Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/308,467

MOLDED POWER MODULES

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Apr 27, 2023
Priority
May 04, 2022 — provisional 63/364,166
Examiner
KLEIN, JORDAN M
Art Unit
2893
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Semiconductor Components Industries LLC
OA Round
2 (Final)
86%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
94%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 86% — above average
86%
Career Allowance Rate
465 granted / 544 resolved
+17.5% vs TC avg
Moderate +8% lift
Without
With
+8.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 5m
Avg Prosecution
19 currently pending
Career history
561
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.6%
-39.4% vs TC avg
§103
52.5%
+12.5% vs TC avg
§102
31.0%
-9.0% vs TC avg
§112
13.0%
-27.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 544 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
DETAILED ACTION This Office Action is in response to the applicant's amendment filed June 24th, 2026. In virtue of this communication, claims 1-8 and 21-32 are currently presented in the instant application. 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 Rejections - 35 USC § 103 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 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claims 1, 3-8, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30, and 32 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Essert et al. (US 7,494,389 B1; hereinafter Essert) in view of Sudo et al. (US 2007/0138624 A1; hereinafter Sudo). With respect to claim 1, Essert discloses an electronic device assembly in Figs. 1-4 comprising: a substrate 35 (see Fig. 4, column 3, line 25-33, and column 3, line 64 - column 4, line 16); a patterned metal layer 30 disposed on the substrate 35 (see Figs. 3, 4, column 3, line 11-28, and column 3, line 64 - column 4, line 6); a semiconductor device circuit (of 36) implemented on the patterned metal layer 30 (see Figs. 3, 4, column 3, line 34-38, and column 3, line 64 - column 4, line 6); and a molded body 40 including a plurality of pins (press-fit connectors with first and second parts 1 and 2) (see Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, and column 3, line 25-63), a pin of the plurality of pins including: a first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector) extending out of a first surface (outside of 40) of the molded body 40, the first portion being externally accessible (see Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55-61, column 2, line 1-8, column 3, line 39-63, and column 4, line 17-33); a second portion (part 2 of press-fit connector) extending out of a second surface (inside of 40) of the molded body 40 opposite the first surface (outside of 40), the second portion: being internal in the electronic device assembly; electrically coupled with the patterned metal layer 30 (see Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, column 3, line 11 - column 4, line 33); and a third portion (part of 1 within 40) disposed within the molded body 40 and extending between the first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector outside of 40) and the second portion (part 2 of press-fit connector inside of 40) (Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, column 2, line 57-67, and column 3, line 25-63). Essert does not explicitly disclose wherein the plurality of pins are signal pins. Sudo discloses an electronic device assembly in at least Figs . 14 and 15 wherein a plurality of pins 16 are signal pins (see Fig. 14 and paragraphs 83, 84). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that the plurality of pins of Essert would be signal pins as taught by Sudo because it is well known in the art that such electronic device assemblies include a plurality of DC (direct current) source terminals 12a, AC (alternate current) drive terminals 12b, and signal terminals 16 for proper functionality (see MPEP 2144 I and paragraph 84 of Sudo). With respect to claim 3, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the electronic device assembly of claim 1, wherein the molded body 40 includes a plurality of alignment features 42 configured to position the electronic device assembly in an encapsulation molding tool (see Essert: Fig. 4, column 2, line 57-67, and column 4, line 7-16; the limitation “configured to position the electronic device assembly in an encapsulation molding tool” is an intended use limitation, and it has been held by the courts that a recitation with respect to the manner in which a claimed apparatus is intended to be employed does not differentiate the claimed apparatus from a prior art apparatus satisfying the claimed structural limitations (see MPEP 2114 II)). With respect to claim 4, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the electronic device assembly of claim 3, wherein the plurality of alignment features 42 includes at least one of: a plurality of recesses in the first surface (outside of 40) of the molded body 40; or a plurality of through-holes in the molded body 40 (see Essert: Fig. 4 and column 4, line 7-16). With respect to claim 5, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the electronic device assembly of claim 1, wherein the molded body 40 further includes a plurality of power tabs (other press-fit connectors with first and second parts 1 and 2), a power tab of the plurality of power tabs including: a first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector) arranged in a plane parallel to the first surface (outside of 40) of the molded body 40 (see Essert: Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55-61, column 2, line 1-8, column 3, line 39-63, and column 4, line 17-33; note part of 1 is parallel to outside surface of 40 at side wall 41); and a second portion (part 2 of press-fit connector) orthogonal to the first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector), the second portion of the power tab: extending from the second surface (inside of 40) of the molded body 40; being electrically continuous with the first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector) of the power tab; and being electrically coupled with the patterned metal layer 30 (see Essert: Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, column 3, line 1 - column 4, line 33; as seen in the Figs part of 2 is perpendicular to part 1). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that the plurality of tabs of Essert would be power tabs as taught by Sudo because it is well known in the art that such electronic device assemblies include a plurality of DC (direct current) source terminals 12a, AC (alternate current) drive terminals 12b, and signal terminals 16 for proper functionality (see MPEP 2144 I and paragraph 84 of Sudo). With respect to claim 6, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the electronic device assembly of claim 5, wherein the first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector) of the power tab is disposed in a slot defined in the molded body 40 (see Essert: Figs. 3, 4, and column 3, line 25-56). With respect to claim 7, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the electronic device assembly of claim 5, wherein the power tab (other press-fit connectors with first and second parts 1 and 2) is a single body that is bent to define the first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector) of the power tab and the second portion (part 2 of press-fit connector) of the power tab (see Essert: Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, column 2, line 38-47, column 3, line 25-63, and column 4, line 22-33; parts 1 and 2 are mechanically joined to form one press-fit connector; note bends in part 2). With respect to claim 8, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the electronic device assembly of claim 5, wherein the second portion (part 2 of press-fit connector) of the power tab (other press-fit connectors with first and second parts 1 and 2) is a conductive post that electrically couples the first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector) of the power tab with the patterned metal layer 30 (see Essert: Figs. 3, 4, column 2, line 9-19, and column 3, line 11-33). With respect to claim 21, Essert discloses an electronic device assembly in Figs. 1-4 comprising: a semiconductor device circuit (of 36) coupled to a patterned metal layer 30 of a substrate 35 (see Figs. 3, 4, and column 3, line 33-38, and column 3 line 64 - column 4, line 16); a molded body 40 coupled to the substrate 35 and disposed over the semiconductor device circuit (of 36), the molded body 40 including a plurality of pins (press-fit connectors with first and second parts 1 and 2) (see Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, column 3, line 25-63, and column 4, line 7-16), a pin of the plurality of pins including: a first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector) extending out of a first surface (outside of 40) of the molded body 40, the first portion being externally accessible (see Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55-61, column 2, line 1-8, column 3, line 39-63, and column 4, line 17-33); a second portion (part 2 of press-fit connector) extending out of a second surface (inside of 40) of the molded body 40 opposite the first surface (outside of 40) (see Figs. 1-4, (see Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, column 2, line 38-47, and column 3, line 11 - column 4, line 33; and a third portion (part of 1 within 40) disposed within the molded body 40 and extending between the first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector outside of 40) and the second portion (part 2 of press-fit connector inside of 40) (Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, column 2, line 57-67, and column 3, line 25-63); and molding compound (insulating soft pottant) at least partially encapsulating the substrate 35 and the molded body 40 (see Fig. 4 and column 4, line 7-16). Essert does not explicitly disclose wherein the plurality of pins are signal pins. Sudo discloses an electronic device assembly in at least Figs . 14 and 15 wherein a plurality of pins 16 are signal pins (see Fig. 14 and paragraphs 83, 84). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that the plurality of pins of Essert would be signal pins as taught by Sudo because it is well known in the art that such electronic device assemblies include a plurality of DC (direct current) source terminals 12a, AC (alternate current) drive terminals 12b, and signal terminals 16 for proper functionality (see MPEP 2144 I and paragraph 84 of Sudo). With respect to claim 23, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the electronic device assembly of claim 21, wherein the second portion (part 2 of press-fit connector) is axially offset from the first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector) (see Essert: Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, column 3, line 1 - column 4, line 33; note part 2 within interior of housing is offset from part 1). With respect to claim 24, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the electronic device assembly of claim 21, wherein the second portion (part 2 of press-fit connector) is electrically coupled with a pad (of 30) of the patterned metal layer 30 (see Essert: Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, column 3, line 11 - column 4, line 33). With respect to claim 26, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the electronic device assembly of claim 21, wherein the molded body 40 further includes a plurality of power tabs (other press-fit connectors with first and second parts 1 and 2) (see Essert: Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, and column 3, line 25-63). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that the plurality of tabs of Essert would be power tabs as taught by Sudo because it is well known in the art that such electronic device assemblies include a plurality of DC (direct current) source terminals 12a, AC (alternate current) drive terminals 12b, and signal terminals 16 for proper functionality (see MPEP 2144 I and paragraph 84 of Sudo). With respect to claim 27, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the electronic device assembly of claim 26, wherein a power tab of the plurality of power tabs includes: a first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector) arranged in a plane parallel to the first surface (outside of 40) of the molded body 40 (see Essert: Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55-61, column 2, line 1-8, column 3, line 39-63, and column 4, line 17-33; note part of 1 is parallel to outside surface of 40 at side wall 41); and a second portion (part 2 of press-fit connector) orthogonal to the first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector), the second portion of the power tab: extending from the second surface (inside of 40) of the molded body 40; being electrically continuous with the first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector) of the power tab; and being electrically coupled with the patterned metal layer 30 (see Essert: Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, column 3, line 1 - column 4, line 33; as seen in the Figs part of 2 is perpendicular to part 1). With respect to claim 29, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the electronic device assembly of claim 21, wherein the molded body 40 includes a plurality of alignment features 42 configured to position the electronic device assembly in an encapsulation molding tool (see Essert: Fig. 4, column 2, line 57-67, and column 4, line 7-16; the limitation “configured to position the electronic device assembly in an encapsulation molding tool” is an intended use limitation, and it has been held by the courts that a recitation with respect to the manner in which a claimed apparatus is intended to be employed does not differentiate the claimed apparatus from a prior art apparatus satisfying the claimed structural limitations (see MPEP 2114 II)). With respect to claim 30, Essert discloses a method in Figs. 1-4 comprising: coupling a semiconductor device circuit (of 36) to a patterned metal layer 30 of a substrate 35 (see Figs. 3, 4, and column 3, line 33-38, and column 3 line 64 - column 4, line 16); coupling a molded body 40 to the substrate 35 and disposed over the semiconductor device circuit (of 36), the molded body 40 including a plurality of pins (press-fit connectors with first and second parts 1 and 2) (see Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, column 3, line 25-63, and column 4, line 7-16), a pin of the plurality of pins including: a first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector) extending out of a first surface (outside of 40) of the molded body 40, the first portion being externally accessible (see Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55-61, column 2, line 1-8, column 3, line 39-63, and column 4, line 17-33); a second portion (part 2 of press-fit connector) extending out of a second surface (inside of 40) of the molded body 40 opposite the first surface (outside of 40) (see Figs. 1-4, (see Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, column 2, line 38-47, and column 3, line 11 - column 4, line 33); and a third portion (part of 1 within 40) disposed within the molded body 40 and extending between the first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector outside of 40) and the second portion (part 2 of press-fit connector inside of 40) (Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, column 2, line 57-67, and column 3, line 25-63); and encapsulating at least a portion of the substrate 35 and the molded body 40 in a molding compound (insulating soft pottant) (see Fig. 4 and column 4, line 7-16). Essert does not explicitly disclose wherein the plurality of pins are signal pins. Sudo discloses a method in at least Figs . 14 and 15 wherein a plurality of pins 16 are signal pins (see Fig. 14 and paragraphs 83, 84). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that the plurality of pins of Essert would be signal pins as taught by Sudo because it is well known in the art that methods of such electronic device assemblies include a plurality of DC (direct current) source terminals 12a, AC (alternate current) drive terminals 12b, and signal terminals 16 for proper functionality (see MPEP 2144 I and paragraph 84 of Sudo). With respect to claim 32, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the method of claim 30, wherein the molded body 40 further includes a plurality of power tabs (other press-fit connectors with first and second parts 1 and 2) (see Essert: Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, and column 3, line 25-63), wherein a power tab of the plurality of power tabs includes: a first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector) arranged in a plane parallel to the first surface (outside of 40) of the molded body 40 (see Essert: Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55-61, column 2, line 1-8, column 3, line 39-63, and column 4, line 17-33; note part of 1 is parallel to outside surface of 40 at side wall 41); and a second portion (part 2 of press-fit connector) orthogonal to the first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector), the second portion of the power tab extending from the second surface (inside of 40) of the molded body 40 and contacting the substrate 35 (see Essert: Figs. 1-4, column 1, line 55 - column 2, line 19, column 3, line 1 - column 4, line 33; as seen in the Figs part of 2 is perpendicular to part 1). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that the plurality of tabs of Essert would be power tabs as taught by Sudo because it is well known in the art that methods of such electronic device assemblies include a plurality of DC (direct current) source terminals 12a, AC (alternate current) drive terminals 12b, and signal terminals 16 for proper functionality (see MPEP 2144 I and paragraph 84 of Sudo). Claims 2, 22, and 28 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Essert et al. (US 7,494,389 B1; hereinafter Essert) in view of Sudo et al. (US 2007/0138624 A1; hereinafter Sudo) as applied to claims 1, 21 or 30 above, and further in view of Lin et al. (US 2016/0247735 A1; hereinafter Lin). With respect to claim 2, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the electronic device assembly of claim 1. The combination does not disclose wherein the signal pin is a single body signal pin and includes a plurality of bends, the signal pin is electrically continuous between the first portion, the third portion, and the second portion. Lin discloses an electronic device assembly in Figs. 2, 5, and 6 wherein a signal pin (86, comprising 110, 112, 114) is a single body signal pin and includes a plurality of bends (between 110/112 and between 112/114), the signal pin is electrically continuous between a first portion 110, a third portion 112, and a second portion 114 (see Lin. Figs. 2, 5, 6, and paragraphs 61-63. See Sudo: Fig. 14 and paragraph 84 for teaching of signal pins). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that the signal pin of the combination of Essert and Sudo would be a single body signal pin and includes a plurality of bends, the signal pin is electrically continuous between the first portion, the third portion, and the second portion as taught by Lin. Thus, a perimeter defined by a plurality of elastic couplers 84 outside the package, such as shown with semiconductor package (package) 120 of FIG. 9, may be smaller than a perimeter formed by the same plurality of elastic couplers 84 within the package (see Lin: paragraph 62). With respect to claim 22, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the electronic device assembly of claim 21. The combination does not disclose wherein the signal pin is a single body signal pin and includes a plurality of bends, the signal pin is electrically continuous between the first portion, the third portion, and the second portion. Lin discloses an electronic device assembly in Figs. 2, 5, and 6 wherein a signal pin (86, comprising 110, 112, 114) is a single body signal pin and includes a plurality of bends (between 110/112 and between 112/114), the signal pin is electrically continuous between a first portion 110, a third portion 112, and a second portion 114 (see Lin. Figs. 2, 5, 6, and paragraphs 61-63. See Sudo: Fig. 14 and paragraph 84 for teaching of signal pins). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that the signal pin of the combination of Essert and Sudo would be a single body signal pin and includes a plurality of bends, the signal pin is electrically continuous between the first portion, the third portion, and the second portion as taught by Lin. Thus, a perimeter defined by a plurality of elastic couplers 84 outside the package, such as shown with semiconductor package (package) 120 of FIG. 9, may be smaller than a perimeter formed by the same plurality of elastic couplers 84 within the package (see Lin: paragraph 62). With respect to claim 28, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the electronic device assembly of claim 21. The combination does not explicitly disclose wherein the third portion extends in a plane parallel to the first surface and connecting the first portion to the second portion. Lin discloses an electronic device assembly in Figs. 2, 5, and 6 wherein a third portion 112 extends in a plane parallel to a first surface (outside top surface 66 of housing 62) and connecting a first portion 110 to second portion 114 (see Figs. 2, 5, 6, and paragraphs 59, 61-63). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that the third portion of the combination of Essert and Sudo would extend in a plane parallel to the first surface and connecting the first portion to the second portion as taught by Lin. Thus, a perimeter defined by a plurality of elastic couplers 84 outside the package, such as shown with semiconductor package (package) 120 of FIG. 9, may be smaller than a perimeter formed by the same plurality of elastic couplers 84 within the package (see Lin: paragraph 62). Claim 25 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Essert et al. (US 7,494,389 B1; hereinafter Essert) in view of Sudo et al. (US 2007/0138624 A1; hereinafter Sudo) as applied to claim 21 above, and further in view of Nonaka (US 2023/0269868 A1). With respect to claim 25, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the electronic device assembly of claim 21. The combination does not disclose wherein the first portion extends through the molding compound. Nonaka discloses an electronic device assembly in at least Fig. 1 wherein a first portion (part of 40a, 40b outside of 50 and 51) extends through a molding compound 60 (see Fig. 1 and paragraphs 44, 62, 63, 67). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that the first portion of Essert and Sudo would extend through the molding compound as taught by Nonaka so as to further improve the dielectric strength of the assembly (see MPEP 2144 I). Claim 31 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Essert et al. (US 7,494,389 B1; hereinafter Essert) in view of Sudo et al. (US 2007/0138624 A1; hereinafter Sudo) as applied to claim 30 above, and further in view of Lin et al. (US 2016/0247735 A1; hereinafter Lin) and Nonaka (US 2023/0269868 A1). With respect to claim 31, the combination of Essert and Sudo discloses the method of claim 30. The combination does not disclose wherein: the signal pin is a single body signal pin and includes a plurality of bends, the signal pin is electrically continuous between the first portion, the third portion, and the second portion; and the first portion extends through the molding compound. Lin discloses a method for an electronic device assembly in Figs. 2, 5, and 6 wherein a signal pin (86, comprising 110, 112, 114) is a single body signal pin and includes a plurality of bends (between 110/112 and between 112/114), the signal pin is electrically continuous between a first portion 110, a third portion 112, and a second portion 114 (see Lin. Figs. 2, 5, 6, and paragraphs 61-63. See Sudo: Fig. 14 and paragraph 84 for teaching of signal pins). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that the signal pin of the method of the combination of Essert and Sudo would be a single body signal pin and includes a plurality of bends, the signal pin is electrically continuous between the first portion, the third portion, and the second portion as taught by Lin. Thus, a perimeter defined by a plurality of elastic couplers 84 outside the package, such as shown with semiconductor package (package) 120 of FIG. 9, may be smaller than a perimeter formed by the same plurality of elastic couplers 84 within the package (see Lin: paragraph 62). Nonaka discloses a method for an electronic device assembly in at least Fig. 1 wherein a first portion (part of 40a, 40b outside of 50 and 51) extends through a molding compound 60 (see Fig. 1 and paragraphs 44, 62, 63, 67). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that the first portion of Essert and Sudo would extend through the molding compound as taught by Nonaka so as to further improve the dielectric strength of the assembly (see MPEP 2144 I). Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments filed June 24th, 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. With respect to independent claims 1, 21, and 30, the applicant argues that To meet the "molded body" limitation, the Examiner relies on Essert's component 40. However, Essert explicitly describes component 40 as a "cast housing frame" or "cast housing 40 having side walls 41" which constitutes the final outer housing of the entire power semiconductor module. Essert does not disclose or suggest a dedicated, pre-molded internal body disposed over the semiconductor device circuit that is used to hold pins (e.g., signal pins) and is structurally distinct from the module's outer housing. Therefore, Essert fails to teach a "molded body" out of which a first portion that is externally accessible and a second portion of a pin extends to remain internal to the electronic device assembly, as recited in the claims. The examiner respectfully disagrees. In response to applicant's argument that the references fail to show certain features of the invention, it is noted that the features upon which applicant relies (i.e., that the molded boy is a dedicated, pre-molded internal body disposed over the semiconductor device circuit that is used to hold pins (e.g., signal pins) and is structurally distinct from the module's outer housing) are not recited in the rejected claim(s). 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). Essert discloses the third portion (part of 1 within 40) disposed within the molded body 40 and extending between the first portion (part 1 of press-fit connector outside of 40) and the second portion (part 2 of press-fit connector inside of 40) and the claims remain rejected. 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. Inquiry Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JORDAN M KLEIN whose telephone number is (571)270-7544. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. 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, Sue Purvis can be reached at 571-272-1236. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /J.M.K/Examiner, Art Unit 2893 /SUE A PURVIS/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2893
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 27, 2023
Application Filed
Mar 25, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Jun 23, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Jun 23, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Jun 24, 2026
Response Filed
Sep 17, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
86%
Grant Probability
94%
With Interview (+8.0%)
2y 5m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 544 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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