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 snap fit groove on the crimp probe head, as required by claims 1 and 11; the threaded holes, as required by claim 6; the base connected to one end of the second clamping portion, as required by claim 10; a bottom wall, as required by claim 14; must be shown or the features canceled from the claims. No new matter should be entered.
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.84(l). Every line, number, and letter must be durable, clean, black (except for color drawings), sufficiently dense and dark, and uniformly thick and well- defined. The weight of all lines and letters must be heavy enough to permit adequate reproduction. This requirement applies to all lines however fine, to shading, and to lines representing cut surfaces in sectional views. Lines and strokes of different thicknesses may be used in the same drawing where different thicknesses have a different meaning.
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.84(h)(1). When an exploded view is shown in a figure which is on the same sheet as another figure, the exploded view should be placed in brackets. See Figure 9.
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
Claim 14 is objected to because of the following informalities:
In claim 14 line 3, “an insertion manner” should be --the insertion manner--, per claim 11. Inline 4, “a probe” should be --the probe-- per line 2.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 6, 13 and 16 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 6 requires a threaded hole. However, this is contrary to the snap fit connection required by claim 1, from which claim 6 depends. It is unclear how the interface can have both. See also claim 16.
Claim 13 requires the crimp head structure being a non-closed structure. However, it is unclear what the term refers to. While the specification uses the term, it does not provide a definition or explanation of what’s encompassed by the term.
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 shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claims 1, 6, 8-18 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chait (US 10,938,130) in view of Liao et al. (US 8,506,318).
Regarding claim 1, Chait discloses a test clip, comprising: a clip body (12); and a base (12A) connected to the clip body, wherein the base is configured to be detachably connected to a crimp probe head to achieve an electrical connection between the crimp probe head and the clip body, wherein the base has a first inserting portion (opening receiving 16), and the first inserting portion is a jack (opening) configured to fit with the crimp probe head in an insertion manner.
Liao teaches an inner wall of the jack (30) provided with a snap-fit portion (304) configured to be snap fitted into a snap-fit groove of the crimp probe head after the crimp probe head is inserted into the jack, the snap-fit portion has, in an axial direction of the jack, a first guide slope (right side of 304) and a second guide slope (left side of 304) opposite each other, the first guide slope is configured to guide snap-fitting of the snap-fit portion into the snap-fit groove of the crimp probe head during insertion of the crimp probe head into the jack, and the second guide slope is configured to guide disengagement of the snap-fit portion from the snap-fit groove during withdrawal of the crimp probe head from the jack (intended use). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the invention was effectively filed to use a snap-fit structure, as taught by Liao, in order to provide a more secure mechanical connection.
Regarding claim 6, to the extent that Chait and Liao does not disclose the jack being a threaded hole, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the invention was effectively filed to use a known and reliable interface, such as a threaded hole, in order to provide a secure connection.
Regarding claim 8, Chait, as modified by Liao, discloses the base being cylindrical, and the base being coaxial with the jack.
Regarding claim 9, Chait discloses the clip body connected to one end of the base (left side in Fig. 1), and the jack provided at the other end (right side) of the base and recessed toward a direction approaching the clip body.
Regarding claim 10, Chait discloses the clip body comprising a first clamping portion (bottom) and a second clamping portion (top), wherein the first clamping portion is hinged to the second clamping portion, the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are configured to cooperate to clamp a piece under test, and the base is connected to one end of the first clamping portion or one end of the second clamping portion (intended use).
Regarding claim 11, Chait discloses a testing assembly, comprising: a test clip comprising a clip body (12) and a base (12A) connected to the clip body; a tester (14); and a crimp probe head (16) electrically connected to the tester, wherein the crimp probe head is configured to be detachably connected to the base to achieve an electrical connection between the crimp probe head and the clip body,
Liao teaches the crimp probe head (34) comprising a snap-fit groove (right of 342, Fig. 2), wherein the base has a first inserting portion (302), and the first inserting portion is a jack configured to fit with the crimp probe head in an insertion manner, an inner wall of the jack is provided with a snap-fit portion (304) configured to be snap fitted into the snap-fit groove of the crimp probe head after the crimp probe head is inserted into the jack, the snap-fit portion has, in an axial direction of the jack, a first guide slope (right side of 304, Fig. 2) and a second guide slope opposite each other, the first guide slope is configured to guide snap-fitting of the snap-fit portion into the snap-fit groove of the crimp probe head during insertion of the crimp probe head into the jack, and the second guide slope (left side of 304) is configured to guide disengagement of the snap-fit portion from the snap-fit groove during withdrawal of the crimp probe head from the jack (intended use). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the invention was effectively filed to use a snap-fit structure, as taught by Liao, in order to provide a more secure mechanical connection.
Regarding claim 12, Liao teaches the snap-fit groove of the crimp probe head being a ring groove.
Regarding claim 13, Liao teaches the snap-fit groove of the crimp probe head being a non-closed structure in a circumferential direction of the jack (as best understood, Figs. 2 and 3).
Regarding claim 14, Liao teaches the crimp probe head further comprising a second inserting portion (342, 344) and a probe (36), wherein the second inserting portion is configured to fit with the jack in an insertion manner, the second inserting portion has an insertion end (left side, Fig. 2) to be inserted into the jack,; and the jack has a bottom wall, and the bottom wall (32, 306) is used to abut against a part of the probe at the insertion end after the second inserting portion is inserted into the jack, so as to achieve an electrical connection between the probe and the clip body. To the extent that Liao does not disclose the probe (36) partially protruding, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the invention was effectively filed to form the probe (instead of the bottom wall) partially protruding, in order to provide a dependable connection, and since it has been held that rearranging parts of an invention involves only routine skill in the art. In re Japikse, 86 USPQ 70. It has been held that a mere reversal of the essential parts of a device involves only routine skill in the art. In re Einstein, 8 USPQ 167.
Regarding claim 15, Liao teaches the snap-fit groove (right of 342, Fig. 2) provided on the second inserting portion (34).
Regarding claim 16, to the extent that Chait and Liao does not disclose the jack being a threaded hole, the second inserting portion having an external thread that matches an internal thread of the threaded hole, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the invention was effectively filed to use a known and reliable interface, such as a threaded connection, in order to provide a secure connection.
Regarding claim 17, Liao teaches the snap-fit portion (304) being a resilient protrusion with a curved surface (Figs. 2 and 3).
Regarding claim 18, Chait discloses the clip body further comprises a first clamping portion (top) and a second clamping portion (bottom), wherein the first clamping portion is hinged to the second clamping portion, the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are configured to cooperate to clamp a piece under test, and the base is connected to one end of the first clamping portion or one end of the second clamping portion (intended use).
Regarding claim 20, Chait discloses the first clamping portion has a first corrugated surface, and the second clamping portion has a second corrugated surface that matches the first corrugated surface (Figs. 1 and 2).
Claim 19 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chait and Liao, and further in view of LeBlanc (US 4,640,563).
Regarding claim 19, LeBlanc teaches the first clamping portion comprising two opposite connecting portions (79, 82, Fig. 10) spaced apart, and the base (60) connected to the first clamping portion via the two opposite connecting portions (Fig. 4). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the invention was effectively filed to form the first clamping portion with opposite connecting portions, as taught by LeBlanc, in order to provide rigidity while minimizing the amount of material used.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the claims have been considered but are moot in view of the new grounds of rejection, as applied.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to FELIX O FIGUEROA whose telephone number is (571)272-2003. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9am-6pm. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Renee Luebke can be reached at (571)727-2009. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/FELIX O FIGUEROA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2831
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