DETAILED ACTION
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Claims 1-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Goerlitzer et al. US 9455509 (“Goerlitzer”).
Regarding claim 1, Goerlitzer discloses a terminal (100, including two or more series terminals 1, col. 5, lines 14-20, col. 3, lines 5-15) for electrical cables (inserted into 15, 20), comprising:
a housing (labeled H in annotated figure 1 below, including the housings of at least two adjacent series terminals 1) on which are provided at least two connections (at 10, 20) for electrically connecting in each case one electrical cable to one connection line (11, 21) arranged in the housing,
wherein the connection lines are electrically disconnected from each
other at a disconnection point at (at 12, 22) between two contacts (12,22), and
wherein the housing forms a plurality of receptacles (labeled R1, R2 below, the receptacles holding element 3) at which the contacts of the disconnection point of the connection lines are arranged such that they are each electrically contactable by a component 3 attachable to the plurality of receptacles.
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Per claim 2, at least one insertion slope (labeled SLP in annotated figure 3 below) is formed on the receptacles.
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Per claim 3, there is at least one mounting region (labeled MR in annotated figure 1 below) for the a movable mounting of the components is on the receptacles.
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Per claim 4 the mounting region (labeled MR above) has a substantially circular cross-section.
Per claim 5, the contacts (12, 22) are each formed on a slot (i.e., with a slot, labeled “SLOT” in annotated figure 3 above) .
Per claim 6, the receptacles comprise a shaft (i.e. a vertical hole).
Per claim 7, the plurality of receptacles are arranged in a row (figure 1, labeled Row in annotated figure 2 below).
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Per claim 8, one of the connection lines (e.g., the connection line labeled BCL above) comprises a bus connection line having a plurality of contacts (12, 22), each contact of the plurality of contacts being arranged at one receptacle of the plurality of receptacles.
Per claim 9, at least one of the connections is designed in the form of comprises a push-in connection.
Per claim 10, Goerlitzer discloses a system, comprising a terminal of claim 1;
and at least two different components (3, 4, 5, 6), each being selectively attachable to the plurality of receptacle in order to electrically contact the contacts of the disconnection point of the connection lines.
Per claim 11, one component of the at least two different components is designed comprises a disconnection element with a contact blade (3a) for contacting the contacts of the connection lines,
wherein the disconnection element is attachable to the receptacles such that the disconnection element it is mounted so as to be movable between a contact position, in which the disconnection element electrically connects the contacts to each other, and a disconnection position, in which the disconnection element it -electrically disconnects the two contacts from each other.
Per claim 12 one component of the at least two different components comprises a passive or active electrical component.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues that one Goerlitzer series terminal 1 does not include plural receptacles. As set out above, claim 1 reads on Goerlitzer series terminal block 100, which comprises plural Goerlitzer terminals 1 (Goerlitzer at col. 5, lines 14-20, col. 3, lines 5-15). The housings of plural Goerlitzer series terminals 1 forms the housing of the Goerlitzer series terminal block 100, upon which claim 1 reads. Therefore Goerlitzer discloses a housing having plural receptacles as claimed.
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 ROSS N GUSHI whose telephone number is (571)272-2005. The examiner can normally be reached Monday – Friday 8:00AM – 5PM EST.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Christopher Koehler, can be reached at (571)272-3560. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ROSS N GUSHI/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2834
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