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 Objections
Claims 9, 16, 18 and 20 are objected to because of the following informalities:
In claim 9, line 1, “first connection” should read –first connection feature--.
In claim 16, line 1, “one or more releasable fasteners resilient” should read –one or more releasable fasteners comprise resilient--.
In claim 18, line 1, “of first connection” should read –of the first connection--.
In claim 20, line 4, “the second connection feature” should read –a second connection feature--.
Appropriate correction is required.
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) 1-3, 7-15, 17-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Fannon (US 20050067539).
Regarding claim 1, Fannon teaches an actuation system for coupling with a latch, the system comprising: a housing (60) having a receptacle, the housing containing an actuator arm (62) moveable within an interior of the housing, the actuator arm having a first connection feature (64); a cover plate (30) for installing in the receptacle, the cover plate for aligning (figs. 5-7) the first connection feature with a second connection feature (56); a cable apparatus (22) mounted on the cover plate, the cable apparatus having the second connection feature such that the second connection feature is suitable for engagement with the first connection feature (fig. 6); wherein insertion of the cover plate in the receptacle causes an operative coupling of the cable apparatus with the actuator arm by aligning and mating the first connection feature with the second connection feature (figs. 5-7).
Regarding claim 2, Fannon teaches the system of claim 1, wherein the cover plate visually obscures the mating of the first connection feature with the second connection feature during the insertion of the cover plate in the receptacle (para. 0034).
Regarding claim 3, Fannon teaches the system of claim 1, wherein the cable apparatus (22) has one end of a cable connected to the second connection feature and another end of the cable connected to the latch (20).
Regarding claim 7, Fannon teaches the system of claim 1 further comprising the first connection feature having a tapered wall (cylindrical edges of 64 into the aperture are rounded to mate with the bottom end of 56) for facilitating the alignment of the connection features and their mating.
Regarding claim 8, Fannon teaches the system of claim 1 further comprising the second connection feature having a tapered wall (56 has tapered bottom edges visible in figure 5) for facilitating the alignment of the connection features and their mating.
Regarding claim 9, Fannon teaches the system of claim 1 further comprising the first connection is a ring with a corresponding hole (64) and the second connection feature is a pin (56).
Regarding claim 10, Fannon teaches the system of claim 1 further comprising a holder (44, 46) for mounting the second connection feature to an underside of the cover plate.
Regarding claim 11, Fannon teaches the system of claim 10 further comprising a slot (46) in the holder, such that the slot facilitates lateral movement of the second connection feature with respect to an insertion direction of the cover plate when coming into engagement with the receptacle (para. 0025).
Regarding claim 12, Fannon teaches the system of claim 3, wherein an insertion direction (arrow shown in figure 5) of the cover plate into the receptacle is provided as transverse to an axis of the cable of the cable apparatus (arrow is transverse to cable 22).
Regarding claim 13, Fannon teaches the system of claim 12 further comprising a holder (44, 46) for mounting the second connection feature to an underside of the cover plate.
Regarding claim 14, Fannon teaches the system of claim 13 further comprising a slot (46) in the holder, such that the slot facilitates lateral movement of the second connection feature with respect to an insertion direction of the cover plate when coming into engagement with the receptacle (para. 0025).
Regarding claim 15, Fannon teaches the system of claim 1 further comprising one or more releasable fasteners (slot 34 fastens 30 to 60) positioned on at least one of the cover plate and the housing.
Regarding claim 17, Fannon teaches the system of claim 1 further comprising at least one of a respective shape and a respective size between the first connection feature and the second connection feature provides for a suitable key and lock configuration for said engagement (figures 5-7).
Regarding claim 18, Fannon teaches the system of claim 17, wherein the mating surface of first connection feature is of a selected shape compatible with a corresponding shape of the mating surface of the second connection feature (figs. 5-7).
Regarding claim 19, Fannon teaches the system of claim 17, wherein the mating surface of first connection feature is of a selected size compatible with a corresponding size of the mating surface of the second connection feature (figs. 5-7).
Regarding claim 20, Fannon teaches an actuation system for coupling with a latch, the system comprising: a housing (60) supporting an actuator arm (62) moveable relative the housing, the actuator arm having a first connection feature (64) having a first dimension (diameter of aperture 64); a cable apparatus (22) having a second connection feature (56) having a second dimension (diameter of pin 56); wherein the first connection feature and the second connection feature are engageable with one another when the first dimension and the second dimension correspond (figs. 5-7) and wherein the first connection feature and the second connection feature are not engageable with one another when the first dimension and the second dimension do not correspond (if the dimensions did not correspond then 56 would not reliably mate with 62).
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.
Claim 6 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Fannon (US 20050067539) in view of Cumbo (US 20220341223 A1).
Regarding claim 6, Fannon teaches the system of claim 1 however does not explicitly teach further comprising the first connection is a pin and the second connection feature is a ring with a corresponding hole.
Fannon does teach wherein the first connection feature is a ring with a corresponding hole (64) and the second connection feature is a pin (56).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to reverse the parts of Fannon to include the first connection feature as a pin and the second connection feature as a ring with a hole. A simple reversal of parts is considered obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art and therefore does not provide patentable significance. Reversing the parts of Koestler does not affect the function of the door lock and therefore Fannon’s invention is fully capable of functioning with the reversed arrangement. This ruling was upheld in case law supporting the reversal of parts [In re Gazda, 219 F.2d 449, 104 USPQ 400 (CCPA 1955)].
Claim(s) 4-5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Fannon (US 20050067539) in view of Cumbo (US 20220341223 A1).
Regarding claim 4, Fannon teaches the system of claim 1, wherein the first connection feature is positioned on the actuator arm (handle pawl), such that the actuator is located remote to the latch.
Cumbo teaches a similar vehicle latch release system utilizing a motorized actuator (102) located remote to the latch.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to combine the teachings of Fannon with those of Cumbo in order to utilize an electric motor to actuate the latch instead of a manual handle. Utilizing an electric motor allows for an automated function which can be actuated remotely if desired rather than having to manually actuate a handle. All the claimed elements were known in the prior art and one skilled in the art could have combined the elements as claimed by known methods with no change in their respective functions, and the combination yielded nothing more than predictable results to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Regarding claim 5, Fannon in view of Cumbo teach the system of claim 4, wherein the actuator is mounted adjacent the housing (please note the actuator is provided in the same location as the manual actuator of Fannon visible in figure 1 which is adjacent the housing).
Claim 16 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Fannon (US 20050067539) in view of Woo (US 20190345744 A1).
Regarding claim 16, Fannon teaches the system of claim 15 however does not explicitly teach wherein the one or more releasable fasteners comprise resilient tabs for coupling with corresponding slots.
Woo teaches a similar system utilizing a resilient tab (62) and corresponding slot (64) as a releasable fastener.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to combine the teachings of Fannon with those of Cumbo in order to utilize a resilient tab and slot to fasten the cover plate to the housing. Utilizing resilient tabs and slots are a reliable and simple method to couple two components and the usage of such is well known in the art. All the claimed elements were known in the prior art and one skilled in the art could have combined the elements as claimed by known methods with no change in their respective functions, and the combination yielded nothing more than predictable results to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JAMES EDWARD IGNACZEWSKI whose telephone number is (571)272-2732. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8-5 EST.
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, Kristina Fulton can be reached at (571)272-7376. 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.
/J.E.I./Examiner, Art Unit 3675 /KRISTINA R FULTON/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3675