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 .
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 claimed limitation “wherein the step of heating is further performed by a second inductive heating source arranged proximate the first side of the connector housing” of claim 6 must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). 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 Objections
Claims 1 – 16 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Regrading claim 1, this claim recites the term “a plurality of terminals”, in lines 1 and 2 of the claim and the later should be “the plurality of terminals” to avoid antecedence issues.
Further, this claim recites the term “a connector housing” and appears to be referring to the element, “a plug 140”, recited in the specification and the drawings. The applicant should use the same terminology of the specification in the claims to avoid ambiguity. Claims 2 – 16 inherit these objections by virtue of their dependency.
Regarding claim 8, this claim recites “…a plurality of third openings defined in the second side of the housing…” and the term “the housing” should be “the connector housing” to provide a proper antecedence to the term.
Regarding claim 9, this claim recites “…wherein at least one of one of solder balls or solder pads are formed on the exposed conductors of the FFC” and should be “…wherein at least solder balls or solder pads are formed on the exposed conductors of the FFC”.
Appropriate corrections are required.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: “a stiffening element” in claim 2, wherein “element” the generic place holder is preceded by a functional word “stiffening” without sufficient recitation of what the “stiffening element” structurally entails.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
Structural support for “stiffening element” can be found in the specification ¶ 0028 and FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein the stiffening element is described to be a platelike structure with guide protrusions and latching arms for positioning the conductors flat flexible cable close to the connector housing. Thus, “stiffening element” is interpreted to be a plate for holding and positioning the conductors of the flat flexible cable and equivalent thereof for the purpose of this examination.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
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 should not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 1 – 5, 9 – 19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen (US 2019/0067850 A1), hereinafter “Chen”, in view of Neuman (US 6,384,339 B1) and hereinafter “Neuman”.
Regarding claim 1, Chen discloses a method of attaching a flat flexible cable (FFC) to a plurality of terminals (fixing a flat flexible cable (FFC) to a cable connector comprising a plurality of terminals using a fixing assembly, (see claim 24 and FIGS 1 – 19)) comprising:
arranging a plurality of terminals within a connector housing (arranging a plurality of terminals 16 within a cable connector shell 18, (0073, see claim 24 and FIGS.17 - 19)), each terminal defining a weld area adapted to be electrically connected to a conductor of the FFC (a conductor of the flexible cable 20 is directly soldered onto a terminal 16,wherein the flexible cable 20 has a plurality conductors and the terminal 16 has a plurality of terminals, (0073 – 0075 and FIGS 17 – 19));
positioning the FFC proximate the connector housing such that the weld area of each terminal is arranged directly adjacent a respective one of a plurality of exposed conductors of the FFC (the flexible cable 20 is secured to the cable connector 10 via a soldering portion 186 such that the conductors of the flexible cable 20 are adjacent to the terminals 16, (0073 and see FIG.17)); and
heating at least the weld area of each of the plurality of terminals for electrically connecting the plurality of conductors of the FFC to the plurality of terminals (heating the solder paved soldering portion 186 by hot-melt soldering to fix the flexible cable 20 to the cable connector 10, (0073, claim 24 and see FIGS 17 – 19)).
Chen does not teach that the soldering of the plurality terminals with the plurality of conductors of the flat flexible connector is with an inductive heating source.
However, Neuman that relates to electrically interconnecting contact elements on a rigid printed circuit board with a flat flexible cable (1:10 – 20), also teaches using inductive heating source 420 to solder terminal leads 110 to leads 112 of board 104 (4:33 – 43, 6:46 – 56,7:1 – 05, 7:46 – 43 and see FIG.4). Neuman further discusses that an advantage to this induction soldering method is that induction loop of the inductive heating source targets only controlled heating of the leads that fall under the induction loop, substantially reducing the amount of heat transferred to the substrate, preventing damage to the substrate (4:36 – 40 and 6:49 – 51).
Therefore, it would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the soldering the plurality terminals with the plurality of conductors of the flat flexible connector of Chen to use an inductive heating source to precisely apply a controlled heat targeted to solder areas, substantially reducing the amount of heat transferred to the substrate, preventing heating damage to the substrate during soldering as taught in Neuman.
Regarding claim 2, Chen in view of Neuman teaches the method of claim 1, further comprising the step of, prior to positioning the FFC proximate the connector housing, fitting a stiffening element to a side of the FFC opposite the plurality of exposed conductors (a compressor plate 60 is disposed on one side of the flexible cable 20 opposite the exposed conductors 200 for compressing the flexible cable 20 , before the flexible cable 20 is inserted into the cable connector 10, Chen(0067 and see FIG.8)).
Regarding claim 3, Chen in view of Neuman teaches the method of claim 2, further comprising the step of, prior to step of heating, securing the stiffening element onto the connector housing such that the exposed conductors of the FFC are aligned with the weld areas of the terminals (securing the compressor with securing plate 60 onto the cable connector sell 18 to put the exposed conductors 200 of the flexible cable 20 are in close contact with the connecting portion 160 of terminal 16, Chen (0067 and see FIG.8)).
Regarding claim 4, Chen in view of Neuman teaches the method of claim 3, wherein the connector housing includes: a plurality of first openings defined on a first side thereof and exposing the weld area of each of the terminals; and a plurality of second openings defined on a second side thereof and exposing an underside of each weld area (the cable connector sell 18 has a plurality of openings on the bottom side of the connector sell 18 exposing the terminals 16, please see Chen’s FIGS.3, 5a, 5b, 7a, 7b, 8 and 11 and one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate having a corresponding plurality of openings on the top side of the cable connector sell 18 to expose and have access to the terminals on both sides).
Regarding claim 5, Chen in view of Neuman teaches the method of claim 4, wherein the inductive heating source is arranged proximate the second side of the connector housing (the induction coil assembly 421 is arranged toward the heated bonding areas 422 such that it heats only the areas of the leads under coil, Neuman (7:35 – 42) thus, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate having the induction heat source proximate to a plurality of openings on the bottom side of the connector sell 18 exposing the terminals 16).
Regarding claim 9, Chen in view of Neuman teaches the method of claim 1, wherein at least one of one of solder balls or solder pads are formed on the exposed conductors of the FFC (the soldering of flexible cable 20 to the cable connector 10 involves paving a solder paste onto a plurality of conductors and soldering to a plurality of conductors the flexible cable 20 by melting the solder paste, Chen (0061 and 0073),
Regarding claim 10, Chen in view of Neuman teaches he method of claim 1, further comprising the step of, prior to the step of positioning the FFC, applying solder to the exposed conductors of the FFC (the leads 218 and 220 are covered with eutectic solder layers prior to inductive soldering, the ends of the conducting leads are precoated with solder pads prior to the inductive soldering step, Neuman(4:17 – 20 and 7:01 - 05).
Regarding claim 11, Chen in view of Neuman teaches the method of claim 10, wherein the step of applying solder includes applying a single continuous layer of solder over the plurality of exposed conductors (the ends of the conducting leads are precoated in solder prior to the inductive soldering step and this is typically accomplished by conventional plating or melt solder formation, Neuman (4:17 – 20)).
Regarding claim 12, Chen in view of Neuman teaches the method of claim 11, wherein the step of heating is controlled such that the solder is pulled from between adjacent ones of the plurality of exposed conductors and the plurality of terminals (the induction soldering process involves controlling the induce eddy currents to be sufficient to generate enough heat within the copper conductor to melt the preapplied solder on the lead end, Neuman(4:33 – 63)).
Regarding claims 13 - 14, Chen in view of Neuman teaches the method of claim 11, wherein the step of applying the single continuous layer of solder includes applying a solder foil across the plurality of exposed conductors (claim 13), applying a solder paste across the plurality of exposed conductors (claim 14), (the soldering method involves paving a solder paste and melting the solder paste on the plurality conductors, Chen (0061) or precoating a solder layer (foil) across the ends of conducting leads, Neuman (4: 17 – 20 and 4:55 – 59)).
Regarding claim 15, Chen in view of Neuman teaches the method of claim 1, further comprising the step of blowing air onto at least one of the plurality of terminals or the connector housing (cooling water at 60-100 psi is pumped through the loop tubing to prevent overheating, Neuman (5:59 – 60)).
Regarding claim 16, Chen in view of Neuman teaches the method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: detecting a temperature of the weld area of at least one of the plurality of terminals; and controlling at least one of a duration, current, or frequency of operation of an induction coil of the inductive heating source (the radio frequency energy is used to induce enough eddy currents in the induction coil assembly, preferably selected to have a frequency that ranges from about 1 to 15 MHz, power output of about 1 to 3 kilowatts, creates a temperature in the solder mass of about 220-260° C., and the duration of application may be limited for a period of time of less than 5 seconds, Neuman (5:20 – 38)).
Regarding claim 17, Chen discloses a method of attaching a flat flexible cable (FFC) to a plurality of terminals of an electrical connector (fixing a flat flexible cable (FFC) to a cable connector comprising a plurality of terminals using a fixing assembly, (see claim 24 and FIGS 1 – 19)), comprising:
applying a solder across at least one of the plurality of terminals or a plurality of exposed conductors of the FFC (the soldering of flexible cable 20 to the cable connector 10 involves paving a solder paste onto a plurality of conductors to be soldered to the flexible cable, (0061 and 0073));
fitting a stiffening element onto the FFC (a compressor plate 60 is fitted on one side of the flexible cable 20 opposite the exposed conductors 200 for compressing the flexible cable 20, (0067 and see FIG.8));
fixing the stiffening element onto a housing of the electrical connector such that the plurality of exposed conductors of the FFC abut the plurality of terminals (inserting the compressor with securing plate 60 into the cable connector shell 18 to put the exposed conductors 200 of the flexible cable 20 are in close contact with the connecting portion 160 of terminal 16,(0067 and see FIG.8));
heating at least a portion of the plurality of terminals to electrically connect the plurality of exposed conductors of the FFC to the plurality of terminals via the solder (heating the solder paved soldering portion by hot-melt soldering to fix the flexible cable 20 to the cable connector 10, (0073, claim 24 and see FIGS 17 – 19)).
Chen does not teach that the soldering of the plurality terminals with the plurality of conductors of the flat flexible connector is with an inductive heating source.
However, Neuman that relates to electrically interconnecting contact elements on a rigid printed circuit board with a flat flexible cable (1:10 – 20), also teaches using inductive heating source 420 to solder terminal leads 110 to leads 112 of board 104 (4:33 – 43, 6:46 – 56,7:1 – 05, 7:46 – 43 and see FIG.4). Neuman further discusses that an advantage to this induction soldering method is that induction loop of the inductive heating source targets only controlled heating of the leads that fall under the induction loop, substantially reducing the amount of heat transferred to the substrate, preventing damage to the substrate (4:36 – 40 and 6:49 – 51).
Therefore, it would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, to modify the soldering the plurality terminals with the plurality of conductors of the flat flexible connector of Chen to use an inductive heating source to precisely apply a controlled heat targeted to solder areas, substantially reducing the amount of heat transferred to the substrate, preventing heating damage to the substrate during soldering as taught in Neuman.
Regarding claim 18, Chen in view of Neuman teaches the method of claim 17, wherein the connector housing includes: a plurality of first openings defined on a first side thereof and exposing a weld area of each of the plurality of terminals; and a plurality of second openings defined on a second side thereof and exposing an underside of each weld area (the cable connector sell 18 has a plurality of openings on the bottom side of the connector sell 18 exposing the terminals 16, please see Chen’s FIGS.3, 5a, 5b, 7a, 7b, 8 and 11 and one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate having a corresponding plurality of openings on the top side of the cable connector sell 18 to expose and have access to the terminals on both sides).
Regarding claim 19, Chen in view of Neuman teaches the method of claim 17, wherein the step of applying the solder includes applying a single continuous layer of solder over the plurality of terminals or the plurality of exposed conductors(the ends of the conducting leads are precoated in solder prior to the inductive soldering step and this is typically accomplished by conventional plating or melt solder formation, Neuman (4:17 – 20)).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 6 – 8 and 20 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DILNESSA B BELAY whose telephone number is (571)272-3136. The examiner can normally be reached M-F approx. 8:00 am - 5:30 pm EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Steven Crabb can be reached at (571)270-5095. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DILNESSA B BELAY/Examiner, Art Unit 3761
/JOHN J NORTON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3761
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