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 § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 1, 2, 4, and 6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over JP 2022-92823 in view of Ohnaka et al. (US 2021/0179184).
JP 2022-92823, in reference to claim 1, discloses a front pillar lower (36) comprising a front pillar lower body (40), a bracket (50) that is fixed to the front pillar lower body (40), and a bulk (46) fixed to the front pillar lower body (40), as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5. The bracket (50) includes an attachment surface (5004) for a door hinge, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The front pillar lower body (40) includes a ridge portion extending in the longitudinal directions of the front pillar lower body (40), as shown in Figure 5. The ridge portion includes a top plate (4002), a first side plate (4008), and a second side plate (4004), as shown in Figure 5. The bracket (50) includes a main cover (5004) covering the top plate (4002) from an outside of the ridge portion to provide a space between the main cover (5004) and the top plate (4002), as shown in Figure 6. A first side cover (5008) is superposed on the first side plate (4008) from the outside of the ridge portion, as shown in Figure 5. A second side cover (5006) is superposed on the second side plate (4004) from the outside of the ridge portion, as shown in Figure 5. The bulk (46) includes a reinforcing portion (4602) arranged inside the ridge portion in a position overlapping with the space in thickness direction of the top plate (4002), as shown in Figures 4-6. The bulk includes a first flange portion (4606) superposed on the first side plate (4008) from an inside of the ridge portion and a second flange portion (4604) superposed on the second side plate (4004) from the inside of the ridge portion, as shown in Figures 4 and 6. The front pillar lower body (40), the bracket (50), and the bulk (46) are connected together to form a first joining part such that the first side plate (4008), the first side cover (5008), and the first flange (4606) are connected together, as disclosed in paragraphs [0016] and [0019]. The first side plate (4008) is slanted toward a lower side and a rear side of the vehicle as viewed from the side of the vehicle, as shown in Figure 5.
In reference to claim 2, the front pillar lower body (40), the bracket (50), and the bulk (46) are connected together to form a second joining part such that the second side plate (4004), the second side cover (5006), and the second flange (4604) are connected together, as disclosed in paragraphs [0016] and [0019].
In reference to claims 4 and 6, a part of an outer surface of the top plate (4002) covered by the bracket (50) includes a flat surface, as shown in Figures 4-6.
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However, JP 2022-92823 does not disclose the first flange of the bulk is positioned above the second flange.
Ohnaka et al. teaches forming a bulk (17) having a rear flange (18) that extends higher than a front portion of the bulk (17), as shown in Figure 3.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to form the first flange of the bulk of JP 2022-92823 extending higher than the second flange, as taught by Ohnaka et al., with a reasonable expectation for success to increase the strength of the pillar without adding much weight.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 7-12 are allowed.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 3/3/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. The applicant has argued Ohnaka does not teach a first flange positioned above the second flange because the structure of Ohnaka is L-shaped so it does not have two flanges. Ohnaka is used to teach the rear flange forming the highest point of the bulk. It does not need a front flange to teach this structure, as shown in Figure 3. It is applicable to structures with/without a front flange.
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 GREGORY A BLANKENSHIP whose telephone number is (571)272-6656. The examiner can normally be reached 7-4:30.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Amy Weisberg can be reached at 571-270-5500. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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GREGORY A. BLANKENSHIP
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3612
/GREGORY A BLANKENSHIP/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3612 March 16, 2026