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 § 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 1-5 and 8, 17-19 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.
Claim 1, line 8, “at least one guide structure adapted to slidably guide a slider element along the bearing surfacein a translation direction” is unclear. Should be changed to --at least one guide structure included on the bearing structure adapted to slidably guide a slider element along the bearing surface in a translation direction--.
Claim 8 is unclear and incomplete for not including any limitations.
Claim 17, line 14, “an electric connector” should be changed to - - the electric connector--.
Claims 1-5, 8 and 17-19 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.
None of the references discloses a panel adapter adapted to mount an electric connector to a panel, comprising: a frame element, having: at least one frame opening adapted to at least partially receive the electric connector in an insertion direction; and a bearing surface surrounding the frame opening; at least one fastening element adapted to fasten the frame element to a cutout of the panel; and at least one guide structure adapted to slidably guide a slider element along the bearing surface in a translation direction.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 6-7, 9-16 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
For claim 6, the applicant’s invention combination including: “ a panel adapter adapted to mount an electric connector to a panel, comprising: a frame element, having: at least one frame opening adapted to at least partially receive the electric connector in an insertion direction; and a bearing surface surrounding the frame opening; at least one fastening element adapted to fasten the frame element to a cutout of the panel; and at least one guide structure and a slider element guided by the guide structure to slide along the bearing surface in a translated direction between a release position and a securing position, the slider element in the securing position in closer to the frame opening than in the release position” is not taught by Grudzewski or suggested other prior art of record.
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.”
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PHUONG K DINH whose telephone number is (571)272-2090. The examiner can normally be reached M-F from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Riyami A Abdullah can be reached at 571-270-3119. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/PHUONG K DINH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2831 /ABDULLAH A RIYAMI/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2831