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 .
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)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim(s) 1-4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Aihara 2010/0055998.
Regarding claim 1, Aihara (Figure 2) discloses a terminal metal fitting 12, comprising: a terminal metal fitting main body having a plate-like shape and including, on one surface, a conductor bonding portion 17 to which a conductor portion 10 of an electric wire 11 is bonded, wherein a recessed region 30 is provided in a surface of the terminal metal fitting main body, the surface being opposite to the conductor bonding portion.
Regarding claim 2, Aihara discloses the recessed region 30 is formed in an entire region of the surface being opposite to the conductor bonding portion 17.
Regarding claim 3, Aihara discloses the recessed region is formed of a plurality of recess portions 30.
Regarding claim 4, Aihara discloses a groove 23 is formed in the conductor bonding portion 17 of the terminal metal fitting main body, the groove extending in a direction intersecting with the electric wire 11.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GARY F PAUMEN whose telephone number is (571)272-2013. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th.
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/GARY F PAUMEN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2834
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