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 .
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 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.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 1/1/26 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
“Applicant . . . has refiled the IDS with the appropriate fee-size assertion” (Applicant’s remarks of 1/1/26, p. 12). Reviewing the file wrapper, the Examiner does not see that the information disclosure sheet (IDS) has been re-filed.
“Applicant has amended FIG. 4 . . . Applicant has also amended FIG. 8” (Applicant’s remarks of 1/1/26, p. 12). Reviewing the filing of 13 page drawings on 1/1/26, these drawings appear to identical to the drawings filed on 1/8/24 and do not include the amendments noted in Applicant’s remarks. Therefore, the drawing objections are maintained in the instant action.
Applicant argues “[t]he Office Action objects to . . . for various informalities [relating to the drawing objections]. Applicant submits that the foregoing amendments to the specification remedy the identified issues and, therefore, respectfully requests withdrawal of the objections.” (Applicant’s remarks of 1/1/26, p. 12). Some of these claim objections, specifically for claim 10 remain and are maintained in the instant action.
Applicant argues
The Office Action annotates FIG. 10, arguing that: 1) there are three current paths in the first supply connector 1000a between hole pairs of D-120D, E-120E, and F-120F; and 2) there are three current paths in the second supply connector 1000b between hole pairs of 4-124, 5-125, and 6-126, respectively. Accordingly, the Office Action concludes that "[t]he supply connector assembly fails to have a V-shaped slot formed by either pairs 1002a/1004b or 1002b/1004a slots since the 1002a, 1004a slots appear to be in the first supply connector 1000a and the 1002b, 1004b slots appear to be in the second supply connector 1000b" and that "the first supply connector 1000a and the second supply connector 1000b based upon the disclosure are separated by insulative sheet 401." Office Action, pg. 10.
Although Applicant respectfully disagrees with the interpretation of the claims presented in the Office Action, Applicant has amended the claims without prejudice or disclaimer and exclusively for the purposes of expediting the Subject Application towards allowance. For example, as amended, Claim 1 presently recit[e]s "V-slots" in lieu or "V-shaped slots." The Subject Application provides express support for what a "V-slot" is, which would sufficiently convey to a person of skill in the art what the inventor regards as the invention. See e.g., M.P.E.P. § 2173.05 (Explaining that it is a well-established axiom in patent law that a patentee or applicant is free to be his or her own lexicographer). For example, according to the Subject Application, each of 1002a, 1002b, 1004a, and 1004b is a "V-slot," independently and on its own. Applicant submits that the term "shaped," as originally claimed but not present in the specification, caused unnecessary confusion. Applicant respectfully submits that the foregoing amendments provide clarity and conforms the claim to the express disclosure of the specification. For example, as illustrated by the Office Action, V-slot 1002a of first supply connector 1000a establishes a conductive path between second hole E and third hole 120E. And the claim, as amended, requires "one or more V-slots extending between (a) the one or more first holes or the one or more second holes and (b) the one or more third holes or the one or more fourth holes."
(emphasis added). (Applicant’s remarks of 1/1/26, p. 13).
First, an Applicant can in a patent specification, may act as his own lexicographer and define a term used in the patent claims. Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1316 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (en banc). The Federal Circuit has held that the specification can “circumvent the plain language of the claim and the clear definition of the disputed claim language” where it “clearly redefine[s]” the claim language. Process Control Corp. v. HydReclaim Corp., 190 F.3d 1350, 1357 (Fed. Cir. 1999). The Federal Circuit has emphasized that redefinitions of terms must be clear: “When a patentee acts as his own lexicographer in redefining the meaning of particular claim terms away from their ordinary meaning, he must clearly express that intent in the written description.” Merck & Co. v. Teva Pharms. USA, 395 F.3d 1364, 1370 (Fed. Cir. 2005). MPEP 2175 (for Form Paragraph 7.34.01) states that if a term is defined contrary to its ordinary meaning, “the written description must clearly redefine the claim term and set forth the uncommon definition so as to put one reasonably skilled in the art on notice that the applicant intended to so redefine that claim term. There is no redefinition of the term “V-slot” in para. [0072] or anywhere else in the specification.
Looking at Applicant’s argument of pertaining to “1000a establishes a conductive path between second hole E and third hole 120E” (emphasis added). Claim 1 defines “one or more second holes for connection with one or more emitter terminals of a low potential switch” (emphasis added) and defines “one or more third holes configured for connection with a direct current (DC) high potential bus” (emphasis added). Looking at Applicant’s schematic in figure 2, one would not be connecting a second hole for an emitter terminal 73L of low potential switch 70L with a direct current (DC) high potential bus 30H (this would be connected to a direct current (DC) low potential bus 30L instead). Slots 1002a and 1004a of second conductor plate 1000a (claim 2 defines “the second conductor plate” which is supported by element 1002a) that define boundaries of a discrete conductive path between one of first holes E and one of third holes 120E.” Slots 1002b and 1004b of third conductor plate 1000b (also defined by claim 2) do not define the discrete conductive path between the one of the first holes E and the one of the third holes 120E.”
Further, how is any of slots 1002a, 1002b, 1004a, or 1004b in any way a “V-slot” as claimed? What definition should be applied to “V-slots,” so the metes and bounds of the term ”V-slots” can be used to define the desired claim coverage.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to because:
in fig. 4, reference numeral “401” (see ¶[0036], l. 11).should be added for the insulative layer; and
in fig. 8, reference numeral “800” should be moved to the left to point only to “load terminal connector 800” which includes holes A,B,C,1,2,3 (currently reference numeral 800 appears to be denoting the entire structure of fig.8)
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,
“one or more V-slots” (claims 1, 8, and 15); and
“one or more V-slots extends through the supply terminal connector assembly” (emphasis added) (claim 14) 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.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities: Para. [0072] states:
[0072] FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of a bus bar, which includes the same load terminal connector 800 as shown in FIG. 8, in combination with supply terminal connectors 1000a, 1000b that have central tabs 92H, 92L and V-slots 1002a, 1002b, 1004a, 1004b. The V-slots 1002a, 1002b, 1004a, 1004b define substantially discrete conductive paths among pairs of first and second locations (terminal connecting holes), e.g., the V-slot 1002b defines a path from the hole 4 on supply terminal connector 1000b to the hole 124 on tab 92L. The discrete current paths generally are orthogonal at their overlapping portions, e.g., during a commutation transient the current from hole 5 on plate 1000b to hole 125 on tab 92L flows generally orthogonal to the current from hole E on plate 1000a to hole 120E on tab 92H.
Reviewing fig. 10, each of elements 1002a, 1002b, 1004a, and 1004b do not appear to be a “V-slot.” In a planar view of fig. 10, elements 1002a and 1004b appears to form a first V-slot shape, and elements 1002b and 1004a appears to form a second V-slot shape. However, elements 1002a an 1004a extend only through supply connector terminal 1000a and elements 1002b and 1004b extend only through supply connector terminal 1000b. Therefore, the term V-slots is misdescriptive for elements 1002a, 1002b, 1004a, and 1004b. Note: none of the one or more slots (elements 1002a, 1002b, 1004a, 1004b, each described as a V-slot) extends through the supply terminal connector assembly constituting elements 1000a,1000b as claim 14 requires.
“Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Objections
Claim 10 is objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 10, lines 1-2 require “the second tab protrudes away from the third conductive plate” is understood as “the second tab protrudes away from a main portion of the third conductive plate”; and
Claim 10, lines 2-3 require “the first tab protrudes from the second conductive plate” is understood as “the first tab protrudes from a main portion of the second conductive plate”.
Appropriate correction is required.
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.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
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 of carrying out his invention.
Claim 14 is 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.
Claim 14 requires “the one or more V-slots extends through the supply terminal connector assembly.” Claims are interpreted in light of the written description, see discussion of “V-slots” in the 35 U.S.C. 112b rejection below. Reviewing fig. 10, none of elements 1002a, 1002b, 1004a and 1004b extend through the supply terminal connector assembly 1000a,1000b. Slots 1002a and 1004a extend through supply terminal connector 1000a. Slots 1002b and 1004b extend through supply terminal connector 1000b. In fact there is an insulative layer, such as element 401, that forms a barrier between supply terminal connectors 1000a and 1000b that insulate supply terminal connectors 1000a and 1000b from one another. Therefore, “the one or more V-slots” do not extend “through the supply terminal connector assembly” as claim14 requires.
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 1-20 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.
Where applicant acts as his or her own lexicographer to specifically define a term of a claim contrary to its ordinary meaning, the written description must clearly redefine the claim term and set forth the uncommon definition so as to put one reasonably skilled in the art on notice that the applicant intended to so redefine that claim term. Process Control Corp. v. HydReclaim Corp., 190 F.3d 1350, 1357, 52 USPQ2d 1029, 1033 (Fed. Cir. 1999). The term “V-slots” in claims Claim 1, lines 15-16; Claim 8, lines 10-11; and Claim 15, lines 12-13 is used by the claim to mean in one form another “a linearly extending slot,” while the accepted meaning for “V-slot” is “a slot having two portions forming an included angle.” The term is indefinite because the specification does not clearly redefine the term.
i. Claim 1, lines 15-16; Claim 8, lines 10-11; and Claim 15, lines 12-13 require in one form or another, “the supply terminal connector assembly further includes one or more V-slots.” The filed application is contradictory as to what constitutes the claimed “V-slot”. Each of the disclosed slots 1002a, 1002b, 1004a and 1004b extend between either (a) the one or more first holes (D, E, F) and (b) the one or more third holes (120D, 120E, 120F), or between a) the one or more second holes (4, 5, 6) and (b) the one or more fourth holes (124, 125, 126). However, none of these slots 1002a, 1002b, 1004a and 1004b appears to be in any way a V-slot. Only pairs of elements 1002a/1004b and 1002b/1004a form what appears in a planar view of the supply terminal connectors 1000a,1000b to be V-slots.
PNG
media_image1.png
666
914
media_image1.png
Greyscale
Figure 10 appears to illustrate what might be two V-slots; slots 1002a and 1004b forming what appears to be a first V slot, and slots 1004a and 1002b forming what appears to be a second V slot when viewed in the plane of the supply terminal connectors 1000a, 1000b. Based upon the specification at para. [0072], each of the slots 1002, 1002b, 1004a, 1004b is supposedly a V-slot.
Para. [0072] states
[0072] FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of a bus bar, which includes the same load terminal connector 800 as shown in FIG. 8, in combination with supply terminal connectors 1000a, 1000b that have central tabs 92H, 92L and V-slots 1002a, 1002b, 1004a, 1004b. The V-slots 1002a, 1002b, 1004a, 1004b define substantially discrete conductive paths among pairs of first and second locations (terminal connecting holes), e.g., the V-slot 1002b defines a path from the hole 4 on supply terminal connector 1000b to the hole 124 on tab 92L. The discrete current paths generally are orthogonal at their overlapping portions, e.g., during a commutation transient the current from hole 5 on plate 1000b to hole 125 on tab 92L flows generally orthogonal to the current from hole E on plate 1000a to hole 120E on tab 92H. (emphasis added).
In the written description of fig. 10, which is the only paragraph that discloses a “V-slot”, it appears that each of the slots 1002a, 1002b, 1004a, 1004b are described by themselves as a V-slot based on the written description provided for element 1002b (underlined above) for a total of four V-slots supposedly being illustrated in fig. 10. Further looking at fig. 10, it appears that elements 1002a and 1004a are in first supply terminal connector 1000a (DC + connector) and elements 1002b and 1004b are in second supply terminal connector 1000b (DC - connector).
Para. [0062] and [0064] relating to another embodiment discloses
[0062] L-slots 812a, 812b, 814a, 814b extend through the plates of the connectors 810a, 810b. The L-slots define substantially discrete and substantially balanced conductive paths from each one of the switch terminal connectors (first locations) D, E, F or 4, 5, 6 to a corresponding one of the tab holes (second locations) 120D, 120E, 120F or 124, 125, 126, respectively. The L-slots can be gaps or openings extending through one of the supply terminal connectors 810a or 810b, but not the other supply terminal connector 810b or 810a. For example, the L-slots 812a, 814a may extend through (form linear intersecting openings through) the supply terminal connector 810a but not extend through the supply terminal connector 810b. The L-slots 812b, 814b may extend through (form linear intersecting openings through) the supply terminal connector 810b but not extend through the supply terminal connector 810a. The L-slots 812, 814 create or lengthen the conductive pathways between each of the first locations and a corresponding second location to balance the impedances and optimize mutual inductances between the different pathways. (emphasis added).
[0064] Also, the two supply terminal connectors 810a, 810b are matching inverts of each other. For example, the plate 810a can be flipped over to become the plate 810b (and vice-versa). The two plates are overlaid adjacent an intervening insulative layer 401. The same is true for several other embodiments as described and illustrated following. Accordingly, in such embodiments the discrete conductive paths on the two supply terminal connectors generally are anti-parallel at their overlapping portions, e.g., during a commutation transient the current from hole 6 on plate 810b to hole 126 on tab 92L flows generally opposite direction to the current from hole D on plate 810a to hole 120D on tab 92H. Typically, these anti-parallel currents are substantially equal such that their mutual inductance cancels out. (emphasis added),
The first supply terminal 1000a and second supply terminal 1000b are separated by an insulative layer 401 (see underlined of para. [0064] above) such that slots 1002a and 1004a separate current paths between holes 4, 5, 6 and 120D, 120E and 120F, respectively, in the first supply connector 1000a, and slots 1002b and 1004b separate current paths between holes D, E, F and 124, 125 and 126, respectively, in the first supply connector 1000b.
A first annotation of fig. 10 directly below illustrates the three current paths in first supply connector 1000a between hole pairs of D-120D, E-120E and F-120F respectively:
PNG
media_image2.png
666
914
media_image2.png
Greyscale
A second annotation of fig. 10 directly below shows the three current paths in the second supply connector 1000b between hole pairs of 4-124, 5-125, and 6-126 respectively:
PNG
media_image3.png
666
914
media_image3.png
Greyscale
The supply connector assembly fails to have a V-slot formed by either pairs of 1002a/1004b slots or 1002b/1004a slots since the 1002a, 1004a slots are in the first supply connector 1000a and the 1002b, 1004b slots are in the second supply connector 1000b (see underlined portion of para. [0062] above). Note that the first supply connector 1000a and the second supply connector 1000b based upon the disclosure are separated by insulative sheet 401. Therefore, there is no V-slot in either of the first supply connector 1000a or the second supply connector 1000b.
Therefore, what precisely is the “V-slot" referring to, since there is not a V-shaped slot in either the first supply connector 1000a or the second supply connector 1000b that that constitute the supply connector assembly 1000a,1000b?
Claim 5, line 2, “the window” lacks antecedent basis. Did applicant intend “the window opening” having antecedence in “a window opening” of claim 1, line 5?
Claim 12, lines 1-2, “the conductive plate” lacks antecedent basis. Did Applicant intend “the third conductive plate” having antecedence in “a third conductive plate” of claim 11, line 2?
Claim 15, lines 9 and 13-14 each require “one or more third holes.” Are these different one or more third holes, or should the “one or more third holes” of lines 13-14 have antecedence in the “one or more third holes” of line 9?
Claim 15, lines 10 and 14 each require “one or more fourth holes.” Are these different one or more fourth holes, or should the “one or more fourth holes” of line 14 have antecedence in the “one or more fourth holes” of lines 10-11? and
Claim 18, lines 1-2, “the conductive plate” lacks antecedent basis. Did Applicant intend “the third conductive plate” having antecedence in “a third conductive plate” of claim 17, line 2?
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 extension fee 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 date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ROBERT J HOFFBERG whose telephone number is (571) 272-2761. The examiner can normally be reached on Mon - Fri 9 AM - 5 PM.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jayprakash Gandhi can be reached on (571) 272-3740. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
RJH 1/17/2026
/ROBERT J HOFFBERG/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2835