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 .
DETAILED ACTION
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Group I (Claims 1-12) in the reply filed on March 31, 2026 is acknowledged.
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 1-12 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.
Claims 1 and 7 recite the limitation "configured to selectively mate" in Lines 4 and 12, respectively. The term “selectively” seems unclear in the claims.
Claim 1 recites the limitations "the connection" in Line 9 and “the application” in Line 10.
Claims 2-6 recites the limitation "The low-force connector" in Line 1.
Claim 7 recites the limitations "the release mechanism" in Line 8, "the connection" and “the application” in Line 18 .
There is insufficient antecedent basis for these limitations in the claims.
Claim 7 recites the limitations "an energy harvesting system" in Lines 3 and 5; and “a low-force pull-apart connector” in Lines 4 and 7. It is not clear if these limitations are the same already recited in Line 1 or new ones.
Claims 8-12 recites the limitation "“a low-force pull-apart connector” in Line 1. It is not clear if this limitation is the same already recited in Line 1 of Claim 7 or new ones.
Appropriate correction is required.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The cited prior art discloses waterproof connectors, similar to Applicant’s claimed invention, having receptacles, plugs, pins and wires.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to EDWIN A LEON whose telephone number is (571)272-2008. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 10am-6pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Renee S Luebke can be reached on 5712722009. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/EDWIN A. LEON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2831
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