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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 04/10/2026 has been entered.
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, a spring plunger configured to at least partially extend from the antenna mount and into an interior area of the antenna (claims 1, 15 and 38) 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 Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
Claims 1, 15 and 38 (and any claims dependent thereon) are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
The specification does not disclose “a spring plunger configured to at least partially extend from the antenna mount and into an interior area of the antenna”, as claimed in claim 1.
The specification does not disclose “a spring plunger configured to at least partially extend from the antenna mount and into an interior area of the vehicle antenna”, as claimed in claim 15.
The specification does not disclose “a spring plunger configured to at least partially extend from the mount and into an interior area of the vehicle antenna”, as claimed in claim 15.
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.
Claims 1, 15, 21, 23-25, 27, 29, and 32-38 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 recites the limitation (lines 6-7) “a spring plunger configured to at least partially extend from the antenna mount and into an interior area of the antenna”. However, it is not clear if the Applicant intended to claim the spring plunger extending from the antenna mount or from the antenna adapter: the spring plunger extending from the antenna adapter and into an interior area of the antenna is shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.
For examination purposes, this limitation is interpreted by the Examiner as “a spring plunger configured to at least partially extend from the antenna adapter and into an interior area of the antenna”.
Claim 15 recites the limitation (lines 6-7) “providing, as part of the antenna adapter, a spring plunger configured to at least partially extend from the antenna mount and into an interior area of the vehicle antenna”.
However, it is not clear if the Applicant intended to claim the spring plunger extending from the antenna mount or from the antenna adapter: the spring plunger extending from the antenna adapter and into an interior area of the antenna is shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.
For examination purposes, this limitation is interpreted by the Examiner as “providing, as part of the antenna adapter, a spring plunger configured to at least partially extend from the antenna adapter and into an interior area of the vehicle antenna”.
Claim 38 recites the limitation (lines 1-2) “a spring plunger configured to at least partially extend from the mount and into an interior area of the antenna”.
However, it is not clear if the Applicant intended to claim the spring plunger extending from the mount or from the adapter: the spring plunger extending from the antenna adapter and into an interior area of the antenna is shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.
For examination purposes, this limitation is interpreted by the Examiner as “a spring plunger configured to at least partially extend from the adapter and into an interior area of the antenna”.
Claims 21, 23-25, 27, 29, and 32-37 are rejected due to their dependency.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 18 and 39-42 are allowable.
Claims 1, 15, 21, 23-25, 27, 29, 32-37 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.
Claim 38 would be allowable if rewritten 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 and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: The pertinent prior art, as a whole, or in combination, cannot be reasonably construed as adequately teaching or suggesting the elements and features of the claimed invention(s) as arranged, disposed, or provided in the manner as claimed by the Applicant.
For example, regarding claim 1, Chen (CN 201601214U – of record) discloses (fig. 1 below) “a device, comprising:
an antenna adapter (3) configured to receive an antenna (1, 2) and configured to engage an antenna mount (5), the antenna adapter (3) comprising:
a groove (fig. 2, 3a) into which a set screw (stop screw 9) is extendable to engage the antenna adapter with the antenna (¶25, “A plug 10 is installed in the through hole on the antenna mast 1 through which the stop screw 9 passes.”);
a spring plunger (steel ball 7 and spring 8) configured to at least partially extend from the antenna adapter, wherein the spring plunger maintains the antenna at a particular radial orientation.
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Chen does not teach, or suggest, the antenna adapter configured to threadably engage the antenna mount; the spring plunger configured to at least partially extend from the antenna adapter (3) and into an interior area of the antenna (the spring plunger extends into the antenna mount 5), wherein the spring plunger maintains the antenna at a particular radial orientation with respect to the antenna adapter when engaged therewith; and an opening configured to receive a tool that is usable to threadably engage the antenna adapter with the antenna mount.
Taeger (US 2014/0070069 – of record) discloses (fig. 17 below) “A device, comprising:
an antenna adapter (pedestal 3) configured to receive an antenna (5) and configured to threadably (57, 57’) engage an antenna mount (59)”,
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Taeger does not teach, or suggest, a groove into which a set screw is extendable to engage the antenna adapter with the antenna; a spring plunger configured to at least partially extend from the antenna adapter and into an interior area of the antenna, wherein the spring plunger maintains the antenna at a particular radial orientation with respect to the antenna adapter when engaged therewith; and an opening configured to receive a tool that is usable to threadably engage the antenna adapter with the antenna mount.
Sakuma (US 4,074,271) discloses (fig. 2 below) “A device, comprising:
an antenna adapter (holding device 10) configured to receive an antenna (33) and configured to threadably engage an antenna mount (screw mount 36), the antenna adapter comprising:
a spring plunger (spring 26) configured to at least partially extend from the antenna adapter, wherein the spring plunger maintains the antenna at a particular radial orientation (col. 4, lines 15-, action of spring 26 urges shaft 24 into locking condition, preventing relative rotation between 11 and 12)”.
Sakuma does not teach, or suggest, a groove into which a set screw is extendable to engage the antenna adapter with the antenna; the spring plunger configured to at least partially extend from the antenna adapter and into an interior area of the antenna, wherein the spring plunger maintains the antenna at a particular radial orientation with respect to the antenna adapter when engaged therewith; and an opening configured to receive a tool that is usable to threadably engage the antenna adapter with the antenna mount.
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IDS document Klancnik (US 4,047,779) discloses (fig. 1 below) “A device, comprising: an antenna adapter (coupling 10) configured to receive an antenna (21) and configured to threadably engage an antenna mount (stud member 16 has an internal thread 24 enabling the coupling unit to be attached to the base mount on the vehicle), the antenna adapter (10) comprising: a groove (release groove 56) into which a set screw (lock pin 60) is extendable; a spring plunger (the balls are normally held seated in their sockets 40 by a spring-biased retainer)”.
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Klancnik does not teach, or suggest, the set screw is extendable to engage the antenna adapter with the antenna; the spring plunger is configured to at least partially extend from the antenna mount adapter and into an interior area of the antenna, wherein the spring plunger maintains the antenna at a particular radial orientation with respect to the antenna adapter when engaged therewith; an opening configured to receive a tool that is usable to threadably engage the antenna adapter with the antenna mount.
Claims 21, 23-25, 27, 29, 32-35 are allowable due to their dependency on claim 1.
Regarding independent claim 15, Chen discloses “A method, comprising:
providing an antenna adapter (3) that receives a vehicle antenna (1, 2) and that engages an antenna mount on a vehicle;
providing, as part of the antenna adapter (3), a groove (annular locking groove 3a) into which a set screw (head screw 9) is extendable to engage the antenna adapter (3) with the vehicle antenna (via nut sleeve 2); and
providing, as part of the antenna adapter (3), a spring plunger (steel ball 7 and spring 8) configured to at least partially extend from the antenna adapter, wherein the spring plunger maintains the vehicle antenna at a particular radial orientation.
Chen does not teach, or suggest, the antenna adapter threadably engages the antenna mount; and the spring plunger configured to at least partially extend from the antenna adapter and into an interior area of the vehicle antenna (the spring plunger extends into the antenna mount 5); wherein the spring plunger maintains the vehicle antenna at a particular radial orientation with respect to the antenna adapter when engaged therewith.
Taeger discloses (fig. 17) A method, comprising: providing an antenna adapter (3) that receives a vehicle antenna (5) and that threadably engages an antenna mount (59) on a vehicle (abstract, "antenna mounting system for use with recreational vehicles").
Taeger does not teach, or suggest, providing, as part of the antenna adapter, a groove into which a set screw is extendable to engage the antenna adapter with the vehicle antenna;
and providing, as part of the antenna adapter, a spring plunger configured to at least partially extend from the antenna mount and into an interior area of the vehicle antenna, wherein the spring plunger maintains the vehicle antenna at a particular radial orientation with respect to the antenna adapter when engaged therewith.
Sakuma discloses “A method, comprising: providing an antenna adapter (10) that receives a vehicle antenna (33) and that threadably engages an antenna mount on a vehicle; and providing, as part of the antenna adapter (10), a spring plunger (26) configured to at least partially extend from the antenna adapter, wherein the spring plunger maintains the vehicle antenna at a particular radial orientation”.
Sakuma does not teach, or suggest, providing, as part of the antenna adapter, a groove into which a set screw is extendable to engage the antenna adapter with the vehicle antenna;and into an interior area of the vehicle antenna, wherein the spring plunger maintains the vehicle antenna at a particular radial orientation with respect to the antenna adapter when engaged therewith.
Claims 36-37 are allowable due to their dependency on claim 15.
Regarding independent claim 18, Chen discloses “An apparatus, comprising:
an antenna for a vehicle (abstract);
an adapter (3) that slides inside an end of the antenna (1, 2), the antenna being free to rotate on the adapter without causing the adapter to rotate on the mount (see final para.);
a set screw (9) that extends into a groove (3a) on the adapter (3) to couple the adapter to the antenna to prevent the antenna from being pulled off of the adapter while still allowing the antenna to rotate on the adapter (final para., “The stop screw 9 and the locking groove 3a work together to prevent the antenna mast 1 from falling off. The stop screw 9 is installed in a concealed manner and is covered by the cover 10. The cover 10 is not easy to notice. On the one hand, thieves can only turn the antenna mast 1 but cannot pull it out, which has a significant anti-theft effect.”)”.
Chen does not teach, or suggest, the adapter screws onto a mount of a vehicle in lieu of the antenna engaging the mount, the adapter comprising an opening to receive a tool that is usable to screw the adapter onto the mount.
Taeger discloses “An apparatus, comprising: an antenna (5) for a vehicle (see abstract);
an adapter (3) that slides inside an end of the antenna (1st element slides into end of antenna 5) and that screws onto a mount (59) of the vehicle in lieu of the antenna engaging the mount (see fig. 17, where antenna mount 59 is attached to roof 4 of a recreational vehicle)”.
Taeger does not teach, or suggest, the antenna being free to rotate on the adapter without causing the adapter to rotate on the mount, the adapter comprising an opening to receive a tool that is usable to screw the adapter onto the mount; a set screw that extends into a groove on the adapter to couple the adapter to the antenna to prevent the antenna from being pulled off of the adapter while still allowing the antenna to rotate on the adapter.
Sakuma discloses “An apparatus, comprising: an antenna (10) for a vehicle (see fig. 4); an adapter (10) that slides inside an end of the antenna and that screws onto a mount (36) of the vehicle in lieu of the antenna engaging the mount”.
Sakuma does not teach, or suggest, the antenna being free to rotate on the adapter without causing the adapter to rotate on the mount, the adapter comprising an opening to receive a tool that is usable to screw the adapter onto the mount; a set screw that extends into a groove on the adapter to couple the adapter to the antenna to prevent the antenna from being pulled off of the adapter while still allowing the antenna to rotate on the adapter.
Claims 39-42 are allowable due to their dependency on claim 18.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANNA N HAMADYK whose telephone number is (703)756-1672. The examiner can normally be reached 7:30 am - 5:00 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Dimary Lopez can be reached at (571) 270-7893. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ANNA N HAMADYK/Examiner, Art Unit 2845
/DIMARY S LOPEZ CRUZ/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2845
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