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 1-6 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 “instead and in the place of the movable contact” it is unclear if this limitation is intended to limit the claimed panel structure. Here the claim first recites panel locations for movable contacts then later states the locations are for protection components. It is unclear if one or any movable contacts are required by the claim. The claim sets for two distinct elements which are installed in the panel locations. It is unclear if two movable contacts and a protection component are required, or one movable contact and one protection component or merely two protection components would in fact satisfy the claim makeup. The latter part of the claim appears to require linking the pair of fixed contacts here it is unclear which contacts are being referred to as the later part of the claim assumes the presence of the moveable contact elements. It is therefore unclear what the panel comprises. The claim recites function limitation “intended to activate” it is unclear if applicant intends the motor to activate. It is suggested Applicant redraft the claim, using common claim construction stating the structure comprising the high-voltage DC electrical distribution panel.
Claim 3 sets for the inclusion a only a function without any structure to carry out the claimed pre-charging. Applicant should set forth some element or structure performing the pre-charging.
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)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claim 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Dukaric et al. (US 20220006285).
With respect to claim 1 Dukaric teaches a high-voltage DC electrical distribution panel (Fig. 5-6 for example), having two opposing major surfaces (upper/lower surfaces), characterized in that wherein: on a first (lower) of the major surfaces of the panel locations (see Fig. 9 and 11) are provided for installing the chambers of fixed and movable contact terminals of two electromechanical contactors, one pair of fixed contacts (paragraph 0306) being provided at each contact chamber installation location, while on the second (top) major surface of the panel, locations (see Fig. 6-8) are disposed for installing the complementary assemblies of the two contactors, these assemblies each including a respective motor intended to activate the contact terminals of one of the respective contactors, a protection component (222) is installed at least one of the contact chamber installation locations (physical space adjacent 216/218), instead and in place of the movable contact (a moveable contact is not present there), said protection component including: an insulating cover (housing) defining with the surface of the panel an enclosed space (space within housing of 222) including an electrical connection shunt (fuse element) arranged to link the pair of fixed contacts to one another (the connection across the switches and main power with 222).
Conclusion
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MICHAEL FIN
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 2836
/MICHAEL R. FIN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2836