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 .
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
Lines 5-6 of Par. [0056] as presented in the amendment filed 3/4/26, the phrase “disposed an expansion reinforcing connecting strip assembling groove structure” appears incomplete. It appears the phrase should be --disposed in an expansion reinforcing connecting strip assembling groove structure--.
Appropriate correction is required.
Drawings
The drawings were received on 3/7/26. These drawings are acceptable.
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 1-10 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.
With regard to claim 1: Lines 11, 13 and 22-23 of the claim, the limitation “the expansion reinforcing connecting strip assembling groove structure” lacks sufficient antecedent basis. Line 25 of the claim, the limitation “the expansion reinforcing connecting strip A” lacks sufficient antecedent basis.
With regard to claim 3: Lines 2 and 10 of the claim, the limitation “the expansion reinforcing connecting strip A” lacks sufficient antecedent basis.
With regard to claim 6: Lines 1-2 of the claim, the limitation “the expansion reinforcing connecting strip A” lacks sufficient antecedent basis. Line 3 of the claim, the scope of the limitation “a special-shaped cross-sectional area” is unclear. It’s unclear as to what characteristics a shape must possess to be considered to be “special”.
With regard to claim 7: Line 3 of the claim, the scope of the limitation “a special-shaped cross-sectional area” is unclear. It’s unclear as to what characteristics a shape must possess to be considered to be “special”.
With regard to claim 8: Lines 1-2 of the claim, the limitation “the expansion reinforcing connecting strip assembling groove structure” lacks sufficient antecedent basis. Line 3 of the claim, the scope of the limitation “a special-shaped structure” is unclear. It’s unclear as to what characteristics a shape must possess to be considered to be “special”.
With regard to claim 9: The scope of the claim is indefinite. It’s improper to recite the paving (assembling or splicing) of expansion reinforcing plates of claim 1 when the expansion reinforcing plate of claim 1 is already assembled. Lines 7 and 12-13 of the claim, the limitation “the expansion reinforcing connecting strip assembling groove structure” lacks sufficient antecedent basis.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-10 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
The combination of all the elements of the claimed expansion reinforcing plate, in particular the composition of the first and the second expansion reinforcing connecting strips A as claimed is not adequately taught or suggested in the cited prior art of record. Examiner notes that allowability of the claims are subject to reconsideration should the scope of the claims change.
Response to Arguments
The previous objection to the specification has been withdrawn in view of the amendment filed 3/4/26.
The previous objection of claims 1-10 has been withdrawn in view of the amendment filed 3/4/26.
The previous rejection of claims 1-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, has been withdrawn in view of the amendment filed 3/4/26. Note that the rejections not addressed remain.
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the claim(s) have been considered but are moot in view of the new grounds of rejection.
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 JESSIE T FONSECA whose telephone number is (571)272-7195. The examiner can normally be reached 7:00am - 3:30pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Brian Glessner can be reached at (571)272-6754. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JESSIE T FONSECA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3633