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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 1/6/2026 has been entered.
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.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
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 1-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being 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).
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 10, Ng discloses at least one of the plurality of connection positions comprising an opening configured to engage the fastening component (Figs. 5-7).
Regarding claim 11, Ng discloses the plurality of connection positions comprising a proximal connection position and a distal connection position (intended use, connection can be formed along different sections of the tail portion).
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 filed 1/6/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In response to Applicant's arguments that Ng does not disclose “interlocking features defining a positive engagement between a surface/feature of the clamp and a surface/feature of the fixed tail portion”, please note that such engagement is shown in Fig. 6. While Applicant’s argument appear to imply that the corresponding interlocking features of the present invention are different from those shown by Ng, the claim language does not provide any language to distinguish for the corresponding interlocking features shown by Ng. Although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. See In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993).
Please note that Ng discloses a fixed tail portion (10, 16, 13) defining a curved exit path (three paths for the cables shown in Figs. 5-7) extending from the backshell body. Ng also discloses at least one fastening component (32, 35) that can be secured to the fixed tail portion (10, 16, 13) at a plurality of respective connection positions (that receive 32 or 35) along the curved exit path of the cable. Please note that the claim language does not require the connection positions to be in use simultaneously (nor is that shown in the drawings of the present application). Nonetheless, please note that nothing in Ng prevent such simultaneous use.
Conclusion
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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/FELIX O FIGUEROA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2833