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 .
DETAILED ACTION
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 (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 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.
Claims 1 and 2 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by WANG et al. US 20220059973 A1.
In reference to claim 1, WANG teaches a pull strap connector (1; fig. 2), configured to mate with a mating connector, comprising: an insulating body (10; fig. 2. See [0026], lines 1-7 which state the material of the housing 10 can be selected according to the required performance of the electrical connector 1. This is seen to broad enough to encompass the housing 10 being made out of insulating material.), the insulating body comprising a first side wall and a second side wall opposite to the first side wall (see left and right sidewall of 10 in figure 2); a first locking piece (left 151; fig. 2), the first locking piece being at least partially mounted to the first side wall; the first locking piece comprising a first locking hook portion (distal end portion of 151 near lead line 1513; fig. 2) configured to lock with the mating connector; a second locking piece (right 151; fig. 2), the second locking piece being at least partially mounted to the second side wall; the second locking piece comprising a second locking hook portion (distal end portion of 151 near lead line 1513; fig. 2) configured to lock with the mating connector; and a pull strap (15; fig. 2), the pull strap directly or indirectly driving the first locking piece and the second locking piece; wherein the pull strap is configured to be pulled by an external force, so that the first locking hook portion and the second locking hook portion are unlocked from the mating connector.
In reference to claim 2, WANG teaches the pull strap connector according to claim 1, wherein the pull strap comprises a first connecting portion (left 152; fig. 2) movably connected to the first locking piece and a second connecting portion (right 152) movably connected to the second locking piece; the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are configured to adjust their positions under an action of the external force, so that the first locking hook portion and the second locking hook portion are unlocked from the mating connector.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 3-19 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: The prior art of record does not teach or suggest the combination of elements including:
(Claim 20) a shell comprising a first wall portion and a second wall portion opposite to the first wall portion; the first wall portion defining a first locking hole that matches the first locking hook portion; the second wall portion defining a second locking hole that matches the second locking hook portion; and a receiving slot configured to receive at least part of the pull strap connector; wherein the pull strap is configured to be pulled by an external force, so that the first locking hook portion and the second locking hook portion are unlocked from the mating connector.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TRAVIS SLOAN CHAMBERS whose telephone number is (571)272-6813. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m..
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Abdullah A 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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/TRAVIS S CHAMBERS/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2831 08/18/2026
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