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 .
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) 1-4, 6 and 7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by US 0928055, Johnson.
In regards to claim 1, in Figures 2-3 and paragraphs detailing said figures, Johnson discloses an communicating structure, comprising: a body portion (1, 23) provided with a docking portion (see Fig. 2 below); and a movable portion (21, 22), movably fitted with the body portion and guided by the docking portion, and configured to be snap-fitted to an object or another body portion.
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In regards to claim 2, in Figures 2-3 and paragraphs detailing said figures, Johnson discloses the body portion is provided with at least one joining portion (see Fig. 2 above), the movable portion is provided with at least one snap-fit portion (21) fitted with the joining portion, and the snap-fit portion is snap-fitted to the object or the another body portion.
In regards to claim 3, in Figures 2-3 and paragraphs detailing said figures, Johnson discloses the body portion is provided with at least one joining portion, the movable portion is provided with at least one snap-fit portion, or the snap-fit portion is configured to be snap-fitted to the object or the another body portion.
In regards to claim 4, in Figures 2-3 and paragraphs detailing said figures, Johnson discloses the movable portion is provided with an operating portion, the operating portion and the movable portion are joined through a joining member, the operating portion and the movable portion are first clamped or snap-fitted and then joined through the joining member, an elastic element (24) is arranged between the movable portion and the body portion, or the elastic element is configured to provide an elastic force or an elastic force for movement and snap-fitting
In regards to claim 6, in Figures 2-3 and paragraphs detailing said figures, Johnson discloses the movable portion is a spherical member, a convex member, a concave member, a hook member, a fastening member, a snap member, or an elastic member, the movable portion is a snap-fit portion, the movable portion and the snap-fit portion are integrally formed or assembled, the snap-fit portion is a spherical member, a convex member, a concave member, a hook member, a snap member, or an elastic member, the body portion is provided with at least one joining portion (see Figure 2 below), the movable portion is provided with at least one snap-fit portion fitted with the joining portion, the snap-fit portion is a hole portion or a groove portion, the joining portion is a hole portion or a groove portion, the joining portion or the snap-fit portion is manufactured into a hole portion or a groove portion through computer numerical control (CNC), lathing, or a milling machine, the joining portion is a riveted member, an expanded member, a locked member, a welded member, a welded member, a hole, a groove, a convex member, a concave member, or an object having a head portion, the joining portion or the snap-fit portion is formed through injection molding, in-mold injection molding, metal injection molding, or plastic injection molding, the snap-fit portion is a spherical member, a convex member, a concave member, a hook member, a snap member, or an elastic member, the body portion or the object or the another body portion is configured for a fluid to flow through, or the fluid is water, a water-cooling liquid, oil, a gas, or air.
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In regards to claim 7, in Figures 2-3 and paragraphs detailing said figures, Johnson discloses one or two joining portions are arranged, and the joining portions are respectively docked with one or two snap-fit portions of the movable portion.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 7/24/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues that Johnson does not disclose various claimed features. The Examiner disagrees. In Figures 2-3, Johnson clearly illustrates all claimed features.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AARON M DUNWOODY whose telephone number is (571)272-7080. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Matthew Troutman can be reached at 571-270-3654. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/AARON M DUNWOODY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3679
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