DETAILED ACTION
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 .
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
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 1-9 and 12-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) anticipated by Ng et al. (US 9,620,892).
Regarding claim 1, Ng discloses a backshell configured to be connected to an electrical connector, the backshell comprising: a backshell body (5, 7) configured to receive a cable connectable with the electrical connector; a fixed tail portion (10, 16, 13) extending from the backshell body and defining a first curved exit path (Figs. 5-7) extending from the back shell body, the fixed tail portion providing a plurality respective connection positions (13) disposed at different positions along the first curved exit path, the plurality of respective connection positions comprising fastening component engagement means (space/groove next to 18, and under 10 in Fig. 3); at least one a fastening component (32, 35) selectively connectable to the fixed tail portion at different respective connection positions (13, 13, under 10, Figs. 5-7) of the plurality of respective connection positions to retain the cable to the fixed tail portion, the at least one fastening component (32, 35) comprising engagement means (portion of 32, 35 in contact with space/groove next to 18, and under 10 in Fig. 3); wherein the fastening component engagement means (space/groove next to 18, and under 10 in Fig. 3) and engagement means (portion of fastening components 32, 35 in contact with the fastening component engagement means) of the at least one fastening component (352, 35) comprise interlocking features (different surfaces of 18 and 32) configured for positive engagement with each other to retain the fastening component at one the different connection positions along the first curved exit path; wherein connection of the fastening component to the fixed tail portion at the different respective connection positions guides the cable from the fixed tail portion at different respective exit angles (Figs. 5-7); wherein the plurality of connection positions comprises a proximal connection position configured to retain the cable at a proximal position along the first curved exit path (intended use, connection can be formed along different sections of the tail portion), and a distal connection position (at 32, Figs. 5/6) configured to retain the cable at a distal position along the first curved exit path; the fastening component engagement means of the proximal connection position and the fastening component engagement means of the distal connection position each comprise an opening (76/77, Fig. 12) configured to engage the fastening component (intended use).
Regarding claim 2, Ng discloses the fixed tail portion being an integral part of the backshell body.
Regarding claim 3, Ng discloses the curved exit path defined along a surface of the fixed tail portion (Figs. 5-7).
Regarding claim 4, Ng discloses the fixed tail portion comprising a cable support surface configured to direct the cable along the curved exit path (Figs. 5-7).
Regarding claim 5, Ng discloses a proximal end of the cable support surface being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the backshell body and wherein a distal end of the cable support surface is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the backshell body (Fig. 2).
Regarding claim 6, Ng discloses the cable support surface has a curved profile (Fig. 2).
Regarding claim 7, Ng discloses the cable support surface comprising a smooth tubular surface (at least partly).
Regarding claim 8, Ng discloses the cable support surface defined by a geometric saddle point (Figs. 5-7).
Regarding claim 9, Ng discloses the fixed tail portion (10, 13, 16) and the fastening component are configured to clamp the cable therebetween (Figs. 5-7).
Regarding claim 12, Ng disclose the plurality of connection positions further comprising an intermediate connection position (at 35, Fig. 7) located at a position along the curved exit path between the proximal connection position and the distal connection position.
Regarding claim 13, Ng discloses at least one aperture (76, Fig, 12) provided at an underside of the cable support surface.
Regarding claim 14, Ng discloses the at least one aperture (76, Fig. 12) located in the region of at least one of the plurality of connection positions, to receive the fastening component so as to retain the cable at the at least one connection position.
Regarding claim 15, Ng discloses a method of assembling an electrical connector to a cable, the method comprising: providing an electrical connector (inside 3); providing a backshell (5, 7) according to claim 1 to the electrical connector; connecting at least one cable (30) to the electrical connector; and securing the at least one cable to the backshell by selecting at least one of the plurality of connection positions and connecting the fastening component (32) to the fixed tail portion at the selected connection position (Figs. 5-7).
Regarding claim 16, Ng disclose leaving at least one of the plurality of connection positions unoccupied by any fastening component (Figs. 5-7).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the claims have been considered but are moot in view of the new grounds of rejection, as applied.
Please note that a recitation of the intended use of the claimed invention (i.e. configured to) must result in a structural difference between the claimed invention and the prior art in order to patentably distinguish the claimed invention from the prior art. If the prior art structure is capable of performing the intended use, then it meets the claim.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, 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 FELIX O FIGUEROA whose telephone number is (571)272-2003. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9am-6pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Renee Luebke can be reached at (571)727-2009. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/FELIX O FIGUEROA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2833
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