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 § 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.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the actuator configured to generate power" in Applicant’s claim language. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
An actuator is device that converts energy into mechanical movement. The actuator device responds to an input signal from an energy source to generate power. It is unclear in Applicant’s claim language if the actuator is generating power using an energy source or using power from an energy source.
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 recitation in claim 1 of an active air skirt device, comprising: a housing including a through hole and a guide hole formed therein; a bracket configured to mount the housing to a bumper cover; an air skirt installed inside the housing and configured to reciprocate back and forth through an open front of the housing; an actuator coupled to the housing, the actuator configured to generate power; and a connecting link configured to connect the actuator and the air skirt and transmit the power of the actuator to the air skirt, wherein the housing is arranged obliquely toward a lower part of the bumper cover to deploy the air skirt obliquely forward under the lower part of the bumper cover.
Specifically, Klop (US 20170267294 A1) discloses an air deflector assembly for a vehicle associated with the vehicle bumper housing an actuator. However, does not disclose a housing including a through hole and a guide hole formed therein; and wherein the housing is arranged obliquely toward a lower part of the bumper cover to deploy the air skirt obliquely forward under the lower part of the bumper cover. In conclusion, there is no teaching in the prior art of record for a housing including a through hole and a guide hole formed therein; and wherein the housing is arranged obliquely toward a lower part of the bumper cover to deploy the air skirt obliquely forward under the lower part of the bumper cover. Due to the dependency of claims 2-10 would be allowable under claim 1.
Claims 11-15 are allowed.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
The recitation of claim 11 of a vehicle, comprising: a bumper cover; and an active air skirt device, the air skirt device comprising: an air skirt installed inside the housing and configured to reciprocate back and forth responsive to a motion of an actuator; and a housing configured to extend obliquely toward a lower part of the bumper cover to deploy the air skirt obliquely forward under the lower part of the bumper cover, the housing including a through hole and a guide hole formed therein through which the air skirt reciprocates back and forth.
Specifically, Klop (US 20170267294 A1) discloses an air deflector assembly for a vehicle associated with the vehicle bumper housing an actuator. However, does not disclose a housing configured to extend obliquely toward a lower part of the bumper cover to deploy the air skirt obliquely forward under the lower part of the bumper cover, the housing including a through hole and a guide hole formed therein through which the air skirt reciprocates back and forth. In conclusion, there is no teaching in the prior art of record for a housing configured to extend obliquely toward a lower part of the bumper cover to deploy the air skirt obliquely forward under the lower part of the bumper cover, the housing including a through hole and a guide hole formed therein through which the air skirt reciprocates back and forth. Due to the dependency of claims 12-15 are allowed under claim 11.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Klop (US 20170267294 A1) discloses an air deflector assembly for a vehicle associated with the vehicle bumper housing an actuator.
Rober (US 7686382 B2) discloses airflow member with an actuator and spoiler deploying at an oblique angle.
Dimora (US 4659130 A) discloses a spoiler disposed below the vehicle bumper.
Matsumoto (US 20230286599 A1) discloses a retractable spoiler below the vehicle body with an actuator and linkages.
Cha (US 20180134332 A1) discloses a variable spoiler apparatus of the rear bumper coupled to linkage devices.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Alma D Schuster whose telephone number is (571)272-8938. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Thurs 8:30am-6:30pm and Fri 7am-11am.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Amy R Weisberg can be reached at (571)270-5500. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/Alma D. Schuster/Examiner, Art Unit 3612 /AMY R WEISBERG/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3612
Prosecution Insights