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
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities:
In Line 4, the recitation of, “this pad” should recite, “the guide pad” to improve clarity.
In Line 5, the recitation of, “the body” should recite, “the metal body” to improve clarity.
In Line 8, the recitation of, “the body” should recite, “the metal body” to improve clarity.
In Line 10, the recitation of, “said body” should recite, “said metal body” to improve clarity.
In Line 4, the recitation of, “this pad” should recite, “the guide pad” to improve clarity.
In Line 9, the recitation of, “the pad” should recite, “the guide pad” to improve clarity.
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 11-14 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Regarding Claim 11, the recitation of, “studs” in Line 3 is unclear if this is the same one previously recited in Claim 1. For the purposes of prior art examination, the recitation is considered to mean the same one. Applicant is suggested to amend the limitation to say, “the studs”.
Regarding Claim 12, the recitation of, “in particular” in Line 2, makes the claim unclear as it is not understood if the limitation following the term is required by the claim. For purposes of prior art examination, the recitation following, “in particular” is considered optional.
Regarding Claim 14, the recitation of, “such as” in Line 2, makes the claim unclear as it is not understood if the limitation following the term is required by the claim. For purposes of prior art examination, the recitation following, “such as” is considered optional.
Claims 12-14 are also rejected by virtue of their dependency.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-10 are allowed.
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Regarding Claim 10, the closest prior art considered to be US 9353644 B2 discloses a guide device (figure 4 also reproduced/annotated above) for an aircraft turbine engine (intended use recitation, see figure 4), comprising:
- a body (30, figure 4) comprising at least one attachment tab (32, figure 4)
including an orifice (see annotated figure 4) configured to receive a screw or the like (33a, figure 4), this body comprising a first surface (see annotated figure 4)
- a guide pad (36, figure 4) which is made from a plastic or composite material (see Col 3 Lines 60),
this pad comprising a first surface (see annotated figure 4) and a second opposite surface (see annotated figure 4) which is free and which is configured to form a sliding guide surface (see annotated figure 4),
characterized in that said body comprises through holes (see annotated figure 4) which open onto the first surface of the body (see annotated figure 4).
The prior art fails to disclose the body being a metal body, the pad bonded to said first surface of the body, and in that said guide pad comprises studs which project from said first surface of the pad and which are respectively engaged and crimped in the holes of said body. Therefore, it is not known in, nor obvious from the prior art to construct a guide device as claimed.
Claims 2-10 are also allowed by virtue of their dependency.
Claims 11-14 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.
Internet/E-mail Communication
In order to permit communication regarding the instant application via email, Applicant is invited to file form PTO/SB/439 (Authorization for Internet Communications) or include the following statement in a filed document or remarks of a filed response (see MPEP 502.03 Il): Recognizing that Internet communications are not secure, I hereby authorize the USPTO to communicate with the undersigned and practitioners in accordance with 37 CFR 1.33 and 37 CFR 1.34 concerning any subject matter of this application by video conferencing, instant messaging, or electronic mail. I understand that a copy of these communications will be made of record in the application file. If such authorization is provided, please include an email address in the remarks of a filed response. The examiner’s e-mail address is sabbir.hasan@uspto.gov.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Sabbir Hasan whose telephone number is (571)270-7651. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday 10:30 am-6:30pm.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Nathaniel Wiehe can be reached at 571- 272-8648. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/Sabbir Hasan/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3745
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