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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 5/4/2026 has been entered.
Drawings
The drawings were received on 5/4/2026. These drawings are acceptable.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) 1, 2, 4-7, 9-13, 16, and 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US PG Pub 2020/0180405 to Blottiau (hereinafter Blottiau) in view of GB 2515525 to Syvret (hereinafter Syvret).
Regarding claim 1, the outer trim panel is shown in Blottiau in figures 1-6 with
outer trim panel (40), configured to abut against a glass run seal (30), wherein the glass run seal (30) is provided with an outer sealing lip (30a13) and a first abutment component (30a12); the outer trim panel (40) comprises includes a fixation component (horizontal component figure 5) and a second abutment component (42) protruded from a surface of the fixation component configured to abut against the first abutment component.
However, the abutment components do not include abutment structures.
Abutment structures are shown in Syvret in figure where outer trim panel (111) includes a second abutment component with a second abutment structure (protrusion, see annotated figure 2 below) extending in a direction parallel to the fixation component (when provided to Blottiau, protrusion extends parallel to glass as does fixation component) and including a free end having a convex corner (end of protrusion convex as shown below) configured to abut against a first abutment structure (groove, see annotated figure 2 below) of a glass run (110) and configured to apply an acting force facing toward the outside (location of outer sealing lip when provided to Blottiau).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the outer trim panel of Blottiau with the abutment structure of Syvret because the abutment structures provide better engagement between the outer trim and the glass run and thereby limit movement of the glass run relative to the outer trim.
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Regarding claim 2, as shown in annotated figure 2 above the first abutment structure is a groove and the second abutment structure is an abutment boss or protrusion in Syvret.
Regarding claim 4, the profile assembly is shown in Blottiau in figures 1-6 with
profile assembly (40), configured to abut against a glass run seal (30), wherein the glass run seal (30) is provided with an outer sealing lip (30a13) and a first abutment component (30a12); the profile assembly (40) is provided with a third abutment component (42) configured to abut against the first abutment component.
However, the abutment components do not include abutment structures.
Abutment structures are shown in Syvret in figure where member (111) includes a second abutment component with a third abutment structure (protrusion, see annotated figure 2 above) configured to abut against a first abutment structure (groove, see annotated figure 2 above) of a glass run (110), the third abutment structure (protrusion) includes a free end having a convex corner (end of protrusion convex as shown above) protruding toward the outer lip (when provided to Blottiau, projection protrudes toward window glass) and configured to apply an acting force facing toward the outside (location of outer sealing lip when provided to Blottiau).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the profile assembly of Blottiau with the abutment structure of Syvret because the abutment structures provide better engagement between the profile and the glass run and thereby limit movement of the glass run relative to the profile.
Regarding claim 5, the grass run seal is shown in Blottiau in figures 1-6 with
a glass run (30) including a sealing body (central horizontal body of 30a shown in figure 5);
a first abutment component (30a12), connected to the sealing body; and
an outer sealing lip (30a13), fixedly connected to an end of the first abutment component (30a12).
However, the abutment component does not have an abutment structure formed as a groove.
An abutment structure is shown in Syvret in figure where glass run (110) includes a first abutment structure (groove, see annotated figure 2 above) including an inner wall forming a concave corner (corner engaging convex end of protrusion) oriented toward the outer sealing lip (groove extends toward the window glass as does the sealing lip).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the glass run of Blottiau with the abutment structure of Syvret because the abutment structures provide better engagement between the glass run and adjacent structure and thereby limit movement of the glass run relative to the adjacent structure.
Regarding claim 6, the glass run (30) includes a first sealing component (right end in figure 5) provided with a sealing groove (groove above 30a21 around member 12a1 in figure 5), the first sealing groove provided with two inner sealing walls (end of 30a21 engaging 12a1 and wall on opposite side of 12a1 from 30a21 end in figure 5) arranged opposite each other and a distance between the two inner sealing walls decreases in a direction from the opening of the first sealing groove (left end of groove in figure 5) to an interior (i.e. end of 30a21 has curved end farther away from 12a1 at the opening of the groove than toward the interior) in Blottiau.
Regarding claim 7, one of the inner sealing walls (unnumbered wall opposite end of 30a21) is a planar surface and another of the inner sealing walls (end of 30a21) is a curved surface and the curved surface is protruded towards the planar surface in Blottiau.
Regarding claim 9, the first sealing component (right end in figure 5) includes a connection component fixedly connected to the sealing body (i.e. the right end is connected to the body of the glass run 30), a protrusion component (unnumbered but shown on right end of 30 abutting upper side of 12a1 in figure 5), and an elastic arm (30a21) where an end (right end figure 5) of the elastic arm (30a21) fixed to an end of the connection component and another end (left free end in figure 5) of the elastic arm (30a21) extends out and forms a free end in Blottiau. While the protrusion is not opposite the free end of the arm in Blottiau, such a placement would be design choice rearrangement of parts.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the glass run of Blottiau, having the abutment structure of Syvret, with a protrusion opposite the free end of the arm because the protrusion opposite provides additional support for the free end and better engagement of the groove and walls with the flange (see also MPEP 2144.04 VI Section C rearrangement of parts obvious).
Regarding claim 10, Blottiau includes a sealing system having
a guide member (25), fixed to an inner surface of the window glass (14);
an outer trim panel (40), wherein the outer trim panel (40), when provided with the abutment structures of Syvret, is provided with a second abutment structure (protrusion, see annotated figure 2 of Syvret above), and the second abutment structure is configured to abut against the first abutment structure, and configured to apply an acting force facing toward the outer sealing lip (30a13) to the first abutment structure; and
the outer sealing lip (30a12) located between the upper portion of the outer trim (40) and the window glass (14), and blocking a gap between the outer trim (40) and the window glass (14),
wherein the outer trim panel (40) is configured to abut against the glass run seal (30),
the glass run seal (30) further comprises a guide rail component (forming upside-down U shape with 30a3 and 30a1 in figure 5), the guide rail component connects the first abutment component (30a12) to the sealing body (central horizontal body of 30 in figure 5), and is bent to form a first guide rail groove (30a11), and an inner wall of the first guide rail groove (30a11) is configured to abut against at least a part of the guide member (25), and, when provided with the abutment structures of Syvret, the second abutment structure abuts against the first abutment structure, and is configured to apply an acting force facing toward an outer surface of the window glass to the outer sealing lip.
However, the outer trim panel 40 includes an integral cover plate in Blottiau.
A separate cover plate is shown in Blottiau in figure 6 where outer trim panel (50) includes a separate cover plate (portion with outer surface 50a is separate from main body of trim 50 as indicated by horizontal dividing line in figure 6).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the glass run of Blottiau, having the abutment structure of Syvret, with the separate cover plate of Blottiau because separate cover plates allowed for replacement of only the cover plate, as opposed to the entire trim, in cases of wear and tear.
Regarding claim 11, when provided with the cover plate of Blottiau figure 6, part of the outer sealing lip (30a13) would be in the same plane as the outer surface (50a) of the cover plate, and an outer surface of the outer sealing lip (30a13) is in the same plane as the outer surface of the window glass (14) in a mounted state in Blottiau.
Regarding claim 12, the outer surface of the outer sealing lip (30a13) is provided with a third abutment groove (engaging 46 in figure 5) and, when provided with the separate cover plate of Blottiau figure 6, the cover plate would abut an inner wall of the third abutment groove in Blottiau.
Regarding claim 13, the system includes a sheet metal member (12a1,12a2) with at least part of the sheet metal member (right end of 12a1 in figure 5) located in a first sealing groove (groove above 30a21 around member 12a1 in figure 5) of the glass run (30) in Blottiau.
Regarding claim 16, Blottiau includes a sealing system having
a profile assembly (40), arranged at an interval from the window glass (14);
a guide member (25), fixed to an inner surface of the window glass (14);
the outer sealing lip (30a13) located between the profile assembly (40) and the window glass (14), and blocking a gap between the profile assembly (40) and the window glass (14),
wherein the profile assembly (40) is configured to abut against the glass run seal (30),
the profile assembly (40), when provided with the abutment structures of Syvret, is provided with a third abutment structure (protrusion, see annotated figure 2 above), and the third abutment structure is configured to abut against the first abutment structure, and configured to apply an acting force facing toward the outer sealing lip to the first abutment structure,
the glass run seal (30) further comprises a guide rail component (forming upside-down U shape with 30a3 and 30a1 in figure 5), the guide rail component connects the first abutment component (30a12) to the sealing body (central horizontal body of 30), and is bent to form a first guide rail groove (30a11), and an inner wall of the first guide rail groove (30a11) is configured to abut against at least a part of the guide member (25),
when the third abutment structure abuts against the first abutment structure, the third abutment structure is configured to apply an acting force facing toward an outer surface of the window glass to the outer sealing lip in Blottiau.
Regarding claim 17, part of the outer sealing lip (30a13) would be in the same plane as an outer surface of the profile assembly (40), and an outer surface of the outer sealing lip (30a13) is in the same plane as the outer surface of the window glass (14) in a mounted state in Blottiau.
Claim(s) 3 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Blottiau and Syvret as applied to claim 1 (as well as claims 2, 4-7, 9-13, 16, and 17) above, and further in view of Admitted Prior Art.
Regarding claim 3, Blottiau is silent as to a reinforcement connected between fixation and abutment components.
Examiner acknowledges applicant’s acceptance of examiner’s Official Notice that reinforcement components, or webs, between perpendicular members (horizontal fixation component and vertical abutment component in figure 5 of Blottiau) were old and well known. As no arguments rebutted this fact it is now considered admitted prior art.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the glass run of Blottiau, having the abutment structure of Syvret, with the known reinforcement component because reinforcements provided the known benefit of additional support between perpendicular structures beyond just their connection point.
Claim(s) 14 and 15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Blottiau and Syvret as applied to claim 13 (as well as claims 1, 2, 4-7, 9-12, 16, and 17) above, and further in view of US patent 11697334 to Choi (hereinafter Choi).
Regarding claim 14, Blottiau does not show a second sealing groove for a window frame trim.
A sealing groove for a window frame trim is shown in Choi in figure 7 where glass run (21) includes a sealing groove of receiving part of a window frame trim panel (12).
When provided to Blottiau, the second sealing groove would be between the sealing body and the first sealing groove, i.e. the trim panel would cover the sheet metal member.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the glass run of Blottiau, having the abutment structure of Syvret, with the sealing groove and window frame trim panel of Choi because window frame trim panels provided improved aesthetics by covering up the sheet metal and the seal groove provided better engagement between frame trim panel and glass run.
Regarding claim 15, when provided with the window trim panel sealing groove of Choi, the second sealing groove would open in an opposite direction to the first sealing groove in Blottiau.
Claim(s) 18-23 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Blottiau and Syvret as applied to claim 10 (as well as claims 1, 2, 4-7, 9, 11-13, 16, and 17) above, and further in view of EP 3988356 to Galluccio (from IDS of 5/16/2025, hereinafter Galluccio).
Regarding claim 18, Blottiau includes a door having
a door frame (11), provided with a window opening (13);
a lower sealing member (lower portion of 30a, below 40 and inside 10a), provided with a second guide rail groove (30a11);
the outer trim panel (40) fixedly connected to the door frame (11); and
the guide member (25) configured to abut against an inner wall of the first guide rail groove (30a11) and an inner wall of the second guide rail groove (30a11), and the window glass (14) movable relative to the door frame (11) in an extension direction of the first guide rail groove (30a11) and an extension direction of the second guide rail groove (30a11), and opening or covering at least a part of the window opening (13),
wherein the outer trim panel (40) is provided with a limit component (44), the limit component (44) abuts against a part of the guide rail component (forming upside-down U shape with 30a3 and 30a1 in figure 5) connected to the sealing body (central horizontal body of 30a shown in figure 5), and abuts against the sealing body, and a preset included angle is present between an extension direction of the part of the guide rail component connected to the sealing body and an extension direction of the sealing body,
the door (10) further comprises a connection member (40 and 11 are connected together and therefor a connection member is present) configured to fix the outer trim panel (40) to the door frame (11).
However, Blottiau is silent as to a guide rail member, i.e. a lower rail in door body 10a.
A guide rail is shown in Galluccio in figures 1-20 where guide rail (16) supports lower sealing member (9) and a connection member (figure 20) connects guide rail (16) to door frame.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the glass run of Blottiau, having the abutment structure of Syvret and the separate cover plate of Blottiau, with the guide rail of Galluccio because guide rails provided the known benefit of supporting the lower portion of glass runs and thereby improving the stability and guiding function of the glass runs.
Regarding claim 19, when provided with the guide rail member having a connection member of Galluccio, the connection member could include first connection member (rail connection of Galluccio) and second connection member (outer trim connection of Blottiau) and the door frame (11) includes fixed members (i.e. the door frame is an upper unit 12 and lower unit 10a fixed together as shown in figure 2) in Blottiau.
Regarding claim 20, Blottiau is silent as to whether the door frame (11) is integral (i.e. whether upper 12 and lower 10a are integral or separate). It would be design choice to include an integral door frame. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the glass run of Blottiau, having the abutment structure of Syvret, separate cover plate of Blottiau, and the guide rail of Galluccio, with an integral door frame because both integral and separate door frames were known and the integral door frame (i.e. integral lower and upper) provided the benefit of limiting the number of connections or joints needed to assemble the door (see also MPEP 2144.04 V Section B making integral obvious).
Regarding claim 21, when provided with the guide rail member having a connection member of Galluccio, the outer trim panel (40) and guide rail could include one connection member (see figures 6 and 20 of Galluccio in Blottiau.
Regarding claim 22, when provided with the guide rail member having a connection member of Galluccio, the connection member could include connection member (outer trim connection of Blottiau), third connection member (rail connection of Galluccio), and fourth connection member (connection of cover plate) in Blottiau.
Regarding claim 23, Blottiau is silent as to positioning structures aligning outer trim panel (40) and door frame (11).
Positioning structures are shown in Galluccio in figures 6-11 where the upper end of a member (16) includes a positioning structure (see figure 11) for mating with a positioning structure on another member.
It would be design choice to include an integral door frame. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the glass run of Blottiau, having the abutment structure of Syvret, separate cover plate of Blottiau, and the guide rail of Galluccio, with the positioning structures of Galluccio because positioning structures provided the known benefit of assisting in the alignment of separate parts.
Claim(s) 24 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Blottiau and Syvret as applied to claim 16 (as well as claims 1, 2, 4-7, 9-13, and 17) above, and further in view of Galluccio.
Regarding claim 24, Blottiau includes a door having
a door frame (11), provided with a window opening (13);
a lower sealing member (lower portion of 30a, below 40 and inside 10a), provided with a second guide rail groove (30a11);
the profile assembly (40) fixedly connected to the door frame (11); and
the guide member (25) configured to abut against an inner wall of the first guide rail groove (30a11) and an inner wall of the second guide rail groove (30a11), and the window glass (14) movable relative to the door frame (11) in an extension direction of the first guide rail groove (30a11) and an extension direction of the second guide rail groove (30a11), and opening or covering at least a part of the window opening (13),
wherein the profile assembly (40) is provided with a limit component (44), the limit component (44) abuts against a part of the guide rail component (forming upside-down U shape with 30a3 and 30a1 in figure 5) connected to the sealing body (central horizontal body of 30a shown in figure 5), and abuts against the sealing body, and a preset included angle is present between an extension direction of the part of the guide rail component connected to the sealing body and an extension direction of the sealing body,
the door (10) further comprises a connection member (40 and 11 are connected together and therefor a connection member is present) configured to fix the profile assembly (40) to the door frame (11).
However, Blottiau is silent as to a guide rail member, i.e. a lower rail in door body 10a.
A guide rail is shown in Galluccio in figures 1-20 where guide rail (16) supports lower sealing member (9) and a connection member (figure 20) connects guide rail (16) to door frame.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide the glass run of Blottiau, having the abutment structure of Syvret, with the guide rail of Galluccio because guide rails provided the known benefit of supporting the lower portion of glass runs and thereby improving the stability and guiding function of the glass runs.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 5/4/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In regards to applicant’s arguments directed to the drawing objections, the replacement drawings (and the previously entered after final amendments of 4/1/2026) have resolved the drawing issue and all objections have been withdrawn
In regards to applicant’s arguments directed to the 103 rejections, applicant makes two arguments: first that one of ordinary skill would not be motivated to provide the abutment feature of Syvret to Blottiau because the trim of Blottiau is a side trim while Syvret is an upper member and thus functions differently and is not equivalent and second that providing the abutment of Syvret to Blottiau contradicts the purpose of the rib in Blottiau and the abutment feature would prevent the purpose from being fully realized.
With respect to the first argument, examiner disagrees that the difference between upper and side trim would make one of ordinary skill in the art not motivated to combine teachings from one (the upper in Syvret) to the other (the side in Blottiau). Examiner maintains that as both are in the art of trim for moving windows and that as the abutment structures provided a known benefit one of ordinary skill in the art would have a motivation to combine the teachings.
With respect to the second argument, examiner disagrees that the addition of the abutment feature would render Blottiau unsuitable for its intended purpose. The additional feature would not make the rib incapable of mating with the groove, it would just be mating in a different manner. While applicant argues that the modification would be substantial, examiner disagrees and maintains the modification is not substantial and does not render Blottiau unsuitable for its intended purpose, nor does Blottiau teach away from the modification.
As such examiner maintains the combination reads over the present claims as detailed above.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CATHERINE A KELLY whose telephone number is (571)270-3660. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:30pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Anita Coupe can be reached at 571-270-3614. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CATHERINE A KELLY/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3619
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