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 § 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 1-9 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.
In claim 1, line 8, “the bracket” is confusing as there are 2 brackets recited in the claim. For clarity, it is suggested that the bracket recited in line 3 be preceded with an adjective. Dependent claims should be changed accordingly.
In claim 3, line 2, it is unclear how the shock absorbing bracket can have flanges at both open ends and confusing as to what the open ends are.
In claim 3, lines 4-5, it is unclear as to which bracket the recitation is referring to as there are two brackets recited in previous claims.
Note that “par” in line 5 should be changed to –pair--.
In claim 5, it is unclear as to which bracket the recitation is referring to.
In claim 6, line 2, it is unclear as to which bracket the recitation is referring to.
In claim 9, lines 4-5, each recitation of “the hole” is confusing because in lines 2-3 it is recited that the brackets are “respectively formed with holes”.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-9 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: The prior art of record neither teaches nor discloses a vehicle front structure as claimed in claimed 1 comprising an upper beam to which a headlight is fixed; a bracket installed side by side with the upper beam and having a front end in a vehicle front-rear direction thereof fixed to a bulkhead and a rear end in the vehicle front-rear direction thereof fixed to a lower member; a shock absorbing bracket arranged so as to be held between the upper beam and the bracket; and an airbag sensor arranged in vicinity to the shock absorbing bracket.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PAUL N DICKSON whose telephone number is (571)272-7742. The examiner can normally be reached M-F, 7:30 - 4:00.
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PAUL N. DICKSON
Supervisory Patent Examiner
Art Unit 3616
/PAUL N DICKSON/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3614