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 .
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Response to Arguments
Applicant asserts that the rejections of claims 1, 14 and 15 are invalid because the prior art reference Togami does not meet the claim limitation “the elastic component is configured to press the clamping component towards the optical fiber patch cable plug” (Applicant remarks of 12/31/2025, pg. 9 top). The examiner respectfully disagrees. The key to understanding how the Togami locking/latching mechanism works, is to appreciate that Togami’s clamping component 110 is a “pivot block” which pivots around pivot point 112. When one portion of the pivot block moves toward the top surface of the housing, the other portion moves toward the optical fiber patch cable plug. Because of the pivoting nature of the clamping component 110, the two ends of the component move in opposite directions when acted upon by the elastic component. Therefore, although the elastic component presses a portion of the clamping component away from the optical fiber patch cable plug, it also presses a portion of the clamping component toward the optical fiber patch cable plug, thereby meeting the claim limitation. For this reason, Applicant’s arguments are not found persuasive.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 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.
Claim(s) 1-3, 14 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Togami et al., US 2004/0161958.
With regard to claim 1 Togami, in figs. 1-3, discloses an optical fiber interface, comprising: a main body 106, wherein a plug-in port 113 is disposed on the main body, and the plug-in port is configured to accommodate an optical fiber patch cable plug 150 to be inserted in the plug-in port 113; a cover plate 116, wherein the cover plate is disposed above the main body and is affixed to the main body; and a clamping unlocking mechanism, wherein the clamping unlocking mechanism is disposed between the plug-in port and the cover plate and comprises a clamping component 108/110 and an elastic component 118, the clamping component is disposed in a radial direction of the plug-in port and is configured to clamp the optical fiber patch cable plug when the optical fiber patch cable plug is inserted into the plug-in port, and the elastic component 118 is configured to press the clamping component towards the optical fiber patch cable plug [0032-0045].
With regard to claim 2 Togami, in figs. 1-3, discloses that the elastic component 118 is disposed on a side that is of the clamping component 108/110 and that is away from the plug- in port 113, and the elastic component 118 is in a compressed state, to press the clamping component towards the optical fiber patch cable plug [0032-0045].
With regard to claim 3 Togami, in figs. 1-3, discloses that the clamping component 108/110 is rotatably connected to the main body 106, and the clamping component is further configured to rotate in a direction away from the plug-in port 113 when the optical fiber patch cable plug is inserted into the plug-in port [0032-0045].
With regard to claim 14 Togami, in figs. 1-3, discloses an optical module, comprising an optoelectronic device, a functional circuit, and an optical fiber interface, wherein the optical fiber interface comprises: a main body 106, wherein a plug-in port 113 is disposed on the main body, and the plug-in port is configured to accommodate an optical fiber patch cable plug 150 to be inserted in the plug-in port 113; a cover plate 116, wherein the cover plate is disposed above the main body and is affixed to the main body; and a clamping unlocking mechanism, wherein the clamping unlocking mechanism is disposed between the plug-in port and the cover plate and comprises a clamping component 108/110 and an elastic component 118, the clamping component is disposed in a radial direction of the plug-in port and is configured to clamp the optical fiber patch cable plug when the optical fiber patch cable plug is inserted into the plug-in port, and the elastic component 118 is configured to press the clamping component towards the optical fiber patch cable plug, wherein the optical fiber interface is configured to receive an optical fiber patch cable plug [0032-0045].
With regard to claim 15 Togami, in figs. 1-3, discloses a communication device provided with an optical module that comprises an optoelectronic device, a functional circuit, and an optical fiber interface, wherein the optical fiber interface comprises: a main body 106, wherein a plug-in port 113 for insertion is disposed on the main body, and the plug-in port is configured to accommodate an inserted optical fiber patch cable plug 150 to be inserted in the plug-in port 113; a cover plate 116, wherein the cover plate is disposed above the main body and is affixed to the main body; and a clamping unlocking mechanism, wherein the clamping unlocking mechanism is disposed between the plug-in port and the cover plate and comprises a clamping component 108/110 and an elastic component 118, the clamping component is disposed in a radial direction of the plug-in port and is configured to clamp the optical fiber patch cable plug when the optical fiber patch cable plug is inserted into the plug-in port, and the elastic component 118 is configured to press the clamping component towards the optical fiber patch cable plug, wherein the optical fiber interface is configured to receive an optical fiber patch cable plug [0032-0045].
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
Claim(s) 4-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Togami in view of Gniadek et al. US 2018/0156.
With regard to claim 4 Togami, in figs. 1-3, discloses that the clamping component comprises a first rotating member 110 and a second rotating member 108 that are rotatably connected to the main body 106, the first rotating member 110 overlaps a side that is of the second rotating member 108 and that is away from the plug-in port 113, the first rotating member comprises a first limiting portion, and the first limiting portion is configured to prevent the optical fiber patch cable plug from being pulled out [0032-0045].
Togami does not expressly disclose the second rotating member provided with a first tripping portion configured to cooperate with an unlocking pull strap of the optical fiber patch cable.
Gniadek, in figs. 23A-39B, teaches an optical fiber interface having a main body having a plug-in port where a pull strap 2310 of the optical fiber patch cable is pulled to release the locking mechanism of the plug-in port of the optical fiber interface. [0129-0146].
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the Togami locking/unlocking mechanism such that the activation is caused by the second rotating member is provided with a first tripping protrusion, and the first tripping protrusion is configured to cooperate with an unlocking pull strap of the optical fiber patch cable plug when the unlocking pull strap of the optical fiber patch cable plug is pulled, so that the second rotating member rotates towards the side away from the plug-in port, as taught by Gniadek, so as to facilitate easier unlocking.
With regard to claim 5 Togami, in figs. 1-3, discloses that a rotation axis of the first rotating member and a rotation axis of the second rotating member are parallel, the first rotating member and the second rotating member each are rotatably connected to the main body through an end portion, another end of the first rotating member and another end of the second rotating member are both free ends, and the free end of the first rotating member overlaps a side that is of the free end of the second rotating member and that is away from the plug-in port [0032-0045].
With regard to claim 6 Togami, in figs. 1-3, discloses that the clamping unlocking mechanism comprises a first bearing frame (holding 108 and 110) disposed in the radial direction of the plug-in port, the first rotating member and the second rotating member are mounted on the first bearing frame, the first bearing frame comprises a hollow portion, and the first limiting portion and the first tripping protrusion are located at the hollow portion.
With regard to claim 7 Togami, in figs. 1-3, discloses a first bearing groove and a second bearing groove are provided on the first bearing frame, a side wall of the first rotating member comprises a first bearing protrusion, and a side wall of the second rotating member comprises a second bearing protrusion; and the first bearing protrusion correspondingly extends into the first bearing groove, to limit movement of the first rotating member towards the plug-in port; and the second bearing protrusion correspondingly extends into the second bearing groove, to limit movement of the second rotating member towards the plug-in port.
With regard to claim 8 Togami, in fig. 4, discloses that are two first rotating members and two second rotating members, the two first rotating members are disposed abreast, and the two second rotating members are disposed abreast.
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 Thomas A Hollweg whose telephone number is (571)270-1739. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8-4.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Matthew W Such can be reached at (571)272-1570. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/THOMAS A HOLLWEG/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2874
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