DETAILED ACTION
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election with traverse of Group I Species 1, Figure 4A, claims 1, 3-9, 12 and 14, in the reply filed on July 18, 2025 is acknowledged.
Claims 2, 10, 11, 13, 15-18 and 20 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b), as being drawn to a nonelected species, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Applicant timely traversed the restriction (election) requirement in the reply filed on July 18, 2025.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1, 3-9, 12 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 1 (lines 6,11-14) recites “a support plate forming a butt joint with at least the tab second surface… wherein the second part: forms a first interface with the support plate; forms an intermetallic bond with the tab first surface at a second interface such that the tab is sandwiched between the second part and the support plate”.
Claim 1 fails to recite any limitations which enable one to properly determine what structurally defines a main body of each of the first and second parts, and it is unclear as to how the main bodies of the first and second parts are aligned with and engage one another such that the second part can both “form a first interface with the support plate” which “forms a butt joint with the tab second surface”, and also “form an intermetallic bond with the tab first surface at a second interface such that the tab is sandwiched between the second part and the support plate”.
Furthermore, it is unclear as to how the tab longitudinally extends relative to the main body of the first part, and unclear as to how the coupling portion of the second part extends from the main body of the second plate such that the second part can both “form a first interface with the support plate” which “forms a butt joint with the tab second surface”, and also “form an intermetallic bond with the tab first surface at a second interface such that the tab is sandwiched between the second part and the support plate”. It is unclear as what structurally defines the coupling portion of the second part such that it is extends between and is coupled to both the opposing tab first and second surfaces. Accordingly, one is unable to properly determine the metes and bounds of such claim. Claims 3-9 and 12 depend from claim 1 and are likewise rejected as being indefinite.
Claim 14 (lines 7,12-16) recites “a support plate forming a butt joint with at least the tab second surface… wherein the second part: forms a first interface with the support plate; forms a second interface with the tab, forms an intermetallic bond with the tab first surface and the tab third surface at the second interface such that the tab is sandwiched between the second part and the support plate”.
Claim 14 fails to recite any limitations which enable one to properly determine what structurally defines a main body of each of the first and second parts, and it is unclear as to how the main bodies of the first and second parts are aligned with and engage one another such that the second part can both “form a first interface with the support plate” which “forms a butt joint with the tab second surface”, and also “form an intermetallic bond with the tab first surface and the tab third surface at the second interface such that the tab is sandwiched between the second part and the support plate”.
Furthermore, it is unclear as to how the tab longitudinally extends relative to the main body of the first part, and unclear as to how the coupling portion of the second part extends from the main body of the second plate such that the second part can both “form a first interface with the support plate” which “forms a butt joint with the tab second surface”, and also “form an intermetallic bond with the tab first surface and the tab third surface at the second interface such that the tab is sandwiched between the second part and the support plate”. It is unclear as what structurally defines the coupling portion of the second part such that it is extends between and is coupled to both the opposing tab first and second surfaces. Accordingly, one is unable to properly determine the metes and bounds of such claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1, 3-9, 12 and 14 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
As to claims 1 and 14, as best understood, Arul (US 10,859,103) discloses the claimed joint with the exception of the support plate forming a butt joint with at least the tab second surface of the tab; and wherein the second part: forms a first interface with the support plate; forms an intermetallic bond with the tab first surface at a second interface such that the tab is sandwiched between the second part and the support plate.
There is no teaching or suggestion, absent the applicant’s own disclosure, for one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the joint disclosed by Arul to have the above mentioned elemental features. Furthermore, such modifications would not be obvious.
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 MICHAEL P FERGUSON whose telephone number is (571)272-7081. The examiner can normally be reached M-F (10:00 am-7:00 pm EST).
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Anna Momper can be reached at (571)270-5788. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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08/11/26
/MICHAEL P FERGUSON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3619
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