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 .
Claim Objections
Claims 1,13 and 17 are objected to because of the following informalities:
In claim 1, line 1, “A support assembly for conduit” should be “A support assembly for a conduit”.
In claim 13, line 1, “A support clip for conduit” should be “A support clip for a conduit”.
In claim 17, line 1, “A method of supporting conduit” should be “A method of supporting a conduit”.
In claim 17, line 5, “inserting a support clip for conduit” should be “inserting a support clip for a conduit”.
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 3,4 and 16 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 3, it is unclear what is being referenced as “the corresponding inner profile”. It is unclear if this is meant to reference the bridge inner profile, or the inner spring arm profiles.
Likewise in claim 4, it is unclear what is being referenced as “the inner profile”. It is unclear if this is meant to reference the bridge inner profile, or the inner spring arm profiles.
In claim 16 it is unclear how the one or more channels define one or more deflection axes for the one or more first spring arms, to resiliently align the one or more first spring arms. The application as filed, such as at paragraph [0092] details that the channels(spring arm indents 660) are aligned along the deflection axes. However it does not appear that the deflection axes are defined by the channels, or that they resiliently align the one or more first spring arms as recited in the claim. As such it is unclear how the channels are meant to be structured and arranged.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 would be allowable if amended to overcome the above claim objections and 112 rejections.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: US 2855648 to Jansson was considered to be the closest prior art, and taught most of the structure of the support clip as defined in independent claims 1,15 and 17. However Janssen does not teach a support member extending in a lateral direction with an opening receiving the conduit, and with the indents of the first and second lateral arms, or the first and second outer profiles of the first and second lateral arms engageable with the sides of the opening in the support member, while a conduit extends through the opening of the support member, as recited in each of claims 1,15 and 17.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US12535168, US11855433, US20230304607, US11448247, US20200149662, US8919707, US7810762, US7498511, US6752361, US4505006, US4118838, US3424856.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BRADLEY H DUCKWORTH whose telephone number is (571)272-2304. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9:30-6.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Terrell McKinnon can be reached at 5712724979. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/BRADLEY DUCKWORTH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3632
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