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 Interpretation
The claims are generally narrative and indefinite, failing to conform with current U.S. practice. They appear to be a literal translation into English from a foreign document and are replete with grammatical and idiomatic errors. This inadequate translation gives rise to an unreasonable amount of issues under $112, as discussed below. While Examiner has made an attempt to evaluate the claimed subject matter in view of the prior art, it should be understood that an omission of a rejection based on prior art does not constitute an indication of allowable subject matter. Furthermore, it should also be understood that any rejection provided which is based on prior art is also based on Examiner's best understanding of the claimed subject matter in view of the §112 rejections detailed below. Applicant should carefully review the entirety of the disclosure as filed to verify that the disclosure clearly and
adequately supports any amendments provided in response to this Office Action.
Claim Objections
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 1 lines 27, and 31 recites: “the depth of mating” should be --the preset depth of mating--
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 1 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 1 lines 12, 16, and 20 recited: “the connector width direction”. It is ambiguous that Applicant just simply recited “the connector width direction” but which connector is Applicant trying to claim here, is this the electrical connector or the plug connector or the socket connector. Since, there are more than one connector in the electrical connector that Applicant has introduced. Further, clarification is required.
Claims 1 and 2 recited: “socket connectors; plug connectors”. It is ambiguous that which of “socket connectors; plug connectors” are being referenced as Applicant has recited only one “socket connector; plug connector” according to the drawings; or is there more than one “socket connector; plug connector” in claim 1. And then in line 25 Applicant recited “the plug connector and the socket connector”. Further, clarification is required.
Claim 2 is also rejected due to dependency.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the mounting face of a circuit board" in line 1. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the mounting face of another circuit board" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the terminal array direction" in line 5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the direction of mating direction" in line 5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the maximum cross-sectional area" in line 15. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
(Note: There are many errors that Applicant is reminded to revise in the claim set accordingly with the drawings and the Specification to prevent antecedent basis and unclear limitations).
Prior Art
Due to the pervasive nature of the issues under §112 precluding a reasonable understanding of what Applicant is attempting to claim, Examiner cannot provide an analysis of the claimed subject matter in view of the prior art at this time. This is not an indication of subject matter, but instead and indication that the claims are so deficient under §112 that the scope of the claims cannot be ascertained at this time. For purposes of compact prosecution, Examiner has conducted a search based on instant FIGS 1, 3A, 3B, 6A, and 6B, in view of the confusing and indefinite language of the claims.
As best understood by Examiner, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0171862
("Chen") is noteworthy with respect to the claims. As may be seen from FIG 1 of Chen, an electrical connector is provided with a socket connector. The socket connector includes a plurality of terminals having contact surfaces (i.e., "faces") that face a direction which is perpendicular to both an insertion direction and a direction along which the terminals are disposed. As seen by FIG 1, the socket housing includes a receiving space, and the receiving space in open, at least partially, on a side opposite the socket terminals. As seen by FIG 7A, there is a mating pluggable connector. While not shown, it would be understood that the mating connector has a plurality of plug terminals that are disposed such that, when mated, the plug terminals come into contact with the socket terminals. Thus, Chen appears to be of
patentable significance to the claims as filed, as best understood by Examiner.
As best understood by Examiner, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0171862 ("Scherer") is also relevant, particularly FIG 3. The top portion of the figure may be reasonably interpreted as a pluggable connector, with the lower portion being a socket connector. Both connectors have terminals, as shown and implied. The socket terminals inherently have a lateral surface ("face") that faces
into a connector width direction (along the longer horizontal axis of the connectors) that is perpendicular to both a direction along which the terminals are disposed (e.g., left to right) and the mating direction (up and down). The socket housing has end portions (in the vicinity of 268) configured to guide the plug terminal into the receiving space. As shown, the socket connector is open at two ends; at least one of these ends is opposite to the terminals. Thus, Scherer also appears to be of patentable significance to the claims as filed, as best understood by Examiner.
While further references are cited, they will not be further discussed at this time. The
claimed subject matter will be reevaluated in view of the prior art upon receipt of amendments
or arguments that overcome the plethora of issues discussed above
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to THANG H NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)270-0288. The examiner can normally be reached 8:30am-6:30pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Abdullah Riyami can be reached at 571-270-3119. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/T.H.N/Examiner, Art Unit 2831 /ABDULLAH A RIYAMI/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2831
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