
`
`comprising:
`
`A transport mechanism for
`
`a power module. including a po =
`
`
`
`
`-: spring having two spring axes of
`output shaft driven by the power spool
`rotation, the first spring axis of re. tio foeing the resting axis and the second
`
`
`
`thereby effectively preventingHove
`
`rapping;
`
`_
`
`_
`
`‘
`
`__
`
`_
`
`___ ”___ ..
`
`______...__.
`
`(Eff.
`
`Atransport mechanism fora covering for architectural openings,
`
`comprising:
`
`(’2
`
`a power module, including a power spool. having an axis of
`rotation; an output shaft driven by said power spool; a spring having two spring
`
`axes of rotation, the first spring axis of rotation being the resting axis and the
`
`second spring axis of rotation being the axis of rotation of the power spool; and a
`
`housing containing said power spool and said spring;
`
`7
`
`QCZD
`
`Ct
`
`

`

`
`
`a lift rod driven by said output shaft;
`
`a plurality of lift spools driven by said lift rod; and further comprising
`
`a transmission module, including a transmission input shaft; a transmission
`
`output shaft; a transmission mechanism; and a transmission module housing.
`
`which contains said transmission mechanism, wherein said power module output
`
`shaft drives said transmission input shafi, and said transmission output shaft
`
`drives said lift rod.
`
`flit/W A transport mechanism for a covering for a—rchigtairal openings;
`
`comprising:
`
`an elongated lift rod;
`
`a plurality of lift spools driven by said lift rod;
`
`a power module, comprising a power output shaft; and means for
`
`inputting power to drive said power output shaft;
`
`a transmission module, comprising a transmission drive shaft: a
`
`transmission driven shaft parallel to said transmission drive shaft; and a
`
`transmission cord having a first end connected to said transmission drive shaft
`
`and a second end connected to said transmission driven shaft. and being
`
`wrapped around the outer surface of at least one of said transmission drive and
`
`driven shafts, wherein at least one of said transmission drive and driven shafts
`
`has a tapered outer surface; and a transmission housing containing said
`
`transmission drive and driven shafts, so that said transmission can be removed
`
`from said transport mechanism assembly without affecting the relative positions
`
`of said transmission drive and driven shafts, wherein said power output shaft
`
`drives said lift rod through said transmission module;
`
`a first locking pin. which is received in the transmission housing and
`
`locks the driven shaft in a position in which the transmission cord is prewound on
`
`the driven shaft; and further comprising a second locking pin received in the
`
`transmission housing and locking the driven shaft in a position in which the
`
`transmission cord is prewound on the driven shaft.
`
`
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`120. A transport mechanism for a ooverin
`
`r architectural openings,
`
`comprising:
`
`a power module. including a p
`
`er spool. having a first axis of
`
`
`
`rotation; an output shaft driven by the po er spool; a spring having two spring
`
`axes of rotation. the first spring axis
`
`rotation being the resting axis and the
`
`
`second spring axis of rotation be' 9 the axis of rotation of the power spool; and a
`
`spool and said spring; and
`
`a lift spool d
`
`and a cover on said
`
`
`housing containing said p
`
`of rotation; a lift cord
`
`said power module and having a second axis
`
`spool defining a gap between said cover and said lift cord
`
`0 times the diameter of the lift cord. in order to ensure that
`
`
`
`124. A transport m
`
`ism as recited in claim 120; wherein said lift
`
`cord is wrapped onto said '
`
`ol.
`
`Remarks:
`
`Before responding to the specific rejections, the Applicant would like to put
`the present invention into context.
`it should be noted that, despite efforts dating
`back over one hundred years to make a balanced blind that can be moved up
`and down at any position with only a slight touch, nobody has been able to
`accomplish the task in a practical manner, so that it works for a wide range of
`sizes and styles of blinds, prior to the present invention. While others may have
`designed a blind mechanism that matches the loading for a single small,
`lightweight blind. there is no other design that can be used as a practical matter
`to match the loading for a wide range of blind sizes, types, and materials.
`
`Matching the spring motor to the blind in order to maintain the blind in
`balance at ail positions is very difficult.
`in a constant force motor, as taught in
`many of the preferred embodiments of the present invention (see page 7, tines 7-
`8), the torque of the motor (force x lever arm) changes as the spring diameter
`changes. and the torque of the motor is greatest when the blind is extended
`(which is where the least amount of torque is needed) and least when the blind is
`retracted (which is where the greatest amount of torque is needed). The problem
`
`
`
`

`

`
`
`
`of matching the spring motor to the blind In order to maintain the blind in balance
`becomes even more difficult, because the weight of the blind that is to be
`supported changes as the blind moves up and down, especially for Venetian
`blinds, in which the load is much greater when the blind is in the raised position
`than when the blind is in the lowered position.
`
`Most designs that use a spring motor to assist the blind do not even
`attempt to match the spring motor to the load of the blind so that, in all positions,
`only a small force is needed to raise or lower the blind and so that the blind will
`stop at any position without the need for a brake or other added outside force.
`For example, in the Todd reference, there is no attempt to match the spring
`motor to the load of the blind. Instead, the spring is overpowered, and the brake
`28 is used to prevent the blind from lifting up. A clutch is also used to prevent the
`blind from lifting up too fast. Since the motor is overpowered, and the blind is not
`balanced, this means that it is more difficult to lower the blind, because the
`excessive spring force must be overcome in order to lower the blind.
`Furthermore, Todd teaches the use of a constant torque spring (see column 5,
`lines 10-11 and column 6, lines 13-17), not a constant force spring. A constant
`torque spring would not encounter the same kinds of problems as are
`encountered by a constant force spring, which naturally has a changing torque as
`its diameter changes.
`
`The Orton reference provides "pendant cords”, which provide the
`additional force needed to raise and tower the blind. Again, this system is not
`balanced. The spring system of Orton simply serves as a brake to hold the blind
`in whatever position is obtained by pulling on the cords.
`
`The inventors of the present invention took many design features into
`consideration in order to be able to make a practical blind in which the spring
`motor closely matches the force required to balance the suspended weight of the
`blind in all positions. First, they created an entirely modular system, with modular
`motors and transmissions that can be mixed and matched and added together to
`suit the particular loading conditions of any size and weight of blind. Second,
`when possible, they designed elements that at least did not make the loading
`worse, compounding the difficulties of matching the spring motor to the blind.
`For example, in Todd and Kuhar, the cord or tape that winds up on the lift spool
`in order to lift the blind winds onto itself, making the effective diameter of the lift
`spool greatest in the "up" position. where the load is already greatest, thereby
`compounding the difficulty of trying to match the spring to the blind.
`It is
`preferred in the present invention that the lift cord not wind onto itself, which
`would increase the effective diameter of the lift spool in the raised position and
`make the matching of forces more difficult. Instead, the cord preferably winds
`onto the lift spool in a single layer, maintaining the same effective diameter of the
`lift spool throughout the range of motion of the blind.
`
`'10
`
`

`

`
`
`in view of the extensive. unsuccessful efforts that have been made over a
`very long period of time (over one hundred years) to provide a balanced blind, in
`which the lift provided by the spring motor matches the load of the blind over the
`entire range of travel of the blind and for a wide range of sizes and materials of
`blinds, the achievement of the present invention should not be taken lightly. Only
`the present invention is able. in a practical manner. to provide a mechanism that
`closely matches the spring motor to the load of the blind over the entire range of
`motion of the blind for a wide range of blind sizes and materials in order to
`provide a balanced blind. Keeping that background in mind. we will now respond
`to the specific claim rejections.
`
`Claim 1 has been rejected as being an obvious combination of British
`Patent No. 13.798 "Orton" and US. Patent 6.056.036 “Todd". The Orton
`reference uses an elongated coil spring 2. mounted on a shaft w. which drives a
`first cone r of a transmission. The first cone r drives a second cone e of the
`transmission by a string wrapped onto the cones. The second cone e is mounted
`on a shaft d, onto which the lift cords are wrapped.
`In order for this device to
`function, the shaft d must travel longitudinally as the cords wind onto and off of
`the shaft d. This is accomplished by use of a worm o and a traveling board j.
`which supports the shaft d as it shifts longitudinally. (See page 3. lines 32-34.)
`
`Todd does not use a transmission. Instead. Todd teaches that the lift rod
`30 extends through a drive motor 26 and through stationary tape spool
`assemblies 24 that are fixed to the head rail. The drive motor 26 directly drives
`the tape spool assemblies 24.
`
`The rejection of claim 1 says that it would be obvious to substitute Tod d‘s
`lift modules including housings and spools 24 for the lift rod d of Orton. The
`rejection also states that “it would have been well within the purview of one of
`ordinary skill in the art to provide a housing for both the power unit and the
`transmission unit of 798. with or without the teachings of Todd et at since such
`are well known in the art so as to protect and conceai the elements of the lifting
`mechanism. Further, it would have been obvious to replace the spring system of
`‘798 with that of Todd et at since such require less space and are easily
`multiplied. as taught by Todd et al.”
`
`We respectfully disagree that the proposed combination would be obvious.
`First. it is not at all clear how it would be obvious to substitute the lift modules 24
`of Todd for the lift rod d of Orton.
`In Orton. the cone e and lift rod d are mounted
`on a traveling boardj and shift longitudinally as the blind is raised and lowered.
`In Todd. the lift modules 24 do not shift longitudinally but rather must remain
`stationary in order to function properly, since the tape must wrap directly on top
`of itself.
`If the lift modules 24 of Todd were mounted on the traveling board j of
`Orton as a substitute for the lift rod it. they could not function property. since the
`lift tape could not then wrap directly onto itself.
`In order to mount Todd's
`stationary Iifl modules onto the Orion mechanism. the entire mechanism would
`
`11
`
`
`
`

`

`
`
`have to be changed. changing the transmission, eliminating the worm gear 0.
`eliminating the traveling board j. and so forth, which is not suggested by Orton or
`Todd. Furthermore, there are advantages to the lift rod d of Orton that would be
`lost if the spools 24 of Todd were used instead.
`In Orton. since the lift rod d
`shifts longitudinally. the lift cords wrap up in a single layer on the lift rod. so that
`the lid cord acts along a fixed length lever arm throughout the range of travel of
`the blind. However. if the spools 24 of Todd were somehow substituted. they
`would create a disadvantage, since those lift tapes wrap onto themselves,
`increasing the effective diameter of the spool and causing the tapes to act over
`an increasing length lever arm as the blind is lifted. This increasing length lever
`arm makes it even more difficult to lift the blind at the raised position. where the
`blind is already most difficult to lift, thereby increasing the mismatch between the
`spring motor and the force needed to lift the blind. So. not only would it be
`impossible to substitute the lift spools of Todd for the lift rod of Orton without
`completely changing the entire mechanism of Orton. but, if such a substitution
`were somehow made. the result would be a blind that would be even less
`effective than the original Orton blind. Certainly. it would not be obvious to a
`person skilled in the art to make such a modification.
`
`Claim 1 also recites a transmission module including a housing which
`contains the transmission mechanism. This is not shown or taught in Orton.
`which is the only one of the two cited references that has a transmission
`mechanism. There would be no purpose sewed in providing a separate housing
`forthe transmission in Orton. and such a housing would be very difficult to make.
`since part of the transmission of Orton is shifting longitudinally while the other
`part is not. The Orton transmission includes one spool r that is fixed
`longitudinally and another spool e that shifts longitudinally as the blind is raised
`and lowered. How would a housing be made to accommodate both the shifting
`portion and the stationary portion? Such a solution is neither taught nor
`suggested by the prior art. Furthermore. the reason for providing a separate
`housing for the transmission as recited in claim 1 is to make the mechanism
`mod ular, so that different transmissions can be inserted for different sizes and
`weights of blinds. Orton suggests that. if the blind is larger. an additional portion
`can be added to the transmission as shown in Figure 5.
`It does not suggest
`providing separately-housed, modular transmissions that can be substituted or
`added together. Thus. the present invention teaches a solution that is entirely
`different from the solution taught by Orton and therefore is not obvious.
`
`Claim 2 further recites that the power module housing includes projections
`and recesses. for aligning the power module housing with another similarly-
`shaped housing or adapter. As was explained above. the entire combination of
`claim 1 is not obvious based on Orton and Todd. While the Office Action states
`that it would be obvious to substitute motors with housings that snap together for
`the elongated spring of Orton. such a substitution would not be obvious. The
`Orton spring is an entirely different type from that used by Todd and mounts in a
`different manner. There is no room in Orton to fit a spring motor in a housing
`
`12
`
`

`

`
`
`such as Todd's spring motor. particularly since the lift rod d must have room to
`shift longitudinally within the head rail. Again, to make such a substitution would
`require a complete redesign of the Orton mechanism.
`It cannot be considered
`obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to discard the essence of the
`reference being relied upon. Therefore. claim 2 also teaches an invention that is
`both novel and unobvious in view of the prior art.
`
`Claim 3 further recites that the power module housing includes a hook and
`a hook-receiving recess for hooking said power module housing together with
`another similarly-shaped housing or adapter. Todd does not teach such hooks
`and recesses.
`
`Claim 4 has been rewritten in independent form. putting claims 4, 5, and
`13 in condition for allowance as stated in the Office Action. The scope of these
`claims has not been changed by the amendment.
`
`Claim 6 includes the elements of claim 1, plus it recites that one of the
`output shaft of the power module and the input shaft of the transmission is male
`and the other is female, so that the output shaft of the power module and the
`input shaft of the transmission mate together.
`It is not at at! clear how the
`transmission of Orton could be made as a module with its own housing. with the
`input shaft of the transmission mating with the output shaft of the power module
`as claimed, and with the output shaft of the transmission module driving the lift
`rod, when one portion of the transmission of Orton must shift longitudinally white
`the other portion must be stationary. Further. since Todd uses the lift rod to
`extend the full length of the blind and through the Spring motor{s). it is not
`obvious to mate the tranSmission of Orton with the motor of Todd in a manner
`that would be within the scope of the claim.
`
`Claim 7 depends from claim 1 and adds the limitation that the power
`module housing is made of two identical halves. While the power module
`housing of Todd is made of two identical halves. such a power module could not
`be used in the Orton design.
`
`Claim 8 depends from claim 1 and recites that the means for inputting
`power in the power module includes a spring, contained in the power module
`housing. Again, while Todd has a spring contained in a power module housing.
`such a power module could not be used in the arrangement of Orton.
`
`Claim 16 was reiected as being anticipated by Todd. That claim has now
`been amended to include means for ensuring that the lift cord wraps onto the
`outer surface of its lift spool in only a single layer throughout its range of motion.
`A design for limiting the winding of the lift cord to a single layer is taught in the
`specification, so this does not add new matter. Todd teaches the use of a spool
`in which the cord wraps onto itself, forming multiple layers as the blind is raised.
`Kuhar also teaches the same type of arrangement. This increases the diameter
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`over which the cord acts to support the weight of.the blind. further compounding
`the problem of trying to balance the spring force with the force needed to
`maintain the blind in any given position. Todd does not recognize this problem.
`and the solution is not obvious based on the cited references.
`
`Claim 17 adds the further limitation that the axis of rotation of the power
`spool is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the lift rod.
`
`Claim 20 depends from claim 16 and adds the limitation of the power
`module housing including a hook and a hook-receiving recess for hooking the
`power module housing together with another similarly-shaped housing or
`adapter. This claim was rejected as obvious based on Todd. However. Todd
`does not teach the invention recited in claim 16, and it does not teach or suggest
`the use of hooks and recesses to hook modules together.
`
`Claim 21 has been rewritten in independent form without changing its
`scope. This claim includes the power module including a spring having two axes
`of rotation and a housing, a lift rod. a plurality of lift spools, and a transmission
`module. including the input and output shafts and a housing which contains the
`transmission mechanism. This is not taught or suggested by Orton or Todd.
`While Todd teaches a spring motor with its own housing. it does not teach the
`use of a transmission at all. and Orton does not teach that the transmission
`should have its own housing. As was explained earlier. it would not be obvious
`to a person of ordinary skiil in the art to combine the teachings of Orton and Todd
`as has been suggested. since Todd's motor would not fit into Orton's
`In
`mechanism. and Todd's lift spools would not work in Orton‘s mechanism.
`addition. it is not taught or suggested to put a housing around the transmission of
`Orton to make it modular, and it would be very difficult to do so. since part of the
`transmission is moving longitudinally while another part is remaining stationary in
`the longitudinal direction. Therefore. claim 21 recites an invention that is both
`novel and unobvious in view of the prior art.
`
`Claim 23 has been rejected based on a combination of Orton and Todd.
`As has been explained eariier. the combination of Orton and Todd would not be
`obvious. Also. there is no teaching in either of those references to make the
`transmission in a modular fashion, with the mechanism separately housed and
`removable as claimed. Therefore, this claim recites an invention that is both
`novel and unobvious in view of the prior art.
`
`Claim 2'! depends from claim 23 and recites a particular type of
`transmission cord. This particular type of cord has not been taught and is not
`obvious in view of the prior art. This cord achieves results that have not been
`achieved in the prior art. Furthermore. even after the inventors found this type of
`cord. they were not able to find a way to secure it reliably using known
`securement methods. Thus, they almost discarded it in frustration until they
`finally developed the special types of knots that have been described in the
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`specification for retaining the cord. Again. this is not taught or suggested in the
`prior art.
`
`Claim ?4 depends from claim 23 and recites that the housing is made of a
`clear plastic material. The claim is rejected as being obvious without any prior art
`teaching. The use of a clear housing provides substantial advantages not taught
`or suggested in the prior art.
`In particular, it permits a person to view the interior
`mechanism of the transmission.
`It is not obvious to choose a material that is
`
`clear and that provides the necessary strength and lubricity to perform the
`functions ofthis housing.
`
`Claim 78 depends from claim 23 and recites a transmission output gear
`that is driven by the driven shaft, and a transmission output shaft, which is driven
`by the transmission output gear and which drives the lift rod. Orton teaches that
`the transmission members are coaxial with the members that drive them or the
`
`it does not teach the use of a modular
`members that are driven by them.
`transmission. and it does not suggest a way to insert a modular t