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 .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the real end position or the position after the connection is rotated, see 112 2nd paragraph rejection, and the holding device, as claimed in claim 8, must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
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.
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 1-20 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.
Claims 1 and 4 are drawn to a guide system or method for guiding a Bowden cable plug-in connection to an end position in a vehicle component. The claim requires that after making contact with the bearing rib, the connection is then guided along a bearing face of the bearing rib to a defined end position; and once the end position is reached, the Bowden cable plug-in connection is rotated as far as the end position in the vehicle component.
At the instant, it is unclear what this end position is and how the plug-in connection is positioned into that position.
First, none of the drawings appear to show the end position as claimed, since the specification does not define it.
Here is the invention:
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The plug-in connector is moved in the R1 direction until it contacts the guide rib 12.
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Then, the plug-in connector is moved in the R2 direction, which “differs” from the R1 direction, until it contacts the bearing rib 10.
After that, the plug-in connector will ride along the bearing face 14, until it arrives in the position shown in fig 1.
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So that is clear. However, the claim then requires that fig 1 position is “an end position” and when is reached, then the connection is rotated as far as the end position in the vehicle component.
Then, if the connection is further moved, then the position in fig 1 is not an end position; it is like a “pre-end position” or the like, since the end position is at the end of rotation.
Furthermore, the connection is not rotated as far as the end position. The connection is actually rotated as far as contacting the stop face 15, where the bearing rib is located.
Finally, the holding structure is required in order to finally complete the guidance of the connector.
Therefore, in order to continue with the examination, a broad interpretation will be given. Correction is required.
Claim 8 requires that the bearing face of the bearing rib is inclined and/or rounded parallel to the guide face. At the instant, the limitation is indefinite. As illustrated, the bearing face is perpendicular to the guide face.
Therefore, in order to continue with the examination, a broad interpretation will be given. Correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made 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.
Claim(s) 4, 5, 7-10, 15 and 18-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a1 as being anticipated by FR 3047266 to U Shin.
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Regarding claim 4, U Shin discloses a guide system for guiding a Bowden cable plug- in connection (1) to an end position in a vehicle component (3) of a transportation vehicle.
The guide system comprises a bearing rib (33) having a bearing face oriented at least in some sections of the bearing face at an angle to a vertical axis; and a guide rib (wall) having a guide face (surface of the wall) oriented perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the bearing face of the bearing rib.
As to claim 5, U Shein discloses that the bearing rib and the guide rib are configured as two parts.
As to claims 7 and 18, U Shein discloses that the bearing face of the bearing rib is configured in a planar and/or curved manner, and/or wherein the guide face of the guide rib is configured in a planar manner.
As to claims 8 and 19, U Shein discloses that the guide system comprises a holding device (34, 44) configured such that the Bowden cable plug-in connection is rotatably fastened at an end position.
As to claims 9 and 20, U Shein discloses that the bearing face of the bearing rib is inclined and/or rounded perpendicular to the guide face.
As to claim 10, U Shein discloses that a Bowden cable system (1) comprises the guide system of claim 4 and a Bowden cable plug-in connection (4). The Bowden cable plug-in connection is mountable in inside door actuator using the guide system. Wherein, one side of the Bowden cable plug-in connection rests positively against guide face of the guide rib of the guide system at an end position following mounting.
As to claim 15, U Shein discloses that the Bowden cable plug-in connection is latched in at the end position to the transportation vehicle component in an installation device of an inside door actuator of a door of the transportation vehicle.
Claim(s) 4-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a1 as being anticipated by FR 2964403 to Teixeira.
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Regarding claim 4, Teixeira discloses a guide system for guiding a Bowden cable plug- in connection (4) to an end position in a vehicle component (6) of a transportation vehicle.
The guide system comprises a bearing rib having a bearing face (7) oriented at least in some sections of the bearing face at an angle to a vertical axis; and a guide rib (8) having a guide face oriented perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly to the bearing face of the bearing rib.
As to claim 5, Teixeira discloses that the bearing rib and the guide rib are configured as two parts.
As to claims 6, 16 and 17, Teixeira discloses that the bearing rib and the guide rib are spaced apart from one another by a defined spacing in the normal direction of the guide face of the guide rib.
As to claims 7 and 18, Teixeira discloses that the bearing face of the bearing rib is configured in a planar and/or curved manner, and/or wherein the guide face of the guide rib is configured in a planar manner.
As to claims 8 and 19, Teixeira discloses that the guide system comprises a holding device configured such that the Bowden cable plug-in connection is rotatably fastened at an end position.
As to claims 9 and 20, Teixeira discloses that the bearing face of the bearing rib is inclined and/or rounded perpendicular to the guide face.
As to claim 10, Teixeira discloses that a Bowden cable system (3) comprises the guide system of claim 4 and a Bowden cable plug-in connection (4). The Bowden cable plug-in connection is mountable in inside door actuator using the guide system. Wherein, one side of the Bowden cable plug-in connection rests positively against guide face of the guide rib of the guide system at an end position following mounting.
As to claim 15, Teixeira discloses that the Bowden cable plug-in connection is latched in at the end position to the transportation vehicle component in an installation device of an inside door actuator of a door of the transportation vehicle.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 1, as interpreted above, 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.
At the instant, the prior art fails to disclose the movement as claimed and interpreted.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CARLOS LUGO whose telephone number is (571)272-7058. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9-6pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Kristina Fulton can be reached at (571)272-7376. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/Carlos Lugo/
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3675
September 20, 2026
