CTNF 18/944,715 CTNF 77320 DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 07-03-aia AIA 15-10-aia 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 § 103 07-06 AIA 15-10-15 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. 07-20-aia AIA 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. 07-23-aia AIA The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. 07-21-aia AIA Claim s 1 and 2 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kuwahara et al. (US 2020/0376946) in view of Pinsonneault et al. (US 2024/0375724), in view of Rai et al. (US 2023/0373563) . Kuwahara et al. discloses a vehicle body front structure comprising a motor (11) disposed on a front side of a vehicle and configured to apply a driving force to a drive wheel, a bulkhead portion (1) constituting part of a vehicle body, a front mount portion (32b), and a rear mount portion (32c), as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The bulkhead (1) separates a vehicle cabin (3) and a power unit room (2) from each other at a position behind the motor (11) in a vehicle front-rear direction, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The front mount portion (32b) is configured to support a front part in the vehicle front-rear direction of the motor (11) with respect to the vehicle body, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The front mount portion (32b) is configured to release the motor (11) from a supported state when a load of a predetermined magnitude or more is applied from the front side of the vehicle, as shown in Figure 4. The rear mount portion (32c) is configured to support a rear part in the vehicle front-rear direction of the motor with respect to the vehicle body at a position behind the front mount portion (32b) in the vehicle front-rear direction and above the front mount portion (32b) in a vehicle up-down direction. However, Kuwahara et al. does not disclose the bulkhead portion is cast and an impact absorbing portion is integrally cast on a front side of the bulkhead portion. Pinsonneault et al. teaches forming a bulkhead portion (100) by casting, as shown in Figure 12A and disclosed in paragraph [0076]. Rai et al. teaches integrally forming an impact absorbing portion (120A,120B) on a front side of a vehicle cross member (135), as shown in Figures 1-3 and disclosed in paragraph [0041]. In reference to claim 2, the impact absorbing portion (120A,120B) includes a front portion and a rear portion, as shown in Figure 3. The front portion includes a plurality of impact absorbing pieces whose thickness direction is a direction in which an impact load is a direction in which an impact load is applied, as shown in Figure 3. A plurality of reinforcing ribs are arranged in the rear impact absorbing portion so as to form a closed section as viewed in a vehicle up down direction, as shown in Figure 3. PNG media_image1.png 812 785 media_image1.png Greyscale It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to: Form the bulkhead portion of Kuwahara et al. by casting, as taught by Pinsonneault et al., with a reasonable expectation for success to improve strength, method of assembly, and method of repair; and, Form the impact absorbing portions on a front side of the bulkhead portion of Kuwahara et al., as taught by Rai et al., with a reasonable expectation for success to increase energy absorption to improve occupant safety in the event of a front impact. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to GREGORY A BLANKENSHIP whose telephone number is (571)272-6656. The examiner can normally be reached 7-4:30. 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 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. GREGORY A. BLANKENSHIP Primary Examiner Art Unit 3612 /GREGORY A BLANKENSHIP/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3612 June 10, 2026 Application/Control Number: 18/944,715 Page 2 Art Unit: 3612
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