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
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.
Claim(s) 1-14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by US 7,079,744 to Douglas et al.
Douglas discloses in the abstract and figures 1 and 20-21, a tray assembly comprising:
a tray (drawer 36);
at least one retainer coupled to the tray and configured to receive and retain an adapter assembly (no specifics are claimed as to where the retainer is located or to its shape or characteristics. The prior art discloses an interior storage area configured to mount cable management or distribution structures; column 3, lines 21-40); and
at least one tray rail (38) coupled to the tray, the tray rail having a first latch (140; figure 20) and a second latch (152; figure 21), each of the first and second latches having a first end and a second end, the tray rail having first and second biasing members for biasing the second end of the first and second latches, respectively, to an engaged position, wherein the respective first ends are movable to move the respective second ends to a disengaged position (the below shown double sided latch and retainer system releasably secures the tray via stop member 158. The claims are not specific as to how the components are biased or the level of flexibility, nor their respective locations).
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As to claim 2, the retaining members are opposite one another. Although the claims recite language to the effect of being engaged, the claim is silent with structure as to this function.
As to claim 3, cable routing guides are disclosed in figures 2-6.
As to claim 4, the control mechanism (125) is not made of a rigid material and would at least be flexible and therefore allow flexible biasing.
As to claims 5 and 9, it appears the claim language attempts to define a “hook”. Such structure is shown in figure 21 of the prior art. Portion 144 defines a edge with a sloped front and smoothe rear with 140. Portion 152 has a curved forward portion and the rear is straight with a 90 degree angle with the unlabeled base portion).
Claim 6 relates to the above but adds language pertaining to the tray’s placement within a housing shell. Such would be considered in the art to be a chassis of a telecom housing. This is disclosed in the abstract. The claim proceeds further to recite recesses to secure the latch portions claimed. The prior art discloses latches (tabs 144, 145 and 152 that correspond to respective slots for securing).
As to claim 7, this claim adds a third latch and recess. The prior art discloses a middle latch portion which would constitute this third latch/recess (middle projection arrangement 138 in figure 21).
As to claim 8, the recesses are arranged in the orientation claimed with three separate latch/recess areas in the front, middle and rear.
As to claim 10, when the drawer is extended, it would be in one position and when it is closed, it would be in a second position.
Claims 11-14 are general method claims that pertain to the use of the above structure. Since the structure is present, the general use of moving and positioning components within would therefore also be anticipated.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 6,608,765 (hook portion 24a).
US 2008/0087621 (mounting arrangement shown in figure 17).
US 2009/0274429 (release mechanism shown in figure 6).
US 2010/0037525 (dual ended slide release).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Eric K Wong whose telephone number is (571)272-2363. The examiner can normally be reached M-Tu, Th-F 8A-6P.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Thomas Hollweg can be reached on 571-270-1739. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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ERIC K. WONG
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2874
/Eric Wong/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2874