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 .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the compression rib (claim 13) must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
Paragraph [0004] recites specific claim numbers, the subject matter of which may change.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Objections
Claims 1-8, 14, and 16 are objected to because of numerous informalities.
The following changes would receive favorable consideration:
Claim 1. A connecting arrangement for connecting two components, comprising at least one connecting unit and the protective element has at least one first connection point for connection to the at least one connecting unit and at least one second connection point for connection to at least one of the components, wherein at least one of the connection points and/or the protective element is
Claim 2. The connecting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the connection points and/or the protective element is the regions such that a connection at [[this]] the at least one connection point is
Claim 3. The connecting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting unit is designed as a tolerance compensation device.
Claim 4. The connecting arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the tolerance compensation device has at least one tolerance compensation element, [[which]] the at least one tolerance compensation element is formed at least from a base element and a compensation element which is in threaded engagement with the base element and which [[can]] moves relative to the base element by being rotated in order to compensate for tolerances.
Claim 5. The connecting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting unit and the protective element are designed to be reversibly releasably connected to one another in the region of the first connection point.
Claim 6. The connecting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one component and the protective element are designed to be reversibly releasably connected to one another in the region of the second connection point.
Claim 7. The connecting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the protective element is designed as a spring plate or comprises a resilient portion and the at least one component or the at least one connecting unit has a ramp, or at least one component or the at least one connecting unit is designed as a spring plate
Claim 8. The connecting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the protective element isat least one connecting unit andat least one component.
Claim 14. The connecting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a connecting element is provided which is at least one connecting unit.
Claim 16. A vehicle apparatus, comprising [[a]] the protective system for a headlight according to claim 15.
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 5, 6, 12, and 13 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.
In claim 5, line 3, “the region” lacks antecedent basis. Further, it is unclear if this “region” is referencing and/or includes the “regions” previously recited in claim 1, line 6.
In claim 6, line 3, “the region” lacks antecedent basis. Further, it is unclear if this “region” is referencing and/or includes the “regions” previously recited in claim 1, line 6.
In claim 12, the following phrases lack antecedent basis: line 2, “the connecting direction”; and lines 2-3, “the opposite opening direction”.
In claim 13, line 2, “the clearance-free connection” lacks antecedent basis.
Claim 13 is also rejected as being incomplete for omitting essential structural cooperative relationships of elements, such omission amounting to a gap between the necessary structural connections. See MPEP § 2172.01. The omitted structural cooperative relationship is between the compression rib and the connecting arrangement.
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 1-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Gagliardi et al. (US#11566649).
Regarding claim 1, Gagliardi discloses a connecting arrangement 10 for connecting two components 2 (car body structure, Fig. 8C) and 4 (headlight housing, Fig. 8C), comprising at least one connecting unit 200,300 and additionally a protective element 100, which has at least one first connection point 102,110 for connection to the connecting unit and at least one second connection point 106 for connection to at least one of the components, wherein the protective element is designed to be flexible (e.g. portion 102,110) at least in regions and/or at points when a force is applied.
Regarding claim 2, wherein at least one of the connection points 102 is designed to be flexible in some regions such that a connection at this at least one connection point is “released automatically” (i.e. connection point 102 allows end portion 110 to have free movement within aperture 202).
Regarding claim 3, wherein the connecting unit 200,300 is designed as a tolerance compensation device via threaded engagement with bolt 20.
Regarding claim 4, wherein the tolerance compensation device has at least one tolerance compensation element, which is formed at least from a base element 200 and a compensation element 300 which is in threaded engagement (210,304) with the base element and which can move relative to the base element by being rotated in order to compensate for tolerances.
Regarding claim 5, wherein the connecting unit 200,300 and the protective element 100 are designed to be “reversibly releasably connected” to one another in the region of the first connection point (i.e. connection point 102 allows end portion 110 to have free movement within aperture 202 and is removable therefrom).
Regarding claim 6, wherein the at least one component 2 or 4 and the protective element 100 are designed to be “reversibly releasably connected” to one another via removable bolt 20 in the region of the second connection point (see Fig. 8C).
Regarding claim 7, wherein the protective element 100 is comprises a resilient portion 110 and the one component 4 has a ramp (see tapered slot of component 4 receiving element 100 Figs. 8A-8B).
Regarding claim 8, wherein the protective element 100 is rigidly or releasably connectable to the connecting unit (e.g. at slot 202 of 200) and releasably connectable via bolt 20 to the one component 4.
Regarding claim 9, wherein the protective element 100 is designed as a spring element via its sheet metal configuration and/or resilient portion 110.
Regarding claim 10, wherein the protective element 100 is provided with an internal thread at 108 (Fig. 5E).
Regarding claim 11, wherein the protective element 100 has a snap-in element or clamping element 102,100 at a free end.
Regarding claim 12, wherein the ramp has a flatter rise in the connecting direction (closed end of slot) than in the opposite opening direction (open end of slot) (Figs. 8A and 8C).
Regarding claim 13, wherein at least one “compression rib” 302 (element 302 rib-shaped and capable of being compressed via its flexibility) is provided for the clearance-free connection of the two components.
Regarding claim 14, wherein a connecting element 20 (bolt) is provided which is coupled to the protective element 100 through the connecting unit 200,300 (see Fig. 8C).
Regarding claim 15, Gagliardi discloses a protective system for a headlight (component 4 defined as “headlight housing”), comprising the connecting arrangement according to claim 1.
Regarding claim 16, Gagliardi discloses a vehicle apparatus (component 2 defined as “car body structure”) comprising the protective system according to claim 15.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See PTO-892.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to WILLIAM L MILLER whose telephone number is (571)272-7068. The examiner can normally be reached 9:30 - 6:00 PM.
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, Jason San can be reached at (571) 272-6531. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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WILLIAM L. MILLER
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3677
/WILLIAM L MILLER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3677
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