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 title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
Claim Objections
Claim 2 is objected to because on line 5, “adjacent to wall portion” appears to be missing language.
Appropriate correction is required.
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 – 3 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 1 recites a packing attached to the plurality of wires “in a manner of collectively packing.” The claim language in a manner of is indefinite, because it is unclear what the term manner encompasses.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 – 3, as best understood, are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,949 (“Fortin”).
Regarding claim 1, Fortin discloses a connector comprising:
a housing (110);
a plurality of terminals (116) that are respectively connected to a plurality of electric wires (118) and are accommodated in the housing (see Fig. 11);
a packing (124) that is attached to the plurality of electric wires (see Fig. 11) and is accommodated in the housing (see Fig. 11); and
a holder (128) that is assembled to the housing and restricts separation of the packing from the housing (see Fig. 15),
wherein the packing includes a plurality of electric wire through holes (orifices through 124, see Fig. 18 and see where wire 118 is inserted in Fig. 15) through which the plurality of electric wires are respectively inserted (see Fig. 15) and a recessed portion (130) located between the adjacent electric wire through holes among the plurality of electric wire through holes (see Figs. 13, 16, 18), and the holder includes a protrusion portion (144) to be fitted into the recessed portion of the packing (see Fig. 15).
Regarding claim 2, Fortin discloses the recessed portion includes a pair of wall portions (the upper and lower sides of 130) facing each other in an arrangement direction of the plurality of electric wire through holes (see Figs. 16), and the pair of wall portions each have a curved shape along a peripheral edge of each of the adjacent electric wire through holes adjacent to wall portion (curved portion 146).
Regarding claim 3, Fortin discloses each of the pair of wall portions is formed in a semicircular arc shape (146 is a semicircle) so as to cover a half circumference of the peripheral edge of electric wire through hole, (recesses 146 run along the length of recess 130 between the two rows of wire receiving holes, so the upper and lower halves of 146 cover respective lower and upper half circumferences of an edge of the wire holes).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Hayashi, Murakami, and Mellot disclose wire connectors with packing members having recesses.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PAUL D BAILLARGEON whose telephone number is (571)272-0676. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Renee Luebke can be reached at (571) 272-2009.
The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/PAUL D BAILLARGEON/Examiner, Art Unit 2831
/renee s luebke/Supervisory Patent Examiner
Art Unit 2831
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