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 § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1, 13, 15 and 20-21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Murakami et al. (6,383,022).
Regarding claim 1, Murakami et al. disclose a connector, comprising:
a plurality of contacts (W, Fig. 2A);
a housing (11, Fig. 2A) having:
a mating portion adapted to be mated with a mating connector (not shown) and defining a front opening (15, Fig. 2A); and
a waterproofed portion (14, Fig. 2A) into which the plurality of contacts are plugged (Fig. 1A), the waterproofed portion including: a rear opening (pointed at 14, Fig. 2A); and an inner wall surface (a wall of 14) defining the rear opening; and
a waterproofing element (12 and 13, Fig. 2A) arranged within the waterproofed portion (Fig. 1A) and adapted to prevent the entry of water into the connector, including: a seal element (12) having: a plurality of first waterproofing portions (17, Fig. 2A) each defining a plug hole (a hole between 17 and 18, Fig. 2A) into which one of the contacts is plugged (Fig. 1A) and adapted to prevent water from entering an area surrounding the contact; and a second waterproofing portion (18, Fig. 2A) arranged in sealing contact with the inner wall surface of the waterproofed portion (Fig. 1A) and adapted to prevent water to enter a space between the inner wall surface and the seal element, and
a supporting element (13, Fig. 2A) defining a plurality of through holes (28 and a hole between 22a, 22b) and surrounding the first waterproofing portions (Fig. 1A) and adapted to prevent a misalignment of the first waterproofing portions, the supporting element pressing the second waterproofing portion against the inner wall surface (Fig. 1A) and, in a state of being free from an external force, is in watertight contact with the seal element, the first waterproofing portions are respectively arranged in the through holes (holes between 22a and 22b) of the supporting element.
Regarding claim 13, a waterproofing element, comprising:
a seal element (12, Fig. 2A) having:
a plurality of first waterproofing portions (17, Fig. 2A) each defining a plug hole (a hole between 17 and 18, Fig. 2A) adapted to receive and form a seal with a conductive contact (W, Fig. 1A); and a second waterproofing portion (18, Fig. 2A) adapted to sealingly contact an inner wall surface (an inner wall of 14, Fig. 2A) of a housing (11); and
a supporting element (13, Fig. 2A) defining a plurality of through holes (28 and a hole between 22a and 22b, Fig. 2A) and surrounding the first waterproofing portions (Fig. 1A) and adapted to prevent misalignment of the first waterproofing portions, the supporting element is arranged within and pressing the second waterproofing portion in a radially outward direction for sealingly engaging therewith, the first waterproofing portions are respectively arranged in the through holes (holes between 22a and 22b, Fig. 2A) of the supporting element (Fig. 1A).
Regarding claim 15, Fig. 2A shows the first waterproofing portions are discrete from the second waterproofing portion.
Regarding claim 20, a connector comprising:
a housing (11, Fig. 2A) including: a mating portion adapted to be mated with a mating connector (not shown) and defining a first opening (15); and
a waterproofed portion (14, Fig. 2A) adapted to receive a plurality of contacts (W), having: a second opening (pointed at 14, Fig. 2A); and an inner wall surface (an inner wall of 14) defining the second opening; and
a waterproofing element (12 and 13, Fig. 2A) arranged at least partially within second opening (Fig. 1A), including: a supporting element (13 and 22, Fig. 2A) defining a plurality of through holes (28 and a holes between 22a and 22b); and a seal (12, Fig. 2A), having: a plurality of discrete first waterproofing portions (17, Fig. 2A) arranged in a respective one of the plurality of through holes (the hole between 22a and 22b) of the supporting element (Fig. 1A), each first waterproofing portion defining a plug hole (a hole between 17 and 18) adapted to receive one of the plurality of contacts (Fig. 1A); and a second waterproofing (18, Fig. 2A) arranged about an outer circumference of the supporting element (22) and in sealing contact with the inner wall surface of the waterproofed portion (Fig. 1A or 3C).
Regarding claim 21, Fig. 1A or 3C shows the first waterproofing portions respectively contact inner wall surfaces of the through holes (holes between 22 and 22b) of the supporting element.
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 3-4 and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Murakami et al. in view of Kilian et al. (11,362,496).
Regarding claims 3 and 16, Murakami et al. disclose the claimed invention as described above except for the seal element and the supporting element are integrally molded.
Kilian et al., Figs. 1 and 2 show a seal part (4/5) and a holder part (6) are integrally molded (Kilian, column 3, lines 17-25). It would have been obvious to modify Murakami et al. to have the seal element and the supporting element are integrally molded, as taught by Kilian et al. for better engaging.
Regarding claim 4, Murakami et al., Fig. 2A shows the seal element and the supporting element are formed from distinct materials.
Claims 5-8, 16-17 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Murakami et al. in view of Kuroda et al. (8,647,132).
Regarding claims 5 and 17, Murakami et al. disclose the claimed invention as described above except for the waterproofing element defines a drain groove formed into a rear end face.
Kuroda et al., Fig. 2 shows a waterproofing element (20) defines a drain groove (23) formed into a rear end face. It would have been obvious to modify Murakami et al. to have the waterproofing element defines a drain groove formed into a rear end face, as taught by Kuroda et al. for the water passes through the drain groove in order to protect the connector.
Regarding claim 6, it is noted that Kuroda et al., Fig. 2 shows the drain groove extends in a direction normal to a front-rear direction of the connector.
Regarding claim 7, the combination of Murakami et al. and Kuroda et al. disclose the supporting element protrudes from the rear opening, and the drain groove is formed in the supporting element and is not formed in the seal element.
Regarding claim 8, Murkami et al., Fig. 1A shows the seal element is arranged entirely within the rear opening.
Regarding claim 11, Murkami et al., Fig. 1A shows a rear end of the supporting element is oriented further forward in a direction toward a front of the connector than a rear end of the seal element and the rear opening.
Regarding claim 19, the combination of Murakami et al. and Kuroda et al. disclose rear end faces of the supporting element and the seal element are arranged offset from one another in the axial direction, and the drain groove is formed only in the rear end face of the supporting element or the rear end face of the seal element, that is arranged closest to a rear side of the waterproofing element.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 04/10/26 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues:
“Amended claim 1, amended in part with a portion of claim 2, claims, in relevant part, the first waterproofing portions are respectively arranged in the through holes of the supporting element.
Regarding claim 2, the Examiner cited Murakami as disclosing "the supporting element defines a plurality of through holes (28, FIG. 2A) in which the respective ones of the plurality of first waterproofing portions are separately arranged." (pg. 3, Non-Final Office action dated February 3, 2026).
As shown in Figure 1A of Murakami, the cited plurality of through holes 28 are set apart from the cited plurality of first waterproofing portions 17,18. Consequently, the cited plurality of first waterproofing portions 17,18 are clearly not respectively arranged in the cited through holes 28. Murakami therefore does not disclose the first waterproofing portions are respectively arranged in the through holes of the supporting element, as claimed in amended claim 1. Independent claim 1 is therefore allowable over Murakami.
Amended claim 13 claims, in relevant part, the first waterproofing portions are
respectively arranged in the through holes of the supporting element. For the same reasons as described above under amended claim 1, independent claim 13 and dependent claim 15 are therefore allowable over Murakami.
Original claim 20 claims, in relevant part, a plurality of discrete first waterproofing
portions arranged in a respective one of the plurality of through holes of the supporting element .... As described under claim 1 above, the cited plurality of through holes 28 are set apart from the cited plurality of first waterproofing portions 17,18. Consequently, the cited plurality of first waterproofing portions 17,18 are clearly not arranged in a respective one of the plurality of through holes 28. Murakami therefore does not disclose a plurality of discrete first waterproofing portions arranged in a respective one of the plurality of through holes of the supporting element, as claimed in original claim 20. Independent claim 20 is therefore allowable over Murakami.”
The Examiner disagrees.
Murakami, Figs., 1A and 2A show a supporting element (13) defining a plurality of through holes (28 and also a hole between 22a and 22b). Since the through holes are not including 28 only, that also including holes between 22a and 22b; therefore, Fig. 1A shows the supporting element (13) defining a plurality of through holes (28 and holes between 22a and 22b) and surrounding the first waterproofing portions.
For the above reasons, it is believed that the rejection is sustained.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 THANH TAM T LE whose telephone number is (571)272-2094. The examiner can normally be reached 9AM-6PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Abdul Riyami 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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/THANH TAM T LE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2831 04/23/26
thanh-tam.le@uspto.gov
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