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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Group I, Species 1, Figures 2A-2B, claims 1-3 and 5-7 in the reply filed on 9/9/2026 is acknowledged.
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)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-3 and 6-7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Nero [US 4,591,819] or Glass Jr. [US 2,350,029].
Regarding claim 1, Nero discloses a magnetic assembly [figure 1] comprising:
- a core comprising a core base [26] and a core top [25], the core defining a depression sized to receive a winding [figure 1]; and
- a gap spacer [figure 1] comprising one or more wires [31, 32] positioned between the core base and a core top.
Regarding claim 1, Glass Jr. discloses a magnetic assembly [figures 1-4] comprising:
- a core comprising a core base [12] and a core top [10], the core defining a depression sized to receive a winding [figures 1-2]; and
- a gap spacer [figures 1-4] comprising one or more wires [19, 21] positioned between the core base and the core top.
Regarding claim 2, Glass Jr. discloses at least one of the one or more wires is electrically conductive [tungsten, molybdenum or Nichrome].
Regarding claim 2, Nero discloses at least one of the one or more wires is electrically conductive [copper or aluminum].
Regarding claim 3, Glass Jr. disclose the one or more wires are positioned adjacent to an exterior edge of the core base.
Regarding claims 6-7, Nero discloses the core base comprises: a body; a first leg defining a first leg face; and a second leg defining a second leg face, wherein the first leg and the second leg extend from the body toward the core top [figure 1], the depression positioned between the first leg and the second leg [figure 1], and the first leg face and the second leg face facing the core top, wherein the one or more wires are positioned on the first leg face and/or the second leg face [figures 1 and 3].
Claim(s) 1 and 5-7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Fitzgerald, Jr et al. [US 6,433,663 B1].
Regarding claim 1, Fitzgerald, Jr. et al. discloses a magnetic device [figures 4 and 6] comprising:
- a core comprising a core base [31’] and a core top [31], wherein the core defining a depression [or channel] sized to receive a winding [11]; and
- a gap spacer comprising one or more wires [38] positioned between the core base and the core top.
Regarding claim 5, Fitzgerald Jr et al. discloses the wire formed of electrically nonconductive material such as plastic.
Regarding claims 6-7, Fitzgerald Jr et al. discloses the core base comprises: a body; a first leg defining a first leg face; and a second leg defining a second leg face, wherein the first leg and the second leg extend from the body toward the core top [figures 4 and 6], the depression positioned between the first leg and the second leg [figure 4 and 6], and the first leg face and the second leg face facing the core top, wherein the one or more wires are positioned on the first leg face and/or the second leg face [figures 4 and 6].
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TUYEN T NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)272-1996. The examiner can normally be reached Mon - Fri 8:30-5:30.
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.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Shawki Ismail can be reached at 571-272-3985. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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.
/TUYEN T NGUYEN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2837
Prosecution Insights