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 .
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.
Claim(s) 1-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Meier (DE 1985491; applicant cited).
Regarding Claims 1, 9 and 16, Meier discloses a pair of side doors for a vehicle and adapted to be arranged between an A-pillar and a B-pillar of the vehicle (Fig. 2), the side door comprising: a door body defining a window opening extending from a front end of the door body to a rear end of the door body (Fig. 2); a first glass 1 arranged inside the window opening and coupled to the door body, wherein the first glass extends from the front end of the door body towards the rear end and is adapted to be disposed proximately to an associated A-pillar (Fig. 2); and a second glass 2 movably arranged inside the window opening and extending rearwardly from the first glass, wherein the first glass and the second glass are mounted to the door body such that an outer surface of the first glass is arranged flush with an outer surface of the door body and an outer surface of the second glass is arranged inwardly of the outer surface of the first glass defining a step therebetween (see step at numeral 4 in Fig. 2).
Regarding Claims 2 and 10, the first glass 1 is movably coupled to the door body adapted to be displaced between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the first glass covers a portion of the window opening (Fig. 1).
Regarding Claims 3 and 11, the first glass 1 is fixedly attached to the side door covering a portion of the window opening (Fig. 2).
Regarding Claims 4, 12 and 17, the first glass 1 includes a first side edge adapted to extend along the associated A-pillar (Fig. 2), a second side edge arranged proximate to the second glass 2 (Fig. 2), and a lower edge connecting the first side edge to the second side edge, wherein the step (at numeral 4 in Fig. 2) is defined between the second side edge of the first glass and an outer surface of the second glass.
Regarding Claims 5, 13 and 18, the second side edge extends substantially perpendicular to the lower edge (see Fig. 2).
Regarding Claims 6, 14 and 19, the second side edge may extend at an obtuse angle relative to the lower edge (see Fig. 1).
Regarding Claims 7, 15 and 20, see Figs 1 and 2; pillar trim extends around window following the contour of the pillar.
Regarding Claim 8, a seal 4’ is located between the two windows. Along the side edge of the glass.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The cited art relates to vehicle side windows and their combinations.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JASON S DANIELS whose telephone number is (571)270-1167. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Thursday 7:00 am - 5:00 pm.
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/JASON S DANIELS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3612