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 .
Election/Restrictions
Claims 12 – 20 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected method of assembling an electrical cable, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 10/02/2025.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the minimum diameter of joined inner surfaces being less than a diameter of the dielectric layer, as recited in claim 7, must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). It is noted that paragraph [19] suggests that 220 is a gripping feature and paragraphs [0022] and [0025] discuss the dielectric layer being deformed or extruded leading to the minimum diameter being less than a diameter of the dielectric layer, and the joined inner surfaces of portion 208 are shown in Figures 6-8. However, 220 appears to be a groove that does not alter the diameter of the dielectric layer 222 and in the figures the dielectric layer 222 does not appear deformed. There does not appear to be any portion of 222 which has a larger diameter than the inner diameter of portion 218. It is suggested that some manner of deformation be illustrated in the figures to show the arrangement specific in claim 7.
No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
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 – 4, 6 – 8, and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by U.S. Pat. No. 10,128,611 (“Rhein”).
Regarding claim 1, Rhein discloses an electrical terminal (150), comprising: a cylindrical inner ferrule (246) having a first portion and a second portion (left and right portions on either side of 256) separated by at least one seam (256) therebetween, wherein an inner surface of the first portion and/or the second portion defines a gripping feature (268) configured to deform a cylindrical dielectric layer surrounding an electrical conductor of an electrical cable (see Fig. 9 and col. 8, lns. 49 – 52); and
a cylindrical outer ferrule (244) surrounding the inner ferrule.
Regarding claim 2, Rhein discloses the gripping feature is a negative gripping feature which is knurling (col. 6, lns. 34 – 41).
Regarding claim 3, Rhein discloses the gripping feature is a positive gripping feature which is a bump (see Fig. 9).
Regarding claim 4, Rhein discloses wherein the first and second portions are integrally formed with one another (see Fig. 4).
Regarding claim 6, Rhein discloses wherein the electrical cable is a coaxial cable (see Fig. 3 and col. 9, ln. 24).
Regarding claim 7, Rhein discloses wherein a minimum diameter of joined inner surfaces of the first and second portions is less than a diameter of the cylindrical dielectric layer (see Fig. 9).
Regarding claim 8, Rhein discloses wherein edges of the first and second portions (258 and 260) are mirrored and congruent (see Fig. 4).
Regarding claim 10, Rhein discloses wherein portions of edges of the first and second portions are configured to limit deformation of the dielectric layer (see curved edges 252, 254, which curve away from the cable).
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.
Claims 5, 9, and 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Rhein in view of U.S. Pat. No. 9,673,578 (“Lane”).
Regarding claim 5, Rhein discloses that the first and second portions are formed with a shield terminal 240 of the electrical terminal but does not disclose the first and second portions are integrally formed with a shield terminal of the electrical terminal.
However, Lane teaches an electrical connector with an electrical terminal 136 having an inner ferrule 152 comprised of two portions separated by a seam 224, and the first and second portions are integrally formed with a shield terminal portion 150 as seen in Fig. 2 and discussed in col. 6, lns. 23 – 28.
It would have been obvious to integrally form the shield terminal with the first and second portions as taught by Lane, because this simplifies the terminal member by allowing the terminal to be a one-piece structure. In addition, it would have been obvious to integrally form the shield terminal with the first and second portions since it has been held to be within the general skill of a worker in the art to make plural parts unitary as a matter of engineering design choice. In re Larson, 144 USPQ 347 (CCPA 1965); In re Lockart 90 USPQ 214 (CCPA 1951).
Regarding claim 9, Rhein discloses edges of the first and second portions follow complimentary paths, but the paths are not serpentine.
However, Lane teaches an electrical connector with an electrical terminal 136 having an inner ferrule 152 comprised of two portions separated by a seam 224, and edges of the seam follow a serpentine path (see Fig. 4).
It would have been obvious to make the edges follow a serpentine path as taught by Lane because this reduces the likelihood that other components are pinched within the gap during crimping.
Regarding claim 11, Rhein does not disclose wherein an outer surface of the inner ferrule is knurled. Rhein does disclose the inner ferrule assembly 246/242 being crimped to the outer ferrule 244 to capture a cable shield 226 as seen in Fig. 8.
However, Lane teaches an electrical connector with an electrical terminal 136 having an inner ferrule 152 comprised of two portions separated by a seam 224, and the first and second portions are integrally formed with a shield terminal portion 150 as seen in Fig. 2 and discussed in col. 6, lns. 23 – 28. Lane further teaches an outer ferrule member 140 crimped around 136, and an outer surface 192 of the inner ferrule is knurled as seen in Fig. 4.
It would have been obvious to integrally form the shield terminal with the first and second portions so that the inner ferrule structure was a single ferrule member integrally formed with the terminal portion, and to make the outer surface of the inner ferrule knurled, as taught by Lane, because this simplifies the terminal member by allowing the terminal to be a one-piece structure and because the knurling helps ensure that the shield layer is captured and retained by the crimping of the outer ferrule upon the inner ferrule.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Schuster discloses a shield terminal with inner and outer ferrules.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PAUL D BAILLARGEON whose telephone number is (571)272-0676. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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/PAUL D BAILLARGEON/Examiner, Art Unit 2831
/renee s luebke/Supervisory Patent Examiner
Art Unit 2831
