Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the connector part having a channel, the channel having the shape of a helicoidal spring, must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
Applicant argues that Figure 6 illustrates a channel 111, and that this is the helicoidal spring shaped channel. Examiner cannot concur, the channel shape in Figure 6 does not appear to be helicoidal at all, and the line 111 in no way illustrates or even suggests such a shape.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 made in 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.
Claims 1 – 6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by U.S. Pat. No. 8,979,553 (“Lloyd”).
Regarding claim 1, Lloyd discloses a connector part (20) for a cable (22) having specific parameters and/or features, wherein said cable comprises at least a pair of wires (51) and wherein the connector part (20) is configured to maintain within the connector at least one parameter and/or feature of the cable (22) so as to limit the introduction of discontinuity in by in the connector (the paths 63 guide the cables so as to maintain the cables as stable differential signal cables, by gently curving the cables to limit the chance of breaking, see col. 6, lns. 30 – 33, and to maintain a desired level of impedance so as to not induce interference within the connector, see col. 5, ln. 57 – col. 6, ln. 8).
Regarding claim 2, Lloyd discloses the connector part wherein said parameter of the cable comprises material, electrical and EM properties of a conductor and insulation of 51/54.
Regarding claim 3, Lloyd discloses said connector part (20) is a plug (see Fig. 1).
Regarding claim 4, Lloyd discloses wherein said connector part comprises a channel (63).
Regarding claim 5, Lloyd discloses wherein a channel (63) has a shape of a helicoidal spring (63 has a spiral shape, see Fig. 4C).
Regarding claim 6, Lloyd discloses wherein said connector part (20) is combined with the cable (see Fig. 1).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim 1 have been considered but are not persuasive.
Applicant argues that the connector introduces discontinuities and thus does not satisfy the claims. Examiner cannot concur. The connector part joins the cable to the terminals, and guides the cables through the connector so as to maintain the stability of the cable and the signal traveling through the cable. Thus, the physical and electrical properties of the wire are maintained through the connector.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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 PAUL D BAILLARGEON whose telephone number is (571)272-0676. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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, Renee Luebke can be reached at (571) 272-2009.
The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/PAUL D BAILLARGEON/ Examiner, Art Unit 2831
/renee s luebke/ Supervisory Patent Examiner
Art Unit 2831