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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 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 1-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Schwarzbich (DE 20016150U1).
Regarding claim 1, Schwarzbich teaches a device 14 for fastening to a component 10 having a base body 16 and a compensating element 18, the compensating element 18 being connected to the base body 16 via a thread at 30 and the compensating element 18 having a passage (centrally disposed for receipt of 20) with a driver device 46 for a screw 20, wherein the base body 16 has a base element 24 and a retaining ring 26 connected to the base element 24 (figure 1) in a form fit (outer circumference of 24 has “knurled collar”).
Regarding claim 2, the retaining ring 26 has at least one groove (for receipt of knurled collar 24) and in that the base element 24 has at least one rib (outwardly extending ribs which form knurled collar outer circumference) which is complementary to the groove in order to achieve a form fit (figure 1).
Regarding claim 3, the retaining ring has at least two grooves (a first set of grooves which receive knurled collar, second groove defined by 38 and 26 to receive radially outer, upper corner of 24) have having a different shape.
Regarding claim 4, at least one centering element (shown in figure 1 directly adjacent reference number 46; the triangularly shaped, radially inwardly extending rib) for aligning the screw is formed in the passage (figure 1).
Regarding claim 5, the at least one centering element (shown in figure 1 directly adjacent reference number 46; the triangularly shaped, radially inwardly extending rib) is designed as a centering rib (figure 1) which extends into the passage in the radial direction.
Regarding claim 6, a plurality of centering ribs (each centering rib is located above each element 46, there are two elements 46 as shown in figure 2) are arranged in the a circumferential direction of the passage.
Regarding claim 7, the centering element (shown in figure 1 directly adjacent reference number 46; the triangularly shaped, radially inwardly extending rib) is formed integrally with the compensating element 18 (figure 1).
Regarding claim 8, a free end of the centering element (shown in figure 1 directly adjacent reference number 46; the triangularly shaped, radially inwardly extending rib) has a bevel (rib is triangularly shaped) as an insertion aid for the screw.
Regarding claim 9, the driver device 46 is a spring element or spring clamp.
Regarding claim 10, the driver device 46 is connected in a form fit to the compensating element 18 (figure 1).
Regarding claim 11, at least one fastening element (shown in figure 1 directly adjacent reference number 46; the triangularly shaped, radially inwardly extending rib) projects into the passage (figure 1) in the a radial direction in order to connect the driver device 46 to the compensating element 18 in a form fit.
Regarding claim 12, the fastening element (shown in figure 1 directly adjacent reference number 46; the triangularly shaped, radially inwardly extending rib) is designed as a fastening rib (figure 1).
Regarding claim 13, the base element has at least two ribs having a different shape (outer knurling is considered one rib shape, and inner thread is the other rib shape).
Regarding claim 14, the plurality of centering ribs (shown in figure 1 directly adjacent reference number 46; the triangularly shaped, radially inwardly extending rib) in each case is equidistant from the nearest centering rib (as they are diametrically opposed; figure 2).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The prior art is cited for the base element and retaining ring structure.
THIS ACTION IS NON-FINAL.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NIKI MARINA ELOSHWAY whose telephone number is (571)272-4538. The examiner can normally be reached Monday through Friday 7: 00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m..
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, Orlando E. Avilés can be reached at 571-270-5531. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/NIKI M ELOSHWAY/Examiner, Art Unit 3736
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