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 .
Response to Amendment
The amendments filed November 23, 2025 have been entered. Applicant’s amendments have overcome each and every claim objection previously set forth in the Non-Final Action mailed September 10, 2025. Applicant’s new Drawing is accepted. Claims 1-10 and 12-20 remain pending. Claims 1-10, 12, and 14-20 stand rejected. Claim 13 is objected to.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1 and 8 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Applicant’s arguments regarding claim 1 are rendered moot, considering a newly cited reference, Keffeler (US Publication No. 2013/0176676), teaches wherein each of the two side plates (404, 504) comprises a first slide rail (rail surfaces 314; see Paragraph [0052]), and the first slide rail (312) projects from one side surface of one of the two side plates (inner surface of first 304 defining storage bay) towards that other one of the two side plates (inner surface of opposite 304 defining storage bay), and wherein for reach of the two side plates (members 304 defining storage bay), the elastic members (404) are disposed on opposite sides of the first slide rail (314; see Figure 5 reproduced below). Examiner submits Olesiewicz (US Publication No. 2023/0116549) in view of Kumachi (US Publication No. 2013/0215568) and Keffeler, and alternatively, Olesiewicz in view of Brusati (US Patent No. 5467254) and Keffeler render the claimed device obvious.
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Applicant’s arguments regarding claim 8 are rendered moot under a different interpretation of Brusati (US Patent No. 5467254). Specifically, plate 40 was previously interpreted as the elastic member and track 50 was previously interpreted as the sidewall. However, now, plate 40 and track 50 are interpreted as the elastic member (compare with Figure 16 of the instant application) and walls 84 are interpreted as the sidewalls, where walls 84 in Brusati correspond to walls 310 in the primary reference, Olesiewicz. For the reasons detailed below, Examiner submits Olesiewicz in view of Brusati render claim 8 obvious. However, this new interpretation of Brusati results in claim 13 being objected to for the reasons detailed below.
Therefore, claims 1-10, 12, and 14-20 stand rejected, and claim 13 is objected to.
Claim Objections
Claims 9-10, 12-16, and 19 are objected to because of the following informalities:
In claim 9, lines 1-2, “the supporting part” should read --each of the plurality of supporting parts--, considering “a plurality of supporting parts” was introduced in claim 8.
In claim 10, lines 1-2, “the supporting part” should read --each of the plurality of supporting parts--, considering “a plurality of supporting parts” was introduced in claim 8.
In claim 12, line 5, “another supporting part adjacent to the supporting part” should read --another one of the supporting parts adjacent to the one of the supporting parts-- to avoid confusion and improper antecedent basis.
In claim 13, lines 2-3, “the supporting part of the elastic member is deformably disposed in the elongate hole” should read --the one of the supporting parts is deformably disposed in the elongate hole of the one of the two side plates, and the other one of the supporting parts is deformably disposed in the elongate hole of the other one of the two side plates-- to avoid confusion and improper antecedent basis.
In claim 14, lines 1-2, “the supporting part” should read --each of the plurality of supporting parts--, considering “a plurality of supporting parts” was introduced in claim 8.
In claim 15, lines 1-2, “the supporting part” should read --each of the plurality of supporting parts--, considering “a plurality of supporting parts” was introduced in claim 8.
In claim 16, line 2, “an expansion assembly” should read --the expansion assembly--.
In claim 19, line 2, “an expansion assembly” should read --the expansion assembly--.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
Claims 1, 5, and 16-17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Olesiewicz (US Publication No. 2023/0116549) in view of Kumachi (US Publication No. 2013/0215568) and Keffeler (US Publication No. 2013/0176676).
Regarding claim 1, Olesiewicz discloses an expansion assembly, comprising: a first baffle (channel 345A); a second baffle (channel 345B), opposite to the first baffle (345A); and a baffle assembly (see Figures 3A), comprising two side plates (divider walls 310) opposite to each other (see Figures 3A), wherein the two side plates (first and second 310) are connected to the first baffle (345A) and the second baffle (345B).
Olesiewicz does not disclose a plurality of elastic members disposed on each of the two side plates respectively, each of the elastic member comprises a supporting part, and each of the supporting parts projects from one of the two side plates towards the other one of the two side plates.
However, Kumachi teaches two side plates (side plate 230 and medium plate 242a) and a plurality of elastic members (elastic elements 50, 62; see Figures 4, 11-12 and Paragraph [0064]) disposed on each of the two side plates (230, 242a) respectively, each of the elastic member (50, 62) comprises a supporting part (middle portions of 50, 62), and each of the supporting parts (middle portions of 50, 62) projects from one of the two side plates (230, 242a) towards the other one of the two side plates (230, 242a).
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective file date of the claimed invention to have combined the plurality of elastic members in Kumachi to the sidewalls in Olesiewicz, such that the elastic members were engaged with the electronic modules in Olesiewicz (see Figure 4 in Olesiewicz). Doing so would have provided a grounding function to the electronic assembly to provide a tolerance against static electricity and EMI (see Paragraph [0057] in Kumachi).
While Olesiewicz suggests wherein each of the two side plates (310) comprises a first slide rail (rails defining openings 325), the first slide rail (rails defining 325) projects from one side surface of one of the two side plates (outer side of first 310) towards the other one of the two side plates (second 310; see annotated Figure 3A below), Olesiewicz in view of Kumachi does not explicitly teach wherein each of the two side plates comprises a first slide rail, and the first slide rail projects from one side surface of one of the two side plates towards that other one of the two side plates, and wherein for each of the two side plates, the elastic members are disposed on opposite sides of the first slide rail.
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However, Keffeler teaches two side plates (Figures 3-5, chassis support members 304, comprised of support members 404, 504) and elastic members (springs 404), wherein each of the two side plates (404, 504) comprises a first slide rail (rail surfaces 314; Paragraph [0052], “Rail surfaces 312 are provided on both the first chassis support member 408 and the second chassis support member 504 to support storage device modules 208 on each side of a chassis support member 304”), and the first slide rail (312) projects from one side surface of one of the two side plates (inner surface of first 304 defining storage bay) towards that other one of the two side plates (inner surface of opposite 304 defining storage bay), and wherein for each of the two side plates (members 304 defining storage bay), the elastic members (404) are disposed on opposite sides of the first slide rail (314; see Figures 3-5).
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective file date of the claimed invention to have combined the slide rails of Keffeler to the side plates between the elastic members of Olesiewicz as modified by Kumachi, as taught in Keffeler. Doing so would have provided/guided the storage modules within the storage bays during the installation process (see Paragraphs [0044], [0052]-[0053] in Keffeler).
Regarding claim 5, Olesiewicz in view of Kumachi and Keffeler teaches the expansion assembly according to claim 1, and further teaches (in Kumachi) wherein each of the plurality of elastic members (50, 62) comprises a base (connected portion of 50, 62) and an extension arm (angled portion of 50, 62), the extension arm (angled portion of 50, 62) extends from the base (connected portion of 50, 62), the supporting part (middle portion of 50, 62) extends from one side edge of the extension arm (angled portion of 50, 62), and an angle is formed between the supporting part (middle portion of 50, 62) and the extension arm (angled portion of 50, 62).
Regarding claim 16, Olesiewicz in view of Kumachi and Keffeler teaches an electronic device, comprising (in Olesiewicz): the expansion assembly (electronic system 210) according to claim 1, wherein the first baffle (345A), the second baffle (345B), and the two side plates (310) define a card insertion area (device bay 330B); and an electronic component (Figure 4C, electronic modules 225), used to be accommodated in the card insertion area (330B; see Figures 3A-4C) and supported or clamped by the elastic members (50, 62 in Kumachi).
Regarding claim 17, Olesiewicz in view of Kumachi and Keffeler teaches the electronic device according to claim 16, and further teaches (in Olesiewicz) wherein the electronic component (225) is a first expansion card (first 225; see Paragraphs [0030]-[0044]) or a second expansion card (second 225; see Paragraphs [0030]-[0044] and Figure 4C), and the supporting parts (middle portions of 50, 62) of the plurality of elastic members (50, 62 in Kumachi aligned with each 225 in Olesiewicz) are used to support a bottom of the first expansion card or hold two sides of the second expansion card (sides of second 225).
Claims 2-3 and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Olesiewicz (US Publication No. 2023/0116549), Kumachi (US Publication No. 2013/0215568), Keffeler (US Publication No. 2013/0176676), and in further view of Liu (US Patent No. 6304457).
Regarding claim 2, Olesiewicz in view of Kumachi and Keffeler teaches the expansion assembly according to claim 1, but does not teach wherein each of the two side plates comprise an elongated hole, the first slide rail is adjacent to the elongated hole, and the supporting part of one of the plurality of elastic members is deformably disposed in the elongated hole of one of the two side plates.
However, Liu teaches two side plates (Figures 4-5, board bodies 112, corresponding to 310 in Olesiewicz) and a plurality of elastic members (grounding clips 114) comprising a supporting part (first section 120 of 114), wherein each of the two side plates (112) comprises an elongated hole (elongate slot 116), and the supporting part (120) of one of the plurality of elastic members (114) is deformably disposed in the elongated hole (116) of one of the two side plates (112).
Because Kumachi and Liu both teach elastic arms for the purposes of grounding an electronic device, it would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective file date of the claimed invention to have substituted the elastic members in Olesiewicz as modified by Kumachi and Keffeler for the elastic members in Liu, according to known methods to yield the predictable results of grounding an electronic device with an elastic element. Doing so would have also provided the assembly with elastic, grounding elements that are easy to assemble to the sidewall (see Figures 4-5 in Liu).
It would have also been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective file date of the claimed invention to have arranged the elongate holes supporting the elastic members in Olesiewicz as modified by Kumachi, Keffeler, and Liu adjacent to the first slide rails taught in Keffeler, considering it has been held that rearranging parts of an invention involves only routine skill in the art. In re Japikse, 181 F.2d 1019, 86 USPQ 70 (CCPA 1950); MPEP § 2144.04(VI)(C).
Regarding claim 3, Olesiewicz in view of Kumachi and Keffeler teaches the expansion assembly according to claim 1, and further teaches (in Kumachi) wherein each of the plurality of elastic members (elastic elements 50) comprises two docking parts (ends of 50 connected to 230, 242a), and the two docking parts (ends of 50) are respectively connected to two ends of the supporting part (middle portions of 50).
Olesiewicz in view of Kumachi and Keffeler does not teach each of the two side plates comprises two fixing parts and an elongated hole, the two fixing parts are respectively disposed on two ends of each of the two side plates, the elongated hole is provided between the two fixing parts, the two docking parts are disposed on the two fixing parts, respectively, and the supporting part of each of the plurality of elastic members is deformably disposed in the elongated hole.
However, Liu teaches two side plates (Figures 4-5, board bodies 112, corresponding to 310 in Olesiewicz) and a plurality of elastic members (grounding clips 114) comprising a supporting part (portion of 114 between 128, including first section 120 and steps 126) and two docking parts (holes 128), wherein each of the two side plates (board bodies 112, corresponding to 310 in Olesiewicz) comprises two fixing parts (securing posts 118) and an elongated hole (elongate holes 116), the two fixing parts (118) are respectively disposed on two ends of each of the two side plates (ends of 112), the elongated hole (116) is provided between the two fixing parts (118), the two docking parts (128) are disposed on the two fixing parts (118), respectively, and the supporting part (portion of 114 between 128, including first section 120 and steps 126) of each of the plurality of elastic members (114) is deformably disposed in the elongated hole (116).
Because Kumachi and Liu both teach elastic arms for the purposes of grounding an electronic device, it would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective file date of the claimed invention to have substituted the elastic members in Olesiewicz as modified by Kumachi and Keffeler for the elastic members in Liu, according to known methods to yield the predictable results of grounding an electronic device with an elastic element. Doing so would have also provided the assembly with elastic, grounding elements that are easy to assemble to the sidewall (see Figures 4-5 in Liu).
Regarding claim 18, Olesiewicz in view of Kumachi and Keffeler teaches the electronic device according to claim 16, but does not teach wherein the side plate comprises an elongated hole and a fixing part, and the elongated hole is adjacent to the fixing part; and the elastic member comprises a docking part, the docking part is disposed on the fixing part, and the supporting part is deformably disposed in the elongated hole.
However, Liu teaches two side plates (Figures 4-5, board bodies 112, corresponding to 310 in Olesiewicz) and a plurality of elastic members (grounding clips 114) comprising a supporting part (first section 120 of 114), wherein the side plate (112) comprises an elongated hole (elongate slot 116) and a fixing part (securing post 118), and the elongated hole (116) is adjacent to the fixing part (118); and the elastic member (114) comprises a docking part (securing sections 124), the docking part (124) is disposed on the fixing part (118), and the supporting part (120) is deformably disposed in the elongated hole (116).
Because Kumachi and Liu both teach elastic arms for the purposes of grounding an electronic device, it would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective file date of the claimed invention to have substituted the elastic members in Olesiewicz as modified by Kumachi and Keffeler for the elastic members in Liu, according to known methods to yield the predictable results of grounding an electronic device with an elastic element. Doing so would have also provided the assembly with elastic, grounding elements that are easy to assemble to the sidewall (see Figures 4-5 in Liu).
Claim 4 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Olesiewicz (US Publication No. 2023/0116549), Kumachi (US Publication No. 2013/0215568), Keffeler (US Publication No. 2013/0176676), Liu (US Patent No. 6304457), and in further view of Justice (US Patent No. 6299266).
Regarding claim 4, Olesiewicz in view of Kumachi and Liu teaches the expansion assembly according to claim 3, and further teaches (in Liu) wherein the supporting part (portion of 114 between 128, including first section 120 and steps 126) of each of the plurality of elastic members (plurality of 114 in Liu connected to 310 in Olesiewicz) comprises an outer protrusion part (120) and a plurality of inner protrusion parts (Figure 4, inner protrusions adjacent 128) arranged alternately in sequence (see Figure 4), the outer protrusion part (120) projects from one side surface of one of the two side plates (310 in Olesiewicz) towards the other one of the two side plates (opposite 310 in Olesiewicz), and each of the plurality of inner protrusion parts (inner protrusions adjacent 128) projects from the other side surface of one of the two side plates (rear side of 310 in Olesiewicz, corresponding to rear side of 112 in Kumachi) away from the other one of the two side plates (opposite 310 in Olesiewicz).
Olesiewicz in view of Kumachi, Keffeler, and Liu does not teach wherein the supporting part of each of the plurality of elastic members comprises a plurality of outer protrusion parts and a plurality of inner protrusion parts arranged alternately in sequence.
However, Justice teaches a plurality of elastic members (resilient members 220) comprising a supporting part (portion of 220 between studs 240), wherein the supporting part (portion of 220 between studs 240) of each of the plurality of elastic member (220) comprises a plurality of outer protrusion parts and a plurality of inner protrusion parts arranged alternately in sequence (see Figures 2-3).
Because Kumachi, Liu, and Justice all teach elastic arms for the purposes of grounding an electronic device, it would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective file date of the claimed invention to have modified the shape of the support parts in Olesiewicz as modified by Kumachi, Keffeler, and Liu to include the outer protrusion parts and inner protrusion parts taught in Justice, considering a change in shape has been held to be an obvious matter of design choice to a person of ordinary skill in the art, absent persuasive evidence that the particular configuration of the claimed feature is significant. See MPEP § 2144.04 and In re Dailey, 357 F.2d 669, 149 USPQ 47 (CCPA 1966) (The court held that the configuration of the claimed disposable plastic nursing container was a matter of choice which a person of ordinary skill in the art would have found obvious absent persuasive evidence that the particular configuration of the claimed container was significant.). Doing so would have also increased the amount of contact points while reducing area of contact between the electronic device and elastic member, providing for a more balanced insertion/withdrawal process (see Figure 3 in Justice, see Figures 4-5 in Liu).
Claims 1, 5-7, 16, and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Olesiewicz (US Publication No. 2023/0116549) in view of Brusati (US Patent No. 5467254) and Keffeler (US Publication No. 2013/0176676) (NOTE: Claims 16 and 18 rejected in the alternative).
Regarding claim 1, Olesiewicz discloses an expansion assembly, comprising: a first baffle (channel 345A); a second baffle (channel 345B), opposite to the first baffle (345A); and a baffle assembly (see Figures 3A), comprising two side plates (divider walls 310) opposite to each other (see Figures 3A), wherein the two side plates (first and second 310) are connected to the first baffle (345A) and the second baffle (345B).
Olesiewicz does not disclose a plurality of elastic members disposed on each of the two side plates respectively, each of the elastic member comprises a supporting part, and each of the supporting parts projects from one of the two side plates towards the other one of the two side plates.
However, Brusati teaches two side plates (tracks 50) and a plurality of elastic members (grounding strip 40) disposed on each of the two side plates (50) respectively, each of the elastic members (40) comprises a supporting part (Figure 3, comprised of portions 80, 81, 82), and each of the supporting parts (80, 81, 82) projects from one of the two side plates (50; see Figures 5-7) towards the other one of the two side plates (50).
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective file date of the claimed invention to have combined the plurality of elastic members of Brusati to the sidewalls of Olesiewicz, such that a pair of elastic members were engaged with each of the electronic modules in Olesiewicz (see Figure 4 in Olesiewicz). Doing so would have provided a grounding function to the electronic assembly to provide a tolerance against static electricity and EMI (see col. 2-3 in Brusati).
While Olesiewicz suggests wherein each of the two side plates (310) comprises a first slide rail (rails defining openings 325), the first slide rail (rails defining 325) projects from one side surface of one of the two side plates (outer side of first 310) towards the other one of the two side plates (second 310; see annotated Figure 3A above), Olesiewicz in view of Brusati does not explicitly teach wherein each of the two side plates comprises a first slide rail, and the first slide rail projects from one side surface of one of the two side plates towards that other one of the two side plates, and wherein for reach of the two side plates, the elastic members are disposed on opposite sides of the first slide rail.
However, Keffeler teaches two side plates (Figures 3-5, chassis support members 304, comprised of support members 404, 504) and elastic members (springs 404), wherein each of the two side plates (404, 504) comprises a first slide rail (rail surfaces 314; Paragraph [0052], “Rail surfaces 312 are provided on both the first chassis support member 408 and the second chassis support member 504 to support storage device modules 208 on each side of a chassis support member 304”), and the first slide rail (312) projects from one side surface of one of the two side plates (inner surface of first 304 defining storage bay) towards that other one of the two side plates (inner surface of opposite 304 defining storage bay), and wherein for each of the two side plates (members 304 defining storage bay), the elastic members (404) are disposed on opposite sides of the first slide rail (314; see Figures 3-5).
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective file date of the claimed invention to have combined the slide rails of Keffeler to the side plates between the elastic members of Olesiewicz as modified by Brusati, as taught in Keffeler. Doing so would have provided/guided the storage modules within the storage bays during the installation process (see Paragraphs [0044], [0052]-[0053] in Keffeler).
Regarding claim 5, Olesiewicz in view of Brusati and Keffeler teaches the expansion assembly according to claim 1, and further teaches (in Brusati) wherein each of the plurality of elastic members (40) comprises a base (section 41) and an extension arm (segment 79), the extension arm (79) extends from the base (41), the supporting part (80, 81, 82) extends from one side edge of the extension arm (79), and an angle is formed between the supporting part (80, 81) and the extension arm (79).
Regarding claim 6, Olesiewicz in view of Brusati and Keffeler teaches the expansion assembly according to claim 5, and further teaches (in Brusati) wherein the supporting part (80, 81, 82) has an inclined surface (81), and an angle is formed between the inclined surface (81) and the extension arm (79).
Regarding claim 7, Olesiewicz in view of Brusati and Keffeler teaches the expansion assembly according to claim 5, and further teaches (in Brusati) wherein each of the two side plates (50 in Brusati, corresponding to 310 in Olesiewicz) comprises two elongated holes (cavities 60) arranged in sequence in a direction (see Figure 3), each of the plurality of elastic members (40) comprises two extension arms (first and second 79) extending from the base (41), each of the two extension arms (first and second 79) is provided with the supporting part (80, 81, 82), and the two supporting parts (80, 81, 82) are deformably disposed in the two elongated holes (60), respectively.
Regarding claim 16, Olesiewicz in view of Brusati and Keffeler teaches an electronic device, comprising (in Olesiewicz): the expansion assembly (electronic system 210) according to claim 1, wherein the first baffle (345A), the second baffle (345B), and the two side plates (310) define a card insertion area (device bay 330B); and an electronic component (Figure 4C, electronic modules 225), used to be accommodated in the card insertion area (330B; see Figures 3A-4C) and supported or clamped by the elastic members (40 in Brusati).
Regarding claim 18, Olesiewicz in view of Brusati and Keffeler teaches the electronic device according to claim 16, and further teaches (in Brusati) wherein the side plate (50, corresponding to 310 in Olesiewicz) comprises an elongated hole (cavities 60) and a fixing part (fasteners 66), and the elongated hole (60) is adjacent to the fixing part (66); and the elastic member (40) comprises a docking part (openings 46), the docking part (46) is disposed on the fixing part (66), and the supporting part (42) is deformably disposed in the elongated hole (60).
Claims 8, 10, 12, 15, and 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Olesiewicz (US Publication No. 2023/0116549) in view of Brusati (US Patent No. 5467254).
Regarding claim 8, Olesiewicz discloses an expansion assembly, comprising: a first baffle (channel 345A); a second baffle (channel 345B), opposite to the first baffle (345A); and a baffle assembly (see Figures 3A), comprising two side plates (divider walls 310) opposite to each other (see Figures 3A), wherein the two side plates (first and second 310) are connected to the first baffle (345A) and the second baffle (345B).
Olesiewicz does not disclose two elastic members opposite to each other, wherein each of the two elastic members comprises a docking plate, the docking plate is disposed on one side surface of one of the two side plates, each of the elastic members comprises a plurality of supporting parts, and one of the supporting parts projects from the docking plate towards the other one of the two side plates, wherein each of the two elastic members comprises a second slide rail, the second slide rail projects from the docking plate towards the other one of the two side plates, and the second slide rail is adjacent to the supporting parts, and wherein, for each of the two elastic members, the supporting parts are disposed on opposite sides of the second slide rail.
However, Brusati teaches two side plates (top and bottom plates of chassis 84) and two elastic members (comprised of coupling strip 40 and track 50) opposite to each other (see Figure 6), wherein each of the two elastic members (40, 50) comprises a docking plate (flat section 41), the docking plate (41) is disposed on one side surface of one of the two side plates (inner surface of first 84, corresponding to inner surface of 310 in Olesiewicz), each of the elastic members (40, 50) comprises a plurality of supporting parts (42), and one of the supporting part (42) projects from the docking plate (41) towards the other one of the two side plates (walls of 84), wherein each of the two elastic members (40, 50) comprises a second slide rail (50), the second slide rail (50) projects from the docking plate (41) towards the other one of the two side plates (walls of 84), and the second slide rail (50) is adjacent to the supporting parts (42), and wherein, for each of the two elastic members (40, 50), the supporting parts (42) are disposed on opposite sides of the second slide rail (50; see Figure 4-7, where first 42 is arranged on the front end of 50 and the second 42 is arranged on the rear end of 50).
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective file date of the claimed invention to have combined the plurality of elastic members of Brusati to the of sidewalls of Olesiewicz, such that a pair of elastic members were engaged with each of the electronic modules in Olesiewicz (see Figure 4 in Olesiewicz). Doing so would have provided a grounding function to the electronic assembly to provide a tolerance against static electricity and EMI and would have guided the electronic modules within each slot (see col. 2-3 in Brusati).
Regarding claim 10, Olesiewicz in view of Brusati teaches the expansion assembly according to claim 8, and further teaches (in Brusati) wherein one end of the supporting part (base portion 78 of 42) is connected to the docking plate (41), and the other end of the supporting part (tip 82 of 42) is a free end (see Figure 3), which forms a cantilever (see Figure 3).
Regarding claim 12, Olesiewicz in view of Brusati teaches the expansion assembly according to claim 8, and further teaches (in Brusati) wherein one of the supporting parts (first 42) projects from the docking plate (41) towards the other one of the two side plates (310 in Olesiewicz), and another supporting part (second 42) adjacent to the supporting part (first 42) projects from the docking plate (41) in a direction away from the other one of the two side plates (Figure 4 in Brusati, tip 82 of second 42 projecting opposite from 310 in Olesiewicz; Figure 6 in Brusati, second 42 also projecting backwards (to the right in Figures 4-5), which is “away” from opposite 310 in Olesiewicz).
Regarding claim 15, Olesiewicz in view of Brusati teaches the expansion assembly according to claim 12, and further teaches (in Brusati) wherein one end of the supporting part (base portion 78 of 42) is connected to the docking plate (41), and the other end of the supporting part (tip 82 of 42) is a free end, which forms a cantilever (see Figures 3-4).
Regarding claim 19, Olesiewicz in view of Brusati teaches an electronic device, comprising (in Olesiewicz): the expansion assembly (electronic system 210) according to claim 8, wherein the first baffle (345A), the second baffle (345B), and the two side plates (310) define a card insertion area (device bay 330B); and an electronic component (Figure 4C, electronic modules 225), used to be accommodated in the card insertion area (330B; see Figures 3A-4C) and supported or clamped by the elastic members (40, 50 in Brusati).
Regarding claim 20, Olesiewicz in view of Brusati teaches the electronic device according to claim 19, and further teaches (in Brusati) wherein one of the supporting parts (first 42) projects from the docking plate (41) towards the other one of the two side plates (310 in Olesiewicz), and another supporting part (second 42) adjacent to the supporting part (first 42) projects from the docking plate (41) in a direction away from the other one of the two side plates (Figure 4 in Brusati, tip 82 of second 42 projecting opposite from 310 in Olesiewicz; Figure 6 in Brusati, second 42 also projecting backwards (to the right in Figures 4-5), which is “away” from opposite 310 in Olesiewicz).
Claims 9 and 14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Olesiewicz (US Publication No. 2023/0116549), Brusati (US Publication No. 5467254), and in further view of Mann (US Patent No. 5523527).
Regarding claim 9, Olesiewicz in view of Brusati teaches the expansion assembly according to claim 8, but does not teach wherein two ends of the supporting part are connected to the docking plate to form an elastic arm.
However, Mann teaches an elastic member (EMI contact device 10) comprising a supporting part (members 16) and a docking plate (base member 12), wherein two ends of the supporting part (ends of 16) are connected to the docking plate (12) to form an elastic arm (see Figures 3-6).
Because Brusati and Mann both teach elastic arms for the purposes of grounding an electronic device, it would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective file date of the claimed invention to have substituted the support members in Brusati for the support members in Mann according to known methods to yield the predictable results of providing an elastic, grounding contact on a base plate to contact an electronic device upon installation (see Figure 3 in Brusati; see Figure 3 in Mann).
It would have also been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective file date of the claimed invention to have modified the shape of the support member in Brusati to have the shape of the support member in Mann, considering a change in shape has been held to be an obvious matter of design choice to a person of ordinary skill in the art, absent persuasive evidence that the particular configuration of the claimed feature is significant. See MPEP § 2144.04 and In re Dailey, 357 F.2d 669, 149 USPQ 47 (CCPA 1966) (The court held that the configuration of the claimed disposable plastic nursing container was a matter of choice which a person of ordinary skill in the art would have found obvious absent persuasive evidence that the particular configuration of the claimed container was significant.). Doing so would have also provided a more reliable support member that would not become damaged or deformed over time (see col. 1-2 in Mann).
Regarding claim 14, Olesiewicz in view of Brusati teaches the expansion assembly according to claim 12, but does not teach wherein two ends of the supporting part are connected to the docking plate to form an elastic arm.
However, Mann teaches an elastic member (EMI contact device 10) comprising a supporting part (members 16) and a docking plate (base member 12), wherein two ends of the supporting part (ends of 16) are connected to the docking plate (12) to form an elastic arm (see Figures 3-6).
Because Brusati and Mann both teach elastic arms for the purposes of grounding an electronic device, it would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective file date of the claimed invention to have substituted the support members in Brusati for the support members in Mann according to known methods to yield the predictable results of providing an elastic, grounding contact on a base plate to contact an electronic device upon installation (see Figure 3 in Brusati; see Figure 3 in Mann).
It would have also been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective file date of the claimed invention to have modified the shape of the support member in Brusati to have the shape of the support member in Mann, considering a change in shape has been held to be an obvious matter of design choice to a person of ordinary skill in the art, absent persuasive evidence that the particular configuration of the claimed feature is significant. See MPEP § 2144.04 and In re Dailey, 357 F.2d 669, 149 USPQ 47 (CCPA 1966) (The court held that the configuration of the claimed disposable plastic nursing container was a matter of choice which a person of ordinary skill in the art would have found obvious absent persuasive evidence that the particular configuration of the claimed container was significant.). Doing so would have also provided a more reliable support member that would not become damaged or deformed over time (see col. 1-2 in Mann).
Alternatively, claim 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Olesiewicz (US Publication No. 2023/0116549) in view of Cheng (US Publication No. 2016/0150668) and Keffeler (US Publication No. 2013/0176676).
Regarding claim 1, Olesiewicz discloses an expansion assembly, comprising: a first baffle (channel 345A); a second baffle (channel 345B), opposite to the first baffle (345A); and a baffle assembly (see Figures 3A), comprising two side plates (divider walls 310) opposite to each other (see Figures 3A), wherein the two side plates (first and second 310) are connected to the first baffle (345A) and the second baffle (345B).
Olesiewicz does not disclose a plurality of elastic members disposed on each of the two side plates respectively, each of the elastic member comprises a supporting part, and each of the supporting parts projects from one of the two side plates towards the other one of the two side plates.
However, Cheng teaches two side plates (side plates 120) and a plurality of elastic members (buffering components 400) disposed on each of the two side plates (120; see Paragraph [0018]) respectively, each of the elastic member (400) comprises a supporting part (protrusion parts 422), and each of the supporting parts (422) projects from one of the two side plates (first 120) towards the other one of the two side plates (second 120).
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective file date of the claimed invention to have combined the elastic member in Cheng to the sidewalls in Olesiewicz, such that a pair of elastic members were engaged with each of the electronic modules in Olesiewicz (see Figure 4 in Olesiewicz; see Figures 1-2 in Cheng). Doing so would have provided the electronic assembly with cushioning members that would prevent the electronic modules from vibrating or becoming damaged from shock (see Paragraphs [0006] and [0021]-[0023] in Cheng).
While Olesiewicz suggests wherein each of the two side plates (310) comprises a first slide rail (rails defining openings 325), the first slide rail (rails defining 325) projects from one side surface of one of the two side plates (outer side of first 310) towards the other one of the two side plates (second 310; see annotated Figure 3A above), Olesiewicz in view of Cheng does not explicitly teach wherein each of the two side plates comprises a first slide rail, and the first slide rail projects from one side surface of one of the two side plates towards that other one of the two side plates, and wherein for each of the two side plates, the elastic members are disposed on opposite sides of the first slide rail.
However, Keffeler teaches two side plates (Figures 3-5, chassis support members 304, comprised of support members 404, 504) and elastic members (springs 404), wherein each of the two side plates (404, 504) comprises a first slide rail (rail surfaces 314; Paragraph [0052], “Rail surfaces 312 are provided on both the first chassis support member 408 and the second chassis support member 504 to support storage device modules 208 on each side of a chassis support member 304”), and the first slide rail (312) projects from one side surface of one of the two side plates (inner surface of first 304 defining storage bay) towards that other one of the two side plates (inner surface of opposite 304 defining storage bay), and wherein for each of the two side plates (members 304 defining storage bay), the elastic members (404) are disposed on opposite sides of the first slide rail (314; see Figures 3-5).
It would have been prima facie obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective file date of the claimed invention to have combined the slide rails of Keffeler to the side plates between the elastic members of Olesiewicz as modified by Cheng, as taught in Keffeler. Doing so would have provided/guided the storage modules within the storage bays during the installation process (see Paragraphs [0044], [0052]-[0053] in Keffeler).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 13 is objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Claim 13 claims the expansion assembly according to claim 12, wherein each of the two side plates comprises an elongated hole, and the supporting part of the elastic member is deformably disposed in the elongated hole.
The amendments to claim 8, upon which claims 12 and 13 are dependent, require that track 50 and coupling strip 40 in Brusati to be interpreted as the elastic members that are combined to side plates 310 in Olesiewicz. However, if sidewalls 84 in Brusati correspond to side plates 310 in Olesiewicz, then there is no elongate hole through which the elastic members extend (see Figures 5-7 in Brusati). Instead, as taught in Brusati, the elastic members are simply connected to the inner surfaces of the side plates. While sidewalls 310 in Olesiewicz appear to include elongate holes (see openings 325 in Figure 3A), it is unclear how or why a PHOSITA would modify side plates 310 or its openings 325 to accommodate the supporting part of the elastic members from Brusati.
While Liu (US Patent No. 6304457) teaches two side plates (Figures 4-5, board bodies 112, corresponding to 310 in Olesiewicz) and a plurality of elastic members (grounding clips 114) comprising a supporting part (first section 120 of 114), wherein each of the two side plates (112) comprises an elongated hole (elongate slot 116), and the supporting part (120) of one of the plurality of elastic members (114) is deformably disposed in the elongated hole (116) of one of the two side plates (112), the elastic members of Liu do not meet the limitations set forth in claim 8 (considering grounding clips 114 do not include a slide rail), and it is unclear how or why a PHOSITA would modify the mounting configuration taught in Brusati for the mounting configuration taught in Liu.
Chen (US Publication No. 2004/0125555) also teaches sidewalls (22) with elongate openings (24), where support parts (42) of an elastic member (40) extend through the elongate openings. However, because claim 13 is dependent on claim 12, Chen does not teach wherein one of the supporting parts of the elastic member extend towards the other one of the two side plates and another supporting part adjacent to the supporting part projects from the docking plate in a direction away from the other one of the two side plates.
For these reasons, claim 13 would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Lin (US Publication No. 2024/0237259) also teach slide rails similar to the claimed device.
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.
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/ALLEN L PARKER/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2841
/G.C./Examiner, Art Unit 2841