Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
DETAILED ACTION
This Office Action is in response to the communication filed on 2/20/26. Applicant’s arguments have been considered but are not found persuasive. Claims 21-30 are pending and remain withdrawn. This Action is FINAL.
Specification
Applicant submitted a substitute specification on 10/31/25. The substitute specification is entirely new with the original specification being deleted in full from the application. Applicant stated the substitute specification contains no new matter and draws support from the international application filed in German from which this application claims priority.
Drawings
Applicant filed replacement drawing on 10/31/25. The new drawing were not previously present in the original application. The originally filed drawings have been deleted from the application. Applicant stated the new drawings contain no new matter and draw their support from the aforementioned international application.
Election/Restrictions
Newly submitted claims 21-30 are directed to an invention that lacks unity with the invention originally claimed for the following reasons:
Regarding claims 21-27, the claims are directed toward an energy storage system comprising a housing including at least one bearing device, at least one module that accommodates a plurality of electrochemical cells, and, a contact element transmitting a force from the bearing device to the module. Originally elected claims 1-15 (now canceled) are directed toward a multifunction carrier for holding circuit components of a battery system for an electric vehicle wherein the multifunction carrier includes a busbar assembly comprising at least a charging terminal bar and a drive terminal bar; and an insulating housing that accommodates the busbar assembly and has openings exposing contact surfaces of terminal rails. Original claims 1-15 are not directed toward an energy storage system. Claims 21-27 do not contain the features of a busbar assembly or an insulating housing that accommodates the busbar assembly and has openings exposing contact surfaces of terminal rails.
Regarding claims 28-30, the claims are directed toward a method for manufacturing an energy storage system with at least one module configured to accommodate a plurality of electrochemical cells, the method comprising at least 1) applying a pasty heat-conducting material as a layer and/or bead to a base plate enclosed by a housing and/or to a module base and 2) arranging the module on a base plate such that a layer is located between the module and the base plate and/or a bead is applied. Original claims 1-15 (now canceled) are directed toward a multifunction carrier for holding circuit components of a battery system for an electric vehicle wherein the multifunction carrier includes a busbar assembly comprising at least a charging terminal bar and a drive terminal bar; and an insulating housing that accommodates the busbar assembly and has openings exposing contact surfaces of terminal rails. Original claims 1-15 are not directed toward a method and/or an energy storage system. Claims 28-30 do not contain the features of a busbar assembly or an insulating housing that accommodates the busbar assembly and has openings exposing contact surfaces of terminal rails.
Since applicant has received an action on the merits for the originally presented invention, this invention has been constructively elected by original presentation for prosecution on the merits. Accordingly, claims 21-30 are withdrawn from consideration as being directed to a nonelected invention. See 37 CFR 1.142(b) and MPEP § 821.03.
To preserve a right to petition, the reply to this action must distinctly and specifically point out supposed errors in the restriction requirement. Otherwise, the election shall be treated as a final election without traverse. Traversal must be timely. Failure to timely traverse the requirement will result in the loss of right to petition under 37 CFR 1.144. If claims are subsequently added, applicant must indicate which of the subsequently added claims are readable upon the elected invention.
Should applicant traverse on the ground that the inventions are not patentably distinct, applicant should submit evidence or identify such evidence now of record showing the inventions to be obvious variants or clearly admit on the record that this is the case. In either instance, if the examiner finds one of the inventions unpatentable over the prior art, the evidence or admission may be used in a rejection under 35 U.S.C. 103 or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) of the other invention.
Response to Arguments
The prior allowability of claims 1-5 and 16-20 is withdrawn. The claims have been canceled. New claims 21-30 are not directed toward a multifunctional carrier and do not contain the subject matter previously indicated as allowable. New claims 21-30 are withdrawn (see above).
Applicant presents arguments “as the application presently stands”. These arguments are not found persuasive. The claims as they “presently stand” are not the claims that were originally filed. The originally filed application did not contain claims 21-30. The originally filed Application contained claims 1-15. Applicant elected Group I, claims 1-7, is the response of 7/25/24. The election of 7/25/24 was without traverse. Applicant further amended elected claims 1 and 5-7 in the reply filed on 12/2/24.
It is unclear how Applicant concludes there are no longer any “originally presented” claims because Applicant deleted the originally filed claims. The original claims (claims 1-15) were filed on 2/23/22.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TRACY DOVE whose telephone number is (571)272-1285. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:00-3:00.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Nicole Buie-Hatcher can be reached at 571-270-3879. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/TRACY M DOVE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1725