Drawings
The drawings are objected to because:
At Fig. 4 it appears the first elastic component 15 is identified by number 16.
Figs. 9-10 include multiple views.
The drawings fail to show:
A limited state and a moving state as recited in claim 3.
The features of claim 4
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 brief description of the drawings doesn’t describe the drawings. Essentially every description therein is identical.
The abstract of the disclosure is objected to because it begins with a phrase that can be implied. A corrected abstract of the disclosure is required and must be presented on a separate sheet, apart from any other text. See MPEP § 608.01(b).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
Claim 7 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 enablement requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to enable one skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and/or use the invention. Claim 7 recites the limitation, “the non-limiting portion moves downward to release one of the positioning portions from limiting of the limiting portion”. However, Fig. 4 shows the non-limiting portion 132 cannot move downward enough to provide such release because the blocking portion 130 would abut the assembly portion 11 and stop downward movement before such release could be made.
Claims 1-12 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.
Claim 1 recites the limitations, “a limiting member, for being provided at the assembly portion and the engaging portion; or the engaging portion being provided with at least one positioning portion and a moving portion; or the limiting member limiting or moving at the positioning portion and the moving portion to limit a movement of the engaging portion; or the assembly portion being provided with at least one positioning portion and a moving portion; or the limiting member providing limiting or moving at the positioning portion and the moving portion to limit a movement of the engaging portion.” It’s meaning is unknown.
Claim 1 recites the limitation " the limiting portion" in line 11. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim because it appears “a limiting portion” is previously recited in the alternative only.
Claim 1 recites the limitation " the positioning portion" in line 12. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim because it appears “a positioning portion” is previously recited in the alternative only.
Each of claims 2- 4, 6-8 & 12 recites the limitation "the limiting member". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claims because it appears “a limiting member” is previously recited in the alternative only.
Each of claims 2-4, 7-8 & 12 recites the limitation "the positioning portion". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claims because it appears “a positioning portion” is previously recited in the alternative only.
Each of claims 4, 6-8 & 12 recites the limitation "the moving portion". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claims because it appears “a moving portion” is previously recited in the alternative only.
The term “wide” in claim 5 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “wide” 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.
Claim 10 recites the limitation "the object" in line 8. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim because it appears “object” is previously recited in the alternative only.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
Claims 1, 3 & 5-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Chen, US 7,491,070. At Figs. 2, Chen shows an engaging connection structure (100), comprising:
an assembly portion/mounting unit (indicated by number 11 in Fig. 1);
an engaging portion/circuit board (130), movably combined with the assembly portion; and
a limiting member (150), for being provided at the assembly portion and the engaging portion;
the assembly portion being provided with at least one positioning portion (110) and the limiting member providing limiting or moving at the positioning portion and a moving portion (see the hole in engaging portion 130 that limiting member 150 passes through) to limit a movement of the engaging portion (see Figs. 2B-2C),
wherein Figs. 2E-2F show a first elastic component (120), wherein two ends of the first elastic component abut against the engaging portion and the limiting member, respectively, the first elastic component abuts against the limiting member such that the limiting
member is located at the positioning portion and the engaging portion forms a
limited state (Fig. 2E), or presses the limiting member downward to compress the first
elastic component such that the limiting member forms a moving state (Fig. 2F) via the
moving portion,
wherein the limiting member is provided with a limiting portion (see In Fig. 2A the threaded portion of limiting member 150) and a non-limiting portion (see In Fig. 2A the unthreaded portion of limiting member 150), a volume or size of the limiting portion is adapted to provide limiting at the positioning portion, and a volume or size of the non-limiting portion is adapted to move at the moving portion (see Figs. 2B-2C),
wherein the engaging portion is provided with an operating portion (131, 140) which is actuated to the engaging connection structure,
wherein the limiting member is provided with a block portion (see In Fig. 2A the hex head in the unthreaded portion of limiting member 150).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 2 & 4 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. Kruger and Wang disclose engaging connection structures.
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/Greg Binda/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3679
