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 .
Priority
Acknowledgment is made of applicant's claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d). The certified copy has been filed in present Application filed on February 07, 2025.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statements filed April 01,2024, June 11,2025, February 06,2026, and July 31,2006 have been submitted for consideration by the Office. It has been placed in the application file and the information referred to therein has been considered.
Applicants must continue to submit prior art references throughout the patent application process. A supplemental IDS must be submitted if prior art is discovered through a foreign patent application or an International Patent Search, or a related application before a prosecution closes.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claim 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
Rejection of claim 1, the limitations “ a special wire fixed to the wiring body via a fixing part, wherein the fixing part is fixed in a fixing state different from fusion between the first base member and the special wire, and the fixing part includes a first fixing part where a second base member different from the first base member and the special wire are fixed and a second fixing part where the first base member and the second base member are fixed” contains new matter
Based on an interpretation of the claim and disclosure, the claim is only encompassed by the embodiment specified in figure 10 of drawings; wherein only the second sheet 70 is fixed the special wire 50; while only the first sheet 330 is fixed the normal wires 40; however claim 1 states “the fixing part is fixed in a fixing state different from fusion between the first base member and the special wire” which is not supported by the specification and figures.
It is evident from the disclosure that it should be “the fixing part is fixed in a fixing state different from fusion between the first base member and the at least one normal wire”.
Therefore, claim 1 contains new matter. Appropriate action is required.
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.
Claim 1 is 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.
Rejection of claim 1, the limitations “ a wiring body including a first base member and at least one normal wire fused to the first base member; and
a special wire fixed to the wiring body via a fixing part,
wherein the fixing part is fixed in a fixing state different from fusion between the first base member and the special wire, and
the fixing part includes a first fixing part where a second base member different from the first base member and the special wire are fixed and a second fixing part where the first base member and the second base member are fixed” is indefinite.
No clear indication is given between a special wire and a normal wire.
Furthermore, it is not clear how structure of fusion between the first base member and the special wire is disposed.
It is unclear how a fixing state is different from fusion such as heaving two different condition or size or shape or melting point of fusion or having a fixing state as adhesive bonding or double-side-tape. Please clarify.
It is ambiguous how a second base member is different from the first base member such as size, shape, material, or color. Please clarify.
Appropriate action is required.
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-AlA) 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.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 102 which forms the basis for all rejections set forth 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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1)/(a)(2) (whichever apply) as being anticipated by Fukushima et al. (US20220093288, herein referred to as Fukushima).
Rejection of claim 1, Fukushima (figure 1 of Fukushima) discloses a wiring member, comprising:
a wiring body including a first base member ( a main part 20a includes a first layer 22 formed into a sheet-like shape and a second layer 24, see specification of Fukushima; ) and at least one normal wire (one of 30 of Fukushima) fused to the first base member; and
a special wire (other of 30) fixed to the wiring body via a fixing part (see figure 1 of Fukushima),
wherein the fixing part is fixed in a fixing state different from fusion between the first base member and the special wire (specification support fixing via fusion between 22a and other of 30 in Fukushima) , and
the fixing part includes a first fixing part where a second base member different from the first base member and the special wire are fixed (specification also support fixing via an adhesive agent or a double-sided tape between 22b and other of 30 in Fukushima) and a second fixing part where the first base member and the second base member are fixed (see 22a and 22b in figure 4 of Fukushima).
Pertinent Prior Arts
The prior arts made of record and not relied upon are considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Please refer to the enclosed PTO-892 form for the citation of pertinent arts in the present case, all of which disclose various wire harnesses.
Communication
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PARESH PAGHADAL whose telephone number is (571)272-5251. The examiner can normally be reached 7:00AM-4:00PM, Monday - Thursday.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Timothy Thompson can be reached on (571)272-2342. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/PARESH PAGHADAL/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2847
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