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 as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference character “42” has been used to designate several different fixing members. See figure 8 which shows a first fixing member 42, figure 9 which shows a different fixing member 42, figure 10 which shows another fixing member 42, and figure 11 which shows yet another fixing member 42. Since all of the fixing members are different in each of figures 8-11, each of the fixing members requires a different reference character. For example, the reference character “42” in figure 9 could be changed to --42’-- so as to indicate that the fixing member in figure 9 is different from the fixing member in figure 8. Also see reference characters 411 and 412 in figures 8-11 which suffer from the same issue as reference character 42.
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 abstract of the disclosure is objected to because “force is applied” on line 4 is confusing since it is unclear what element of the invention is receiving the applied force. On line 6, “connection posture” is confusing because it is unclear what the applicant is attempting to set forth. What comprises a “connection posture”? Is the applicant referring to a position of the support block relative to the support base?
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 Objections
The claims are objected to because “the connection posture” on line 9 of claim 1 bring the clarity of the claims into question because it is unclear what the applicant is attempting to set forth. What comprises a “connection posture”? Is the applicant referring to a position of the support block relative to the support base?
Recitations such as “the relative movement direction” on line 4 of claim 2 bring the clarity of the claims into question because the applicant has failed to set forth a relative movement direction above. Accordingly, it is suggested the applicant change “the relative movement direction” on line 4 of claim 2 to --a relative movement direction-- to avoid confusion.
Recitations such as “one end of which is provided with the positioning groove” on lines 4-5 of claim 3 bring the clarity of the claims into question because it is unclear how only one end of the first plate is provided with the positioning groove. See figure 4 which shows the positioning groove 311 extending almost the entire length of the first plate. What portion of the first plate comprises the “end” to which the applicant is referring and how is that end provided with the positioning groove when the groove extends almost the entire length of the first plate?
Recitations such as “a slotted hole” on line 7 of claim 3 bring the clarity of the claims into question because it is unclear what comprises a “slotted hole”. Is the applicant referring to a through slot? Note that the structure 313, as shown in figure 5, defines a slot and a hole, but it does not appear to define a “slotted hole”.
Recitations such as “it” on line 1 of claim 8 bring the clarity of the claims into question because pronouns such as “it” should be replaced with the element of the invention to which the pronoun refers to avoid confusion. Also see “it” in claims 9-14.
Recitations such as “[a] drill-free installation mechanism” on line 1 of claim 1 bring the clarity of the claims into question because it is unclear if the applicant is referring to the drill-free installation mechanism on line 2 of claim 8 or if the applicant is attempting to set forth another drill-free mechanism in addition to the one set forth above. Note that the recitation of “claim 1” on line 2 of claim 8 includes the recitation of “[a] drill-free installation mechanism”.
Appropriate correction is required.
Double Patenting
There is no current double patenting rejection based on:
US Application No. 18/961,986
US Application No. 19/354,471
US Application No. 18/663,064
US Application No. 19/247,305
US Application No. 19/354,059
However, clarification of the phrase “the connection posture” on line 9 of claim 1 may create a double patenting rejection based on any one of the applications set forth above.
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 5 and 6 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.
Recitations such as “the support block body” on line 3 of claim 5 render the claims indefinite because they lack antecedent basis. Also see “the connecting rod” on lines 3-4 of claim 5 and on line 3 of claim 6.
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.
Claims 1-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by EP 3 819 456.
With respect to claim 1, EP 3 819 456 discloses a drill-free installation mechanism comprising:
a support base 1 (fig. 1) configured to connect with an external structure (not shown, but comprising the wall set forth on line 3 of paragraph 20);
a support block 3 (fig. 3) slidably connected to the support base 1;
an anti-slip structure 8 arranged on the support block 3;
a status adjusting element 7 movably connected to the support block 3, wherein when subjected to an acting force, the status adjusting element 7 drives the support block 3 to move relative to the support base 1 and limits the connection posture between the support block 3 and the support base 1.
With respect to claim 2, the support base 1 is provided with a positioning groove 1.2 (fig. 3) for limiting the relative movement direction between the support block 3 and the support base 1; the support block 3 is provided with a sliding block 3.2 (fig. 3) adapted to the positioning groove.
With respect to claim 3, the support base 1 comprises: a first plate (labeled below), one end of which is provided with the positioning groove 1.2; a second plate (labeled below) arranged at an angle to the first plate (the first plate and the second plate are orthogonal to one another), the second plate being provided with a slotted hole 1.4, 10 (figs. 2 and 10) for positioning the status adjusting element 7 since the worm 4 disposed in the slotted hole adjusts the status adjusting element 7.
With respect to claim 4, the support block 3 comprises: a support block body (labeled below) provided with the sliding block 3.2; a connecting rod 6 (fig. 3) connected to the support block body, one end of the connecting rod (labeled below) passing through the second plate as a connection end; the connection end being connected to the status adjusting element 7.
With respect to claim 5, one end face of the support block body (labeled below) is fixedly connected to the connecting rod 6 since the support block body cannot move relative to the connecting rod unless the connecting rod is rotated; the other end face (labeled below) is provided with a receiving groove (labeled below) adapted to the anti-slip structure.
With respect to claim 6, the connecting rod 6 is connected to the status adjusting element 7 by one or more of threaded connection as shown in figure 3, snap connection, or plug connection.
With respect to claim 7, the first plate is provided with a connection portion (labeled below) configured to connect with an external structure.
With respect to claims 8-14, EP 3 819 456 discloses a system (labeled below), wherein the system comprises a drill free installation mechanism (labeled below).
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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 GREGORY J STRIMBU whose telephone number is (571)272-6836. The examiner can normally be reached 8:00-4:30 Monday-Friday.
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, Daniel Cahn can be reached at 571-270-5616. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/GREGORY J STRIMBU/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3634
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