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 and 5-8 are objected to because of the following informalities:
claim 1, lines 10-11, change “at the same time” to --and--;
claim 1, line 14, change “at the same time” to --and--;
claim 5, line 8, change “in a way” to --such--;
claim 6, lines 4-5, change “at the same time” to --and--;
claim 7, line 5, change “at the same time” to --and--;
claim 7, line 10, change “at the same time” to --and--;
claim 8, line 3, after “are” insert --each--;
claim 8, line 4, delete “at the same time”; and
claim 8, line 5, after “are” insert --each-- and delete “at the same time”.
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 2 and 3 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.
The term “several” recited in claim 2, lines 5 and 6, and claim 3, lines 5 and 8, is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “several” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. Further, the term “several” appears to contradict the drawings. Per FIG. 1, the horizontal fastener 200 comprises a door closer connecting plate 210 and a door body connecting plate 220. As clearly shown in FIG. 1, the plate 210 includes a single countersunk screw aperture for a single corresponding screw and the plate 220 includes two side-by-side countersunk screw apertures for two corresponding screws. Therefore, while the horizontal fastener 200 may be viewed as including “several” fastening screws (i.e. three), neither of the plates 210 and 220 include “several” fastening screws. Likewise, per FIG. 1, the vertical fastener 300 comprises a door closer connecting plate 310 and a door body connecting plate 320. As clearly shown in FIG. 1, the plate 310 includes a single countersunk screw aperture for a single corresponding screw and the plate 320 includes two side-by-side countersunk screw apertures for two corresponding screws. Therefore, while the vertical fastener 300 may be viewed as including “several” fastening screws (i.e. three), neither of the plates 310 and 320 include “several” fastening screws.
Claim 3, lines 2-3, recites the vertical fastener comprises “a second door closer connecting plate and a second door body connecting plate” thereby inaccurately implying the vertical fastener includes two (or at least two) of each plate. As discussed above, the vertical fastener 300 comprises a single door closer connecting plate 310 and a single door body connecting plate 320. The applicant is advised to delete all recitations of the term “second” in claim 3.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1 and 4-8 are allowed.
Claims 2 and 3 would be allowable if rewritten or amended 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.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Regarding claim 1, CN 217354010 represents the closest prior art of record and discloses a cam hydraulic door closer for a “narrow” frame door, which is adapted for a connection of a door body with a door frame, the cam hydraulic door closer comprising: a door closer main body 1 (shell), the door closer main body being embedded in a top of the door body and flush with the door body; two horizontal fasteners 9, an end of each of the horizontal fasteners being fixed flush with a top surface of the door closer main body, another end of each of the horizontal fasteners extending in a horizontal direction and being fixed flush with a horizontal side (top side) of the door body; and an eccentric cam shaft 2, an axial direction of the eccentric cam shaft being perpendicular to an extending direction of the door closer main body, at the same time an end of the eccentric cam shaft being fixedly connected with the door frame, another end of the eccentric cam shaft being rotatably pivoted in the door closer main body.
CN 217354010 fails to disclose or suggest, and teaches away from, the collective following: the door closer main body being embedded in a corner of the door body; and a vertical fastener, an end of the vertical fastener being fixed flush with a bottom surface of the door closer main body, another end of the vertical fastener extending in a vertical direction and being flush with a left end surface of the door closer main body, and said another end of the vertical fastener being fixed flush with a vertical side of the door body.
While it is noted GB 2561644 teaches in Figs. 1 and 2 a door closer 10 mounted on a corner of the door body 18, the reference fails to cure the above stated deficiencies either alone or in combination with the prior art of record.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See PTO-892.
Tillman (US#5417013) discloses in Fig. 1 a cam hydraulic door closer including a main body 1 and eccentric cam shaft 7,10.
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.
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WILLIAM L. MILLER
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3677
/WILLIAM L MILLER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3677