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 Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 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 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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Dickinson (U.S. 2020/0164816).
As for Claim 1, Dickinson discloses a clip (100) comprising: one or more first arms (30) extending from one or more feet (20) at a first end and joining a head (90) at a second end;
one or more second arms (88) coupled to the head and extending toward the first end (see Fig. 2);
one or more third arms (40) coupled to the head and arranged laterally between the one or more second arms (see Fig. 2), the one or more third arms extending toward the first end (see Fig. 2); and one or more pairs of laterally offset prongs (75) joined to the feet at the first end and extending toward the second end (see Fig. 2).
2. The clip of Claim 1, wherein the one or more first arms (30) extend continuously between the one or more feet (see fig. 2).
3. The clip of Claim 2, wherein the one or more feet (20) extend laterally between the one or more first arms (see Fig. 2).
4. The clip of Claim 1, wherein the one or more second arms are cantilevered with respect to the head and configured to move inwardly toward an opening between the one or more feet (see para [0035-0036]).
5. The clip of Claim 1, wherein the one or more second arms each comprise: a first segment (end of 88 coupled to 90) comprising a proximal end coupled to the head (end of 88 coupled to 90), a second segment (bottom segment of 88) coupled to the first segment and including a distal end (distal end of 88), and a first retention feature (concave bend of 88) arranged where the first segment joins the second segment.
6. The clip of Claim 5, wherein the first segment, the second segment, and the first retention feature define a continuous first engagement surface (outer surface of 88).
7. The clip of Claim 1, wherein the one or more third arms each comprise: a first (section comprising 42) comprising a proximal end (end at 42) coupled to the head; a second section (section extending from 42) coupled to and extending from the first section; a third section (central section of 40) coupled to the second section and including a depressed portion (portion of 50) and a distal end (distal end of 40); and a second retention feature (bend above 50) arranged where the second section joins the third section.
8. The clip of Claim 7, wherein the first section, the second section, the third section, and the second retention feature define a continuous second engagement surface (interior surface of 40).
9. The clip of Claim 1, wherein the one or more second arms are figured to inhibit removal of the clip with respect to an engagement structure (see para [0040]) and the feet are configured to stop the clip against the engagement structure when the clip is inserted into the engagement structure past a portion of the one or more third arms (see Figs. 5-6).
10. The clip of Claim 1, wherein the one or more first arms, the one or more second arms, and the one or more third arms each move substantially independent from one another (see Fig. 2, disclosing arms 30, 88, and 40 being independent from one and another).
As for Claim 11, Dickinson discloses a hard trim assembly comprising: a panel (400) comprising at least one blade (210); and at least one clip (100) arranged on the at least one blade, the at least one clip comprising: one or more first arms (30) extending from one or more feet (20) at a first end and joining a head (90) at a second end, one or more second arms (88) coupled to the head and extending toward the first end, one or more third arms (40) coupled to the head and arranged laterally between the one or more second arms (see Fig. 2), the one or more third arms extending toward the first end (see Fig. 2), and one or more pairs of laterally offset prongs (75) joined to the feet at the first end and extending toward the second end (see Fig. 2).
12. The hard trim assembly of Claim 11, wherein the one or more second arms each comprise: a first segment (end of 88 coupled to 90) comprising a proximal end coupled to the head (end of 88 coupled to 90), a second segment (bottom segment of 88) coupled to the first segment and including a distal end (distal end of 88), and a first retention feature (concave bend of 88) arranged where the first segment joins the second segment.
13. The hard trim assembly of Claim 12, wherein the first segment, the second segment, and the first retention feature define a continuous first engagement surface (outer surface of 88).
14. The hard trim assembly of Claim 11, wherein the one or more third arms each comprise: a first (section comprising 42) comprising a proximal end (end at 42) coupled to the head; a second section (section extending from 42) coupled to and extending from the first section; a third section (central section of 40) coupled to the second section and including a depressed portion (portion of 50) and a distal end (distal end of 40); and a second retention feature (bend above 50) arranged where the second section joins the third section.
15. The hard trim assembly of Claim 14, wherein the first section, the second section, the third section, and the second retention feature define a continuous second engagement surface (interior surface of 40).
As for Claim 16, Dickinson discloses a vehicle comprising: a vehicle body comprising one or more openings (see para [0001] and 300 and 250); a panel (400) comprising at least one blade (210); and at least one clip (100)arranged on the at least one blade, the at least one clip comprising: one or more first arms (30) extending from one or more feet (20) at a first end and joining a head (90) at a second end, one or more second arms (88) coupled to the head and extending toward the first end, the one or more second arms (88) having a first retention feature (bend of 88), one or more third arms (40) coupled to the head and arranged laterally between the one or more second arms (see Fig. 2), the one or more third arms extending toward the first end and having a second retention feature (bend of 40), and one or more pairs of laterally offset prongs (75) joined to the feet at the first end and extending toward the second end (see Fig. 2).
17. The vehicle of Claim 16, wherein the one or more second arms each comprise: a first segment (end of 88 coupled to 90) comprising a proximal end coupled to the head (end of 88 coupled to 90), a second segment (bottom segment of 88) coupled to the first segment and including a distal end (distal end of 88), and a first retention feature (concave bend of 88) arranged where the first segment joins the second segment.
18. The vehicle of Claim 17, wherein the first segment, the second segment, and the first retention feature define a continuous first engagement surface (outer surface of 88).
19. The vehicle of Claim 16, wherein the one or more third arms each comprise: a first (section comprising 42) comprising a proximal end (end at 42) coupled to the head; a second section (section extending from 42) coupled to and extending from the first section; a third section (central section of 40) coupled to the second section and including a depressed portion (portion of 50) and a distal end (distal end of 40); and a second retention feature (bend above 50) arranged where the second section joins the third section.
20. The vehicle of Claim 19, wherein the first section, the second section, the third section, and the second retention feature define a continuous second engagement surface (interior surface of 40).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Dickinson (U.S. 2024/0101047) discloses analogous art of a fastener clip.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DAVID M UPCHURCH whose telephone number is (571)270-7957. The examiner can normally be reached 6AM-3PM EST M-F.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jason San can be reached at (571)272-6531. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DAVID M UPCHURCH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3677
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