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 .
Drawings
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 claims 6, 9, 13, 16, 19, 21 must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). 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.
For claims 6, 13, 15, 16, while, the items may be shown in figure lock of numerals directed to the items renders depictions inadequate. Claim 6, slot, groove. Claim 16, threaded hole screw, etc. all lack numerals.
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.
Claims 5, 6, 12, 16 are 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 5, “2 to 36” seem unclear, only 9 contacts are shown. Claims 6, 16 are unclear and just what they require is not understood. This may be due to lack of pertinent numerals in figures. Claim 12, dependency incorrect.
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 1-5, 7-8, 10-12, 15, 17, 30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a, 1) as anticipated by or, in the alternative, under 35 U.S.C. 103 as obvious over Wenz (U. S. Patent 10717368).
For claims 1, 10, Wenz, figure 5B charging socket includes socket body (insulative housing) 100, a charging terminal 20, a charging adapter 30 with a detachable structure 36, a fixed end fixed at 32 to body 100 and connected to conductor 120, the terminal having a connection structure 26 for joining the detachable structure 36, via connection structure 26 to charging terminal 20. For claim 1, Wenz adequate but should adapter part 30 being fixedly mounted limitation be at issue, as alternative it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Wenz to so form it since the adapter must be fixed to enable easy attachment to part 20.
For claim 30, the Wenz connector is for charging socket, but not shown as mounted to vehicle. If used as socket it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Wenz to provide such features so as to provide standard to mount to vehicle.
For claim 2, the socket body includes a cavity at 112 to receive detachable structure 36 and terminal 20.
For claim 3, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Wenz to join the conductor by welding or crimping as are standard for such purpose.
For claim 4, if crimping used, welding limitation not relevant.
For claim 5, Wenz, figure 3 is to use 2 adapters.
For claim 7, socket body 100 includes wire outlet surrounding part 31.
Claim 8, the outlet is at a rear direction of the body.
Claim 10, note sealing ring near line 26. Claim 11, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Wenz to form screw 26 with head having disassembly portion (recess) as is standard. Claim 12, Wenz shows threaded structure at 36, 26, and tongue range is obvious variation. For claim 17, Wenz figure 3, socket is to includes two charging terminals.
Claim 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wenz in view of Mocek (U. S. Patent 4170393).
Wenz lacks housing portions formed to prevent rotation of adapter. Mocek discloses use of plats 37 on adapter. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Wenz to use such feature as taught by Mocek adapter 30 to prevent rotation. This is equivalent to recited features.
Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wenz in view of Kitaoka (U. S. Patent 11804663).
Wenz lacks angled wire outlet. Kitaoka shows angled wire outlet at 71, 20, 20. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Wenz to provide such feature in Kitaoka for an easier to mate connector.
Claims 13, 14, and 1 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wenz in view of Ducrot (U. S. Patent 6948955).
For claim 13, Wenz lacks detachment features of clasp and slot. Ducrot at 34, 40, shows such features. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Wenz to provide such features as taught by Ducrot so as to provide for simplified use. Claim 1, included in case issue arise. For claim 14, It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Wenz to form parts for optimum connection force. Claim 1, included as alternative basis of rejection.
Claims 1-5, 7-8, 11, 12, 15, 17, 30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Mocek.
For claim 1, Mocek figure 1 discloses a socket body 31, 33, 34 with an adapter 14 and a terminal 12, the adapter having a detachable structure 19 and a fixed end 15 connected to a conductor 16 and fixed to the body 32, 34, the terminal having connection structure 13 detachably connected to the detachable structure of the adapter. Mockek does not disclose the socket to be used for charging. However, it is well known to use sockets for charging, see applicants specification. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Mocek assembly in which case the body could be read as a charging socket body and the adapter and terminal are readable as charging adapter and charging terminal. For claim 2, the socket body 11, 31, 33, includes a cavity in which the detachable structure is provided. For claim 3, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Mocek to connect the conductor by crimping as is a well-known expedient. Claim 4, irrelevant if crimping used. Claim 5, three adapters seen in figure 2. Claims 7, 8, the socket has front to rear direction wire outlet. Claim 11, charging terminal has disassembly portion 17. Claim 12, disassembly structure us threaded structure 13, 19, and selected tongue is obvious variant. For claim 15, the adapter is from rotation by flats 37. Claim 17, Mocek socket includes over three terminals. Claim 30, It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Mocek to use connector 10 in a vehicle as is a standard use.
Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Mocek and Wenz as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Kraemer 10256565.
Mocek does not include a seal ring on an adapter. Kraemer at 130 includes such seal. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify Mocek and Wenz to include such seal in Mocek to protect from moisture. Wenz teaching of seal on adapter may be at issue. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to use sealing ring in Wenz socket in view of Kraemer at 130 to protect against moisture.
Claims 19 and 21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wenz and Mocek as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Malandain 11642974.
Wenz and Mocek lack use of a temperature sensor and control features. Malandain includes temperature sensor 44, 46, and control feature 58. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to form Wenz and Mocek sockets with such features for protect against heating. Use of terms “control board” and “data line” do not define over references. Claim 21 defiles obvious variation.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Neil Abrams whose telephone number is (571)272-2089. The examiner can normally be reached M-F from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm.
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, TC Patel can be reached at 571-272-2098. 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.
/NEIL ABRAMS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2834
Prosecution Insights