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 .
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 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.
DETAILED ACTION
This is the first action for application #19/177448, Angled Anchor Mounts, filed 4/11/25. Claims 1-20 are pending.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement filed 4/11/25 fails to comply with 37 CFR 1.98(a)(3)(i) because it does not include a concise explanation of the relevance, as it is presently understood by the individual designated in 37 CFR 1.56(c) most knowledgeable about the content of the information, of each reference listed that is not in the English language. The document that did not have a concise explanation of relevance has been striked through and not considered.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they do not include the following reference sign(s) mentioned in the description: 212, 242.
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. 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 specification is objected to because it uses the reference numerals “355” and “455” when referring to the lower notches in para [0026]. Numerals “354” and “454” should be used when referring to the lower notches.
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 3, 9, 10, 12-14, and 19 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 3:
-It is unclear if “a base portion” is in addition to the base portion already claimed.
Regarding Claim 9:
-The phrase “wherein the arm that extends from the curved sidewall” is a fragment.
Regarding Claims 12-14:
-It is unclear if the strap is intended on being positively claimed. Claim 1, and some of the dependent claims, merely claims the strap with functional language. However, Claim 12 claims that the strap is a first strap. Additionally, claims 13 and 14 claim limiter portions for limiting lateral movement of the strap.
Regarding Claim 19:
-It is unclear is “a curved sidewall” is in addition to the curved sidewall already claimed. Additionally, guiding the object from the first route to the second route was already claimed in Claim 15.
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.
(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 1-4, 7-10, 12-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and (a)(2) as being anticipated by US 2012/0211609 (Mandic).
Regarding Claim 1, Mandic teaches a mount (2) comprising:
a bundle connector (see Figure below) configured to receive a strap (within 22; para [0064]) to attach an object (cable) to the mount, the bundle connector comprising an arm (see Figure below) that defines a notch (22) configured to receive the strap therein.
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Regarding Claim 2, Mandic teaches the mount of claim 1, further comprising:
a base portion (4) that includes a top side (as viewed in Figure 1) opposite a bottom side (as viewed in Figure 2), the bottom side includes a mount portion (42/50) configured to connect the base portion (4) to a workpiece (Figure 3; para [0066], [0068], [0074]).
Regarding Claim 3, as best understood, Mandic teaches the mount of claim 2, wherein the arm (see Figure above) is spaced apart from a base portion to define the notch (22).
Regarding Claim 4, Mandic teaches the mount of claim 2, wherein the bundle connector extends from at least one of the base portion (4) or a curved sidewall (18; see Figure above showing the bundle connector extending from both).
Regarding Claim 7, Mandic teaches the mount of claim 2, further comprising:
a curved sidewall (18) that extends from the base portion (4), the curved sidewall (18) configured to guide the object (cable) from a first route (linear) to a second route (curved) along a route path (Figure 4).
Regarding Claim 8, Mandic teaches the mount of claim 7, wherein the base portion (4) defines a base plane and the curved sidewall (18) extends generally orthogonally to the base plane (para [0063] teaching a “generally perpendicular upstanding wall 12” and 18 is coplanar with 12; also see Figure above).
Regarding Claim 9, as best understood, Mandic teaches the mount of claim 7, wherein the arm that extends from the curved sidewall (18), the arm configured to attach to the object (cable) via the strap (that passes through 22; para [0064]).
Regarding Claim 10, Mandic teaches the mount of claim 9, wherein the arm extends from an end of the curved sidewall (18; see Figure above).
Regarding Claim 12, as best understood, Mandic teaches the mount of claim 7, wherein the bundle connector (see Figure above) is a first bundle connector, the strap (that passes through 22) is a first strap, and the mount (2) further comprises: a second bundle connector (portion surrounding 20) that extends from the base portion (4), the second bundle connector configured to receive a second strap (that passes through 20; para [0063]) to attach the object (cable) to the mount, the second bundle connector comprising a second arm (portion above 20) that extends from the curved sidewall (18), the second arm spaced apart from the base portion to define a second notch (20) therebetween, the second notch (20) configured to receive the second strap therein (para [0063]).
Regarding Claims 13 and 14, as best understood, Mandic teaches the mount of claim 1, wherein the bundle connector (depicted above around 22) defines a first limiter portion (one edge of 22) that is configured to limit a lateral movement of the strap on the arm in a first direction, wherein the bundle connector defines a second limiter portion (second edge of 22) that is configured to limit the lateral movement of the strap on the arm in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction.
Regarding Claim 15, Mandic teaches a mount (2) comprising:
a curved sidewall (18) configured to guide an object (cable) from a first route (linear) to a second route (curved) along a route path (Figure 4); and
a bundle connector (portion around 22 or portion around 20) configured to receive a strap (within 20 or 22; para [0063], [0064]) to attach the object (cable) to the mount, the bundle connector comprising an arm (portion above the notch) that extends from the curved sidewall (18).
Regarding Claim 16, Mandic teaches the mount of claim 15, further comprising: a base portion (4) that includes a top side (as depicted in Figure 1) opposite a bottom side (as depicted in Figure 2), the bottom side includes a mount portion (42/50) configured to connect the base portion to a workpiece (Figure 3; para [0066], [0068], [0074]).
Regarding Claim 17, Mandic teaches the mount of claim 16, wherein the curved sidewall (18) extends from the base portion (4) and the bundle connector (portion around 20 or 22) extends from the base portion (4).
Regarding Claim 18, Mandic teaches the mount of claim 16, wherein the arm is spaced apart from the base portion (4) to define a notch (20 or 22) therebetween, the notch (20 or 22) configured to receive the strap therein (para [0063],[0064]).
Regarding Claim 19, as best understood, Mandic teaches the mount of claim 16, further comprising:
a curved sidewall (18) that extends from the base portion (4), the curved sidewall (18) configured to guide the object (cable) from a first route (linear) to a second route (curved) along a route path (Figure 4).
Claims 1, 2, 4-11, 13-16, 19, and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and (a)(2) as being anticipated by US 5,961,081 (Rinderer).
Regarding Claim 1, Rinderer teaches a mount (10) comprising:
a bundle connector (24/60; Figure 2) configured to receive a strap (within 60; col 4, ln 35-61) to attach an object (cable) to the mount, the bundle connector comprising an arm (24) that defines a notch (60) configured to receive the strap therein.
Regarding Claim 2, Rinderer teaches the mount of claim 1, further comprising:
a base portion (26/20; Figure 2) that includes a top side (where 26 is pointing to in Figure 1) opposite a bottom side (back of 26 that is mounted to a surface), the bottom side includes a mount portion (34) configured to connect the base portion (26/20) to a workpiece (col 3, ln 32-38).
Regarding Claim 4, Rinderer teaches the mount of claim 2, wherein the bundle connector (24/60) extends from at least one of the base portion or a curved sidewall (see Figures 2 and 3 where 24/60 extends from a curved sidewall 20b that extends from 20).
Regarding Claim 5, Rinderer teaches the mount of claim 2, wherein the base portion (26/20) further comprises: a channel (70; Figure 2) defined in the top side, the channel (70) configured to guide the strap (tie) under the arm of the bundle connector (see Figure 2 where the channel 70 extends directly under the arm of 24 into 60).
Regarding Claim 6, Rinderer teaches the mount of claim 2, wherein the mount portion (34) further comprises at least one of:
an adhesive portion configured to adhere to a mount surface of the workpiece to attach the mount portion of the base portion to the mount surface; or
a fastener aperture (34) defined through the base portion (26/20) from the bottom side to the top side, the fastener aperture (34) configured to receive a fastener therethrough to attach the base portion to the mount surface (col 3, ln 32-38).
Regarding Claim 7, Rinderer teaches the mount of claim 2, further comprising:
a curved sidewall (20b) that extends from the base portion (26/20), the curved sidewall (20b) configured to guide the object (cable) from a first route (entering into the mount) to a second route (exiting the mount) along a route path (Figure 1).
Regarding Claim 8, Rinderer teaches the mount of claim 7, wherein the base portion (26/20) defines a base plane (26 or 20a; Figure 3) and the curved sidewall (20b) extends generally orthogonally to the base plane (as depicted in Figure 5).
Regarding Claim 9, as best understood, Rinderer teaches the mount of claim 7, wherein the arm that extends from the curved sidewall (20b), the arm (24) configured to attach to the object (cable) via the strap (that passes through 60).
Regarding Claim 10, Rinderer teaches the mount of claim 9, wherein the arm (24) extends from an end of the curved sidewall (20b; Figures 2 and 3).
Regarding Claim 11, Rinderer teaches the mount of claim 7, further comprising:
a bundle retainer (16; Figure 1), wherein the bundle retainer (16) and curved sidewall (20b) define a cradle therebetween, the cradle configured to receive the object (12; Figure 1), and the bundle retainer (16) configured to retain the object in the cradle (col 3, ln 1-17).
Regarding Claims 13 and 14, as best understood, Rinderer teaches the mount of claim 1, wherein the bundle connector defines a first limiter portion (one edge of 60) that is configured to limit a lateral movement of the strap on the arm in a first direction, wherein the bundle connector defines a second limiter portion (second edge of 60) that is configured to limit the lateral movement of the strap on the arm in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction.
Regarding Claim 15, Rinderer teaches a mount (10) comprising:
a curved sidewall (20b) configured to guide an object (cable) from a first route (entering the mount) to a second route (exiting the mount) along a route path (Figure 1); and
a bundle connector (24/60) configured to receive a strap (within 60; col 4, ln 35-61) to attach the object (cable) to the mount, the bundle connector comprising an arm (24) that extends from the curved sidewall (20b).
Regarding Claim 16, Rinderer teaches the mount of claim 15, further comprising: a base portion (26/20) that includes a top side (where 26 is pointing to Figure 1) opposite a bottom side (rear side of 26 that attaches to a surface), the bottom side includes a mount portion (34) configured to connect the base portion to a workpiece (Figure13; col 3, ln 32-38).
Regarding Claim 19, as best understood, Rinderer teaches the mount of claim 16, further comprising:
a curved sidewall (20b) that extends from the base portion (26/20), the curved sidewall (20b) configured to guide the object (cable) from a first route (entering the mount) to a second route (exiting the mount) along a route path (Figure 1).
Regarding Claim 20, Rinderer teaches the mount of claim 16, wherein the mount portion (34) further comprises at least one of:
an adhesive portion configured to adhere to a mount surface of the workpiece to attach the mount portion of the base portion to the mount surface; or
a fastener aperture (34) defined through the base portion (26/20) from the bottom side to the top side, the fastener aperture (34) configured to receive a fastener therethrough to attach the base portion to the mount surface (col 3, ln 32-38).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Prior art has been listed in the PTO-892 form.
US 2002/0121571 (Ferris et al.) teaches a mount having a base and a curved sidewall extending therefrom to guide cables around the curved wall and notches for a strap to secure the cables.
US 7,221,832 (Tinucci), US 6,994,300 (Labeirie et al.) teach an arm extending upwardly from the base and creating a notch for a strap to secure cables thereto.
US 3,913,876 (McSherry), US 3,672,615 (Fiorentino) teach a mount with an adhesive mounting portion and an arm creating a notch for a strap to secure cables to the mount.
US 6,880,788 (Stephen), US 9,243,724 (Lake et al.), US 5,399,814 (Staber et al.), US 11,888,299 (Yamamoto et al.) teach an arcuate guide with notches for securing straps.
US D446,190 (Wakileh et al.), US 8,816,199 (French et al.), US 11,888,299 teach arcuate guides.
US 4,999,887 (Kraus) teaches a mount with arcuate walls and notches that could be used to secure straps.
US Des.427,897 (Johnston et al.) teach an arcuate guide with bundle retainers.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to INGRID M WEINHOLD whose telephone number is (571)272-8822. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Tuesday 7:00am-5:00pm.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Terrell McKinnon can be reached on 571-272-4797. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/INGRID M WEINHOLD/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3632
Prosecution Insights