DETAILED ACTION
Response to Arguments
The claim objections are overcome with applicant’s amendments and remarks.
The drawing objections are overcome with applicant’s amendments and remarks.
The 35 USC 112(b) rejections are overcome with applicant’s amendments and remarks.
Applicant's arguments filed 11 December 2025 with respect to the 102(a)(1) rejections have been fully considered but they are not fully persuasive.
Applicants argue that the claim amendments now recite structural features of a lower nozzle “first membrane coupling portion” and a membrane “second coupling portion” to prevent rotation therebetween, which applicants argue Kwon et al. fails to disclose.
In response to applicant’s arguments the examiner understands that applicant intends to positively claim the radial projection (250) and radial recess (adjacent 30, fig. 2B of applicant’s drawings), but points out that the term “coupling portion” is much broader than applicant’s actual structure, and does not carry the patentable weight which applicants argue. The examiner asserts that in the mount of Kwon et al., the membrane must necessarily be aligned and fixed in place such that the membrane channel (230) aligns with the nozzle channels (130, 131, 132) to function properly. Therefore, the frictional connection of the membrane lip (222) and side protrusion (223) being sandwiched between the upper and lower nozzle rim portions (111, 122) is interpreted to encompass the broadly claimed “coupling portions” (see pars. 0078 and 0102) and therefore necessarily prevent movement between the upper and lower nozzles and the membrane.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section 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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Kwon et al. (US 2022/0126669).
In Re claim 1, Kwon et al. disclose a hydraulic mount (fig. 1), comprising: a core (30); an insulator (10); a diaphragm (20); a fluid sealed between the insulator and diaphragm in a first and second chambers (40, 50); and a nozzle assembly (100), comprising: an upper nozzle (110); a lower muzzle (120); and a membrane (200) located between the upper and lower nozzles, wherein the membrane includes a second coupling portion (see membrane lip 222) and side protrusion 223) that is coupled with upper and lower nozzle first membrane coupling portions (see upper and lower rim portions 111 and 122). The examiner points out that the membrane must necessarily be aligned and fixed in place such that the membrane channel (230) aligns with the nozzle channels (130, 131, 132) to function properly, and therefore the first and second coupling portions necessarily prevent movement between the upper and lower nozzles and the membrane.
In Re claim 2, see first passage (121) defined by at least one radial connection (not labeled, see figs. 2 and 3) between a radially outward portion (120) and radially inward portion (123); second passage (central through-hole); and membrane (200).
In Re claims 3 and 4, upper nozzle (110) and plurality of internal and external portions (see 111, 151, 161) which form a supporting guide wall, in fig. 2.
In Re claim 5, see upwardly extending guide wall (upper plate 110) in figs. 1, and 5-7.
In Re claim 6, see guide walls (110, 111, 151, 161) in figs. 1, 2, and 5-7.
In Re claims 7, 8, and 13, see circumferentially spaced membrane fixing portions (221, 222).
In Re claim 9, see figs. 5-7.
In Re claim 10, as best understood, the radially outer surface of the external protrusions do not contact the membrane.
In Re claim 11, see upper nozzle radial members (151, 161) extending from the surface of the upper nozzle.
In Re claim 12, the second membrane fixing portions (222) are disposed between the inner and external diameter portions (see support portions 152 and 162).
In Re claim 14, see fig. 2, and 5-7.
In Re claim 15, the upper and lower nozzles have a corresponding shape to allow them to be coupled together (see the four unlabeled pins extending upwards from the lower nozzle figs. 2 and 4-7).
In Re claim 16, see first passage (121).
In Re claim 17, see lower nozzle coupling portion (see 130-161 in fig. 2); and second membrane fixing portions (222).
In Re claim 18, the membrane at least partially blocks the second passage.
In Re claims 19 and 20, fluid flows through the first passage.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The newly cited references are related to hydraulic mounts.
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 THOMAS W IRVIN whose telephone number is (571)270-3095. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm.
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, Robert Siconolfi can be reached at 571-272-7124. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/THOMAS W IRVIN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3616