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
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) 1-4, 14 and 15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Zheng (CN’364).
The Zheng reference discloses a vehicle front structure comprising a pair of front side members 3, first and second transverse members (see elements 12 and 13 in Figure 11) and a plurality of modules (see at least motor 70 made up of a plurality of modules), as claimed.
In regard to claims 2 and 3, see Figure 11.
In regard to claim 4, see longitudinal members 11 in Figure 4.
In regard to claims 14 and 15, members 11 in Figure 4 defines a subframe, as claimed.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
The Hara reference pertains to another vehicle front structure with associated side and transverse members with similarity to that of Applicant’s.
The Stainer et al. reference pertains to another vehicle front structure with associated side and transverse members with similarity to that of Applicant’s.
Claims 5-13 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.
Claims 16-19 are allowed.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: none of the prior art of record, where the applied Zheng reference is the closest prior art device, alone or in combination, teach Applicant’s invention of a vehicle front structure at least inclusive of details regarding a longitudinal member with associated upper and lower extension portions and a middle transverse member, as claimed. To modify the closest prior art device to have such limitations would involve teachings gleaned only from the instant application for patent.
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/STEVEN O DOUGLAS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3612
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