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 .
Drawings
The objections to the Drawings are withdrawn in view of the amendments to
the Figure 2.
The Drawings filed on 05/13/2026 are not acceptable. The amended Figure 2 appears to introduce new matter not supported by the original disclosure, such as, an assembly (200) or an assembly (200) of a graphics card (205) and a PCIe add-in card (210) or an information handling system (204) has a chassis enclosure (202) that includes an assembly (200).
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the claimed subject matter in the limitations of Claims 1 must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s).
Claim 11 recites “the fan duct that is configured to block the airflow from re-circulating in the information handling system”, no Figures or Drawings depict how the “fan duct” is “configured to block the airflow from re-circulating in the information handling system” as the Figures and Drawings depict an opening at the distal end of the graphics card wherein the add-in card does not cover to prevent/block airflow from re-circulating in the information handling system.
Claim 16 recites “a fan duct that is configured to block the airflow from re-circulating in the information handling system”, no Figures or Drawings depict how the “fan duct” is “configured to block the airflow from re-circulating in the information handling system” as the Figures and Drawings depict an opening at the distal end of the graphics card wherein the add-in card does not cover to prevent/block airflow from re-circulating in the information handling system.
No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Specification
The objections to the Specification are withdrawn in view of the amendments to
the Title.
The amendment filed 05/26/2026 is objected to under 35 U.S.C. 132(a) because it introduces new matter into the disclosure. 35 U.S.C. 132(a) states that no amendment shall introduce new matter into the disclosure of the invention. The added material which is not supported by the original disclosure is as follows: amended, there is no support in the specification that the graphics card 205 and the PCIe add-in card 210 are an assembly or parts of an assembly and also an assembly of a graphics card and a PCIe add-in card is not supported by the original disclosure.
Applicant is required to cancel the new matter in the reply to this Office Action.
Claim Objections
The objections to the Claims 5, 10-20 are withdrawn in view of the amendments to the Claims 5, 10, 15.
Claims 1-9 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 1 recites “a fan duct that is affixed to the bracket with the vent holes”, to avoid antecedent issue and for clarity & consistency, the claim limitation should be changed to read “a fan duct that is affixed to the bracket with the plurality of vent holes”.
Claim 2-9 are also objected to since they depend on Claim 1 and inherit the
deficiency therein.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claim 20 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 20 recites “wherein the is a single-wide card”, amended Claim 20 is rendered indefinite as it is unclear what the amended claim limitations are trying to claim.
The Examiner will review Claim 20 limitations to be read as “wherein the PCIe add-in card is a single-wide card” for examination.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(d):
(d) REFERENCE IN DEPENDENT FORMS.—Subject to subsection (e), a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, fourth paragraph:
Subject to the following paragraph [i.e., the fifth paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112], a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
Claims 3-4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(d) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 4th paragraph, as being of improper dependent form for failing to further limit the subject matter of the claim upon which it depends, or for failing to include all the limitations of the claim upon which it depends.
Claim 3 recites “wherein the bracket includes vent holes”, Claim 3 does not appear to be further limiting as Claim 1 recites “wherein the bracket includes a plurality of vent holes;… a fan duct that is affixed to the bracket with the plurality of vent holes,…”, thus Claim 3 is not further limiting than the claim limitations of Claim 1.
Claim 4 recites “wherein the add-in card is disposed adjacent to the graphic card”, Claim 4 does not appear to be further limiting as Claim 1 recites “a graphics card that is plugged into a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) slot disposed adjacent to another PCIe slot that the add-in card is plugged into”, thus Claim 4 is not further limiting than the claim limitations of Claim 1.
Applicant may cancel the claim(s), amend the claim(s) to place the claim(s) in proper dependent form, rewrite the claim(s) in independent form, or present a sufficient showing that the dependent claim(s) complies with the statutory requirements.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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 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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. (US 6.772.246 - hereinafter, "Kim") in view of Memon (US 8,159,819 - hereinafter, "Memon").
With respect to Claim 1 , Kim teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
An add-in card (30) comprising:
a bracket (38) configured to mount the add-in card (30) to a chassis enclosure (12), wherein the bracket (38) includes a plurality of vent holes (see Figure 4-5, vent holes on bracket (38)); and
a fan duct (40+70) that is affixed to the bracket (38) with the plurality of vent holes (see Figure 4-5, vent holes on bracket (38)),
wherein the fan duct (40+70) is configured to create a partition (see Figure 2, 4-5) between an exhaust (see Figure 4-5, vent holes) and an intake fan (34), a graphics card (36) that is plugged into a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) slot (see Figure 3-5, graphics card (36) is plugged into a PCIe slot of the PCIe add-in card (30)) disposed adjacent (next to, see Figure 2-5, PCIe add-in card (30) is plugged into a PCIe slot of the information handling system (10) and the graphics card (36) is adjacent or next to the PCIe slot of the information handling system (10) where the PCIe add-in card (30) is slotted) to another PCIe slot (see Figure 2, PCIe add-in card (30) is plugged into a PCIe slot of the information handling system (10)) that the add-in card (30) is plugged into.
Kim fails to specifically teach or suggest an exhaust fin and an intake fan of a graphics card.
Memon, however, teaches (in Figure 1 and in column 7, lines 17-22)
an exhaust fin (slats, in column 7, lines 20-22, “Additional vents, such as slats, may be provided on the end 164 or other parts of the cover 158 to enhance air flow across the thermal management system 100”) and an intake fan (122) of a graphics card (102).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time before effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine the teachings of Memon with Kim, such that an exhaust fin and an intake fan of a graphics card as taught by Memon since doing so would enhance air flow of Kim’s graphics card (in column 7, lines 17-22)
With respect to Claim 2, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 1 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
wherein the add-in card (30) is a single-wide PCIe add-in card (see Figure 2, 4-5, the add-in card (30) is inserted into a single PCIe slot (28), in column 4, lines 17-22, “FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of the PCI riser assembly 30 and shows a PCI riser connector 70. The PCI riser connector 70 is inserted into the conventional PCI-type edge connector 28 located on the motherboard 20 when the PCI riser assembly 30 is installed in the computer assembly 10”, thus is a single-wide PCIe add-in card).
With respect to Claim 3, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 1 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
wherein the bracket (38) includes vent holes (see Figure 4-5, vent holes on bracket (38)).
With respect to Claim 4, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 1 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
wherein the add-in card (30) is disposed adjacent to the graphics card (36, see Figure 2, 4-5, in column 1, lines 16-23, “The motherboard typically includes a number of connectors or slots in which special purpose printed circuit boards, often referred to as peripheral component interface (PCI) bus cards or "cards", may be inserted. These special purpose cards may be used to add to or enhance the functionality of the computer system. For example, a conventional computer system may have its graphics capability enhanced by the addition of a graphics card” and in column 3, lines 20-23, “Two printed circuit boards, such as conventional PCI cards 36 are shown disposed within and attached to the PCI riser assembly 30”)
With respect to Claim 5, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 1 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
wherein the fan duct (40+70) is configured to direct an airflow to vent holes (see Figure 4-5, vent holes on bracket (38)) of the bracket (38).
With respect to Claim 6, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 1 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
wherein the fan duct (40+70) includes a sloped side (see Figure 4-5, near the bracket (38), the fan duct (40+70), a portion of (70) includes a sloped side leading to bracket (38))
With respect to Claim 7, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 1 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
wherein the fan duct (40+70) includes a notch (small indentations or protrusions on (70), see Figure 4-5, in column 4, lines 17-22, “FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of the PCI riser assembly 30 and shows a PCI riser connector 70. The PCI riser connector 70 is inserted into the conventional PCI-type edge connector 28 located on the motherboard 20 when the PCI riser assembly 30 is installed in the computer assembly 10”) that is configured to mate with a PCIe socket (28).
With respect to Claim 8, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 1 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
wherein the add-in card (30) is a PCIe add-in card (see Figure 2, in column 3, lines 31-39, “FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the computer assembly 10 that shows a conventional PCI-type edge connector 50 that is part of the PCI riser assembly 30. The PCI card 36 is positioned parallel to the motherboard 20, and a conventional connector 52 on the PCI card 36 is inserted into the PCI-type edge connector 50. The PCI riser assembly 30 provides electrical connections between the PCI card 36 and the motherboard 20 through the PCI-type edge connectors 50, 28”).
With respect to Claim 9, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 1 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
wherein the add-in card (30) is a peripheral component interconnect add-in card (see Figure 2, in column 3, lines 31-39, “FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the computer assembly 10 that shows a conventional PCI-type edge connector 50 that is part of the PCI riser assembly 30. The PCI card 36 is positioned parallel to the motherboard 20, and a conventional connector 52 on the PCI card 36 is inserted into the PCI-type edge connector 50. The PCI riser assembly 30 provides electrical connections between the PCI card 36 and the motherboard 20 through the PCI-type edge connectors 50, 28”).
With respect to Claim 10 , Kim teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
An information handling system (10), comprising:
a graphics card (36), wherein the graphics card (36) is plugged into a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) slot (see Figure 3-5, graphics card (36) is plugged into a PCIe slot of the PCIe add-in card (30)); and
a PCIe add-in card (30) that is plugged into a PCIe slot (see Figure 2, PCIe add-in card (30) is plugged into a PCIe slot of the information handling system (10)) disposed adjacent (next to, see Figure 2-5, PCIe add-in card (30) is plugged into a PCIe slot of the information handling system (10) and the graphics card (36) is adjacent or next to the PCIe slot of the information handling system (10) where the PCIe add-in card (30) is slotted) to the graphics card (36) and configured to direct an airflow from an intake fan (34) through vent holes (see Figure 4-5, vent holes of bracket (38)) of the PCIe add-in card (30),
wherein the PCIe add-in card (30) includes a bracket (38) configured to mount the PCIe add-in card (30, see Figure 2 and 4-5) to a chassis enclosure (12) of the information handling system (10),
wherein the bracket (38) includes the vent holes (see Figure 4-5, vent holes on bracket (38)),
wherein the PCIe add-in card (30) includes a fan duct (40+70) that is affixed to the bracket (38, see Figure 2 and 4-5), and
wherein the fan duct (40+70) is configured to create a partition (see Figure 2, 4-5) between the vent holes (see Figure 4-5, vent holes of bracket (38)) and the intake fan (34).
Kim fails to specifically teach or suggest a graphics card that includes an exhaust fin and an intake fan and configured to direct an airflow from the exhaust fin through vent holes of the PCIe add-in card, and wherein the fan duct is configured to create a partition between the exhaust fin and the intake fan of the graphics card.
Memon, however, teaches (in Figure 1 and in column 7, lines 17-22)
a graphics card (102) that includes an exhaust fin (slats, in column 7, lines 20-22, “Additional vents, such as slats, may be provided on the end 164 or other parts of the cover 158 to enhance air flow across the thermal management system 100”) and an intake fan (122) and wherein a fan duct (158) is configured to create a partition (see Figure 1) between the exhaust fin (slats) and the intake fan (122) of the graphics card (102).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time before effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine the teachings of Memon with Kim, such that a graphics card that includes an exhaust fin and an intake fan and wherein a fan duct is configured to create a partition between the exhaust fin and the intake fan of the graphics card as taught by Memon since doing so would enhance air flow of Kim’s graphics card (in column 7, lines 17-22)
With respect to the limitation requiring configured to direct an airflow from the exhaust fin through vent holes of the PCIe add-in card
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time before effective filing date of the claimed invention, with the combined the teachings of Memon with Kim, that Kim’s intake fan (34) would draw in air into a space created by Kim’s PCIe add-in card (30), wherein Memon’s graphics card (102) reside and Memon’s graphics card (102) would intake the air provided by Kim’s intake fan (34) through Memon’s graphics card’s opening (160) and graphics card’s fan (122, in column 7, lines 17-22, “In an alternative embodiment, the fan 122 pulls cool air through the vent 160 and pushes the air across the fins 132 of the heat sink 120 and out an end 164 of the cover 158. Additional vents, such as slats, may be provided on the end 164 or other parts of the cover 158 to enhance air flow across the thermal management system 100”) and the air would exit from Memon’s graphics card (102) through Memon’s graphics card’s exhaust fins (slats) and return to the space and the air would proceed to exit through the vent holes (see Figure 4-5, vent holes of bracket (38)) of Kim’s bracket (38, see Figure 4-5) of Kim’s PCIe add-in card (30), thus configured to direct an airflow from the exhaust fin through vent holes of the PCIe add-in card as taught by Kim as modified by Memon since doing so would enhance air flow of Kim’s graphics card (Memon’s column 7, lines 17-22).
With respect to Claim 11, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 10 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
wherein the fan duct (40+70) is configured to block the airflow from re-circulating (see Figure 2, 4-5) in the information handling system (10).
With respect to Claim 12, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 11 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
wherein the fan duct (40+70) includes a sloped side (see Figure 4-5, near the bracket (38), the fan duct (40+70), a portion of (70) includes a sloped side leading to bracket (38)).
With respect to Claim 13, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 11 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
wherein the fan duct (40+70) includes a notch (small indentations or protrusions on (70), see Figure 4-5, in column 4, lines 17-22, “FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of the PCI riser assembly 30 and shows a PCI riser connector 70. The PCI riser connector 70 is inserted into the conventional PCI-type edge connector 28 located on the motherboard 20 when the PCI riser assembly 30 is installed in the computer assembly 10”) that is configured to mate with a PCIe socket (28).
With respect to Claim 14, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 11 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
wherein the fan duct (40+70, in column 3, line 24-27, “A riser card stiffener 40 provides support for the PCI riser assembly 30. The riser card stiffener 40 comprises an adjusting slot 42 and an adjustable slide assembly 44” and in column 3, line 50-52, “The adjustable slide assembly 44 comprises a thumbscrew 56, a washer 58, a tab 60 extending from the fan housing 32, and a nut 62”) includes a support structure (60) and a standoff nut (62).
With respect to Claim 15 , Kim teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
A chassis enclosure (12) comprising:
an information handling system (10) that includes:
a graphics card (36), wherein the graphics card (36) is plugged into a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) slot (see Figure 3-5, graphics card (36) is plugged into a PCIe slot of the PCIe add-in card (30)); and
a PCIe add-in card (30) that is plugged into a PCIe slot (see Figure 2, PCIe add-in card (30) is plugged into a PCIe slot of the information handling system (10)) disposed adjacent (next to, see Figure 2-5, PCIe add-in card (30) is plugged into a PCIe slot of the information handling system (10) and the graphics card (36) is adjacent or next to the PCIe slot of the information handling system (10) where the PCIe add-in card (30) is slotted) to the graphics card (36) and configured to direct an airflow from an intake fan (34) through vent holes (see Figure 4-5, vent holes on bracket (38)) of the PCIe add-in card (30),
wherein the PCIe add-in card (30) includes a bracket (38) configured to mount the PCIe add-in card (30) to the chassis enclosure (12) of the information handling system (10),
wherein the bracket (38) includes the vent holes (see Figure 4-5, vent holes of bracket (38)),
wherein the PCIe add-in card (30) includes a fan duct (40+70) that is affixed to the bracket (38), and
wherein the fan duct (40+70) is configured to create a partition (see Figure 2, 4-5) between vent holes (see Figure 4-5, vent holes of bracket (38)) and the intake fan (34).
Kim fails to specifically teach or suggest a graphics card that includes an exhaust fin and an intake fan and configured to direct an airflow from the exhaust fin through vent holes of the PCIe add-in card and the fan duct is configured to create a partition between the exhaust fin and the intake fan of the graphics card.
Memon, however, teaches (in Figure 1 and in column 7, lines 17-22)
a graphics card (102) that includes an exhaust fin (slats, in column 7, lines 20-22, “Additional vents, such as slats, may be provided on the end 164 or other parts of the cover 158 to enhance air flow across the thermal management system 100”) and an intake fan (122) and a fan duct (158) is configured to create a partition (see Figure 1) between the exhaust fin (slats) and the intake fan (122) of the graphics card (102).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time before effective filing date of the claimed invention, to combine the teachings of Memon with Kim, such that a graphics card that includes an exhaust fin and an intake fan and a fan duct is configured to create a partition between the exhaust fin and the intake fan of the graphics card as taught by Memon since doing so would enhance air flow of Kim’s graphics card (in column 7, lines 17-22)
With respect to the limitation requiring configured to direct an airflow from the exhaust fin through vent holes of the PCIe add-in card
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time before effective filing date of the claimed invention, with the combined the teachings of Memon with Kim, that Kim’s intake fan (34) would draw in air into a space created by Kim’s PCIe add-in card (30), wherein Memon’s graphics card (102) reside and Memon’s graphics card (102) would intake the air provided by Kim’s intake fan (34) through Memon’s graphics card’s opening (160) and graphics card’s fan (122, in column 7, lines 17-22, “In an alternative embodiment, the fan 122 pulls cool air through the vent 160 and pushes the air across the fins 132 of the heat sink 120 and out an end 164 of the cover 158. Additional vents, such as slats, may be provided on the end 164 or other parts of the cover 158 to enhance air flow across the thermal management system 100”) and the air would exit from Memon’s graphics card (102) through Memon’s graphics card’s exhaust fins (slats) and return to the space and the air would proceed to exit through the vent holes (see Figure 4-5, vent holes of bracket (38)) of Kim’s bracket (38, see Figure 4-5) of Kim’s PCIe add-in card (30), thus configured to direct an airflow from the exhaust fin through vent holes of the PCIe add-in card as taught by Kim as modified by Memon since doing so would enhance air flow of Kim’s graphics card (Memon’s column 7, lines 17-22) .
With respect to Claim 16, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 15 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
wherein the fan duct (40+70) that is configured to block the airflow from re-circulating (see Figure 2, 4-5) in the information handling system (10).
With respect to Claim 17, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 16 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
herein the fan duct (40+70) includes a sloped side (see Figure 4-5, near the bracket (38), the fan duct (40+70), a portion of (70) includes a sloped side leading to bracket (38)).
With respect to Claim 18, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 16 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
wherein the fan duct (40+70) includes a notch (small indentations or protrusions on (70), see Figure 4-5, in column 4, lines 17-22, “FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of the PCI riser assembly 30 and shows a PCI riser connector 70. The PCI riser connector 70 is inserted into the conventional PCI-type edge connector 28 located on the motherboard 20 when the PCI riser assembly 30 is installed in the computer assembly 10”) that is configured to mate with a PCIe socket (28).
With respect to Claim 19, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 15 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
wherein the PCIe add-in card (30, see Figure 2, in column 3, lines 31-39, “FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the computer assembly 10 that shows a conventional PCI-type edge connector 50 that is part of the PCI riser assembly 30. The PCI card 36 is positioned parallel to the motherboard 20, and a conventional connector 52 on the PCI card 36 is inserted into the PCI-type edge connector 50. The PCI riser assembly 30 provides electrical connections between the PCI card 36 and the motherboard 20 through the PCI-type edge connectors 50, 28”) is a single-wide PCIe add-in card (see Figure 2, 4-5, the add-in card (30) is inserted into a single PCIe slot (28), in column 4, lines 17-22, “FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of the PCI riser assembly 30 and shows a PCI riser connector 70. The PCI riser connector 70 is inserted into the conventional PCI-type edge connector 28 located on the motherboard 20 when the PCI riser assembly 30 is installed in the computer assembly 10”, thus is a single-wide PCIe add-in card).
With respect to Claim 20, Kim as modified by Memon teaches the limitations of Claim 15 as per above, and Kim further teaches (in Figure 2, 4-5)
wherein the PCIe add-in card (30) is a single-wide card (see Figure 2, 4-5, the PCIe add-in card (30) is inserted into a single PCIe slot (28), in column 4, lines 17-22, “FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view of the PCI riser assembly 30 and shows a PCI riser connector 70. The PCI riser connector 70 is inserted into the conventional PCI-type edge connector 28 located on the motherboard 20 when the PCI riser assembly 30 is installed in the computer assembly 10”, thus is a single-wide card).
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 05/26/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
With respect to Applicant’s remarks to independent Claim 1, 10 and 15, Examiner notes that Applicant’s arguments are directed to the claims as amended, and the rejection has been modified to meet the limitations of the amended claims (See rejection above).
Conclusion
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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Steven Ngo whose telephone number is (571)272-4295. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 7:30AM - 4:00PM EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jayprakash Gandhi can be reached at (571) 272-3740. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/S.N./Examiner , Art Unit 2841
/Jayprakash N Gandhi/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2841
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