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 .
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities: Examiner suggests changing “f course” to --Of course-- (page 16; paragraph 0037). Appropriate correction is required.
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 and 2 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.
In regards to claim 1, the phrase “enables to be inserted” (line 18) is unclear. Clarification and rephrasing are required.
In regards to claim 1, it is unclear which loop portion is being referenced in the phrase “the loop portion is configured” (line 30), since a loop portion has been previously claimed in each of the at least two regulation members. Clarification and rephrasing are required.
In regards to claim 1, it is unclear which regulation member is being referenced in the phrase “the regulation member” (lines 31-32 and line 37), since at least two regulation members have been previously claimed. Clarification and rephrasing are required.
In regards to claim 1, lines 36-39 are confusing. As best understood, line 30 sets forth that the loop portion is configured to perform the function set forth in lines 31-35, as well as the function set forth in lines 36-39. Lines 31-35 clearly set forth the function of the loop portion pulling the insertion ring portions, resulting in adjacent insertion ring portions being close to each other and a portion of the peripheral wall portion disposed between adjacent insertion ring portions being folded. However, lines 36-39 do not clearly set forth the function of the loop portion, in that there is no clear action performed by the loop portion in lines 36-39. Clarification and rephrasing are required.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1 and 2 appear to 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.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: as best understood, the allowable subject matter of claim 1 is a combination of features including details of the at least two insertion ring portions and the at least two regulation members, and when the regulation member and the control mechanism are coupled, the loop portion is configured to pull the insertion ring portions resulting in adjacent insertion ring portions being close to each other and a portion of the peripheral wall portion disposed between adjacent insertion ring portions being folded, and when coupling between the regulation member and the control mechanism is released, the portion of the peripheral wall portion disposed between the adjacent insertion ring portions is deployed in the front-rear direction, in combination with other features of claim 1.
Pinsenschaum et al. (US 6422597 B1) discloses a passenger seat airbag device comprising an airbag, inflator, and control mechanism, wherein the airbag includes a bag main body and a regulation member that extends between the control mechanism and insertion ring portions on an inner peripheral surface of the bag main body.
Amemori (JP 2002211348 A) discloses a passenger seat airbag device comprising an airbag, inflator, and control mechanism, wherein the airbag includes a bag main body and a regulation member that extends between the control mechanism and a peripheral wall of the bag main body, wherein when the regulation member and the control mechanism are coupled, a portion of the peripheral wall disposed between opposite ends of the regulation member is folded, and when coupling between the regulation member and the control mechanism is released, the portion of the peripheral wall is deployed.
The remaining cited prior art discloses passenger seat airbag devices comprising at least an airbag, inflator, and regulation member, with some also including a control mechanism and insertion ring portions. None of the prior art discloses alone, or in combination, all claimed details of the insertion ring portions and regulation members, and the claimed functioning of the components of the airbag device when coupling between the regulation member and the control mechanism is maintained and released.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LAURA FREEDMAN whose telephone number is (571)272-2442. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm.
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/LAURA FREEDMAN/
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3614
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