Drawings
The drawings are objected to because:
The word “Figure” is misspelled at each of the figures.
For reasons unknown, Fig. 4-7 show an additional clamping element 13 in place of the latching element 8 shown in Figs. 1-3.
The drawings fail to show the latching surface 16 resting on the edge of the opening 12 as described at paragraph 0051.
The drawings fail to show the latching element 8 located in the opening 12 as described at paragraph 0052.
Reference numeral 13 is used to identify both a clamping element and a recess.
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 the detailed description of the invention fails to describe details corresponding to the limitations of claims 7-10.
Claim Objections
Claims 1 & 18 are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.75(i) because elements of the claims are not separated by line indentation.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
Claims 1-20 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.
At claims 1, 3, 8-10, 15 & 19, phrases "such as" and “preferably” render the claims indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitations following the phrases are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d).
Each of claims 4 & 20 recites the limitation "the transition" and “the adjacent front edge”. There is insufficient antecedent basis for these limitations in the claims.
Claim 18 recites the limitation "the aligned openings" in line 9. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
Claims 1-4, 12-15 & 17-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Tisol, US 9,200,660. Tisol shows a connecting element (100) for components
(200, 300) configured in sheet shape, comprising a center section (124), a handle area (126), as well as a locking region (102), wherein the handle area and the locking region are mutually spaced at a distance (see Fig. 2) forming a receiving region, the handle area projects in part, radially over the cross section of the center section forming a radial
projection, and the locking region comprises a tab (106, 108) which projects at least
radially over the cross section of the center section, and the radial projection has at least one latching element (170, 180), and the connecting element can be rotated from its insertion position into its locking position (Figs. 11-12) to make a connection between at least two components configured in sheet shape which are to be connected by means of a rotation (col. 5, lines 21 & 42) around the center section in locking direction (see ”clockwise” at col. 5, lines 22 & 42) and can be rotated (see “turn” at col. 5, line 58) out of its locking position into its insertion position to release a connection between at least two connected
components configured in sheet shape by means of a rotation in release direction (see “counter clockwise” at col. 5, line 60) around the center section,
wherein at least the tab has an edge (118, 120) facing in locking direction and the section of the tab adjacent to the edge is configured as an insertion surface (see in Fig. 6 the surface of the tab 108 just below the number 154) aligned opposite, to the handle area that forms an insertion region of a height with the corresponding part of the handle area
wherein Figs. 5-6 show that height is greater than the distance between the handle area
and the locking region in the receiving region and that the height of the insertion region decreases continuously from the edge toward the receiving region,
wherein Fig. 6 shows the angle between the insertion surface (22) and the corresponding part of the handle area is between 20° and 40°, in at least one tab (9),
wherein Fig. 1 shows two diametrically opposite tabs (106, 108) are provided,
wherein the handle area (126) is arranged at one end of the center section (124) and the locking region (102) is arranged at the other, opposite end of the center section,
wherein at col. 5, lines 21-23, Tisol discloses the locking a region has at least one spring element (106, 108) that acts in the direction of the handle area in the area of at least one tab (106, 108),
wherein at col. 4, lines 35-37, Tisol teaches rounding the transition (174, 184) at an edge,
wherein Figs. 9-14 show the connector (100) is inserted in aligned openings (202, 302) in the two components (200, 300).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
Claim 16 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Tisol. Tisol shows handle area (126) but does not expressly disclose it configured in circular shape. However, it would have been an obvious matter of design choice to make the handle area (126) configured in circular shape, since such a modification would have involved a mere change in the shape of the handle area. A change in shape is generally recognized as being within the level of ordinary skill in the art. In re Dailey, 357 F.2d 669, 149 USPQ 47 (CCPA 1966).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 5-11 would be allowable if rewritten 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 and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Hulin and Revilla Lopez disclose connecting elements.
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/Greg Binda/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3679
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